Accessories

I recently had an opportunity to try out the newest rugged waterproof case from Dog & Bone; the Wetsuit Impact, and I have to say, it's one of the best waterproof cases I've ever had the pleasure of testing. It is a remarkably well designed iPhone case, with a great deal of attention paid to every little detail. Not only does the Wetsuit Impact (Starting at $79.95) provide some of the best, most reliable protection of any waterproof, heavy-duty case on the market, it also looks fabulous and fashionable while doing so. It sports a svelte form-factor with advanced technical design elements that elevate the status of this case to one of the premier cases of its class.

Unless you’ve been meditating in a cave, you’re likely aware that fitness trackers and wearables are taking the tech world by storm. From Fitbit to Apple Watch and beyond, from wristbands to sport bras - everything can be ‘smart’ these days. Yet, Jabra has its own solution with the Sport Pulse ($199.99) wireless Bluetooth earbuds that can track your heartbeat. That means no guessing whether or not you’re in your heart rate range for an optimal workout. Needless to say, I was excited to give them a try.

Satechi makes a broad range of accessories that really complement the life of an Apple user. It makes remote controls, mouse pads, charging stations, and more that all fit in nicely with Apple's use of aluminum and attention to even the smallest of details. And since Apple bought the somewhat garish Beats to use as its headphone line, Satechi makes headphones that are now more Apple than Apple! Case in point, the Aluminum Wireless Headphones ($69.99). Available in gold, space grey, and silver, they would look right at home in an Apple Store. The only thing non-Apple about them is the low price, about $70 for Bluetooth wireless headphones.

We choose our iPhone cases for different reasons. Whether you want something to protect your phone from elements or show off your personality, we all have preferences. Currently, I’m keeping it classy with a case that doubles as my wallet, and let me tell you, it is convenient. But before that, my favorite cases were always ones with beautiful designs that either inspire me or make me laugh. With all the thousands of options on the market, it’s not always easy to narrow in on the case for you. So, here’s a list of eight awesome and beautiful cases for the iPhone 6/6s to fit (nearly) any personality.

You’ve already spent a pretty penny on the Apple Watch, but you want to buy a different wristband too. The sport band that comes with the Apple Watch sport edition is great and easy to put on, but it’s missing the classic, minimalist style I so cherish. Yet, both Apple and third-party watch bands tend to be around $75 on the low-end and can reach over $250: you’ve got to be kidding. That’s why I set out to build a list of beautiful, classy, and/or radical Apple Watch bands you can buy for under $50.

Etsy has made it far easier for small businesses and local craftsman to promote and sell their handmade or vintage goods. The large online store has categories with everything from knitting needles to wedding dresses. But when we’re looking for tech accessories, it’s easy to forget about the website of amazing crafts. Meanwhile, the options available on Etsy are endless and certainly deserve a look. Here’s five gorgeous and/or useful Apple accessories you can only find on Etsy.

Before stumbling upon Trekz Titanium ($129.99) by AfterShokz, I had never heard of headphones that skip your ears and play music through your cheekbones. But once I discovered them, I had to give it a try. It seems absolutely counterintuitive to listen to music solo without obstructing the ear, but that’s exactly what the headphones promise to do. They’re designed to deliver premium sound while keeping your ears open to traffic noises and other ambient sounds; so, does it work?

As a kid, I loved playing with walkie talkies. Long before cellphones, or even cordless phones, it was a way to run around the neighborhood and play cops and robbers, astronauts and aliens, etc. I even got a CB radio for my car when I was 16. So embracing cellphones was no surprise, but I missed the push-to-talk feature. Now, there are a few ways to achieve this and it's not just about fun. If you are on the slopes, skiing or snowboarding, you will want to stay in touch with your friends. It could even be a matter of life or death, if there's an avalanche or you fall. That's why I'm so excited about the YodelUP Kickstarter offering that starts at a very reasonable $69.

In many areas in the smartphone and tablet industry Apple has blazed the trail, creating devices that are unparalleled in their user interface, practicality, and usefulness. Apple has managed to either out-innovate its competition or simply out-perform them. In some instances, Apple set the trend, as was the case with the first-to-market device of its kind, the original iPhone. In other instances, like the Apple Watch, Apple may not have been the first to offer a product of this kind, but the sales, popularity and customer satisfaction levels of the Apple Watch have gone on to far exceeded that of its closest competitors. Now, as the world gradually acknowledges the potential of Virtual Reality (VR), the question arises: will Apple be content to sit on the sidelines while other companies, like Google, Samsung, and Oculus become the dominant forces in this emerging new medium, or does Apple have a thing or two up its sleeves when it comes to Virtual Reality?

The iPad Pro has been on the market for a little while now, but we’re really just beginning to see a range of great accessories and innovative solutions to iPad Pro challenges. From protective iPad sleeves to ingenious docks for Apple Pencil, new gear for the iPad Pro is proving to be useful and glorious. Here’s five fantastic iPad Pro accessories to check out now.

The fitness tracking industry is officially flooded with options. Yet, which wearable you buy depends largely on how you plan to use it. Most fitness trackers focus on daily activity tracking which is usually some combination of active calories burned and time spent exercising. Moov Now ($79.95) takes a unique approach with guided workouts and real-time corrective coaching. This feature alone got me excited, so I decided to test it out and see if the device could become my new personal trainer.

The big problem with headphones and earbuds is what do you do with them when you're not using them. You could wind up the cable and shove them in your pocket, but the folks at Wraps Wearables have a better idea. The Wraps Wristband Headphones (£14.99-£24.99) are designed to be coiled up and worn like a bracelet. The seller is located in the UK, but ships to the U.S.

At the Consumer Electronics Show, I had the chance to see the Essential Plus ($78.99) from Fonebud. If you want a USB charger, it's a good choice. If you want a handheld Bluetooth speaker/handset, it's a good choice. If you want all of the above, and a flashlight, it's your only choice! 

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