In this article we'll take a look at some of the App Store's best and most critically acclaimed action games of 2017. Whether you enjoy single-player or multiplayer action and adventure, this roundup of stellar iOS games, presented in no particular order, will offer something for all fans of mobile action games.
AR Games for iOS 11 Review: The Machines
By Mike Riley
Augmented Reality (AR) is supposedly "the next big thing" in videogames, and Apple has embraced that possibility by outfitting iOS game developers with ARKit to help standardize and accelerate AR on iOS. During the recent iPhone 8 and 8 Plus and iPhone X launch event, Apple had a developer from Directive Games take to the stage and demonstrate the company's ARKit-powered new game, The Machines. After upgrading to iOS 11, the first AR-enabled game I played was The Machines ($4.99). Does it live up to the hype? Read on to find out.
Review: Just Mobile Encore iPad Stand
By Mike Riley
Just Mobile has firmly planted its flag in the premium Apple accessory camp with its catalog of high-quality iPhone and iPad cases, stands, chargers, and the like. A recent addition to this product family is a new lightweight iPad stand called Encore ($49.95). Read on to find out how it compares to the array of other iPad stands on the market.
Top iOS 11 Tips & Tricks
By Rheanne Taylor
Thanks to iOS 11, your iPhone and iPad just got a lot more powerful. With each new release, Apple focuses on improving old features as well as delivering new ones. So whether you’re looking to kickstart your productivity by scanning documents in the Notes app or train yourself to be a safer driver with Do Not Disturb While Driving, this guide is your T go-to source for all that and more.
Ready to Learn iOS 11? Become an Expert with Our Complete Guide
By Conner Carey
Apple has released the official public iOS 11 this fall, which means it’s time to figure out how to use all the new features! Each new version of iOS comes with a steep learning curve, but we want to make it easy for you. That's why we created The Complete iOS 11 Guide for iPhone Life Insiders, and you can gain access to this video guide immediately when you become a member. This guide is packed with all of the how-tos, tips, and tricks you need to become an expert in iOS 11. We’ll cover everything you need to know, and we'll make it easy to follow with guided videos that’ll show you exactly what your iPhone or iPad screen will look like every step of the way. You’ll be teaching your friends iOS 11 tricks in no time. Check out a preview of the guide and learn more about the iPhone Life Insider membership below.
Sumo Lounge Omni Flex Review
By Mike Riley
Several years ago, I reviewed one of Sumo Lounge's largest bean bag chairs. My family and I still use that chair to this day even though it continues to take up a considerable amount of space in our entertainment room. After recently revisiting digital-lifestyle furniture, I decided to check up on Sumo Lounge to see what the company was up to and discovered to my pleasant surprise that Sumo has expanded its product line. One of the most recent additions to the family is the Omni Flex chair ($199). Does it maintain Sumo Lounge's comfort level while not taking up too much floor space? Read on to find out.
If you're not already a parent, don't let this article discourage you. Parenting is one of the most amazing and rewarding things that can happen to a person. But it's also a lot of work, and at just about every stage of your kid's childhood, you'll need the best kid-friendly iPhone case you can find to protect your device from increased dangers and risk of damage. If you have a baby, then there's the ever-present threat of your baby spitting up on your iPhone or dropping it. If you have a toddler (which I do), then there's the danger of your teething child chewing on your iPhone, throwing it in a fit of toddler-tantrum, or experimentally placing your iPhone in the potty. And it's not like the risk of damage to your iPhone goes away as your child get older. Young kids and early teens are notorious for being a little on the careless side; and until they discover the joys of paying for expensive computing devices for themselves, they typically won't have the same level of respect and reverence for said devices that you as a parent and provider will have. So as a mom or dad, having the best kid-friendly, life-proof protective iPhone case is a wise decision. Fortunately, there's no shortage of great protective case options to meet everyone's tastes and preferences (there's even an Etch-a-Sketch iPhone case out there), whether you have the iPhone 7, iPhone 6, iPhone 5s, or iPod Touch. So without further ado, here are the best child-proof cases for the iPhone 7, iPhone 6, iPhone 5s, and iPod Touch that moms and dads will love.
Text message stickers for iOS devices are a great way to add an extra personalized touch to your iMessages. If you have an iPhone or iPad running iOS 10 or later, then you have access to the plethora of texting stickers that are available in the Messages App Store.
Review: Fender Monterey Bluetooth Speaker
By Mike Riley
I have listened to a fair number of the best Bluetooth wireless speakers, so when Fender released its Monterey Bluetooth Speaker ($349.99), I was intrigued. Fender is best known for its eardrum crunching guitar amplifiers, so I was curious to know how well Fender made the transition from its 20th-century electric guitar roots to 21st-century wireless sound. Read on to find out.
