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iPhone 5's are 50% off with iPhone 4/4S trade-in at Best Buy this weekend
Starting today and running through September 2, US big-box store Best Buy is offering 50 percent off an iPhone 5 when you trade in your old iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S. In order to qualify for the trade-in program, which was first noticed by AppleInsider, customers' iPhone 4's and 4S's need to be able to be powered on and free from water damage. By trading in their old working iPhones, customers can choose the 16 GB or 32 GB model of the iPhone 5, but they also need to sign up for a two-year contract. The deal is also contingent upon the customer being eligible for an upgrade. The Best Buy trade-in starts on the day Apple's iPhone "Reuse and Recycle" in-store trade-in program is supposed to begin in select Apple stores. Trade-in programs have many benefits for retailers as it gets customers buying the latest models and also gives those retailers used iPhones, which can then be shipped overseas and sold for higher prices in emerging markets, while still being at a lower cost point than what that latest iPhone 5 would cost. The trade-in program also doesn't hurt to help move existing iPhone 5 stock ahead of what is likely the release of a new model in just a few weeks' time.
Twelve South HiRise for iPhone 5/iPad mini: Adjustable, affordable, attractive
Design house Twelve South is dedicated to creating Apple accessories that you want to buy, and its latest product is no exception. The HiRise (US$34.99) is a charging desk stand created for two of Apple's mobile products -- the iPhone 5 and iPad mini -- and is different from most similar stands in that it is adjustable to fit a variety of iPhone cases. Design Like all Twelve South products, the HiRise comes to you in an attractive box with a sincere "Thank You." Some assembly is required, so instructions on setting up the HiRise are available in a small booklet, or you can choose to watch the process online. The HiRise is beautifully machined out of aluminum, featuring a flat stand that is sized to be stable under the load of an iPad mini, a short riser that contains one of three plastic clips (more on those later), and another taller riser that serves as a back rest for your device. The base has a rubber foundation to help keep it from moving; it also has the side benefit of toning down those loud buzzes when your iPhone is in vibrate mode and sitting on a hard surface. Functionality As mentioned earlier, the HiRise needs a wee bit of assembly. An Allen wrench is secreted under a plastic door on the bottom of the base; it's used to install a four screws later on. You need to provide your own Lightning cable as well, so if you want to keep your existing cable for mobile charges, head on out to your local Apple Store and purchase another one. Twelve South includes three custom plastic clips that are used to hold the Lightning connector at varying distances from the base. For situations where you aren't using a case with your iPhone 5 or iPad mini, you use the "0" clip. For a case with some extra depth -- the OtterBox Defender, for example -- the "5" clip is more appropriate. Thinner cases like the Griffin Reveal or Speck CandyShell use the intermediate "3" clip. I use a Mophie Juice Pack Helium and recharge my iPhone 5 with the bottom of the case removed, so I chose to install the "0" clip. Next, you install the rear support -- what I called the "back rest" -- and adjust it to match the thickness of the case. I wouldn't suggest using the HiRise with a case that's thicker than the Juice Pack Helium, as I had to move the rear support as far back as possible to accommodate the battery pack. Once everything is adjusted, the Lightning cable can be snugged into a channel on the bottom of the stand and the plastic door snapped back into place. And voila! You now have an attractive aluminum stand on which your iPhone 5 or iPad mini can stand in style while charging up. It's no secret that I really like Twelve South's products. It's also no secret that I usually think their products are overpriced. The HiRise is a refreshing exception to that rule -- it's well worth the $35 in terms of the quality of the materials, the custom fit, and the solid functionality. Conclusion For many people, just plopping their iPhone or iPad mini down on a desktop for charging is fine. But for those who would rather have an attractive stand that holds your device above the clutter, the Twelve South HiRise for iPhone 5/iPad mini is a solid performer. Pros Adjustable to fit a variety of iPhone 5 cases, also works with the iPad mini Well-written instructions for assembly backed by a short online video Price is right on target for a classy and well-built accessory Like many of Twelve South's products, it looks like something Apple would design Cons None to speak of Who is it for? Anyone who owns an iPhone 5 or iPad mini and is looking for a classy charging stand
AllThingsD: Apple's next iPhone event slated for September 10th
September 10th, folks -- that's when Apple will unveil its next iPhone according to AllThingsD. We've received no official word yet, but recent leaks (and past form) suggest a refreshed iPhone 5 (possibly with a larger screen?) and possibly a low-cost model clad in plastic. It's a safe bet that the release version of iOS 7 will also make an appearance at the event, which is shaping up to be an iPhone- and iOS-focused affair, according to ATD. Feeling a sense of déjà vu? As always, we'll keep you informed when more concrete info makes its way to us.
