By Linda Ruth
With my 35th wedding anniversary coming up, I wanted to plan something extra special. My husband is ambivalent about travel—sure, it’s a big treat, but it’s also a big pain. Plus, when you travel, you’re not at home! I have a reputation as the family’s travel planner. This year, though, I wondered: might AI have something to contribute?
By Olena Kagui
Since every iPhone comes out with a better camera than the last, many of us have ditched those bulky digital cameras and use our smartphones instead. As an iPhone photography and videography enthusiast, I am always looking for gear to take my shots to the next level.
By Leanne Hays
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 Watches are great fitness companions, business assistants, and the perfect extension to your other Apple devices. Luckily, Apple Watch bands are as versatile as the watch itself. With a wide variety of materials, designs, and colors, there is a band for every occasion. Do not miss out on this exciting form of Apple Watch customization. Learn about the most popular Apple Watch bands and find out which is right for you.
By Olena Kagui
Gone are the days when tech and water didn’t mix. Today we have a wide selection of water-resistant and waterproof products that can enhance our poolside days and beach trips. Living on Maui gives me constant opportunities to test the best beach and pool gear against the elements. I’ll share my favorite gear with you that passed the test of tropical island life.
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.
By Olena Kagui
With the number of different Apple Watch bands, covers, and complications, standing out is as simple as swiping over to a customized new watch face. The best Apple Watch faces are both practical and pretty. Some cool watch faces may put a strain on your battery life, so here's how to choose the best Apple Watch face that won't drain your battery.
By Hal Goldstein
I’d never enjoyed wearing a watch—I didn’t like how it felt on my wrist. However, the idea of a wearable computer intrigued me, so in 2016 I bought an Apple Watch Series 2. I tried it for a few days and ended up reselling it. In 2019, hearing of the health benefits, I bought the Series 5. That watch met the same fate.
By Rhett Intriago
When it comes to the iPhone, I’ve always been happy with the base model. In fact, when Apple started producing mini versions of the iPhone, those were the ones I gravitated toward. I have had a 13 mini since it was released and would have happily held onto it for another few years. However, this year, I decided to take a risk and pick up the new iPhone 15 Pro. Here are my thoughts.
By Rhett Intriago
AirPods are undoubtedly the best wireless earbuds for iPhone users, due to their seamless integration and ease of use. You might be interested in picking up a pair of AirPods, but you’re unsure of which model to buy. That’s why we’ve put together this comparison of AirPods models to help you make an informed decision.
By Olena Kagui
Can you play games on Apple Watches? Yes! While the Apple Watch is a serious piece of equipment, it can also be used to blow off steam with games directly on your wrist. Learn how to get games on your Apple Watch and relive the good old days of Nokia’s classic snake game on your watch face. If retro games are not your style, don’t worry, there are many exciting games to play on Apple Watch and many are completely free.
As Apple has made advancements in waterproofing the Apple Watch, one thing was holding it back. Leather bands are not meant to be used in the water. Finally, Nomad, the makers of numerous high-quality leather accessories for Apple devices (and others), has developed a leather watch band that's up to the task. I picked up an Active Strap for Apple Watch ($69.96) at the recent Consumer Electronics Show just in time for a trip to Florida and the Bahamas. Ordinarily, I would have left the Apple Watch at home, but not this time.
In this day and age it's become commonplace for us to do just about everything with our iDevices, which means that we need gear that can keep up with us on any outlandish escapades, as well as on our day to day grind. The items featured here represent some of the best in their respective categories; built tough and designed with integrity and durability to handle the adventures that lie ahead. Many of the products featured here have impressive MIL-STD or IP ratings.
Here at iPhone Life we love turning people on to great gear that fits their specific purpose and need and we're hoping that these reviews will make your holiday shopping that much easier. Whether as a present for yourself, or as gift idea for family or friends, this list of exceptional products will help you find the perfect accessories.
By Sarah Kingsbury
In this special back-to-school episode, the iPhone Life team shares tips and gear recommendations for students and parents and gives you the scoop on Apple's free Beats headphones for students who buy MacBooks or iPads. Also listen in to hear the latest iPhone 8 and Apple Watch rumors as Apple's fall announcement approaches.
Ever since the social app Snapchat debuted on the App Store two years ago, parents everywhere have been hyper aware of the downsides of their teens downloading and using the popular app.
Parents are concerned about enabling their children to receive (or send) sexually inappropriate photos or videos, photos that bully, or images taken in bad taste. If parents think they can routinely check their teen's phone to look for signs of these behaviors, Snapchat puts an end to that. When you take a photo in the app, it's not saved to the camera roll, and when you view a photo in Snapchat, it's available to the viewer for less than 10 seconds, and then it's gone forever.
I'm enjoying making my home smarter via Apple HomeKit-compatible devices. In this post I'll cover a handy gadget from Elgato that lets you monitor how much electricity an appliance is using: Eve Energy ($49.95). Elgato has also given me Eve Weather and Eve Door & Window and I'll cover those HomeKit devices in future posts.
The absolute best iPad Pro accessories on the market aren’t always easy to find. I’ve scoured lists across the internet and created a few of my own, but the iPad Pro is still relatively new and companies are releasing products all the time. Once you have a top-notch keyboard, it’s fun to see what other awesome items are out there. Look no further, here’s the seven best iPad Pro accessories available now.
By Mike Riley
Creative, a company well known for their Sound Blaster PC audio cards, is making a bigger splash these days in the wireless speaker market. I favorably reviewed their Sound Blaster Axx 200 a few months ago, and Creative has also released a speaker with an emphasis on the discerning mobile audiophile. Read on to learn how the Sound Blaster ROAR SR20 compares in the very crowded market of Bluetooth stereo wireless speakers.
By Amy Spitzfaden Both
Your HomeKit enabled cameras can now help you keep your home safe by telling you who is coming and going. Any camera with HomeKit Secure Video support will be able to pull faces from your camera roll and let you know when people it recognizes pop up. Let's take a look at how to turn this feature on and manage the faces it recognizes so you can get the most out of your Apple HomeKit security.
By Amy Spitzfaden Both
Just because they're young doesn't mean there aren't all kinds of different tech for kids that are both safe and age-appropriate. Technology can be a useful tool for raising healthy and happy kids in this fast-paced modern world. Check out our top picks for tech gear designed specifically for little ones!
