iphone 5
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Apple warns iPhone 5 owners to update if they want to stay online
If you're still clinging to your iPhone 5 for dear life, you'll want to be sure it's running the latest available software -- the consequences could be serious if you don't. Apple has started warning iPhone 5 owners with full-screen alerts that they'll lose key online features (including email, web browsing, the App Store and iCloud) if they don't update to iOS 10.3.4 before 12AM UTC on November 3rd. The GPS time rollover issue that started in April will throw off features that require the correct date and time, Apple said.
Foxconn exec faces 10 years for stealing 5,700 iPhones
A senior manager at Foxconn, the company that makes Apple's iPhone handsets, is facing 10 years incarceration after being charged with the theft of 5,700 iPhones valued at nearly $1.5 million. According to AsiaOne, the Taiwanese testing department manager, identified only by his family name Tsai, coerced eight of his subordinates to smuggle iPhone 5 and 5Ses out of the Foxconn Shenzhen plant between 2013 and 2014.
Grovemade's beautiful handcrafted Walnut iPhone Case
Grovemade makes some amazing cases and accessories out of wood, and we've covered a few of them before. Recently, a Walnut iPhone Case for iPhone 6 (US$99) came into the TUAW Labs for our inspection, and it's a gorgeous piece of work. Check out this review and then enter for a chance to win this hand-finished beauty from Portland, Oregon. Specifications Material: Oregon Claro Walnut Sizes: iPhone 5/5s ($79), iPhone 6 ($99), iPhone 6 Plus ($109) Weight (iPhone 6 case): 0.7 ounces (19.8 grams) Design The Walnut iPhone Case comes in two parts - a "bumper" that protects the sides of the phone and a back that adheres to the back of your iPhone with a removable adhesive patch. This design results in an extremely light and sturdy case. The wood is hand finished and is quite attractive; there are precisely-machined holes for speaker, Lightning port, headphone port, mute button and camera. For the power switch and volume toggle, wooden pass-through buttons make it easy to control power and volume. And hey, did I mention that the Oregon Claro Walnut looks great? I think Grovemade outdid itself with the Walnut iPhone Case. Functionality As opposed to earlier wood iPhone cases from Grovemade and other producers, the two-piece design makes installing the case a snap. You just place the iPhone into the bumper part, turn the iPhone and bumper over onto the screen, remove the paper covering the adhesive on the back, and press the back into place. Despite being hand sanded and finished, there's still a little bit of grain to the wood that makes it very easy to grip. I'd say that my favorite feature of this case is the fact that each one of these is totally unique in terms of the grain pattern and color. Conclusion Grovemade has taken their wood case design to the next level with the Walnut iPhone Case, making it lighter, easier to install, and just as protective as the earlier version. With their somewhat luxury price tag, these cases aren't for everyone, but if you're looking for something unique and handcrafted, this is it. Sadly, the Walnut iPhone Case is only available for pre-order now, so it won't make the perfect Christmas gift. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Yes, I know I said that these cases are only available for pre-order now, but one lucky iPhone 6 owner is going to win the Grovemade Walnut iPhone Case. 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 December 14, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Grovemade Walnut iPhone Case for iPhone 6 valued at $99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
ComfortWay Travel Case: International data roaming for $2/day
Up to now, international travelers have had a few very expensive options for using data roaming off of their carrier network. You could just leave everything on your iPhone turned on, then pay an arm and a leg for all of that bandwidth you chewed up sending Vines from the Parthenon to your friends at home. You could unlock your phone, then pick up a prepaid SIM for a network in a country that you're visiting. Or you could do what I usually do on my trips - shut off the cellular part of my phone and just use Wi-Fi when you can find it. A new Kickstarter campaign aims to create iPhone 5 and 6 cases that enable mobile internet service in over 100 countries for just US$2 per day. The ComfortWay Travel Case for iPhone is a battery case that also features a router module with a multi-carrier virtual SIM. The idea is that when you're off your home network, you shut off cellular data access on your iPhone and then plug it into the Travel Case. The case connects to the local cellular data network and then acts as a Wi-Fi hotspot for your iPhone and up to nine other users. ComfortWay says that the Travel Case will provide internet speeds of up to 42 Mbps on HSPA+ networks, and the company provides you with pay-as-you-go rates of $20 per GB, or about $2 for a normal day's usage of 100 MB of data. The company currently sells a small Wi-Fi hotspot device that works in the EU only and provides unlimited data for $5 per day. The virtual SIM module automatically downloads the correct SIM specifications from the local carriers, then selects the mobile network with the best data connection speeds. An iOS app gives users control over charges, adding money to their prepaid account, and more. The idea here is to build upon the success of the current device and expand the number of countries in which ComfortWay can provide low-cost data service. The company currently has working agreements and letters of intent with over 50 mobile operators in Europe and North America, and is continuing to work on ironing out more agreements before the product hopefully ships in 2015. Of course, this could all be just a pipe dream unless Kickstarter backers cough up $120,000. So far, backers have only shelled out $1,816 (as of November 7, 2014), but there are 42 days left in the campaign. If by some miracle the campaign reaches a $1,000,000 stretch goal, ComfortWay plans to make an iPhone 6 Plus Travel Case.
