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Colorware takes you back to grade school with the Apple Number 2 Pencil
Colorware has painted a lot of items over the years going back to the iPhone 3G and beyond, but its latest product is particularly clever.
Anker chargers and accessories are up to 44 percent off today at Amazon
You can get power strips, power banks, cables and chargers at a discount.
Apple may sell iPhone 11 and 11 Pro Smart Battery Cases
If you recently purchased an iPhone 11 or iPhone 11 Pro, you may want to hold off buying a case for your new smartphone. Apple may have a Smart Battery Case for its iPhone 11 lineup in the works. 9to5Mac found a photo of the unannounced accessory (seen above) by looking through the code of iOS 13.2, which Apple launched yesterday.
Razer case keeps your iPhone cool during intense gaming sessions
Razer is jumping into the crowded world of iPhone cases, but with (what else?) a decidedly gaming-oriented twist. The company's newly introduced Arctech and Arctech Slim rely on a custom-developed Thermaprene material and perforations to transfer heat away from 2018 and newer iPhones (including the iPhone 11 line) as well as the Razer Phone 2, theoretically preserving your handset's performance and battery life while you're in a frenzied game session. The jury's still out on that, but Razer's tests showed the phone staying within recommended temperature limits for two hours where an unspecified rival case saw the phone run hot within 20 minutes. If nothing else, the Arctech won't make things worse like some cases can.
GE adds color lightbulbs to its Made for Google lineup
GE unveiled its first Made-for-Google lightbulbs in October last year. Now, it's expanding the range to include full-color LEDs, accessories and smart wall switches, which, like the previous bulb release, can be used without an extra hub and controlled via a single app.
Apple's new USB security feature has a major loophole
Apple's new USB Restricted Mode, which dropped with the iOS 11.4.1 release yesterday, may not be as secure as previously thought. The feature is designed to protect iPhones against USB devices used by law enforcement to crack your passcode, and works by disabling USB access after the phone has been locked for an hour. Computer security company ElcomSoft, however, has found a loophole.
Facebook blocks gun accessory ads to the under 18s
Facebook has tightened the rules about what sort of firearms-related content is visible by the site's underage users. From June 21st, ads for weapon accessories, from optics, flashlights and holsters through to bulletproof vests and camouflage gear, will need to be visible by adults-only. This category also includes gun safes, mounts, gun cases, slings, gun wraps and equipment like clay throwers.
Amazon's party-ready Echo Buttons are available to pre-order
The holidays are almost here, and that means you may end up playing a lot of party games with visiting friends and relatives. Amazon might spare you from having to break out yet another board game, though: it just put its Echo Button accessory up for pre-order. Pay $20 and you'll get two of the super-simple controllers for Alexa-driven entertainment like Beat the Intro (a name-that-song title) or Fourth Down Football Trivia. They should be released on December 19th, or just soon enough that they could accompany an Echo speaker you're gifting to a special someone.
Google Clips is a $249 AI-powered camera
Final hour leaks suggested Google Clips would be some kind of accessory -- but neglected to mention what for, and what it would do. Now we know: it's a Google-powered Narrative camera accessory that uses the company's AI know-how to automagically take photos and videos. (Yes, there's still a shutter button.)
Native Union made a USB hub that blends into your home
If you're reading this, chances are you're a gadget freak and may need to recharge multiple devices on a daily basis. That's when you're greeted by a pile of messy cables plugged into a dull-looking and maybe under-powered USB hub. Cable boxes may hide the ugliness, but they're bulky and don't actually solve the issue. Not one to admit defeat, Native Union -- the mad folks behind the marble iPhone case -- came up with the ultimate solution: a stylish, cylindrical USB hub dubbed Eclipse. On the outside, it looks like a piece of home decor thanks to its wooden top, but it's really the inside that got our attention: as you touch the top gently, the main body slowly rises up to let you uncoil the cables tucked inside, while the base emits a subtle halo for night-time usage. It's rather mesmerizing to watch.
$35 Pokémon Go Plus accessory will go on sale September 16th
Pokémon Go players will have their choice of accessories soon, since the Pokémon Go Plus accessory will be available September 16th "in most countries." Earlier today the game's makers reported over 500 million downloads and announced a way to play using the Apple Watch. Now, Niantic says this $35 device will make playing possible "without having to look at your screen all the time." It links to your phone with Bluetooth Low Energy, letting players collect items from nearby Pokéstops or catch Pokémon with the press of a button.
The LG G5 will let you lock and load new batteries
In the lead up to MWC, we've heard plenty of rumors about the LG G5 and its swappable accessories. The general idea is that you'll be able to slide out the bottom of the phone and replace it with some fresh or scenario-specific hardware. Now, we're starting to see exactly what those modules will look like. A photo on the Chinese site Weibo reveals a battery accessory with a bright, yellow cell. So when you're starting to near the red, you'll presumably be able to swap your battery out like a firearm magazine.
