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Court clamps down on warrantless surveillance case against NSA
This week, a US District Court judge ruled in favor of the NSA in a case challenging its tactics of intercepting messages on the internet without a warrant. California District Judge Jeffrey White said that the plaintiffs in Jewel vs. NSA didn't establish the legal standing needed to pursue claims that the US government violated their Fourth Amendment rights. White ruled that there wasn't enough evidence presented by the plaintiffs, and that the risk of revealing of state secrets would prevent the case from going forward even if they had. The group, who are all AT&T customers being represented by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), still has a case against the wider telephone record collection and other forms of mass surveillance employed by the National Security Agency. Jewel vs. NSA was filed in 2008 and is one of the earliest lawsuits brought against the federal government over its monitoring practices, preceding the whistleblowing work of Edward Snowden. [Photo credit: AP Photo/Rick Bowmer]
Moment's camera case gives your iPhone a two-stage shutter key
If there's one thing (and there is) I miss about carrying around my Lumia 1020, it's that phone's dedicated, two-stage camera button. Designed to mimic "real" camera shutter releases, it's a feature I've missed dearly on my current daily driver, Apple's iPhone 6. Seattle-based Moment seems to think I'm not alone in wanting a more camera-like experience when snapping pics with my phone. Starting today, the small company is taking to Kickstarter to launch the Moment Case -- a camera case it hopes will bring DSLR-like control to iPhone shutterbugs.
Seidio OBEX Combo rugged case for iPhone 6: Review and giveaway
It's so nice to see the flood of new cases for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, especially in the special genre of rugged cases. While some manufacturers are still trying to figure out how they're going to keep the big iPhones dry and protected, Seidio has jumped out with the OBEX Combo for iPhone 6 (US$89.95, on sale for $64.95) and iPhone 6 Plus ($99.95, on sale for $74.95). Specifications Dimensions (iPhone 6): 6.02 x 0.49 x 3.16 inches (152.84 x 12.36 x 80.25 mm) Weight (iPhone 6): 1.9 ounces (53.87 grams) Dimensions (iPhone 6 Plus): 6.80 x 0.50 x 3.59 inches (172.77 x 12.61 x 91.07 mm) Weight (iPhone 6 Plus): 1.9 ounces (53.87 grams) Meets IP68 rating for dust- and water-proofness. Exceeds MIL-STD-810F drop protection standard Design As with most rugged cases, the OBEX Combo (the combo refers to a combination of colors) is built like a tank. That doesn't keep the design from being Touch ID compatible, which is a plus. The case can be submerged in water up to 3.3 feet (1 meter) deep indefinitely, or up to 6.6 feet (2 meters) for 30 minutes. Rubber plugs keep the ports sealed against water and dust. The iPhone's touchscreen is a little bit less sensitive due to a second screen protector that's provided, but it worked well after I got used to pressing just a bit harder on the screen. The case comes with a holster clip for belt mounting, just what you'd want when driving heavy machinery around a construction site or walking around a factory. The case comes in four color combos, hence the name - black and gray, white and gray, ping and gray, and yellow and gray. Functionality As with most of these rugged cases, the case needs to be properly installed in order to maintain waterproofness. You'll want to watch the company's installation video for details: Still, the OBEX Combo was much easier to install than some competing cases I've reviewed. I liked the fact that the belt clip swivels and that the holster locks onto the case. I don't know how many times I've had phones that have just "jumped out of" holsters, so this is a nice design feature. I didn't try dunking the phone in the case, but it seems extremely solid and the rubber stoppers for the headphone and Lightning ports feel very secure. The case also features raised edges that should help protect the screen, and the screen protector itself has a 4H hardness rating. If there's one negative about the OBEX Combo, it's that it did seem a bit "slick" to me. The TPSIV (Thermoplastic Silicone Vulcanizate) rubber strip around the sides of the case is ridged on the corners, but not on the sides where it would provide a more secure grip. Conclusion Seidio has created a rather slim, but very protective case in the OBEX Combo. While it's not inexpensive, the level of protection afforded by this case can keep your iPhone 6 or 6 Plus from a variety of damage if you spend a lot of time outside or in hazardous conditions. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Have an iPhone 6? Want some real protection for that phone? We're giving away a Seidio OBEX Combo in the black/gray color combination. 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 January 26, 2015 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Seidio OBEX Combo for iPhone 6 valued at $89.95. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
designed by many AL13 v3 case for iPhone 6/6 Plus ... and a few more cases for you
