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Send a message that's impossible to screenshot with Zeph
While Snapchat popularized the idea of sending photos that disappear after a quick view, sometimes you might need to just send a quick message to someone without a visual that you don't want the receiver holding on to. Enter Zeph. A free app for iPhone requiring iOS 7.0 or later, Zeph has pioneered a unique way to send messages to friends that not only disappear, but are impossible to screenshot. Everything about Zeph is extremely easy to use, right from the start. Signing up simply requires a username and password, just like logging in would. The only extra step is to follow up with your mobile phone number for verification and to check for any contacts already on Zeph. After logging in, the app displays a list of contacts who have messaged you. Though the color scheme is blue and white, Snapchat is no doubt the inspiration behind the design. If you have an unread message, tap the contact read it. I received an automatic greeting from "Teamzeph." It's in the way you read the messages where Zeph really works its magic, or perhaps rather in the way Zeph displays them. The team at Zeph calls it "rolling glow technology." When you view a message, only a small part of it is shown at once, about the length of a word or two. The rest of the message will gradually fade in as the previous parts fade out and disappear entirely. Imagine you wrote a message in invisible ink, shined a black light on it to reveal the words and then slowly moved your hand (and thus the light) across the length of the message. That's the illusion of this rolling glow technology. When the message is completely gone, you have two options at the bottom: replay or reply. The replay button disappears a few seconds after the message does, so you have to act fast if you want to see it a second time. If you decide to replay, you won't be able to do so again for the same message. Two strikes and you're out. Tapping the reply button slides the keyboard in and allows you 160 characters to type out a response, the standard amount for an SMS text message and 20 more than a tweet. Composing a new message works the same way, but is done so instead through the top right button above your main list of messages. To send messages on Zeph, it does require that you have friends or family already using the app. Sending invites through the app should help out with that, but they have to join to view your messages or respond to them. A tad bare bones for now, Zeph is teeming with the potential for even more powerful features. Snapchat does offer the ability to just text chat with friends without sending any photos, but the problem with the app as a whole is that it's relatively easy to screenshot and keep pictures and messages. Zeph fixes Snapchat's problem in a simple, yet elegant manner that's totally fool-proof in my experience.
Breakdown Buddy: How does it break down
Breakdown Buddy (US$0.99) is a useful app for organizing information needed in case of a car breakdown. The app works on all iOS devices running iOs 7.1 or later. There are two functions of the app; the ability to find your current location on a map and a section that holds details for a breakdown, including the number of a tow truck, car registration, your telephone number, insurance policy number, and a notes section. Having all of that on your phone helpful in stressful situations. It would be even more useful if you could tap on a number in the "breakdown telephone number" field to place a call. It seems a little awkward to have to exit the app to dial a number its storing. The location finder is a basic map that lists street names but not addresses. This is helpful in telling approximately where you are broken down at, but you could also just open up a maps application to find your location with even more accuracy. Breakdown Buddy has a very clean interface and this reinforces the goal of storing all of this important information in one easily accessible place. With some tuning of each feature, this app would definitely be a great help if you find yourself stuck on the side of the road with a broken down car. Breakdown Buddy is US$0.99 on the App Store. It needs a couple of changes to be worth the money as you get more benefit currently from saving your breakdown information in a note taking app and a maps app when used together.
