Review

Lone Wolf review: a new gamebook experience for iOS

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

As many of our readers know by now, I am a huge fan of tabletop adventure games. Whether it is a Dungeons and Dragons style role-playing game, a stats-based board game, or a gamebook adventure, I’m interested in it. If it requires more than six-sided dice to play, I’m going geek over it.

Joe Dever’s Lone Wolf is a gamebook game that incorporates a bit of Infinity Blade style hand-to-hand combat against baddies that won’t go away. Hack your way through the city to clean out the riff raff and rebuild a destroyed community…

Some thoughts on iPad mini with Retina display

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

As you’ll hear me recount on the upcoming episode of Let’s Talk iOS, I had to go through quite a lot to get my hands on the iPad mini with Retina display that I desired. The model, a Space Grey 32GB Cellular version with a bundled T-Mobile sim, proved to be a pretty tough get.

But I finally did get my iPad mini, and I’ve been able to spend the last few days truly analyzing the device, and analyzing whether or not the time I invested into acquiring it was worth the hassle.

You’ve likely read plenty of other reviews that pretty much spout off the same thing. Yes, the mini now has an awesome screen, has the same guts as the iPad Air, and it did so by compromising some of its thinness. So what’s the end result? Is this a good product? Will it go down as the best iPad ever? I share my thoughts inside.

Everythink HD review: your iPad’s all-in-one GTD app

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 27, 2019

Sometimes you need a good list-making app. Sometimes you need a good calendar app. Other times you may need a good organizer app. Usually you need them all.

Everythink HD is an iPad app that does it all. Sync your native Calendar, Reminders Contacts, Photos, and Location Services, as well as Dropbox, Google Drive, and Evernote in one place for total access over everything you need to get things done…

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…

Curator review: collect your ideas into a visual presentation

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

Some people just need to write down thoughts in a brainstorm-style format, or can organize their ideas with an outline. Others need a more visual way to plan, create, and develop thoughts and ideas.

Curator lets you put all of your ideas into a visual grid, complete with pictures, text, and even web links. Then, you can easily track your ideas to their original sources and never forget what you were thinking about…

Ace Patrol: Pacific Skies review – take the air battle to the seas

Lory Gil ∙ Updated February 5, 2018

Sid Meier’s popular turn-based strategy flying game is back, only this time the battle takes place above the Pacific Sea with the U.S. against Japan as World War II is unfolding.

Ace Patrol: Pacific Skies is the sequel to the dogfight title that turned board game style playing into an epic battle that changed history. This time, you don’t have to worry about those pesky in-app purchases…

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...

Ultravisual review: Instagram for artistic photography

Lory Gil ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

If there is one thing I’ve learned since I started writing for iDB it is that there are a few readers of this site that hate Instagram. Square pictures and filter overlays are like poison to some iPhone photography hobbyists.

Ultravisual is a social networking photography app that lets you upload and edit photos and videos without the limitations of the square aspect ratio. Plus, you can follow other users who have an eye for visually interesting images and curate your own category of media to share with others…

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...

Sorcery! 2 review: the epic adventure continues

Lory Gil ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

As an avid role-playing game fan, I am always up for a literary adventure. Whether it is a choose-your-own story or a tabletop group game base on the 20-sided die mechanics, I get a twinkle in my eye when someone says “RPG.”

Steve Jackson is a well-known author of gamebooks from the mid 1980s. His series Sorcery! was a big hit and the first adventure in the series was turned into a fantastic iOS game back in May. Today, the same company that developed Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! has launched a follow up game based on the second series in the original book. Sorcery! 2 follows the adventurer into “Khare: Cityport of Traps”...

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...

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...