Griffin gives Apple's Macbook its missing Magsafe plug
One of the most criticized features of Apple's ultra-thin and lightweight MacBook (along with its lack of computing power) is the solitary USB-C port. Not only can you not power the device and use an accessory at the same time, but it no longer has the damage-preventing Magsafe power plug that breaks away if you trip on it. As it often does, Apple accessory maker Griffin has arrived with a product to fill that void, the Breaksafe Magnetic USB-C Power Cable.
Logitech's iPad Pro keyboard case is relatively affordable
Apple's iPad Pro is pricey even before you add in the $169 official keyboard case, but Logitech may have a way to make the whole package a little more palatable. It's now shipping its promised Create Keyboard Case for the gigantic tablet, and the add-on will sell for a slightly more frugal $150. It only works at two angles, but you'll get perks like backlit keys, automatic pairing (thanks to the Smart Connector) and a raft of iOS shortcuts. And if you don't want to turn your iPad into a makeshift laptop, there's an $80 Create Protective case that ditches the keyboard in return for a more flexible stand. Either shell is available in black, blue or red, so you're not stuck with somber colors on your giant slate.
FLIR's thermal camera is out for iOS, Android to follow
That second-gen FLIR One thermal camera we saw earlier this year is now available for iPhones and iPads, with the Android version shipping in July. If the last time you've heard about it was back in 2014, this might come as a surprise, as the first-gen camera was embedded in an iPhone 5/5s case. This one is is a standalone accessory with a built-in battery that attaches to iOS devices via a Lightning connector and to Android phones and tablets via microUSB. It also has an updated thermal camera with four times the resolution of the one inside the first-gen cases.
Fulfill your virtual farming dreams with this $300 tractor controller
At one point or another, most of us have tried (and normally failed) to tackle a few laps in Gran Turismo or Forza Motorsport with a racing wheel. But have you ever used one to drive a tractor in Farming Simulator 15? Nope, didn't think so. Peripheral maker Saitek has designed a new, monster accessory that includes a steering wheel (with turn knob), foot pedals and a side console complete with over 25 programmable buttons and a loader stick. It's designed specifically for Windows and Mac, and the price alone means it'll only appeal to the most hardcore agriculture enthusiasts: the all-in bundle will set you back $299.99, or you can pay $149.99 for just the side panel or wheel/pedal combo.
Olympus' new lens camera can be (incredibly) upgraded
This is no DSLR. It's not even a bridge camera. This is actually Olympus' recently announced Air lens camera, tricked out to a (some would say excessive) degree. While the accessories on show here were only for internal testing, we admit we'd like to do some external testing with it. Alongside the DSLR-esque handle and controls (the Air camera handles any micro four-thirds lens), what you see on top is Olympus' eagle-eye viewfinder that projects a laser bullseye that will hover between you and your long-range target of choice. That also explains the telephoto lens which is attached to what was, originally, a petite camera upgrade for your smartphone. Naturally some extra framework is necessary simply to support all that attached glass. Check its ridiculous backside -- where your smartphone would sit -- right after the break.
Apple cracks down on accessory makers to discourage leaks
Follow the Apple rumor cycle and you'll notice that accessory makers play an important role in leaks -- some of them "borrow" factory blueprints to produce cases and other add-ons for iPhones and iPads that are still weeks away from launch. Well, the crew at 1 Infinite Loop is apparently fed up with these companies spoiling the surprise. Sources for 9to5Mac claim that Apple made key accessory producers sign agreements preventing them from getting design details from anyone besides Apple itself. If the firms give in to the temptation and ship leak-based products, Apple warns of "penalties" that could include refusing to stock the offending goods at its stores.
Nyko unveils Data Bank hard drive upgrade kit for PS4
Peripheral manufacturer Nyko unveiled its upcoming Data Bank accessory at CES this week, promising users a cheap and easy way to upgrade their PlayStation 4's storage capacity using a standard 3.5-inch desktop computer hard drive. A year into the console's lifespan, PlayStation 4 owners may find themselves running short of space on the platform's included 500GB hard drive. While the PS4's stock drive can be swapped out with a larger-capacity 2.5-inch hard drive intended for laptops, upgrading can prove costly, given the increased price of 2.5-inch drives compared to 3.5-inch models. Nyko's Data Bank sits atop the PlayStation 4 after partially removing the console's casing, and draws on the PS4's AC adapter to power an attached 3.5-inch hard drive. Nyko tells IGN that it's aiming for a "$30-$40 price range" for the peripheral. Compatible hard drives are sold separately. [Image: Nyko)
Lenovo's new laptop accessories are modular, stackable, weird
Docks, external hard drives and other laptop add-ons are supposed to make your life easier, but they can be a hassle if you have to carry more than one. Just ask any traveler unpacking a mess of boxes and wires if you need proof. Lenovo wants to get rid of this clutter as much as you do, so it's launching a rather oddball accessory system, the ThinkPad Stack, to simplify things a bit. The modular, magnetic design lets you pile peripherals on top of each other (complete with shared data and power) to save space and eliminate cabling -- think of it as a Voltron for road warriors. As quirky as that sounds, it makes sense in real-life situations. If you need both a wireless hotspot and a battery pack on your big business trip, for instance, you won't have to lug around two sets of cables to keep them powered up.