+Cue is an intuitive way for anyone to create music
+Cue is a unique way for anyone to create music. This even includes people with absolutely no experience with music or instruments. Including over a dozen different instrumental sounds, all you need to do is shake your iOS device to generate different pitches that integrate seamlessly with the provided beat. It's a free app available for all iOS devices and requires iOS 7.0 or later. Upon opening the app for the first time, you'll get a quick welcome guide that explains the basics of how to use +Cue to create, save and share music. The main app itself is very well-designed, especially to match iOS 7's style. The first element you'll probably notice is the giant orange plus button in the middle. This acts as a record button of sorts; holding it down while shaking your phone will save the rhythm you created. Above that are four icons for drums, bass, piano and brass. Each of these contain subcategories, such as synth and organ for the piano instrument that you can swipe through to pick. The slider will adjust the volume of that particular instrument, but not the entire song which is a very nice touch. The initial tutorial explains that to begin, first press "Play" and shake the device four times to the tempo of your choice and a beat will start playing based on that. Unfortunately, I didn't have success with this method. The beat never started playing. Instead, while I still had the beat turned off, I manually controlled the tempo at the top left where it says "bpm." If you're not too familiar with music, "bpm" stands for beats per minute and it's a measurement for the tempo of a song. The higher the number, the faster the tempo. The four small dots indicate that the time signature is 4/4. This is the most common time signature in modern music with four bears per measure and the quarter note acting as one beat. The visual indicator is a subtle but very clever addition to the app, however I hope in the future +Cue adds support for other time signatures. I hit "Play" and the beat started playing. As per the instructions, I held down the giant plus button and started shaking my iPhone up, down, left and right. At first it sounds horrible because the sounds you make are out of sync with the beat and sometimes the direction you shake your iPhone in won't always produce the desired result. Let go of the plus button and +Cue automatically puts the recorded sound in time with the music and it magically sounds incredible. From there, switch up instruments to get even more creative with your mix. When you create a song of your liking, you have options to save it locally to your device to load and play at any time or save for sharing purposes. While I do appreciate the ability to share music on +Cue, the feature doesn't yet feel mature. Instead, I would have much rather seen iOS 7's native Share Sheets implemented to quickly send an audio file to someone or a group of people. There's no shortage of apps in the App Store that promise to deliver easy music creation with minimal experience necessary, but +Cue is both unique and pleasantly functional enough to stand out from the crowd. It was genuinely intriguing making music by shaking my iPhone and I was always satisfied with the end result. Music enthusiasts, definitely consider giving +Cue a download.
Prepare to bee educated with Gro Flowers
Gro Flowers is a fantastic educational game meant for children between the ages of 0-5. It teaches children about the benefits of biodiversity and pollination. Gro Flowers takes a hands on approach to learning about these topics instead of traditional instruction. Players get to create their own flower species and then control a bee and other animals helpful to pollination in order to fill their field with flowers. Gro Flowers is compatible with all iOS devices running iOS 4.3 or later. Players start by creating their own species of flower with different brushes and colors. After planting the flowers, players can pollinate them with the bee. After a few pollinations, the bee takes the nectar from the flowers and goes back to the hive to create honey. This causes a drop of honey to fall out of the hive and the player must move the jar to catch the drop. When you get enough honey to fill up the jar, it is then taken to a menu which holds the honey jars and flowers you have created. When you successfully pollinate enough flowers, the bee will reward players with either a new color or a new brush before returning to the hive. The reward structure is really nice to see and helps players want to keep playing the game. It was not very hard to get a lot of different colors and brushes quickly and that is a big plus for keeping children entertained and engaged. Gro Flowers allows multiple people to play at the same time which works well for using multiple bees to pollinate more flowers and fill your field. This also allows parents to work with their children in helping them understand the concepts being taught. Some children may have trouble understanding how to use the bee to pollinate as holding the bee over a flower for a certain amount of time is not very intuitive. However, after a little trial and error, this control becomes second nature to the player. Gro Flowers also features a nice challenge with the addition of a pesticide bottle that occasionally appears and must be tapped or the bees might get harmed. The random nature of this challenge prevented the gameplay from getting stale. Occasionally, however, when a bee adds a new brush or color in the panel and the pesticide bottle appears, it is easy to accidentally tap the new flower button. This is a minor annoyance to the game overall but doesn't take away too much from the fun. The only other problem I found in the game was on the launch screen; pressing and holding the "for parents" button didn't seem to do anything which always left me wondering what was in that section. The sound effects in Gro Flowers are very whimsical and fun. Each sound effect fit the mood of the game and matched the art style as well. The field looks like it is made out of yarn and with a vivid color pallet, Gro Flowers is irresistibly beautiful. Gro Flowers is US$2.99 on the App Store and a great buy for parents interested in a fun way of teaching their children about biodiversity in a fun environment.
Check out our 2014 Back to School guide!
Crazily enough, the fall semester is about to begin. For that very reason, we're kicking off our Back to School 2014 guide, with comprehensive gadget recommendations to fit every budget. Even if your college days are behind you, we guarantee you'll find some new gear worthy of a place in your cubicle -- be it a new laptop or a Rubik's Cube lamp. Click here to check out all eight sections in the guide, and make sure to enter our back-to-school giveaway both below and via the 14 other links posted throughout the month on our sweepstakes page. Winner: congratulations to Pablo H. of Collegedale, TN.
