Reviews

Summer is here and it's time for partying outdoors. I can't think of a better iPhone accessory to do that with then the TikiTunes Wireless Speaker and Ambient Light ($39.99) from Limitless Innovations. It's a fun, attractive wireless Bluetooth speaker that can be paired with a second TikiTunes speaker to provide true stereo sound. At $40, it's reasonable to get two for that purpose. 

While planning your next family vacation or tropical getaway, you might find yourself wondering how some people grab those great group selfies without losing their iPhone over a waterfall. If you’ve ever found yourself fumbling for the shutter button while trying to take a perfectly framed self-portrait, then it might be time to consider a selfie stick. Read on to learn about the different types of selfie sticks and how to incorporate one into your next group selfie.

Whether you are looking a messenger bag for your laptop or iPad that's all professional style or a briefcase or backpack that can transition from work bag to carry-on or hiking accessory, you need a bag that can carry all your essential tech from one activity to another. We've rounded up five great options for packing and carrying everything you need to get through your busy day.

These days we have a plethora of options when it comes to finding a Qi wireless charger that best suits our needs. While these convenient charging pads have many similarities, no two are the same. In fact, one of the biggest differences I find between charging pads, aside from obvious variances in style and appearance, would have to be the charging wattage that they deliver and therefore how fast they charge. In my testing I found that all of these Qi chargers work well even with iPhones in rugged protective cases.

It's that time of year again, when families want to travel and adventure together, school children and college kids are all out for the summer, and warm weather beckons everyone to the waterside for good times. It’s also the time when your chances of damaging your iPhone increase; whether from dropping your device in the water or from something happening to it while you're out and about on miscellaneous summertime escapades. To better protect your precious devices this summer, a heavy-duty, rugged iPhone case can most definitely be an asset. All of the cases included in this roundup provide superior protection for your iPhone, year round, with varying levels of insulation from dust, snow, mud, impact and water intrusion. Which one you decide to go with will depend on personal taste and how you intend to use your iPhone. Worth mentioning: Along with providing exceptional protection for your iPhone, all of these cases allow Qi wireless charging. Also worth mentioning, unless otherwise specified, all of the cases featured here that are compatible with the iPhone 8 or 8 Plus will be compatible with the older iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.

If you like PopSockets but wish there was a larger version for iPads and other tablets, there is good news from Safetray Products. The G-Hold iPad Holder ($29.95) is similar to a PopSocket, but it is larger and it can be more easily repositioned because it uses Micro Suction not adhesive. Safetray, as its name suggests, is known for similar adapters to help waitstaff keep a grip on serving trays; so this is right up the company's alley.

Once a technology, in this case, backup batteries, becomes a free give away for marketing purposes, it gets harder and harder to find products that warrant a review. MyCharge has managed to create a new backup battery worthy of your attention. The $49.99 MyCharge AdventureMax packs a 10050mAh battery into an attractive but rugged  compact portable charger that weighs just half a pound. The plastic case looks great and the material offers a secure feel when it's being held. The AdventureMax will charge two devices at a time via its 2.4A standard USB ports.

Should You Purchase the HomePod? 

iPhoneLife CEO and writer David Averbach reviews audio quality, "Hey Siri" performance, the HomePod's fit into Apple's ecosystem, five of his favorite HomePod features, and who should and shouldn't purchase a HomePod.