Bison iPhone 5/5s Wallet: Carry it all without the bulk
The Bison is an amazing animal that evokes the old West. Rugged, independent, and able to withstand weather extremes without blinking, they roam the new West in herds that are growing each year after being hunted almost to extinction in the late 1800s. It's fitting that Bison Made, LLC chose the beast as its namesake, as the company produces unique and ruggedly built leather products. Today we're looking at the company's iPhone 5/5s Wallet (US$75.00), which provides a comfortable home where your iPhone can roam, and you'll also have money to pay (sorry, I can't think about bison without thinking about "Home on the Range"). The design of the Bison iPhone 5 Wallet is extremely simple: take a piece of beautiful, supple leather in natural, whiskey, Malbec, or jet finishes, and roll it into an overlapping cylinder shape. Flatten that out and provide strong stitching in two locations, and you have a case that not only holds and protects an iPhone 5 or 5s, but also features a "wallet" for carrying cash, credit cards, and IDs. I like the looks of the iPhone 5 Wallet. It's streamlined, unlike some other really large leather wallet cases I've tested. However, my idea of a wallet is something that can be securely closed, and this design leaves both ends of the card pouch wide open. Sure, the pouch is snug enough that chances are very good that nothing's going to probably fall out, but I'm paranoid. Now, for a $75 wallet case from a luxury company, I have a few beefs about the Bison. First, the inside is just leather. I'd expect the "backside" of the leather to have been bonded to some soft felt made from yak belly fur, but no, it's just the other side of the leather strip. Second complaint? That price. I mean, come on. Other companies that make luxury iPhone wallets in the same price range, Pad & Quill for example, at least seem to put some work into their products, adding things like elastic bands to keep things closed, actual credit card slots and see-through ID slots. Or how about DODOcase, which makes a similar minimalist case out of leather and waxed canvas but at least lines it with soft cotton and prices it for $25 less? Maybe I just don't get the entire "luxury product" genre. At least the Bison iPhone 5 Wallet is very stylish, very lightweight, protects the iPhone (I found I had to actually "dig" to get mine out, so maybe it's a bit too protective), and should get better-looking with age as it gets that leather patina. Conclusion If you happen to be in one of the luxury good retailers listed on the bottom of the Bison Made web page, need a nice looking iPhone wallet, and a $75 purchase for a beautifully finished piece of leatherwork, go for it. Those who might need more room or organization in an iPhone wallet, or who would like to spend less money might want to look elsewhere. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Have an iPhone 5 or 5s that you'd like to carry in style? We've got one of these Bison iPhone 5/5s wallets in a "whiskey" finish that we're rarin' to give away, and some lucky TUAW bronc-buster is going to ride away into the sunset with it. 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 22, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Bison iPhone 5/5s Wallet valued at $75. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Doing the math: Apple device pixels on parade
The new "Baby Dolphin*" iPhone 6 Plus will ship with a 1920 x 1080 Retina HD pixel display on a 5.5" screen. Compared and contrasted to a 7" iPad mini with Retina display, with its 2048 x 1536 Retina pixels, the Baby Dolphin compares favorably. It offers approximately 66% of the screen space but in a form factor that enables you to send and receive phone calls as well as read books more comfortably. As a point of comparison, my 960 x 640 pixel iPhone 4S with Retina display offers just under 20% of screen space plus is noticeably thicker than the new unit. Here's a quick rundown of some basic specs, using the 7" Retina mini as a benchmark. Only pixels are compared, and the pixels per inch count varies between devices: Device Name: Screen size, dimensions in pixels, pixel count, and relative size to iPad mini with Retina display iPad Retina mini: 7" 2048 x 1536 3145728 100% iPhone 6 plus: 5.5" 1920 x 1080 2073600 65.9% iPhone 6: 4.7" 1334 x 750 850500 27% iPhone 5s: 4" 1136 x 640 727040 23.1% iPhone 4s: 3.5" 960 x 640 614400 19.5% * -- In case you're wondering where this nickname came from, TUAW editor Dave Caolo exclaimed that the iPhone 6 Plus was as "big as a baby dolphin!" when it first appeared during the keynote.
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...
Dear Aunt TUAW: Are pixels doomed?