Engadget's Back to School 2014 sweepstakes: Enter to win one of 15 gadget-stuffed bags!
As another summer comes to a close, wallets are beginning to open up in anticipation of the new school year. Whether you're looking to start fresh with new gadgets before heading off to campus or simply hoping to find a few dorm-room accessories, our guide has you covered. And for 15 lucky readers, our back-to-school sweepstakes will have them more than covered. We've rounded up 15 custom-made Timbuk2 messenger bags stuffed with all the tech you could possibly need for the new school (or work) year. (Scroll down for complete official rules.)
WhoDoYou is a referral app with a lot of potential
WhoDoYou is a free app that uses public Facebook conversations to help you find local businesses. You can also see recommendations from your friends and groups on Facebook after logging in. The app aims to help eliminate the feeling of taking advice from strangers for local business recommendations. WhoDoYou is compatible with all iOS devices using iOS 7.0 or later. WhoDoYou has a very clean, pleasant looking layout that makes for a good user experience. Navigating the app is very easy and getting to the main feature is right on the forefront. When you open WhoDoYou, you see a search bar and a quick blurb about the app's goal. However, the search function is somewhat flawed. Take for instance, my search for a florist in Winter Park, Florida; the first result is for a photographer and after tapping on that result you realize why this is the first result. The public Facebook conversation that the app draws information from found the word florist in the request and someone answered that question with a photographer's name because the conversation was about needing help with all the details of a wedding. Continuing on with the florist search turned up another florist but this time they were located in Brooklyn, NY and not in Florida. The third result on the list actually did match the search terms very well and that information was useful. It was nice to see that once you tap on the result, the contact information for that local business is displayed along with reviews so you can easily get in touch with the company. WhoDoYou is an accompanying app for the WhoDoYou website, and it shows in a lot of ways. Looking at the website next to the app, it is really hard to tell them apart which is a nice feature. It creates a more seamless flow from using the website on your computer to using the app on the go. One difference is that when you open the menu and click on "About" in the app, a popup tells you the version number. However, on the website, when you go to "About," a really nice synopsis of how the app got started is shown. This type of information on the "About" tab in the app would be more beneficial to the user than the version number, which could easily be placed somewhere else. It is a little difficult to fully understand the purpose of the app without some kind of quick overview to introduce the user how it will benefit them. After browsing around the different tabs, a couple of tabs stood out to me as places where the designer could have put more information in to guide the user and help them appreciate all of the features that WhoDoYou offers. When you log into Facebook with the app, you can see conversations your friends are having about local businesses, which is a really cool feature that would go unnoticed if your friends haven't had any conversations. Recommendations from others are stored in "The Vault", but your vault could be a very sad and empty place. The vault that you see is a blank purple screen with a small header that says "My Vault 0 Results" on it. There is no indication as to the purpose of the vault, and unless you have friends talking about local businesses and recommendations for them, your vault will stay empty. Another tab that has a similar problem is the favorites tab. It shows a blank purple screen with a small header that says "Favorites" but this does not tell you much about the use of this tab or how to create favorites. The idea of using recommendations from friends on Facebook is exciting and with some refinement in the search function and a few design touch ups, there is a lot of potential for success with this app. WhoDoYou is free on the App Store and is good for people who would like recommendations from friends to help them find local businesses.
Kids Making Healthy Choices: An app with lifelong positive consequences
Kids Making Healthy Choices is a US$2.99 app based on an award-winning set of children books designed to promote healthy eating, teach tolerance of overweight friends (so bullying can be avoided), and instill a respect for health and well-being through fun and educational games and activities. The app includes the complete e-books (one for boys, one for girls) that are designed to inspire kids to eat right and keep the weight off. There is a discussion section in the app where parents and kids can talk about the concepts presented. A Fun Activities section offers up fun puzzles, Word Scrambles and Connect the Dots exercises. Also included are recipes, online tools and resources, with links to articles, news headlines, and other stories for parents to read. The e-books are self-contained and don't require web access, while some of the other features do require internet service. If you can get your child to participate -- no small feat -- this information should be valuable, especially for younger and more impressionable children. The material is well organized, and the book never talks down to readers. The recipes offer good ideas, covering the normal three daily meals and some recipes for smacks. Those recipes lack illustrations, and it would probably be easier to get a kid excited about something good to eat if you could show them a picture of it. The other problem with the Kids Making Healthy Choices app, which I see all too often, is that it works only in portrait mode. Especially on the iPad, that's a problem. Many people use their iPads in landscape orientation and the app just won't work that way. Being able to use an app in landscape mode is important because some iPad cases with stands are only designed to to work in that orientation. App creators should not force customers to hold their device in a particular way -- it's just lazy programming or a lack of awareness of how people use iDevices. Still, Kids Making Healthy Choices is a good app. It's loaded with information and resources that will help parents and kids both get a needed awareness of nutrition and health. It's worth the price being asked, especially since the included books cost more on their own than this app. The app requires iOS 6 or later, it's universal, and optimized for the iPhone 5.
