Todd Bernhard

Review: Luxurious Leather iPhone 11 Pro Case from Hex

By Todd Bernhard

If you prefer a leather folio case for your iPhone that has slots for credit cards, but also prefer a more compact case, the folks at Hex have a 4-in-1 iPhone Case ($99.99) they'd like you to try. They sent me one and it's got a lot going for it. It has three (or four in the case of the iPhone 11 Pro Max) slots on the back for credit cards, plus an internal slot for cash or more cards. And when you want to go it alone, the protective polymer phone case is easily detached from the wallet folio thanks to the metal plate and magnets built-in.

Review: Civilian Series Rugged iPhone Case from UAG

By Todd Bernhard

I have been covering (and using) cases from Urban Armor Gear for several years, and the cases always had a military-grade feel to them, with a rigid exoskeleton design. It looks like the company now wants to appeal to the masses, based on the Civilian Series iPhone Case ($49.95) it sent me to try. While the traditional models were thicker and had lots of flat surfaces, the Civilian is thinner, smoother, and rounder. But this protective iPhone case still has a rigid design that doesn't skimp around the ports, which some cases do.

Review: ChargeHub HomeBase Power Bank Docking Station

By Todd Bernhard

I keep restocking portable battery packs because the kids borrow and don't return them. Then I'll clean around the house and find discharged battery packs strewn around the house. Now, the ChargeHub HomeBase Power Bank Docking Station ($59.99) that Limitless Innovations sent me may be my saviour. The portable battery charging dock is a compact base that has four slots for the included aluminum battery packs, each offering 4,000 mAh of power, which is impressive given how slim they are.

Review: Minimalist Yet Protective iPhone Cases from Caudabe

By Todd Bernhard

I have never reviewed cases from Caudabe until the company recently sent me the slim Synthesis iPhone Case ($24.95). Caudabe seems to have found a niche for slim, rugged iPhone cases that it calls "Minimalist Perfection," and I can't disagree. These ultra thin protective iPhone cases are slim enough that those who prefer naked iPhones shouldn't object. Yet they add grippability through a unique polymer, which should prevent drops. 

Review: USB-C Hub Supports 2 Monitors & Wireless Phone Charging

By Todd Bernhard

I have several MacBooks and even more monitors spread out across several offices, so I'm always looking for the best USB-C docks for MacBook, particularly multi-monitor ones. The folks at Choetech sent a review unit of their HUB-M11 HDMI VGA Hub with Wireless Charger ($46.79) to try. It comes close and at a great price given the functionality. 

Review: iPhone Alarm Clock Dock & Speaker Hits Most of the High Notes

By Todd Bernhard

The folks at iHome make a wide variety of iPhone accessories, particularly speakers... so many that I give them a hard time for resorting to cryptic naming schemes. The iBTW281 ($79.99) alarm clock phone charger that they sent me to try is just one example. Fortunately, I speak "iHome," so I can translate the "BT" to Bluetooth and the "W" to Wireless. That gives you a good idea of what this "Dual Alarm Clock Speaker System + Dual Charging" device (that's the long name) does!

CLCKR Review: A PopSocket Alternative for Grown Ups

By Todd Bernhard

While kids may flock to PopSockets, the colorful collapsible stand that you may have seen on the back of people's iPhones, there's an alternative that may appeal to kids as well as older folks who need to keep a secure grip on their mobile devices. I had the opportunity to try the CLKR Phone Grip and Stand (starting at $14.99) as CLCKR sent me some versions to try. Like a PopSocket, they can attach to an iPhone or you can buy iPhone cases with the CLCKR built in. I tried both.

Best iPhone Power Banks: ChargeHubGO+ Portable Charger Review

By Todd Bernhard

I have reviewed many portable battery packs over the years and I'm always on the lookout for the best power bank, one that can charge all of my devices without adding too much weight to my gadget bag. Limitless Innovations may have hit the mark with the ChargeHubGO+ Power Bank ($39.99) it sent me to try. First, it's lightweight and compact, smaller in fact than today's iPhones; it's about the size of an iPhone 8, so it is well suited for travel.

Review: Stylish Leather Cell Phone Purse from Allett

By Todd Bernhard

I am all-in on the digital economy. I use my Apple Watch and Apple Pay and Apple Card to conduct commerce. I try to carry as few credit cards as possible. But my wife still uses a checkbook and assorted credit cards, including store-specific payment and loyalty cards. But she also needs her iPhone when out and about. A cell phone purse is a great way to combine her old and new requirements, so I let her try the sample the Mule Clutch Wallet ($66.50) that Allett sent me.

Best iPhone Car Chargers: Moshi QuikDuo Car Charger with USB-C

By Todd Bernhard

I recently added a dashcam to my car, so I'm running out of USB ports. Fortunately, Moshi sent me the QuikDuo Car Charger (starting at $24.95) to try. I tried the higher-end model, which has a USB-A port and a USB-C port. The entry-level model has two USB-A ports. The USB-C option is great for my iPhone as I can use a USB-C to Lightning cable for fast charging (up to 50 percent in 30 minutes!). The other USB-A port is fine for my dashcam, which runs off microUSB.

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