Design house designed by many has been around for a few years, with some fascinating products for Apple customers. Early on, the company was one of the first to come up with a protective aluminum bumper for the iPhone, and the AL13 bumper is now in its third iteration. In this review, I'll not only look at the AL13 v3 for iPhone 6 Plus, but several other designed by many cases and protective films. AL13 v3 Aerospace Aluminum iPhone Bumper (US$84.99 for iPhone 6 Plus, $79.99 for iPhone 6) The AL13 seen at the top of this post is wonderful minimalist protection for your iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. It comes in five different finishes: silver, black, champagne, space gray, and green, and is incredibly light - it adds only 0.6 ounces (17 grams) to the weight of the iPhone 6 Plus. Unlike some competing designs, no tools are required to install or remove the AL13. The company has created a two-piece design that features two protruding plastic pieces that lock into corresponding holes on the bottom part. Installation is a very quick snap, while removal takes a little bit of force. The interior of the machines aluminum bumper is lined with polycarbonate so that your iPhone is cushioned and the bumper won't scratch the iPhone's metal. There's a bit of a lip on both the front and back of the bumper to protect your iPhone's screen and back from flat drops onto the ground. That extra bit of height also accommodates designed by many's MPACT GLASS screen protector, which is included with the case. I found the AL13 v3 to be a gorgeous accessory to the iPhone 6 Plus, with the silver aluminum finish perfectly accenting the silver finish of my phone. The power button, mute switch, and volume rocker all use pass-through switches on the case, and their are ample openings on the bottom of the case for the headphone jack, microphone, Lightning connector port, and speaker. To top it off, the AL13 comes in a beautiful aluminum box, so it's a perfect gift for that iPhone 6 or 6 Plus owner you know. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible ThreeD Case for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus ($29.99 for iPhone 6 Plus, $24.99 for iPhone 6) The next case from designed by many is the ThreeD Case, which is a bit different from your ordinary run-of-the-mill polycarbonate case. First, it has a very unique 3D triangular pattern on the back side. While that looks good, it also provides an extra grip for those who fumble phones. Moving the case from side to side you can see the extra depth that is added by the pattern, which changes depending on how the light is hitting it. It's quite attractive, and the case comes in white, black, champagne, and space gray finishes to accent your iPhone 6 or 6 Plus. Other than the stunning design, the ThreeD Case is somewhat similar to a lot of less expensive polycarbonate cases on the market. However, designed by many did use an "uber premium polycarbonate composite" for this case that is recyclable and RoHS-compliant, and they include an MPACT GLASS tempered glass screen protector. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible BEZEL Case for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus ($29.99 for iPhone 6 Plus, $24.99 for iPhone 6) The term "case" is really a misnomer for the BEZEL Case, as it's technically a bumper with no back. Think of the AL13, except without the aluminum on the outside, and you have the BEZEL Case. As with the other cases, designed by many includes one of the excellent MPACT GLASS tempered glass screen protectors with the BEZEL Case to provide extra protection for your iPhone 6 or 6 Plus display. The case comes in black, white, silver, champagne, and space gray, and features pass through buttons for the volume rocker and power switch. There's an opening in the side of the bumper for the mute switch, and the entire bottom of the case is open for unimpeded access. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible SLIM Case for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus ($24.99 for iPhone 6 Plus, $19.99 for iPhone 6) Finally, we come to the least expensive member of the designed by many case/bumper family, the polycarbonate SLIM Case. It's a rather generic polycarb sleeve with no special design features, really. It does come with the MPACT GLASS screen protector, and can be purchased in clear translucent, smoke translucent, black, silver, champagne, space gray and white. While you can get similar cases for quite a bit less from a number of vendors, they probably don't include a tempered glass screen protector. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Thanks to our good friends at designed by many, we're giving away one each of the AL13 v3 (silver), ThreeD Case (champagne), BEZEL Case (white), and SLIM Case (black) cases or bumpers reviewed here. 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 January 23, 2015 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. Four winners will be selected in a random drawing. One will receive a AL13 v3 aluminum bumper for iPhone 6 Plus valued at $84.99, one will receive a ThreeD Case for iPhone 6 valued at $24.99, one will receive a BEZEL Case for iPhone 6 valued at $24.99, and one will receive a SLIM Case for iPhone 6 valued at $19.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
A novel smartphone case that should never touch your iPhone
YouTube member curtisnstacey created a novel smartphone case that requires you to push your phone into a ballon as it is deflating. It's a clever trick that will allow the balloon to fold itself over your phone, forming a protective cover. Though inventive, the case has two major detractors that should cause to you think twice about wrapping your iPhone in this way. First, the balloon provides only minimal protection for your device. If you drop your iPhone, you still will get a dint, ding or even worse, a crack. Second, it's a balloon, people, and not a smartphone case. Now matter how you spin it, the latex is tacky, and that stem at the top looks ridiculous. The best case usage I could see is as a cheap party trick. Embed your phone in a ballon and see if anyone has the lung capacity to re-inflate the balloon and free your phone from its rubber prison.