AT&T lowers Next device pricing, just happens to trump Verizon
Competition can be a beautiful thing. AT&T's Next upgrade pricing hasn't looked good when compared against Verizon Edge in the weeks since launch, but today is a different story: the carrier has quietly lowered the monthly payments for some devices. While the company hasn't said which hardware is cheaper, the Galaxy S 4 and iPhone 5 have dropped from $32.50 per month to $27. Prices are down for BlackBerry and Nokia devices as well, a tipster says. As MacRumors notes, the bargains are rather convenient. While AT&T isn't offering as good a deal as T-Mobile, a 16GB iPhone 5 now costs $1 less through one year of Next payments than it does with a similar Verizon Edge plan. You'll want to act soon if you like what you see, too. AT&T tells us that this is a promotion; although there's no firm end date for the discounts, we wouldn't count on these rates lasting forever. [Thanks, Anonymous]
Clean your iPhone 5's camera from the inside
The iPhone 5, though surprisingly light, is rather sturdily built. And in typical Apple style, the device is completely closed off. Nonetheless, the iPhone 5, over time, can begin accumulating dirt and other unwelcome particles underneath the glass. While this may not ordinarily be a problem, it becomes a huge nuisance when said particles begin affecting the quality of your photographs. Fortunately there are people who can fix such problems, or show you how to "do it yourself." To that end, the following video demonstrates how one can clean the iPhone 5 camera from the inside. Of course, taking apart your iPhone 5 requires specialized tools that may not be easy to find at your local hardware shop. On top of that, we wouldn't recommend that anyone undertake the procedure below without first understanding the risks -- namely that you may actually make things worse! But if you're an enterprising type of person who doesn't mind walking on the wild side, the following video is instructive.
Mod-3 RADIUS case for iPhone 5: The most minimal case you'll ever see
Fresh from the world of Kickstarter comes the most minimal iPhone 5 case you'll ever see. The Mod-3 RADIUS case (US$69.99) is designed to protect your investment from most drops, all while weighing just .155 ounces (4.4 grams). How does it look and work? Read on, and then have a chance to win an all-slate Mod-3 RADIUS case. Design The first time I saw the RADIUS case I didn't think it was a case. It consists of an X-shaped machined aluminum frame that connects to four aluminum corner pieces held on with small specially-made stainless steel hex screws. While it doesn't appear that the RADIUS case can protect anything, it's actually quite an ingenious design. The aluminum X is just thick enough that it will protect the iPhone 5's fragile glass if you happen to drop it flat on the back side. The corner pieces fit the iPhone 5's curves perfectly and are lined with a shock-absorbent material to protect from corner drops. One piece is designed differently from the rest, complete with a hole to surround the iPhone's camera and flash. What if you drop the iPhone face down onto a surface? No problem, as those precisely-engineered corner pieces also have just enough of a raised lip that they'll keep the display from smacking flat onto a floor or table. %Gallery-195431% It's incredibly thin and unbelievably lightweight; now let's see how it works. Functionality I'm not a big fan of machined aluminum cases, mainly because most of the time I end up losing those damned little screws. Apparently Mod-3's engineers read my mind, since they included an Allen wrench and four extra screws in the package. Using the Allen wrench, you remove the bottom corner pieces and carefully slide the X-frame onto the iPhone. The pieces unscrewed with just a few turns of the Allen wrench, at which point I placed the RADIUS onto the back of the iPhone and promptly dropped the two screws. I was able to find one of them; even searching with a strong magnet failed to find the other. Whoever wins the giveaway will get only three spare screws... Putting the two pieces back on was a piece of cake, unlike some other aluminum cases that I've had to wrestle with while reassembling. Once the case is installed, it was almost invisible. I have a black iPhone 5, and the case came in "slate" that blends in nicely. You can choose corner pieces in red or "polished" as well, and the X-piece also comes in the polished finish. The installation instructions suggest that you use something like Loctite to keep the screws from backing out on their own, and I think that's a valid suggestion. If one of the screws comes out while the iPhone is in your pocket, it's doubtful that you'll ever find it