If you've invested in a new Apple smartphone like the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, or iPhone 11 Pro Max, it's a good idea to purchase a cell phone case to keep your investment safe. There is a huge variety of covers to buy, offered by companies including Lifeproof, Otterbox, Speck, UAG, and more. Whether you're looking for a protective phone case to safeguard your iPhone against drops and falls, a waterproof case to keep moisture out of your device, a wallet phone case, or just some cute or cool iPhone 11 covers to add some flair to your device, we've rounded up the best iPhone cases on the market for you to choose from.
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iPhone Battery Yellow? How to Turn Low Power Mode Off & On
By Leanne Hays
Whether your iPhone is on Lock Screen, one of your Home screens, or you have an app open, you'll see your iPhone battery icon in the upper-right corner of your screen. You may be wondering, though, "Why is my iPhone battery yellow?" Don't worry; nothing is wrong with your phone. The yellow battery icon just means that your iPhone is in Low Power Mode, a power-saving feature that kicks in when your battery needs to be charged. Let's learn about Low Power Mode, including when it's set to turn on and off automatically, and how to turn it off and on manually.
iPad Game Review: Yellow & Yangtze
By Mike Riley
Gaming on the iPhone and iPad has certainly evolved over the last few years. What was expected straightforward pricing in the early days has become a multi-faceted marketplace of everything from freemium, in-app purchases, and an exclusive premium subscription via Apple Arcade to premium pricing matching that of traditional PC gaming costs. Dire Wolf Digital's latest digital conversion of a well-known board game (at least among board gaming enthusiasts) has opted for the higher-end premium pricing model. Reiner Knizia's Yellow & Yangtze ($9.99) is charging a penny short of ten dollars for the game on either the Android or iOS platform (with the PC version asking for a $14.99 payment for the privilege to play on that platform). Does the price justify the amount of entertainment packed into this board game conversion? Read on to find out.
Review: Luxurious Leather iPhone 11 Pro Case from Hex
By Todd Bernhard
If you prefer a leather folio case for your iPhone that has slots for credit cards, but also prefer a more compact case, the folks at Hex have a 4-in-1 iPhone Case ($99.99) they'd like you to try. They sent me one and it's got a lot going for it. It has three (or four in the case of the iPhone 11 Pro Max) slots on the back for credit cards, plus an internal slot for cash or more cards. And when you want to go it alone, the protective polymer phone case is easily detached from the wallet folio thanks to the metal plate and magnets built-in.
Review: Civilian Series Rugged iPhone Case from UAG
By Todd Bernhard
I have been covering (and using) cases from Urban Armor Gear for several years, and the cases always had a military-grade feel to them, with a rigid exoskeleton design. It looks like the company now wants to appeal to the masses, based on the Civilian Series iPhone Case ($49.95) it sent me to try. While the traditional models were thicker and had lots of flat surfaces, the Civilian is thinner, smoother, and rounder. But this protective iPhone case still has a rigid design that doesn't skimp around the ports, which some cases do.
Review: Minimalist Yet Protective iPhone Cases from Caudabe
By Todd Bernhard
I have never reviewed cases from Caudabe until the company recently sent me the slim Synthesis iPhone Case ($24.95). Caudabe seems to have found a niche for slim, rugged iPhone cases that it calls "Minimalist Perfection," and I can't disagree. These ultra thin protective iPhone cases are slim enough that those who prefer naked iPhones shouldn't object. Yet they add grippability through a unique polymer, which should prevent drops.
Review: ChargeHub HomeBase Power Bank Docking Station
By Todd Bernhard
I keep restocking portable battery packs because the kids borrow and don't return them. Then I'll clean around the house and find discharged battery packs strewn around the house. Now, the ChargeHub HomeBase Power Bank Docking Station ($59.99) that Limitless Innovations sent me may be my saviour. The portable battery charging dock is a compact base that has four slots for the included aluminum battery packs, each offering 4,000 mAh of power, which is impressive given how slim they are.
The folks at iHome make a wide variety of iPhone accessories, particularly speakers... so many that I give them a hard time for resorting to cryptic naming schemes. The iBTW281 ($79.99) alarm clock phone charger that they sent me to try is just one example. Fortunately, I speak "iHome," so I can translate the "BT" to Bluetooth and the "W" to Wireless. That gives you a good idea of what this "Dual Alarm Clock Speaker System + Dual Charging" device (that's the long name) does!
How to Change Miles to Kilometers in Maps on iPhone
By Abbey Dufoe
Navigating in a different country and feeling confused trying to convert miles to kilometers? Or perhaps you learned the metric system and realized how much more sense it makes than the imperial system. Whatever the reason, you can easily change miles to kilometer in Maps on iPhone for all future directions. Here’s how.
