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CES 2015: LifeProof and Scosche say it's OK to play in the water
A couple of announcements out of Las Vegas seem to be telling those of us with iOS devices that it's going to be OK to play in the water this year. Both LifeProof and Scosche have announced new waterproof goodies at CES 2015 that promise to provide power to your iOS toys while keeping them safe from H2O. First, LifeProof announced the frē Power, a waterproof battery case for the iPhone 6 that will not only supply 2600 mAh of power, but keep your pride and joy from drowning if you happen to dunk it. The frē Power case is not only waterproof at depths up to 2 meters (6.6 feet) for up to an hour, but it meets Milspec standards for shock and impact as well. No price or delivery date has been announced, but you can sign up to be notified when the frē Power ships later this year. Scosche is saying "go big or go home" with the new goBAT 6000 and goBAT 12000 rugged and waterproof external battery packs. The goBAT 6000 features a 6000 mAh lithium-ion battery and a single 2.4A USB port, while the goBAT 12000 boasts a 12000 mAh battery and two 2.4 USB ports. Both goBATs are IP67 rated and meet or exceed military shockproofing standards. Expected later in Q1 2015, the goBAT 6000 will retail for US$44.99 while its big brother will be priced at $79.99.
LifeProof frē for iPad mini with Retina display: Overprotective, but that's a good thing
When picking out a case for your tablet, you typically have to choose between all-encompassing protection or ease of use, and these two groups rarely overlap. But sometimes they do, and in that thin sliver where form and function marry, there's the LifeProof frē case. Specs Dimensions: 8.5" x 5.8" x 0.63" Weight: 0.29 lbs Waterproof up to 6.6 ft Price: US$99.99 Design I love nearly everything about my iPad mini w/ Retina, but most of all I love the design. It's tiny, sleek, and eye-catching, so if I'm going to slap a case on it, I want it to fit that aesthetic as closely as possible. LifeProof's claims that "You may forget it's there!" are a bit silly, but all-told, the case stays out of the way enough that I wouldn't mind keeping it equipped permanently. The front of the case is of course transparent, but unlike many cases, this is mirrored on the back of the case as well. The edges of the case are thicker thanks to the rubber bumper that keeps the case locked shut and provides a water-tight seal and protection from bumps, but with just two thin membranes on the front and back, the iPad retains its thinner-than-thin feel. Small loopholes are located on all four corners allowing you to equip the included lanyard in a number of different ways, and a small door on the bottom of the case provides direct access to the Lightning port for charging. Functionality Touchscreen functionality is of course the most important thing of all, and it works nearly perfectly through the frē's front cover. Taps and swipes are registered promptly and I didn't notice any missed touches. I do, however, have a mild complaint with the plastic membrane itself in that it doesn't lay perfectly flat on all areas of the screen. In the corners especially, the membrane tends to lift off of the screen ever so slightly, creating a strange "bubbly" feeling when pressing down. It's not necessarily troublesome, but it's definitely noticeable, and may take a little bit of getting used to if you use a particularly light touch when navigating Another plus for the LifeProof frē case is that it allows all external buttons to be used just as intended. The click-through buttons on the top and over the volume controls work well despite being housed in the thick bumper, and an external lock switch carries your commands through to the built-in button on the iPad beneath. After a dip in the sink, the water resistant properties of the case held true, though it's not recommended past a depth of 6.6 feet and I certainly wasn't about to test that. I could see it being a lot of fun during a day at the beach, and the case is small enough that it wouldn't be a bother. Conclusion The LifeProof frē lives up to its billing as an ultra-thin case with ultra-protective properties, and if your iPad mini is regularly in danger from bumps, falls, or up to 6 feet of water, I can't imagine you'd find a case better suited to your needs. Rating: 3.5 out of 4 possible stars Giveaway Taking your iPad on a hike or trip to the lakeside? How about a LifeProof frē for free? 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 13 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before April 10th, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a LifeProof frē case for iPad mini w/Retina valued at $99.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
