Opinion

Which W1 chip-equipped audio device should you get?

Anthony Bouchard ∙ January 31, 2017

Because Apple nixed the 3.5mm headphone jack from the bottom of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, you either have to use the supplied Lightning dongle for backwards compatibility with your 3.5mm audio accessories, or you have to kick it up to the new age with a pair of wireless or Lightning-enabled audio devices instead.

When you don’t want to be bothered with the issue of charging your device at the same time you're listening to audio with headphones or earbuds in, the obvious choice is to go wireless. While there are tons of options, only a few come with Apple’s brand new W1 chip, which supports the slick new Bluetooth pairing process. Among those are AirPods, Beats Solo3, and Powerbeats3.

If you’re in a predicament and can’t decide between the three then you should find this piece helpful, because I'll be comparing the strengths and weaknesses of each from a variety of angles.

iOS 10.2.1 and jailbreaking: what are my options?

Joaquim Barbosa ∙ Updated February 16, 2021

What with the release of iOS 10.2.1 and the soon-to-be-closed signing window for iOS 10.2, many people are wondering what the best strategy is for their device. Should they stick with a jailbroken firmware or jump to iOS 10? If they're already without a jailbreak, which iOS version do they need to be on to make sure they get one? What do they need to do to be able to upgrade to iOS 10.2 later, and keep their jailbreak for now?

In this article, we'll quickly go through what we consider the smartest options for each device and iOS version, so that you can (hopefully) make an informed decision.

Extensively updated to reflect beta release of Yalu for 10.2.

Twelve South’s RelaxedLeather case is a luxurious iPhone case for minimalists

Anthony Bouchard ∙ January 24, 2017

Twelve South is already at it again, having just this month launched a new lineup of snap-on leather cases dubbed RelaxedLeather. They come in two flavors: slotted and non-slotted, depending on whether or not you like to use your iPhone case to carry credit and ID cards. More importantly, they also come in a variety of different colors, giving you a lot to choose from.

In this review, we’ll go hands-on with the iPhone 7 Plus version of the case and show you what the RelaxedLeather case lineup is all about, as well as show you all of the different colors there are to choose from.

Aukey’s Ora 2-in-1 lens system for iPhone helps expand your mobile photography capabilities

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated February 4, 2017

I know a lot of people who take their iPhone photography seriously, and a number of them use the stock iPhone camera in all of its glory, while a select few use hardware lens attachments that can enhance the capabilities of their iPhone cameras beyond what software can.

In this review, we’ll show you a very affordable, yet high-quality 2-in-1 lens attachment option from Aukey called the Ora, which lets you experience both detailed macro shots and incredible wide angle shots.

Twelve South’s ActionSleeve puts Apple Watch in a better spot for some sporting activities

Anthony Bouchard ∙ January 17, 2017

Twelve South recently released their new Apple Watch-oriented armband called the ActionSleeve, which relocates the Apple Watch to the upper arm for certain activities, such as rigorous sports, where the wrist isn’t the ideal place to have it.

In this review, we’ll talk about the ActionSleeve’s build quality, comfort, and usability, as well as where you can get your own.

Pokémon Go is dead, long live Pokémon Go!

Steffen Reich ∙ Updated May 7, 2018

There is no debate that a large contingent on the internet has been holding out for less Pokémon Go news in 2017, but it is equally clear that this sentiment will not be echoed by the people at Niantic. No matter the side of the fence you are on, the fact that Pokemon Go is hands down one of the most successful apps in the history of the App Store (breaking first-week download and revenue records) is a big deal, and the augmented reality laced game will continue to rake in millions of users and dollars in the year ahead. It’s not all rosy though, as the daily player count is continuously pointing south and engagement data crumbling.

As much as this is Niantic’s battle to fight, Apple too has a vested interest in the preservation of Pokemon Go’s winning streak and will want to benefit financially from the game throughout the current fiscal year. The question both business entities therefore are going to have to find answers to is what’s next for Pokémon Go strategically, and what is Apple’s role in facilitating Niantic’s continued success with the app? Not so much content wise but rather in terms of product strategy, I have sized up a few moves that Niantic, The Pokémon Company and Apple could have up their sleeves over the next 12 months.

Ugreen’s Magnetic Charger for Apple Watch is slim enough to keep in your pocket

Anthony Bouchard ∙ December 31, 2016

Most people experience all-day battery life with the Apple Watch, whether it’s the single core first generation model, or the dual core Series 1 or 2 versions that were launched just this year. While this is true for most people who use their Apple Watch regularly, new apps like Pokémon GO for the Apple Watch threaten to deplete your Apple Watch’s tiny battery much faster.

With that being the case, investing in some kind of portable power pack made specifically for the Apple Watch, like the Ugreen Magnetic Charger, is a good idea.

Why Apple shouldn’t pass on the rumored Jet White iPhone 7

Steffen Reich ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

On Tuesday, Apple afficionados were treated to a new wave of white shell iPhone 7 mock-ups and purported leaks hitting the internet, advancing the notion that the Cupertino-based company could plan to release a white counterpart to their Jet Black coating some time around March 2017.

From an aesthetic standpoint, everyone is going to have their two cents on the necessity of it in the grand scheme of things. Simply by moving the discussion from the fashion sphere to the finance department though, the ambivalence in regard to whether or not this iPhone release is genuinely necessary quickly crumbles and clearly comes down on one side of the fence.

As we will learn in late January, Apple’s first quarter of the fiscal year 2017 is going to look after itself nicely, but in view of the Q2 figures and a long summer following, Jet White definitely needs to happen. Two key reasons must be paid attention to in order to understand the imperative of a Jet White iPhone for a healthier bottom line in the fiscal year of 2017.

Nomad’s Rugged iPhone case makes plastic look classy

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated October 17, 2018

The new Nomad Rugged case has been my daily driver case for close to a month now, and having had the opportunity to go hands-on with it for that long, I have to say I think I’ll probably continue using it for a while longer.

Built into this incredibly thin, yet protective design is a case that can withstand your everyday clumsiness and still look good while doing it. Nomad’s design team has created a TPU-based case that actually looks good that can still take a hit and save your iPhone.

The NomadPlus turns your iPhone power adapter into a portable battery

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated October 17, 2018

For everyday charging of your iPhone, the supplied power adapter that comes in your Apple retail packaging will suffice, but if you go places a lot, then having an AC adapter that can not only charge your iPhone, but also store power for charging when away from the plug is a must.

Nomad comes the rescue in this department with an ingenious idea; a special type of AC adapter known as the NomadPlus that includes a built-in 1,800 mAh battery inside.

24 hours with AirPods: the good and the not so good

Sébastien Page ∙ December 21, 2016

I finally received my AirPods yesterday, and after doing a quick unboxing and first impressions video, I took them out in the wild and put them to the test during my daily 2-3 mile walk. What follows are some random observations about this new product, ranging from overall design, feel, performance, and more. You will see that while I'm very satisfied with the AirPods overall, it's not quite perfect yet.

Mujjo is a high quality leather wallet case for iPhone at a great price

Anthony Bouchard ∙ December 21, 2016

The phenomenon of wallet case popularity among iPhone owners hasn’t gone unnoticed by luxury case makers, and the Mujjo case is just one of those sexy options that leather lovers will have a hard time resisting.

Crafted out of vegetable-tanned leather and internally lined with a layer of suede to keep your iPhone cradled with the softest touch possible, the Mujjo is a luxurious travel case made for anyone who doesn’t want to lug their wallet around with them just to carry an ID and credit card on them at all times.