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Pigment review: the first coloring book app to get it right

Lory Gil ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

I am a coloring book enthusiast. I have dozens of them, ranging in skill level from kid's books with wide lines to coloring books for adults, which are intricate and complex. I have a wide variety of tools from Prismacolor pencils to brush tip markers. I've been coloring since I was a toddler and I've never stopped. Ever.

So, when Pixite told me about its new coloring book app, Pigment, I immediately scoffed at the idea. Coloring book apps are a joke. They don't get it. They don't provide the stress-relieving comfort that actual coloring does. However, after testing the app for about two weeks now, I'm singing a different tune. Check out my full app review of Pigment below to find out what changed my mind.

Dual-layer ArmorBox by i-Blason protects your iPad Air 2 like a boss

Lory Gil ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

We've got another rugged case to tell you about as part of our accessory spotlight series, which is where we showcase a variety of accessories, from cases to speakers, which are top of their class. We select the products in this series to highlight based on a high consumer rating, although we may not have tested them ourselves.

You may know by now that I love camping. I also love bringing my gadgets with me when I spend time in the great outdoors. I know that goes against what most people consider "roughing it," but some of my favorite pastimes involve sitting around the campfire listening to podcasts, or watching a movie in my tent when the world outside is totally black.

If you like to bring your iPad Air 2 with you on camping trips, or maybe you are just prone to accidents and just want to protect your tablet with a rugged case, you should check out the ArmorBox by i-Blason.

Apple to announce Q1 2016 earnings on January 26

Cody Lee ∙ January 4, 2016

Apple just confirmed via its Investor Relations portal that it will be releasing financial results for its first fiscal quarter of 2016 (fourth calendar quarter of 2015) on Tuesday, January 26. As usual, the company will be hosting a conference call to discuss the results at 2:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. ET that day.

While earnings reports aren't typically worth getting excited about, Apple loves to show off during the holiday quarter. The company routinely crushes smartphone sales and revenue records for the 3-month period, besting itself last year by moving 75 million iPhones and recording almost $75 billion in revenue.

Griffin introduces handy new Travel Power Bank for Apple Watch

Cody Lee ∙ January 4, 2016

Griffin on Monday added to the stack of CES product announcements by introducing the Travel Power Bank for Apple Watch. As you can see in the photo, the accessory is essentially a tiny battery pack with an inductive charging pad for Apple's wearable.

Griffin says that the built-in battery is of the 800 mAh variety, which is good enough to fully recharge the Apple Watch up to four times before needing more power for itself. That's not too shabby for a device that is so small it can be attached to a keychain.

Fiat Chrysler to offer CarPlay in select Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles this year

Cody Lee ∙ January 4, 2016

Fiat Chrysler on Monday announced its fourth-generation Uconnect system, which will bring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to select vehicle models later this year. In a press release, the automaker says that the addition of CarPlay will give drivers a smarter, safer way to use their iPhones while in their cars.

"With fourth-gen," said Joni Christensen, Head of Uconnect Marketing, "we are continuing to minimize the everyday stresses of busy lifestyles by providing drivers with a variety of ways to stay conveniently connected to their vehicles, while making every drive exceptionally informative, entertaining and unique."

Samsung’s latest external SSD comes with USB-C

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 4, 2016

If you're a proud owner of Apple's one-port MacBook, up until recently you could only connect a handful of USB-C accessories without using a USB-C-to-USB adapter. But if CES is an indication, 2016 is going to be the year of USB Type-C.

Earlier today, my colleague Jeff told you about several MacBook-friendly USB Type-C monitors and I wrote about Griffin’s USB-C power cable which brings MagSafe charging to the MacBook. Samsung, too, has jumped on the USB-C bandwagon with the Portable SSD T3, basically a next-generation, USB-C-enabled version of its external solid state drive series.

The switch to USB-C connection has made possible data transfer speeds of up to 450 megabytes per second, enough to handle 4K video editing. And with compatibility across multiple operating systems and devices, the T3 works not only with your MacBook but other USB-C-enabled notebooks and desktops.

This new portable charger wants you to believe it was designed by Apple

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 4, 2016

Picking a portable battery pack for your iPhone or other smartphone brand can be a daunting task. There are literally hundreds of such accessories in the marketplace that are vying for your attention, available in many shapes, sizes and price points.

The latest entrant to the mobile charging game is a Silicon Valley startup called 4Second Life, which at CES 2016 in Las Vegas showed off its portable charger, the Aluminum VI, which looks (or wants to look) like it was designed by Apple itself.

Brydge launches backlit keyboard cases for iPad Pro and iPad mini 4

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 4, 2016

Accessory vendor Brydge launched at CES 2016 in Las Vegas a pair of brand new clamshell backlit keyboard cases for Apple's super-sized iPad Pro and the fourth-generation iPad mini.

Both the aluminum-clad $189 BrydgePro for iPad Pro and the $99 BrydgeMini for iPad mini 4 have rechargeable three-month batteries, sport backlit keys akin to those on MacBooks, offer Bluetooth connectivity and have a multi-angle hinge mechanism for folding them into a clamshell-like appearance.

Apple seeds iOS 9.2.1 beta 2 to developers

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 4, 2016

Less than three weeks after releasing the first beta of iOS 9.2.1, Apple on Monday seeded iOS 9.2.1 beta 2 to its registered developers. The software is also available to public beta testers who are signed on Apple's Beta Software Program,

The new pre-release software has a build number of 13D14 and can be applied over-the-air on iPhones, iPads and iPods running a prior beta via Software Update.

A standalone firmware download is available to members of the Apple Developer Program through the company's official portal for developers.

New MacBook-friendly USB Type-C monitors announced

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated January 6, 2017

It looks like USB Type-C will be one of the big stories of CES 2016. The USB Type-C connector found on the 12" MacBook makes it possible to transfer data and display content on a monitor, and at the same time provide power to the MacBook as well.

Having a USB Type-C equipped monitor basically allows said monitor to function as an all-encompassing docking station for the 12" MacBook. With a single cable, you can provide data transfer, monitor connectivity, and power.

Today, Acer has announced a new line of monitors sporting the H7 series moniker. These monitors are among the first displays to sport USB Type-C connectivity, and when you think about the implications, it's a very big deal for MacBook owners.

Griffin’s new USB-C power cable brings MagSafe charging to 12-inch MacBook

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 9, 2016

Apple's twelve-inch MacBook is one hell of a laptop in terms of portability, build quality and features, but some people are fretting over its limited expandability. With just one USB-C port, folks who wish to connect more than one accessory to the notebook must buy pricey USB-C adapters.

Sadly, the adoption of USB-C on the one-port MacBook has also meant nixing Apple's tremendously popular MagSafe adapter.

If you're concerned about sending your notebook flying by accidentally tripping over its USB-C charging cable, Griffin has a solution for you in the form of a newly announced charging cable that brings MagSafe-like technology to the new MacBook.

How to temporarily hide iOS 9’s stock app icons, no jailbreak required

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 4, 2016

Aside from disabling the iTunes Store, iBooks Store and Podcasts apps on your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad using iOS's Restrictions feature, Apple doesn't yet provide an officially sanctioned way of removing stock apps from your Home screen.

This can be particularly annoying for people who rely on third-party alternatives to Apple's default apps like Reminders, Maps or Calendar.

My preferred way of working around this limitation involves tucking away any unwanted stock app inside a “Junk” folder. Thankfully, YouTubber Jose Rodriguez has found a better way to temporarily hide icons of Apple's stock apps on iOS versions from iOS 9 onward using a simple trick that doesn't require a jailbreak.