Apple iPhone Gear | Gear Diary

Kanex GoBuddy+: the Bottle Opener Keyring We’ll All Want

If you usually carry a bottle opener keyring, as so many of us do, then you could be getting so much more utility out of that doodad. A Kanex GoBuddy+ adds an emergency sync and charge cable with either a lightning port or microUSB connector, and yes — a bottle opener. Pretty nifty, right? It will charge your device, open your cold beverage, and attach via included carabiner clip to your keys. The Kanex GoBuddy+ is $24.95 for the Lightning version and $19.95 for the microUSB version; both come with that bottle opener keyring.

Reviews

JunoPower Kaebo Lightning Cable Review: Guaranteed to Last

I’ve mentioned that Kev recently upgraded his iPhone 4S and moved to an iPhone 6, which ultimately meant a cable upgrading crisis at my house. All of Kev’s 30-pin cables had to be upgraded to Lightning, which brought him nosing around my stockpile, so I was scrambling. Fortunately, I had the JunoPower Kaebo Lightning Cable in my queue. Fancy, right?

News & Features

Element Case Designs for the iPhone 6 Are Here

We were excited to receive an email earlier today announcing that Element Case, one of our all-time favorite case manufacturers, was releasing their first Element Case for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus cases today. The first two offerings are the Element Case ION Case for iPhone 6 and the Element Case Soft-Tec Wallet 6 and 6 Plus. They both look great.

News & Features

Incipio DualPro SHINE iPhone 6 Case Review

My iPhone 6 Plus is still showing as “preorder processing” with a delivery date of 11/09 – 11/27 (ugh!), but Kev’s shiny space gray 128GB AT&T iPhone 6 arrived on Friday. Already here — and ready to protect it — was the new Incipio DualPro SHINE iPhone 6 Case. It’s attractive and sleek; not bad for just under $35!

Reviews

Apple iPhone 6 Plus Leather Case Video Review

I woke up at 2:55am EST when iPhone 6 pre-orders began. I placed my order and was asleep ten minutes later. Of course, AT&T completely screwed up, and my phone won’t come for weeks. Fortunately, Wayne posted on a different way to shop, and I have an iPhone 6 Plus AND an Apple iPhone 6 Plus Leather Case in hand.

Reviews

iPhone 6 Plus – First Impressions of This Mobile Goliath

So, I got my iPad Mini today! Oh, that’s embarrassing … I mean, I got my iPhone 6 Plus today. Any which way you slice it, the iPhone 6 Plus is a large phone. In fact, I’ve been referring to it as my new “gigantic iPhone” all day. Keep reading to hear my iPhone 6 Plus first impressions …

News & Features

Satechi Smart Selfie Extension Arm Monopod Is Ready for Your Next Shot

One million selfies taken on a daily basis. That means the market for selfie-driven products is already huge and, with the release of the iPhone 6 tomorrow, ready to grow by leaps and bounds. That’s where the Satechi Smart Selfie Extension Arm Monopod. This inexpensive accessory will make it “simple to selfie” and does so for under $40.

News & Features

UPDATED: Rokform Sport v3 Cases Want a New iPhone 6, Too

Whether you stayed up into the wee hours of the morning to order your new iPhone 6, or you plan on being one of the first in line when they hit stores tomorrow, have you thought about accessories yet? Rokform is ready with its updated line of cases, armbands and docks, including the Sport v3 model with Rokform Mounting System.

Gear Bits

Verizon Wireless Offers Free iPhone 6 Deal

Verizon Wireless is offering the newly announced iPhone 6 (16GB version) free to customers who turn in their existing iPhone and sign a two-year agreement with them. In this Verizon Wireless iPhone 6 deal, participants have to trade in their functional iPhone models 4, 4S, 5, 5S or 5C.

News & Features

Henge Docks Gravitas Lightning Dock Supports iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus

We reviewed the Henge Docks Gravitas Lightning Dock and loved it. (Read the review.) It is, in fact, the dock that sits on the nightstand next to my bed. It is stylish, weighs enough to create a stable base for iOS devices, and works with various device adapters. Now it will even support the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6+.

Reviews

IOGEAR MediaShair Hub is a Mobile Swiss Army Knife

All too often devices that need to serve too many purposes end up being a jack of all trades and a master of none. That is not the case with the IOGEAR MediaShair Hub with SD/USB Input and Built-in Power Station. It is a jack of all trades and a it plays with a full deck.

