iPhone Life - Best Apps, Top Tips, Great Gear
Rokform Crystal Case: Rugged Protection with Magnetic Mount for the XS Max
Sponsored By Rokform Crystal XS Max on Mon, 02/18/2019
You need to keep your XS Max safe, and you also need the versatility to mount, hang, and view your iPhone anywhere. The Crystal Case by Rokform comes with a built-in magnetic attraction that won’t damage electronics or other everyday items that are sensitive to magnets like credit cards. The Neodymium magnet in the Crystal Case is specially designed to secure your XS Max to any magnetic surface, safely. Attach your Crystal Case to the fridge to use your iPhone as a recipe book without worrying about messy ingredients. Or use the included adjustable car vent mount to navigate to your destination when driving, knowing your iPhone will be safe from any sudden jolts.
How to Redeem an Amazon Gift Card or Claim Code on Your iPhone or iPad
By Hallei Halter
I frequently receive Amazon gift cards and claim codes for my birthday or as bonuses for paying my cellphone bill on time from the carrier I use. Here's how to redeem an Amazon gift card or claim code on your iPhone or iPad or on your computer. You'll need to have an Amazon account and be signed in. Redeeming the credit stores it to your account balance until you're ready to use it on a purchase.
Jamstik 7 Fret Edition Guitar Trainer Review
By Todd Bernhard
Over the years, I've reviewed the different iterations of Jamstik portable guitars from Zivix so I was interested to see the latest model, the Jamstik 7 Fret Edition ($199.99). when Zivix offered to send a review unit. As with previous models, the Jamstik is lightweight, comfortable to hold and use, and battery powered. The Jamstik 7 Fret Edition lasts for 72 hours using four AA batteries, included, which is a nice touch. It's small, at just 18 inches, but you can buy the Add-On Body to make it more like a full-size guitar, if desired. Since the neck is shorter, the touch-sensitive rubberized buttons can be used to move up or down in both Capo and Octave.
Apple TV Apps: How to Find & Download New Apps from the App Store
By Leanne Hays
You've gotten your Apple TV all set up, and you're ready to play some games or watch some television. If you have a third-generation Apple TV or older, you're limited to pre-installed apps. If you have the Apple TV 4K or the fourth-generation Apple TV, though, you have access to the App Store and can download from a selection of thousands of free or paid apps. Whether you're looking for fitness, sports, games, recipe, or even shopping apps, let's get started learning how to find and download apps so you can get the most out of your Apple TV.
How to Pair & Set Up Your New Apple Watch
By Leanne Hays
My new Apple Watch just came in the mail, and since I've never owned one before, I'll need to learn how to set up and pair my watch to my iPhone. If you're wondering how to get your Apple Watch working as well, read on to learn along with me about how to get your iPhone ready for pairing, how to turn on your Apple Watch and sync it to your phone, how to set up your watch, customize your settings, and choose features and apps for your new device. Let's open up those Apple Watch boxes and get started!
Review: iHome's Mirror & Bluetooth Speaker Combination Now Comes with Alexa
By Todd Bernhard
Over a year ago, I wrote about iHome's combination mirror and bluetooth speaker. And that was an update to the previous model, which I reviewed in 2016. Time marches on, and nowadays, any Bluetooth speaker really ought to have Alexa built in, so iHome went ahead and did it! The company sent me the iCVA66 Mirror with Alexa and Bluetooth Speaker ($199.99) to try and I think the company finally has perfected it. You can reenact Snow White and ask your own Magic Mirror who is the fairest of them all. Just be sure to initiate your question with "Alexa!"
Eventide H9 Harmonizer Max Review
By Mike Riley
It's been a couple years since I have reviewed iOS-centric hardware for musicians. This is because with each major iteration of the iPad, Apple has altered the dock input configuration thereby rendering an entire ecosystem of equipment relying on that connection port obsolete. It was painful to send a stack of old IK Multimedia hardware to the landfill a few years ago when Apple upgraded iPads to use the Lightning connector instead of the original 30-pin dock connector. A similar roundup of older third-party hardware reliant on the Lightning connector will likely happen again late next year if Apple migrates the rest of its future iPad and iPhone devices to USB-C. Given Apple's track record, I have resisted investing much additional effort in third-party hardware dependent on proprietary adapters. That is why Eventide's H9 Max Harmonizer Effects Processor ($699) guitar effects stomp box piqued my interest.
How to Use Raise to Speak On Apple Watch
By Hallei Halter
Starting with watchOS 5 for Apple Watch Series 3 or later, you can raise your wrist to get Siri's attention without saying "Hey Siri." Here's how to use raise to talk, or raise to speak, for Siri voice commands on your Apple Watch. I've found this tip to be especially useful at work since when I say "Hey Siri" it can trigger my personal phone, the company phone, or the office HomePod. So I can use Siri on my watch without any confusion!
