Accessories

Review: Apple’s iPhone 5c Case is tastefully tacky

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated March 31, 2017

Typically, I do not bother reviewing Apple items because I do not feel like adding my $.02 to the pile of other blogging around the web. Leave the big company reviews to the big boys, is best in my opinion. However, when I saw Apple release the "iPhone 5c Case," I immediately felt the need to pick one up and share my opinions. Feel free to call it a useless need to self aggrandize my product reviews by weighing in on the newest Apple offering. I couldn't look past the bold and somewhat tacky bright color schemes.

What drew me into the review was Apple's previous lack of actual cases. In most recent history, Apple released a Smart Cover for iPad and the mini. Additionally, Apple released bumpers for iPhone 4. Apple making the definitive decision to release a case for the already colorful iPhone 5c made me stop and take notice. What possessed the company to finally produce a full fledged case for iPhone and what would Apple do so differently from other case manufactures?

As Steve was a self proclaimed iPhone nudist, clearly there were some people behind the late Apple CEO that were itching to release a case...

Coda Forte bluetooth headphones offer wireless quality

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

When using a headphone, cable is not an option, switching to Bluetooth is obviously the best idea. There are many areas where cordless headphones are optimum, including late nights playing your favorite iOS game next to your wife, who is sleeping and doesn't know you broke the no-gadgets-in-the-bedroom agreement. Keeping yourself out of the dog house is made simple with a pair of headphones.

However, fumbling around with a cord is not always preferred. iFrogz, which was purchased by ZAGG, would agree that wireless is the way to take listening to the next level. The iFrogz Audio Coda Forte Bluetooth Headphones with Mic, which I will term "Coda" henceforth, is an answer to the corded headphones of the past. Having previously reviewed ZAGG headphones, I am not new to the ZAGG audio scene but the Bluetooth addition is new territory...

Pre-ordered iPhone 5c cases begin arriving

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

Alongside the all-new iPhone 5c, Apple unveiled six new colorful cases for the handset last week. The company has taken some heat over their radical design, but it believes they'll provide customers with an easy way to customize their devices.

Made from silicon, with 35 small holes punched in the back, the accessory went on sale right next to the iPhone 5c pre-orders last Friday. And although the phone itself won't start hitting doorsteps until Friday, some have already received their cases...

Never lose your iPhone in the dark with glowing Slickwraps cases

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

I find myself fumbling around in the dark looking for my iPhone, while trying not to wake my wife. Black iPhone, dark room, black side table are all my enemies when trying to get my late night Twitter fix. Not that Slickwraps designed a case to encourage bed time iPhone junkies, but I find the glowing aura of this case helpful in similar situations.

When I first offered to review the Slickwraps glow series case, I figured it was a novelty item that children might find in a $.25 grab machine at the local bowling alley. After using the case for more than a week, I am happily surprised to believe quite the opposite of my original impressions...

Apple introduces new $29 docks for the iPhone 5s and 5c

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

While there weren't too many surprises during today's iPhone event, we did get a couple of small ones afterwards. Apple quietly introduced a handful of new accessories for its just-revealed iPhone 5c and 5s handsets.

These accessories include a new 2 meter (or 6.5ft) Lightning to USB Cable, which is twice as long as the previous version, as well as—surprisingly—two new Lightning charging docks for its two new smartphones...

Apple introduces new custom cases for iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

In addition to the new 2 meter Lightning cable and its two new charging docks, Apple also unveiled today new custom cases for its new handsets. There's a fun plastic one for the iPhone 5c, and a sharp-looking leather one for the 5s, and both are available in various colors...

Car-maker Nissan unveils new Nismo smartwatch, and it’s actually pretty awesome

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

To say the smartwatch industry is on the verge of exploding would be an understatement. In addition to the Pebbles and the i'm watches, both Samsung and Sony just made major plays in the space. And rumor has it that Apple is also working on a wearable.

