Accessories

iPhone 5c accessory grab bag giveaway

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

The iPhone 5c originally received a lot of attention due to the new form factor, lower price, and colorful addition to the otherwise black and white iPhone line up. Now, it seems the 5s is getting most of the attention as the new flagship handheld device.

Even iDB focuses primarily on the high end hardware, but today we recenter. Thanks to a few contacts in the right places, we are excited to announce an iPhone 5c specific giveaway to our readers. Take a look past the fold for the grab bag goodies going to one winner and enter for your chance to win...

Good deal: 28% off iPhone-controlled Cobra iHelicopter

Cody Lee ∙ November 17, 2013

We've seen a lot of good deals on Apple-related gear over the past few days. There's the Steve Jobs/Jony Ive book combo for 55% off, the iPhone 5/5s accessory bundle for 46%, and today we have another one to share with you.

Stack Social is offering the popular Cobra iHelicopter at 28% off. Using an audio jack transmitter, the remote control helicopter can be steered with either an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, and it shoots tiny missiles on command...

Deal of the day: OtterBox Armor Series Waterproof Case for $25

Sébastien Page ∙ November 16, 2013

We're not sure how long this deal is going to be available for, but if you were in the market for a waterproof case, or if you can't pass on such a good deal, you may be interested in getting a $25 OtterBox Armor Series Waterproof Case for your iPhone 5 or iPhone 5s.

You can choose from three different colors options: orange, arctic, or neon. Get one while you can, or hope for even better deals on Black Friday.

Livescribe Smartpen 3 review: digitize your handwritten notes

Lory Gil ∙ November 16, 2013

I am not a very good note taker. I tend to focus too much on individual words and phrases instead of quickly jotting down thoughts while listening to a lecture. When I interview someone for an article, I always have a digital recorder of some kind with me because I just know I’ll miss something important in my notes.

The Livescribe Smartpen 3 lets you take notes using a physical pen and paper, while recording audio so that, later, you can playback the clips and listen to specific points in time, just by tapping the word. Maybe even more importantly, the handwritten notes automatically transfer to your iOS device, which is pretty cool, too…

Good deal: 46% off iPhone 5/5s accessory bundle

Cody Lee ∙ November 16, 2013

Those of you having trouble figuring out what to get that special someone for Christmas this year, may want to consider smartphone accessories. This is something that they would use everyday, and they're usually fairly inexpensive.

In fact, as luck would have it, Stack Social has an awesome iPhone 5/5s accessory bundle going on right now that could take care of 3 people on your list. The deal site is offering 2 iPhone cases and a pair of earbuds for nearly half off...

Nike introduces new Rose Gold FuelBand SE for $169

Cody Lee ∙ November 16, 2013

Good news for the folks who have managed to get their hands on the supply-constrained gold-colored iPhone 5s, we just found the perfect accessory for you. It's the new Rose Gold FuelBand SE fitness-tracker by Nike.

Nike first unveiled the FuelBand SE—the second iteration of the popular fitness band—back in October, and it went on sale earlier this month. And now, for an extra $20, you can get it in this all-new rose gold color...

Nest app overhauled top to bottom, now with full support for Protector smoke detector

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 15, 2013

Nest, a startup run by the iPod Godfather and brilliant engineer Tony Fadell, made a name for itself with a sleek, intelligent thermostat (check out Jeff's hands-on) and the beautiful smoke and carbon monoxide detector dubbed Nest Protect. Today, the company has announced a big update coming soon to its companion application for the iPhone and iPad to allow for easier and, well, eye-candy management and robust remote control of your app-enabled Nest devices.

For starters, the app's been redesigned from the ground up and now supports both landscape and portrait orientation and includes gorgeous animated weather and more detailed Where location settings for Nest devices.

The headline new feature is support for both the Nest Thermostat and the upcoming Nest Protect smoke-detector, making it a one-stop solution for Nest device management, from the palm of your hand...

Jawbone introduces new UP24 fitness band with Bluetooth 4.0

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

Big news from Jawbone today. The accessory-maker behind the popular line of Jambox speakers introduced a new version of its UP fitness-tracking band, the UP24, as well as a big 3.0 update for its UP iOS app.

While the new UP looks very similar to its predecessor, it does feature one significant hardware change: it now uses Bluetooth 4.0 to connect to your iOS device, instead of forcing you to plug into your audio port...

ZAGG’s Origin wireless speaker combo [review and giveaway]

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

The Bluetooth speaker is making its way as a universal speaker for all mobile devices. As I mentioned in a previous Bluetooth speaker round up just last week, it appears more companies are entering the Bluetooth speaker marketplace. Also, it seems fewer companies are producing dock based speakers. After Apple turned the iPhone dedicated aftermarket upside down by eliminating the 30 pin cable, fewer companies want to continue chancing a Lightning pin specific option. With the universal Bluetooth standard, not only does the company future proof their design, but all mobile devices will work effortlessly, thus preventing costly dedicated iPhone models.

ZAGG (you know them as one of the original iPhone skin companies) is also branching into the mobile media scene. No longer just the InvisibleShield company, ZAGG and their new subsidiary iFrogz are getting their hands dirty in a cross platform way. From skins to cases to audio, there is certainly a diversification for the company. I was able to review a new pair of their Bluetooth headphones a few weeks back and today, a closer look at the ZAGG Bluetooth speaker, should leave everyone begging for more.

The ZAGG Origin, which made its first splash at CES 2013, had escaped my radar until recently. With a streamlined design and hard hitting sound, I was excited to receive a review unit. Origin may look like it is just another part of the average Bluetooth line up, but a detachable companion speaker is the second part of a one-two punch to success...

MiDock for iPhone is a simple and minimal desktop companion

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated March 14, 2018

Like iPhone sleeve cases, the "dock" is a generally over populated hardware field that many manufacturers throw out as an option. With so many different docks on the market, little things make or break the product. At what angle is the iPhone sitting, does it adjust, what are the materials, can it hold both iPhone and iPad, etc? Today, I take a look at the successfully Kickstarted MiDock and put it through the paces.

My first impressions of the device were very positive and for my personal preferences, it fit with my iPhone usage. However, after looking at the MiDock more critically, it might not be for everyone. Take a stop beyond the fold to determine if the MiDock is right for you...

Pebble update goes live with full iOS 7 Notifications support

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

Pebble has had basic support for iOS Notifications in place from day one. The implementation, however, left a lot to be desired as the Pebble smarwatch could only relay the most basic of iOS notifications through a companion iPhone app.

Eagle-eyed readers will remember that the company last week confirmed an upcoming update would enable additional iOS 7 Notification Center alerts.

And just like clockwork, a new version of Pebble's iOS app has gone live now in the App Store, introducing full integration with the iOS 7 Notification Center. This allows Pebble owners to receive any alerts enabled in Notification Center on an iOS 7 device and have them displayed on their $150 smartwatch.

Yes, this includes alerts from third-party apps such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and lots more. Go past the fold for more...

A look at newly launched Incipio 5c cases

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated October 24, 2017

Incipio is always quick on the trigger when it comes to releasing new product lines along with Apple's new hardware. Before the iPhone launch, I was already contacted by some friends at Incipio asking me to take a look at their, then unreleased, products. Happily agreeing, they sent over three different cases for inspection.

Inside, I take a closer look at these cases and their form factors, relating to iPhone 5c. These are the first 5c cases I received for any reviewing purposes and they all fit quite well. As with most Incipio line ups, they are affordable and colorful...