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Made For iPhone manufacturers may have to comply with Apple's supplier responsibility code
There's no gaggle of satellite trucks or eager liveblogs documenting every moment, but one of the most important Apple-related events is going on right now in Shenzhen, China: the annual MFi (Made For iPhone/iPad/iPod) manufacturers' conference. This multi-day meeting is the interface, so to speak, between Apple's mobile products and the vast ecosystem of accessories, gadgets and peripherals that swarms around them. Only MFi-licensed vendors can use the "Made for iPhone" logo on their packaging, and they are the only ones who get access to Apple's internal documentation for interfaces and connectivity. With the advent of the Lightning connector across the iOS product line, this year's conference is a key opportunity for vendors to get the intelligence they need for 2013 and beyond. In fact, reports last month revealed that Apple intends to control the supply of Lightning connector pins directly, rather than allowing third parties to make the parts themselves. The cone of silence surrounding the MFi meeting is intense, unlike the rather leaky WWDC experience. That's understandable: there's way fewer MFi companies than iOS/OS X developers, and the technical information under discussion at the MFi conference could provide Apple competitors with valuable intel. Nevertheless, during the meeting this week a few interesting tidbits have made their way to us through the Great Firewall. Most are trivial (did not know: the Lightning connector is waterproof!) but one big one is not. According to our source at the event, Apple intends to make compliance with its supplier code of conduct a condition of MFi licensing. The supplier code, which has been implemented and expanded over the past few years as Apple and manufacturing partner Foxconn have come under increasing scrutiny for working conditions, currently applies only to Apple's manufacturing supply chain partners and component vendors. Pushing it out to the larger accessory ecosystem would be a concrete example of Apple using its 800-pound-gorilla status in the consumer electronics space to influence more companies to behave ethically on worker rights, environmental issues and more. Of course, there may well be MFi participants who see this move as heavy-handed and unnecessary. It's not yet clear what the schedule, audit requirements or penalties for non-compliance might be -- but there may be some vendors at the margins who feel that the additional effort and expense to comply decreases the overall value of participating in the iOS accessory market. Even if you don't believe the DigiTimes rumor that Foxconn is considering building out LCD TV manufacturing plants in the US (and we don't), accessory makers which have US-based operations may have a leg up on compliance over those in China and elsewhere. We'll keep an eye out for official word of these policy changes in MFi over the next few weeks.
Twelve South introduces HiRise for MacBook stand, shipping now for $70
Hot on the heels of its HiRise for iMac release, the Mac-only accessory maker known as Twelve South is outing a similar riser for MacBook products. Engineered to hoist MacBooks from 11 to 15 inches up off of one's table, the HiRise for MacBook is a sleek, polished stand that serves a purpose much like the mStand from Rain Design. For avid MacBook users looking for a more ergonomic way to work, this is easily one of the best solutions out there. Unlike most rivals, Twelve South's offering is adjustable, allowing you to raise and lower your MacBook's keyboard and display to match the height of your eyes (or perhaps a nearby monitor). In our testing, we found the build quality to be exceptional, and it's most certainly a piece that you'd be pleased to have sitting alongside your other work peripherals. It's a bit heavy for travel -- but then again, you can't have that base being light enough to tip over -- but those still interested can nab one at the source link for $69.99.
iPad mini Smart Cover priced at $39
If you managed to order an iPad mini before it sold out this morning, you may have added a $39 Smart Cover to your order and thought to yourself, "That price sounds familiar." And it should, because it's the same price as the full-size Smart Cover for the larger iPad. The mini version of the intelligent accessory is available in six colors of polyurethane and attaches by wrapping onto the side of the tablet, rather than using the aluminum hinge of the original. For the larger version, customers have the option of upgrading to leather material, though that choice is mysteriously absent for the mini. It's interesting that despite being considerably smaller in size, the iPad mini version remains the same price as its bigger brother. Perhaps it was just a mistake. No? Ok then.
