Accessories

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...

Roku announces new $50 Apple TV, Chromecast competitor ‘Streaming Stick’

Cody Lee ∙ March 4, 2014

As the race for the living room heats up, and rumors of an upcoming Apple TV refresh continue to swirl, Roku has announced its latest entry into the space called the Streaming Stick. The $50 accessory plugs into the HDMI port of your TV and streams a variety of content.

Looking at its size and price tag, the Streaming Stick seems like a direct competitor to Google's Chromecast. But the device features a remote control and on-screen navigational menus, which puts its functionality close to Roku's set-top box, and more on par with Apple TV...

Samsung introduces new ‘Gear Fit’ fitness tracker

Cody Lee ∙ February 25, 2014

As Apple and Google prepare their entries into the rising wearables space, Samsung introduced 3 new products into its already-seasoned line of smartwatches at Mobile World Congress this week. There's the Gear 2 and the Gear 2 Neo, and now we have the Gear Fit.

We've already seen the 2 new Gear watches—they're very similar to their predecessor in that they look, well, like watches. The Gear Fit, however, unveiled yesterday alongside the Galaxy S5, looks more like a cross between a smartwatch and a Fitbit Force fitness band...

Good deal: 32% off OUYA game console bundle

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

A little over a year ago, a new kind of gaming console called the OUYA popped up on Kickstarter and took the crowd-funding site by storm. The project promised to bring all of the benefits of mobile gaming to the living room, and went on to collect more than $8 million.

The OUYA officially hit the market in late 2012, to mix reviews, and has since seen several updates to fix prominent user complaints. So if you've been wanting to try it out, there's never been a better time than now — especially since it's on sale right now over at Stack Social...

Incipio boasts multiple backup power options

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated November 30, 2016

Right before leaving for CES, I received a survival pack from Incipio. CES survival is not necessarily about human survival, as much as it is about gadget survival. Opening the survival kit revealed an offGRID iPhone 5 Backup Battery Case and the offGRID Portable Backup Battery, both of which came in handy on my trip. An iPhone must eat too and at a large day-long event where signal is weak, battery juice drains like a leaking faucet.

Having portable power is essential when traveling or even if your older iPhone battery is not fit. Long plane rides are murder on an iOS device when chain smoking videos and Infinity Blade III sessions. Save yourself a dead device and take along a backup battery that is light and powerful...

Gearing up for CES 2014: an insider’s outlook

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

The changing of the calendar year marks the beginning of new technologies. Like the rising and falling sun, CES steadfastly holds the first full week in January for announcements and debuts of tech gear, gadgets, and controlled chaos. In a flurry of excitement, tech leaders from around the globe are descending on Las Vegas, which plays host to the giant 150,000+ attendees exhibition.

Leading to the large turn out, 3,200+ exhibitors crowd every single square inch of the Las Vegas Convention center, where I will survive the next week in a tech related stupor. The convention is a pilgrimage, the life long requirement of anyone who considers themselves versed in the tech world. As a second-year attendee, I have a better understanding of the week's events and hope to gather new insight for the upcoming year...

This is your chance to win our stocking stuffer accessory giveaway

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

It is the Christmas time of year and we are having a small celebration here on iDB. With the newly released Evasi0n7 jailbreak, there is plenty of reason for merriment. To share the Christmas excitement, we teamed up with a few companies to offer little stocking stuffers to a lucky reader.

From a small screen cleaner to aluminum earbuds, there is a little something in here for everyone. However, we will picking only one lucky winner to stuff their stocking with all of the items included in the details below...

A quick look at Sensu Solo, the true brush head stylus

Jim Gresham ∙ December 21, 2013

Styli are not the coolest pieces of hardware on the market. In fact, when I think "stylus," nothing cool comes to mind. I never wanted a stylus for my iOS devices, but I used one in the past, circa 2004 on a Windows based device. Those were clearly the bad days of my gadget obsession.

Arguably making things much cooler and more useful, Sensu developed a brush-type stylus for artists and amateurs alike. Popularly known for brush head styli, the company attempts to deliver an authentic experience to the digital marketplace. The goal of their endeavor is to create a "spring and restiveness that feels like real painting" and I would argue, there is certain success with this product...