Accessories

A quick look at the Moshi dual car charger and premium Lightning cables

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

I assume there was an eyebrow raise at "premium Lightning cables." Be ensured, the title is not intended to be click bait, rather a description of the actual product. After Apple switched from 30 pin, my arsenal of available cords depleted. Like many of our readers, I amassed a large number of 30 pin cables across the years.

Suddenly, I needed to reinvest in more cables. I grew accustomed to having a cable pretty much anywhere I sat for more than an hour. The folks at Moshi sent me a review unit of their Lightning cable, which is the same price as a standard Apple OEM cable, but offer a lot more in the way of rugged design and classy fixtures...

Some entry level Bluetooth speakers to consider

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

We love music. For years, well before iPods, we took music everywhere. From records to CD's, music is a part of every day life, especially with the invention of MP3 players and the subsequent iPod. However, these are personal devices with single use headphone jacks. Music is most fun when enjoyed with those around us, or at least without being tied down by a corded headset.

Setting music free, is the Bluetooth speaker. As a reviewer, it seems Bluetooth speakers continue to advance in popularity. Not only do I get asked to review them more frequently, but I seem to have more personal conversations about them too. Which one is best, more portable, louder, more clear, better battery and so forth. To throw a few out there for consideration, I rounded up four different models for your consideration...

Griffin introduces new iOS-controlled ‘Moto TC Rally’ car

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

Folks in the market for a new remote control car that you can control with an iOS device should check out Griffin's new 'Moto TC Rally' offering. It's half the price of the recently released Anki Drive kit and uses Bluetooth 4.0.

The fact that it uses Bluetooth 4.0 is huge for a few reasons. In addition to requiring almost no power, this means that you won't be restricted to line-of-sight, nor will you have to attach a bulky controller pack to your device...

Pebble announces support for all iOS 7 notifications, new SDK

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

Big news today for current and potential Pebble users. The company announced a major update to its smartwatch platform that includes support for all notifications in iOS 7, as well as a new SDK and new APIs for developers.

Previously, the Pebble was very limited on the types of push notifications you could receive from your iPhone. But now, thanks to updates made in iOS 7, it will be able to receive alerts from Facebook, Google Maps—you name it...

Nike+ FuelBand SE now available in Apple’s web store

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Nike's second-generation fitness-tracker, the Nike+ FuelBand SE, hit Apple's web store this morning and is now available for purchase. The company showed off the new accessory during a media event back in October.

The SE looks and acts very similar to its predecessor, but adds new colorways in yellow, pink, and red, and support for Bluetooth 4.0. There's also a few new features like hourly reminders and a handy one-touch clock mode...

Philips adds new recessed light bulb to its iPhone-controlled Hue lineup

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Philips has expanded its Hue line of iPhone-controlled lighting with a new bulb this week, called the BR30. Unlike previous Hue bulbs, the BR30 is designed to fit into recessed sockets to create the effect of light shining from a hole in the ceiling.

The BR30 bulbs are designed to fit the standard E27 screw base and deliver 600 lumens of light. And like other Hue bulbs, they provide a full range of color, except the light is delivered in a downward beam instead of being omnidirectional...

TwelveSouth’s new BookBook Journal carrying case holds your iPad and accessories

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 5, 2013

I'm a big fan of TwelveSouth's work. Andrew and Leigh Ann and the team are good people who make stylish, Apple-exclusive accessories. The company's won me over with its BookBook series of cases for iPhones, iPads and Mac notebooks. I'm currently using their BookBook for MacBook Air which looks a lot like a Harry Potter spell book, along with the BookBook for iPhone that doubles as my wallet for cash, credit cards, IDs and stuff like that.

But now, there's one carrying case to rule them all, the BookBook Journal. It may look like another vintage book, but this dapper, hardback leather case has compartments, pockets and adjustable bands to hold your iPad along with a bunch of accessories, such as power adapters, cables, USB drives, styluses, mice, earbuds or and more...

UE BOOM wireless Bluetooth speaker review: built for rugged use and convenient mobility

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

Apple’s recent launch of the iPhone 5c has created an industry of new cases and accessories to compliment the colorful look of the plastic-backed phone. If you want your 5c to really stand out, match it with a colorful accessory.

The UE BOOM from Ultimate Ears came out long before the iPhone 5c was a glint in an Apple designer’s eye. However, the wireless Bluetooth speaker looks like it was made just for the colorful new phone. The two were meant to be together...

Meet the ChargeKey, one of the smallest Lightning cables we’ve ever seen

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

Well they've done it again. The folks that revolutionized ultra-portable USB charging cables with the ChargeCard are back with an all-new, and [perhaps] even more convenient iOS device accessory called the ChargeKey.

As the name insinuates, the ChargeKey is essentially a Lightning-to-USB cable reduced down to the size of a house key. And its small size enables you to attach it to your car/house keys, ensuring that it's always nearby...

Belkin launches new iPad Air accessories, too

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 5, 2018

One of the top accessory makers and among the leading players in the Apple accessories ecosystem, Logitech, today announced four new keyboard cases and covers designed specifically for Apple's upcoming iPad Air.

However, Logitech's arch-enemy Belkin earlier telegraphed an announcement of its own. A whole bunch of new iPad Air-specific accessories are part of Belkin's announcement, including three new Bluetooth keyboard models from Belkin's Qode lineup, one of them apparently made from an "aircraft-grade aluminum alloy".

Jump past the fold for the full reveal...

Moga’s inbound Ace Power ‘MFi’ gaming controller gets video treatment

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 28, 2013

The prolific leaker @EVLeaks last week tweeted out a pair of photos that show off Moga's upcoming Made for iPhone (MFi) gaming controller.

The leaker also mentioned that Moga has named its interesting accessory the Ace Power and says it's the standard form-fitting variant which allows the iPhone to be docked itself right intro the gizmo.

And now, eager iOS gamers get to finally see the accessory up close and personal in a nice leaked vid. I've included it below so have a look and meet us in comments...

Logitech launches new iPad Air cases and keyboard covers

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 28, 2013

Accessory maker Logitech today announced a brand new lineup of Folio cases, Bluetooth keyboard cases and protective covers specifically designed for Apple's newly-launched iPad Air, which goes on sale this coming Friday. The Ultrathin Keyboard Folio and Cover, the FabricSkin Keyboard Folio and the Folio Protective Case are all now available for pre-order today and slated to ship in November. I've included more information and a few images right after the break...