Apple to hold conference for iDevice accessory makers, school them in using Lightning connectors
Apple may have shaken things up with its Lightning connector's unique internals, but a leaked schedule reveals it's holding a conference to help accessory makers get a handle for crafting products with the tech. Taking place between November 7th and 9th in Shenzhen, China, the MFi (Made for iPad / iPhone / iPod) Technology Summit will acquaint manufacturers with the new standard and guidelines for developing gear with the cable. Rather than divulging how to create Lightning connectors, it appears that Apple will be keeping the specifications close to its vest and assume the mantle of gatekeeper. According to one of TechCrunch's sources, Apple will control the supply of pins for its connector and will only sell them to partners when accessories meet Cupertino's standards. This tactic would match up nicely with the current requirements for the MFi certification program, which already makes parts from Apple-approved suppliers a necessity. It sounds like a potentially pricey proposition, but the source also claims that Cook and Co. have a fair asking price for components doled out in bulk, considering the technology behind them. Curious to see what else is on the docket for the three day shindig? Hit the first source link below for the full schedule.
iPad mini accessories ready months before launch
Apple hasn't announced an iPad mini yet, but according to a report in AllThingsD, accessory manufacturing is already booming in Asia. Topeka analyst Brian White says accessory makers have been ramping up production for the iPad mini, with some starting to produce accessories as early as September. White said that, during his tour of Asia, "we uncovered over 20 suppliers that showed us accessories for the iPad Mini." He added that "some already have the accessories boxed, labeled and ready for order." Several of these manufacturers showed White a dummy model of the iPad mini that "fit our hands like a glove." Though some analysts are bearish on a mini iPad, White believes it will be a hit. He predicts Apple will sell between 5 million and 7 million iPad mini tablets in the current quarter. Eventually, he expects the mini to outsell the 9.7-inch iPad.
Canopy's Sensus gaming case protects your iPhone 4 / 4S, adds plenty of new touch sensors (update)
There's no doubt that smartphone accessories can get expensive, so how about a case that doubles as a gamepad? Billed as "protection with a purpose," Canopy's Sensus case aims to do just that. While there are several peripherals that add keyboards and joysticks to smartphones, Sensus goes one step further by adding touch input to a device's entire outer surface. The case's sensors recognize an additional ten touch responses, including controls on the sides and back of a device similar to the rear touchpad on a PS Vita. The focus with Sensus is to provide its users with unique touch input combinations that avoid taking up precious screen real estate. Most likely due to its uniformed design, Sensus is currently only being offered for the iPhone 4 and 4S; the outfit is taking pre-orders at $39 a pop, with shipments expected to begin in the first quarter of 2013. If you'd like to get a better feel for what Sensus has to offer (we know, we know), check out its demo video by visiting the source link below. Update: The folks from Canopy let us know that the previously mentioned $39 price is for pre-orders only -- the Sensus will retail for $59, so get in early if you're looking to save some money.
Just Mobile talks about working with Apple and why it manufactures in Taiwan exclusively
For the average Joe that have managed to stay out of the Apple circle, the Just Mobile brand might not immediately ring a bell, but chances are you would've come across one of its peripheral designs at some point. The only problem is unless you knew the company in the first place, you'd easily assume that the aluminum or even plastic knock-offs are just based on generic designs, because there are simply too many of them. It's no wonder Just Mobile co-founders Nils Gustafsson and Erich Huang take imitations of all forms very personally (especially the ones they and their lawyers see at CES), but fortunately, we were spared from prolonged ranting when we visited the duo's office in Taichung, Taiwan recently. What we were treated to instead was an insight into how an accessory maker works with Apple and why Just Mobile manufactures exclusively in Taiwan, as well as getting a preview of the upcoming AluRack, HeadStand and AluBase that are due out this month.