Reviews

A Single TYLT SYNCABLE-DUO Charge-and-Sync Cable Is All You Need

If you use an Android device all of your mobile gadgetry likely uses the same microUSB sync/charge cable. If, on the other hand, you use an iOS device you need to both a Lightning connector cable for that device and a microUSB cable for everything else. The new TYLT SYNCABLE-DUO Charge-and-Sync Cable will let you carry a single cable.

Events, News & Features

MOTA SmartRing May Be the Most Discreet Wearable Yet

We’ve seen all the different smartwatches that tell their wearers when calls and emails come though, but most of them are bulky and pretty obvious. If you want smart, discreet notifications without giving up your favorite vintage wristwatch, then the MOTA SmartRing may work for you. Once paired, it notifies wearers of incoming calls, texts, calendar notifications, and emails.

Reviews

EyeFly 3D Nanoglass: Will It Protect the iPhone In 3D?

It is always smart to utilize a screen protector to keep your iPhone screen safe and sound. What if you were able to protect the precious screen while also achieving 3D media viewing? This is actually possible with the EyeFly 3D Nanoglass screen protector. For just $29.95, the screen protector and free apps promise to bring the iPhone to life.

Crowdfunding

Minimalist iPhone 5/5s/6 Koala Case is now Funding on Kickstarter

The Koala Case is very different from most iPhone cases; it has a minimalist design, allowing the timeless iPhone design to shine through while still protecting your phone from drops. The Koala Case clips onto the corners of your iPhone while crossing the back in an X shape with its unibody design. The Koala Case is now campaigning on Kickstarter.

Reviews

Lumsing 10400mAh Power Bank External Battery: Slim, Powerful, & Cheap

Do you need a way to keep your phone or tablet powered when you are out and about? Then you should look no further than the Lumsing 10400mAh Power Bank External Battery. Able to charge your mobile phone or tablet repeatedly without being plugged in again, the Harmonica Style Power Bank is slim, powerful, and at $21, it’s amazingly CHEAP. For just a smidgen over $20, you might expect some cheaply made hulk of plastic that weighs a ton and is, well, ugly. But the Lumsing 10400mAh Power Bank is actually a very well made and classy looking tool. The battery’s packaging is…

Reviews

The Blue Microphone Mikey Digital Ups Your iOS Audio Recording

If you use iOS devices such as the iPhone, iPad, and iPad mini to record audio or video, the Blue Microphone Mikey Digital is a fantastic way to quickly and easily improve the quality of the audio captured. For under $100 the microphone, which plugs directly into the Lightning connector, will let you capture what you actually hear.

Reviews

HooToo TripMate Elite Is the Traveler’s Best Friend

The HooToo TripMate Elite 4-in-1 device is a personal cloud, travel router, external battery pack, and dual USB AC charger all in one. The versatile TripMate Elite can be used on an airplane, in your hotel room, in the airport, or even in the car or train. It’s the perfect travel companion. The TripMate Elite’s price is $89.99.

Reviews

iLuv TimeShaker Micro Will Get You to Class on Time

If you’re doing some last-minute back-to-school shopping, then you might want to check out the iLuv TimeShaker Micro. This small alarm clock features Bluetooth audio, an FM radio, USB charger, iLuv’s jAura audio, and a vibrating alarm that will make sure you don’t miss class without waking up your roommates; best of all, this clock radio is under $50.

Reviews

Just Mobile AluPen Digital: The Most Pen-Like Stylus for Your Devices

I have resisted regularly using a stylus for any of my phones or tablets, because I’m not a fan of the overly large soft-touch wide-tipped capacitive styli now available. If I were to use a stylus, I’d want it to be pen-like and more refined — with a fine, hard tip. The new Just Mobile AluPen Digital fits the bill.

Reviews

The Catalyst Case for iPhone 5/5s Should be your Waterproof Case

The Catalyst Case for iPhone 5 and 5s is a super lightweight waterproof case that’s ready to handle all of your outdoor adventures. It’s waterproof up to 16.4 feet underwater, and it meets military standards for drops of up to 6.6 feet. The Catalyst Case is also compatible with Touch ID for your iPhone 5s; it retails for $64.99.