Nate Adcock

Sleep deprivation in our always-on, social media-saturated world is a problem that is only growing as we add more tech to our homes. It affects our performance on and off the job and can result in significantly adverse health effects, particularly as we age. I have dealt with my share of sleep issues over the years, due to regularly traveling and working different shifts at my job. Although I don't have any magic-bullet solutions, I can offer what I’ve found to be the most helpful apps, gear, and tips for lulling you to sleep.

Why would you line all your tablets, smartphone (and whatever else charges) on a dock in front of you? There are a few cool reasons that you may not have thought of, besides just charging them. If it seems silly to even have a tablet anymore (or an iPod), hear me out. In the right conditions, two tablets are actually better than one. Two tablets with an iPhone sandwiched in there is majorly empowering (looks cool, anyway)! Udoq, which is being featured on Kickstarter launch in the U.S. gets more than a few things right to make multi-device docking interesting.

The cheap virtual reality glasses experience reminds me a little of the early fighter pilot video games of the 80s. After Burner was probably my all-time favorite (I still play it on a home arcade). As awesome as AB was, and it was awesome for its day, I remember even then (years before the movie Top Gun) thinking how much cooler it could have been. Just add a wrap-around high-res screen, simulate a real cockpit view with better graphics, and allow full control of the aircraft in all directions (like a real fighter). Enter VR some 30-plus years later—or maybe what some would call a somewhat passable facsimile. The makings of a much better AB almost. I recently grabbed one of many $20–$30 VR headsets that work with iPhone or Android, and sampled some of the better apps out there (the fighter simulator I tried made me feel sick). After mostly being only mildly impressed with the slightly blurry and jittery experiences, I found an award-winning game that makes the cheap VR thing more interesting again; but it's not a roaring jet fighter game, just a simple platformer called Space Box ($0.99).

If you have kids that are seriously frightened of things that go bump in the night, maybe steer them towards Pokemon GO instead of LightEaters (or go grab Light Eaters for yourself). Light Eaters ($3.99) has a dash of the scariness in there that could frighten younglings into your room for the night (or several nights thereafter). The game idea was hatched on the crowd publishing platform BrightLocker. It's a campy platform puzzle game that excels in creating enough nervous tension to keep you tiptoeing to the next level.

Styluses are not much in style anymore, the Apple Pencil still being a somewhat enigmatic and premium exception. That doesn't mean you can't buy good ones for an affordable price. Those of us addicted to scribbling, old-fashioned note-taking, doodling, or sketching know the good ones. A good stylus pen, like a fine pen, has a certain weighted balance and comfortable feel that makes it practically seem to disappear in your hand. The Lynktec Apex Fusion Stylus pen ($59.99) is one such fine electronic handwriting implement.

The uNu Aero Wireless Charging Base and Case ($109.99) is not an inductive wireless charging base/case (see our recent review of a Qi inductive option here), but if you are looking to shake off the coils of wired entanglement holding your iPhone hostage and explore the world of wireless iPhone 6s charging, it is another unique option to consider.

Within one minute of fooling around with the iRig Keys MINI ($79.99) and IK's Sample Tank app ($9.99), I was impressed. The MINI is a small portable 25-key MIDI instrument that you can plug into an iPad or iPhone and then start mixing hooks like a pro in minutes. Pair it up with the IK apps or Garage Band and you will be blown away at how quickly even a novice can start making quality music with this mini compact keyboard.

Just last weekI wrote a review about the new iRig Pro DUO; and now on the heels of the first dual-channel iRig comes another first: the iRig Acoustic ($49.99). The iRig lineup provides electric guitar players what they could previously only get by shelling out serious cash for guitar gear or expensive mixing software. Now IK is extending the unique plugged-in mobile experience of iRig to acoustic guitar players.

Medibang Paint is a free app on a par with image editing software that costs serious cash. While I'm no graphic arts major, I have fumbled through my share of freebie and non-freebie image editors, and this app is powerful. If you happen to be a real graphic arts major, you'll want to grab this editor and try it out. Even in my rather unskilled hands, Medibang almost had even me believing I could pass for an artist! Well, almost.

Cloud-based storage is now an everyday thing, and I have reviewed several services at iPhone Life over the years. However, newer options are always becoming available, and if you are looking to back up, sync, or share your important data, then you might want to check out this review. Mainly I will focus on a lunchbox-sized storage gadget from Western Digital called the MyCloud Mirror ($309.99), but I'll also share some other options that I have tested.

Wondering what to do on that long bus or train commute to work? If you own an iPhone and happen to be a music major (or want to become one), you might want to brush up on your scales. MusiClock ($2.99) is a reference of every scale (or most) known to modern humankind presented in a rotating, clock-like dial that also lets you experiment with background music. Read on to find out how you might become the next great composer with nothing more than MusiClock and your iPhone (oh and lots of time).

The Capti Narrator (free), developed by Charmtech Labs LLC, can read your iPhone screen to you, or at least from most apps that support sharing within iOS. The app also provides its own browser interface, and queues up your content into a track playlist. The coolness does not end there. You can sync up your devices to include desktop PC, iPhone, or iPad, and seamlessly switch between them without a pause in your content. Capti is for anyone who wants an audio-enabled mobile content experience hands free in the car, the gym, the office, or practically anywhere.

At CES, I saw a demo of an early model of the ZAGG Speaker Case which is currently 40 percent off at $59.99. The case is more of a bumper with a Bluetooth detachable speaker in back. Now I have one to actually test out. Zagg also sent over a Fantastic 4-themed iPhone 6 back cover, which marks ZAGG's partnership with 20th Century Fox to promote the latest Marvel Comics movie.

In our next issue of iPhone Life Magazine, we feature a head-to-head matchup of two great screen protectors, both of which came through the crucible of a crowdfunding campaign: Cupert's CINDER and Kyasi's Gladiator Glass. We can't reveal which one came out ahead (you will have to wait for the September/October print issue to find that out), but we can at least tell you a bit more about how a quality product like CINDER can become an indie success, as we were able to do a brief interview with Carsten Nissen, one of the co-founders and COO at Cupert Technology.

TYPO Innovations sent us its latest wireless keyboard and case. Dubbed TYPO ($189), and aimed at "bridging the gap between your laptop and your iPad," the pricey accessory has a sleek and somewhat refined appearance. It looks great, but how does the TYPO really stack up against other wireless keyboards? Read on to find out in our full review.

The folks at TYLT sent their latest and greatest RIBBN and Capio in-car accessories for review. The not-yet-released Capio 2 (MSRP $29.99) is a universal car mount that improves ont he original product with spring-loaded adjustable arms that can handle even monster-sized phablets. The latest RIBBN ($49.99) impresses with 4.8 Amp output and an extra USB charge port to power up multiple devices while on the go. Together, they will dominate your dash! Read on for the latest TYLT effect...

The iKlip Grip ($59.99) is a departure for IK Multimedia from their usual music-oriented gadgetus. The Grip is basically a portable, expandable camera stand that can also become a handy selfie pole. However, the Grip is no one-trick pony, thanks to its universal camera mount attachment point that is compatible with many cameras and accessories.