Apps

Best Smart Gear for Pets

Our pets give us so much: affection, comfort, entertainment, and, if you’re a dog owner, plenty of exercise. But as every animal lover knows, being a pet parent isn’t all fun and games! Pets require food, water, veterinary care, supervision, and, of course, someone to clean up after them. Here are the smart devices that help the iPhone Life crew spend less time on pet chores and cleaning, and more time enjoying our furry, scaly, and feathery friends.

8 Apps to Bring Cheer to Virtual Holiday Celebrations

It’s been a weird couple of years, and as another holiday season approaches, it may still be a challenge to figure out how to bring everyone together to celebrate. With many jobs returning to in-person work, busy family schedules, and the still-looming risk of the COVID pandemic and other scary diseases, it may not be safe or possible to travel long distances. However, as we've learned over the past three years, there’s still plenty of cheer to spread virtually. We've all become experts at making the most of virtual gatherings and celebrations, and I’ve researched some virtual ways to give meaningful gifts, enjoy activities with family far away, and help those who need your support after these tough few years.

apps for writers top image

Any writer can tell you that taking a writing project from start to finish requires a seemingly endless system of steps and tasks. However, one of the best things to emerge from the computer age is sophisticated software designed specifically for writers. I’ve researched and tested the best resources to take you through your entire writing process—from brainstorming, to outlining, to writing, to editing—so you can finally banish writer’s block and master your story’s organization.

Smart Outdoor Living in 2025

By Sarah Kingsbury

Smart Outdoor Living in 2024

One of my favorite things since I moved to Las Vegas is starting my day by sipping coffee on my patio as the sun rises, surrounded by thriving flowers and herbs, while a small fountain burbles in the background, and hummingbirds whizz to and from the feeder so quickly they’re gone before I can even catch a good look. My second favorite thing is sitting on the patio enjoying the evening breeze sipping wine with my husband or friends with the perfect lighting and background music to set the mood. The only thing that could make it better is if it all happened with little to no effort from me. That’s why this spring, I decided to extend my smart home to the outdoors and turn my patio into a tech-powered haven for pollinators and people alike.

Does Walmart Take Apple Pay?

Apple Pay continues to grow in popularity as the contactless digital wallet offers great convenience to users. It allows them to make payments in stores and online without needing to have physical credit cards or cash on hand. Unfortunately, not all stores and sites allow the use of Apple Pay, and Walmart is one of those that do not.

Best Photography Gear for 2025

By Michael Schill

Best Photography Gear for 2024

I turned 72 this year and have been enjoying photography for close to 50 years. I started with a Pentax 35mm film camera and while taking photos of my children one day in the living room with a wonderful light coming in my south window, I captured several images that were accidentally extraordinary. With that experience, I was hooked. Fast forward 30–40 years, and now I enjoy an incredibly rich universe of photographic capabilities I can carry around in my pocket.

Best Smart Camping Gadgets

With summer comes the opportunity for campouts, road trips, barbecues, and hikes. Sometimes the simple act of investing in a small bit of gear can be a motivator to get out and appreciate the natural beauty around us. From creative portable lighting to the best ways to keep cool in the summer heat, here is a well-rounded list of new tech to enhance your next road trip or campout.

5 Best Word Puzzle Games of 2025

By Amy Spitzfaden Both

If you own an iPhone, you've undoubtedly seen ads for word games promising to raise your IQ and keep your mind as alert as a twenty-year-old's. While I can't guarantee that, I have found the five best word games in terms of app quality, enjoyability, and perfect levels of challenge. Download these to help you relax on your sofa while giving your mind a little workout.

allergy apps top image

Avoiding allergens, taking preventive medication, and alerting others to allergic conditions are three ways that people with allergies can preserve their health and be prepared in the event of exposure. Luckily, app developers are here to help. Here are seven apps to help you avoid and manage your allergies, so you can spend less time sneezing and more time enjoying your day.

Apple Watch Sleep Tracking: Best Apple Watch Sleep Tracker (2023)

The Apple Watch has a comprehensive built-in sleep tracker that can analyze your sleep graph, create a healthy bedtime routine, and even monitor your nightly heart rate, body temperature, breathing rate, etc. If you want to dive even deeper into sleep tracking, I’ll introduce you to paid and free third-party apps that use artificial intelligence to help track, analyze, and improve your sleeping habits.

Pages