The dock is four inches in diameter, a perfect circle of aluminum atop a layer of plastic, with rubber underneath to prevent slipping. Towards the front is the Made for iPhone-certified Lightning plug, found in the center of a 2.25” long, spring-loaded base. Behind it, there’s a curved piece of […] Read the original post…
First Look: Zoom iQ5 Professional Stereo Microphone with Lightning Connector
Zoom’s iQ5 Professional Stereo Microphone with Lightning Connector ($100) is an interesting new accessory. The mid-side microphone has two mic elements, making it suitable for portrait or landscape recording. On the front of the device, you’ll find switches for the stereo width setting and auto gain, while there’s a mic […] Read the original post…
Mac: LaCie Sphère
If you’re thinking $500 is crazy expensive for a 1TB speaker these days, we’re right there with you. But exceptions can be made for works of art, and LaCie’s new Sphère ($490) may be one of them. Designed, handcrafted and silvered by Christofle in France, it’s definitely a looker. The […] Read the original post…
Review: MarBlue Axis for iPad Air
The iPad easily snaps in and out of the shell, which doesn’t include button protection but is otherwise pretty good in terms of coverage. That shell is attached to the inside of the back cover by a snap along the left edge, and a pivoting segment on the right. Disconnecting […] Read the original post…
News: Apple hiring iPod/iPhone engineers for Arizona plant
Apple has started hiring for its new Mesa, Arizona manufacturing facility and one of the job listings is for an iPod/iPhone Manufacturing Design Engineer. Under key qualifications, Apple notes that it is seeking “world class engineers that will provide end to end manufacturing and process solutions for key design features.” […] Read the original post…
News: Report: Apple to relaunch 8GB iPhone 4 in India
Apple will relaunch the 8GB version of its iPhone 4 in India, The Economic Times reports. The iPhone 4 will be priced at 15,000 rupees (about $244). According to the report, Apple is relaunching the phone after losing sales and market share to Samsung. No release date has been announced, […] Read the original post…
News: Apps: Assassin’s Creed Pirates 1.1, GoodReader 3.20, INKredible + Kindle 4.1
Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Pirates ($5) has added Nassau as a new location in version 1.1.0. Nassau features 10 new secondary missions, 12 new treasures, 3 new ships to unlock, and a new pirate, Charles Vane. Vane is notably featured in a new campaign mission. New defense gameplay has been added, […] Read the original post…
First Look: Soundfreaq Double Spot SFQ-09 Wireless Speaker
Inspired by the company’s 2013 speaker Sound Spot, Soundfreaq’s new Double Spot SFQ-09 ($120/$150) didn’t initially make a lot of sense to us: it’s larger and more expensive than the company’s breakthrough Sound Kick, but has only one obvious advantage — it puts out louder rather than better-quality sound. In […] Read the original post…
Mac: Lenmar ChugPlug
Lenmar’s ChugPlug ($160) was one of a handful of Best of Show Award-winners at the 2014 International CES, and the only solely Mac-focused product of the bunch. Up until now, the only real option for providing portable power to a MacBook has come in the form of Sanho’s HyperJuice, an […] Read the original post…
News: Google announces $3.2B Nest acquisition
Google has announced it has agreed to acquire Nest for $3.2 billion. Nest Founder and CEO Tony Fadell was formerly senior vice president of Apple’s iPod division, and has been referred to as the “father of the iPod.” The company is best known for its Nest Learning Thermostat, and recently […] Read the original post…
Review: OtterBox Preserver Series Cases for iPhone 5/5s/5c
Much like Fr?, Preserver Series Case is mostly made of plastic, although it’s augmented by a soft foam insert along the back plate. Once the iPhone is inserted into the front tray, the back snaps on at six different points. The case offers Sleep/Wake and volume button protection, plus a […] Read the original post…
News: Harman/Kardon shows Blu-Ray, Bluetooth + AirPlay systems
Harman/Kardon recently announced its BDS 3D Blu-Ray systems, the BDS 580 ($1,099) and BDS 280 ($510). The iOS-compatible Wi-Fi Blu-Ray players have built-in AirPlay and Bluetooth functionality, enabling iPads, iPhones, and iPods to stream content directly to the receiver. Dolby Volume is included, which balances the volume between loud and […] Read the original post…
First Look: Soundfreaq Sound Rise SFQ-08 Wireless Speaker with Alarm Clock
Although it’s a sequel of sorts to Soundfreaq’s 2012 docking alarm clock Sound Rise SFQ-05, this isn’t “Sound Rise 2,” but rather Sound Rise SFQ-08 ($70), a rethought version that’s smaller, less expensive, and a little less powerful sonically. Built with Bluetooth 4 rather than Bluetooth 2.1, the new model […] Read the original post…
First Look: SuperTooth Disco 4 Bluetooth Speaker
Disco 4 ($100) is the first significant redesign in SuperTooth’s Bluetooth speaker family since the Disco 2 in 2012. Instead of the hourglass-like shape of its predecessors, this one is shaped to look like a megaphone. Coming in a variety of colors, it has a rubber handle on top, enabling […] Read the original post…
First Look: ZeroChroma VarioSC for iPad Air
Improved from the award-winning iPad mini version, ZeroChroma’s new VarioSC for iPad Air ($50, previously Vario-SC) is the latest and greatest generation of a case we’ve enjoyed using for years. Made predominantly from TPU-style soft black plastic, the new VarioSC is impressively svelte on the Air, now featuring top and […] Read the original post…