Review

Almightree: The Last Dreamer is a 3-D platform puzzler with an adventurous theme

Lory Gil ∙ September 21, 2014

Fans of adventure games like Zelda and Oceanhorn will be happy to know that a new action adventure platform title has recently made its way into the App Store. It doesn’t have quite the same mechanics. In fact, it is a puzzle game more than anything. However, it will bring back memories of following a hero on an arduous adventure.

Almightree: The Last Dreamer is an adventure game that is part platformer and part puzzle. It appears there is a new genre in town and it is growing by the minute. Check out our game review of Almightree.

The Nightmare Cooperative is a roguelike and puzzle game combined

Lory Gil ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

There is this type of puzzle game that requires players to move characters around on the board in unison in order to get everyone to the correct end point. PAC-MAN Friends uses this type of puzzle movement. It’s fairly complex and interesting, to say the least.

The Nightmare Cooperative is a roguelike game that uses that puzzle movement aspect to keep your party on their toes. You can use your mage to pick up that potion, but watch where your warrior is going or he may fall into the lava pit at the same time. We’ve got a full game review of The Nightmare Cooperative for you today.

Prevent fraying cables with AwesomeCables

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated January 29, 2016

We spent several Let's Talk iOS episodes chatting about fraying cables. Many people suffer from OEM Lightning cables that over time fray near the tip. Arguably, this happens from bending, flexing, and tugging on the cable. Personally, like Cody, I have never experienced this problem. However, most of my cables remain in place, whether in the office, kitchen or car, I do not tote them around. Also, I am careful to pull them from the pin head, as opposed to using the wire as my tugging point.

Here to resolve several issues, including the fray, is AwesomeCables. The newly released 6' Braided Cable showed up for review, thanks to their offer. I am a big fan of the build quality and, most importantly, MFi certification.

ALONE… review: you may be alone, but you can still save the universe

Lory Gil ∙ September 14, 2014

Just when you thought the endless runner genre had done all it could possibly do, Laser Dog comes along and makes it into a sci-fi side-scrolling arcade game. ALONE… is a fast-paced arcade style game that focuses on your ability to react fast to oncoming dangers while maintaining composure in the face of insurmountable odds. We’ve got a game review of ALONE… for you today.

MailDeck review: manage your emails in a whole new style

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 30, 2018

Since there was a rush of new email clients in the app store over the past year, it has been difficult to find new ones that offer something special. I’ve settled into my favorites, but I’m always looking for interesting ways to read the dozens of messages I receive every day.

MailDeck is a third-party email client for iPhone and iPad that brings a new visual aesthetic to the genre. It includes many of the features we’ve grown accustomed to, but has a unique look that will turn your head. We’ve got an app review of MailDeck for you today.

Hands on with Truffol’s reversible USB Lightning cables

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

There have been a lot of rumors going around about Apple's alleged reversible cable. Most recently, reports are saying no such cable will be included with September's iPhone 6 launch. It is shocking reversible USB cables are not already in mass production. After all, the technology is quite old. Only since the reversible cable was linked with Apple, has there been such a firestorm.

Last week, we posted an article about accessory maker Truffol debuting a reversible cable, available for purchase immediately. I was able to get my hands on a pair of cables from the manufacturer and am quite pleased with their build quality!

Iconic brings minimalist pictograms to the iPhone in this fun puzzle game

Lory Gil ∙ September 3, 2014

If you are over the age of 21, or maybe even under, you have probably seen those entertaining beer bottle caps with pictograms. My friends and I love trying to figure out what they are. The hardest part is identifying the illustration. Is that a horse, or a dog?

Iconic is a fun pictogram puzzle game that uses minimalist graphics so it isn’t hard to figure out what the illustration is. However, the puzzles might give you a run for your money. We’ve got a hands-on game review of Iconic for you today.

Twelve South’s HoverBar 3 expands compatibility to work with any iPad

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Way back in September of 2012, I wrote a fairly lengthy review of the HoverBar by Twelve South. The device is a mounting mechanism for iPad. It is not a new contender to the mountable space, certainly not two years later, but it is a well designed product. Twelve South, a South Carolina based company, limits their product development to a low number each year, ensuring proper care is spent on each device they launch.

The HoverBar 3 is an intentional upgrade on the previous generation. The 22" arm extends from a bi-directional assembly that screws into a metal clamp. Overall, the design and assembly is almost exactly the same. Where the new generation differs is the compatibility for iPad 2nd - 4th generation, iPad Air, and both versions of iPad mini.

The SmartStyle case gives a notebook feel to your iPad Air

Jim Gresham ∙ September 1, 2014

X-Doria is a relatively new comer to the Apple accessory arena. While they have been around for a couple years, they are still making a name for themselves. One of their key product features is a puffing ink that raises as it is heated in the production process. Almost any design you see in their product lineup, utilizes the 3D puffing ink, making it standout among other simply screen-printed competitors. The ink provides tactile feedback, offering an easier to handle case and a good looking stark color pattern.

The SmartStyle Patterns for iPad Air gets its name from the stylized printed patter and the Smart Cover technology. Using exactly placed magnets, SmartStyle behaves similarly to an Apple Smart Cover, waking or sleeping iPad as the cover is either opened or closed.

The Tylt Ruggd case is built for style and damage protection

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

If you are prone to dropping, abusing, and misusing your iPad Air, hopefully you are shopping around for a solid case. You are going to need something with a shockproof design, corner protection, rubberized absorbing base layer, and a little bit of flexibility. All of those features are built neatly into the TYLT RUGGD iPad Air case.

Making no bones about design, the RUGGD forgoes any eye candy design and goes straight for protection. With bulky corner cushioning and what appear to be four leg-like bumpers on the back, RUGGD should have you safe and sound, unless you drop it face down.

Kick your laptop up a notch with Kickflip

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

There are times when typing at a flat angle is uncomfortable. It is most noticeable when using my MacBook Air 13". All of the keyboards I use, including Apple's standard wireless keyboard, are angled for ease-of-use. Contrary to standard keyboards, Apples laptop line sits flat on the resting surface.

Asking to "kick it up a notch," Bluelounge released the Kickflip just a few weeks ago. Hoping to increase productivity and ease everyone's wrists, the Kickflip does just as the name suggests: props your laptop with just a flip.

Share one Bluetooth keyboard between multiple devices with the Multi-Sync Keyboard

Jim Gresham ∙ August 30, 2014

Have you ever used a Bluetooth keyboard with your iPad? Sure, you have! All serious iPad users have, at one time, tried to use a Bluetooth keyboard with their favorite tablet. I tried to use an external keyboard on several occasions with my iPad, not just for reviews either.

The same can be said for iPhone. In fact, at one time I was searching mini Bluetooth keyboards to keep on my desk, just to make iMessaging easier. That was before my OS X days. During the course of any day, I almost always keep my iPhone and iPad in a dock or stand next to my computer. Being a user of multi-devices, there are certain tasks I like to accomplish on each device.

Complicating my movement from device to device in a serious work environment is input. Typing on an iPhone or iPad's virtual keyboard is not the best experience, and that is coming from a fanboy. What would be perfect, is a wireless keyboard that operates either devices without the hassle of re-pairing each time. What would be perfect is the Kanex Multi-Sync Keyboard.