Sticking to the rules in Rules!
Rules! for iOS is a very fun but challenging game about following and remembering rules in a sequence in order to clear a tiled board. A variable time limit adds excitement and ups the challenge. The game is compatible with all iOS devices running iOS 7.1 or later and costs US$1.99. The game works by presenting the player with the first rule which is to tap numbers in descending order. That's simple enough, but then a new rule is added: tap only green tiles. So clear the board of all green tiles (rule two) and then tap the rest of the tiles in descending order (rule one). From there, a third rule is added. Get it? Rules! Is a game that challenges your mind by testing your ability to remember the order of rules and recall that information quickly. You must also decipher which of the tiles matches the particular rule you are working on. There is the option to add color indicators, which may help some players distinguish tiles easier. However, I often times found the indicators were more confusing than helpful. After several levels a new element is introduced: the birds, which signify playing the rules in reverse order. For instance, you start the game off by tapping tiles in descending order but after the birds are introduced, you tap tiles in ascending order. This switched up the gameplay and helped refresh the game. The tiles are also placed in the level in a random order so even though you will always be doing the same rules in order the tiles will differ in each level. This really keeps you on your toes and keeps the game from being stale. Bonuses are awarded if you follow each rule perfectly with no mistakes in the level or if you're speedy. When you complete a level, the immense feeling of accomplishment pushes to player to keep trying to achieve an even higher level and score. The music is pleasant but a bit repetitive. Sound effects add depth, however, the clicking sound when you tap a tile seemed a little out of place. The art style has a clean minimalistic feel with a few cartoonish characters. Rules! is very entertaining and the art style adds personality to the basic simple mechanics. The gameplay is also what make Rules! so addictive because the player will want to challenge themselves to beat their previous score and advance toward the next rule. Mindlessly tapping will not get you through this game, you have to be constantly thinking about what you are doing. The time limit helps reinforce this behavior. Rules! is a really well done puzzle game that challenges the player while still being fun and exciting. It is US$1.99 on the App Store and worth the download.
BubbleSum is a game too hard to pop
BubbleSum for iOS is a quick and simple numbers game. The goal of is to test hand-eye coordination. The game requires iOS 7.0 and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. In BubbleSum, bubbles with numbers drift upwards from the bottom of the screen with the goal of equaling a hundred. The player has to tap on positive number bubbles with white text and avoid negative number bubbles with red text. But there is another catch, you only have twenty seconds per round. When I first started playing BubbleSum, I thought this would be a fun challenge. Unfortunately, the bubbles go by too quickly for me to do well. They also rapidly change from positive to negative. I found myself with negative bubbles even though I tapped them when they were positive. My best score was a forty-five and I feel that it was all from luck, as I franticly tapped as many bubbles in the time limit. There is also a giant ad at the top of the screen, which never goes away. This takes up too much space and makes BubbleSum look more like a billboard than a game. The game does feature interesting music and it has a cool floating bubble on the title screen. However, these perks do not redeem the game's intense difficulty. Even though BubbleSum is free, I cannot recommend it.
Apple offers $100 gift card and $200 discount in annual back-to-school promotion
Apple is a creature of habit, and one of those habits is launching a stellar back-to-school sale every year right around this time. So, not to disappoint the droves of college students preparing to march back into the halls of educational institutions around the globe, Apple's student discounts are once again in full effect. Like last year, Apple is offering discounts of up to US$200 on Macs and $30 on iPads to those who qualify. On top of that, you can also score a $100 gift card with your Mac purchase or a $50 card when you buy an iPad or iPhone. You can score the hefty discounts by shopping on Apple's online education store, where you'll need to provide proof of your eligibility -- such as a copy your student ID -- in order to receive the reduced prices.
