Reviews

The new iPhones are out and they continue to get better, in particular when it comes to photography. But one area that could use help is lighting, especially when it comes to using the self-facing camera. That's where the Lighting Kit for Smartphone ($99.99) comes in. Lume Cube gave me a kit to try. I often record videos from trade shows and I can see how valuable this will be for me.

In the 100th episode (hurray for making it to triple digits!) of the iPhone Life Podcast, Sarah, Donna, and David share all of their best recommendations of movies, music, podcasts, and apps to enjoy over the holidays. From cooking apps for a festive dinner to interactive iPhone games for the whole family, this episode will give you everything you need for a merry, cheerful end to the year. Note: We'll be back January 10 for episode 101, where we'll be reporting live from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas!

In the 99th episode of the iPhone Life Podcast, David shares his insights after spending a month with Apple's new iPad Pro. Learn whether or not the latest generation tablet with Face ID and an edge-to-edge display can really function like a computer or whether it's still a luxury device for browsing the web. In this episode, the team also shares their favorite product recommendations from iPhone Life's 2018 Tech buyer's guide.

I have used Sennheiser wired headsets for years, finding them to be high quality sound and comfort. So I was excited when Sennheiser announced their initial entry into the rapidly crowding market of wireless earbuds.  How could they possibly match the audio and comfort quality they were known for in the wired headset world in the earbud market, especially when even high-end wireless earbuds were prone to subpar audio reproduction and dropouts?  It was with some trepidations that I inserted each earbud and cranked up the tunes to determine if Sennheiser could master the wireless space as well as they had the wired audio experience.  Read on to find out.

Now that November is here I can officially start thinking about Christmas gift ideas, and lucky for me I was tasked with writing this roundup of top tech gifts under $100. I found so many cool things to buy for the 2018 holidays; gifts for women and men, and even a few things kids and teenagers will love. Let's get started with my 2018 Buyer's Guide for tech gadgets, including toasty warm winter texting gloves, a GPS tracker to help find lost items, a smart water bottle, and more. Your friends and loved ones are going to be really happy with their presents this year! 

iPhone cameras are improving every year, to the point where we can all take (and edit) professional-grade photos with just our phones. Still, once you've dived into iPhone photography there are a few accessories you may want to try out; we've rounded up our favorite photo gear for this very reason. From iPhone camera attachments like lenses, to our favorite iPhone tripod, to an awesome starter drone, an iPhone photo printer, and of course a selfie stick, we've gathered our favorite gear of the year right here. We've also included a few extras like a travel bag, a waterproof iPhone case, and some great free photo filter and editing apps to take you from start to finish on your photography adventure. Let's get started! 

It seems like there are apps and smart gear for every aspect of life these days, and that even applies to caring for our pets! We've researched the best electronic pet accessories for our 2018 Buyer's Guide, including items like a GPS tracker, automatic cat and dog feeder, a microchip-enabled cat and dog door, and even a smart dog toy. Read on to learn more about some of the best new gear for keeping your animals safe, healthy, and entertained. 

I had the opportunity to try the updated BEDDI Glow SE ($79.99) from WITTI. I reviewed the original model, and was happy when WITTI sent me the newer version. This one has a compact footprint and battery backup, two valuable enhancements for nightstand use, which is how I used my original BEDDI for years. You can set multiple alarms on different days, such as a weekday alarm for work or school and a weekend alarm that's a little later.

I recently reviewed a number of iPhone accessories from Moshi, so I was surprised when the company sent me another item just a few days later. It looks like Moshi was working on something that improves upon the items I just reviewed. The Porto Q 5K Portable Battery with Built-in Wireless Charger ($84.95) has a nice fabric and rubber surface like their previous wireless Qi charger, but this has some welcome enhancements.

Our iPhones are our constant companions, so we need gear and accessories to keep them charged and protected from accidents. We've rounded up some of our favorite iPhone screen protectors, charging cables, power stations, and even an iPhone cleaning kit in our 2018 Buyer's Guide to iPhone accessories. You'll find items from Zagg, Nomad, mophie, and more, offering a range of rugged, innovative, and even elegant products for your iPhone. 

