Mike Riley

Author Details

Mike Riley's picture

Author Details

Mike Riley

Mike Riley is a frequent contributor to several technical publications and specializes in emerging technologies and new development trends. Mike was previously employed by RR Donnelley as the company’s Chief Scientist, responsible for determining innovative technical approaches to improve the company’s internal and external content services. Mike also co-hosted Computer Connection, a technology enthusiast show broadcast on Tribune Media's CLTV.

Whether sitting at my desktop writing articles or playing the latest keyboard-intensive 4X game, I exclusively use Corsair keyboards due to their high quality construction and excellent key travel and action. Using anything else is a big step down. This is especially noticeable when using the latest Mac laptop keyboards or wireless keyboards for iOS.  So when Corsair announced its first wireless keyboard designed to connect via either Bluetooth or an included 2.4 Hz USB dongle, I was very interested in seeing how well the company translated its desktop expertise into a more mobile-oriented product.

Logitech has been a major player in the PC speaker scene for years, and the company recently has begun to branch out to support other devices besides its core market. One of these major growth opportunities is with iPad customers who are seeking a high quality wireless audio solution included with their usual PC audio needs. Logitech's Z606 5.1 Surround Sound with Bluetooth ($129.99) was created for this customer in mind. Read on to find out how well this flexible PC and mobile device audio solution delivers on its promise.

I am a big advocate of digital conversions of popular board games. While such digital interpretations can't match the camaraderie and engaged player interactions of the original analog source, I find the benefits of digital board game conversions far outpace these obvious shortcomings. I can carry the digital equivalent of a physical shelf full of analog board games in my iPad and never worry about misplacing any game pieces. I also don't have to scour over rules whenever a questionable action comes into play, since the digital app almost always alerts me of any invalid moves or valid options. Most importantly, the AI opponents in the digital interpretations means there is always someone to play the game with.

As part of Apple's major content subscription announcements today, one category that raised more questions than answers is the company's announcement of Apple Arcade.  Unlike the Stadia game streaming service announced by Google earlier this month, Apple Arcade consists of original game content that can be downloaded and played offline when designed accordingly by the game creators. Like Stadia, gamers can pick up immediately where they left off on whatever device has the game installed.

Earlier today, Apple made a game changing announcement for the credit card industry. While it has been speculated about for years, Apple finally unveiled its intent to become a credit card company with the introduction of Apple Card. In addition to removing most of the sources of traditional credit card service revenue such as late fees, annual fees, and over limit fees to name a few, Apple also promised not to track payments or sell card activities to third parties. Although there will be a physical card available, this is clearly a card that is meant to be iPhone first. Users will apply for and be approved for the card via their iPhone, use it with Apple Pay, and even contact customer service via Messages. Apple is partnering with Goldman Sachs as the bank of record.

Thanks to the simplicity and pervasiveness of Apple's Homekit technology, the home automation market continues to rapidly expand with a variety of product offerings. Elgato's eve line has been one of the most prolific on the market, ranging from electrical outlets and temperature monitors to smoke alarms and lighting solutions. A recent addition to eve's growing product catalog is the Eve Light Strip (starting at $79.95).

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.  

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.

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.

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