Starcraft 2 Back to School sale on Wings of Liberty, Heart of the Swarm
Is all that pesky learning getting in the way of your school year? Boy howdy, does StarCraft 2 have a deal for you. Through September 30, grab StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm for 25 percent off and Wings of Liberty for 50 percent off, and enjoy a 100 percent XP boost all week. During the promo, players can also unlock portraits depicting Kerrigan, Raynor and Zeratul in high school yearbook-photo style, exclusive to the back-to-school special. The portraits are unlocked with the You Got Schooled achievement, earned by winning five games in any combination of Arcade, Custom, Ranked, Training, Unranked, or Versus AI online games. So, hit the books. No, really – just take all your textbooks and smack them or something, and then go play StarCraft 2.
Engadget's 2013 back to school sweepstakes: only 24 hours left!
It's getting down to the wire now, guys, so if you haven't entered our back to school sweepstakes yet, now's the time. We'll stop accepting entries in 24 hours, so if you want to be in the running for one of 15 tech-filled Timbuk2 bags, you better hustle. Make sure you've left a comment on our sweepstakes post and each of the 14 guides. Because we're just that nice, the relevant links are below. Good luck, and have a great semester! Engadget's back to school 2013 sweepstakes: Win one of 15 gadget-filled bags! Engadget's back to school guide 2013: smartphones Engadget's back to school guide 2013: ultraportables Engadget's back to school guide 2013: tablets Engadget's back to school guide 2013: e-readers Engadget's back to school guide 2013: laptops Engadget's back to school guide 2013: HDTV Engadget's back to school guide 2013: gaming Engadget's back to school guide 2013: cameras Engadget's back to school guide 2013: accessories Engadget's back to school guide 2013: portable audio Engadget's back to school guide 2013: docks Engadget's back to school guide 2013: bags and cases Engadget's back to school guide 2013: printers Engadget's back to school guide 2013: fun stuff
Indie Royale goes Back to School 2: Save Harder
Indie Royale has prepared yet another bundle to celebrate the youngsters' return to school. The Back to School Bundle 2 features six games in total, five known and one mystery offering. Thunder Wolves, from Most Wanted Entertainment, headlines this Indie Royale bundle, offering helicopter-based dogfights in an arcade shooter setting. Stellar Impact from Tindalos Interactive is next on the list, presenting players with tactical space combat as they work to upgrade their ships, weaponry and personnel. Divo, a puzzle-platformer from Jugadorgl, is perhaps the most unusual of the group; it's a game where players control a hamster stuck in "a cyber wheel." Then there's 100% Orange Juice, an interactive board game by Orange_Juice for up to four players, and Apple Jack 1&2 – a double pack of the noted platformer that made its debut on Xbox Live Indie Games in 2010. This bundle will be available for chump change over the next week. The current minimum is $5.17, and anyone who forks over more than the minimum will also score a bonus album: "Chiptunes 2013" by Darkman007.
There are just 6 days left to enter our back to school sweepstakes!
All throughout August, we brought you our top picks for smartphones, tablets, ultraportables and more. We end on a sweet note with our final back to school guide today, but our giveaway is still running strong. If you haven't done so already, now's the time to leave a comment on each of our 14 gadget guides -- as well as our sweepstakes homepage -- for a chance to win one of of 15 tech-filled goodie bags. The contest runs through noon (ET) on Thursday, September 12th, so get your name in before the new semester gets too crazy. Good luck! Engadget's back to school 2013 sweepstakes Engadget's back to school guide 2013: smartphones Engadget's back to school guide 2013: ultraportables Engadget's back to school guide 2013: tablets Engadget's back to school guide 2013: e-readers Engadget's back to school guide 2013: laptops Engadget's back to school guide 2013: HDTV Engadget's back to school guide 2013: gaming Engadget's back to school guide 2013: cameras Engadget's back to school guide 2013: accessories Engadget's back to school guide 2013: portable audio Engadget's back to school guide 2013: docks Engadget's back to school guide 2013: bags and cases Engadget's back to school guide 2013: printers Engadget's back to school guide 2013: fun stuff
Engadget's back to school guide 2013: fun stuff!
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! Today, we're talking fun stuff. Head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as we add them throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back; in early September, we'll be giving away a ton of gear, including some of the picks in our guides. If we may paraphrase a tried-and-true saying, all work and no play makes one a very dull boy or girl. While laptops, tablets and smartphones are all essential pieces of study-time equipment, it's important to remember to cut loose and have a little fun every once in a while. To beat the midterm blues, check out top gadget picks below the break.
