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This power pack can charge your iPhone 6 in 15 minutes
We lamented the iPhone 6's battery in our review, but the folks at ibattz have a solution for when Apple's handset loses juice when you need it most. The company says its ASAP Charger's 20-volt, two-amp power pack can fully charge an iPhone 6 within 15 minutes. Think about it this way: That's less time than it'd take to watch an episode of 30 Rock on Netflix. Your typical five-volt, one-amp charger, on the other hand, needs an hour or more to do the same task. The ASAP comes in 5,600mAh and 11,200mAh sizes, but, sadly, the company hasn't said anything yet about pricing or availability. Blerg, indeed.
The year in reviews: a look back at the best gadgets of 2014
It's been quite a year in products here at the Engadget offices. Not only have we looked at the latest flagship phones and hottest laptops, but our reviews have run the gamut from VR headsets to WiFi Crock-Pots. We've worn lots of smartwatches and fitness wristbands on our arms, tried out an ultra-secure phone and looked at more Chromebooks than we can count. And while we reviewed plenty of average and mediocre devices (and even a few bad ones), there are a handful that emerge at the top of the heap. Some come out as clear winners, while others are good, but don't quite break away from the pack, leaving us with a rather perplexing six-way-tie for seventh place. Thus, we present to you not our top 10, but top 12 highest-scored products of 2014.
UNU Superpak Battery charges your iOS devices quickly
iOS devices have always had battery issues for heavy users. Each new model comes with a bigger battery, but that battery often serves a higher resolution screen, added radios, a faster processor and other features. There are a variety of battery packs for sale that you can use when you are away from AC or a USB charging port, and there are also integrated battery cases that add some weight and thickness to your iPhone or iPad. Either type of battery pack can get you through a long, data-heavy day. UNU has a most interesting offering that's just become available. It's an external battery pack called the Superpak (U.S. $39.99 on sale) with a hefty 10,000 mAh rechargeable battery. Some smart software on board can charge iOS devices up to 2X faster than most chargers, and it automatically adjusts to each device plugged in to figure out the device's maximum charging speed. Specifications: 2 charging ports; 5v/2.1 amp and 5v/1 amp 10,000 mAH Lithium Polymer Battery Micro USB in from a standard USB cord (included) 4 LEDs to show charging state of the battery pack Special cable that supports either a micro USB connection or a lightning cable (included) Colors: Black or white Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.1 x 0.9 inches Weight: 8.8 ounces 1 year warranty Design The unit itself looks very sturdy, with a hard plastic case. One end lists the specifications of the unit. The other end has a power switch to initiate charging, a micro-USB port for charging the battery pack, 2 output ports and a cord with a fitting that provides both micro-USB and Lightning connections to your device. The top of the case holds the four LED charging indicators -- when all four are lit up, the Superpak is fully charged. Using the Superpak The Superpak is simplicity defined -- just plug it in and charge it up. When it's fully charged, it's ready to recharge your iOS devices. Using both ports, you can charge an iPhone and an iPad at the same time. While I don't have scientific tests to back my claim, charging was rapid. My iPhone 6 went from 70% to 90 percent charge using the 1 amp port in about 15 minutes. Using the 2.1 amp port, the iPhone 6 went from 90 percent to fully charged in just a hair over 10 minutes. A fully depleted Superpak can recharge from AC power in five to six hours. Some third party tests say that the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus can charge twice as fast with a 2.1 Amp charger, and I've certainly confirmed those results with my iPhone 6. Apple's stock charger is only 1 Amp, so this battery will surely speed the process up if you use the 2.1 Amp port. Using the faster port, expect an iPhone 6 to charge from 10 percent to full in just about an hour. You can charge the UNU battery at the same time you are charging an iOS device. The only missing is a case. I think all battery cases should have a carry case, and this one doesn't. Summary and final thoughts The UNU Superpak is a solid piece of hardware with an unusually high power output. It charges rapidly, handles multiple devices, and includes a Lightning connector making it fully compatible with the newer iPhones and iPads. Basically, potential iPhone users will have to decide between this kind of charging or an integrated battery case. I've used both, but manufacturers are beginning to get less excited about integrated cases, as are consumers it seems. I've had battery cases, but a new phone usually means the battery case won't fit anymore. They also add a lot of bulk to the svelte iPhone designs. More than one battery/case designer has told me they are planning on curtailing those cases in favor of form factors like the UNU. Still, UNU expects to offer integrated battery cases for the new iPhones soon, to meet customer demand from those that don't want to carry the extra pack. The UNU Superpak is available direct or from Amazon at the same sale price. It's the most powerful battery charger I've seen for iOS devices, and the clever cable that can provide micro-USB and Lightning connectors is really useful. Recommended.
