Accessories

Sony looking to mainstream virtual reality gaming with Project Morpheus head-mounted display

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 19, 2014

The Game Developers Conference is running this week in San Francisco, where the Japanese consumer electronics giant Sony showed off a cool virtual reality headset.

Code-named Project Morpheus, the futuristic looking head-mounted accessory has a built-in five-inch LCD screen with full HD resolution (1,920-by-1,080) with a 90-degree field of view.

Three years in the making, Project Morpheus is packed with sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes, works with the PlayStation 4 console and even lets players simultaneously use Sony's DualShock 4 and PlayStation Move controllers...

Twelve South unveils Rutledge BookBook case that gives your MacBook unique look

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 13, 2014

It's all too easy to get lost in a dizzying array of accessories for Apple devices, especially with too many companies rehashing same old ideas and doing the exact same thing. That's why my initial experience with Twelve South instantly made me a believer.

They've been crafting gorgeous, functional accessories exclusively for Apple products since 2009, prompting big media like Forbes to suggest that Apple should just buy them outright.

And not because of the profits, but due to Twelve South's thoughtful design which is often reminiscent of the utmost care that can be observed in every aspect of Apple's industrial design.

On Thursday, the Charleston, South Carolina firm launched the Rutledge BookBook, a new edition of its popular BookBook case for MacBooks, hand-distressed to give each one a slightly different appearance, so no two look exactly alike...

This ‘TechDesk’ features built-in docks for your iPhone and iPad

Cody Lee ∙ March 10, 2014

Folks in the market for a new desk may want to check out this new bamboo-topped TechDesk. It looks a bit odd at first, but the holes, cup holders and other cutouts were designed to keep you, your laptop and all of your iOS devices organized and accessible.

The holes you see in the middle of the desk are actually air vents for keeping your MacBook (or other notebook) running cool. There's also a built-in mouse pad, slots for your coffee cup and magazines, and then multiple docks for your iPhones and iPads...

Twelve South launches BookBook case for iPad Air

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 16, 2016

After months of waiting, premium accessory maker Twelve South has finally introduced its BookBook vintage case series for the iPad Air. Like the BookBook for the iPhone 5/5s, BookBook for the iPad mini [review] and full-size iPad, BookBook for the MacBook Air and other BookBook cases, the iPad Air edition is hand-distressed using high-quality leather to give each one a slightly different appearance.

It's also a nice theft-deterrent thanks to its dusty tome appearance hiding your iPad Air completely from prying eyes while keeping it protected from elements, dust, nicks and scratches. And like other BookBook cases, it allows you to prop up your device at a 30-degree angle for prolonged text entry and showing off your media. ..

Jawbone’s new ‘UP Coffee’ app tracks how caffeine affects your sleep patterns

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2018

Popular accessory and wearables maker Jawbone has released an interesting new app for iPhone today. It's called 'UP Coffee,' and it's the first product from product from Jawbone Labs—an initiative that allows Jawbone employees get experimental with personal projects.

The purpose of UP Coffee is to help users understand how caffeine affects their sleep. Despite its name, users won't need an UP band to use the app, and they don't have to drink coffee. You can enter in virtually any caffeinated liquid you want, and watch the app do its thing...

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...

Oscar Mayer’s new iPhone alarm clock wakes you up to the smell of bacon

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2018

Of all the smells you can wake up to in the morning, I would have to say that Bacon is perhaps the most alluring. Obviously, that's not the case for everyone, but if I could, I would create an automatic bacon-cooker that I could program to start cooking bacon at 9am every morning.

Fortunately, thanks to Oscar Mayer, all of that may not be necessary. The company has created a new device, aptly-named 'Wake Up & Smell the Bacon,' which pairs with your iPhone to create an alarm clock of sorts that can wake you up to the sound and smell of sizzling bacon...

Users complain of Lightning cable issues due to corrosion

Cody Lee ∙ March 5, 2014

Apple has been taking criticism for its new Lightning connector since it was introduced alongside the iPhone 5 in 2012. The change instantly made millions of cases and other accessories incompatible, forcing users to either buy updated products or do without.

Those complaints have since spilled over into the Lightning cable's durability, with the Apple Store showing a 1.5 star rating of the cable on over 1,200 reviews. Apparently the cable is vulnerable to breakage, fraying, and according to a new report, corrosion as well...

Apple ‘iRing’ concept brought to life by Kickstarter project

Cody Lee ∙ March 5, 2014

Around this time last year, Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White made headlines for a note he sent to investors regarding the 'iRing.' White said that Apple was working on a television set that could read motion gestures from a user who was wearing a ring-shaped device on their finger.

Well, we have yet to see the product materialize, but a company called Logbar is looking to change that with their new Kickstarter project. It's called 'Ring: shortcut to everything,' and once connected to your mobile device, it allows you to send texts, control your home appliances, and more...

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...

Twelve South launches SurfacePad for the iPad Mini

Cody Lee ∙ March 4, 2014

Mac and iOS device accessory maker Twelve South launched its popular SurfacePad for the iPad mini today. The cover, which hit the market last spring for the iPhone 5, is made up of high-quality Napa leather and doubles as both a stand and typing wedge.

But what sets the SurfacePad apart from other covers and cases is that it uses an adhesive backing to attach to the device, rather than trying to fit around the device, which helps cut down on thickness. The cover comes in at just 0.1 inches (or 3.0 mm) thick...

Logitech launches Harmony Smart Keyboard for Apple TV

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 4, 2014

Navigating the Apple TV interface using the included Apple Remote rather quickly becomes a cumbersome affair. Fortunately, you could always hook up an external keyboard to the device (here's how) because the Apple TV supports Bluetooth keyboards.

Realizing that owners of streaming-media devices need a better control system, accessory maker Logitech on Tuesday revealed its new full-fledged Harmony keyboard remote for the living room. It was specially designed for controlling devices such as the Apple TV, Roku and Xbox One and includes dedicated hardware keys and functions allowing you to search for shows, navigate menus and browse the web from your couch...