Parenting Tip: Recommended iPad and Mac accessories for your back-to-schoolers
Those school days, dear old golden rule days are upon us. As you head back to the classroom this week, check out these accessory recommendations that'll help you start off on the right foot. Similar to the earlier posts in our Back to School parenting tips, these recommendations are grouped by academic level. If you want even more accessories, Engadget has a comprehensive back to school guide that you can peruse for additional ideas. If you have any must-have accessories that you want to contribute, please add them in the comments. Pre-schoolers -- Pre-schoolers are tough on devices. They'll drop your iPad, throw your iPod and pick the keys off your Mac's keyboard. For these tots, you'll want to find accessories that protect your devices from mishaps and mayhem. For iOS devices, I recommend a rugged case like the Otterbox Defender series (US$99) or the Griffin Survivor series ($79). I've used both and they have protected my iPad and iPhone from many falls. If you want something more colorful, then check out the iGuy iPad Cover from Speck ($39). This foam case will hold your iPad securely and let you stand it up for hands-free use. If you use a MacBook Pro or an Apple wireless keyboard with kids, I highly recommend a Moshi ClearGuard keyboard cover ($25). The clear cover protects the keys from spills and makes it a little bit harder for your kids to pick off the keys. It's not foolproof as your kids can lift off the cover and get access to the keys. In my experience though, having the cover there is enough of a deterrent. I also recommend a trackpad over a mouse. I find the young ones intuitively pick up the gestures, especially if they are familiar with the iPad. Elementary Children -- Elementary school kids are in-betweeners. They are easier on devices than the Pre-K group, but they are not as mature as the middle and high-schoolers. Consequently, they don't need as many accessories to complete the experience. As a result, my picks for these 6- to 11-year-olds will be on the conservative side. iPad Case: For starters, I would grab a decent case for your iPad, maybe opting for the lighter Speck HandyShell case ($55) instead of the beefier Defender. There's also the colorful Seesaw from Griffin ($35) which is part case, part stand. Headphones: I would also grab a decent pair of headphones, focusing on quality construction. Don't go cheap as I find that most the cheap headphones that I buy will break where the wire goes into the headphone ear piece. I recommend the Sennheiser HD 202 II Professional ($24) headphones. At $24, they are not too pricey and their big ear cups fit comfortably on kids in the 6- to 12-year-old range. I cringe sometimes at giving my kids a pair of Sennheiser cans, but the headphones handle the abuse quite well and last a long time. Charging Station: Another must have for kids is a good charging station. If your kids use the iPad for educational games, reading and research, they will need to charge the device on a daily basis. Rather than have them plug the iOS device into a random outlet in their and balance it on the edge of their bed to charge, spend some money and get a charging station like the Griffin PowerDock ($99), which we recently reviewed. Their iPads will sit safely next to yours, and you always will be able to find the charging cables. Other iOS Accessories: There are also some fun accessories for kids in this age range. My favorite is the Crayola ColorStudio HD ($30), a combo app and digital marker that allows your kids to color on their iPad. We reviewed a version this product when it first became available in 2011. There's also the Lego Life of George ($20) Lego set that lets your child play with Legos on their iPad. For the older elementary group, you should consider the Lego Mindstorms EV3 ($349) kit. This latest Mindstorm introduces your child to robotics and includes three different iOS Apps to help your control your creation. Mac Accessories: If your kids use a Mac, you need little more than a decent keyboard and mouse or trackpad. I use the Apple wireless keyboard ($69) and the Magic Trackpad ($69) with great success. As noted above with the pre-schoolers, I do slap on a Moshi ClearGuard keyboard cover to protect the keyboard from spills, food and what not. Junior and High School Students -- Junior and high school students kick it up a notch when it comes to technology. No longer content playing educational games, this group is ready to use the iPad and Mac to create content, not just consume it. iPad Case: For the iPad, these older students would do well with a basic folio case like the FitFolio from Speck ($40), the Incase Maki Jacket ($40) or the more expensive Joy Factory SmartSuit3 ($59). If you are looking for a keyboard case, you can't go wrong with the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad ($99) or the Solar Keyboard Folio for iPad, which includes a built-in solar charger for the keyboard. Headphones: Whether they are listening to music