Vine for iOS now lets you follow channels to get their best videos
Vine is full of video creators talented enough to score TV deals, but keeping up with them has usually meant either following them one-by-one or browsing channels for ages. You have a much easier way to catch up on those clips as of today, though: Vine's iOS app now lets you follow channels, which puts featured videos in your feed alongside everything from people you follow. If you're a space buff, for instance, you can add the Science & Tech channel in hopes of seeing some orbital footage.
Chinese store makes sure that iPhone 6 Plus fits in your pocket
Let's face it: When it comes to the iPhone 6 Plus, size really does matter.
Here's a first: A video app that takes HDR
I've always liked the flexibility that HDR photography provides in difficult lighting conditions, and I've often hoped I could use the same technology for video. If you have a new iPhone 6 or 6 Plus, you don't have to wait. Live HD/R (US$2.99) is an app that can shoot High Dynamic Range videos in real time. That's quite a feat, and developer Oliver Haynold told me the faster processor and re-worked camera sensor makes it possible on the new iPhones, it just takes special software to unlock the HDR video features. The app allows you to change the tone-mapping settings in real time before you start recording, or you can make changes while you are actually shooting your video. There are adjustments for global and local contrast, noise reduction, and gamma. The app outputs a 720p Quicktime video that can be edited elsewhere if you desire. I tried the app with my HDR torture test. A dark room with a bright window. The results were far better than I could get with the iPhone 6 using the regular Apple supplied software. The sky and details outside the window were very visible, and there was more of the dark room there. Haynold also has a sample video if you want to get a good idea of what the app can do. In regular video shooting around sunset I noticed that colors were better overall, closer to what my eye could see. Using the Apple software, things were flatter and less dramatic. Like any HDR software, you can make things garish and ugly, or natural. That's up to you. Explore the settings and get things done to your taste. It's really remarkable to be able to take HDR videos in real time, so for videographers this app is worth a close look. Although the app will run in older phones than the current iPhone 6 series, you won't get HDR and your frame rates and resolution will suffer. As far as I know, Live HD/R is the first iOS video app that can give you HDR, and it is bound to improve over time. I'd love to see white and black point settings, as I found in some situations the software itself couldn't give me quite the dynamic range I wanted to achieve. I'm impressed with Live HD/R, so if you have an interest in this kind of photography check, out the sample videos and decide if Live HD/R is right for you.
Engadget UK giveaway: win an iPhone 6 courtesy of Mobilefun.co.uk
Wet weather, plummeting temperatures and pitch-black mornings are just a few of the things us Brits have to look forward to as we plunge further into the abyss known as "autumn." We could all use a little pick-me-up as SAD begins to take hold, so how does a free, 16GB space gray iPhone 6 sound? That's exactly what we're offering one lucky reader, thanks to the generous souls at smartphone and mobile accessory e-tailer Mobilefun.co.uk. And if you already have one of Apple's latest handsets, Mobilefun.co.uk has plenty of iPhone goodies for you to peruse, too. Any Brits wanting to throw their hat into the giveaway ring have until Saturday to enter up to three times using the Rafflecopter widget below -- and give the rules a read while you're down there, would ya? Winning: congrats to Alfie B. from Plymouth!
Cycloramic teaches users a DIY phone hack so the app keeps working
We first covered Cycloramic in 2012 thanks to the inventive photography app's clever way of taking hands-free panoramic shots. Users simply placed the iPhone standing up on its flat edges and the app would activate the device's vibration function to spin the phone around to in a circle. You can set the device to spin 360 degrees, or 720 or 1080 if you want a longer shot. It's a solid app. Then came the sleep curved edges of the iPhone 6, and suddenly Cycloramic had a problem -- you can't rest your phone on its sides anymore. Cycloramic could have just abandoned the app they've poured so much effort into, or they could find a work around, perhaps using equipment that customers already possess. To that end, Cycloramic has released this video showing iPhone 6 users a DIY hack that keeps their app functioning using just the basic iPhone USB charger. You can watch the video for yourself here and purchase Cycloramic on the iTunes store, here.