At the 2018 CES show, I spent some time chatting with the fine folks at Energrid. I'm interested in accessibility because I've designed apps for and used by blind and low-vision users. Energrid also develops products that help the visually impaired; and in fact, everybody can benefit from the VS150X Power Bank ($75). 

So you've decided to purchase one of Apple's new iPhones, the iPhone XS, but the price tag is a bit high (starting at $999.) This may lead you to wonder if you can save a bit of money by using cases you purchased for your old iPhone X on your new iPhone XS; after all, they're the same size, right? Unfortunately, only some iPhone X cases will fit your new iPhone XS. Read on to find out when you can and can't use your iPhone X case for your new iPhone XS. 

Do You Read on Your iPhone?

By Sarah Kingsbury

In the 94th episode of the iPhone Life Podcast, members of the team discuss the pros and cons of reading books on their iPhones, using a Kindle, listening to audiobooks, or buying old-fashioned paperbacks. Other topics include how to take advantage of iOS 12's location-based Do Not Disturb settings, tuning apps for musicians, and an iPhone game that has recently become Sarah’s guilty pleasure.

When the iPhone X made its debut in 2017, it was dubbed Apple's most breakable iPhone ever—ouch. This year all three of Apple's new iPhones, the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, have glass backs. But Apple insists they include, "the most durable glass ever in a smartphone... and a new level of water and dust resistance." Nevertheless, these are all pricey devices, so iPhone cases are a must to protect your purchase. With that in mind, here's a review of the best iPhone cases on the market for the iPhone X, XS, XS Max, and XR. Whether you need a cool iPhone case that's waterproof or one just tough enough to make sure those pretty glass backs and OLED screens never shatter or crack, our roundup has all the best protective phone cases for your new iPhone. First, we'll cover waterproof iPhone cases for the X, XS, XS Max, and XR, many of which also offer heavy-duty drop protection. For those less concerned about iPhone water damage, we'll also look at cases focused solely on being drop proof and shatterproof. Let’s jump in; here are the best cases for Apple's new iPhones from Otterbox, UAG, Lifeproof, and more. 

When Apple released the original iPhone back in 2007, you had two models to choose from: 4 GB or 8 GB. Those were simpler times. There was only one color (black), and it was sold on one carrier (AT&T). While there was no App Store, no Siri, and no iCloud, there were also very few decisions you had to navigate. Fast forward to this September when Apple announced its new product lineup at the Steve Jobs theater, and the tech giant announced three new iPhones—the iPhone XS, the iPhone XS Max, and the iPhone XR. Each phone has a unique set of tradeoffs to analyze. Not to mention the fact that Apple still sells the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 7. If you count all the generations, sizes, storage options, and colors, you now have 69 different iPhones to choose from. Thankfully, we’re here to walk you through all the new devices and help you figure out which one is right for you.

Apple unveiled iOS 12 today at the WWDC 2018 Keynote, and we can expect exciting improvements and features when the iOS update is released in the fall. From overall upgrades to performance, privacy, and security, to app overhauls for the News and Stocks apps, to fun additional Animoji choices, as well as the brand-new Memoji option, Apple engineers have put together a well-balanced crowd-pleaser of an operating system that we can't wait to upload to our devices! Let's go over which devices are compatible with iOS 12, discuss all the new iOS features, and learn how to sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program to try out iOS 12 before the official release date. 

If you're into iPhone photography and filming, there will come a time when you feel the need to start investing in accessories to improve your results. One of the most basic yet helpful extras you can buy is an iPhone tripod. A phone tripod can help you get your best shots by stabilizing your iPhone, thereby eliminating unwanted movement and jiggling while you film or live stream. A tripod is also very handy when the time comes for a selfie or group shot where you'd like to include everyone. Whether you have the newest iPhone or an older version like the iPhone 6, iPhone 7, or iPhone 7 plus, there's a tripod out there that will help you take your filming and photography to the next level. Let's get started learning about three of my recommendations for your upcoming purchase. 

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