Accessories

Report: iPad mini accessories waiting for Apple announcement to start shipping

Ed Sutherland ∙ October 12, 2012

Third-party accessory makers in Asia appear well-prepared for Apple's expected Oct. 23 launch of a smaller iPad. Nearly two dozen Asian add-on manufacturers have gadgets all set to sell when the reported 7.85-inch 'iPad mini' is finally unveiled, according to a Wall Street analyst.

Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White said he met accessory makers during a tour of Asia and found some add-on products already boxed-up and ready for shipping. At one point, White even handled a "pilot" version of the smaller iPad, which "he was easily able to keep in his coat pocket," according to AppleInsider...

New iPhone 5 case claims to fix purple flare issue

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 22, 2018

A few weeks ago, early iPhone 5 adopters started complaining of a purple haze in their photos taken with the handset. Apple responded to the issue, saying that users could remedy this by repositioning the phone.

But if that isn't good enough for you, you might be interested to hear that Fotodiox, an Illinois-based case-maker, has created an iPhone 5 case that it claims will eliminate the purple flare. Meet the camHoodie...

iCade 8-Bitty iOS game controller now available

Cody Lee ∙ October 10, 2012

Back in February, the folks over at ThinkGeek unveiled a new wireless game controller for iOS devices called the 8-Bitty. It resembled an NES controller, and was based on the popular iCade platform.

Today, ThinkGeek has announced that the 8-Bitty controller is now available for purchase. It's compatible with all iCade games, as well as MAME titles, and it costs a lot less than you might think...

This is the best screen protector for your iPhone 5

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

A few months ago, I reviewed the GLAS.t for iPhone 4S. At the time, I believed it to be the best screen protector for iPhone. Fast forward to this date, and I still have yet to see a better alternative to protect the screen of your iPhone.

If the iPhone has changed since my original GLAS.t review, something that hasn't changed is the quality and reliability of the screen protector. The folks at Spigen SGP are pretty smart. They know I love their products so they sent me a GLAS.t for iPhone 5 for review. Spoiler alert: it's 99% positive...

Apple may have changed the iPad mini’s round shape design

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 9, 2012

Apple tomorrow is allegedly expected to invite select members of the press to an iPad mini-focused media event, likely to be held at some point next week. With part leaks, dummies, schematics, mockups, gorgeous renders and news of manufacturing ramp up all leaking on a daily basis, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the iPad mini design has been set in stone weeks ago.

A new report by a reliable Japanese blog now claims Apple's changed the iPad mini design and one "large OEM mobile accessory maker" had to throw cases it already made, likely based on same leaks and rumors we've been hearing about...

The Lance Daypack helps you organize your mobile life while on the go

Jim Gresham ∙ October 9, 2012

To begin, I will start with a disclaimer. I love backpacks, own five of them. Each of the packs has a specific purpose and I'm always on the lookout for another specific bag to fit an individual need. When approached to review the ECBC Lance B7103 daypack, I jumped at the opportunity because I was looking for a workhorse backpack for my electronic gadgets.

Catching a glimpse of the internal pocket system in the B7103, it was love at first sight, but it faded quickly. After spending a weekend on the road, some very excellent features of the bag made mobile life more organized, but some specific features seemed to be missing...

Rokform brings its v3 case system to the iPad [review and giveaway]

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

If you follow our review and giveaway sections, you are familiar with Rokform's v3 accessory system for iPhone. For a short recap, the v3 accessory system integrates with the iPhone v3 cases making a wide arrange of additional accessories lock into the existing case. As the RokLock iPad case hits the market, there are two new pieces available specifically for the iPad system, which help mount your iPad most anywhere.

The RokLock is an injection molded polycarbonate slider case for iPad and iPad 2. The beefy case is excellent for protection and the remote mounting system keeps your device locked into place. We are thankful to our friends at Rokform for sending us one for review and you could win one for yourself too...

How to use a Nano SIM in the iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S

Jeff Benjamin ∙ October 7, 2012

If you just purchased an iPhone 5, then you know first hand how much smaller the new Nano SIM is when compared to the already diminutive Micro SIM it replaces.

But what if you want to use the new Nano SIM in an older phone, like the iPhone 4, or the iPhone 4S? Obviously you can't just stick it in there.

Your best option is to purchase an adapter that can be cheaply had on Amazon for $1.99. That's exactly what I did, and here's the video to prove it.

Lockitron lets you lock and unlock your door with your iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ October 4, 2012

Shortly after introducing the App Store in 2008, Apple started running an ad campaign with the tag line "there's an app for that." It produced a series of TV commercials that highlighted iPhone apps that made otherwise arduous tasks, like counting calories and apartment hunting, a lot easier.

But in 2012, apps are doing a lot more than diet tracking and crawling rental property listings. Now they're parking cars, making coffee, and thanks to Apigy's new Lockitron deadbolt cover, they're locking and unlocking doors...

Elevation Dock hacked to support new Lightning connector

Cody Lee ∙ October 3, 2012

Since the iPhone 5 launched two weeks ago with its new Lightning port, accessories have been extremely scarce. Lightning to USB cables alone have been hard to find, never mind docks and other add-ons.

Thus, we imagine we'll be seeing a slew of do-it-yourself solutions pop up over the next few months. In fact, one has already surfaced involving an Elevation Dock, some hacking and a Lightning USB cable...

Apple tightens terms for ‘Made for iPhone’ Lightning accessories

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 10, 2018

The tiny Lightning connector that debuted on the new iPhone, iPod touch and iPod nano allows Apple to exercise a much tighter control over the accessories ecosystem, it has been revealed. According to a new report out this morning, all vendors seeking to make products bearing the 'Made for iPhone' (MFi) trademark must be approved by Apple.

Additionally, club Cupertino is requiring vendors to manufacture their gear in Apple-approved facilities. Apple is currently educating them on the new terms so don't expect first officially approved third-party Lightning accessories before late-October or November...

Apple could have wireless Lightning adapter in the works

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Apple's new, miniaturized dock connector that debuted on the iPhone 5 under the Lightning moniker so far proved an annoyance as customers with legacy 30-pin dock accessories are required to purchase Apple's pricey adapter. Worse, as Apple's cable has an authentication chip, it has been concluded that third-party alternatives offered by places like Alibaba.com won’t work.

But as a patent filing indicates, Apple is researching an interesting solution that could help ease Lightning woes with a universal adapter for iOS devices which facilitates, as Apple wrote, "the transmission of wireless data to any accessory"...