Twelve South announces BookBook for iPhone 6 / 6 Plus
Twelve South's BookBook iPhone case has been a popular choice for years, and now the company has announced that it is releasing the case in sizes for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. While the case may look the same from the outside, it's actually different from its predecessors. First, the BookBook now features a distressed internal wallet with five (iPhone 6) or six (iPhone 6 Plus) slots for credit cards. There's a window pocket for your ID, and a full-size pocket for cash - you do remember what cash is, don't you? - or receipts. Next, the BookBook used to use a leather holder to keep the iPhone in case, which I found to be rather floppy in practice. The company has replaced that with a thin plastic shell for the iPhone that can be easily removed from the BookBook for more lightweight use or charging. Finally, the "old" BookBook design of three years ago was just a leather case that ... flopped open. The new one? It can be used as a stand for all sorts of fun hands-free purposes! As seen in the video below, the BookBook can still apparently help you get dates if you're young and good-looking. That's one feature that hasn't changed at all. We'll have a full review of the BookBook for iPhone 6/6 Plus soon.
A Polaroid-style phone case can print selfies in under a minute
The allure of instant photo printing may have passed for most folks, despite some semblance of Polaroid hanging around, but a French startup is looking to rekindle the habit. The company is working on Prynt: a phone case that packs a compact printer inside a frame that resembles a point-and-shoot camera. Right now, prototypes are capable of putting ink to paper for physical copies in just under a minute; however, final models will reduce that time to under 30 seconds. The shell also houses 10-30 sheets of paper for individual prints, and thanks to a companion app, outputs can be used to view captured videos with bit of augmented reality magic. There's a physical connection to your phone too, so you won't have to rely on Bluetooth or WiFi to send flies along. Of course, Prynt has a long way to go, but a Kickstarter is planned for early next year where the first units will be available for $99.
Verus case for iPhone 6 Plus gets the job done
When it comes to the iPhone 6 Plus, relatively few case options were available at launch, especially for buyers with a long list of must-have requirements. As one of the TUAW staffers put it, companies who pride themselves on making the best and most resilient cases for the iPhone were in no position to guess those new iPhone dimensions in order to have design and manufacturing completed and new cases ready for launch day. I opted on the iPhone 6 Plus because it seemed the best compromise between tablet computing and an actual phone. I must say, it's lived up to that promise extremely well. It's beautiful to read on, even if it will never really match up the full iPad air experience, and it's just small enough that I can stick it in a handbag and chat on it. And thank heavens for speakerphone! I wanted a case to support reading, video, browsing, email, and games. The Verus wallet, which was retailing over at Amazon for under $20 (the price varies by seller and availability, and is currently selling closer to $40), seemed to offer the key features I needed: a protective front, a built-in stand, a clip-in protective body, and access to all key features even when closed. After spending hours hunting for a portfolio-style unit, I plunked down my credit card, crossed my fingers, and ordered. The case arrived a couple of weeks after the phones started shipping, and quite honestly, it does a pretty good job protecting my unit. The transparent plastic insert offers a great fit to the phone, and I have no problem accessing every button, toggle, and camera. That said, the portfolio materials aren't leather (didn't expect them to be). They're barely leatherette. A self-respecting Nauga would look amiss at the stitched-pleather quality, which quickly crinkled and bent at the edges, especially at the weakest part of the case, near the back-side camera. Other than that, I've had no damage issues or fraying. The built-in stand is pretty shoddy but it sort of gets the job done. This involves bending the back along its center line to stand the phone up in landscape orientation. As I use the case more and more, this bend point is getting weaker and weaker, so the phone, which started with a nice 135 degree tilt for movie viewing, often slips down closer to 160 degrees or so. There's no natural "catch" to keep it from sliding, so you either have to push it back or prop it up. I wasn't particularly interested in the built-in storage (a bills case suitable for US currency and three card slots) but they work just fine as long as you don't put too much stuff in them. A magnet pair keeps the case closed on the side (you can see these at the picture at the top of this post) and is probably one of my favorite features. The front panel folds back well for making calls. I'm not dissatisfied by the case, especially given its relatively low cost. It's doing a great job protecting my phone, and that's my first concern, especially since regularly I stick phones into bags along with keys, tools, and other gadget unfriendly items. For what it is, the Verus isn't an amazing case, but it's a decent one and will probably suit the needs of many other new iPhone 6 Plus owners.
