iPhone Life - Best Apps, Top Tips, Great Gear
RemoBell W: Smart Security for Your Home at an Unbeatable Value
Sponsored By RemoBell W on Wed, 08/14/2019
Are you worried about your front door security? In these days of online shopping, front porch theft is on the rise. Luckily, Remo+ is here with the perfect solution to your most pressing home security needs. Introducing the RemoBell W, on sale for $149 for a limited time.
Review: A High Fashion Apple Watch Band without the High Price
By Todd Bernhard
Apple has a history of bringing luxury to the masses. A luxury watch used to cost thousands of dollars, and sure, with specific materials and straps, an Apple Watch can extend into that price range, but the same watch with aluminum and a silicone strap is available to almost any potential customer. If you want the higher-end look for your less expensive Apple Watch, you can get it with the Hermes Style Leather Apple Watch Band ($34.99) from SupWatch , who gave me the band to try. The casual observer might not be able to tell it apart from the higher-end version.
The Fastest Way to Your Share Location from an iPhone
By Hallei Halter
There are a couple ways to share your location, but this might be the quickest! Here's how to share your location from your iPhone in a text message using predictive text. For this tip, you'll have to have both Predictive Text and Location Services enabled. And if you're not connected to Wi-Fi, you'll have to enable Apple Maps too.
Steel Series Nimbus: A Versatile Game Controller for Apple Devices
By Todd Bernhard
For a long time, SteelSeries' Nimbus Wireless Controller ($49.95) has been the only game in town for gaming on the Apple TV. While Apple just announced plans to support PlayStation and Xbox controllers going forward, this was a good time to check out the Nimbus, which SteelSeries sent me to try.
The 10 Best Apps for Making & Listening to Music
By Kenneth Boshell
Whether you're a music maker, a music lover, or both, you're probably on the lookout for the best apps to record songs or find new favorites. We've rounded up ten free and paid apps; some, like Pandora, YouTube, and Amazon Music are well known, others are more obscure. Whether you'd like to learn a new instrument or improve your skills, listen to favorites or discover new artists, we have the app for you.
Review: Compact USB-C Dock Does a Lot in a Little Footprint
By Todd Bernhard
I had already recommended the UD-CAM USB-C dock from Plugable, in part because it was so compact, so I wasn't sure what the advantage of the UD-CUBE ($79.95) would be until Plugable sent me a review unit. As small as the original model was, about the size of an Apple TV, this new model is even smaller. It's about the size of wedding ring jewelry box.
How to Disable Your iPhone's Attention Aware Features
By Hallei Halter
If you have an iPhone X or later, you might notice your device does a few things automatically if you're looking at it. For example, your screen won't dim if you're still facing it and your ringer's volume will lower when you're facing the screen as well. This is because of the Attention Aware feature. By disabling Attention Aware, you can stop your alert noises from lowering automatically and your screen will dim with your face in view, which may save you some battery power.
Preserve Your Memories: Digitize Analog Photos, VHS, Cassettes, Music & More
By Tamlin Day
Hurricanes. Floods. Fires. Disaster can strike at any moment, and our most precious memories are often the most vulnerable. Recently, I started going through my old photo albums to scan and upload my pictures and negatives to a hard drive for safekeeping. Of course, it’s not just photographs that we want to preserve. Vinyl albums, cassette and VHS tapes, analog photography, and even old diary pages are subject to the ravages of nature, storage space, and time. Fortunately, new technologies make it possible for us to preserve and protect our memories in the digital realm. From USB-equipped turntables to flatbed scanners large enough to copy an entire sleeve of images, the means of archiving your most precious memories are only limited by your imagination. But don’t worry, we imagined for you and have a list of devices and apps we think you’ll love.
4 Ways to Get Your Kids Off Their iPhones This Summer
By Joe Leo
It's Summer and kids all over are out of school for the long break and, if they've got nothing else better to do, probably are transfixed by their iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. New and ongoing studies from the National Institutes of Health have shown that more than two hours of screen time per day can have a negative effect on children's thinking and language test results. So, what is a parent to do in order to stave off this addictive and unhealthy habit during the summer months? And how can parents get more involved with their kids' screen time? Here are four tips for keeping your kids off their iPhones this summer.
