Accessories

Apple’s new MacBook won’t come bundled with an extension cable

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Sad news for those of you who use the power extension cable that comes with the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro: Apple's newest addition to the venerable notebook line no longer comes bundled with said cable.

That's bad news for those of you who aren't always in a situation where it's easy to use plug the power brick directly into the wall outlet. It also means that your MacBook is now on a much shorter leash when it comes to charging.

This change, coupled with the device's lack of a MagSafe connector, could spell trouble for those of you who need to, you know, work while charging your MacBook. It seems to me like this combination would greatly increase the potential for an accident.

But there is some good news in all of this. Apple will sell you an extension cable separately for only $19.00.

‘Reserve Strap’ aims to extend the battery life of your Apple Watch

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

One of the biggest public concerns regarding the Apple Watch seems to be its battery life. While other smartwatches, such as the Pebble, claim life of up to 10 days, the Cupertino wearable is said to last for less than 24 hours.

But John Arrow and ex-Nike staffer Lane Musgrave are looking to change that with the 'Reserve Strap.' It features embedded lithium polymer cells and an inductive charging cradle to keep your Apple Watch going strong.

Apple Watch: a mysterious 6-pin port opens up many possibilities

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

There is a mysterious port on the Apple Watch that could be used to connect accessories such as a smart band or battery, reports TechCrunch. The outlet says that multiple sources have confirmed the wearable features a secret 6-dot brass contact used for diagnostics and direct access to the operating system.

Apparently the port is very similar to the Lightning port found on larger iOS devices, and is located inside the groove of the "bottom" strap connector slot. It's believed that this portal is "absolutely necessary" to install the Watch OS during manufacturing, and thus it will be present on shipping versions of the wearable.

Review: RHA MA750i earphones

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Music can be a very personal choice, and the same goes for the hardware that we use to enjoy it.

Just take a look at the sheer number of options on the table when looking to buy a new set of earphones. Taking price out of the equation for now, it's clear that everyone has different tastes based on what they are looking for from earphones. Do they want the best sound quality that money can buy, or do they want something with a logo on the side that is going to make them look cool in front of their mates? What about design - do they want bright colors and patterns or do they want something understated?

Since choosing earphones isn't simply a case of picking the best sounding option at a price you can afford, just browsing the myriad of earphones on Amazon can be daunting to say the least, with many simply resorting to choosing something with a name they know or the best looking specifications. What they need is a good, solid recommendation.

So before we go any further, here it is. Buy the RHA MA750i.

Turn your iPhone into a Batmobile or Delorean with these crazy light-up cases

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 18, 2015

Folks in the market for a distinctively different iPhone case who don't mind some bulk should check out a pair of crazy cases hailing from Japan.

As highlighted by TouchArcade, the cases turn your device into a near-perfect replica of Tim Burton's Batmobile or a Delorean from Back to the Future II, complete with blinking LEDs and sliding plastic doors to reveal the camera lens and the physical buttons.

Though impractical in terms of daily use, these cases will sure turn heads and make you the star of every party. Created by Bandai, they're available in Japan for 5,940 yen, which works out to approximately $50.

Another purported iPad Pro case leaks

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Yesterday, French blog NowhereElse.fr pointed us to a few curious images of a purported protective case for an ‘iPad Pro,’ originated from a Chinese accessory vendor which makes iPad Air cases.

The sleek black case clearly shows cutouts for a rear-facing camera, Lightning connector, volume rocker, microphone, mute switch and power button.

However, the cutouts for stereo speakers believed to be located at the top and bottom of the device are nowhere to be seen. Big media has asserted that the oversized iPad will rock a screen measuring either 12.2 or 12.9 inches and one analyst believes the device may include an optional stylus for the creative types.

Meet Phorm, an iPad mini case that enhances your virtual keyboard with tactile keys

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 4, 2016

What if Apple's virtual keyboard could give you tactical feedback on each key press? This very idea has led Tactus Technology to embark on a project that'd result in a special case that magically morphs into a tactile keyboard buttons which raise up directly on your iPad mini's screen.

You're still using your on-screen keyboard, it just has a tactile feel to it now. Based on microfluidic technology, the Phorm, as they're calling it, consists of an iPad mini case and a screen protector which does all the magic.

A huge slider on the back of the case lets you dynamically add or remove fluid-filled keyboard buttons that give you tactile feedback. “The anxiety of auto-correct disappears, your productivity increases,” says Tactus.

So, is the Phorm but a gimmick? Read on.

Anki Overdrive announced with modular track pieces, new cars and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Following the success of Anki Drive, a slot car racing game which made its debut on stage at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in the summer of 2013, Tuesday the company announced the Anki Overdrive ahead of the next week's New York Toy Fair show. Anki Overdrive is an improved version of Drive with brand new cars, customizable tracks and more.

Review: PlugBug World by Twelve South, the versatile little charger Apple should have made

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 2, 2015

Aren't you sick and tired of those unsightly, clunky wall chargers lying underneath your desk? I'm all for simplification so solutions that cut down the number of power adapters needed to juice up my devices are bound to win my attention.

Twelve South's PlugBug World is a cute hybrid charger which connects to any MacBook brick or Apple USB wall charger.

By integrating an additional 2.1-Amp USB port, this compact accessory can quickly recharge any iOS device, or a lower-powered USB device, while feeding power to a MacBook at the same time.

Continue reading as I let you in on the PlugBug's little secrets, such as its cunning adaptability, versatility and smart design choices that make it stand out from other products and turn it into an indispensable companion in your mobile arsenal.

Apple awarded patent for snap-on iPhone game controller with support for head-to-head gaming

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 27, 2015

As first discovered by AppleInsider, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) this morning awarded Apple a patent for a snap-on gaming accessory for the iPhone which imagines physical button controls such as miniature joysticks, action buttons and directional D-pads positioned at left and right of the screen.

The patent No. 8,939,838 titled “Accessory for playing games with a portable electronic device” even envisions added extras such as an additional multitouch display, cameras, microphones and speakers to elevate the experience.

Twelve South launches hybrid MacBook stand you can type on

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 20, 2015

Premium Apple accessory maker Twelve South on Tuesday announced a new MacBook stand that you can actually type on.

Unlike a bunch of similar notebook stands by rival vendors, the ParcSlope elevates your MacBook screen to a neck-friendly height while tilting the keyboard at desk level for comfortable typing.

The hybrid solution provides a more ergonomic viewing height at an angle of eighteen degrees, without requiring an external keyboard, although you can use the ParcSlope with one if you want. The accessory is available now at the Twelve South webstore for $49.99.

This iPhone Lightning cable claims to cut charging time in half for $27

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

SONICable is claiming it's the world's most advanced charging cable for the Lightning-supporting iPhones, able to charge your device in half the time as a normal Apple charger.

It offers an off and on switch that is behind the magic. When the switch is OFF: Its like a normal USB cable, charge and sync. When the switch is ON: All of the power is focused on charging, sync/data is disabled, which the Fort Lauderdale-based company says helps increase speed significantly.