I've written extensively about the game Vainglory (free) since it first debuted on stage when Apple unveiled unveiled the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus a year ago this very week. You may also recall being introduced to Vainglory thanks to Apple's Gamers commercial, the tech giant's only exclusively gaming commercial to date.
iPhone
Review: Soft Case by FÜZ Designs Is Both Slim and Protective
By Todd Bernhard
FÜZ Designs makes quality iOS accessories, so I was glad to try the Soft Case ($29.99) for the iPhone 6s. I liked the use of soft, grippy materials and the color choices (bright blue or red as well as black.)
5 Amazing Etsy iPhone Docks We’re Loving
By Conner Carey
It’s easy to forget about Etsy when you’re looking for tech accessories. The make, buy, sell e-store focuses on vintage or handmade items usually sold by individuals or small businesses. You’ll often find great prices paired with high quality goods plus you’re supporting artists. Step with me into the rabbit hole of Etsy iPhone docks.
Apple Features Celebrities in iPhone 6s Commercials
By Conner Carey
Apple has been on a commercial releasing frenzy, which would be irritating if they weren’t so darn short and cute. This time, the company is featuring the new iPhone 6s, likely getting ready for the holiday season. I don’t mind; watching Bill Hader eat a sandwich and talk to Siri is my kind of commercial.
There’s a Smart Home Device for Closing Your Blinds
By Conner Carey
Easily installed to existing windows, AXIS Gear allows you to control or automate your window shades with your iPhone. The Indiegogo project is looking to fundraise the manufacturing of its product. You can set scheduling to open the morning blinds and lower them at sunset. Control your curtains with or without iPhone via the AXIS gear motor; it's also fully compatible with other smart home systems.
Extreme iPhone 6s Testing: “This Thing Will Not Die”
By Conner Carey
Don’t ask me how, but I stumbled upon YouTuber TechRax’s video in which he tests the iPhone's durability by spinning it in a paint shaker. You remember those machines at hardware stores that chug paint around really fast to mix the colors? Yeah, that. Naturally, I found myself yelling at the screen, “Nooo!” and wanted to bring you the same discomfort.
Skybuds: Truly Wireless Earbuds
By Conner Carey
The devices we listen to music on have evolved greatly, yet the devices we listen with haven’t changed much. Skybuds wants to change that with truly wireless earbuds that store and charge from your smartphone case.
Review: Create Your Own Private Cloud on the MyCloud Mirror
By Nate Adcock
Cloud-based storage is now an everyday thing, and I have reviewed several services at iPhone Life over the years. However, newer options are always becoming available, and if you are looking to back up, sync, or share your important data, then you might want to check out this review. Mainly I will focus on a lunchbox-sized storage gadget from Western Digital called the MyCloud Mirror ($309.99), but I'll also share some other options that I have tested.
19 Must-Have iPhone Gadgets for the Office
By Daniel Rasmus
As a reviewer, I receive all type of gear and accessories, from iPad cases to styluses and light bulbs to remote controls. Out of all of the products I receive to evaluate, only a few make it into my regular technology repertoire. Its not that I don’t use other items I’ve reviewed, but these have taken up residence in my office, I keep them handy and actually rely on them to do my work. I think that is the highest praise for a technology accessory. I won’t provide deep reviews in these posts, but I will be telling you why I like the item, and what has made it indispensable to my work.
I called it. Yesterday, in my article discussing T-Mobile's new pricing options, I wrote "T-Mobile is shaking things up, as usual, and I wouldn't be surprised to see the other carriers revise and revamp their offerings in response." Sure enough, Sprint has answered the call and not only met T-Mobile's pricing, it undercut the "uncarrier" in an almost desperate bid to be your next carrier.
The ZAGG Dropguard case ($24.99) and InvisibleShield Glass Luxe ($34.99) is a perfect combo for assuring iPhone protection. The case attractively snugs over the backside and edges, while the shield slams down a force field of layered protection to the screen front. The new iPhone is here and you will want a quality case and screen protection combo to protect that 6s. ZAGG will have your iPhone's back. We'll also give you some tips to prevent smashing your screen.
How to Make iOS 9 Faster on Your Older iPhone
By Conner Carey
If you’re on an iPhone 6, the iOS 9 update likely works wonderfully and does what Apple intended. However, users of earlier models of the iPhone are reporting a major lag in performance since updating. With every software release there are bound to be bugs. If you’re considering reverting to old software, keep in mind that iOS 9.1 will soon be available. If the performance bugs are minor, I recommend you wait; however, if the update has turned your iPhone into a fancy calculator, we’ve got four ways to make it a super computer again.