LifeProof frē for iPad Air: Saving your tablet from real life
LifeProof's frē case for iPad Air just what the doctor ordered if you're one of those people who uses your tablet in conditions that would void your warranty in a heartbeat. If you need a totally water- and shock-proof case for your device, read on -- and you'll have a chance to win a LifeProof frē at the end of this post. Specifications Price: US$109.99 (Total Water Protection Program warranty available for an additional $20) Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.4" x 10.3" (1.778 x 18.796 x 26.162 cm) Weight: .48 lbs (.218 kg.) Standards: Sealed from dirt & dust particles – meets or exceeds IP-68 Ingress Protection Rating. Sealed from snow & ice – meets or exceeds IP-68 Ingress Protection Rating. Withstands drops from 4' / 1.2 m – meets or exceeds MIL STD 810F-516 Waterproof Rating: Fully submergible to 6.6' / 2 m for 1 hour Design Highlights This polycarbonate case is now clear on both sides, meaning that you could theoretically take photos or videos with your iPad Air while snorkeling -- just don't go more than 6.6 feet below the water's surface. As with the other LifeProof cases, the frē has a watertight O-ring that runs around the inside of the case. The two halves snap together tightly to keep dust, snow and water out, and there are pass-through switches or closable covers over all ports. One nice feature is that the front clear plastic cover now has a "dish" right where the home button is, making it easier for users to get tactile feedback while using their devices. Another welcome addition is the inclusion of a plastic tool for prying the halves of the case apart. If you've ever tried to open a LifeProof case with your hands alone, you'll know why I'm happy about this move. For a water/snow/dust-proof iPad case, the LifeProof frē is surprisingly thin at 0.7". It's great to see that case manufacturers are trying to do their best to make ultra-protective cases as thin as they can. Looks-wise, the frē is rather "meh". I'd like to see them offer a yellow sports model or something red, anything but the basic boring black and white. Functionality Highlights I installed the LifeProof frē on my iPad Air and found it to be much easier to put on than earlier versions of the case. The removal tool also sped things up when taking the case back off -- there's no longer a need to wrestle with the case to remove it. While I did not submerge the iPad Air in water to test the waterproofing (AOL doesn't insure my personal equipment from water damage...), I did the standard test that LifeProof recommends -- that involves putting the case into water for 30 minutes and then checking for leaks. The frē passed the check with flying colors (note that we have had some cases that leaked during testing, none of them being LifeProof cases). I was pretty surprised with how well sound emanated from the frē; it sounded just as loud as if it wasn't in a totally sealed case. And photos taken with the frē installed on the iPad Air showed no degradation due to the extra layer of protection over the camera lens. Conclusion If you regularly find yourself using your iPad Air in the rain or snow, on the beach, or in the hot tub, then buy the LifeProof frē and keep your Air protected at all times. The case is remarkably well-built, easy to install and remove, and is probably the thinnest waterproof case on the market to date. The only thing missing? A more exciting color scheme. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway If you're going to the beach for Spring Break in the next couple of weeks, then you want to enter this giveaway for a LifeProo frē. 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 13 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before March 14, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a LifeProof frē case for iPad Air valued at $109.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
LifeProof launches first Touch ID-compatible waterproof case for iPhone 5s
One particularly cruel internet prank tricked some (hopefully few) iPhone owners into thinking that iOS 7 somehow made their devices waterproof. That's ridiculous of course, but today LifeProof is launching a case for the iPhone 5s that actually does make the device impervious to water. The case is part of the "nuud" line from LifeProof, and it provides protection from water up to a depth of 6.6ft. There is no shortage of waterproof cases for the iPhone 5 (or 5s, given that its dimensions are the same), but LifeProof's new protector is the first that is fully compatible with Touch ID, allowing fingerprint sensing through the waterproof layer. But for premium protection, you'll be paying a premium price: The iPhone 5s nuud case will set you back a cool US$89.99.