Motorola phases out Webtop, points to a Lapdock-shy world
When Motorola launched its Webtop concept alongside the original Atrix 4G, it had grand visions of replacing our PCs with a smartphone, a Lapdock and some optimism for a mobile-focused future. Most of us don't appear to have shared that rose-tinted view, as Motorola has confirmed that devices from the Photon Q 4G LTE and Droid RAZR M onward don't carry Webtop and won't get it in the future. The firm is blunt in explaining the cut and says that "adoption has not been strong enough" -- we just weren't buying those desktop- and laptop-oriented docks in the large numbers Motorola would need to devote further attention. As CNET explains, the move isn't surprising in light of Google's cost cutting as well as an initial $500 Lapdock price that likely chilled any momentum, even after prices dropped to as little as $200 in the Atrix 2 era. We'd also point to a market that still favors budget laptops and tablets: when $400 will get you an entirely separate Transformer Pad TF300, albeit without a keyboard, it's hard to justify buying what amounts to an empty shell. At least we'll still have our PadFone to keep us company while you read the full statement below. Motorola's Webtop app helps users extend their smartphone experience to larger screens. While consumers around the world have adopted Webtop and the concept spurred a lot of innovation in the industry, the adoption has not been strong enough to justify continued resources being allocated to developing Webtop on future devices. We have also seen development of the Android operating system focus on the inclusion of more desktoplike features. Beginning with Photon Q and Droid Razr M/Droid Razr HD/Droid Razr Maxx HD, we will no longer be including Webtop on our products moving forward.
Satechi Portable Energy Station 10000: The Strategic Reserve for your devices
If you need portable power and don't want to spend a fortune, then you should take a closer look at Satechi's US$60 Portable Energy Station 10000. The portable charging unit packs a high-capacity 10,000 mAh battery with 2A output that'll charge an iPad and an iPhone at the same time. Design The Satechi Portable Energy Station 10000 has a long, rectangular shape with glossy black surfaces and aluminum trim on the sides. It's not pocketable, but does fit in a purse, small bag or briefcase. The Portable Energy Station 10000 includes two USB ports on the side of the device, so you can charge two devices at once. The sides are also home to a mini-USB charging port that is used to recharge the power pack and a single power button that you can use to turn off the battery when you are not using it. On the front of the device are five, blue-colored LEDs that tell you the charge status of the battery. The LEDs are bright enough for you to see, but subtle enough that you can use the device on your desk and not be distracted by the blue flash. The build quality of the Portable Energy Station 10000 is decent for the price. It does feel plasticky in your hand, but it's a hard plastic that doesn't creak or bend when you touch it. The device also has some heft thanks to the robust battery inside, but it won't weigh you down. The aluminum fared pretty well in my testing, but the black glossy surfaces scratched easily. I wasn't harsh with the device, but I did use it in my car, at my desk and carried it in the main compartment of my Maxpedition bag when I was out and about. After about a week of using it regularly, the device had a fair number of scratches. Functionality The Satechi is a portable power station and includes two USB ports to power your device. One of those ports delivers a standard 1A output that'll charge your iPhone or iPod touch. The other port delivers 2A and will charge an iPad. If you have both an iPad and iPhone, you can charge both at once. Charge times for devices were acceptable, with a fully discharged iPad 3 reaching a full charge in about eight hours. The iPhone 4S also took a little over two hours to charge from a fully discharged state to 100 percent. When you have two devices connected, charge times were slower, but the convenience of being able to charge two devices at once outweighs the slight increase in charge time. The Satechi was also excellent at letting you use your device while charging. With both the iPhone 4S and the iPad 3, I was able to trickle charge my iOS device while using WiFi, GPS, a web browser and a music player. Depending on your usage, the Satechi also lasted for several charge cycles. One more than one occasion, I charged my iPad to an acceptable level and then handed the Satechi to my husband who used it to charge his iPhone while he was away for the morning. When he returned, I could then finish off the iPad charge cycle and still have 20 percent left on the power pack. Once the Satechi's battery is depleted, it takes several hours to recharge the internal 10,000 mAh battery. One useful feature of the Portable Energy Station 10000 is the LED