Consumer Electronics Wins

Apple has quietly released a 0.5m version of its Lightning to USB Cable ($19). Although half the size of the “standard” cables it has been selling, it retains the same price; its release suggests that Apple may shift to packing shorter Lightning cables in with future products. Apple also tweaked […] Read the original post…

Powerskin has introduced Pop’n ($80), an external 2000 mAh battery charger that affixes to the back of an iPhone 5, using a dangling Lightning plug for connectivity. Pop’n can adhere to iPhones and some existing iPhone cases by using small, flexible suction cups; the size of the Lightning connector will […] Read the original post…

Urbanears has introduced Slussen ($15), a stylish-looking portable DJ adapter with a free companion app. Slussen plugs into an iOS device, using two 3.5mm jacks to connect headphones and a sound system. Upon launching the app, users can hear one song through headphones while another is playing through the speaker. […] Read the original post…

Evolve established the wireless speaker template that Speaker Trio is following. For the same $300 price, Griffin bundled two detachable, battery-powered speakers with a charging base and integrated iPod dock, enabling the iPod to broadcast music to the cube-shaped speakers at up to 150-foot distances using a digital 900mHz signal. […] Read the original post…

A security flaw in iOS 6.1 allows anyone to bypass the iPhone’s lock screen to view and modify contacts, listen to voicemails, and browse photos. Using the phone’s emergency call function, a series of precise steps involving making an emergency call and holding down the power button can let anyone […] Read the original post…

It’s not a stretch to say that Rain Design’s new iSlider ($50) is the best product we’ve seen from the long-time Apple accessory maker. The aluminum and plastic accessory has a design reminiscent of the original iPhone and full-sized iPads; pulling at the black plastic end of the wedge reveals […] Read the original post…

Right out of the packaging, it’s clear that iHome and LifeWorks chose to use lower quality materials and skimped a little bit on manufacturing quality, too. Both the polyurethane exterior of the lid and the soft, faux leather sticker on the back of the shell feel cheap and show cosmetic […] Read the original post…

Collins Tech Pack’s exterior is a heather gray canvas fabric, with what feel like real leather accents; if it’s faux material, it’s high quality. The adjustable shoulder strap is strong nylon, as is the band that holds the bag shut when connected to a metal hook. All of the materials […] Read the original post…

Marware is gearing up to launch Swurve ($30), its kid-friendly iPad mini case. Made of a single piece of thick, foam material with significant bumpers on its sides, the case envelops the tablet in order to keep it safe from drops and bumps. It leaves access for the Lightning and […] Read the original post…

Nat Brown, “a founder of the original xBox project at Microsoft” who “gave it its name,” has suggested in a blog post that Apple could easily turn the Apple TV into an open game console, taking advantage of the still-poor Xbox user and developer experience to rapidly conquer the market. […] Read the original post…

Q: I’m wondering if there is a way to direct all of my calls to my voicemail without actually having to turn on Airplane Mode? I know there’s a “Do Not Disturb” feature on the new iPhones, but as I understand it, that will also silence all of my other […] Read the original post…

Announced via a short press release, Apple modestly updated its high resolution laptops today, unveiling new versions of the 13” and 15” MacBook Pro with Retina display (Early 2013) ($1499-$2799). Two hundred bucks have been slashed off the price of the base model, while the higher-end 13” and both 15” […] Read the original post…

The case is named for the foam material used in a small central circle of protection and padding on the four corners. Its core is a curved, clear, hard plastic back surrounded by sturdy rubber edges that protect the volume buttons while leaving the Sleep/Wake button exposed. Along the bottom, […] Read the original post…

Over the past several years, the young and particularly value-focused company Soundfreaq has become one of the best speaker designers in the Apple accessory industry: it has earned high ratings for numerous products, notably including its portable Sound Kick, which earned our 2012 CES Overall Best of Show Award — […] Read the original post…