Accessories

Once upon a time, if you wanted a rugged, waterproof tech accessory, it was going to look the part. Oftentimes that would include a bulky form factor and a militaristic look that, needless to say, wasn't everyone’s cup of tea. Nowadays we have far greater options when it comes to accessories that are both extremely rugged as well as stylish. The Fugoo waterproof speaker is one of those options.

I've attended dozens of CES (and COMDEX) tradeshows and every time I return, people ask me "what was the big thing this year?" Usually it's something straightforward like larger televisions, 3DTV, Blu-Ray, tablets, or smartphones. But this year, the big thing was "THINGS" itself! The phrase "The Internet of Things" refers to the increasing connectivity and intelligence of ordinary tools and appliances. Thanks to technologies like Bluetooth Low Energy, ubiquitous Wi-Fi, and IPv6, we have reached a tipping point where everyday devices like light bulbs, door locks, and thermostats can be connected to each other and to the Internet.

The CES show floor this year was chock full of wondrous gear that will enhance your person or home. But to get a glimpse behind the curtain, you need to go off the beaten path, which usually leads me to a stop at Imagination Technologies. Though they downplay some of their A-list tech customers (like, for example, Apple), they always bring superb demonstrations of their latest core IP (like their Pure wireless speakers). Without some of that secret sauce, it is safe to say truly innovative consumer electronics is a tougher proposition. This year they did not disappoint, showing off some dazzling home-connected and wearable tech SoC prototype implementations that are surely destined to be found in much of our future gear.

Braven just introduced a massively powerful new outdoor, rugged speaker at this year’s CES. Called the BRV-X ($229.00), it's designed to withstand almost any abuse that an outdoor adventurer may subject it to, with considerable shock/drop/water protection. The BRV-X is truly a force to be reckoned with, and between its thunderous sound and Herculean design, it ranks as one of the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers I've ever seen or heard.

House of Marley's booth was full of woodsy, organic goodies this year, and visiting them is always a treat. This year along with positive vibrations and bumping live music, House of Marley also had some impressive new, consciously crafted audio products to show off! If you don't already know, one of the defining qualities of House of Marley is their dedication to and skill at crafting high-quality audio gear that feels great and performs phenomenally, while being fabricated almost entirely from their patented, Eco-friendly, upcycled materials and natural woods. In fact, if there were an iPhone Life magazine award for Most Eco-friendly Audio Tech Company, I'd have to nominate House of Marley.

Home locks are now almost universally featuring smart features with some kind of wireless transmission capability built in. We saw at least three of the latest versions available from Goji, Kwikset, and SimpliciKey at CES this year. All three use a form of wireless capability to remotely open and close a deadbolt locking mechanism, in addition to the more traditional (and now somewhat quaint) metallic key method. All three have mobile control apps that also integrate with lock features or functions. I'll try to boil down what I could learn about each at the show...

I'm a big fan of the Pebble SmartWatch as one of the early backers on Kickstarter. So I was anxious to see their announcement at CES yesterday. But frankly, it was a letdown. As I mentioned, I like my Pebble. I wear it almost everyday and appreciate that I can get text messages and caller ID on it. I appreciate the magnetic charging capability and the fact that the battery lasts about a week.
 

While walking the show floor at CES today, I found so many fun new iPhone cases. There are cases for every budget and every style here and I loved learning about new brands (and planning out my next few case purchases). From tweens that love every new colorful accessory to adults who want their iPhone case to match their next handbag, there is quite literally something for everyone. 

For me the Pepcom Digital Experience is like the unofficial launch of CES, an informal party where exhibitors give us a preview of what we can expect in the coming days of CES. With the sprawl of wireless charging solutions, audio gear, gaming gear, robotics, cameras, and wearable smart accessories it was a challenge to absorb everything that is on display. Nonetheless, I did my best to check out each and every booth at this condensed version of CES, and the following are some of the highlights of what I came across last night.

These days there is a seemingly endless array of excellent quality Bluetooth speakers. However, out of the multitudes of Bluetooth speakers on the market, only a limited and select few can lay claim to being rugged and heavy duty. What follows are the cream of the crop of ultra-durable, shock-proof, and waterproof speakers. Read on to find the best rugged Bluetooth speakers for those who are adventurous or accident prone, or those who are looking for the perfect speaker for someone who can be really hard on their gear.

The Bravo ($99.99, special offer) is an aluminum, waterproof and rugged, heavy-duty iPhone 5/5s case. It enters an increasingly crowded field of extreme-protection iPhone cases. Not only does this case manage to hold its own and shine amongst a crowd of excellent waterproof cases, with its ability to be submerged to about 7 feet and its drop-test rating of over 6 feet, the Bravo actually exceeds the highest standards of some of the industry leading alternatives for waterproof iPhone case protection.

Singing in the shower just got a whole lot more fun!

I received the Homewerks Ventilating Bath Fan with Bluetooth Speaker ($139 at Home Depot) for review a few weeks ago, and while I couldn’t wait to test it out, I was feeling a little lazy about the installation process. We finally got sick of stepping over the box, so I bit the bullet and designated a Saturday morning to the task. I regret to inform you that my procrastination was unwarranted and I could have been enjoying music in the shower a lot sooner! Curses!

My bio underneath the articles I write for iPhone Life Magazine say "an iPhone is almost always attached to his hip." And that's true, but I'm not satisfied with most of the holsters I've used to date. They are typically plastic and prone to breaking, or they don't swivel, leading to inevitable jabs to my side or stomach when entering or exiting the car. I'm always on the lookout for something better.

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