Another TUAW iPhone 6 case giveaway extravaganza!
Help me, I'm drowning in iPhone 6 cases! We're still not seeing a lot of iPhone 6 Plus cases - I think the larger iPhone caught a lot of manufacturers off guard - but the iPhone 6 case market seems to be very healthy, thank you. So once again, we're going to show you what's available and then give you the opportunity to win one of these many cases. Here we go! Tech21 Classic Shell with Cover (US$39.99) Tech21's "Impactology" design features a sturdy Thermoplastic Urethane (TPU) exterior with a shock absorbing material called D3O that lines the inside of the case. It also has a flip-over screen cover to add extra protection. The Classic Shell comes in black, blue, smokey, and pink. It offers protection all the way around your device and is reasonably priced, but the design is rather blasé. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Alto Collective Floating Tree Wood case (CDN$45.00) This is probably the nicest iPhone 6 case I've seen so far. Made of a high-impact rubberized bumper and a thin, beautiful wood case with a laser engraved figure on the back in a fading color gradient, this case weighs only 15 grams and adds only 1.08mm to the thickness of the iPhone 6. Hats off to the Alto brothers in Calgary for this amazingly cool design. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Pelican ProGear Voyager Case and Holster (US$50.00) Pelican ProGear builds some rugged cases, and the Voyager has three layers to protect your iPhone 6 - a shell of hard polycarbonate with thermoplastic rubber and polyurethante rubber layers inside. There's a holster with a swiveling belt clip that also works as a kickstand for viewing media, and it comes in a variety of colors. Unfortunately, some of the reviews say that the included screen protector shows bubbles when installed, which is not what we'd expect from Pelican ProGear. At ths time, the Pelican ProGear Voyager is only available through AT&T. Rating: 2-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Trident Perseus Gel Case (US$19.95) Trident Case has come up with an impressive lineup of iPhone 6 and 6 Plus cases, and we'll be looking at four of them today. The first up is the most minimal of the bunch, the Perseus Series. Made of a thin gel material, these cases provide a good grip, protection from repeated drops from up to four feet, and even provide a screen protector. They come in black, blue, pink, purple, gray, green, and clear colors. The price is definitely right, as well. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Trident Aegis Case ($34.95) So, you want a bit more protection, huh? Well, the Aegis case is the next step up for keeping your iPhone 6 safe. It's anti-skid, features pass-throughs for all of the controls and ports, has dust filters to keep the dust out of your device, has a lanyard loop (alas, no lanyard), and meets or exceeds MIL-STD-810F. The cases come in black, white, blue, gray, pink, red and green. It uses a two-part design, and also adds a self-installed screen protector. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Trident Cyclops Case ($39.95) The Cyclops case series is quite similar to the Aegis series, but the five buck price difference adds rain resistance - you can stand out in a rainstorm that's dumping 7.9 inches per hour of rain on you in 40 mph winds for an hour, and it should remain dry. That rain protection comes from a buit-in screen protector. The Cyclops comes in the same colors as the Aegis. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Trident Kraken AMS Series ($49.95) Release the Kraken AMS! AMS stands for Adaptive Modular System, and this is an amazingly tough case. It meets MIL-STD-810F for drop, vibration, dust, sand and rain, so it's going to stand up to whatever you can expose your iPhone to. There are optional accessories available, including a windshield mount, bike mount, tripod mount, clamp, universal clip, and a cord management system. The device comes with a removable belt-clip and holster, and also has a built-in media stand. While it's not totally waterproof, the rain resistance makes the Kraken AMS a helpful companion in the field. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible SwitchEasy 0.35 ($14.99) What's with the name of the SwitchEasy 0.35? That's how thick this case is - just 0.35mm, and it weighs only 4 grams. It offers that thin, light protection at a bargain price, and comes in red, blue, yellow, white and black. It's a surprisingly attractive case, and the translucent nature of the PP thermoplastic polymer even lets you see the Apple logo underneath... Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible SwitchEasy Odyssey ($19.99) Don't ask me why, but I really like the design of the Odyssey. It has six polycarbonate panels on the back to make it easy to grip and features a dual-material construction that keeps your iPhone 6 protected from drops. It only comes in gray/black and pink/red finishes. Once again, the price is absolutely right for this protective case. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Bumpies ($24.00) Our next case isn't really a case; it's a set of bumpers that go on the four corners of your iPhone 6. Bumpies are actually very protective considering that they just touch the corners of your phone. They use an advanced removable adhesive to stick to your iPhone 6, they stick out just far enough to prevent scratching of the surfaces, and you have clear, unfettered access to every port and button on the phone. You might think that since this isn't a case, it's not providing as much protection - you'd be wrong. The company uses what it calls ProDyn protection, using an exoskeleton-like shell with a soft membrane inside. The drop protection in many cases exceeds that of traditional cases. And to install the Bumpies precisely, the company even includes an alignment sleeve. These are the ultimate in lightweight protection that shows off the design of your iPhone 6. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Griffin Survivor Slim ($39.99) Griffin Technology designed a case that's going to take a 6-foot drop in stride but not weigh you down. The Survivor Slim meets or exceeds the MIL-STD-801G standards for drop protection, and with a non-slip exterior you're not likely to drop it anyway. It comes with a screen protection film that even works with Touch ID, and rubber covers protect your volume and power controls. It's available in black, gray, and turquoise, as well as a mineral blue translucent shade. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Griffin Survivor All-Terrain ($49.99) Take the Survivor Slim, add a bit of bulk, and add a holster clip to it, and you've got the Survivor All-Terrain. It looks a bit more like a rugged case than the Slim, and it features four layers of protection. There's a built-in screen protector in front of the foam-lined shatter-resistant polycarbonate frame that's covered in silicone. All ports are sealed, so you'll be able to feel comfortable about having your iPhone 6 out in dust, sand, and rain. It comes in five different color combos: black/black, black/blue, black/citron, olive/lime or pink/black. The Survivor All-Terrain may cost a bit more, but it's giving you some impressive protection. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible CM4 Q Card Case for iPhone 6 ($39.99) The Q Card Case from CM4 is the only wallet case we're looking at this week, and it's actually pretty impressive. The back of the case uses a leather-like fabric to hold up to 3 credit cards plus cash, and a quick access slot makes it easy to slide those cards out in a jiffy. The entire iPhone is protected in a full frame made of soft-touch rubber, and pass-through buttons keep your iPhone 6 buttons away from bumps. What's really amazing? The Q Card Case is incredibly thin, making it possible for you to do away with your wallet and just carry your iPhone. It's available in three finishes - Black Onyx, Champagne Gold, and Pacific Green (actually kind of a light turquoise) - and the case is a steal at $40. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway And with that, we've come to the end of another long roundup of iPhone 6 cases! If you've read the roundups before, you know that means that it is time for a giveaway. 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 October 6, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Eighteen winners will be selected in a random drawing and will receive one of the cases listed in this post. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Can't see the form below? Click here to enter! Loading...
Relonch camera case brings an APS-C sensor, f/2 lens to your iPhone
"It would be really hard to make a trashy photo." That's the actual tagline for a company called Relonch, which just launched (correct spelling) a camera case for iPhone 5 and iPhone 6 at Photokina today. Normally we'd dismiss such a product as vaporware, but this could end up being a pretty nifty gadget, if it ever makes it to market. Once you slide your iPhone into the $499 jacket, you'll have access (via the Lightning port) to an APS-C sensor and a permanently affixed f/2 (or better) lens. The version above is just a mock-up -- we did see a working prototype (it performed very well), which is simply a hodgepodge of "parts from different cameras." The final version will also serve as an external battery for your smartphone, enabling more than four hours of use.
Innerexile's iPhone 6 case can heal from light scratches
We've seen LG flaunting the self-healing coating on its rather peculiar G Flex, but wouldn't it be nice to have this on other phones? Well, Innerexile's Hydra plastic case for the iPhone 6 offers a similar feature. We say "similar," because the hard yet resilient Hydra is apparently able to recover from a heavier bronze brush scratch test -- 1kg instead of the G Flex's 750g -- as well as strong bending in the lab. I received a couple of samples to play with and while I don't have the same testing equipment, I can still attest to the cases' impressive build quality, glossy finish and flexural strength -- as shown in my hands-on video after the break. But as with the G Flex, the Hydra's patented self-healing coating is meant for light scratches only.
