TYLT’s Sliding PowerCase for the iPhone 5/5S is an interesting product. It comes with two minimalist cases in different colors. When the battery runs down you simply slide the phone, case and all, into the battery and recharge. At under $100 it is a great option for iPhone power users. The full review is coming. Here’s a video first look.
We all have our favorite style of case and my wife Elana is no exception. Since making the move to the iPhone her go-to case has been the CandyShell Grip. Elana recently got an iPhone 5C and couldn’t be happier that one of the $35 CandyShell Grip cases arrived for review. See all of Speck’s cases.
There are plenty of over-the-ear Bluetooth headphones currently on the market, but most carry a hefty price. The NoiseHush Freedom BT700 headphones are light, offer decent sound, and cost less than $80 a pair. Available in black or white, the Freedom BT700 Bluetooth headphones offer twenty hours of music enjoyment and an impressive 300 hours of standby time. Get them.
Like its tasty namesake, the Speck CandyShell + FACEPLATE comes in bright colors, has a shiny exterior surface, a soft interior layer, and looks good enough to eat. By adding a faceplate (CandyShield) to Speck’s iconic two-layer CandyShell design, you can be more confident than ever that your phone is protected. Best of all… it’s just $44.95. Get it.
If you want serious protection for your iPhone 5/5S but don’t want to spend a fortune you are in luck. X-Doria’s new Defence 720º for iPhone 5/5S offers a full-screen, protective front shield and rear armor for extra grippy and bump protection. The two-piece construction snaps together for all-over protection from scratches, bumps and other hazards. Just $34.99. Get it.
The Speck GemShell for the iPhone 5C is a great way to protect your new device while also allowing the color of the iPhone’s plastic case to shine through. (Check out our review.) If, however, you want a case that not only protects, but also adds its own color to the iPhone 5C, then you should check out the $34.95 Speck CandyShell. The CandyShell for iPhone 5C has the same familiar design we have seen on previous CandyShell models. That means it offers a good degree of lay-on-the-table protection. The space that covers the bottom of the phone is divided…
The Express Dock for iPad with built-in 4-foot USB cable is just under $60. That’s a lot for an iPad dock, but you won’t find a more solid dock that works with all current iOS devices. Better still, it works with most iPads and iPhones without the needing to remove the device from its case. Check it out here. The first thing you notice when you remove the Belkin Express Dock from its packaging is just how heavy it is. The dock is nicely weighted and, as a result, it creates a solid base for your iOS device that won’t…
The monCarbone Hovercoat is one of the lightest and classiest iPhone 5/5S cases available. Made from carbon fiber, the monCarbone Hovercoat is “basalt enhanced” to help make sure the case doesn’t destroy your signal reception. No, this case won’t protect your iPhone 5/5S when it is dropped, but it will keep it scratch-free and looking amazing. Check it out. The monCarbone Hovercoat is compatible with both the iPhone 5 and 5S. A simple snap-on case, it fits perfectly on the phone and all but disappears when you look at the screen. That’s a mixed bag, since it also means the…
With the arrival of Elana’s iPhone 5C, our household is pretty much all-in with lightning connector-enabled devices. Thing is though, that all of our speakers and Bluetooth headsets use a microUSB for charging. That’s where the Innergie MagiCable Duo with Lightning Connector comes in. It is two cables in one and costs under $30. . The Innergie MagiCable Duo with Lightning Connector cable is a rather simple design, but it’s potentially quite useful to people like Elana and me. In its main configuration it’s a 2.6′ cable with a USB connector on one side and a Lightning connector on the…
If you want a simple but protective case that looks hand painted and won’t break the bank, then you may want to check out the iFrogz Chemistry Chic Chevron for Apple iPhone 5/5s. At under $25, it is a relatively inexpensive way to give your iPhone 5/5S protection and a new, rather unique look. Check it and similar iFrogz cases out. There’s nothing fancy about the iFrogz Chemistry Chic Chevron. A simple TPU case, it protects the sides, top, bottom, corners and back quite nicely. It also offers some degree of lay-on-the-table protection. If you do order this case be…
Belkin’s New Express Dock will sync and charge your iPad or any other iOS device with a Lightning connector. The $59.99 stand has a 4′ built-in Lightning-to-USB cable. An adjustable dial on the back of the device means you can dock your iPad without having to remove most cases. You can learn more here. Watch for our full review.