CLCKR Review: A PopSocket Alternative for Grown Ups
By Todd Bernhard
While kids may flock to PopSockets, the colorful collapsible stand that you may have seen on the back of people's iPhones, there's an alternative that may appeal to kids as well as older folks who need to keep a secure grip on their mobile devices. I had the opportunity to try the CLKR Phone Grip and Stand (starting at $14.99) as CLCKR sent me some versions to try. Like a PopSocket, they can attach to an iPhone or you can buy iPhone cases with the CLCKR built in. I tried both.
Apple has once again set the standard for wireless earbuds with the AirPods Pro. Consequently, the market has followed with competitors approaching the market to either compete against Apple head-on, or flank Apple with low-cost alternatives. This article examines two sub-$100 AirPods alternatives that deliver adequate sound quality at less than half the cost of Apple's Airpods Pro.
10 Best Travel Apps for Planning & Enjoying Your Next Trip
By Conner Carey
Do you have a business trip or vacation to plan? Here are our ten top apps for getting a handle on restaurants to try, currency conversion, maps and directions, and entertainment for your flight. Once you've reached your destination, we have apps for translation, hotel and bed and breakfast bookings, photo sharing, and more. Here are our top ten travel apps; enjoy!
Review: Jaybird Vista Bluetooth Earbuds
By Mike Riley
It has been quite a year for new affordable, cross-platform wireless earbud alternatives to Apple's Airpods. Around the same time that I received the excellent Jabra 75t earbuds, I received another company's (that just so happens to start with a J) top of the line offering for review. How do the Jaybird Vista ($179.99) wireless earbuds compare to the recent competition in this rapidly expanding market segment? Read on to find out.
Looking for the perfect holiday gift for the nerd or geek in your life? No matter what kind of tech your friend or family member is into, we've found a present for them. We've selected a range of products at a variety of manageable price points, so you can find something for everyone on your list, old, young, and everywhere in between. Here are our top picks for geeky gear in 2019!
Buyer's Guide 2019: Smart Gear & Toys for Kids & Teenagers
By Leanne Hays
If you've been looking for the best gifts for kids or teenagers in your life, look no further. Our 2019 Buyer's Guide has four options for all sorts of interests, from science and programming to stories, music, and of course, the ever-popular LEGO franchise. You'll find a smart toy or tool for every budget and every age; even adults will want to get in on the fun! Let's jump into the kid's section of our annual buyer's guide now.
Apple or Google Photos? Which App Is Best for Cost, Quality & Editing
By Kenneth Boshell
Ever lost a precious memory because you forgot to back it up? With these two major photo management solutions, Apple Photos and Google Photos, those concerns should be a thing of the past. But which one should you pick? In this article, I'll go in depth to find out. I'll compare cost, file formats, upload quality, and a number of other factors in order to help you make an informed decision.
Review: Jabra Elite 75t Wireless Earbuds
By Mike Riley
One of the main reasons I enjoy writing about technology so much is the significant advances made by innovators and manufacturers in such a sort time span. A perfect example of this is the breakneck pace of wireless earbud development. A year ago, I heaped praise on what I subjectively proclaimed at the time were the best wireless earbuds on the market, Sennheiser's Momentum True Wireless Earbuds. While that product still holds up well today, the competition hasn't been idle. One manufacturer that has made significant strides in the wireless earbud market is Jabra, a company that has been in the phone headset business for decades. Does their latest recently released Elite 75t ($179.99) wireless earbuds exceed last year's top headset in my assessment? Read on to find out.
How to Use High-Key Light Mono on the iPhone 11 & 11 Pro
By Tamlin Day
High-Key Light Mono, for the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max, is a gray-scale portrait effect that whites out the background and turns up the highlights on your subject. To use this effect, open your Camera app and use the Portrait Mode lighting wheel to select High-Key Light Mono. Here’s how to use High-Key Light Mono in the Photo app on your iPhone 11, 11 Pro, or 11 Pro Max.
Review: Kodak Smile Classic 2-in-1 Camera & Printer
By Todd Bernhard
As a native of Rochester, NY, home of Kodak, I always have a soft spot for Kodak gear. The company created the photography industry but then watched as competitors like Polaroid and later smartphones took over. It looks like Kodak is back in the game with its new Kodak Smile Classic ($149.99) which the folks there sent to me to try. I own the latest Fuji and Polaroid instant cameras so I was pleased to see several enhancements that those devices don't match.
How to Use Low-Data Mode on Your iPhone (Cellular & Wi-Fi)
By Leanne Hays
If you're limited in the amount of cellular data that you can use because of your internet plan, you'll want to know how to turn on low-data mode on your iPhone. It's possible to turn on low-data mode separately for Wi-Fi and cellular, and in this tip, we'll show you how to do both. Let's get started learning how to save data on your iPhone.