Gmail for iOS now takes full advantage of your iPhone 6
You haven't had many options for checking Gmail on the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus so far. Unless you're happy with Apple's stock email client, you've typically had to use blown-up versions of earlier apps. You won't have to face that dilemma any more, though; Google has released an update to its Gmail app for iOS that does justice to the higher display resolutions on new iPhones. It's a simple change, but it means that you can see more messages at once (and more of those messages) without sacrificing native Gmail features like labels and stars. Swing by the App Store if you've been jonesing for this upgrade over the past few weeks.
Who wins a speed test between iPhone 6, the Samsung Galaxy S5, and the HTC One M8
The iPhone 6 has proven itself the leader in speed when it comes to benchmark tests, but how does it do in real world app launching test situation? A new video from PhoneBuff answers that very question, pitting the iPhone 6 against the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the HTC One M8 in an app launching contest. When the same app was not available for both iOS and Android a comparable app was used instead. It's important to note this is not a scientific test, but merely a simulation of how the devices work under (admittedly extreme) real world conditions. In this case the iPhone 6 wins handily, beating the second place HTC One M8 by about 10 seconds. You can watch the video below.
Tweetbot now does justice to Twitter on your iPhone 6
Tweetbot 3 for iOS is frequently regarded as one of the better mobile Twitter apps, no matter the platform -- it's full of shortcuts and visual flair that most clients (including Twitter's own) sorely lack. It has been lagging on support for Apple's latest developments, however, which makes today's version 3.5 update pretty important. The interface now scales properly on the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, giving you much more screen real estate when you're browsing tweets. There are also a few noteworthy upgrades that apply to everyone, including interactive notifications, sharing sheets and support for fetching your login from 1Password. It'll cost you $5 to get the new release if you don't already use Tweetbot, but it might well be worth the outlay if the free Twitter apps aren't quite cutting it.
Apple's iPhone 6 and 6 Plus coming to China on October 17th
Apple has finally revealed the date that its new iPhones will be available to eager users in mainland China: Friday, October 17th. The devices had been delayed pending regulatory approval, but Apple was granted a license earlier today by the Chinese government -- despite some security concerns. The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will go on pre-order starting October 10th, with units available a week later at Apple Stores and all three major carriers. Both phones will support TD-LTE and FDD-LTE, meaning 4G speeds will be available to users at China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom. So far, the lack of availability has meant extortionate prices for smuggled models, though there's been an alarming lack of demand in the gray market. But at least Chinese Apple fans will avoid the parade of early iOS 8 bugs.
Consumer Reports weighs in on iPhone 6 bending
As much as Apple would like for this discussion to be over, controversy and conversation over whether the iPhone 6 / 6 Plus has a durability problem is continuing. Just as it tested out antenna reception for the iPhone 4, Consumer Reports has forced Apple's newest mobile devices into its torture testing chambers, measuring them along with several other devices to see how much pressure they can really take. You can see the tests for yourself in a video embedded after the break, but according to CR, the larger iPhone 6 Plus is actually stronger than its counterpart, only deforming under 90 pounds of pressure, more than the 70 it took to bend the standard iPhone 6 and HTC One (M8). Meanwhile, Unbox Therapy gave a brand new iPhone 6 Plus another go in its less-scientific test, and bent it once again, while a Moto X withstood the challenge. [Image credit: Consumer Reports]
What is #Weirded? This is #Weirded.
How does one introduce an original web series like #Weirded? For one, it's not tech news -- at least, not in the way you're used to seeing. So scrub that notion from your brain. It's more like a constant channel change; like pressing the seek button on a car radio and catching tidbits of the noise filling the tech industry's airwaves. It's light, but biting in a way we hope'll make you ask for "more, please!" It'll skewer and shine a light on the more outrageous news and comments of the week. But it will always be in good fun (and in very bad taste). It's a guilty pleasure; our tongue-in-cheek gift to you. This week's inaugural episode is pretty fruity: It's nearly all about Apple, with some Blackberry crumble on the side. The full episode's just after the break. Enjoy the feast!
