Music

New apps are arriving in the App Store at such a rapid pace it can be a real challenge to find the stellar entries. This week we'll take a look at a handful of newly released, noteworthy apps worthy of special mention.

1. The Loop (Free)

This new subscription-based magazine is the brainchild of longtime Apple journalist and reporter Jim Dalrymple. He will publish The Loop magazine twice a month, and it will cost $1.99 per month. The Loop magazine app is not just a spin-off of the Loop’s website online. This stand-alone app will feature articles written by some of the great authors in the field of Apple journalism, with all if the articles being written exclusively for the magazine.

While Dalrymple doesn't officially work for Apple, it's safe to say he has his finger on the pulse of the company. 

The stylish Blue Tour 6U Bluetooth speaker ($48.41 on Amazon) from Technical Pro is a very affordable and great-sounding speaker. Its simple design and control layout is ideal for the broadcasting of whatever entertainment your iDevice can provide. Some Bluetooth speakers have a dearth of controls and are therefore more suited to the technically savvy user who can quickly adapt to motion sensors or nondescript spinning dials. Others have an abundance of switches, buttons, and ports, which again, may be better suited to a more technically savvy user. The Blue Tour Bluetooth speaker however, strikes an optimal balance between simplicity of design, ease of use, and quality of sound.

The Blue Tour is a cool-looking little device! It reminds me of a stereotypical UFO, with its oval-sphere design. It is a fine work of understated design and it would look great on most shelves, desks, countertops etc. 

A great pair of high performance headphones is a key ingredient in how we experience our iDevices. Many apps even suggest using headphones to help you immerse in apps and music. Because I'm aware of how much quality headphones can enhance our iDevice experience, I often review headphones of all different styles and quality for iPhone Life readers. In this series for the discerning audiophile, I will review several new and noteworthy entries in the extremely crowded headphone market.

The first pair of headphones I'd like to introduce you to is the Meze 88 Classics ($309). Mezes are the Lamborghini of headphones, exuding style and quality, both rare and luxurious. The Meze 88 Classics are some of the best headphones I have come across in a good while; one any music aficionado should know about.