Parenting Tip: Protecting your iOS device from bumps, bruises and bashes
Having a naked iPhone or iPad around kids means living in constant fear of one of them snagging the device and dropping smashing it on the floor. Though the iPhone and iPad are lovely devices when they are undressed, parents who want to keep their devices in pristine condition would be wise to adorn them in a case that protects them from the bumps and bruises of living in a child-filled household. Below you will find our recommended cases as well as other accessories to help you child-proof your iOS device. Cases for the iPhone and iPad The case is your first line of defense in protecting your iPhone or iPad. You'll want to choose one that provides corner protection during a fall and is sturdy enough to prevent your child from denting the device when they bump into a corner. If it has a cover, use it! A coverless case won't protect the device if the screen is impacted. I recently lost an iPad 2 because my child dropped the device and then stepped on the screen. LifeProof LifeProof isn't a super durable case, but it'll protect your device from most minor falls. It'll also protect it from a drop in the toilet or the sink. You can read our review of the LifeProof case for the iPhone 4. As an aside, OtterBox just acquired LifeProof, so I would expect to see the products continue to be sold under the OtterBox umbrella. OtterBox OtterBox makes some of the best rugged cases for the iPad and iPhone. There's the new Armor series that are rugged and waterproof as well as the trustworthy Defender series, which offers robust protection from a fall. You can read our review of the Armor case for the iPhone 5 and our review of the early Defender case for the iPad and the iPhone. Griffin Survivor Series Griffin produces the Survivor series of cases for the iPad and the iPhone, which we reviewed a few years back. The Survivor is a rugged case for the iPhone and iPad that is right up there with OtterBox in terms of quality and price. I've used one on my iPad 2 for years, and it protected the device from many near catastrophic falls. The version I had also included a nice little stand that was great for watching videos. Screen Protector An often overlooked accessory that I always buy is a screen protector. It seems whenever my kids spend any amount of time with the iPad, it comes back gooey and sticky. A screen protector wont do much to protect your device in the event of a fall, but it will make it easy to clean. I have successfully used Zagg InvisibleShield, BodyGuardz and Best Skins Ever screen protectors. Depending on what case you buy, it may come with screen protector as part of the case. You'll want to check out the case you plan on buying before you spend an extra $20 on a screen protector that you don't need. AppleCare Spend the extra money to add AppleCare to your device. The version of AppleCare for the iPhone and iPad, called AppleCare+, will provide you with a replacement device at minimal cost when (not if) the device gets damaged. You are limited to two replacements for the life of the plan.
Daily Update for May 23, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all 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 inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
OtterBox acquires LifeProof
OtterBox, a pioneer in smartphone case technology based in Ft. Collins, Colo., today got a little bit larger. The company acquired LifeProof, a company that builds a line of waterproof cases that provide superior protection without adding a lot of bulk or weight to devices. OtterBox will begin incorporating the LifeProof line into its own line of cases over the next month, and it appears that both companies will retain existing employees for the time being. OtterBox has about 650 employees worldwide, while LifeProof has about 250 in its San Diego office. It will be interesting to watch this acquisition unfold. Could this be the start of consolidation of accessory manufacturers in the booming Apple market? We'll keep an eye out for other rumor or takeover talk. Show full PR text FORT COLLINS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OtterBox®, the global leader in protection for handheld technology, today announced the acquisition of TreeFrog Developments Inc., DBA LifeProof®. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in San Diego, LifeProof is an award-winning maker of protective cases and complementary accessories for smartphones and tablets. Much like OtterBox, LifeProof is a rapidly growing, multi-million dollar business with a strong global brand, comprehensive product offering, impressive intellectual property and thriving company culture. Over the next 30 days, OtterBox will begin incorporating the LifeProof brand into the OtterBox family. More information about product availability and alignment will be determined at the completion of the integration. "The joining of OtterBox and LifeProof is a way to combine two great brands and provide customers with even more great products, services and choices for smartphone accessories," OtterBox CEO Brian Thomas said. "Both companies are successful because we foster an environment where everyone takes pride in being part of a culture that knows how to identify opportunities and grow them quickly. Our goal in this acquisition is to create more value for our customers than we ever could have generated while operating individually." A key driver for the acquisition is about creating customers who are passionate about the OtterBox brand. "Our strategy is to utilize our combined brand momentum, and world-class talent to create a great customer experience that generates OtterBox brand ambassadors for life," Thomas said. "Our customers and our employees are the ones who have the passion for the brand that allows us to succeed. This passionate spirit motivates us to build better teams, better companies and ultimately, better communities. At the end of the day, that is our goal." OtterBox employs approximately 650 people worldwide. LifeProof employed approximately 250 people, who are now members of the OtterBox family and will remain in their San Diego location for the foreseeable future. OtterBox has been a family-owned business since 1998. The financial details and terms of the agreement are confidential. About LifeProof: Based in San Diego, LifeProof designs, manufactures and markets cases for smartphones and tablets that deliver protection, style and functionality. LifeProof is built on the idea of giving everyone the complete freedom and confidence to use their mobile devices in any environment. Designed to defend against water, dirt, snow, shock and the hazards of daily life, LifeProof lets consumers use their mobile device every day, everywhere, and for everything, without worry. For more information, visit lifeproof.com. About OtterBox: Founded in 1998, OtterBox creates premium technology accessories for smartphones, tablets and mobile devices. The top mobile device manufacturers, big box retailers and wireless services providers in the world value their partnership with OtterBox to increase device sales and to strengthen their own brand equity. OtterBox works endlessly to create a strong connection with consumers through first-class customer service, commitment to premium product quality and constant voice-of-the-consumer efforts. OtterBox has been a five-time honoree on the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing private companies in the US, recognized in the Top 10 by the Forbes Magazine America's Most Promising Companies list and is a repeat honoree in the Great Place to Work annual survey published by FORTUNE Magazine. The multi-million dollar company has global headquarters in Fort Collins, Colo. and offices in Boston, San Diego, Cork, Ireland and Hong Kong. OtterBox is the No. 1-selling case for smartphones* and offers an extensive lineup of screen protectors, cases and other accessories that enhance various consumer lifestyles. For more information, visit otterbox.com. We've Got Technology Covered.
Motorola DEFY Pro heads to Brazil, offers tough and tactile Android action
You got to give it to Motorola, it's pretty specific with its handset releases. Today's announcement? It's the DEFY Pro doing the Samba towards Brazil. The "lifeproof" phone is designed to battle the elements (water, dust and carnival spirit,) and is the first touchscreen / QWERTY Android handset from the firm. There's 2.7-inches of Gorilla Glassed screen to poke at, an SD card slot to upgrade the 2GB onboard memory (upto 32GB) plus GPS and WiFi (so you can find your way home with the morning after). How much for this party of a phone? We don't know just yet, but the fun starts on July 15th, when it becomes available. Update: Motorola reached out to us with some clarification on its claim of being the first touchscreen / QWERTY Android handset: The release denotes that the DEFY Pro is our first life-proof device to feature both a QWERTY and touchscreen. Motorola's life-proof devices are water resistant, scratch resistant and dust proof, ready to handle life's daily challenges, indoors and out. Admiral and Titanium have similar features but are categorized slightly differently since they are iDEN-based products and have different mil-spec certification.