Dear Aunt TUAW, Today I've been reading rumors of new iPhones all over the interwebs. Everyone's talking about 3x resolutions and 1704 x 960 displays. Help me, Aunt TUAW -- is my Retina display doomed? Thanks, Your Nephew David X. Dear David, Your Retina iPhone is not doomed. Apple's Retina technology packs in tight pixels for resolution excellence and has been a certain winner. Uncle Rich's coverage of what Retina means is a must-read if you're interested in learning more about the subject. Today's rumor suggests that Apple might pack a new iPhone with even more pixels than ever. Auntie is not going to take a position one way or the other on whether it makes sense to introduce another resolution style. All the developers she talked with this morning reacted with horror tinged with a certain intrigue when approached on the matter. Here are some basic facts... If the iPhone 5 had used a non-retina display, its screen would have presented 181,760 pixels at a time, a quarter of the 727,040 it actually uses and a ninth of the 1,635,840 rumored pixels for the iPhone 6. But compared to a current iPad air with its 3,145,728 pixels that's just pocket change. What developers are particularly worried about is having to stuff yet another image resolution into their already bloated applications. With the baseline iPad air packing only 16 GB, and apps having to already support image assets for non-retina and retina distributions on both tablet and phone families, it's hard to think that Apple would force yet another set of images into everyone's distributions. Auntie is hoping that Apple will introduce native vector support for the "UIImage" class in iOS 8. Describing images as rescalable vectors would massively shrink those app bundles. Sure it takes a bit more processing time to scale and display vectors than to present simple images, but they'd provide a great way to design images that would automatically scale without blurriness no matter what kind of screen was thrown at them. In fact, popular developer icon resource Glyphish just announced a "Complete" bundle with full vector icon support, to scale up the art as needed. (Photographic images would still pose an issue, and they're never going to go away, unless Apple throws in some kind of magic fractal compression solution as well.) Auntie suggests you wait a few weeks and then poke a developer after WWDC. The image APIs introduced this year will probably deliver some strong hints as to whether the rumored August product launches will stretch the definition of Retina or not. Hugs, Auntie T.
Twelve South HiRise gets a new finish; TUAW's giving one away
The stylish and functional Twelve South HiRise iPhone 5/iPad mini stand (US$34.99) has been available since last year, so it was quite surprising when the company announced a change to that product. When I reviewed it last year, I found the HiRise to be both appealing and reasonably priced -- a true winner in my book. Well, what could the company do to make a great product even better? They've announced a new finish on the HiRise -- Tactical Black. Designed to look great with that Space Gray iPhone 5s or iPad, the new HiRise also looks darned good with a colorful iPhone 5c onboard. As with the previous HiRise, the new one adjusts to fit iPhones in cases so you don't have to "undress" your phone to charge it. It's compatible with any iPhone 5, iPad mini, or iPod touch that sports a Lightning port. The best iPhone stand on the market just got better, and we're going to celebrate by giving one away courtesy of Twelve South. 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 May 12, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Twelve South HiRise iPhone 5/iPad mini stand in Tactical Black Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
iLuv Selfy iPhone 5/5s case sports a built-in camera remote
Accessory manufacturer iLuv has just done something impressive in the world of iPhone cases -- they've created a new line called Selfy that revolves around an iPhone 5/5s case (US$49.99 also available for iPad and iPad mini) with a slide-out wireless remote built into it for taking the perfect selfies. In this review, I'll let you know how Selfy works, and also tell you about the line of accessories designed to work with the case. At the end, you've got a chance to win an iLuv Selfy of your very own. Specifications Dimensions: .57 inch thick x 2.38 inch wide x 5.06 inch tall Weight: 2.1 ounces (59.5 grams) Materials: Thermoplastic polyurethane exterior, polycarbonate interior Available colors: Black, Pink Design Highlights The Selfy ecosystem revolves around the case, which has a Bluetooth wireless remote built into the back of it. Slide that remote out of the slot on the back of the case, pair it with your iPhone, and then use it with any photo app on the iPhone that can use the volume buttons as a shutter release. Turn on your iPhone and press the button once to establish the pairing again, and a small red LED flashes every few seconds to let you know that you're ready to use your hands-free camera remote. The remote is large enough to hold comfortably in your hand, and you're certainly not going to lose it. It's held securely in the slot on the back of the phone. The remote has a watch-type battery in it, so eventually you'll need to replace it. Fortunately, that's rather simple to do. The Selfy case is a bit thick, about the same as a Mophie Juice Pack Helium battery case. However, the back is curved from side to side, making it very comfortable in the hand. The bottom ports are uncovered, as is the mute switch. Wake/Sleep and volume toggle buttons are covered. Now, about that Selfy ecosystem. These cases are just starting to ship this month and not all accessories may be available, but