Accessories

Review: Apple’s iPhone 5c Case is tastefully tacky

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated March 31, 2017

Typically, I do not bother reviewing Apple items because I do not feel like adding my $.02 to the pile of other blogging around the web. Leave the big company reviews to the big boys, is best in my opinion. However, when I saw Apple release the "iPhone 5c Case," I immediately felt the need to pick one up and share my opinions. Feel free to call it a useless need to self aggrandize my product reviews by weighing in on the newest Apple offering. I couldn't look past the bold and somewhat tacky bright color schemes.

What drew me into the review was Apple's previous lack of actual cases. In most recent history, Apple released a Smart Cover for iPad and the mini. Additionally, Apple released bumpers for iPhone 4. Apple making the definitive decision to release a case for the already colorful iPhone 5c made me stop and take notice. What possessed the company to finally produce a full fledged case for iPhone and what would Apple do so differently from other case manufactures?

As Steve was a self proclaimed iPhone nudist, clearly there were some people behind the late Apple CEO that were itching to release a case...

Good deal: 50% off Spigen iPhone 5/5s case and GLAS.t bundle

Cody Lee ∙ September 22, 2013

Looking for a way to protect that shiny new iPhone 5s you just purchased? What about your iPhone 5? Either way, if the answer is yes, you should definitely check out this new Spigen promotional bundle from Stack Social.

For a limited time, the deal site is offering the Tough Armor Case, the GLAS.t SLIM—which we reviewed back in March, and loved—and the Ultra Crystal Screen Protector at a significant discount. More details after the fold...

Coda Forte bluetooth headphones offer wireless quality

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

When using a headphone, cable is not an option, switching to Bluetooth is obviously the best idea. There are many areas where cordless headphones are optimum, including late nights playing your favorite iOS game next to your wife, who is sleeping and doesn't know you broke the no-gadgets-in-the-bedroom agreement. Keeping yourself out of the dog house is made simple with a pair of headphones.

However, fumbling around with a cord is not always preferred. iFrogz, which was purchased by ZAGG, would agree that wireless is the way to take listening to the next level. The iFrogz Audio Coda Forte Bluetooth Headphones with Mic, which I will term "Coda" henceforth, is an answer to the corded headphones of the past. Having previously reviewed ZAGG headphones, I am not new to the ZAGG audio scene but the Bluetooth addition is new territory...

Good deal: 30% off Touchfire Keyboard for iPad

Cody Lee ∙ September 21, 2013

If you're in the market for a keyboard accessory to help you type more efficiently on your iPad, you might want to check out the Touchfire. It's a silicon insert that fits over your iPad's display, offering tactile feedback as you type.

And right now, the folks over at Stack Social are running a promotion on the Touchfire KeyBoard, enabling you to pick one up at a nice discount. For a limited time, the deal site is knocking 30% off the accessory's retail price tag...

Logitech teases first iOS 7-compatible game controller

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

In addition to its new design, and new features, iOS 7 includes a number of new tools for developers to take advantage of. And one that we're really excited about is support for third party game controllers.

Games in iOS 7 will be able to tie into Apple's Game Controller framework, allowing for the universal use of authorized 'MFi' devices. And today, Logitech and others began teasing their first MFi gamepads...

iOS 7 now prevents some non-certified Lightning cables from charging your device

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 19, 2013

Back in June, we discovered Apple implemented a warning in iOS 7 Beta builds to caution people against using non-certified Lightning cables, many of which contain cracked authentication chips.

Specifically, connecting an accessory to an iOS 7 Beta device through a non-certified Lightning cable produced a prompt saying “This cable or accessory is not certified and may not work reliably with this iPhone”.

It seems the company has thrown down the gauntlet to unauthorized accessory makers over the use of unapproved Lightning cables because folks have confirmed that the shipping version of iOS 7 now in fact blocks such cables, preventing them from actually charging your iPhone...

Apple approving games with iOS 7 controller support

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

User excitement for iOS 7 continues to mount, as we are now less than 48 hours away from the public release. The update includes a number of new features, like AirDrop and Control Center, as well as an all-new UI design.

But there's one big change coming in iOS 7 that continues to fly under the radar, and that's support for third-party game controllers. In fact, it's been discovered that Apple is already approving games with controller support...

Pre-ordered iPhone 5c cases begin arriving

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

Alongside the all-new iPhone 5c, Apple unveiled six new colorful cases for the handset last week. The company has taken some heat over their radical design, but it believes they'll provide customers with an easy way to customize their devices.

Made from silicon, with 35 small holes punched in the back, the accessory went on sale right next to the iPhone 5c pre-orders last Friday. And although the phone itself won't start hitting doorsteps until Friday, some have already received their cases...

Never lose your iPhone in the dark with glowing Slickwraps cases

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

I find myself fumbling around in the dark looking for my iPhone, while trying not to wake my wife. Black iPhone, dark room, black side table are all my enemies when trying to get my late night Twitter fix. Not that Slickwraps designed a case to encourage bed time iPhone junkies, but I find the glowing aura of this case helpful in similar situations.

When I first offered to review the Slickwraps glow series case, I figured it was a novelty item that children might find in a $.25 grab machine at the local bowling alley. After using the case for more than a week, I am happily surprised to believe quite the opposite of my original impressions...

New iPhone 5s OtterBox cases built to accommodate Touch ID

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

It looks like folks hoping to find a case that offers full device protection for their iPhone 5s may not have to wait very long to get one. Popular case-maker OtterBox announced this week that it has 4 cases ready to go for the handset.

More specifically, the company says that all of its new cases are "designed specifically to accommodate the new Touch ID fingerprint identity sensor technology," and all device functionality remains uninhibited by the accessories...

Apple introduces new $29 docks for the iPhone 5s and 5c

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

While there weren't too many surprises during today's iPhone event, we did get a couple of small ones afterwards. Apple quietly introduced a handful of new accessories for its just-revealed iPhone 5c and 5s handsets.

These accessories include a new 2 meter (or 6.5ft) Lightning to USB Cable, which is twice as long as the previous version, as well as—surprisingly—two new Lightning charging docks for its two new smartphones...

Apple introduces new custom cases for iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

In addition to the new 2 meter Lightning cable and its two new charging docks, Apple also unveiled today new custom cases for its new handsets. There's a fun plastic one for the iPhone 5c, and a sharp-looking leather one for the 5s, and both are available in various colors...