Accessories

Philips demos Notification Center widget on iOS 8 for controlling Hue lights

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Just a few hours ago, Philips tweeted a concept image of a prototype Notification Center widget that could be used for controlling its Hue lineup of iOS connected bulbs and lights. As it stands, this functionality is provided through the Philips Hue app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. But this extension concept reveals that users could have more convenient access to an off button and different lighting settings without launching the app.

Notification Center widgets are a new feature in iOS 8 that Apple announced at its WWDC keynote earlier this week. Developers are able to build extensions that provide systemwide functionality through widgets in Today view, something that has been possible through jailbreaking for several years. In fact, there is already a jailbreak tweak called HueHueHue for controlling Philips Hue lights through Control Center. This prototype is a similar concept…

MBLOK is a wireless flash drive for iOS that fits in your pocket

Joe Rossignol ∙ May 20, 2014

May appears to be the month of Kickstarter campaigns featuring products that eliminate the need to use iTunes for transferring files between a Mac or PC and iPhone or iPad. Last week it was the iStick flash drive with a built-in Lightning connector, and this time around we're taking a look at the MBLOK wireless storage and flash drive by a team of students and entrepreneurs from Waterloo, Canada. Take a look…

OlloClip for iPad now available for pre-order

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Accessory maker OlloClip recently announced that it will be releasing a 4-in-1 lens for iPad, and has now opened up pre-orders for $69.99 in black or white. OlloClip for iPad, which debuted at CES earlier this year, is a clip-on camera lens accessory that expands your photo capturing abilities with fisheye, wide angle and two macro modes. The lens has a sleek design and is engineered to slide on and off your iPad in just seconds, providing a versatile solution for anyone that takes photos or videos with the tablet…

Logitech’s Case [+] review: the only case you might ever need

Lory Gil ∙ May 17, 2014

There are thousands of different types of iPhone cases on the market. You can spend less than $10 for a very simple back case, or hundreds of dollars on a luxury leather executive cover. There is a case out there for everyone.

Logitech has recently launched the Case [+], which may just be the right fit for every one. It is more than just a case. It is an all-in-one accessory kit for your iPhone 5 or 5s. The kit comes with a protective back cover, a car mount, a credit card holder, a backup battery, and a flap that doubles as a stand. The Case [+] kit comes with nearly everything you’ll ever need for your iPhone.

We have been putting the Case [+] through the paces to find out if it is all it is hyped up to be. Check out our hands on review of Case [+] below…

Twelve South introduces the HoverBar 3 for iPad

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Twelve South, a premium accessory maker of various Mac and iOS add-ons, announced a new product today. It's called the HoverBar 3, and it's the successor to the company's popular line of Apple tablet mounts.

The HB 3 looks similar to older models—it still features an iPad holder attached to a 20-inch flexible metal arm, and it still mounts to various surfaces via a 1-inch clamp—but it offers support for newer devices...

Quickdraw is a sturdy, magnetic Lightning cable alternative

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated May 19, 2014

I recently went on a road trip to Montréal, only realizing upon arrival that I had forgotten my official Lightning cable back home. With my iPhone running out of battery and no Apple Store within a short distance, I reluctantly purchased a third-party knockoff cable from a local electronics shop. In hindsight, it was a terrible decision. The cable barely worked and my iPhone constantly prompted me with compatibility warnings. It was a waste of both $20 and my time.

For that reason, I am enthusiastic about a new Kickstarter campaign for an upcoming product called the Quickdraw Cable by Woodford Design. It is hard to get excited over a simple cable accessory, but the Quickdraw has several advantages over a traditional Lightning connector and most third-party knockoffs. For starters, the one-meter cable is crafted with anodized aluminum plugs that are high quality and sturdy. That includes both strong cable strain relief and a waterproof design…

Bluelounge Jimi solves an iMac USB problem you might have encountered

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Loads of Apple accessories debuted at CES 2014, but one of my favorites was the Jimi by Bluelounge. Simply, "putting your iMac USB port within reach, Jimi is a j-shaped, USB port extension for your iMac to bring your USB port forward, allowing easy access." It is fairly straight forward and, after a pause, genius.

It is rare to so strategically pinpoint little nuances to everyday uses of Apple devices. Bluelounge specializes in these minute details, solving issues we gradually came to accept over time. I resorted to spinning my iMac around each time I wanted to access the USB ports. With an additional monitor on each side of my iMac, adding anything to the port required me to carefully pull my iMac forward and gently turn it to one side. Sometimes, I resorted to reach over the monitor, blindly cramming my cables into the aluminum back. My reckless behavior is no more, thanks to the Jimi...

Clic: the elegant case that’s barely there

Jim Gresham ∙ April 12, 2014

I have tested many, many cases in my short two year term as a hardware review editor. The one genre of case that I have seen overdone, rinsed and repeated, is the simple clip case. Almost every iPhone hardware company as one. The generic, little flimsy, thin-as-possible case that is just there to keep your phone from getting scratched up.

The trouble with these simple, small, thin cases is lack of detail and, really, passion. Companies seem to pass the thin do-nothing case as their last item at the trash can's bottom. They just produce it because it is a cheap, quick way to make a buck from people just wanting a simple solution. Native Union is here to correct those notions and is really killing it with their Clic...

Just Mobile AluBolt cradles iPhone and iPad mini

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Docks are my favorite iPhone and iPad accessory. I am not exactly sure what about them is enticing, but having my iOS devices propped elegantly at my workstation has been alluring since I first purchased an iPhone. Apple's products are not just devices for productivity. Apple's products are works of carefully crafted art.

In that nature, I would rather prop them up as a showcase. You wouldn't buy a $600 piece of art and let it lay aimlessly around your home. You would place it prominently, making sure others can tell you have great taste. You own an iPhone, right? Apply the same concept...

Pad & Quill introduces beautiful new wallet case for iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

In the world of iPhone and Mac accessories, there are two names I trust almost above all others: Twelve South and Pad & Quill. Both of them have a keen sense of design, and both are known for making high quality products out of high quality materials.

Over the weekend, the latter unveiled a new iPhone case called the Traveler. Like many of P&Q's cases it features a built-in pocket for carrying credit cards and other knick knacks around, but this time instead of a book-like design, they went with a rear shell...

Review: the iQi wireless iPhone charger

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Wireless charging has long been one of technology's Holy Grails. Being able to charge your devices without them having to be tethered to a power outlet would undoubtedly change the way we work, but seeing as we're still quite some ways away from having electricity beamed to our smartphones and tablets, we'll have to make do with the next best thing - charging plates.

Many phones support what they like to call wireless charging, but as the pedantic amongst us would point point out, that's not strictly accurate. After all, that charging plate still needs a wire! Get beyond that hangup though, and wireless charging is actually pretty cool even in its current state. Putting your tablet or smartphone on a pad and having it start charging is impressive enough, but unfortunately Apple still isn't up for it. Neither the iPad nor iPhone support wireless charging out of the box, and existing third-party solutions need big cases that come with the required technology built-in, which is far from ideal. Wireless charging should get out of the way, not make itself unmissable.

Enter the iQi wireless charging adapter...

New ‘Wello’ iPhone case measures blood pressure, temperature and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 27, 2017

Rumor has it that Apple's so-called iWatch will be capable of reading your blood pressure, heart rate and other vital signs. But you may not have to wait until its release to purchase such a device. Meet the 'Wello,' the all-in-one health-tracking iPhone case.

The Wello has built-in sensors that can give you a picture of your overall health after holding it for just a few seconds. It measures heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and blood oxygen levels—and can even test your lung function via a small attachment...