LifeProof iPhone 4 case: Submerge your iPhone and smile
Let's say that your sweet child decides to give your iPhone 4 a bath. Or maybe you're riding on your bike at 40 mph down a hill and drop the phone (or, as our own Dave Caolo can describe from personal experience, in a canoe that decides to deposit you in the Delaware River). All of these scenarios could spell disaster for your iPhone 4, but not if you've equipped it with the US$69.95 LifeProof Case. Design The LifeProof case is designed to protect your iPhone 4 against all sorts of havoc. It's fully sealed against dust particles, it is tested to Military Specifications MIL-STD-810F-516.5 (6.6 feet / 2 meter drop onto all surfaces and edges) standards for shock and impact protection, and it can even be used in water up to 6.6 feet / 2 meters deep. %Gallery-131343% You'd expect a case with this level of protection to look like an armored car and weight about as much, right? Nope. The LifeProof case weighs less than one ounce (28 grams) and adds only about 1/16th of an inch (1.5 mm) thickness to the iPhone 4. LifeProof requests that you first assemble and test the case without the iPhone 4 inside it to make sure that you know to assemble it properly, ensuring a proper seal. The test is done in a sink with something holding down the case for an hour or so. If it's dry inside after that hour, the test has been passed and you've obviously taken great care to assemble the case properly. If not, read the directions again. How do they keep everything nicely sealed up? There's a thin yellow gasket that goes around the inside of the area where the front and back halves of the case snap together. For the earphone jack, there's a rubber plug that screws into the case where the jack goes -- but you also get a special cable that can be used to safely use waterproof earphones with the LifeProof case. At the bottom of the case near the dock connector is a special door that latches shut. What about the speakers on the iPhone 4? There are two ports for the speakers, both of which are covered with waterproof Gore-Tex material. They're thin enough to let sound pass through unimpeded, but won't let water seep in. The iPhone 4's rear-facing camera is protected by a small piece of optical glass to allow good photography while keeping the case sealed, and there's also a sealed opening for the flash. The screen is covered with a thin plastic membrane that provides a seal against water, but lets your multi-touch gestures pass through unimpeded. The case itself is part of an overall system that you can purchase separately. Need a bike mount, arm band, belt clip (in two different sizes) or those waterproof earphones I mentioned earlier? They're all available from the LifeProof website. The case comes in three different colors -- black, white, and pink. Functionality The LifeProof case philosophy is to provide protection against the "Four Proofs": Water, Dirt, Snow, and Shock. While I unfortunately didn't have time to test the case in dirt and there isn't any snow around Denver this time of year (maybe next month...), I decided to test the case against the main bugaboo of iPhones -- water. The company recommends that you assemble the case once without the phone and place it in a sink of water for at least hour, which I believe is set up to make you confident that you're not going to lose your iPhone by drowning and to insure that you really understood the simple directions for putting the phone together. Assembling the phone means snapping the two halves together, gently rubbing the outside of the case above the gasket to insure a tight seal, and closing the door on the bottom. I left the case in the water for close to 90 minutes with a coffee cup on top of it (see the gallery) and the inside was completely dry when I opened it later. With that experience behind me, I decided to take the plunge (no pun intended) and potentially sacrifice my iPhone 4. This isn't the first time I've done something like this -- check out my video of breaking an egg on the face of an iPad here. And here's the video of my iPhone 4 taking a swim. Did it survive? Yes, it did! There are even better videos on the LifeProof website if you're up for some iPhone 4 abuse. You'll have to take LifeProof's word on the dust, mud, snow, ice, and sand-proofing, but if it's able to handle a dunking, it's definitely going to be able to handle the other elements as well. Conclusion The LifeProof Case for iPhone 4 is a slim, lightweight, and sturdy case that offers better water and dust protection than any other iPhone 4 case, and is the only case we know of that actually meets military specifications for shock proofing. While it's not the most attractive case, it adds virtually no bulk to the iPhone 4 while making it truly waterproof. Between the case itself and the accessories that let you use the protected iPhone 4 while swimming, biking, or running at the beach, the LifeProof Case offers unparalleled protection for any active lifestyle.
Watch this iPhone get dunked in a goldfish bowl
It's the weekend, and what better time to watch somebody try to destroy an iPhone than that? After the break below, you can watch video of a presentation at this week's Launch Conference in San Francisco, in which LifeProof, a company that makes iPhone cases built to withstand the elements, dunks said iPhone in said goldfish tank. They also put condiments all over it, cover it in dirt, and just generally make a mess, all to prove that their iPhone case can protect against whatever gets thrown at it. The case itself is $69.95, which is a little pricey, but LifeProof of course says that replacing the iPhone completely is much more expensive. I'd suggest that if your iPhone is getting dunked in water or covered in dirt, it might be better to just leave it at home (although I guess there are certain jobs that require a smartphone in less-than-ideal conditions). At any rate, even if you don't need a case that can withstand a tornado, the video below (the demo starts around 1:40) is an entertaining watch.