again. It's easy to see why the RADIUS case had almost 1,000 backers on Kickstarter. For people who want to protect their iPhone 5 but don't like traditional cases that hide the phone, the RADIUS is perfect. Conclusion The Mod-3 RADIUS is the iPhone 5 case for people who hate cases. The clever design and precision manufacturing make the RADIUS a winner. Pros Incredibly light and thin Provides protection of the iPhone 5 without hiding the design Easy to install and remove Comes in finishes to complement both white and black iPhones Cons Somewhat pricy for less than two-tenths of an ounce of aluminum; you could buy three ounces of silver for the price of this case! Who is it for? The person who wants iPhone protection without the weight and bulk of a traditional case Giveaway Now one of our readers is going to win a slate (black) RADIUS case, courtesy of Mod-3, BiteMyApple.co, and TUAW. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before August 8, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Mod-3 RADIUS iPhone 5 case valued at $69.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Cheeky scam artist puts apples in iPhone boxes, sells them to unsuspecting woman
Buying pricey electronics from a private seller is never advised, but when a woman in Brisbane, Australia met with a seller at a local McDonalds to purchase a pair of "new" iPhones, she figured she was safe. As the Herald Sun reports, after buying what appeared to be two new iPhone boxes from the seller for a total of $1,500 AUD (approx. US$1,300), she returned home to find that the boxes contained actual apples in place of Apple smartphones. The scam began on a UK classifieds site called Gumtree where users can post free ads for items, as well as ads stating they are willing to buy specific goods. The victim in this case posted an ad saying she was looking to buy two iPhones. Of course, the thief's plan would have quickly unraveled if the buyer would have simply opened the boxes to verify their contents. I mean really, always check the box, people, or you're asking for trouble.
Samsung edges past Apple in US smartphone satisfaction study, but reverse is true in Korea
What a difference a year makes. Apple topped American Customer Satisfaction Index's smartphone rankings back in 2012, but Samsung has taken the lead in 2013 by a slim margin. Owners responding to ACSI's national survey gave an 84-point score to both the Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note II, putting the two Samsung phones just past the 82-point iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S. Researchers haven't explained the changing attitudes, although they add that the Galaxy S 4 and other newer phones didn't ship in time to count. It's at least clear that the American sentiment doesn't extend worldwide -- ACSI notes that South Koreans ranked the iPhone 5 higher than the Galaxy S III despite Samsung's home turf advantage. Apple also maintains the lead in ACSI's device-independent scores at 81 points to 76, although Samsung is quickly catching up. It's safe to say that neither smartphone maker can afford to relax.
ADOPTED's Cushion Wrap iPhone 5 case rounds out a fashion case line (Updated)
Way back when I was a kid growing up in the 60's, I loved the unique and comforting feel of the upholstery of the time. Whether it was sitting on the "tuck and roll" upholstery in the back seat of Dad's Oldsmobile, or being snuggled between my parents on a diamond-tucked bench seat in a restaurant somewhere, the cushioned patterns brought life to the rather pedestrian vinyl material that was being used to cover the seats. So imagine my surprise when design house ADOPTED announced the Cushion Wrap line of iPhone 5 cases (US$49.95 each), bringing the look and feel of luxury padded upholstery to a surprisingly thin case. The Cushion Wrap cases come in nine different colors -- black, white, scarlet red, cypress green, ember orange, aqua blue, fusion pink, regatta blue, and slate -- all with a silver trim. The cases are made of a tough polycarbonate, but that's not the selling point of this design -- the back side of the case has a "stain-resistant, soft-grip silicone" cushioned pattern that is more than subtly reminiscent of the upholstery I so fondly remember. I found the Cushion Wrap case a delight to hold in my hand, with the subtle cushioning of the back also providing a surface with more grip. The case is easy to install and remove, and provides full top and bottom access to the iPhone controls and speakers. The Cushion Wrap, along with several of ADOPTED's other case lines, can be found at the Apple Store or purchased directly from the ADOPTED Shop. (Updated: The Cushion Wrap case is not available at the Apple Store, only exclusively from the ADOPTED Shop). We're giving away three ADOPTED cases to celebrate the recent release of the Cushion Wrap line. The first is a black and silver Cushion Wrap, the second a moonlight blue and silver Leather Wrap (above) valued at US$49.95, and the third a white and gold Forged Case (below), also valued at $49.95. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before August 1, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Three winners will be selected. One will receive an ADOPTED Cushion Wrap iPhone 5 case valued at $49.95, one will receive an ADOPTED Leather Wrap iPhone 5 case valued at $49.95, and one will receive an ADOPTED Forged Case for iPhone 5 valued at $49.95 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Talkcast tonight, 10 PM ET: Plastic iPhones, Dev Center woes, Beard
All-new dial-in experience! See below -- do not call into Talkshoe, we won't be there. Be sure to set up Fuze Meeting before the show if you want to join in live. Sheeeesh. Can you believe it's the end of July already? It's like we just went from June to August this year. Anyway, we're going to liven up the evening tonight with the usual TUAW Talkcast, this one with yours truly hosting and with The Loop's Jim Dalrymple (AKA The Beard) as our special guest. Topics will include the continuing rumors about low-cost plastic iPhones, the return of the Dev Centers, and probably some banter about the Apple Q3 financials. All this, and your comments and calls -- what more could you ask? Join us at 10 pm ET/7 pm PT, and we'll have a grand old time. Reminder on new-style talkcasting: With some help from the fine folks at Fuze, we're using a new system to record the show. This should let everyone listen in live -- and, if you want, raise your hand as you would in the Talkshoe room to get unmuted and chime in. You can join the call in progress (meeting # is 20099010) at 10 pm ET from any computer via this link; if you download the Mac or Windows Fuze clients ahead of time, you'll get better audio and a slicker experience, but browser-only will work fine. Just click the phone icon to join the audio once you're in. Using an iPhone or iPad? Grab the native clients from the App Store and get busy. (Even Android users can join the party.) Still feel like using the conventional phone dial-in? Just call 775-996-3562 and enter the meeting number 20099010, then press #. While the Fuze web and native clients have a chat channel, we'd like to reserve that for host participants, requests to talk and other real-time alerts... so the full-on chat for the show will appear in this very post at 10 pm tonight. You'll need Twitter, Facebook or Chatroll credentials to participate in the chat. We'll remind everyone to check back in at that time. Your patience and forbearance with our new tech is appreciated in advance. For the time being, the podcast feed of the show will continue to originate from Talkshoe and should be there within 24-36 hours. See you tonight!
iOS 7 Beta 3 gets benchmarked on iPhone 4 and 5
As we inch our way towards the public release of iOS 7, we are treated to a rather interesting benchmarking video courtesy of YouTube user adrianisen. The clip showcases two different benchmark tools running on iOS 7 Beta 3 on both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 5. It's not clear why the tester chose the standard iPhone 4 as opposed to the more powerful 4S, but it certainly makes the performance difference between the two handsets remarkably apparent. An interesting note: Using Geekbench 2, the iPhone 5 used in the test scores a 1,672 with iOS 7 Beta 3, while my own iPhone 5 running iOS 6.1.4 tops out at 1,664 consistently. It's a small increase, sure, but a promising result regardless. The iPhone 4, on the other hand, doesn't even break the 400-point barrier.
Boston University sues Apple over chip technology patent
We usually associate Boston University with brain studies and bat-chasing UAVs; we'll have to add technology patent lawsuits to the list. Following similar claims versus the likes of Amazon and Samsung, the university has sued Apple for allegedly infringing on a 1997 patent for making gallium nitride thin films used in semiconductors. The university wants both financial compensation (likely the real objective) and a ban on US sales of the purportedly offending iPad, iPhone 5 and MacBook Air. Neither side is commenting on the case, although we suspect that it will end with a whimper, not a bang. Like many big tech firms, Apple tends to fight patent lawsuits when it expects to win, and settle out of court when it doesn't. We'd add that the patent expires in 2015 -- a Boston University victory would have relatively little effect on Apple's future.
