As we previously outlined, quite thoroughly, iOS 11 and watchOS 4 introduce many cool new features for HomeKit across iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch devices.
Hands on with new HomeKit features in iOS 11
Accessories
Long wait times, pricey components blamed for slow adoption of iPad Pro’s Smart Connector
The iPad Pro Smart Connector accessory business isn’t exactly booming, with Logitech’s Smart Connector-enabled backlit keyboard case among a small handful of third-party options currently available on the market.
Ambiance lets your Phillips HUE bulbs take full advantage of your jailbroken iPhone
Every so often, a jailbreak tweak emerges that lets you do something out of the ordinary with your iPhone, and a new release called Ambiance by iOS developer Ziph0n is a testament to such tweaks.
Ambience links your jailbroken iPhone and Phillips HUE smart light bulbs together in new and exciting ways, immersing your entire room with color effects based on what you’re doing on your device at a given time.
The best cases for Apple’s new 10.5-inch iPad Pro
If you're in the market for Apple's 10.5-inch iPad Pro, you should know that any previous cases made for the 9.7-inch model will not fit the new tablet. It's slightly wider than its predecessor (6.8" vs 6.67"), significantly longer (9.8" vs 9.45"), and it has a larger rear camera.
Never fear, there are already several cases available for the new iPad, and we've taken it upon ourselves to track down the best options. Below is our list of the best cases for the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, selected based on manufacturers' reputation, user reviews, and case features.
Apple Smart CoverIf you want the best fitting/functioning cover for your new iPad, and money isn't really a factor, you're probably going to want to check out Apple's Smart Cover. It only covers one side of your iPad (display by default, rear if you fold it over), but it snaps on and peels off easily using magnets, and it folds up to act as a stand with multiple viewing angles. I also like that it's ultra-thin and comes in several colors.
Buy for $49.
Apple also has a more expensive and luxurious cover for the 10.5-inch iPad Pro called the Leather Smart Cover for $69.
JETech Case CoverJETech is a popular accessory-maker on Amazon known for offering OEM-style products at cheap prices. Their products typically get high ratings from customers, and we've had good experiences specifically with their iPad cases. This is their Apple Smart Case-esque Case Cover. The synthetic case slips on the rear of the iPad and then the front is covered by a Smart Cover-like flap—includes magnets that activate the iPad's Sleep/Wake function. If you like this style of case and don't want to pay Apple's prices, check this one out.
Buy for $15.
I-Blason Slim Halo CaseThe Halo case from i-Blason is a clear protective cover for your 10.5 inch iPad Pro. It has a completely transparent back, which also features a convenient stand that makes it easy to watch shows and videos hands-free. Other features include a slim design and full shock, drop and scratch protection. This is a heavier duty case than those mentioned above, but not so much so that it makes the iPad a nuisance to travel with.
Buy for $15.
Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro CaseThe Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro offers dual layer protection and convenience without compromising sensitivity. Thermoplastic polyurethane and polycarbonate provide cushion during accidental drops. All phone ports are covered to block dust and debris. Built-in screen protector protects the screen from scratches. This case is designed to withstand heavy use and demanding conditions. This is a little more rugged than the i-Blason Halo, but note that it is not waterproof.
Buy for $25.
Moko Slim Stand CoverThis one is similar to the aforementioned JETech Case cover, which again is a lot like Apple's Smart Case. It has a synthetic back cover and a folding, magnetic front cover that can automatically wake the iPad up and put it to sleep. It has a premium PU leather on the outside, microfiber on the inside to protect your iPad from scratches, and no bulky bezels around the display to allow for unobstructed swiping. Comes with a lifetime warranty.
Buy for $9.
Moko Clear Grip TPU CaseFor those looking for a more minimal case, check out the Clear Grip from Moko. It's a soft TPU case that snaps on the back of your iPad Pro and it has a unique ruffled design for a grippier feel. Other features include raised edges at the 4 corners for added screen protection, cutouts for all of the ports, buttons and speakers, and it even comes with a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.
Buy for $8.
Belk Vintage Leather FolioIf you're looking for something a little more professional, check out this Vintage Leather Folio from Belk. It's not real leather, but Belk says they used premium PU leather here with a special texture to give it that vintage look and feel. Like most folios, this case has a book-like design with a snap-in cradle for your iPad—giving it full protection. Other features include built-in magnets that activate your iPad's auto-sleep/wake functions and built-in slots for an ID, credit cards and cash.
Buy for $16 (sale price).
Logitech Slim Combo Keyboard CaseAnd for those of you in the market for a keyboard case, there's the Logitech Slim Combo. This case was designed specifically for the new 10.5-inch iPad (there is also a 12.9-inch model). It has no charging cable or batteries—it gets all its power through the iPad via its Smart Connector. This allows it to sip power—0.3% - 2.3% of battery per hour of typing—and makes pairing instant. Other features include full-size, backlit keys, with 3 levels of brightness and an Apple Pencil holder.
Buy for $130.
Did we miss a great 10.5-inch iPad Pro case? Let us know in the comments below!
iOS 11 lets AirPods owners skip forwards and backwards between tracks with a double tap
The most common complaint about AirPods is their inability to change the currently playing song directly on the earphones, without invoking Siri. Well, YouTuber Appsolutely Tech has discovered that iOS 11 solves this customer pain point by adding the ability to skip forwards and backwards between tracks with a double tap.