the idea is that you'll be able to trade out the remote for a mini tripod, a car mount, a handlebar mount, a helmet mount or vented helmet strap, or a connector for a GoPro camera. These accessory mounts are expected to have a price tag between $19.99 and $24.99 each. Functionality Highlights Setting up the Selfy the first time is a piece of cake -- you just remove the remote from the case, pull a plastic tab to expose the battery to the interior contacts, and then press on the remote button for about four seconds. The red LED begins flashing, indicating that the device is ready for pairing. Head on over to the Bluetooth settings on your iPhone and connect to the Selfy, and you're ready to go. Placing the iPhone into the Selfy is fairly easy, as the interior material flexes a little. Once the phone is in the case, taking a photo with the remote means just firing up the appropriate app (for example, Camera or Camera+), setting up the camera the way you want it, and then pressing the remote button. It can also be used to start and stop video with a push of the button. I found that the range of the Selfy remote was fairly consistent with most Bluetooth devices -- once the remote and iPhone were about 30 feet or so apart, the connection failed. Conclusion iLuv's Selfy line is actually quite smart -- the company is hoping that you'll buy the protective case with the built-in remote as a start and then buy one or more of the mounts. While the case feels a little chunky, it's actually comfortable in the hand and offers good protection. The remote is sized perfectly for most hands and is large enough to avoid loss. With a SRP of $49.99, the Selfy case is priced reasonably as well. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Like to take a lot of selfies? Then you're going to want the Selfy case! 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 May 6, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a iLuv Selfy iPhone 5/5s case valued at $49.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
The TUAW Daily Update Podcast for April 28, 2014
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get some the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the player at the top of the page. The Daily Update has been moved to a new podcast host in the past few days. Current listeners should delete the old podcast subscription and subscribe to the new feed in the iTunes Store here.
Speck CandyShell AMPED iPhone case: Review and giveaway
Accessory manufacturer Speck has come up with something rather new and different for the iPhone 5/5s: a protective case that also promises over twice the sound output from your iPhone speaker. The US$44.95 CandyShell AMPED was released today and uses a unique case design to amplify sound from your iPhone without using any electronics or your precious power to do so. Check it out, and then enter to win one of two CandyShell AMPED cases we're giving away. Specifications Dimensions: 2.50 x 0.58 x 5.13 inch (6.35 x .9525 x 13.0175 cm) Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 grams) Materials: Polycarbonate shell, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) interior Available colors: black/slate grey, cadet blue/Caribbean blue, bubblegum pink/flamingo pink Design Highlights From the outside, the Speck CandyShell AMPED looks like some of Speck's other glossy cases. But as with so many things, it's what is inside that makes all the difference. Rather than use electronic amplification that would help chew up your iPhone's battery life, the AMPED channels the output from the speaker through what is essentially the 21st century equivalent of one of those big horn speakers on late 19th century/early 20th century phonographs. A gradually expanding "horn" shape winds around the back of the case, with sound escaping through a series of holes on the left side of the case. Does it work? Well, you'll have to read the Functionality Highlights below, but Speck says that the AMPED sound power was tested to the ISO 3745:2021 acoustic sound quality standard, so there's certification that it does. The case also exceeds MIL-STD-810G drop test standards, so you're getting protection as well as amplification. Pass-through buttons help out with the volume toggle and on/off switch; the mute switch is left uncovered. Speck says that the AMPED case can help out in a lot of situations. They recommend using it for conference calls in small businesses that can't afford a Polycom conference phone, to assist the elderly or hard-of-hearing, to share videos and music with friends without an external speaker, and to actually hear a phone ringing at the bottom of a purse or backpack. Functionality Highlights To test the AMPED, I played a few songs and made a few speakerphone calls with and without the case installed. The volume on the iPhone 5s was left at about 50 percent for the tests. When listening without the case, I had the speakers on the bottom of the iPhone pointed towards me; with the AMPED installed, the speaker "holes" on the rear left side of the case were pointed in my direction. While the sound did appear to be amplified (and in fact, I could feel the back of the AMPED vibrating), it seemed to be somewhat more amplified on the lower frequencies than higher. That being said, music sounded less vibrant -- but louder -- to me when playing through the AMPED. Likewise, voices on the phone also sounded louder. If I have one complaint about the AMPED, it's that the glossy polycarbonate shell picks up fingerprints rather easily. It's also somewhat slick, which increases the probability of having the case drop out of your hand -- but then, that's where a protective case comes in handy. Conclusion If your iPhone 5/5s speaker just isn't loud enough for you, or if you have to do a lot of speakerphone calls with your iPhone, then you should give the Speck CandyShell AMPED consideration when you're looking for a case. It's lightweight, relatively thin, provides amplification and definitely protects your iPhone investment. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway We have two -- count 'em -- two Speck CandyShell AMPED iPhone 5/5s cases to give away. One is your basic black and slate grey, while the other is the sparkling bubblegum and flamingo pink combo. 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 April 29, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected in a random drawing and each will receive a Speck CandyShell AMPED iPhone 5/5s case valued at $44.95 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Pelican ProGear Voyager iPhone 5/5s case: Solid protection at a reasonable price
Pelican Products, Inc. today announced a new rough-and-tough case for the iPhone 5 and 5s -- the Pelican ProGear Voyager (US$50). The case will only be available at AT&T retail stores and through a special AT&T website, or you can take a chance at winning one in a TUAW giveaway. Specifications Dimensions: 5.3 x 2.6 x .6 inches (13.5 x 6.58 x 1.5 cm) Weight: 1.6 oz w/o holster, 3.1 oz with holster (45.36/87.88 grams) Available colors: Black, white, pink Design Highlights Pelican ProGear is designed to take whatever life throws at it -- drops, dust, and potential scratches. The case has four layers of protection built in, and comes with a screen protector to keep scratches from occurring on your iPhone's touch screen. For all of the military-grade protection, though, the case looks remarkably thin. We tested the white model, which is highlighted with gray accents around the exterior. In use, doors cover the Lightning and headphone ports, as well as the silent mode switch. The power switch and volume toggles are covered with pass-through keys, so the entire phone is nicely encased in a dust-free zone. For those who love to carry their iPhone pride publicly, Pelican throws in a holster clip that can be adjusted for either vertical or horizontal carry. Functionality Highlights Many rugged cases are difficult to install, but Pelican smartly designed a coin slot into one corner that makes it easy to pop the case open. Once you've installed the iPhone 5/5s, it's just a process of squeezing the edges until they snap together. The holster can also be used as a multi-position stand for the phone. A small metal piece behind the holster clip can be pulled out to block the spring-loaded holster clip open. The stand feature works well in both portrait and landscape orientation. It should be noted that despite looking like a waterproof case, the Pelican ProGear Voyager is not advertised as either waterproof or water resistant. Conclusion While the Pelican ProGear Voyager won't supply the level of protection that you might get from a LifeProof nuud or OtterBox Defender case, it's also priced more reasonably than either of those cases. iPhone 5s owners will need to decide just how much protection they need -- if drop, dust and scratch protection is sufficient, then the ProGear Voyager fits the requirements at a reasonable price. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Be the first kid on your block to get a Pelican ProGear Voyager case for your iPhone 5 or 5s. You don't even need to go to the Apple Store to get it, either -- just enter this 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 April 22, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Pelican ProGear Voyager iPhone 5/5s case valued at $50 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Kenu Highline case and security leash keeps your iPhone 5/5s from wandering
Those pesky iPhones can sometimes act like little kids or pets, seemingly wandering off on their own. An iPhone can easily slip out of a pocket unnoticed, do a backflip out of a purse or backpack, or fall from a hand while you're taking a photo. Designers at Kenu took notice of this tendency and came up with the idea of the Highline case and security leash (US$34.95, available for pre-order with delivery beginning at the end of April) to keep your favorite smartphone from walking off or jumping away from you. Design Highlights The Highline is made up of two pieces: a clear polycarbonate case to keep your iPhone protected, and a coiled leash with a clip on one end and a Kevlar loop on the other. The idea is that you put the iPhone into the case, clip the leash onto it -- there's a special little notch on the case that receives the clip -- and then use the Kevlar loop to attach the other end of the leash to a zipper pull, belt loop, purse strap, or another fixed spot. The leash stretches quite a bit, so using the iPhone for talking or even taking photos at arm's length is not an issue. If you drop your iPhone, you can be fairly sure that it's not going to hit the ground; when connected to my belt loop, the iPhone only dangled down to my knees when I let go of it. The clip is a brilliant design. There's a small tab that goes into the Lightning port on the iPhone 5/5s, while the other side of the clip has a bump on it that fits into the notch that I referred to earlier. While it securely holds onto the bottom of your iPhone, it's not hard to remove -- just use your thumb to lift up the clip from that notch on the back of the case, and pull. Functionality Highlights When I saw the Kenu Highline for the first time, my first thought is that I wish it had been available for me when I was on my recent trip. We spent some time in a major South American metropolitan city where pickpockets are quite common, so I left my iPhone in the safe in the hotel room while I could have been using it to take photos