Todd Bernhard

Author Details

Todd Bernhard's picture

Author Details

Todd Bernhard

Todd Bernhard is a bestselling (6+ million downloads) award-winning (AARP, About.com, BestAppEver.com, Digital Hollywood, and Verizon) developer and founder of NoTie.NET, an app developer specializing in Talking Ringtone apps including AutoRingtone. And his profile photo is of the last known sighting of Mr. Bernhard wearing a tie, circa 2007!

An iPhone is almost always attached to his hip or in his pocket, but over the years, Mr. Bernhard has owned an Apple Newton, a Motorola Marco, an HP 95LX, a Compaq iPaq, a Palm Treo, and a Nokia e62. In addition to writing for iPhone Life, Mr. Bernhard has written for its sister publications, PocketPC Magazine and The HP Palmtop Paper.

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.

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.

I have reviewed a number of gaming controllers from GameSir but the i3 Gaming Case ($39.90) the company sent me to try breaks the iPhone Bluetooth game controller mold. Instead of a plastic Xbox-like controller fitted to work with and house an iPhone, GameSir started with an iPhone case and added buttons to it. 

As I acquire more Apple gear, such as my Apple Watch, iPhone, AirPods, and iPad, I'm always on the lookout for ways to charge my numerous gadgets while taking up as little space as possible on my nightstand. Kanex sent a review unit of its new GoPower Stand ($69.99) and it is tailor-made to do triple duty! First, and most noteworthy, it charges an Apple Watch without requiring Apple's $30+ cable. So while it's not cheap, that is a plus.

These days, a water bottle is not just a common accessory, it's a fashion statement. But why spend more on a water bottle than you'd spend on an iPhone case if all it does is hold water? The folks at Asobu came up with the BT60 Wireless Beat Bottle ($34.99) that does something more. The "Beat" refers to that extra feature; the water bottle comes with a Bluetooth speaker built-in to the cap!

If you already own a set of AirPods that do not have built-in wireless charging, don't despair. Pitaka sent a review unit of its Air Pal ($99). It comes in two finishes; the premium uses Aramid fiber, which looks like carbon fiber. The Air Pal adds Qi-based wireless charging to non-wireless charging AirPod cases Additionally, there is a built-in battery pack delivering up to three charges. This is great for traveling.

If you're not all-in on Apple Arcade, and still use a dedicated gaming console like the Xbox One, you might want a gaming headset that can support chat via a removable boom microphone. But before you spend nearly $200 (as much as or more than the console) you should get one that also works with your iPhone. LucidSound sent me a review unit of their LS35X Rose Gold Wireless Gaming Headset ($149.99) to try and Apple users who like to game will find it is a perfect fit, especially if they use Rose Gold Apple gear.

I have a lot of Apple gear (iPhones, AirPods, Apple Watches) but limited space, so I was glad when X-Doria sent its Defense Vertical Wireless Charger (starting at $39.99) to try. It is sold in two versions, a compact vertically-oriented stand for just a Qi-enabled smartphone or a wider version with an extra pad for AirPods (or even a second iPhone). That version also has an extra USB port so you could add your own cable to charge an Apple Watch, etc.

One of the neat things about writing product reviews for iPhone Life for over a decade is getting to see enhanced versions of products I've reviewed in the past. Case in point, Twinkly sent a review unit of its updated Smart LED String Lights (starting at $148.95). As with the previous generation, they are intelligent holiday lights that can be programmed to display solid colors or patterns.

I am always on the lookout for the ideal way to charge all of my gear, which is typically made by Apple. The folks at Pitaka may have the answer. Their upcoming AirTrio and AirQuad (starting at $119) is currently a bargain on Kickstarter; and while crowdfunded projects don't always come to fruition, Pitaka is an established manufacturer and I've reviewed its other items before. The company sent me an AirQuad to review, so I can confirm that it's real. And it's really nice.

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