iPhone Life - Best Apps, Top Tips, Great Gear

In March of 2019, Apple quietly released the new iPad Air 3 and iPad Mini 5. Since then, Apple fans have wondered when we can expect the release of the 4th-generation iPad Pro and the 7th-generation iPad. Rumor has it the upgrades won't be available in time for the September 2019 announcement, but that hasn't stopped us from speculating about what's to come. Read on to learn all the recent iPad related gossip.

I've been using chargers from myCharge for several years. The company always come up with something novel, and the UnPlugged 10K ($69.99) myCharge sent me is no exception. It looks like the original iPod, all white with soft rounded edges and a gentle slope that makes it have a smaller surface area on the bottom than on the top. Since it's a Qi-based wireless charger, there is a circular charging pad that is reminiscent of the iPod click wheel.

The Apple Watch Series 4 and later has a feature that will contact emergency services when you fall if you either confirm that you need help or you remain immobile for thirty seconds. Fall Detection on the Apple Watch can be enabled in your watch's Emergency SOS settings, which can be found in the Watch app on your iPhone. It's important to keep in mind that while the Apple Watch has an intuitive accelerometer and gyroscope, it won't register all falls. Also, if you participate in high-impact activities such as sports, those activities may register as falls. If you've previously entered your age in the Health app or while setting up your Apple Watch as 65 or older, Fall Detection will be on by default

If you want to get a better handle on file organization on your iPhone, the Files app can really help. Here's how to make a folder in the Files app. You'll have to have iOS 11 or later, and have set up and enabled iCloud Drive on your iPhone. You'll only be able to create a folder within the iCloud Drive category in the Files app. The On My iPhone category only stores files from apps that are downloaded to your device and can't be manually changed. 

I have a penchant for old sports cars. Unfortunately that goes hand-in-hand with requiring a jump start every now and then. Over the years, I've tried a number of portable battery packs that have just enough juice to jump start a car, in addition to recharging an iPhone. They are often plastic and don't retain a charge for a long time. Then Limitless Innovation sent me the JumpSmart ($119.95). It looks like a heavy duty (and heavy) flashlight and that's a big part of what it is. The solid metal casing makes it right at home in a Navy Seal's go bag, but it has more tricks in store besides SOS and three other flashlight modes. Heck, it could be used as a weapon, it's that heavy and rugged.

I'm cautious about reviewing Indiegogo projects because they might not materialize; but in this case,the campaign has already been funded successfully, and the company sent me a working version of the Mu6 Smart Noise Canceling Headphones (starting at $189).