Accessories

Samson launches tiny microphone for Mac and iOS devices

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Last week I told you about Zoom's compact iQ5 stereo microphone for Lightning-enabled iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices. Zoom's accessory is Lightning-only and if you've been on the lookout for a portable microphone that works with Macs and iOS devices and connects via USB, look no further than Samson's new Go Mic Direct.

Perfect for podcasting, recording interviews, capturing audio notes, voice recognition applications, video calling via FaceTime and Skype, recording sound for YouTube videos and what not, the remarkably small accessory plugs directly into your Mac/PC's USB port and works with iPads and iPhone 4s and later using Apple's Lightning USB Camera Adapter or 30-pin Camera Connection Kit...

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...

AT&T and Incipio introduce new ‘Cashwrap’ NFC iPhone case

Cody Lee ∙ January 24, 2014

Incipio announced today the launch of its new Cashwrap Mobile Wallet Case for the iPhone 4, 4S, 5, and 5s. The case features NFC tech, and works with the Isis Mobile Wallet app that lets users pay with their smartphones at participating retailers.

The accessory-maker has teamed up with AT&T to bring the Cashwrap to the masses, and it will be available in the company's stores starting this month. The goal here is to get more iPhone owners using the carrier-backed Isis for mobile payments...

Zoom launches compact iQ5 stereo mic for Lightning-enabled iDevices

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

Announced at the National Association of Music Merchants trade show yesterday, Zoom's new high-fidelity microphone for Lightning-enabled iOS devices - the iQ5 - not only has the looks, it brings studio-quality 16-bit audio capture at 44.1kHz audio resolution to your iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

Filed as the first stereo microphone for Lightning-enabled iPad 4 or later, iPhone 5/5s/5c and the latest iPod touches, the iQ5 features an analog-type mic gain wheel for precision adjustment of input levels.

That's just scratching the surface as the mic comes with a dedicated headphone jack, three auto-gain levels, built-in timing, automatic recording and other handy features.

If you're serious about podcasting, recording interviews or capturing audio notes on the go, this nicely done, compact accessory could turn your iDevice into a professional-quality stereo recorder...

Wireless Stratus SteelSeries iOS controller now available with lower $80 price tag

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 29, 2016

We first caught glimpses of the Stratus SteelSeries iOS gaming controller earlier this month at CES 2014. The device has immediately captured our attention because it filed as the first Bluetooth-enabled wireless gaming controller for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices running iOS 7.

Previous controllers like Moga's Ace Power and Logitech's PowerShell incorporate the so-called form-fitting design where your device must be docked into the controller itself.

Surprisingly enough, Stratus has now slashed the SteelSeries from the original $99.99 price tag to a $20 lower and more bearable $79.99 price point. The company has assured that all $99.99 pre-orders will be honored at the lower price...

Good deal: 65% off 6-piece iPhone photography lens kit

Cody Lee ∙ January 22, 2014

If you're an avid iPhone photographer and find that the handset's tiny lens just isn't cutting it anymore, there are a number of add-on lens kits to choose from. Olloclip makes several, Sony makes one, and there are countless options from lesser-known brands.

These kits usually only contain a couple of lenses, but a company called Bazaared is taking things a step further with its Ultimate iPhone Lens Kit. It includes 5 lenses, a tripod and carrying case, and it's being heavily discounted right now over at Stack Social...

Good deal: 37% off this Bluetooth-enabled tracking device

Cody Lee ∙ January 21, 2014

Have you ever left your wallet at home or say, at the table of a restaurant or the counter of a store? I know I have, and it's not really a big deal unless it's not there when you go back. Then you have to cancel credit cards and replace IDs and other cards—it's a mess.

Luckily, thanks to modern technology, there are a number of devices available that can prevent this from happening using Bluetooth and a mobile app. And perhaps even more luckily, Stack Social is running a deal on one right now called the Find'Em Tracking Card...

Jawbone soups up Era headset with HD Voice, Siri and Google Now integration and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

If you thought Bluetooth headsets were dead, think again. Jawbone makes some of the finest portable audio devices and wireless headsets and was among the first to release a Bluetooth headset for Apple's iPhone. On Thursday, the San Francisco-based company has streamlined its headset offering by announcing a second-generation Era.

It's 42 percent smaller, comes with its own charging case and looks good enough to be worn in public while offering interesting new voice features aimed at Apple's Siri and Google's Google Now voice assistants. Read on for more info and some nice press shots...

CES 2014: NueVue’s new cases claim to remove 99% of bacteria on iDevice screens

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 10, 2014

Case maker NueVue at CES 2014 unveiled a new line of cases which it claims have been designed to remove up to 99 percent of bacteria residing on the surface of your iPhone and iPad's screen. The cases clean the screen and offer antimicrobial protection every time you remove the device.

Available for the iPhone, iPad and iPad mini, with tablet sporting a handy leather strip to keep the device secure, the new cases make possible antimicrobial protection by using microfibers licensed from medical company BioCote...

Fitbit Force’s iPhone-exclusive Caller ID integration shown off on video, coming February

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2016

FitBit released its Force fitness tracker last October, but not all of the planned software features were ready for the launch, namely notifications for incoming calls. According to a company representative, Called ID functionality is currently being worked on and is scheduled for delivery in February 2014 via a free software update.

They've also shared a video showing Caller ID integration on the Force and I've included it below the fold for your viewing pleasure...

CES 2014: introducing Voyce, health and activity tracking collar for dogs

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 4, 2017

We've seen all sorts of crazy stuff coming out of CES 2014 (the hype machine is strong) and I'm guessing half of the announced, shown off and written about whiz-bang gadgets will get forgotten as soon as the last drunken journalist checks out of an overpriced Las Vegas hotel.

The Voyce isn't one of such easily forgettable products. If you love dogs and own one, I'm guessing your four-legged pet friend would love to wear this app-enabled collar that can track his activity, measure heart and respiratory rates and record other data pertaining to his wellbeing..

CES 2014: Sensus case adds pressure-sensitive touchpads to your iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

There's been no shortage of iPhone cases trying to think outside the box at CES this year. We've seen cases from OtterBox that are both thin and protective, a backup battery and storage case from Mophie, and now we have a new one to share.

This is the Sensus case, from Canopy, and its big standout feature is that it adds pressure-sensing strips to the sides and back of any iPhone 5 or 5s. These strips essentially add an extra method of input for navigating apps or playing games...