X-Doria iPhone 6/6 Plus case review and giveaway
This is a first for TUAW -- we'll actually be giving away some iPhone 6 and 6 Plus cases before the new larger iPhones are in the hands of readers. These cases from X-Doria arrived at TUAW Labs just after the Apple announcements on September 9. I think you'll like what you see. Engage Folio The Engage Folio (US$29.99) for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus is the perfect marriage of protection and style, with a clear hardshell back to show off your latest Apple phone and a leather-like folio cover to protect that big screen. The first thing that hit me was just how thin the Engage Folio is, which of course is a good indication of how skinny both the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are going to be. I love that X-Doria chose to keep the Apple-logo'd back of the new iPhones open to view, providing a white, black or red faux leather cover to cover the screen. That's the red cover on the image below. If you need to carry your driver's license with you -- after October, you certainly won't be using your credit cards since your new device will be performing that function for you -- there's a slot on the inside of the cover. The front of the cover features an embossed and silvered X-Doria logo. The top of the Engage Folio is complete closed, with openings on the right side for the sleep/wake switch, a full-length opening on the left side to accommodate the volume toggle and silent mode switch, and an open bottom for the speakers, microphones, and ports. Of course, there's also a large opening for the camera and flash. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Defense 360° Want protection all the way around that big iPhone 6 of yours? The X-Doria Defense 360° ($29.99) is a translucent "frosted" polycarbonate case with a screen shield that you can control your device through. It's probably the most plain-Jane of the X-Doria cases for the iPhone 6, but if you're just looking for something that will totally protect your device from scratches without adding a lot of weight or masking the beauty of the phone, the Defense 360° is it. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Scene If you're looking for a bargain case to keep your latest iPhone safe, the Scene ($19.99) is probably one of your best bets. It has a soft-edge bumper in black, white or red, a soft rubber liner, and a hard clear polycarbonate shell to protect the back of your iPhone 6 or 6 Plus. It's not fancy at all, but provides just what a case should -- protection for everyday use. I particularly like the thin clear line in the bumper that lets the natural color of the iPhone (silver, gold or space gray) show through. X-Doria is going to sell a lot of the Scene cases... Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Engage Plus This $29.99 case is another take on the clear hardshell case, adding either silver or gold reflective bands to the back of the case while keeping the area around the Apple logo clear. To be honest, I think the Engage Plus case would be more reasonable at the same $19.99 price tag as the Scene case, since it's just clear polycarbonate. At least the Engage Folio has a leather-like cover for the same price. Rating: 2-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway We have five X-Doria cases to give away. There's a Scene for iPhone 6, a Defense 360° for iPhone 6, an Engage Plus (gold) for iPhone 6, an Engage Folio in white for iPhone 6, and an Engage Folio in black for iPhone 6 Plus. 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 September 15, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Five winners will be selected in a random drawing. Each will receive one of the five cases describe here with a value between $19.99 and $29.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the Selfie Brush
Imagine waking up one day, wondering what you'd have done with your life if you hadn't listened to your parents and gone into the family hairbrush business. "Everyone needs hairbrushes," they said, waggling a warning finger at your infant face, "it's a stable job, and it's not as if you're going to be a Hollywood actor, eh?" they'd add. The only downside to this, of course, is that every day of your life is the same because, after all, every hairbrush that could have been invented has already been invented. Then, one day you listen to the song Selfie by The Chainsmokers, and all of a sudden a bolt of inspiration hits you. Selfies are, by their very nature, an act of vanity, so why wouldn't people want to fix their hair before immortalizing themselves on Instagram? Furiously, you run downstairs to your basement design lab and, after a month of sleepless nights, using a coffee can as an impromptu latrine and emaciated from a lack of food, you emerge with the Selfie Brush.