and looking at maps. With the Highline, I would have felt more confident that the iPhone would have remained with me. The Kevlar loop will be familiar to anyone who has put a wrist strap onto a point-and-shoot camera before. Kevlar makes it much more durable than the usual string that's used, and I found that it seemed easier to loop onto things and remove as well than the string loops. Finally, I like the clear plastic case. I have a gold iPhone 5s, and it's usually hidden in a Mophie Juice Pack Air case. It's nice to actually get to see that beautiful gold finish in the Highline case. Conclusion The Highline is a really smart idea, and Kenu has done a bang-up job of bringing the idea to reality. While the case won't be available until the end of April, I think it's a brilliant product for anyone who wants to keep a constant leash on their iPhone 5 or 5s. Me? I'm planning on using this while at Macworld/iWorld 2014 this week. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible
Pelican Protector Series: Crushproof protection for your iPhone 5/5s
Pelican makes some amazing cases for shipping delicate equipment, and over the past few years they've brought their design expertise to play on Apple devices. Back in October I took a look at their ProGear 1070CC hard case for MacBook Air, and today we're looking at a case that can keep your iPhone 5 or 5s safe from drops... the Pelican ProGear Protector Series case (CE1150) for iPhone 5/5s. Specifications Price: $39.99 (available for less from online retailers) Dimensions: 5.25" x 2.71" x 0.51" (13.3 x 6.9 x 1.3 cm) Weight: 1.44 oz (40.82 grams) Materials: Elastomeric copolymer interior, engineering grade polymer outside Colors: Black/Dark Gray/Black, White/Black/White, Dark Red/Black/Red, Dark Gray/Orange/Dark Gray, Dark Teal/Light Gray/Dark Teal Available accessories: vehicle phone mount, bike phone mount, sport armband Lifetime warranty Design Highlights While the Pelican ProGear Protector Series case isn't going to keep your device safe from water or dust like LifeProof's tightly-sealed cases, it's also much less expensive and can keep your iPhone from getting damaged from the most common type of accident -- a drop. The case comes in a variety of colors, some of which are actually quite fashionable. The teal and gray version, for example, is attractive and different from what you'll find from a lot of case manufacturers. Our test case was gray and orange, providing a nice contrast and looking like a "sport case". The inside of the case is a softer elastomeric copolymer that cushions the iPhone 5/5s, while the exterior is made of a much stiffer material. Like many protective cases, the CE1150 keeps the top and bottom of the two-part case firmly latched together with a series of "teeth" that engage and pull the two parts together. The front cover of the case wraps around the screen edge, ensuring that the screen is totally protected from drops. About the only situation where you might still destroy an iPhone screen with one of these cases installed is if the screen happens to hit a projecting edge; think of the screen hitting a sharp rock and you'll get the picture. Functionality Highlights The case is fairly easy to install and remove, which is a relief after some of the wrestling matches I've had with protective cases. To install, simply place the iPhone's backside onto the back piece of the case, then slip the top into place and start squeezing the two sides together until the "teeth" latch all the way around. Like all of Pelican's products, the CE1150 has a nice, solid feel to it. The volume rocker on the iPhone is covered by a pair of marked buttons, and the on/off switch also has a pass-through button that covers the iPhone's button. The bottom of the device is wide open, although recessed into the case, and the mute button is also uncovered. Now, while the CE1150 will keep your device from scratches or even breakage during drops or if it happens to get captured under something that would crush an iPhone in a silicone soft case, it bears reminding that it does not include a screen protector to keep your screen safe from scratches or direct impact, nor does it have the ability to be dropped into water. If that is the level of protection you need, then you'll want to spend the extra money for a LifeProof case or something similar that's going to keep your device intact. Frankly, this case is an oddity. Most Pelican cases meet MilSpec IP54 for water resistance or the ever-popular 801G for drop resistance. There's no such standard applied to the Protector Series. Conclusion Pelican's Protector Series case for iPhone 5/5s provides a good level of protection from everyday mishandling at a very reasonable price, but it's definitely not the case for those iPhone users who need waterproof and shockproof capabilities. That makes this case a bit of an oddball in the Pelican family, as we're used to seeing military-grade protection from the company. Rating: 2-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible
How would you change the iPhone 5?
The iPhone 5 was thinner, lighter and came with a bigger display than its predecessor. There's plenty to like about this handset, even if the Lightning connector broke compatibility with 100 million iDevice accessories. But what we want to know is this: if you had disguised yourself as Jonathan Ive and snuck into Infinite Loop's development labs, what would you have done differently? For instance, your humble narrator would have sacrificed a few more millimeters of thinness in exchange for a bigger battery. After all, those few MMs are a walk in the park compared to hauling a battery sleeve around with you all day. But what about you? Head on over to the forum thread and share your wisdom.
