Todd Bernhard

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.

Review: Air Pal Brings Wireless Charging to Older AirPods

By Todd Bernhard

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.

Review: LucidSound Wireless Gaming Headset Does Double Duty for iPhone Users

By Todd Bernhard

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.

Review: Defense Vertical Wireless Chargers from X-Doria

By Todd Bernhard

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.

Review: Smart String Lights Get Smarter for 2019 Season

By Todd Bernhard

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.

Review: AirTrio & AirQuad Wireless Charging Dock

By Todd Bernhard

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.

Review: Standing Desk Makes Using the iPad Touchscreen Easier

By Todd Bernhard

Steve Jobs was often asked about the concept of a touchscreen Mac. He believed that a desktop computer should not have a touchscreen because it put too much strain on the user to reach forward and up to touch or drag a finger across a touchscreen throughout the work day. It's hard to keep your hand elevated for long periods and he felt the iPad was better suited on your lap or balanced on another arm, etc. But something happened since he left us. The iPad got bigger and gained USB-C so you can plug in peripherals. The new iPadOS adds multitasking and Apple is openly asking us to ask "what is a computer", so now it's not unreasonable to see a fully loaded iPad Pro on a desk with a keyboard, companion monitor, and even a mouse.

Review: These Wireless Earbuds Have a Charging Case That Doubles as a Speaker

By Todd Bernhard

I am not usually a fan of earbuds as it's hard to get a good, comfortable fit, but the Portable 2-in-1 Music Pill ($69) that Vissles sent me to review are lightweight and comfortable, and stay put. Most importantly, they sound good, with nice stereo separation, touch control, and an integrated voice assistant. They are made of plastic, which does help keep them light. The real distinction is that when the earbuds are placed in their charging case, the case itself becomes a speaker!

Review: Turn Your iPad Pro into a Multiport Computer

By Todd Bernhard

Apple is blurring the lines between computers and iPads and that's a good thing. The newer iPad Pros use USB-C, just like the latest MacBooks. But there are so many times I need to plug in USB-A devices like keyboards, headphones, an HDMI monitor, memory cards, and more, so it puts USB-C only devices at a disadvantage. Numerous vendors have offered a variety of adapters to address this, but often they are molded to fit the form factor of a specific iPad or MacBook and that limits what you can use the adapter with, now and in the future.

Review: iHome Zenergy Bluetooth Speaker Offers Light & Sound Therapy

By Todd Bernhard

The folks at iHome have a wide variety of speakers that offer a variety of features like Qi-based wireless charging, Alexa integration, radio, alarm clock, etc. but they sent me one, the Zenergy Bluetooth Speaker ($35.08) that has none of those features. Still, for many people, the features it does have will be greatly appreciated. It is a Bluetooth speaker that charges via microUSB but that's not what makes it stand out. The Zenergy is designed to help you sleep better. This is accomplished by an impressive 15 distinct sleep sounds. Unlike traditional mechanical sound machines, this plays recorded and engineered sounds and even incorporates a gentle voice guiding you to sleep or a meditative state with yoga-inspired guided breathing.

Review: onTracks GuideWatch GPS Fitness Band

By Todd Bernhard

I have reviewed hundreds if not thousands of gadgets over the past ten years, writing for iPhone Life magazine, so it's rare that I run into something dramatically different. But it took a French firm, onTracks, to surprise me. The company sent me a review unit of its onTracks GuideWatch (starting at €179) and I'll never look at smart watches the same way again.