charging meter on the front of the device. The meter includes five blue LEDS and each LED is equal to 20 percent battery capacity. When the Satechi is charging a device, the lights will flash in a pattern that shows you the battery pack is on and charging. The Portable Energy Station 10000 also flashes the current battery capacity, so you know if it is full (all five LEDs) or almost empty (one LED). Though useful, the power status of the Satechi was sometimes difficult to read as the light from one of the blue LEDs would bleed over into the next one. You don't notice the bleed over when the power pack is at full or near full capacity. When the power pack drained to 20 percent, though, you had to look closely to confirm it was just one and not two lights flashing. You can tap the power button and it will pause the charge and show the current battery capacity. Tap the button again and the charging will continue. The power button also lets you turn off the Satechi, which is useful for maintaining the charge state of the power pack. In my testing, I could power off the Satechi for over a week and it held its charge. The Portable Energy Station 10000 works with iOS devices as well as other mainstream phones and tablets. The Portable Energy Station 10000 comes with a USB cable and USB wall adapter that you use to recharge the power pack. This cable has replaceable ends and can be used to charge devices when it is plugged into the Energy Station 10000. The package ships with six charging tips including a 30-pin connector, mini-USB and micro-USB. There's also a soft bag that'll hold the charger and its accessories. Conclusion Satechi's Portable Energy Station 10000 is an excellent addition to a traveler's arsenal of gadgets. It's not too bulky and delivers an impressive amount of power for charging multiple devices. It will save your hide when you need a quick charge while you are out and about. It's also perfect for trips which require you to be away from a power source for an extended period of time. Pros The Portable Energy Station 10000 fits easily in a bag, charges your iPhone and iPad at the same time and includes charging tips for other devices. It also lasts a long time and holds its charge over time, so you can charge a device multiple times before you have to recharge the power pack. Cons In my usage, the surfaces of the Portable Energy Station 10000 scratched easily. The power status of the Satechi was sometimes difficult to read as the light from one of the blue LEDs would bleed over into the next one. Who is it for? iPhone and iPad owners who travel or work in the field and need a reliable power source wherever they go. %Gallery-167571%
Twelve South HiRise takes iMacs and Apple displays to new heights, tidies up in the process
Many of those who buy iMacs and Apple-designed displays are eager to avoid clutter in the first place, which makes an organizer all the more logical for those who'd like Desk Zero almost as much as Inbox Zero. Accessory maker Twelve South's newly available HiRise aims to clean it all up -- and lift it up. The aluminum-and-steel frame elevates Apple's modern all-in-ones and screens to any one of six points while conveniently leaving storage space that goes with the local computing decor, whether it's to hold external hard drives or car keys. Although the HiRise is no trivial expense at $80, it's better for propping up an iMac than an old college textbook, and arguably more useful as a whole.
HP unveils first NFC-enabled mouse, various other PC accessories
In addition to unveiling all those laptops, HP just announced a boatload of peripherals. Of the bunch, the most compelling might be the NFC-enabled Touch to Pair Mouse, which, as the name suggests, can be paired with another device simply through tapping. (Good thing lots of computers currently have NFC, right?) If, by chance, you don't have NFC on your laptop -- and you probably don't -- the mouse will function just fine as a regular old Bluetooth device. Look for it in November for $39. Elsewhere on the wireless mouse front, HP announced the X6000 (pictured), which has four-way tilt scrolling and can be used on most surfaces, including glass. That arrives this month for $59. Finally, if your tastes are a bit simpler, there's also the Wireless Mouse X4500 and X5500, which will be available this month for $29 and $39, respectively. Beyond mice, HP also trotted out the $29 Wireless Classic Desktop keyboard, along with the $49 Wireless Elite v2. For audio lovers, there's the HP Portable Bluetooth Speaker, which will go on sale next month for a cool $79. Eighty bucks (or thereabouts) will also get you a 90W universal power adapter that claims to be compatible with most notebooks. It also has a built-in USB port, allowing you to charge a mobile device at the same time. Rounding out the list is the Webcam HD 4310, a $69 $89 shooter capable of 1080p video, autofocus, autoexposure and three-way video calling. All that in more digestible form in the PR after the break.