or editing the audio track of their latest video, every kid needs a good set of headphones. My favorite for this group is the Sennheiser PX 100-II ($50), which is a decent set of cans that won't break the bank. This model doesn't include in-line controls for your iOS device, but you can pay $12 more for the Sennheiser PX 100-IIi ($70), which does have a control module built into the headphone's cable. Stylus: This group would also benefit from a good stylus for writing or drawing purposes. I recommend the Wacom Bamboo Stylus Feel ($39) for your basic needs. It looks and feels like a pen and features interchangeable pen tips. If you have any artistic inclinations, then you should consider paying a bit more for a stylus and grab the Adonit Jot Touch 4 ($89), which we reviewed. It is pressure sensitive and includes replaceable tips, not rubber nibs. These tips improve the accuracy of your strokes. If you are worried about losing your stylus and want a budget model, then check out the JukeStyle, which costs $10 and held up well in our review. Other Accessories: Other cool accessories for this group include the robot-building Lego Mindstorms EV3 ($349) or this RedPark TTL iOS Cable Breakout Pack ($75). This Maker Shed kit allows you to connect your iOS device to to microcontrollers such as the Arduino and other external sensors. Musicians, podcasters or budding karaokers would do well with the iRig Mic ($60) for recording audio on your iPad or the Spark Digital ($199) from Blue Microphone, which we recently reviewed. Mac Accessories: If your high schooler is using a desktop Mac, then a good set of speakers is a must have add-on. I recommend Logitech's UE Mobile Boombox ($99) for smaller spaces or the Creative Inspire S2 ($129) if you want some bass. You can also add on a nice drawing tablet like the Wacom Intuos Pen & Touch ($99) for your budding artist. This model supports both pen input and touch gestures, so you can use it to draw and adjust your canvas. If your young adult is using a MacBook Pro, then slap on a Speck SmartShell ($50) to protect the lovely aluminum chassis. If they are toting their laptop to school, consider grabbing a protective case like the Poseidon Messenger Bag from ECBC ($99) or this laptop backpack from Timbuk2 ($99). College Students -- College students are the top dog when it comes to back-to-school gear. This group needs the most gear and has the potential to fully use it in their school work and personal life. Space and available cash may be limited for most college students, so they need to get the best bang for their buck. They are also the group most likely to use their devices while mobile, and their chosen accessories should be designed for on-the-go use. Headphones: Sennheiser HD-280 PRO ($99) if you are looking for comfortable cans to block out noise at home. Sennheiser PX 200-IIi ($99) if you are looking for something portable. If you want a wireless headphone, then look at the Plantronics BackBeat Go 2 ($80) or the GOGroove Airband ($45). iPad case: Careful college students could get away with a lightweight iPad Smart Cover ($39) or the more protective Smart Case ($50). There's also the BookBook leather case ($79) from TwelveSouth or the DODOcase ($59) if you are looking for something different. Oh, and I can't forget the Pad & Quill Graduate Artist Series for iPad ($69), which fantastically made and super stylish. iPad Keyboard case:If you are looking for a keyboard case, you can't go wrong with the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad ($99) or the Solar Keyboard Folio for iPad , which includes a built-in solar charger for the keyboard. Powered iPad case:There are also a few cases that include a power source, ensuring that your iPad never runs out of juice. We recently reviewed and were pleased with the Props Power Case ($90) and the Justin Case Ultra-Slim Power Case for iPad.) ($69). iPad stand: The market is flooded with stands to hold your iPad in every configuration. Figure out how you are going to use your iPad, pick your price point and then go shopping. Check your case first, too, as many include an integrated stand. If you decide you want a stand, I've used the Griffin A-Frame stand, which is inexpensive ($10), but has limited tilt angles. Steve Sande recently looked at the Xvidia Boomerang ($80) and was impressed with its design and support for add-on mounting accessories Stylus: I recommend the Wacom Bamboo Stylus Feel ($39) for your basic needs. It looks and feels like a pen and features interchangeable pen tips. If you have any artistic inclinations, then you should consider paying a bit more for a stylus and grab the Adonit Jot Touch 4 ($89), which we reviewed. It is pressure sensitive and includes replaceable tips, not rubber nibs. These tips improve the accuracy of your strokes. If you are worried about losing your stylus and want a budget model, then check out the JukeStyle, which costs $10 and held up well in our review. Portable charger: Mophie, known for its iPhone battery cases, also sells a line of Powerstation