Jackery Leaf for iPhone 5/5s: Slim, inexpensive and fast-charging battery case
In March of last year, I had the pleasure of testing the Jackery Giant, a 10,400 mAh external battery back that works well with both iPhone and iPad. Today the company has released its first rechargeable battery case for the iPhone 5 and 5s, the Jackery Leaf. The device is a bit different from some of the other battery cases we've reviewed, with a slim profile and two protective cases that snap onto the battery pack. Specifications Price: US$79.95 Dimensions: 5.4 x 2.4 x 0.7 inches (13.72 x 6.1 x 1.78 cm) Weight: 3.4 oz (96.39 grams) Capacity: 2,400 mAh Output: 5V at 1A Charging method: USB to micro-USB cable (included). iPhone is charged first, then the battery case. Case material: Soft-touch polycarbonate Included: extra protection case in orange, audio extension cable, USB to micro-USB cable Design Highlights The Jackery Leaf comes in two parts -- a slip-on case in black, white or orange, and the battery pack itself (in black or white). Orange appears to be the company color for Jackery; it also happens to be one of the team colors for the 2014 AFC champion Denver Broncos! Regardless of whether you choose the black or white Leaf, you end up with a second free case in orange. That will come in handy when the Broncos beat the Seahawks on February 2... The case slips onto your iPhone 5/5s, and then the case/phone assembly slides onto the battery pack and snaps in securely. The battery pack is Apple MFi (Made For iPhone)-approved, using the standard Lightning connector. On the back of the Leaf is a small power button to check battery level. Pushing the button lights up a thin strip LED that flashes red, blue or green depending on what kind of charge the battery has. Flashing red indicates less than 10 percent charged; solid red means the battery has 10 to 35 percent of its total charge; blue means the battery is in the 35 to 75 percent charged range; and green means it has 75 to 100 percent of its total capacity. Normally the iPhone will charge first, followed by the Leaf battery. If you prefer to have the Leaf battery charge first, pressing and holding the power button for two seconds will do that. Once the battery pack is charged and the iPhone is attached to it, pressing and holding the power button for that same two seconds starts charging the iPhone. Compared to the Mophie Juice Pack Plus, the Jackery Leaf has more capacity (2,400 vs. 2,100 mAh), weighs slightly more (3.4 vs. 3.14 ounces), is almost exactly as thick (0.7 vs. 0.69 inch) and is more compact (5.4 x 2.4 inches vs. 5.58 x 2.63 inches). It also costs $40 less than the Juice Pack Plus. Functionality Highlights I like the two-piece design of the Jackery Leaf. If I feel like charging the case separately from the iPhone, my iPhone is still protected in one of the two plastic cases. Like the Mophie battery cases, the Leaf also includes "channels" to allow sound to escape from the iPhone's two bottom speakers. Another plus is the charging/capacity LED. While the device is charging, the LED is constantly flashing and it's simple to know just how close it is to capacity by the color. In use, I found the color cues to be a much better indication of remaining charge than the one to four white LEDs on the back of the Mophie cases. I charged the battery without having the iPhone attached, and it went from fully discharged to a complete charge in about five hours -- that's a bit different from the company's press release, which says that "full charging takes only two and a half hours." The instruction leaflet that comes with the Leaf has the correct time, and notes that the iPhone will charge in about three hours. Although I did not test this, it appears that charging both the iPhone and Leaf would take about eight hours -- in other words, an overnight charge cycle. Once the battery pack was charged, I took the iPhone and protective case and snapped it onto the battery. The case is quite nice and rigid, and there is no movement once the case is attached to the battery pack. My only complaint is that the flat black soft-touch material used for the battery pack seems to pick up fingerprints quite easily. Fortunately, they wipe off quickly. It should be noted that, as with the Mophie cases, you do not really need to use the audio extension cable. I've found that the existing headphone cable for the iPhone 5s plugs right into the headphone jack and is easily removed as well. Conclusion I'm fairly impressed with the Jackery Leaf, which provides more battery capacity than the Mophie Juice Pack Plus in a case that's slightly smaller and does the job for $40 less. It's Jackery's first foray into the world of battery cases, and by all indications it's done it right. Rating: 3-1/2 out of 4 stars possible
DannyP iPhone 5 wallets offer full functionality, great looks
Designer Daniel Piterak (aka DannyP) has created a line of US$129 iPhone wallets that really turn the traditional model -- "let's take an iPhone case and jam a wallet onto it" -- on its head. Instead, the DannyP wallets are designed as wallets first, with an iPhone case then worked into the design. Let's see how it works, and then you'll have a chance to win one of these beautiful -- and functional -- wallets courtesy of DannyP and TUAW. Design DannyP provides two different styles in two leather colors: black and cognac. As you'd imagine, the cognac is a rich, gold leather that has to be seen to be appreciated. The styles are slightly different as well -- there is a wallet and a pocketbook. The difference between those two styles is in how the iPhone 5/5s sits in its pocket on the side of the wallet (see below). Our review wallet was one of the pocketbooks in the cognac