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.
By Mike Riley
When you have a house full of iPads and iPhones, the power outlets poorly accommodate the oversized charging bricks sticking out from the walls. Of course, that is assuming that the chargers can be located. Top Greener has addressed the growing population of gadgets dependent on USB plugs to recharge. This review looks at two USB products that Top Greener has to offer.
By Mike Riley
I have used Sennheiser wired headsets for years, finding them to be high quality sound and comfort. So I was excited when Sennheiser announced their initial entry into the rapidly crowding market of wireless earbuds. How could they possibly match the audio and comfort quality they were known for in the wired headset world in the earbud market, especially when even high-end wireless earbuds were prone to subpar audio reproduction and dropouts? It was with some trepidations that I inserted each earbud and cranked up the tunes to determine if Sennheiser could master the wireless space as well as they had the wired audio experience. Read on to find out.
I have been reviewing Just Mobile products for iPhone Life since the release of the company's iPad accessories and stands nearly ten years ago. With Apple's introduction of its most impressive (and expensive) iPhone to date, the iPhone XS Max, keeping such a substantial investment from harm is of utmost importance. Just Mobile agrees and has designed two product to address such a need.
Having already won the tablet wars, Apple could have simply refreshed its tablet line with a faster processor (it did), more storage (up to a terabyte) and a nicer display (you guessed it). While it certainly fulfilled this baseline expectation, Apple pushed the boundaries of tablet computing further today with the announcement of its new iPad Pro. Let's take a look at the most notable new features this next generation of the iPad has to offer.
By Mike Riley
There is no denying that Apple's AirPods ushered in a revolution in wireless audio. Unfortunately, AirPods still cost the same price today that they did when first introduced nearly two years ago. This has given rise to a number of competitors able to offer alternatives at nearly half the AirPods' current price. One such alternative is Phiaton's BOLT earphones. Currently available on Kickstarter with starting pledge levels at $89, the BOLT is expected to ship to backers by the end of this year.
When I think of Scosche, the first product category that comes to mind is its audio headsets. However, the company has expanded into more diverse mix of Apple-friendly accessories. A new item type added to Scosche's catalog is its PowerVolt line of chargers. I tested the PowerVolt 3.0: USB-C / USB-A Fast Charger ($34.99). With a retail price half the price of separate 18-watt USB-C and 12-watt USB-A chargers, the PowerVolt might come in handy when traveling and reducing the number of chargers plugged into your wall sockets.
Today’s Apple announcement was hardly a surprise for most Apple enthusiasts. Leaks of the three new iPhone specifications and new Series 4 Apple Watch were accurately disclosed weeks before. However, there was no sign of the new iPads, AirPods, and elusive StudioPod that Apple was rumored to release.
By Mike Riley
2018 may be the year that home automation adoption rates take off. The number of HomeKit-enabled devices is rapidly growing among both established players and newcomers alike. One such company, iDevices, has continued to expand its product line by recently adding two types of switches and a wall power outlet that can be controlled autonomously. Let's take a look at each of these devices in detail.
By Mike Riley
Elgato's Eve line of HomeKit-enabled home automation products has expanded to cover a variety of situations. In addition to the usual collection of light switches and power outlets, Eve has ventured into temperature monitoring and motion detection. The latest addition to the Eve product line is Eve Aqua ($99.95), an electronic water valve that connects to an outdoor water spigot and provides HomeKit-connected autonomous lawn and garden watering.
By Mike Riley
One of the most frequent places in my home that I use my iPad is in bed. Whether it's binge watching videos, surfing the web, or immersing myself in a captivating eBook, I enjoy the comfort of relaxing (and frequently dozing off) on a comfortable mattress surrounded by lots of pillows. Unfortunately, propping my iPad in between bunched up pillows or contorting my body to accommodate a good screen viewing angle while preventing the tablet from slipping is an exercise in frustration. Holding the tablet is fine for a few minutes, but doing so for ten minutes or longer is fatiguing. There is also the real concern of falling asleep and the unsecured iPad then sliding and crashing to the floor.
