Accessories

Best iPad Air keyboards

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated March 14, 2018

As iPad becomes more of a portable workhorse, the need for professional grade accessories drastically increases. Our own Jeff Benjamin swears by his iPad to muscle common tasks for his daily blogging needs. Of the most important professional additions, the keyboard rates at number one.

A virtual keyboard is perfect for portability. Software keyboards only take up screen space, but do not take up space in a travel bag or add weight. They are equally as noticeable when trying to actually accomplish some real work. The Bluetooth keyboard is the answer for users looking to get extra mileage from their iPad Air. Inside, we give a short spotlight to some of the best iPad Air keyboards...

Olloclip releases 3-in-1 iPhone Macro Lens

Sébastien Page ∙ December 7, 2013

Olloclip just released a new 3-in-1 Macro Lens for iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s.

While the lenses themselves are made of coated glass multi-element optics, the barrels are made of anodized aircraft grade aluminum. As with its other lens kits, these macro lenses connect to the iPhone thanks to soft plastic material that will ensure a secure fit while preventing any damage to your iPhone.

These lenses offer three magnifications in one, allowing you to take close-up shots. The three included lenses are 7x, 14x and 21x macros...

Razer’s upcoming Kazuyo MFi iPhone game controller leaks

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

With Moga’s upcoming Ace Power iPhone game controller recently shown in leaked photos and Logitech now selling its $99 PowerShell controller, other accessory makers have taken notice and are now working on their own Made for iPhone (MFi) iOS 7 game controllers.

One of them is Razer, a privately-held American accessory maker that specializes in high-performance hardware specifically marketed to gamers. On Friday, Twitter user @evleaks leaked what appeared to be a legitimate press shot of Razer's upcoming iOS 7 game controller called the Kazuyo...

Apple patents smart iDevice dock with always-listening Siri capability

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 5, 2013

An interesting Apple patent application has surfaced in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database on Thursday. Titled 'Smart dock for activating a voice recognition mode of a portable electronic device,' the filing basically describes a smart dock of sorts for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices with a unique feature giving Apple's Siri digital personal assistant a permanent place in your home, with a cool always-on functionality.

Unlike Motorola's Moto X handset with on-device Google Now feature always in the listening mode and responding to the 'OK Google' phrase, Apple's patent relies on a hardware dock providing the listening functionality, with users being able to set a custom audio prompt that will trigger Siri...

Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio review: a thin, light and classy keyboard for iPad Air

Lory Gil ∙ December 4, 2013

Now that Apple has finally updated its full-sized tablet with completely new dimensions, iPad Air owners are forced to update their cases, covers, and sleeves, too. I have been using the same Solar Keyboard Folio from Logitech since 2011.

Luckily, Logitech has recently revamped their line of keyboards, folios and cases to fit the thinner iPad Air. The FabricSkin Keyboard Folio for iPad Air has been updated with more than just different dimensions. The case has been redesigned to be thinner, lighter and easier to use. Read on for our review of the Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio for iPad...

Apple Worm case for iPhone features built-in stand and Lightning cable

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

If you've perused the wall of iPhone accessories at your local Apple Store, you know that cases aren't just for protecting the handset anymore. Some of them have built-in batteries or flashlights, and some even feature built-in knives.

The case we're talking about today is also multi-functional. It's called the Apple Worm, and in addition to protecting your iPhone, it features a built-in Lightning cable that will allow you to charge the device and doubles as a stand...

Photos claim to show Apple prototype of crocs-style iPhone 5s case

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Apple caused quite a bit of commotion this September when it unveiled two new custom cases for its two new iPhone models. The 5s case is boring for the most part, made of leather, but the 5c case and its crocs-like design drew a number of oohs and aahs.

In our review, we praised the case for its construction, but questioned the placement of the rear holes as they let part of the 'iPhone' label show through. Well interestingly enough, a new report claims Apple was working on a crocs-like case for the 5s as well...

Slope review: magical tablet stand for Apple’s magical iPad

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

Following a round of a successful Kickstarter campaign I wrote about a year ago, the wonderful Slope iPad stand finally went on sale in early-November. Without sounding melodramatic, this is hands down one of the very finest tablet stands I have ever seen or tried.

A brainchild of Chicago-based designer Erik Kittlaus, the aluminum-clad Slope is wonderfully minimalistic. It resembles the base of an iMac stand and suspends your tablet mid-air using innovative technology which requires no moving parts.

Erik was kind enough to ship a review sample over. Having played with my Slope for the past week or so, I fell in love tremendously with it, so much so that it's quickly replaced Ozaki's iCarry Excavator as my primary iPad stand. Read my full review right below...

Good deal: 33% off aluminum iPad stand and stylus bundle

Cody Lee ∙ December 3, 2013

Good news today for folks still hunting for holiday gifts. If the person, or people, on your list own an iPad or another tablet, we might just have the perfect accessory bundle for you featuring the Just Mobile Slide Stand and AluPen Stylus.

The bundle includes a Slide Stand, an AluPen—both of which have won iF Product Design Awards—and an AluCube for holding the stylus. All 3 products are made of high quality aluminum and being offered at a discount for a limited time...

Paper by FiftyThree picks up palm rejection, erase and blend features for Pencil

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

FiftyThree, the fine people who brought you the excellent iPad drawing program aptly named Paper, have been taking pre-orders for their companion high-quality stylus, the Pencil, for more than a month now. As we explained in the announcement post, the Pencil uses power-efficient Bluetooth 4.0 technology to communication with the application running on your iPad.

But it's the marriage of high-quality Pencil hardware and premium Paper software which enables seamless features such as the ability to carve away parts of your drawing using a built-in eraser, without having to switch in-app tools first.

With first Pencil shipments arriving later this week, FiftyThree has refreshed Paper for iPad with hardware-specific support for the advanced blend/erase capabilities and the palm rejection feature which disregards spray input when drawing on the iPad's touch-sensitive screen...

LifeProof launches new Touch ID-compatible, waterproof iPhone 5s case

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Hot on the heels of Incipio's announcement of its new waterproof, Touch ID-friendly Atlas iPhone 5s case, LifeProof has unveiled a new 5s case of its own. It too is waterproof, and 100% compatible with Touch ID.

It's called the iPhone 5s nüüd Case, and LifeProof bills it as the "thinnest, lightest, all-protective iPhone 5s case ever made." It's fully submersible up to 6.6 feet, and is capable of surviving drops from up to 6.6 feet...

Magpul’s Field Case is now available for iPad mini

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 27, 2013

For those wondering, Erie, Colorado-based Magpul Industries Corporation designs and builds polymer firearms accessories and concept firearms.

As of late, they've been churning out semi-rigid phone accessories such as the colorful iPhone Field Case made from a durable thermoplastic designed to provide basic protection in the field.

If you're a fan of the accessory and wish it were available for the iPad mini, Magpul has you covered. Introducing the Magpul Field Case for the iPad mini. Like its iPhone counterpart, the iPad cover is made from the same durable thermoplastic and features PMAG-style ribs for added grip...