Catalyst Case for iPhone 5 / 5s provides rugged, waterproof protection
Last year I reviewed the now defunct Griffin Survivor + Catalyst iPhone case. This year, Catalyst Lifestyle is now a stand-alone company with an updated range of cases. I had the opportunity to try out the Catalyst Waterproof Stealth Black case for iPhone 5 / 5S (US$64.99). Design The Catalyst Waterproof is 13.2 mm thick, 134.3 mm tall, 67.2 mm wide (0.52" x 5.29" x 2.65"). It weighs 41 grams (1.4 Oz). It obviously adds a bit of bulk to your iPhone, but it is less bulky than the model I reviewed last year. Catalyst has got rid of the large latches that locked last year's case in place. The Catalyst Waterproof simply fits together by snapping the case front into the case itself. The case provides IP68 protection from water and dust, and will protect your iPhone in up to 5 meters (16.4 ft) of water. It's also given the 810G military standard rating for protection from shocks and drops up to 2m (6.6ft). Performance My iPhone fit snugly into the Catalyst Waterproof without a hitch. All features of my iPhone, including Touch ID worked perfectly, though it is recommended that you rescan your fingerprint with the iPhone in the case to get an exact image. In terms of operating my iPhone, the only small adjustment was having to press down on the screen a little bit harder than I normally would for it to register. Make sure you push the iPhone right down into the case to make sure there's good contact between your iPhone's screen and the case screen. As with last year's review, the Catalyst Waterproof comes with strict instructions for testing the case before submerging it in water. However, things have been simplified significantly. There's still an O-ring that is essentially the waterproof seal for the case. You need to make sure this ring is sitting properly within the case and that it is not twisted in any way. Catalyst provides full instructions on its website. Aside from that and making sure the charger port / audio jack plug is closed, you're good to go. I performed Catalyst's recommended test and found no water penetration into the case. If your iPhone was to go for an unexpected swim, the Catalyst Waterproof case will make sure not a drop gets in. In terms of protection from knocks and drops, the Catalyst Waterproof provides excellent, all round protection. If your iPhone was to take a tumble, knock or drop, you can rest assured that the case provides significant protection. Conclusion The Catalyst Waterproof's slimmer form-factor and easier operation makes it a solid option for those who want a high level of protection for their iPhone with the least amount of additional bulk. For everyday protection -- or even specific occasions where you know your iPhone will be at particular risk of damage -- the Catalyst Waterproof is definitely worth considering.
Rockstar: Lohan's GTA 5 lawsuit just Jonas-ing for publicity
Lindsay Lohan's Grand Theft Auto 5 lawsuit was "filed for publicity purposes" according to creator Rockstar and parent company Take-Two Interactive. Lohan sued Rockstar and Take-Two for damages back in July over the in-game character of Lacey Jonas, a troubled young actress who struggles with an eating disorder and dealing with the paparazzi. The case claimed Lohan's image, voice and styles from her clothing label were all used to depict Jonas, forming an "unequivocal" reference to the Mean Girls star. As the Associated Press reports, Rockstar is having none of it. Manhattan court papers made public this week show Take-Two and its subsidiary not only want the suit dismissed, but the company wants Lohan to pay its legal fees. As far as Take-Two is concerned, Jonas only resembles Lohan in being a young, blonde woman.
Skinit inkFusion Pro iPhone cases are unique, fun, and protective
Tired of having the same iPhone case that everybody else has? How about making a custom case that is distinctly your own? That's what the customizable Skinit inkFusion Pro cases (US$34.99) are all about. Grab a picture that fits your unique personality and with a few clicks, you're on your way to getting a case that protects your iPhone 5/5s and makes you stand out. Check out the review, then have a chance to win a free Skinit inkFusion Pro case from Skinit and TUAW -- and if you don't win, we have a discount code worth some bucks off on your order. Between now and August 25, 2014, use the code TUAW25 when checking out for 25 percent off your order. That gives you a custom iPhone case for just $26.25, a real bargain! Skinit describes the inkFusion Pro as a "two-piece thermoplastic polymer fusion case". There's both a hard shell on the outside of the case and an inner liner that absorbs impacts if you drop your iPhone. That inner liner is pretty boring -- it's basic matte black -- but it's the outside of the case that counts. When ordering your inkFusion Pro case online, you load an image. That image can come from anywhere -- your computer, one of a zillion stock images that Skinit has access to, a picture from a website, photos you have saved on Facebook, Instagram uploads, Flickr, or even Google+. When the image has been uploaded on the Skinit site, you can scale or rotate it, add text, change the color or apply filters, and then preview the image before you send the case off for manufacturing. About a week later, you'll get a padded envelope in the mail containing your work of art -- otherwise known as your inkFusion Pro case. The printing quality is very good -- I made a case featuring a photograph I took of a Magellenic Penguin at the Valdes Peninsula in Argentina, and other than the case having a bit more of a brown tinge than the original photo, the image was sharp and wrapped around the sides of the case. The fun thing is that I now have a nice iPhone case that will remind me of a day spent walking around tens of thousands of penguins. The case has the requisite cutouts for the camera and flash, speaker, Lightning port, headphone jack, and mute/orientation