Best Calendar Apps for iPhone
By iPhone Life Team
If the iPhone Calendar app that came with your iPhone is just not meeting your scheduling needs, don't worry; you've got options! Here are five of the best calendar apps for iPhone. Find out the pros and cons of our favorite calendar apps.
ROME: Total War – Alexander for iPad Game Review
By Mike Riley
The Rome Total War series continues to make a big splash in the iPad gaming arena with yet another Total War release, ROME: Total War - Alexander ($4.99) only a few months after the previous expansion release on the platform. Read on to find out if this latest addition is worthy of your mobile gaming time and budget.
Elgato has continued to expand its Eve line of HomeKit-compatible, home-automation products, with two recent additions being Eve Degree and Eve Light Switch. This article takes a look at both of these smart-home products to see if they are worth the investment.
The new Braven Stryde 360 ($99.99) is one of the latest in the robust lineup of rugged, adventure-ready, waterproof Bluetooth speakers from Braven. It brings a highly portable form factor and reliable waterproof protection to a speaker that also offers crisp, clear sound quality and respectable volume levels, especially for a portable wireless speaker of this size.
Introducing App Saturdays! (*insert jazz hands*) Every Saturday, we’ll feature an app we love, telling you what it can do and why it’s awesome.
Our first app, Sorted, is a calendar and to-do app to rival them all. Since the Sunrise calendar app died, I’ve searched high and low for a replacement. After months of trial and error, I stumbled across Sorted last week. Here’s what it can do and why you’re going to love it.
Most people don’t understand Popsockets (starting at $10) until they try one. You’ll find one or two on the back of almost every iPhone, iPod, and iPad around the iPhone Life office. We use them when we’re snapping selfies, winding our earbud cords, Skyping in for meetings, or navigating the Iowa backroads. These 1.5-inch circles of plastic are simple, a bit silly looking, and incredibly useful. Continue reading to find out if the Popsocket and Popclip are practical iPhone accessories or goofy distractions.
With the iOS 11 beta 1 release, the Notes app looks poised to take on Evernote as the life-organizing app du jour. With in-line drawing, drag and drop features, tables, and expanded formatting options, iOS 11 integrates Notes into your daily workflow in new and organic ways. Continue reading to find out whether Notes in iOS 11 could replace your Evernote subscription.
Review: Vizio Crave Go Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
By Mike Riley
Though known predominantly for its displays, Vizio has ventured into the realm of portable sound with its Crave Go ($199.99) portable Bluetooth wireless speaker. Did the company imbue it with the level of quality and functionality that Vizio is known for? Read on to find out.
Color Blind? How to Correct Your iPhone's Colors for Your Vision
By Conner Carey
Accessibility features on iPhone improve year after year. It used to be that those who are color blind could only to choose to use grayscale, but did you know that’s no longer the case? If you’re color blind, you can go into your settings and select the color correct palette that works with your specific type of color blindness. It’s pretty incredible. Even those with ‘regular’ vision should check it out. Here’s how to correct your iPhone’s colors for your vision.
This was a huge WWDC keynote event. Apple spent a solid two-and-a-half hours debuting all of the new operating systems and quite a few products too. It was a truly stunning event that included a look at the upcoming iOS 11, WatchOS 4, tvOS 11, and MacOS High Sierra. Apple also debuted its whole new line iMacs, Macbooks, and iPad Pros. And last but certainly not least, Apple revealed its Amazon Echo & Google Home competitor: HomePod, which is designed to work not only as a virtual assistant but also as an incredible home sound system. Apple definitely made up for not having a spring event. I think it’s safe to say that the company realizes there are huge expectations upon it this year, and Apple is showing the world that it’s prepared to deliver in a big way.
There are two major different ways you can connect or stream your iPhone or iPad to your TV. The easiest and cheapest way (if you already own an Apple TV) is to use AirPlay, which will allow you to enable iPhone screen mirroring. Alternatively, you can hook up your iPhone or iPad to your TV with an HDMI cable. If your TV doesn’t have an HDMI port, you can use a VGR or AV adapter and cable to connect to your analog TV. But that’s a fairly small pile of people, since the vast majority of TVs have HDMI ports. Which is why I’m going to focus on how to connect your iPhone or iPad to your TV via AirPlay mirroring or with an HDMI cable and adapter. Regardless of what method you choose, it may take a little money to hook your iPhone up to your TV. Which is why, if you already have an Apple TV, I recommend using AirPlay mirroring to watch your iPhone or iPad on your TV. However, I’ll go over both methods and what you need to hook up your iPhone or iPad to your TV below.