Zorro Macsk review: instantly add touchscreen functionality to your 21.5-inch iMac
Over the years we've come across a few signs that pointed to the possibility of touchscreen-enabled iMacs, but Steve Jobs had already dismissed this as a possibility for current Mac form factors. Quoting the man at the "Back to the Mac" keynote from two years ago: "It gives great demo, but after a while your arm feels like it's going to fall off. Touch surfaces want to be horizontal." So perhaps our fantasy's still stuck in the "research project" phase. Luckily, the more adventurous touchscreen lovers can look to third-party solutions. For MacBooks you have Axiotron's Modbook, except you lose the keyboard and you can't perform the modification yourself. As for iMacs and Cinema Displays, we've been following Troll Touch for its resistive touchscreen replacement panels, but they aren't exactly affordable and most of them have to be installed by the company. Even its user-installable SlipCover series starts from $899, anyway. This leaves us with the Zorro Macsk, a cheekily named iMac accessory hailing from TMDtouch of Shenzhen, China. The 21.5-inch model is priced at just $199 on Amazon with no modifications required. Plus, it supports multitouch -- a glaring omission from Troll Touch's Mac lineup. So is this truly a bargain? Or is it just a case of "you get what you pay for?" Follow past the break to see how we got on with the Zorro Macsk.%Gallery-165013%
Logitech debuts white Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad, arriving before month's end for $100
Those who live and die by color coordination can breathe a bit easier today, as Logitech has introduced its Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for the iPad in white. Like the black model, the accessory operates via Bluetooth and features a battery that's said to provide up to six months worth of go time -- a statistic that's based on two hours of usage per day. You can expect to coat your very own white keyboard with a layer of grime in short order: it's currently available for pre-order on Logitech's website for $100 and is said to hit Apple retail stores later this month. For the curious, you'll find a teaser video after the break.
Exogear's Exovolt Plus: The stackable external battery pack arrives
There are a ton of external battery packs for iPhones and iPads. I remember the good old days when it seemed like the only packs available were little blobs that you'd plug into the bottom of an iPhone to keep it going for a few more hours. Now everybody and their brother-in-law has an external battery pack in their line, so it's nice to see one that's completely different from the rest of the pack. It's the Exogear Exovolt Plus, which has the distinction of being a stackable battery pack. Read on -- we're going to give away some goodies to one lucky TUAW reader. Design and Functionality The Exovolt Plus comes in two models: the main battery (US$89.95) and sub batteries (US$49.95 each). To power your iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad, you need at least one main battery. It has a micro-USB port for charging and a full-sized USB port to charge up your devices. There's also a power button and four white LEDs that give you the relative charge level of the stack of batteries. The sub batteries are slightly thinner, don't have the ports, but do have a small socket on one top corner that contacts a male connector on the bottom of the main battery. The sub batteries also have one of those male connectors on the bottom, so you can stack as many of them as you want to to create a tower of power. %Gallery-162741% The Exovolt units are white, about 3-3/4" square, and have rounded corners. The bottom sides are blue, and there are small latches on the sub batteries to insure a solid connection to the main battery or other sub batteries. To make sure that your stack 'o power is safe to be around, Exogear built in double circuit protection, overheat protection, short-circuit protection, and an automatic input/output control. The main battery package comes with a carry pouch, micro-USB and Dock Connector cables, and a simple user manual. How much capacity do these things have? Each Exovolt Plus battery has a capacity of 5,200 mAh, and stacking ten of them would give you an astounding 52,000 mAh of energy for keeping your iPad going when the zombie apocalypse starts. Of course, that would put you back a whopping $539.50, but you'd have bragging rights... In fact, nowhere on the Exogear website or in the limited documentation that comes with the Exovolt Plus did I see anything about a limit on how many of these things you can stack. Doing a little math and knowing that the main battery is 1.5 cm thick and the sub batteries are 1.2 cm thick (and assuming that the plastic would stand the weight of a huge column of batteries, which it wouldn't), you could equal the height of the Burj Khalifa (829.84 meters or 82984 cm) by stacking approximately 69,153 of these things at a cost of around $3,454,282. That thin tower would supply 359,595,600 mAh for your iPad movie watching marathon. In all seriousness, though, the Exovolt batteries are well-built and a stack of these guys would get you through a lot. Conclusion The Exovolt Plus battery pack system is a unique, but pricey, way to make sure that you have power to spare for your electronic devices. The ability to stack the batteries for extra capacity is brilliant. Pros Nicely designed and built Stackable design expands capacity as you need it Cons Expensive; by comparison, Satechi's 5,200 mAh battery pack is only $39.99, and their 10,000 mAh model is only $59.99 Who is it for? Someone who needs a lot of power to go, and has the bucks to buy a lot of these stackable packs Giveaway We're giving away a pair of Exovolt Plus battery packs -- one main battery, one sub battery -- and a sweet Tabu tablet pouch to one lucky TUAW reader. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before August 21, 2012 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive one Exogear Exovolt Plus main battery valued at $89.95, one Exogear Exovolt Plus sub battery valued at $49.95, and a Tabu tablet pouch valued at $39.95. Click here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Nyko Power Grip for PlayStation Vita review: a $25 accessory that promises to double your battery life
Gaming accessories come in all shapes and sizes --- replacement controllers, portable console suitcases, specialized mice, control augmenting nubs, you name it. Whatever your niche, you can bet there's a product out there to fill it. Nyko, in particular, has made a bit of a habit of fulfilling a particular need: manufacturing third-party battery accessories for all those short-lived handhelds. The outfit has such a solid track record in the category, in fact, that we had little doubt its PlayStation Vita Power Grip ($25) would live up to its life-giving hype -- but we decided to put it to the test all the same. %Gallery-162642%
Twelve South debuts BackPack 2 shelf accessory for iMac with three enhancements
By now, you're likely familiar with Twelve South, the Mac-minded accessory maker that prides itself on staying small. Well, three years after the debut of its first product, the BackPack, it's refining the shelf accessory in three ways that'll make you smile. If you'll remember, the BackPack originally began its life as an attachable storage shelf for the iMac and Apple Display, which sat discretely behind the unit. Now, not only can the BackPack 2 be attached in a forward-facing manner, but it also offers integrated cable management and vertical support pegs to properly hold equipment such as the MacBook Air and upright hard drives. In all, the BackPack 2 will accommodate up to 3.5 pounds of gear, and it's available now for $34.99. If you'd like to get acquainted with the redesign, just check the gallery below. %Gallery-161586%
Mophie delivers the OUTRIDE for action iPhone camera work
Popular iOS accessory maker mophie is stepping outside its battery-based products and debuting a new, sports action camera mount for the iPhone 4/4S. The OUTRIDE camera system includes a durable mount, a beefy camera-centric case and software to tie it all together. The polycarbonate case and mount is waterproof and shock proof so you can take it biking, boating and skiing without missing a beat. There's also an iPhone app that lets you create a profile and share your nail-biting adventures with your friends. The OUTRIDE system costs $130 and will be available in mid-September. [Via Engadget] Show full PR text mophie Transforms the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 into a Dedicated Action Sports Camera with OUTRIDE Hardware, App -based Video Community Empowers Users to Ride, Record and Share Salt Lake City (Aug. 1, 2012)-Summer Outdoor Retailer-mophie™, leader in developing innovative solutions that allow consumers to do more with their mobile devices, today debuted its action sports camera, outride, a hardware and app solution that puts the power to record and share tricks, tracks, rides, and epic moments in the hands of action land and water sports enthusiasts, using only their iPhone. OUTRIDE eliminates the need for dedicated video or camera devices, which add bulk and can cost upwards of $300, by harnessing the existing features of the iPhone and adding the hardware and software for outstanding, all-in-one filming, editing and sharing. OUTRIDE hardware is waterproof and impact resistant and comes bundled with a variety of custom mounts to capture action shots in the surf, snow, dirt or concrete. The release of OUTRIDE incorporates several product innovations that have earned mophie credibility in the action sports community by including features such as extreme durability and portability engineered specifically to meet the needs of the lifestyle. OUTRIDE's debut is also a clear statement that the brand is putting down roots in the category and is committed to trailblazing the development of solutions and applications that can transform the iPhone into a device that can serve many functions, eliminating the need for consumers to spend on additional, dedicated devices. "With the ever-growing action sports market, and our success in developing ruggedized products for those rough-and-tough