finish, and it's simply beautiful and classy. The wallet is not an afterthought as it is on so many wallet cases we've reviewed. Instead, it has capacity for plenty of folding cash, space for eight credit/ID cards, plus additional slots under the cards for even more cards or whatever else you'd like to take with you. The leather used for the card slots is a dark blue that matches the stitching on the wallet. Rather than a plastic or wood case holding your iPhone 5/5s, the DannyP wallets provide a roomy pocket. Sure, you have to remove your phone from the pocket if it rings or you want to use it, but with most current iPhone wallets, you have to move a cover out of the way to be able to answer the phone. The iPhone pocket is lined with velour to keep your baby scratch-free. Finally, the stitching and leather work on the DannyP products is done in a workshop in the Czech Republic, and it's obvious that he found a top-notch manufacturer. This is classy stuff! Functionality This is one of the most functional iPhone wallets I've ever used, and it is obvious that DannyP's decision to make this a wallet first and foremost was a smart one. In all of the other iPhone wallets I've tried, the wallet functionality seemed like an afterthought -- here, I would have no problems transferring the contents of my rather Costanza-like wallet to the DannyP wallet. How's the iPhone pocket? Perfectly designed. It's tight enough that your iPhone 5s isn't going to go skittering out on the floor as you move the wallet out of your pocket or purse, but slick enough that the phone slides out easily when you need to make a call or get counseling from Siri. Conclusion It's a bit expensive at $129, but as I'm fond of saying, "you get what you pay for." If you want a real, functional wallet that also just happens to have a pocket for your iPhone, the DannyP wallets or pocketbooks for iPhone are worth a close look. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway There's going to be one TUAW reader just drippin' with class after this giveaway of a DannyP Pocket Book Leather Wallet for iPhone 5/5s in that beautiful cognac finish. 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 18, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a DannyP Pocket Book Leather Wallet for iPhone 5/5s valued at $129 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
WiTriCity hopes to entice wireless charging partners with iPhone 5/5s reference design
Even though Rezence is poised to become a wireless charging competitor to Qi, it isn't the only rival in town. WiTriCity has been in the cordless electricity biz since at least 2007 -- having partnered up with Toyota for charging its cars for example -- but hasn't really made a real consumer play for handheld devices just yet. That changes today, however, with the company's first reference design that pairs an iPhone 5/5s sleeve with a wireless charging pad. Like Rezence, WiTriCity uses magnetic resonance to charge compatible electronics, which means the pad can be installed underneath tables or other surfaces and the phone can still be refueled no matter where you place it. Of course, the sleeve is just a proof-of-concept and is not meant for sale, but WiTriCity hopes that this idea will prompt manufacturers to leap to its side. Whether or not this will compete against the likes of Powermats however, remains to be seen.
Olloclip's Macro 3-in-1 Lens is a powerful little stocking-stuffer
TUAW's staff is made up of a lot of fans of the accessory lens products from Olloclip. They're designed to work perfectly with various models of the iPhone, and are nicely designed and well built. Now the company has announced the Macro 3-in-1 Lens kit (US$69.99 SRP) for the iPhone 5/5s, made specifically for taking those really close-up shots of everything in the world around us. Things start off with a 7x macro lens, bump up to a 14x lens and then go into the realm of the microscope with a 21x lens. Since it's often difficult, if not downright impossible, to get properly focused on your subject when using macro lenses, Olloclip includes a pair of translucent focusing cups that make it much easier to hold the lenses the correct distance away. As usual, Olloclip machines the lens casings out of aluminum and uses ground-glass, multi-element lenses. A small bag for the lenses is included, as are lens caps to keep everything dust- and smudge-free. On one side of the Macro 3-in-1 Lens is the 7x macro, while the other side has the fixed 21x macro. To bump the magnification of the 7x side to 14x, you simply screw on the 14x lens and its included focusing cup if desired. Rather than talking about how this lens works, I decided to put it to the test taking photos of two objects -- an Icelandic 1000 Kroner note and a euro coin: In each case, the images are taken first at 7x, then at 14x and finally at 21x. As you can see, the amount of detail that the lenses can pick up at the higher magnifications is nothing short of remarkable. The images are razor-sharp at the center, but do have a tendency to lose focus at the periphery of the photos. Conclusion Dedicated iPhone photographers will find a lot to like in Olloclip's Macro 3-in-1 Lens. It's extremely well constructed, includes the novel focusing cups to aid in focusing on subjects and, all in all, works beautifully as a set of three macro lenses. Pros Reasonable price point, considering the quality of the lenses Translucent focusing cups are useful in holding the lens at optimum focus point Includes lens caps for protection Cons Focus is a little off on the periphery of images Who is it for? Anyone who uses the iPhone 5 or 5s as their primary camera and wants to have the ability to take macro shots with the device