lock switch. There are pass-through switches for the volume toggle and wake/sleep button. The inkFusion Pro case is simple to install and remove as well, so if you decide to get more than one, it's easy to swap 'em out. Just remove the interior liner from the hard shell, put your iPhone into the liner, and then put it into the shell. To swap shells, just pull the liner-enclosed iPhone out of the shell and snap it into another shell. The entire inkFusion Pro case weighs just 1.2 ounces (34 grams), so you're getting a lot of protection without a lot of weight. My only gripe is that the interior liner is a bit "deep", meaning that there's a significant lip down near the iPhone Home button. Rather than being able to slide my finger right onto the Home button for Touch ID, I found that I had to approach it at an angle. Touch ID still worked, but the entire setup just felt a little awkward at first. That "lip" does provide the iPhone screen with protection from face-down drops, so it's probably a good thing all in all. Conclusion The ordering process for making your own Skinit inkFusion Pro iPhone case is fast and easy, the custom cases are reasonably priced, and the resulting case offers protection from accidental drops while reflecting your interests and personality. The inkFusion Pro case adds customizable fun to a market filled with look-alike cases. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway OK, I got a penguin on a Skinit inkFusion Pro iPhone case, but you could have your girlfriend, kids, dog, cat, or even Justin Bieber (God forbid) on one of these cases. We've teamed up with Skinit for a giveaway of a coupon code good for a free case -- you provide the artwork, we'll supply the code. Here are the rules for the giveaway, and if you don't win, remember that the coupon code I talked about in the first paragraph of this review will give you 25 percent off on one of these great cases. 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 11, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Skinit coupon code valued at $34.99 to create their own inkFusion pro case Click here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
iPhone case defies gravity, sort of
We've seen extra-grippy iPhone cases before, but Italy's Extraverso has taken that idea a step further -- or perhaps too far, depending on how you look at it. The "case," which isn't as much a case as it is a skin for the rear of the device, is designed to stick to any flat surface, and that includes vertical ones. At first I thought the idea was pretty pointless, but after considering the potential applications, it could actually be a pretty slick accessory. The skin would prevent you from knocking the device off of a table or countertop thanks to its grippy nature, and then there's the possibility of slapping your iPhone to a wall or window... for whatever reason you might want to do so. Great for selfies? Sure. But just how much do you trust your phone's life to the suction created by the soft, gel-like rear cover? I can just imagine iPhones meeting their untimely ends thanks to a less-than-adequate grip, which would surely lead to a whole bunch of tears. Thankfully, the skin -- which runs approximately US$34 from Extraverso's online shop -- also includes a protective bumper. That sounds a little bit less risky, but test at your own risk.
LG's 'QuickCircle' G3 case opens a window into your phone
LG hasn't officially revealed the G3 yet, but its new QuickCircle case gives you a pretty good idea of what the device can do. The QuickCircle, which the South Korean company just announced, features a circular cutout in front so you can access the UI's lock screen, take pictures, listen to music and even make calls even if you don't open up the case. It has other things going for it other than its tiny window, as well, such as Qi wireless charging standard compatibility and a Smart Lighting feature that emits a soft glow within the cutout whenever you get a call or a message. Next month, LG's also releasing an SDK for the case, and if you're lucky, someone out there has a brilliant idea just waiting to be made.
Logitech's modular iPhone case lets you change features on a whim
As clever as smartphone cases can get, their features are usually set in stone; if you decide you need a battery pack after you bought a wallet case, you might be stuck. Logitech hopes to eliminate that accessory anxiety with its new Case+ add-on for the iPhone 5 and 5s, built in part by the TT Design Labs crew it acquired last year. The modular design starts with a basic protector, but lets you attach components depending on what you need. A +Drive piece gives you a magnetic car mount, while +Energy more than doubles your battery life; +Wallet offers space for your credit cards, and +Tilt (based on TT's TidyTilt) provides both a kickstand as well as a magnetic mount for your fridge.
This "smart case" is powered by your iPhone's own electromagnetic radiation
The radiation put off by mobile phones has long been a topic of discussion -- and that discussion is usually focused on whether or not it is somehow harmful to users. Lunecase is changing the discussion to one of functionality by creating an iPhone case that actually uses the wisps of energy put off by your smartphone to power a notification system located on the back of the device. The Lunecase, which has already been successfully funded on Kickstarter with over a month of its campaign left to go, provides lighted notification icons for both phone calls and text messages. There is no internal battery, and there's nothing you need to do to get it to work. Simply snap on the case and viola, it's on. A pledge of US$39 will get you a first-run Lunecase, which is considerably cheaper than the $50 price it will carry once it hits retail. Unfortunately for many, the case only works on GSM networks, though the reason for this isn't made very clear. So it looks like Verizon and Sprint customers are out of luck on this one.