A tech geek's trip from hell
I'm on a trip right now out of the country, and so far it's been a tech geek's trip from hell. The first day, I ran my iPhone 5 (running iOS 7 beta 2) out of juice -- not surprising, since the beta OS is somewhat power-hungry at this point. Guess what? The iPhone 5 has decided to refuse to start up normally. It has gone into a continuing loop of trying to start up, then rebooting, ad infinitum. Sad, really -- I was planning on shooting a ton of panoramas with the iPhone 5, and I took some wonderful photos from the airplane on the way over. My only choice with this device is to wait until I get back home and then reload the device with a fresh image of iOS 7. Sigh. At least I have my wife's iPhone as a backup for shooting those panoramas. Day two, spouse and I -- both avid photographers -- spent most of the day shooting images of the beautiful Icelandic countryside. Our usual nighttime habit while we're on our trip is to back up the day's photos onto two iPads so that we have the originals on each camera plus two backups. So, while sitting in the lounge at the hotel tonight, I started doing the backups only to find that the Camera Connection Kit wouldn't read either of the 64 GB SDXC cards. After cussing loudly (don't worry, the lounge was empty except for my wife and me), I did a Google search to find that the Camera Connection Kit won't read SDXC cards unless they're formatted in the time-honored and ancient FAT format. Of course, I assumed that formatting the cards in the camera like I've always done would mean they'd be readable by Apple's Camera Connection Kit. Wrong! So, the 64 GB cards are now back in my bag full of camera goodies, and a pair of 16 GB cards -- SDHC -- have been drafted into service for the rest of the trip.The photos we took today will have to wait until we get back home to be moved to some sort of backup media. In addition, I discovered today that although I brought a variety of charging cables on the trip with me, as well as a device or two to allow me to plug multiple devices into one outlet, I had neglected to grab my European to North American plug adapters. Last night was fine, as I had a fully-charged external battery pack that I used to charge up one iPad and also had one North American standard outlet that I could use to charge up another. Tonight? All of the devices will be hungry for electrons. At least the airline we're flying, Icelandair, has USB chargers built into the seats so we'll be able to charge the devices on the next leg of our trip. Knowing my luck so far, they won't be working. I was happy to see that the hotel had a publi- use iMac near the lobby; my smile turned to a frown when I discovered that they were running Windows 7 under Boot Camp on the machine. After finding that I couldn't access the iMac's SD card reader from Windows 7 (I was going to upload the photos to Dropbox), I reached around to the back of the machine, powered it down, and rebooted in the hope that I could get it to boot into OS X. No such luck; the hotel IT people had set up the machine with a password. My revenge was leaving the iMac unusable to any of the other guests. Mua-haha! Your takeaways from this post? Never assume that your technology is going to work perfectly for you when you need it the most. Read the fine print about the Apple (and third-party) hardware you'll be using, and using the jargon used by my wife in the aerospace business, "test like you fly." In other words, test all of the component parts exactly the way you expect to use them before you actually leave home -- that way you'll be able to avoid issues like the one I ran into with the Camera Connection Kit. I just assumed that because I had formatted SD cards in my camera before and used them successfully with the CCK, that everything would be OK. That was a stupid assumption. Also, create a packing checklist and use it. I would have remembered the plug adapters if I had put them on a list. I fully intended to grab them, but got caught up in the typical last-minute packing rush and spaced them out. Finally, if you're not a tech blogger / writer by trade, consider leaving as much of your tech at home as you can. You'll certainly be immune from stupid annoyances like I've run into if you don't have a lot of technology accompanying you on a trip. And isn't a vacation supposed to be a relaxing time away from the normal hassles of life? I'm going on a three-day long weekend trip at the end of the summer, and I think I may just go with nothing but a good paperback book.
Mobile Miscellany: week of June 24th, 2013
If you didn't get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This week, the Galaxy S 4 was spotted in purple garb, a new Windows Phone was outed for AT&T and US Cellular officially welcomed a budget handset from ZTE into its ranks. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore all that's happening in the mobile world for this week of June 24th, 2013.