On iOS 11, your AirPods settings include some handy new options for choosing a double-tap action separately for the left and right earbud.
TUTORIAL: Tips and tricks for using AirPods like a pro
You could, for example set your left AirPod to skip to the next track and your right AirPod to go to the next track. Or, you could leave Siri as the default action for one of your AirPods and set the other one to go to the next track when double-tapped.
Watch Appsolutely Tech's video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsQ9J1mwU78
Simply tap the “i” next to your AirPods in Settings → Bluetooth on your iOS 11 device.
You will see you can now set a different double-tap action for each of your AirPods:
Siri Play/Pause Next Track Previous Track OffIt's unclear if Apple might bring this new feature to iOS 10 via a future AirPods firmware update.
10.5″ iPad Pro screen protector surfaces ahead of rumored WWDC announcement
A screen protector for the rumored 10.5-inch iPad Pro has surfaced on Amazon ahead of Apple's WWDC keynote on Monday. It's made by popular accessory manufacturer Anker and is available for overnight delivery.
It's not unusual for accessories like this to pop up ahead of expected device announcements, but for a company as large as Anker to feel confident enough in pre-lease info to advertise and ship them is far less common.
Apple is widely believed to introduce a new 10.5-inch iPad on stage during its keynote next week. The tablet is said to have a footprint the same size as the 9.7-inch iPad, with slimmer bezels, and various other upgrades.
There are two customer reviews here: 1 5-star review where the user said they purchased this for the new iPad, and 1 1-star review where the user apparently tried to cut it to fit a smaller tablet. It's glass, so it...shattered. Weird.
Noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo gives the rumored iPad a 70% of being unveiled next week, and multiple reports claim Apple has ramped up production on the device. We've also seen alleged cases for the 10.5" tablet.
Join us Monday for full coverage of Apple's WWDC keynote and all subsequent announcements.
Source: Amazon via 9to5Mac
Claimed cases for 10.5″ and 12.9″ iPad Pro suggest rear microphone and stereo speakers
Cases for Apple's new 10.5-inch iPad Pro model and a next-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro are circulating the web today, showing rear microphone holes like on the recently unveiled $329 iPad model and cutouts for stereo speakers. Made by a third-party vendor, the design of these cases is based on information allegedly obtained from Apple's contract manufacturer Foxconn.
The current-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro features the microphone cutout on the right side of the device. The images depict four large cutouts for what appears to be stereo speakers, two at the top of the wooden case and two at the bottom of the device on both sides of the Lightning port.
The cases include cutouts for the 3.5mm headphone jack on both the 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Published by leakster Benjamin Geskin, the photos also indicate that there may not be new iPad mini models this year.
According to BGR, the iPad mini lineup has just been “sized out of its own category,” prompting the Cupertino company to stop updating the device and phase it out gradually due to its constantly decreasing sales.
The 10.5-inch iPad model is expected to feature narrower side bezels so that the 10.5-inch display could be fitted inside a body roughly the size of the current 9.7-inch iPad models.
Smart light bulbs you can control with your iPhone
If you're looking to dip your toes in the smart home pool, there's perhaps no easier or less-expensive way than with smart light bulbs. Simply install them into the appropriate light sockets, pair them with their mobile app, and you're ready to go.
As with most electronics, there are a lot of choices out there, and some are much better than others. So to help you separate the good from the bad, we decided to compile a list of some of the best smart bulbs you can can control with you iPhone.
Accessories that turn your iPhone into a universal remote control
Tired of using 3-4 different remotes to control your TV? Tired of losing your remotes? Well what if I told you that you can turn your iPhone into a universal remote control. That way you can control all of your devices, using a device that you have with you at all times.
This isn't what most would consider a crowded category, but as with all consumer electronics, some models are better than others. To help you make the right decision, we've decided to put together a list of the best gadgets for turning your iPhone into a universal remote.
Nomad’s PowerPack is a rugged battery pack that you can track with Tile
Battery packs are a hot commodity these days because it seems like our mobile devices never want to last as long as we’d like them to. They bring us out of the dark ages, where we used to have to sit by a power outlet and wait for our handsets to charge, and are advantageous because they allow you to charge on the go, no matter how far away from civilization you might be.
On the other hand, people who are always on the go have a tendency of misplacing things, and sometimes that means losing their battery packs. That’s why Nomad came up with the PowerPack, a trackable battery pack you can keep tabs on with your mobile device, even when you’ve forgotten it somewhere or misplaced it.
Rumor: four new iPad Pros, 128GB iPhone SE and iPhone 7 in Red to be unveiled next month
Fairly reliable website Mac Otakara is reporting that Apple will be holding a media event next month to announce hardware updates for several of its popular products. Wondering what's on tap for a refresh? According to the Japanese publication, Apple will add a new 128-gigabyte iPhone SE model to the existing 16GB and 64GB capacities.
In addition, we should also see the previously rumored Red model of iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus and four new iPad Pro models introduced at the event.
The best HomeKit accessories
In 2014, Apple announced a new connected devices platform called HomeKit, with the hopes of making smart home technology easier and more accessible. It sounds complex, but the gist of it is you can control HomeKit-compatible appliances with your iPhone or Siri.
To make it easier to find the best HomeKit-compatible accessories, we've put together a list of some of our favorites. We made our selections based on a handful of factors including price, features, user feedback and of course our own personal experience with the products.