tech users, we felt we were ready to design and develop a product that would take the iPhone and its camera capabilities to its limits," said Ross Howe, vice president of marketing at mophie. "While the action sports community has a lot of camera and video options to choose from, they weren't able to share their moments with the community in real time. OUTRIDE gives the action sports community these capabilities in a durable, compact, quality and cost-efficient way." Using the iPhone 4S or iPhone 4 and OUTRIDE as an action sports camera has many advantages, including the ability to review your own footage or shots, share those moments and follow others in the community, instantly. The free OUTRIDE app, is the perfect complement to the hardware solution and is the key differentiator from other action sports cameras on the market. With the OUTRIDE app, users have instant gratification in capturing and viewing their content, as well as sharing it on the OUTRIDE community page as well as various social media networks, on the fly and in the moment. Available in mid-September, OUTRIDE bundles range from $129.95 to $149.95 at mophie.com. Key features and benefits of the outride include: Turning the iPhone into a Dedicated Sports Camera-Bundling the case, mounting system and the OUTRIDE app, gives users the option to transform their iPhone 4S or iPhone 4 into a dedicated action sports camera. Features of the OUTRIDE hardware include: High-impact, water-proof and lightweight polycarbonate housing protects the iPhone in any scenario Water-proof Modular quick-release mounting system allows recording at any angle and attachment to any surface on a variety of sports equipment Wide angle lens is optimized for recording action sports "Lights, Camera, Action!"-Whether you have a passion for surfing, motocross or skate, there is an OUTRIDE mounting kit that will fit your sport. Capture, View and Share-Free on the iTunes store, the OUTRIDE app is a place for the action sports community to search and share videos from around the globe, on-the-go: Personal Profile-Get started by uploading a profile picture and adding in your location. From the personalized profile, users can view captured videos and photos, find and follow friends, and customize categories Capture-Allows the user to shoot both vertically or horizontally View-Custom settings allows for a unique viewing experience, and provides notifications of "friends" updates Share-Community-based sharing allows users to discover new users and connect with the "mophie" community within the app and through other social networks For more information on OUTRIDE and the full suite of mophie products, please visit www.mophie.com.
Parrot Minikit Neo rolls through the FCC
With roughly a month to go before it hits retail channels, Parrot's Minikit Neo is inching towards being ready for mass consumption. This week the hands-free bluetooth accessory made a run through the FCC and received Uncle Sam's seal of approval. The filing isn't hiding any surprises, and we're not even treated to a nice teardown. Still, its good to know the smartphone-friendly visor clip-on is making progress. Keep an eye out for it to pop up on shelves in September for $100.
Nexus 7 dock and covers leak, promise high style in small sizes (update: source goes down)
There have been teases here and there that Google's Nexus 7 was going to get a full, official accessory treatment from ASUS, but actual details have been scarce. Consider ASUS' cover blown, almost literally. Presentation files finding their way to Nordic Hardware show the known Smart Case-like, $20 Travel Cover that's already lurking on the ASUS and Google websites, but they also spoil a leather Premium Cover that will reportedly cost $40. As for a cradle to round out the set? While the company had previously confirmed that a dock was coming, we're now getting a glimpse of the $50 Nexus Dock's super-simple wedge design and audio output. With the exception of the Travel Cover, the accessory bonanza is pegged by the slides as arriving in late August -- just in time for that last-gasp summer vacation. Update: Nordic Hardware has since taken down its original post "at the request" of an unnamed party.
Ask Engadget: best case for the Samsung Galaxy S III?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Amandeep, who needs a case for his new superphone. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "Hey guys, I just snagged myself a new Galaxy S III, but I'm at a loss when it comes to deciding on a case. I'm looking for something that falls between the typical silicone wrap and a full-on army grade rubber block of invincibility. It needs to provide sufficient protection from the occasional drop or two while staying relatively sleek and somewhat stylish. That said, my last phone was a Thunderbolt with an extended battery, so it's safe to say that I won't mind a bit of thickness. I've had my eye on a Shell-Gel series case from Ballistic, but I'm still in need of suggestions. Any ideas?" How about it peeps? What do you use to protect your Galaxy S III that you'd recommend to another? Constructive suggestions are always welcomed.