RadioShack starts selling Virgin Mobile iPhone 5 tomorrow
Virgin Mobile announced a few days ago that it would soon begin carrying the iPhone 5 without the need for a two-year contract. As such, a 16 GB iPhone 5 can be had for US$549.99 while the 32 GB and 64 GB will retail for $649.99 and $749.99 respectively. We are now seeing reports that the consumers looking to pick up a 16 GB iPhone 5 and sign up for Virgin Mobile's Beyond Talk plan will be able to pick up a device at Radio Shack starting tomorrow. What's more, the nationwide electronics retailer will reportedly be offering trade-in discounts for users with older devices. MacRumors reports: The entry-level 16GB iPhone 5 will retail for $549.99, and customers with an eligible trade-in can receive $50 off the purchase price before July 27. RadioShack is also offering new discounts for Virgin Mobile's iPhone 4 and 4S. The iPhone 4S retails for $400 while the iPhone 4 retails for $300. RadioShack is introducing a $50 promotional discount on the older iPhones until July 6, which can be coupled with the $50 trade-in discount. That drops the price of a contract-free iPhone 4 to $200 with an eligible trade-in. A monthly iPhone plan on Virgin Mobile is only $35/month, or $30 if users sign up for automatic monthly payments. Interested users should be aware that while the cheap monthly plan offers full-speed data at both 3G and 4G, there is a 2.5 GB/month limit that, once reached, reduces data speeds down to 256Kbps for the rest of the monthly billing cycle.
Create and share your own 3D video with Poppy
Nostalgia reigns, as the "iPhone as 3D camera" Poppy pops up on Kickstarter. The Poppy, first reported on Engadget, turns your iPhone 5 into a camera that can capture, view and share photos and video in 3D. The box alone triggers memories of Woody Woodpecker, Mickey Mouse and a variety of cartoons on round cardboard mounts that held seven stereoscopic 3-D pairs of tiny color photographs on film, because it looks very much like your old View-Master toy. The Poppy modernizes the concept by adding a slot for your iPhone 5 to capture two stereographic images using mirrors. The Poppy's lenses unite two video streams into one 3D video experience. You can create your own masterpieces or view 3D content created by someone else, including YouTube videos. According to Engadget's Myriam Joire, who actually tested a prototype, "The front part of the casing rotates 180 degrees to line up the optics with the iPhone's camera, enabling capture mode. Poppy exposes the phone's volume buttons and includes thumb cutouts to access the screen while you're holding it. The device comes with a matching app that makes it easier to view and capture content using the handset's volume buttons." While it's not a pocket device, the "Poppy is the first product that lets the iPhone capture, view and share the world as it is actually experienced -- in 3D," according to co-creator, Ethan Lowry. For less than US$60, you can join the Kickstarter campaign and receive a Poppy of your very own. After the first day of pledges, Poppy has already raised almost 40 percent of its $40,000 goal. While interest in stereographic photography has waned over the years, there are still some very active stereo photography enthusiasts. The National Stereoscopic Association lists 60 organizations world-wide that meet regularly. Contrary to popular opinion, these folks don't just deal with old products. The members are a treasure trove of information on shooting 3D with current products also. The folks from the Stereo New England group alerted me to the Hasbro My3D when it first came out and gave me many tips for shooting in 3D and for cleaning my Dad's 3D slides. Perhaps I can persuade the Poppy developers to add a stereo slide viewing attachment to their new product...
Truffol's iPhone 5 cases prove that luxury doesn't need to mean expensive
I've probably seen every iPhone case in the world at one point or another. For every ten or twenty low-cost plastic cases I see, I might see a single luxury case. These cases are different from the rest, often showing better workmanship, materials like wood, leather, and steel, and a higher price tag. A new entry into the crowded iPhone case market is a company named Truffol, and it appears that they're off to a good start by offering luxury cases that won't empty your wallet. The cases won't be available until July, but I'm going to try to stir up your interest by reviewing the Truffol Signature line of cases. There's the Minimalist (US$60), a beautiful stainless steel "bumper" for your iPhone 5, and the Classic ($75, seen above), which adds Italian leather for good looks and additional protection. Design Let's start with a look at the Minimalist. It truly is a minimalist case, adding only a thin stainless steel frame around the iPhone 5. It adds just .9 mm (.03 inch) to the thickness of an iPhone 5, yet protects the sides from accidental scratches or nicks. The Classic adds a leather backing to the design of the Minimalist. For those who want a bit more protection and a whole lot more Italian leather, the Classic is perfect. Both the Minimalist and Classic cases come in silver and navy, with different colored leather backing (red and navy). %Gallery-192443% Truffol notes that their manufacturing process runs the CNC-cut stainless steel through a nylon