I loved the Libratone Zipp I reviewed, and Elana still uses it daily. Now Libratone is introducing the Loop. This $499.95 wireless speaker packs AirPlay, DNLA, and Libratone’s PlayDirect when WiFi isn’t available. Set on the floor, a table, or hung on the wall it promises a great look and sound great. Features: Works wirelessly with iPad, iPhone and Android or Mac/PC, enabling awesome sound through AirPlay or DNLA Can be used without a Wi-Fi network router through Libratone’s patented PlayDirect™ technology Streams wirelessly from Internet radio stations and services such as Pandora and Spotify, as well as integrating with…
Speck’s GemShell for iPhone 5C is a “Crystal-clear, protective iPhone 5C case that shows off the brilliant design of your iPhone”. This case is less than $30, offers good drop and scratch protection, and lets the color of the iPhone 5C shine through. If you want protection that doesn’t hide your phone this case may be for you. Get it. The Speck GemShell is a simple idea that fits perfectly with the approach Apple has taken with the iPhone 5C. By stressing the fun and colorful aspects of the device, Apple has helped avoid having too much focus on the…
If you own a smartphone, then you NEED one of these. The DRY-ALL Wet Smartphone Emergency Kit saved Elana’s iPhone 4S when it went into the sink. Now it’s doing the same for her iPhone 5C. (Or at least we hope it is.) Smartphones cost hundreds of dollars to replace, and that makes keeping one of these Emergency Kits on hand no-brainer. You can get one for$31 at our Amazon Affiliate Store.
We can debate whether it’s a good idea to base a decision about driving on a smartphone app and accessory, it’s better than just saying ‘I feel fine’ and getting behind the wheel. Breathometer is a device that plugs into your smartphone and measures your blood alcohol concentration quickly and easily. And the product will be on Shark Tank 9/27! Here is the description: Small enough to fit on a key chain, Breathometer, which is officially registered with the FDA, plugs into a smartphone audio jack, and together with a mobile app, transforms it into a sleek, portable and accurate…
The Ultimate Ears UE Boom wants to be the ultimate portable Bluetooth Speaker. With 15 hours of battery life, great 360º sound, a water and stain resistant acoustic skin, NFC connectivity, and the ability to link two UE BOOM speakers to create a stereo pair, at $199.99 it is definitely in the running. Get one. We’ve seen a number of portable Bluetooth speakers shaped like a cylinder. Among them are the impressive JBL Flip and the Scosche Boom Bottle, and both of those speakers stand out in terms of build and audio quality. While pricier than either of these options, the…
Think Tank Photo makes awesome camera bags. We’ve reviewed many of them, and you can see all our video reviews here. Now they have rolled out a new line of bags for Apple devices. They come in a range of sizes including a My 2nd Brain 13 that will fit a 13″ MacBook, an iPad, an iPhone, and assorted accessories. See them! Think Tank Photo’s new My 2nd Brain 13 is a slim, soft case that is just 2.4 inches thick. It is specifically designed to hold a 13″ MacBook Pro or MacBook air, an iPad, an iPhone, and additional…
Anyone who owns a smartphone and tablet knows that charging can become a juggling act between cables and plugs. Multiply those devices by a couple of owners, and suddenly a better storage and charging solution becomes a necessity; that’s where the Griffin PowerDock 5 Charging Station comes in. It efficiently stores, charges, and organizes up to five of different devices.
Did you preorder a new 5S or 5C? As always, all your favorite case companies are right there to make sure your new baby is properly coddled and swaddled … whether you’re looking for style or protection, the major players are happy to offer up the right accessory. Speck is quick to remind everyone on their website that many of their iPhone 5 cases will fit the 5S nicely, plus they have new cases just for the 5S coming soon as well. Case-Mate says the same thing, though some of the styles appear to be an acquired taste, including unusually…
My phone has a Lightning Connector for charging. My headset uses a microUSB connection for charging. My desk looks like a snake pit of cables. That’s where the MagiCable Duo with Lightning Connector comes in. This $29.99 cable features a unique 2-in-1 design and works with both Apple Lightning and Micro USB tips. Check it out. You can file this one under “Solutions to First World Problems”
Check out our thoughts on Apple’s new phones in today’s upcoming GD Newsletter. In the meantime, here’s a quote from Jony Ive in the iPhone 5S keynote video … “It’s not just rampant technology for technology sake. Every single component, every process has been considered and measured to make sure that it’s truly useful.” Now who could they be alluding to? (Here’s a hint.)