iPhone Life - Best Apps, Top Tips, Great Gear

We all had a pretty solid understanding that the 2020 iPhone announcement would be delayed, but that didn’t make Apple’s distinct lack of iPhone news at its September 2020 event any easier to swallow. Still, iPhone users everywhere are thrilled to hear that Apple will be announcing its newest iPhone lineup—presumably the iPhone mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max—on October 13. What else might Apple announce at this event? Apple recently registered a new model number for a Mac, so we're hopeful for an Apple-Silicon version. AirTags have been in the works for long enough, and we're looking forward to learning more about when Fitness+ will be made available. Audiophiles will be excited to hear that there may be an AirPods Studio release, and that a more affordable HomePod could be on the docket as well. Let's take a look at the most likely reveals for the October 13 Apple event.

Apple will hold a second fall event on October 13, where we'll finally find out if the rumors are true about new, much delayed iPhone 12 line, as well as other devices such as Air Tags, a new HomePod, and more. Our editorial team will be watching the Apple event live stream, and we'll host a conversation in our private Facebook group as the event happens; you're invited to join in, ask questions, and share your opinions. We'll tape a special podcast episode after the announcement, where we’ll discuss everything just announced. Read on to learn more about how to be a part of our event coverage. 

The Toughest, Fastest External Drive Is Surprisingly Mini

(Sponsored Post) By Olena Kagui on Wed, 09/15/2021

The best things come in small packages may be a cliché, but it couldn't be more true for the OWC Envoy Pro Elektron. This external lets you comfortably hold up to two terabytes of data that can transfer up to ​1011 megabytes per second in the palm of your hand! Plus, it can connect to any USB-C or Thunderbolt computer, making it universally compatible.

A few weeks ago I reviewed an amazingly cool 3D golf swing analysis app for iOS called SwingTIP. Afterward, I managed to get out on the links with a friend for the first time in a long time. Not surprisingly, my scoring was pretty abysmal, so I figured I needed some help. I found two apps you may want to check out, especially if you also have been away from the game for awhile. Tiger Woods: My Swing ($4.99) will show you the spectacularly perfect swing of the master himself along with Tiger's priceless golf insights and other exclusive content. 

The Adventure-Proof series examines and reviews the best in rugged iOS gear, apps, and accessories to help iDevice users enjoy the great outdoors with their mobile tech safely in tow. In this installment we'll take a close look at the latest in military-standard, waterproof protection for the iPad 2 through 4; aXtion Pro by The Joy Factory ($129.95).

Waterproof iPad cases are relatively rare, so my ears perked when I heard about a new line from such a reputable company as The Joy Factory. The aXtion Pro is a floating fortress of a case. It meet military grade, waterproof, and shockproof standards, so your iPad is good to go on just about any adventure. 

Relationships are sensitive bonds that can be trickier to maintain than jumping rope while hula hooping on a bed of hot coals. Some couples work different hours, some have extra responsibilities like carting the kids around, which makes everyone just want to fall into bed at night. A few brave souls even defy the odds and the miles to stay together long distance. No matter the situation, it can be really easy for the fires of romance to die off quickly. Luckily, there are more than a few apps that will make you look at your iPhone as one of those spinning heart-shaped beds. So I guess the question is: Is that an iPhone in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

I recently had the opportunity to speak via Skype with Iliya Yordanov, one of the founders of SilverWiz. The company is the maker of the well-regarded personal finance app, MoneyWiz, which competes with Quicken, Microsoft Money, and iBank to name a few. Yordanov is a four-time entrepreneur, and is currently focused on scaling SilverWiz.

MoneyWiz is the company's sole app, and it’s available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac OS. While pricey as far as iOS apps go, it's $4.99 price tag is nominal compared to Quicken and Microsoft. The app has hundreds of great reviews, all four and five stars. I asked Yordanov what his secret was!

As a formerly certified weather geek, I like to check out new weather apps. I'm usually drawn to ones with more advanced features, but occasionally I find a simple and elegant weather program I have to mention. YoWindow ($0.99) is one such app. It is not a fancy weather app, which can become cluttered with maps and trend graphs. Instead, it gives you a view of upcoming weather in a serene 2D scene you can animate (e.g. forecast conditions) as you swipe. The app also serves to relax you with realistic outside sights and sounds that match the conditions, and even indicate the season.

An emerging class of visual search apps are showing promise in replacing traditional search methods — with camera technology that leverages the power of the web to help you identify and learn about your surroundings. The just-released iOS visual search app, CamFind (currently free) nicely marries image analysis features with language translation and voice input/output and is threatening to relegate the practice of text-entry search to the Stone Age where it belongs!

Critical Missions: SWAT ($2.99) from Critical Force Entertainment is a killer of a combat first-person shooter, especially if your thing is stalking through virtual settings (armed to the teeth) in order to blast in-game bots (or your online buddy's bots). The game physics are quite realistic, and the 3D scenes and graphics excellent. I did not go bananas over the control aspects, but after a few test runs started getting a better hang of it. Several modes of play are available: endless singular stalking/blasting or various team matches. Critical Missions: SWAT is a single bloody-minded combat game best enjoyed with a side of Foo Fighters at extremely high volume! 

But can it stand up to the most excellent Trigger Fist (Free) (reviewed previously here)? Inquiring shooters want to know... Here's how the two shake out in a side-by-side comparison!

I recently had the opportunity to chat with Antonio Meze, the extremely talented designer of Meze ebony wood headphones. Antonio Meze is both a classic-modernist designer as well as a musician and audiophile, all of which is apparent the moment you put on a pair of his headphones. The quality of craftsmanship is simply exceptional, as is the quality of sound!

Do you have an idea for an app but lack the programming knowledge to begin building it? In this weekly blog series, Unleashing Your Inner App Developer, I will take you, the non-programmer, step by step through the process of creating apps for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. Join me on this adventure each week, and you will experience how fun turning your ideas into reality can be! 

The Belkin Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theater ($199.99) is a rechargeable case for the iPad 2 and 3rd Generation that packs enough sonic punch to knock you out of your seat. Admittedly pricey, this audio accessory from Belkin offers quality and intense portable sound through Audifi digital signal processing, making movies and games immersive fun. This product can also solve the dilemma of buying a separate case, stand, battery and speaker.

Growing up, I was a pretty good math student. And while my oldest daughter is holding her own, my youngest, the artist, doesn't really get why math is so important. Since she loves playing with apps on the iPad, I thought a math app could be just the thing.

I bought iMathGenius ($2.99), hoping she wouldn't object simply in principle; fortunately she gave it a good try. And guess what? She liked it!

As a developer for iOS, Android, and Windows who also teaches their programming, I have all the major iDevice models ever released. (But, naturally, I don't have the different storage / 3G / color configurations in one model.)

As I always carry many of these iDevices with me, I also need at least twice the number of cables. Let's also take into account that Apple's own cables have a tendency to break apart and the need increases even more. Just Google, “iPhone cable breaking apart”; and you'll find threads with pictures such as this and this. 

Having the right tools is crucial in any business. Whether you work in an office, a restaurant, or from home, it’s important to find ways to be as efficient as possible.

Recently, I was grabbing a bite to eat at my favorite sushi place and watched as the chefs prepared the rolls. I could hear the swish and chop of blades as they cut ingredients for my dragon roll with incredible precision. Before I knew it, they presented me with a remarkable looking Japanese dragon made of fresh Tuna, rice, and other ingredients. The chefs couldn’t have done it without the right tools – sharp knives and high-quality cutting boards.

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