iPhone
5 Awesome Eco-Friendly iPhone Cases
By Conner Carey
Happy Earth Day! At its Spring Event, Apple covered all the ways in which it’s helping the environment. Apple’s goal is to run all of its operations on 100 percent renewable energy, and it’s a goal the rest of the world needs to take more seriously as well. When it comes to a getting a case for our iPhone, there are often other factors we consider like protection and functionality. So here’s some of the best cases that deliver both on features and eco-friendliness.
I had the opportunity to try a few VRS Design cases for my new iPhone SE, including their Crystal Bumper Series Case ($32.99). While most iPhone 5s cases will "just work" out of the box, VRS deliberately created new versions for the iPhone SE. The result is, while the phone has the hard, flat edges of the iPhone 5 and 5s, when ensconced in cases from the Crystal Bumper Series or High Pro Shield Series or Thor Series, they resemble the soft, curved edges of the iPhone 6 and 6s. If you like that, then these cases can make the iPhone SE feel like the 6 series.
Kindle by Amazon may still hold the monopoly on e-books, but Apple is trying to catch up. The iBooks app has seen consistent improvements. One great advantage it has over Kindle is the ability to purchase a book within iBooks and immediately begin reading it. Another great feature is the ability to preview chapters from the Table of Contents with an iPhone that has 3D Touch. Here’s how to do it.
With the introduction of iOS 9.3, we saw new additions to Apple apps that are 3D Touch enabled. One such addition is the Settings app. Often, there are three main places within our Settings that we need to visit on a regular basis: Battery, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. By adding 3D Touch to the Settings app, Apple has made it super easy to access those frequently visited sections. If you have an iPhone with 3D Touch (iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus), then this will be a welcome addition.
Check AT&T account balance
By Rich Hall
You can check the balance on your AT&T bill or the remaining number of minutes you have directly from your iPhone. From the Home screen, go to Settings >Phone >AT&T Services. Select Check Bill Balance or View My Minutes. AT&T will promptly send you a free SMS with the info.
It’s Time to Enter the 9th Annual iPhone Photography Awards
By Conner Carey
Between the ever-improving camera and amazing editing apps available, the iPhone has become more than just an amateur's tool for photography. If you’re someone who loves to take photos with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, consider entering this year’s IPPAwards, also known as The iPhone Photography Awards. There is a long list of categories photographers can choose from including Animals, Tree, Nature, People, Still Life, Events, Sunset, and more.
Opinion: Apple’s Spring Event Leaves Much to Be Desired
By Conner Carey
We all sat around the table as Tim Cook made his closing remarks saying, “this can’t be the end. It’s only been an hour. Is that it?” Beginning at 10 a.m Pacific Time, the Apple Spring Event was exactly what the rumors predicted with a couple unexpected features. Tim Cook began by addressing the ongoing controversy between Apple and the FBI stating, “we did not expect to be in this position, at odds with our government,” but, “We will not shrink from this responsibility.”
How to View a Location by 3D Touching a Pin in Maps
By Conner Carey
With 3D Touch, you can quickly preview information, web pages, access Quick Actions, and more functions for apps are being added all the time. One such function is the ability to get information about a location and select actions pertaining to the address in the Maps app. You can use 3D Touch when pressing a pin or an address in Maps and it’s a super convenient way to jump into getting directions. Here’s how to get information about a location by pressing a pin in Maps.
11 Best iPhone Tricks You Didn't Know Existed
By Jim Karpen
Apple’s iOS has tons of features, so many that no one could ever use them all. And many aren’t obvious. We’ve rounded up 11 useful and novel features that are either buried deep or hidden in iOS. Some of these also work on an iPad.
8 Gorgeous iPhone 6/6s Cases for Any Personality
By Conner Carey
We choose our iPhone cases for different reasons. Whether you want something to protect your phone from elements or show off your personality, we all have preferences. Currently, I’m keeping it classy with a case that doubles as my wallet, and let me tell you, it is convenient. But before that, my favorite cases were always ones with beautiful designs that either inspire me or make me laugh. With all the thousands of options on the market, it’s not always easy to narrow in on the case for you. So, here’s a list of eight awesome and beautiful cases for the iPhone 6/6s to fit (nearly) any personality.