But out of all of the smartwatches we've seen thus far, this new one from Nissan might just be the best-looking. That's right, believe it or not, the auto-maker just introduced a connected watch of its own called the 'Nismo.' And it's actually pretty awesome...

iOS in the Car cannot come soon enough

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

I recently purchased a new top of the line 2013 Nissan Pathfinder and am very pleased with the family decision. Everything is exactly what my wife was looking for in a vehicle, sleek exterior, beautiful interior, mandatory leather seats, and room for future 2.2 kids and a Great Dane. The size, we felt, was a little lacking, but it stood up to its rivals with a bit of finesse.

We get our new, fresh smelling, SUV home and start playing with it in the driveway like two kids and a new toy on Christmas morning. But, we obviously are attracted to different things. My wife wanted to climb all over the back seats, adjust the driver seat, and set the memory locks for her key fob. I go straight for the dashboard entertainment center.

I took a fairly hard look at the infotainment center on our various test drives, but once I had my iPod classic freshly synced and plugged into the Pathfinder, I quickly grew upset. Below the fold is a personal reaction to the system in our new vehicle and a highlight of how things could be done in a more fluid way...

Kordl 2 prevents tangled earbud frustration

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

In a post earlier this year, I highlighted the original Kordl, which promised to tangle-proof earbuds. After my initial review, I found, quite surprisingly, the little thumbnail size of plastic works very well. One of the largest setbacks for the original Kordl was the attachment mechanism and how the earbud wires were held.

To enhance an already impressive design, J2 Product Development set out to make a better version and reinvent the proverbial wheel. Back in action and fresh off a 250% funding spree on Kickstarter, Kordl 2 is the new way to keep tangles to a minimum. Take a look below for a snapshot of the enhancements and a brief on the simple design...

Jawbone introduces new ‘Mini Jambox’ Bluetooth speaker for $179

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

First there was the Jambox. Then there was the larger, aptly-named Big Jambox. And today Jawbone announced the Mini Jambox. The mini is the company's third entry into the portable Bluetooth space, helping round out the Jambox line.

But don't let the 'Mini' name fool you. It's actually not that much smaller than the original Jambox, with virtually the same height and width. In fact, the only dimension you'll notice a difference in is depth—they've shaved about 1/3 of it off...

Galileo is a multipurpose remote motion stand for iPhone

Lory Gil ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a review of the photography app Sphere (formerly TourWrist). After reading the review, the app’s developer sent me Motrr’s new photography mount, Galileo, which is a perfect accessory to the 360-photography app.

Motrr’s new spherical recording device made the front pages when its Kickstarter campaign went supernova and made seven times its original goal. The Galileo is currently shipping to Kickstarter pledgers and Motrr is taking preorders for the device for a mid-October launch.

In addition to being a spherical recording device that fits perfectly with Sphere, Motrr’s Galileo is an iOS-controlled remote motion stand for the iPhone and iPod touch. The device features 360-degree spherical rotation capability and lets users take pictures or view streaming video using pan-and-tilt speeds of up to 200 degrees per second. Set up your iPhone with Galileo and use another iOS device to control it by swiping your finger on the screen to move the angle in any direction you like. This multipurpose stand lets you use your iPhone for video conferencing, baby monitoring, and more...

HiRise: iPhone’s new throne pedestal by Twelve South

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

A couple weeks ago, we highlighted the launch of Twelve South's newest accessory, the HiRise for iPhone 5 and iPad mini. I was able to finally get my hands on one and can report the excitement is worth the hype. For those new to the Twelve South scene, the company is a premium and Apple exclusive accessory maker, made famous for simple and elegant products like the iPhone SurfacePad, BookBook case, and BookArc.

Humbly setting a company goal to launch 12 Mac accessories each year, each new item is focused on design and function. Often, the elegance and intricacies of Twelve South products are found in the smallest of details, which often make the user experience even more enjoyable.

The HiRise for iPhone is no exception to the quality build and functional design of the product line. The HiRise for iMac or for MacBook Pro are popular items and the ported design easily conforms to iPhone 5 and iPad mini. With a small footprint, the newest HiRise is an excellent desktop companion...