Accessories

iPhone 7 may ship with wired EarPods after all

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 12, 2016

Apple's upcoming iPhone 7 will include an all-digital, wired edition of the EarPods headphones that will connect to the handset's Lightning port, not the wireless edition as previously rumored.

According to an analyst note from Barclays, a copy of which was obtained by Business Insider, Apple has not yet purchased a license from its supplier Cirrus Logic that would permit the company to use Cirrus' active noise-canceling software.

Cirrus technology would be needed to filter out background noise during phone calls were Apple to ditch the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack in favor of wireless Bluetooth headphones.

Apple is reportedly building wireless earphones that will fit inside your ear and come with charging case

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 8, 2016

Apple is reportedly building brand new, completely wireless earphones that will fit inside of a user’s ear, along with a charging case, as per 9to5Mac.

The in-house designed hardware is similar in concept to the Motorola Hint headset and Bragi’s new Dash and said to include a noise-cancelling microphone system. The accessory will be “a premium alternative” to a Lightning-enabled version of the EarPods headset that's also in the works (EarPods are the wired in-ear headphones that came with your iPhone).

Three days ago, Japanese blog Macotakara first reported on Apple's plans to bundle the iPhone 7 with a wireless headset. The following day, Fast Company said Apple is working with a supplier on a new noise-canceling technology to be used both in the iPhone 7 and the new earphones to help remove background noise in music playback and in phone calls.

Apple allegedly plans to bundle iPhone 7 with wireless EarPods

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 5, 2016

Following a November 2015 claim by the Japanese blog Macotakara which asserted that Apple will ditch the standard 3.5mm headphone port on an 'iPhone 7' to focus exclusively on supporting Lightning-enabled headsets and wireless headphones, a new supply chain rumor published Tuesday by Chinese websites Anzhuo.cn and Feng claims that the Cupertino firm will actually bundle the next iPhone with a wireless version of its EarPods headphones to make up for the missing headphone jack.

Review: SteelSeries Nimbus Wireless Controller

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

If you want to do serious gaming on the Apple TV, then using a wireless Bluetooth controller isn’t an option, it’s a necessity. Yes, Apple controversially made it a requirement for all games on its platform to support the Siri Remote, but that’s not going to cut it for any game with an even mildly complex control scheme.

Games like Alto’s Adventure and Mr. Jump play perfectly fine, and are even suited for the Siri Remote, but in most cases, you’re definitely going to want a controller as an option.

Unfortunately, there is no Apple-branded controller to speak of, but Apple did co-design a controller with the help of SteelSeries. The result of that partnership is the SteelSeries Nimbus, and Apple is promoting this controller as the de facto standard alternative input device for the Apple TV.

All of that considered, while there are other 3rd-party Bluetooth controllers that work with the Apple TV, the most obvious choice is the SteelSeries Nimbus.

I purchased a Nimbus on day one, and have been playing with it for weeks. Is the $49.99 controller worth your time and hard-earned money? Is it really the best way to control games on the Apple TV?

Nomad’s Wallet puts a full charge for your iPhone 6s in your wallet

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 3, 2015

Nomad today launched an interesting lifestyle accessory for your iPhone, dubbed the Wallet. It's literally a premium bifold leather wallet with an integrated 3.5-inch Lightning cable and a built-in 2,400mAh battery, enough to provide a full charge for your Lightning-based iPhone and then some more.

The wallet holds six credit or gift cards, cash, is made from Saffiano leather and is just 0.75 inch thick when closed. If you're a fan of real wallets, not those iPhone cases that double as wallets, you can pre-order Nomad's Wallet for $79.

Belkin Charge Dock review: the best iPhone and Apple Watch dock available

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

Shortly after Apple announced that it would allow manufacturers to include Apple Watch charging pads in their accessories, Belkin unveiled the Charge Dock. It's a charging dock with a built-in magnetic charger for the Watch and an adjustable Lightning connector for iPhone.

The Dock checks all of the necessary boxes: it looks sharp, is very well-made and it carries Made for iPhone and Apple Watch badges, meaning it's passed Apple's certification tests. And after using one for the past few weeks, I felt it was good enough to warrant an in-depth review.

Report: the iPad Pro Pencil will ship with an adapter for Lightning cable connections

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

Good news: when you want to charge your iPad Pro Pencil, you won't necessarily have to look like a doofus when you do so.

Prior to today, it was assumed that the only way to charge the iPad Pro's Pencil stylus was to plug it into the bottom of the iPad Pro itself. The Pencil's cap features a Lightning plug hidden underneath, and Apple showcased its ability to charge it by plugging the device directly into the iPad Pro's Lightning port.

While this method of charging works, and is extremely handy when you need a quick bit of extra juice on the fly, it looks incredibly goofy to have a stylus protruding out of the top of the iPad Pro, especially because the iPad Pro is so big itself.

Today, 9to5Mac is reporting that Apple plans on shipping the Pencil with an adapter that will allow users to connect the device directly to a Lightning cable. The adapter will reportedly ship with all Pencil's, which come as a separate purchase from the iPad Pro itself.

AmazonBasics Retractable USB cable saves space, avoids tangles

Lory Gil ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

This past weekend, as I packed for a road trip, I crammed my overnight bag full of clothes, toiletries, gadgets, and cables for all of my various devices. My side pocket looked like a robot spider had spun a USB web. It was a mess.

AmazonBasics' Retractable USB Cable would have saved me a lot of hassle. It stretches to two feet in length, but when closed up, fits neatly into small compartments so you don't have a tangled mess to deal with when you unpack.

Beats announces light Pill+ wireless speaker, available in November

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 7, 2015

Apple-owned Beats by Dr. Dre today announced its very first wireless speaker since joining the Cupertino firm in May 2014 deal valued at more than $3 billion.

The new Pill+ is Bluetooth-enabled, lighter than its predecessor and comes with a twelve-hour battery that can be used to charge your devices through the USB and USB-C ports found on the back.

The Pill+ is slightly larger than the original Pill speaker and uses the stereo active 2-way crossover system to create an optimized sound field.

MagCable brings MagSafe-like experience with fast-charging to your iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 25, 2015

If the 12-inch MacBook is indicative of Apple's future plans, the popular MagSafe adapter is on its way out as USB-C comes into full view.

Sadly, USB-C is plagued with a major drawback: the standard doesn't use Apple's proprietary MagSafe charging method which employs magnets to ensure your notebook doesn't fly off a desk or wiggle the pins when you trip on the cord.

With MagSafe's future hanging in the balance, a company called aMagic Ltd. set out to replicate the MagSafe charging experience on Lightning-enabled iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices.

Keep your iPhone 6 charged at a distance with Bolse’s Cloth Jacketed Lightning Cable

Lory Gil ∙ August 20, 2015

There are two things wrong with Apple's Lightning cable. One is that the cord is just not long enough to be useful. The other is that it tends to tangle when not properly stored.

Bolse solves both of those problems with a six-foot MFi certified cord that is covered in a high-quality nylon jacket so you can plug your iPhone 6 into the wall and still use it while sitting on the couch.

Be ready for anything with this five MFi certified Lightning cables pack

Lory Gil ∙ Updated May 7, 2018

I used to have about a half-dozen extra iPhone charging cables lying around. I own about that many iOS devices. But, those were for the 30-pin ports. When the Lightning cable was introduced, my supply dropped to only two.

iXCC has a low-price five-pack of MFi certified Lightning cables in varying sizes. So, you can keep one in the car, one in the bedroom, one in your travel bag. Well, you get the point.