Get Ready for the End-of-Year Game Rush!
By Dig Om
Game Centered features roundups and reviews of the best in iOS games and gaming related news. Among the App Store’s myriad games, it’s all too easy to overlook some of the great new releases. Each installment of Game Centered will take a closer look at a select few iOS games that are worthy of special recognition. As we near the end of 2015, we enter one of my favorite times of year as an iOS gamer. Every year around this time we start to see an influx of new games in the App Store as developers hustle to get their best games to market in time for the holiday shopping season. Here are some of the best games from Apple's own Best New Games section of the App Store.
Now that Apple's September event is over and I've had a chance to catch a deep breath and take a step back from Apple's infamous "reality distortion" field, I can share some more perspective on Apple's new TV set-top box and what it really means (and doesn't mean) for modern gaming.
How Live Photos Work—More Details Emerge
By Jim Karpen
One of the new features of the iPhone 6s is Live Photos. Turned on by default, this feature captures images for 1.5 seconds before and after the actual still photo that you take. When you tap on your still photo, you see what appears to be a three-second video of that moment. As you can see in the embedded video below, a still photo of rippling waves can show the actual rippling when you touch the display. Apple emphasized, however, that this is not a video, and that it doesn't greatly increase the file size. Any Live Photos you take can be viewed across iOS devices. And they appear as simple jpeg images when viewed on other devices.
If you’ve followed my Game Centered column, you’re likely already familiar with SteelSeries. The company makes some of the best gaming peripherals available for Apple devices and is a brand that I’ve included in my articles numerous times before, with good reason. Whether you are a casual Crossy Road player looking for an affordable but excellent pair of headphones, or a Vainglory gamer on the pro-circuit looking for a high-end pair of headphones, SteelSeries has you covered. The company also specializes in designing game controllers for the iPhone and the iPad, and now it's unveiled its latest controller, the Nimbus, designed specifically to deliver a console-type gaming experience on the new Apple TV. On the day of the Nimbus’ announcement, we interviewed the SteelSeries CEO Ehtisham Rabanni about the controller and his thoughts on the future of gaming.
I will probably upgrade to the iPhone 6s, but not for the reasons you might think. Yes, Apple claims "The only thing that’s changed is everything" and that's true. Almost every element of the iPhone 6 has been enhanced. The metal is stronger. The screen has 3D Touch. The camera is a big improvement. The processor is faster, as are the graphics and networking. If your job was to repair iPhones, there are almost no components from the older iPhone 6 that could be reused in the iPhone 6s. It is entirely new. Everything has indeed changed. Apple has a valid point and it is also trying to head off the inevitable "nothing's changed" criticism that comes with any "s" model.
Why You Might Want to Pass on Apple’s New iPhone Lightning Dock
By Todd Bernhard
It got barely a mention during Apple's action-packed announcement on September 9, but Apple now offers an iPhone Lightning Dock, in four different colors. And if you want one, it's one of the few items announced that is actually available to order and shipping within 1–3 business days. The dock is sold in silver, space gray, gold, and rose gold to match the latest lineup of iPhone 6s colors. The dock itself is compatible with more than the iPhone 6s, specifically the iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, 6, 6 Plus, 5s, 5c, 5, and iPod touch 5th and 6th generation. But it still may not be the Lightning dock for you.
iPhone Life Podcast Episode 001—iPhone 6s Announcement Preview and Rumors
By Sarah Kingsbury
We are excited to announce launch of the iPhone Life Podcast! Tune in to hear our editors share with you the latest Apple news, best apps, iPhone tricks, and the coolest accessories.
In the first episode of the iPhone Life Podcast, Sarah, Donna, and David discuss the latest iPhone 6s and Apple TV rumors leading up to the Apple annoucement. We answer all of your burning questions including: "What is Force Touch?", "Do we need a 12 MP Camera?", "Will Apple release a streaming service?", and much more.
Enter the iPhone Life Photo Contest: Deadline September 4!
By Rheanne Taylor
It's photo contest time again. We know you enjoy taking the occasional artistic shot with your iPhone, so why not get rewarded for it? Enter our iPhone Photography Contest for a chance to win awesome prizes and a spot in our magazine!