Four days with the iPhone 6
My colleague Steve Sande gave a nice account of his first few days with his iPhone 6 Plus, so I thought I'd share my reactions to the iPhone 6. This isn't a technical review. We've already had some deep dives into the camera and other hardware improvements. This is one reviewers' impression after a few days. I wasn't among those missing a larger screen. I liked how the iPhone 5s could be easily slipped into a pocket, but I did like the idea of the camera enhancements, the better screen resolution, and the NFC radio. I haven't bought every new iPhone, but almost -- I enjoy the thrill of the new and a fresh warranty. Buying Experience I'm not a wait-in-line kind of guy, so I let the crowds thin out. Early this week I tried an AT&T store, but the wait was one hour and even though they had the phone I wanted, I just didn't want to stand there. The next day, after having dinner out, I spied a Best Buy store and took a chance. There was one person ahead of me, and she was almost done. They had the phone I wanted -- gold, 64GB -- so I started the process right away. About 20 minutes later I was done, and my new iPhone 6 was busy downloading contacts, apps, and more from iCloud. The Bigger Screen So how is it? Well, it seems a little big. I usually keep my phone in a shirt pocket or a side pocket. No, I don't plan on sitting on it and turning it into a flip phone. The screen is beautiful. Photos and videos never looked better, and the larger size screen is certainly good for sharing with friends. I was skeptical of the larger screen, and now I like it. Ergonomics The placement of the sleep/wake switch threw me since it moved from the top to the side. It seems logical because the phone is taller, but if you are holding the phone a certain way and press the switch, you often wind up inadvertently squeezing the volume control on the other side. (I can hear the ghost of Steve Jobs telling me to "not hold it that way"). The Camera The camera is a winner -- a big winner. I expected more megapixels, but megapixels aren't everything. The quality of the camera is noticeably better than the one in my 5s, especially in low light. The optical quality seems also better, and recent independent tests seem to bear that out. Focusing is very fast with the new Focus Pixels feature, even in low light. 1080p HD at 60 fps is impressive too, and my HD test shots looked crisp, even holding up well on a big screen 46-inch flat panel TV via AirPlay. The camera lens protrudes slightly -- it's not elegant, but Apple made a quality over aesthetics decision and I'm on board with that. Battery Life Reports from the field on battery life are mixed. Some say it is better, and that the A8 processor draws less current. I'm not seeing an improvement. I don't think it is worse than the 5s, but the 5s wasn't all that good at battery life. I'm waiting for some decent battery cases to appear. They won't be pretty, but the phone has a better chance of making it a full day with my usage patterns. I'd hoped for better from the phone without external battery help. The iPhone 6 Plus battery life is much better. I'm jealous. Operations seem a bit quicker on WiFi and LTE, so no complaints there. Using the iPhone 6 as a Phone The thing I do the least with the phone ... is use it as a phone. My biggest uses are email, keeping up with the news, and navigation. The phone sounds OK -- not appreciably better than the iPhone 5s -- but I did notice when using the iPhone that I had to line it up just right with my ear to get the loudest sound. If I moved a little bit up or down, the volume fell off rapidly. Mostly, I use the phone through my car Bluetooth system, but as a standalone phone I give it a C+/B-. Is the iPhone 6 too big? While I wasn't really interested in a bigger screen, I do find the larger screen seductive in actual use. Photos and text are clearer, and while I don't watch movies much on the phone, they certainly looked better on the bigger screen. The iPhone 6 Plus is just too big for me, so the iPhone 6 seems just about right. It's not big enough to have pocket fit issues but larger than the iPhone 5s, giving me the benefits that a slightly larger screen delivers. The Reachability feature does work, but in practice I found the extra tapping was more trouble than it is worth. The headphone jack is still on the bottom of the phone, and I really dislike that placement. The final conclusion So a happy choice? Yes. I like the phone and I'm glad I bought it. The market seems to be reacting positively to both new phones, even with the 'bendgate' silly hoopla and Apple dropping the ball on the iOS 8.0.1 update which was sloppy and embarrassing. It's been fixed now with 8.0.2. Advice to Apple: Better battery life is needed, you should think again about button placement, and make sure the telephone features (speaker placement, audio quality) of the phone are as well planned as the camera. Still, the iPhone 6 is an iconic product, the best mobile phone I've ever owned, and Apple still knows how to please and thrill its customers. The larger size is growing on me (pun alert) and Apple has worked hard and done well.
