By Todd Bernhard
Now that I have an iPhone X and iPhone 8 in my household, I'm anxious to find the ideal Qi-based wireless charger. I think I may have found it. The LAX Qi Wireless Charging Pad Stand ($26.97) from LAX Gadgets has a lot to offer.
By Todd Bernhard
If Siri integration doesn't matter to you, you don't have to pay $150 or more for Apple AirPods when there are true wireless Bluetooth earbuds like the LTwins True Wireless Sports Bluetooth Headset ($59.99) from LifeCharge. Just like the Apple earbuds, the LTwins come in a charging case and they charge in just 2 hours.
By Todd Bernhard
Just because you paid $1,000 or more for an iPhone X doesn't mean you have to pay $50 or more for a protective stylish case. That's the idea behind a wide variety of cases from Caseology ($10.99–$13.99). Given the price range, I'm a believer!
By Todd Bernhard
If you have an expensive and fragile iPad, you'll want to protect it, especially if it's going to be in the hands of kids. A great way to do so is with the BlackBelt Rugged Case for iPad ($59.99) from Kensington. There are many thoughtful features in this case. Schools and other institutions will appreciate that an asset tag can be viewed by flipping open the kickstand.
By Todd Bernhard
With the weather turning, now is the time to consider the ClimateCase 700 Series ($28.95). It's easy to forget and leave your iPhone in your car overnight where it can be exposed to low temperatures. And in the summer, the same is true of high temperatures. That's where the ClimateCase comes in.
By Todd Bernhard
As high-tech as the Apple Watch is, I miss the elegance of traditional watches. Now you can combine Apple's smart tech with Horween leather thanks to the Nomad Traditional and Modern Straps for Apple Watch ($59.95–79.97).
By Todd Bernhard
If you're intrigued by the Apple Airpods but find them a little goofy looking, and expensive, and too white, there are the Micro Bluetooth Earbuds ($129.99) from Rowkin. Like the Apple version, these are compact individual left and right earbuds that connect via Bluetooth, include a microphone, and come in a compact charging case but unlike Apple, they do not have the odd protrusion and they are sold in black, only.
By Todd Bernhard
My kids take a lot of photos and videos. And that uses up a lot of space. With the expensive cost of iPhones with more gigabytes of storage capacity, and increased use of storage thanks to 4K videos and super-sized apps, it's easy to run out of room on your iPhone. That's why a tool like the Kingston DataTraveler Bolt Duo (starting at $59.99) is so useful.
By Todd Bernhard
With all of the natural disasters lately, the Solar Power Bank ($39) from Everything Tech Gear is a smart accessory to have on hand. In fact, after I reviewed this unit, I gave it to a colleague with family in Puerto Rico, where they are without power and could be for months.
By Todd Bernhard
Perhaps the best smart accessory you can get for your smart home, if you have a dog or cat, is the SmartFeeder ($119.99–$149) from Petnet.io. I have a dog that I love, but my wife and I work and our kids are at school, so it's nice to know that our dog can be fed regularly. Additionally, we try to be precise about how much we feed our dog, and the Petnet.io app lets us choose the exact amount of dry dog food. The app is elegant and simple and I found it easy to set up the app and the online account, as well as the hardware.