iPhone Life - Best Apps, Top Tips, Great Gear
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.
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.
How to Truly Set Do Not Disturb So That Not a Single Call or Text Gets Through
By Hallei Halter
Sometimes Do Not Disturb will still let messages and calls through in certain circumstances depending on your Do Not Disturb settings. Want to use your phone without receiving ANY notifications and calls? Here's the best way to set Do Not Disturb so your phone won't go off for any reason. I use it for when I'm listening to podcasts or just trying to get some work done.
Review: The Mophie Powerstation PD Delivers High Speed Power & Flexibility
By Todd Bernhard
If you're like me, you hear the name Mophie and think of its iPhone cases with built-in batteries. So I was intrigued when the company sent me the powerstation PD (starting at $59.95). These are standalone power packs, about the size of a deck of cards, that have both USB-A and USB-C ports. The pack itself is charged via USB-C to USB-C (cable included) but you'll need your own A/C brick or a laptop with a USB-C connector. They also shipped me a USB-C to Lightning cable, so you may want to add one of those, especially because the iPhone will charge much faster when the source is a USB-C device like the Mophie powerstation.
iPad Pro In-Depth Review: Is It the Laptop Replacement Apple Promised?
By David Averbach
The iPad is a difficult product to review, because in order to assess its effectiveness you have to first understand what the product is supposed to accomplish. Defining the purpose of Apple’s new iPad Pro is surprisingly complicated. I’ve been using mine for longer than a month now, and while it’s undeniably an amazing device, whether it lives up to all the hype depends on whose standards you’re looking at. Based on the late Steve Jobs’ original intent of what an iPad should be, the iPad Pro is an incredible device that is the fruition of the last eight years of development. But based on Apple CEO Tim Cook’s description at last October’s keynote of what the iPad Pro should be, the tablet is a flawed device that doesn’t live up to expectations. Allow me to explain.
How to Set Up Your New HomePod
By Tamlin Day
Review: The Reolink Go Security Cam for Remote Locations
By Todd Bernhard
There's a crowded market of Wi-Fi based security cameras, but Reolink has an interesting twist. The company sent me the Reolink Go ($249.99+) with the caveat that I'd have to set it up on a phone plan. That's because the Go model supports 4G LTE-based connectivity instead of Wi-Fi. Fortunately, T-Mobile (and others) have simple micro SIM-based plans for such devices.
How to Get Followers on Instagram: How I Grew from Zero to 100K in 2 Years
By Meara Oberdieck
New York City-based curve model Meara has leveraged her following to get free products, pay half of her bills every month, and even book national modeling campaigns. Instagram is the fastest growing social network, with more than one-seventh of the global population using it actively every month. That’s a lot of potential. Whether you have a business, a product, or you want to promote yourself creatively like I do, this app is one of the best and most efficient ways to grow a fan base. I’ve leveraged my following to get free products, pay half of my bills every month, and even book national modeling campaigns. I’m a huge fan of the app, and with a bit of discipline and dedication, I think you will be too.