Ally Earbuds: Comfort, Noise Cancellation, Good Battery Life, More
By Todd Bernhard
I found Cleer's over-ear headphones to be comfortable, so when the company sent me its Ally ($149) earbuds, I was expecting the same. Fortunately, in addition to three sizes of silicone ear tips, they also include three ear wing tips, dubbed Freebit wings, to heep the earbuds in place, regardless of your ear size and type, and they do a good job. The solid fit, combined with noise cancellation, helps block out sounds as well. They also look good and are sold in black or red.
How to Make a Voice Memo into a Ringtone on iPhone
By Hallei Halter
Did you know you can create your own custom ringtones for incoming texts and calls? Here's how to make ringtones with GarageBand on your iPhone. You'll need to have your device running on iOS 11 or later, have recorded a voice memo that is thirty seconds or shorter on the Voice Memos app, and saved that recording to the Files app. You'll also need to have GarageBand downloaded to your iPhone if you don't already. With this tip, you'll be able to make the ringtone on your iPhone without using iTunes or a Mac!
LitraTorch 2.0 Review: LED Flash for Enhanced Videos & Photos
By Todd Bernhard
Let's face it; while the iPhone is a great camera, the flash is only suitable for lighting up close objects. For serious videography and photography, you may want to check out the LitraTorch 2.0 ($89.95) which Litra sent me to check out. The LitraTorch 2.0 is a heavy duty 16-LED light that offers numerous mounting options, including Tripod, SLR cold shoe, and GoPro, plus a magnetic base that works with the included metal disc with adhesive backing. You could attach the disc to your iPhone case and then attach the LitraTorch magnetically when needed, Or use a separate tripod or action camera mount.
How I Built iPhone Life Part 1
By Sarah Kingsbury
In the 116th episode, iPhone Life’s founder Hal Goldstein shares the unlikely story of how a Hewlett Packard software engineer moved to the cornfields of Iowa to start a tech publishing company.
Review: Veelink Combines Natural Bamboo with Wireless Charging
By Todd Bernhard
I love the juxtaposition of natural materials with the latest high-tech gadgetry. Veelink sent me their Bamboo Wireless Charger with Organizer ($27.99) and it's a great example of such a combination. At first glance, it looks like a natural wooden desk organizer, and it should because that's what it is. There's a slightly angled container with a wide opening to house pens, scissors, highlighters and more. But next to that container is an even more slanted stand to rest your iPhone on. But it doesn't just rest there, it charges your Qi-enabled smartphone, even in a case as thick as 5mm.
Instantly Transfer Photos & Scans from iPhone to Mac Using Continuity Camera
By Hallei Halter
Want to know the quickest way to transfer photos and scan documents from your iPhone to your Mac? Here's how to use the Continuity Camera feature on the Mac, which enables you to scan documents or take photos on your iPhone and instantly have them uploaded on your Mac. Your Mac needs to be updated to macOS 10.14 or later and your iPhone to iOS 12 or later. You won't have to use AirDrop or have your device physically connected to the Mac with a cable for this tip. However, both your iPhone and Mac do need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network with Bluetooth enabled and be near each other (like in the same room). Both Mac and the iPhone will also need to be signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID using two-factor authentication.
Review: This SunnyBAG Solar Backpack Can Charge Your Gear
By Todd Bernhard
How many times do you find yourself without power and no outlet nearby? Well, if you're trekking in a sunny area, you have a nice and nice looking option. In fact, my daughter will be backpacking in South Africa this summer, so I was excited when I received the Solar Backpack ICONIC ($119.90) from SunnyBAG. It's a backpack with a solar panel built-in to the exterior.
Apple ID Guide: How to Create, Log In, Manage, Change & Set Up Family Sharing
By Leanne Hays
If you’ve just bought your first Apple product, whether you’re switching from Android or finally cracking and purchasing your first smartphone, you’ll need to set up an Apple ID. Your Apple ID is the account that you use to access all things Apple; iTunes, the App Store, iCloud, Apple Music, iMessage, FaceTime, and more. In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know to create an Apple ID and make sure your account is secure, as well as where and how you can use your Apple ID. We’ll also troubleshoot some common problems and issues with your Apple ID including changing the ID, changing the password, what to do if you forgot your Apple ID, and more. Let’s dig in.