Apple shows off its own bend tests for new iPhones
All these reports about how the new iPhones can bend and remain bent might have you asking: did Apple even do stress tests on these new devices? To answer your question, Apple invited a handful of journalists to observe its testing facilities and prove that yes, the company crushed, pushed, twisted and pounded on 15,000 iPhone 6 and 6 Plus units each before unleashing them to the public. According to the Wall Street Journal, Recode and The Verge, each phone goes through five different tests, including one that places pressure on the center of the phone in varying degrees, using weights reaching 25 kilos. Next, weights are again pressed in the middle of the phone's display hundreds of times, followed by a test that twists the device around 8,000 times while a machine is clamping both ends. [Image credit: Unbox Therapy]
Apple responds to bent iPhone 6 complaints, all nine of them
By now, you've likely heard a thing or two about the new iPhones' flexibility, and Apple has offered a word on the matter. The Wall Street Journal reports that the Cupertino-based outfit only received nine complaints of bent devices and that the damage occurring due to regular use is "extremely rare." It also maintains that both the new iPhone 6 and its larger sibling went through durability testing to ensure they'd stand up to daily use. Of course, the interwebs have been littered with videos of folks purposely trying to flex their mobile wares in far from "normal" conditions. Unfortunately, there's no word on if tight trousers are in fact to blame.
Phones4u comes clean about iPhone 6 preorder refunds: there won't be any
Phones4u couldn't have folded at a worse time. The upcoming expiration of reseller contracts forced the company into administration earlier this month, three days after it opened up preorders for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. While hard-up employees are finding new homes and empty stores new owners, customers who were eager for Apple's newest aren't so lucky. Today, in an email to iPhone 6 preorderers (that's definitely a word) that laid down an upfront payment, Phones4u came clean about the refund process, or more accurately, the lack of one. You see, Phones4u previously stated it would refund any iPhone preorder payments it'd taken, which it probably wasn't in a position to say since, you know, it'd gone into administration by that point.
Apple explains how to fix its busted iOS 8 update, new one coming soon
Went ahead and downloaded the newest, freshest version of iOS for that new iPhone 6? Then immediately regret doing so? Apple's released a statement saying that users who have lost carrier service or Touch ID functionality should reinstall the initial version of iOS 8, until version 8.0.2 is ready to go. The company says this will take a few more days. We've got the full statement after the break. Update (9/25): That was quick! The new update is already out, find out more information here.
That bendable iPhone 6 screen isn't a feature (update)
Not sure if you want to hide your shiny new iPhone's newfangled design in a bulky case? Maybe you should -- apparently, it's quite pliable. iPhone 6 and 6 Plus users on Twitter seem to be finding small, but noticeable bends just south of the handsets' volume controls. Front-pocket storage is all it takes to give the handset a gentle slope, according to some users, but it can be bent other ways too. Back pockets and malicious YouTube users (video from Unbox Therapy after the break) can both bend the device to their will. Update: Just for kicks, the same guy tried the same thing with a Galaxy Note 3, and while its plastic frame gave some squeaking under the pressure, it showed only slight warping after two attempts. There's the difference in materials to account for, but of course we're not surprised -- we've seen how Samsung tests its large phones under pressure. Update 2 (9/24): For one final video, Unbox Therapy lined up a few more phones: the new Moto X, HTC One (M8), iPhone 6, iPhone 5S and a Nokia Lumia 1020. Unsurprisingly, none bent to the degree of the iPhone 6 Plus, with only the iPhone 6 (standard) showing a slight bend. The Moto X and Lumia 1020 seemed the most resistant to pressure, while the One M8 and 5S creaked, but did not bend noticeably. Meanwhile, UBreakIFix gave it a shot, using a machine to stress several phones with exactly 100 lbs of pressure. The result there? The iPhone 6 Plus bent less than other large phones, but because of its metal frame, it couldn't bend back into shape afterwards. Overhyped video trend or real issue? Only time will tell, but you can see the test after the break, and for now, it looks like most other phones -- including Apple's -- don't respond to stress in the way the iPhone 6 Plus does.
