I often joke we need to bubble wrap our electronics. Nothing goes caseless in our house, because between the overenthusiastic dog and the baby who thinks everything is a teether, danger lurks everywhere. We are looking at ways to protect Sarah’s new iPhone 5C, but is the Griffin Survivor the level of protection she needs, or a case of overkill?
So you got yourself a fancy new iPhone 5S or colorful iPhone 5C for Christmas, Hannukah or Festivus. Congratulations! Now you want to make sure you keep your new phone protected. It is easy to do, so long as you pick up one of Lifeproof’s cases. And if you go Nuud, you won’t even lose direct contact with your screen.
In 2013 we reviewed the Soundfreaq Sound Step Lightning and the Soundfreaq Sound Spot. Both impressed with their sound, value, and design. Now Soundfreaq has announced two new products — the Sound Rise and the Double Spot. The Sound Rise is the company’s take on the alarm clock; the Double Spot is two Sound Spots in one.
I remember when the lighted suits in Tron seemed so amazing and futuristic. What if you could have an iPhone case with a similar look? Sparkbeats takes the iPhone LED flash and bends the light through the case, perfect for messages and calls. A $37 pledge on Kickstarter is all it takes to light your iPhone and wow your friends.
My biggest problem carrying an iPhone is having a method to charge throughout the day without carrying a lightning cable. An Indiegogo project called the Apple Worm combines a case with a lightning connector. Pledges start at $20 for 5C and $21 for 5/5S. The data cable fits as a stylish colorful strip in the case that also doubles as a stand.
I’m finishing up leading a ten day trip to Israel that saw us traverse the entire country. From Tel Aviv to the Golan Heights to Jerusalem, we spent a good deal of time on our bus. Our driver Yuri always had his iPhone and iPad handy, and two days into the trip I noticed he had a new iPhone case.
Lately I have found myself listening to audio from my phone. Wether it be music or podcasts, I have come to prefer audio over television. Portable, wireless audio options with superior sound are important to me. I was recently able to try out the TouchTone from id America which promises big sound in a small package for &79.95.
I seem to never have enough chargers or charging cables on hand, probably because I never unwrap the ones that come with my devices (better resale later, y’all!). Aftermarket cables are a necessity for me, which is why I try to find ones that not only work well, they also look good. Just Mobile’s latest accessories totally fit that bill.
Evutec’s Karbon SP Series of cases for the iPhone 5S may look like they are made from Carbon Fiber but they offer the protection of Kevlar and, as a result, offer 5 times the strength of steel at the same weight. Two layers of protection and a thin, light design come together in this $49.99 case.
Yesterday we took a look at x-doria’s Scene Plus for iPhone 5C. It will come as little surprise that the company is also offering a case with this great design for the iPhone 5S. We have one of the nicely protective, very cool-looking cases in hand and thought we might take a look. At under $30 they are a great deal.
I was impressed by Blue Microphone’s Spark Digital. In my review I noted that it, “the world’s first studio condenser microphone to offer both USB and iPad connectivity” does an excellent job of recording audio from both your Mac and your iPhone. I did, however, lament the fact that it only shipped with a 30-PIN Apple connector. No longer!
There is a whole niche of iPhone cases designed to protect your precious phone. Otterbox, Lifeproof, Survivor, the list goes on and on. A very different type of protective niche has begun to appear, where your iPhone case is designed to protect YOU, not the phone. Would you be willing to hold a can of mace to your head? How about a stungun?
With the holidays comes some massive meal preparation. And that can add some major pressure to what can already be a stressful time of the year. Luckily, our friends at ThermoWorks and iDevices have released two neat new devices to help take some of the hassle out of the holidays. Read along for a look at the new ChefAlarm and the iGrill Mini.
If you bought the iPhone 5C, then it is a pretty good guess you like color. That’s great until you realize that most cases hide the colorful iPhones behind a protective layer, which is where the x-doria Scene Plus for iPhone 5C steps in: it protects your iPhone 5C even as it allows the color to reveal itself.
I’m a big fan of Olloclip’s various smartphone lens offerings and they just introduced a $59.99 3-IN-1 clip-on lens solution for the iPhone 5C. Best of all, like the iPhone 5C, it comes in a range of awesome colors. It offers wide-angle, fisheye and macro lens and is ready to take the iPhone’s 8-megapixel iSight camera to new heights.
If you are a fan of wood iPhone cases, but don’t love the fact that they can be rather delicate and/or have sharp edges, then you are going to love the Evutec Wood S Series for iPhone 5S. It has the look and feel of bamboo, but it’s actually a composite material; best of all, it is under $40.
Jabra’s newest speaker, the Jabra Solemate Mini, has the same great design as the original Jabra Solemate but offers a lower price and has a smaller footprint. Great for listening to all kinds of music, at under $100 the Solemate Mini is small but has plenty of soul. It is a great option for anyone looking for a portable audio experience.
If you picked up a new computer, phone or tablet during Black Friday you aren’t done shopping yet. Make sure to check out ZAGG and stock up on some protection for your new device. My 11″ MacBook Air looks great and I’m committed to keeping it looking that way. A ZAGG invisibleSHIELD is a big part of making that happen.
As someone who uses a laptop for all his computer needs, the ability to quickly and easily connect multiple peripherals to it at home or work is more important than ever. The $119 Kanex simpleDOCK is an effective and elegant solution. The expansion dock and charging station looks great, works well and is, best of all, fast!
It is a “first world problem” but a problem nonetheless. As mobile gear multiplies, the need to charge them in a convenient manner becomes increasingly important. Bluelounge’s Sanctuary4 promises to keep up to four devices charge while conveniently keeping things organized and accessible. At $99.95 it might appear a bit pricey, but the convenience and functionality are sure to impress.
The Mota Battery Case for iPhone 5/5s combines the convenience of additional battery life with a sleek, slim design that’s easy to keep in your pocket. I’ve always been wary of extended battery cases because I keep my phone in my pocket and don’t want the added bulk, but the Mota eliminates that concern. The Mota Battery Case is $99.99. The Mota Battery Case is extremely similar in design and features to the Naztech Battery Case I reviewed recently. They both are made of two parts, the battery pack itself and a plastic frame that sleeves over the side of…