Apple March Event: Everything You Need to Know
By Conner Carey
We’re less than a month away from Apple’s first big event of the year. The latest rumors indicate Apple will hold its keynote event the week of March 21, instead of the previously thought March 15. Apple’s Spring event will likely be slightly smaller in scale; rumors indicate the company will hold the event at the Town Hall Auditorium on the 1 Infinite Loop campus. It was originally thought we’d see a new Apple Watch 2, but the rumor mill seems to now agree that will have to wait until September. Here’s everything you need to know about the products we do expect Apple to release in March.
The V-MODA Crossfade Wireless ($300) is an impressive pair of Bluetooth headphones with exceptionally hi-definition audio and the convenience of wireless listening enjoyment. They are considered by headphone aficionados to be the best wireless headphones for DJs, gamers, audiophiles and anyone who wears their headphones for long stretches and demands optimum audio quality.
It's that time of year again. Right after a new iPhone comes out there is the inevitable deluge of great cases to protect your new investment. This happens with every iPhone release, but perhaps never more markedly than with the introduction of the completely new form factors of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. If ever an iPhone called for a protective case it is these large and larger models, with their increased real estate, slick, rounded edges and extra heft. Rather than clump an assortment of different cases together, I'll be focusing on one great case each week over the course of the coming months. In a break from the norm, this week we are featuring two different waterproof cases: the LUNATIK TAKTIK 360 ($119.95) and the LUNATIK AQUATIK ($89.95).
How to Preview a City’s Weather in the Weather App
By Conner Carey
3D Touch, introduced with the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, is still a relatively new feature and as such, more Quick Actions and Peek & Pops are being added to third-party and Apple apps all the time. Every instance where I can use 3D Touch is a welcome shortcut, and previewing a city’s weather is one of those instances. You already know that you can have multiple cities listed in your Apple Weather app, but did you know you can use Peek & Pop to preview each one? Here’s how.
How to Peek at a Bookmark without Opening It
By Conner Carey
When it comes to 3D Touch, it’s hard to know when you can and can't use it. Since it’s a fairly new feature on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, even Apple apps are still updating software to include options like Quick Actions or Peek & Pop. One such occasion when you might not realize you can use Peek & Pop for is when viewing your Bookmarks in Safari. This is a great way to see where your saved links lead and makes clearing old bookmarks much quicker.
How to Peek at an Artist in Apple Music
By Conner Carey
Since getting the iPhone 6s, I’ve slowly but surely become accustomed to Peek & Popping various links in different apps. But the problem with 3D Touch being a relatively new feature is that you’re not always sure when you can and can't use it. Luckily, Apple and developers are consistently adding Quick Actions and Peek & Pop features to existing apps. One such app you can utilize the Peek function in is Music. Here’s how.
Educational Games for Kids: Introducing Monster Math 2
By Krisoy Desouza
Monster Math 2 (free) is an educational game for children and a great way to get kids to learn the skill of mathematics in a fun way. The app has more than 40 math skills using the “big four” of addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication.
Apple’s Q1 2016 Earnings Report: Everything You Need to Know
By Conner Carey
If you have stock in Apple, take a sigh of relief. Yesterday afternoon the company announced record quarterly profit, netting $18.4 billion dollars in Q1 2016. “Our team delivered Apple’s biggest quarter ever, thanks to the world’s most innovative products and all-time record sales of iPhone, Apple Watch and Apple TV,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. The quarter, which ended December 26, 2015, saw record breaking revenue as well, raking in $75.9 billion dollars. Wall Street warned Apple’s soaring numbers couldn’t last, but the company continues its upward climb.. for now.
7 Cool & Creative iPhone Cases for Artists
By Conner Carey
There are iPhone cases for every type of personality, from the rugged, life-proof beasts to the professional, leather covers. Collections of cases are made fairly streamlined though; what if you want to show off your personality or love of art with your iPhone case? There is an array of websites offering graphic design covers but, recently, I came across Redbubble, a company that features independent art on all kinds of gear. Here are seven of my favorites amongst the 8000 options the website offers.