App Saturday: IMDb
By Hallei Halter
With all the movies and TV series coming out, it can be hard to keep track of what you might be interested in watching. IMDb is a source for discovering new and old movies and shows, current show times, ans if you're able to stream a show on Amazon. IMDb is great for any casual viewer or film buff, as the app also provides behind the scenes content and additional information about cast and crew, while recommending other titles you may enjoy.
Got a New iPad? Here's How to Set Up Your Device
By Leanne Hays
So you've just purchased a new iPad? Congratulations! Now you may be wondering, "how do I set up my device?" particularly if you've never owned an iPad before or it's been a long time since you upgraded. If this isn't your first iPad, you may be wondering, "how do I transfer my data?" Don't worry, we'll cover how to set up an iPad, as well as how to make sure your data, apps, and settings transfer. Let's get started.
Qi Wireless Charging: AluBase Wireless Review
By Mike Riley
Now that all new Apple iPhone models support the Qi wireless charging standard, tethering an iPhone to a Lightning cable to recharge the battery is no longer necessary. As long as the wireless charging pad is Qi-compliant, simply laying your new iPhone on top of the pad will recharge the battery. With this new capability in place, the question becomes which Qi-compliant charger is worth buying? If aesthetic simplicity is mainly what you're looking for in iPhone accessories, then Just Mobile's AluBase Wireless ($49.95) charger meets this requirement.
Best Protective iPhone XS Cases: The Rugged Adventurer Case from Pelican
By Todd Bernhard
If you're like me, you have probably seen and maybe even purchased those rugged, foam-filled shipping crates from Pelican. I use them all the time to ship computer and audio equipment. Well, what if you could have that level of protection for your iPhone? That's the idea behind the Pelican line of iPhone cases. The company sent me the Adventurer Case ($39.99) to try.
How to Widen the Display in Your iPhone's Daily Calendar
By Hallei Halter
I like adding events and to-do list items for certain days in my iPhone Calendar app. Here's how to widen the daily Calendar display to make it easier to read and to display any additional information included with the event. I usually do this in the morning since reading densely packed words before I've had coffee is nearly impossible.
Troubleshooting 101: How to Fix Your Buggy or Unresponsive iPhone or iPad
By Sarah Kingsbury
If your iPhone or iPad is buggy or frozen, if apps are crashing, or if your iPhone’s settings aren’t working, try turning your iPhone or iPad off and then on again or doing a hard restart. These very basic troubleshooting steps can fix a surprising number of problems with your iPhone or iPad and are almost always worth trying before moving on to more advanced troubleshooting. This article also covers what to do when apps are freezing, crashing, or otherwise malfunctioning on your iPhone or iPad.
Apple’s AirPods: A Guide to Charging, Pairing, Setting Up & More
By Leanne Hays
Got a new pair of AirPods? Once you know how to set up, connect, and configure them, you'll discover why everyone who owns a pair of Apple's wireless earbuds loves them. We're here to help get you started with this AirPods guide, which will cover everything from Siri setting and volume controls, to battery life and charging, and much more. We'll also update this article when the AirPods 2 are released. The AirPods offer crisp, clear sound quality for both listening and speaking through the built-in microphones, as well as a charging case with 24-hour life for easy battery management, and the ability to pair and unpair with many different Apple products. Apple CEO Tim Cook describes AirPods as "practically magic" and explains, "the pairing is seamless, and as someone is talking to you, if you take one out the music will automatically stop, and if you replace it starts again." Let's get started learning how to use your "magical" new AirPods!
Review: Sleep & Wake Better with DOZZI from WITTI Design
By Todd Bernhard
I have used and reviewed several items from WITTI Design in the past. The company has a number of clock radios that integrate with smart homes via smart buttons and charge your phone and have attractive colored lights to help you wake up more gradually. Waking up is one thing, but falling and staying asleep is also important, especially since my wife tells me I snore! I was excited to try the DOZZI Natural White Noise Machine ($29.99) when WITTI sent it to me.
Hands On with the iPhone XS Max: Why You Won’t Want to Put It Down
By Mike Riley
Revolution followed by evolution—that’s the pattern Apple follows for its flagship iPhone line. Last year’s release revolutionized the iPhone with the X’s edge-to-edge OLED display and facial recognition. This year’s iPhone XS and XS Max (which costs anywhere from $1,000 to $1,449 depending on storage capacity) is an evolution of the iPhone X with a bigger display (if you get the Max) and better processor. But do these evolutionary steps warrant a one-thousand-dollar purchase? It depends.