brushing process that produces a smooth and beautiful surface. Each one of the cases arrives in a pair of boxes that is worthy of an expensive watch -- one half contains the stainless steel frame and a separate mute button, while the other contains a slender steel bezel and screen protector (Minimalist) or the leather backing (Classic). Functionality One thing I always tend to get irritated about with luxury cases is the need to the manufacturers to ship tools for installation. Sure, it adds a bit of prestige to a product to add a tiny tool set that you use to lock the iPhone into a case, but it also adds unnecessary cost and (in many cases) frustration. Fortunately, neither of the Truffol Signature cases require tools for installation. In fact, of all of the luxury cases that I've reviewed, the Signature cases are about the easiest to install an iPhone 5 into. Opening one of the boxes, you remove the small mute button "cover" and place it into the corresponding hole on the iPhone 5. Then you just take the iPhone, align the mute button on it with the mute button cover on the frame, and drop it in. Next, you open up the other box where the back of the case is located. It has six small metal "fingers" on it -- you drop the back onto the back of your iPhone, then push it down towards the bottom of the iPhone to lock it into place. Now your iPhone is securely locked in the case. It was a pleasure to not have to insert tiny screws or press down on levers that felt like they were going to crack open the iPhone. A big thumbs-up to Truffol for thinking through the installation process. As for the cases, I like the look of the stainless steel. It adds protection all around the sides of the iPhone, and the workmanship is flawless. The leather back on the Classic is also well done, and incredibly thin. Fans of "naked" iPhones will love the Classic, as it adds protection without adding any bulk at all. Conclusion Truffol's entry into the luxury iPhone case market may have a positive effect for iPhone owners. Not only is the company producing high-quality cases, but it is also entering the market at a price point that may force down luxury case prices across the board. Between now and July 10, 2013, Truffol is giving away five Signature cases as part of a pre-launch celebration. You can enter by simply submitting your email address on the Truffol website. TUAW will also be giving away a both a Minimalist and a Classic Signature case later this summer. Pros Very thin and lightweight, while offering good side protection to the iPhone 5 Low price point for a luxury offering Excellent craftsmanship Easy to install or remove without tools Both Minimalist and Classic designs include a clear screen protector Cons None Who is it for? The iPhone 5 owner who wants classy protection but doesn't want to pay the exorbitant amounts charged by others in the luxury case market
Poppy turns iPhone into View-Master-like 3D display and camera (video)
Remember the View-Master? We've already seen goggles from Hasbro and Sanwa that transform the iPhone into a 3D viewer, but Poppy plans to spice things up by adding 3D photo and video capture to the mix. The device, which contains no electronics, is about the size of medium pair of binoculars and features a slot which accepts an iPhone 5. It's launching on Kickstarter today for $49, along with a matching app. We got the chance to take a prototype for a spin and it worked like a charm. Check out the gallery and campaign link below, then read on after the break. %Gallery-192349%
Olloclip announces 2x telephoto lens for iPhone 5, we go hands-on
Remember the Olloclip lens for the iPhone 4? That model's done mighty well in Apple retail stores, so it's only fitting that there's a follow-up. Today at the CE Week line show in New York, we got a look at the company's upcoming telephoto lens, which complements the original clip-on by adding 2X magnification. Priced at $100 versus $70 for its predecessor, the accessory offers a circular polarizing lens on the other side, keeping in line with the company's existing two-in-one design. You can get the standalone clip-on lens for the aforementioned price when the gadget debuts in July -- it's compatible with Olloclip's previously announced $49 iPhone 5 case as well.%Gallery-192393% Zach Honig contributed to this report.
Ballistic adds Hydra waterproof iPhone case to its line
Ballistic makes some amazing cases that can put up with a lot of abuse. TUAW has reviewed the lightweight and stylish Aspira cases for iPhone 5, the Universal Sport Rugged holster and the Tough Jacket for iPad in the past, and all have proven to be tough and able to put up with abuse. But what about water? Today, Ballistic announced the addition of the new Hydra (US$80.00) waterproof iPhone 5 case to its line. The Hydra is relatively thin, thanks to TPE and polycarbonate construction. And to cushion the phone in case of falls, Ballistic's trademarked Air Gap Suspension Springs provide a gap between the case and the device. Waterproofing on the Hydra exceeds IP-68 standards, meaning that it can be submerged in up to seven feet of water for up to 30 minutes. The waterproof design also serves as a way to keep dust out of the case in drier climates. The Hydra comes in a variety of colors and will be available both on the Ballistic Case website and at retail stores.