chargers that'll charge your iPad and iPhone on the go. The Satechi Portable Energy Station ($60) is another good choice. I have the 10,000 mAh model and it's still going strong after a year of regular use. HyperJuice ($199) is still your best portable charging option for the Mac. Mac Stand: Sometimes you just need a stand for your Mac to get it at the correct angle for easy viewing. If you need a stand, we recently tested the Jas Pro from Cooler Master ($60). This adjustable aluminum stand works with your MacBook as well as your iPad. Though, we haven't tested it yet, the GhostStand from TwelveSouth ($35) is affordable and attractive. MacBook Pro/Air Case: The Speck SmartShell ($50) is my first choice to protect the lovely aluminum chassis of any MacBook Pro/Air. If you want something more refined, then check out the offerings from Waterfield Designs. We reviewed and enjoyed the company's the Smart Case ($79) and City Slicker ($129). If you own a MacBook Air, you can't go wrong with the Pad & Quill Cartella Linen case ($80). Laptop Messenger bag: The Poseidon Messenger Bag from ECBC ($99) is a solid offering as is the Booq Viper Courier ($99). If you have a 13-inch MacBook Pro/Air, you may want to look at the OGIO Covert Shoulder bag ($69), which we found to be reasonably priced and durable in our review. Speakers: I recommend Logitech's UE Mobile Boombox ($99) for smaller spaces or the Creative Inspire S2 ($129) if you want some bass. If you always your music with you, there's the Minx Go ($149) from Cambridge Audio, a portable Bluetooth speaker that we reviewed a few months ago. And if you are the outdoorsy type, the waterproof ECOXGEAR ECOROX ($129) is another portable option that you can take anywhere. Other: Some other useful accessories include the Cocoon GRID-IT! ($15) for organizing your stuff, the Wacom Intuos Pen & Touch ($99) for the budding Mac artist, the iOS-compatible Vaavud Wind Meter ($49) for the scientist in all of us, and the Spark Digital ($199) from Blue Microphone, which we recently reviewed. You may also want to grab the Satechi 12-port USB Hub ($28), which is perfect for the person with way too many peripherals.
Engadget's back to school guide 2013: printers
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! Today, we're taking a look at printers. Head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as we add them throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back; in early September, we'll be giving away a ton of gear, including some of the picks in our guides. While you'll spend most of your time staring at a screen as you hastily pull together assignments at the last minute, you'll still need something to put your work to paper when the time comes to turn it in. Luckily, we're on hand to show there's much more to the wonderful world of inkjet printers than just pumping out projects, whether that be producing high-quality photos straight from your camera's SD card, or making memories tangible by printing straight from Facebook -- no computer required. There are scores of printers available at virtually every price point, so if you'd rather spend your last days of freedom not researching printers, then head past the break for our back to school suggestions.
Have a super adventure in Guild Wars 2's Back to School release
It's the end of summer, and school is back in session. That's kind of a bummer unless you're an Asuran kid: Thanks to mega-genius Moto, the lucky little weasels get to play in the Super Adventure Box, a virtual reality educational tool that teaches quick thinking and combat skills. Fortunately for Guild Wars 2 players, the average Tyrian adventurer is probably slightly behind the average Asuran child, so everyone can justify spending a few days weeks hours bouncing on mushrooms and collecting shiny baubles for completely educational purposes. ArenaNet's Josh Foreman, Moto's real-world representative, gave us a preview of what eager students have to look forward to tomorrow in the improved and expanded re-release of GW2's popular game-within-a-game. Bounce your way behind the cut to get a peek at how you'll continue on your journey to vanquish Lord Vanquish and save Princess Miya!
Engadget's back to school guide 2013: bags and cases
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! Today, we've got a killer selection of bag and case recommendations. Head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as we add them throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back; in early September, we'll be giving away a ton of gear, including one of the picks in this very guide. What's a stellar arsenal of tech if you've got nary a thing to store it in? Lucky for you, we're serving up a collection of bags and cases to protect and sort your gadget stash -- and to keep that stylish look on the up and up as well. From a case that adds some extra juice to your iPhone 5's battery to a solid rucksack that adapts to a trip as easily as you must, this collection has something for everyone -- head below to dive in.
