7 Best Free Cooking Apps Every Foodie Should Try
By Abbey Dufoe
You rely on your iPhone for everything, so why not for dinner tonight? If you've been in a recipe rut, or just want help to become the best home chef you can be, download these free cooking and step-by-step recipe apps to get you started. Some of these cooking apps require a trip to the grocery store, while others help you find recipes to work with ingredients you already have in the fridge. As a bonus, if you lack motivation, check out our top foodie Instagram account choices to get all the culinary inspiration you need.
Best Productivity Apps: Top Picks from the iPhone Life Team
By iPhone Life Team
WWDC Rumors Point to New iPad Pro with Face ID
By Sarah Kingsbury
In the 80th episode of the iPhone Life Podcast, Sarah, Donna, and David go over all the latest rumors leading up to Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Will we be seeing a new iPad Pro with Face ID? What about a more affordable MacBook Air? Listen in to find out.
Apple HomePod Review: 5 Things We Love About Apple's Smart Speaker, & a Few We Don't
By David Averbach
Should You Purchase the HomePod?
iPhoneLife CEO and writer David Averbach reviews audio quality, "Hey Siri" performance, the HomePod's fit into Apple's ecosystem, five of his favorite HomePod features, and who should and shouldn't purchase a HomePod.
Best iPad Cases for Kids: Cute, Cool & Kid-Proof Accessories
By Leanne Hays
Kids love iPad time as much as the rest of us, but am I the only one who can almost see my iPad cringe at my child's enthusiastic appreciation? My standard protective iPad case can handle the wear and tear of adult and teenage use, but isn't up to the task of drops, bangs, and spills that a younger child dishes out. Therefore, I've set about to find the very best iPad cases for young children so that I can safeguard my iPad and my nerves from the perils of our preschooler in residence. I'm looking for three key features in my search for the best iPad case for kids: it must be drop proof, easily cleaned, and cute. Let's get started on our review of my findings so you can decide which of these iPad-saving cases you'd choose!
Best Waterproof iPhone 8 & 8 Plus Cases:
- Lifeproof Fre for iPhone 8 & 8 Plus ($89.99)
- Catalyst Case for iPhone 8 & 8 Plus ($79.99-$89.99)
- Dog&Bone Wetsuit Impact iPhone 8 ($79.95)
- (2Pack) Universal Waterproof Pouch ($7.95)
Best Protective iPhone 8 & 8 Plus Cases:
- Underwater Casetify Case for iPhone 8 or 8 Plus ($40)
- Otterbox Defender Series for iPhone 8 or 8 Plus ($49.95)
- Aknacase Glamour Series - Blue Wave for iPhone 8 or 8 Plus ($20)
Don’t Leave the House without This Rugged Solar Charger for Your iPhone
By Anonymous (not verified)
We've teamed up with StackCommerce to bring you iPhone Life Deals, showcasing unique discounts on some of the top gadgets and software from around the web. This post does not constitute editorial endorsement, and we earn a portion of all sales.
It’s frustrating when your iPhone dies on you when you’re nowhere near an outlet. Maybe you were expecting an important call while out for the day, or perhaps you were on a long hike about to reach the ideal spot for a beautiful photo—and then your phone dies. It’s situations like these that reveal the utility of a portable battery charger.
Best New iOS 11.3 Features Coming This Spring
By Sarah Kingsbury
In the 79th episode of the iPhone Life Podcast, the team shares the best features coming to your iPhone and iPad this spring with iOS 11.3. Learn why this software update will make a difference for you, from battery performance settings to messages that sync with iCloud. Other topics include the never-ending Apple Maps versus Google Maps debate, mortifying tech mishaps, and a quick-and-dirty trick for deleting tons of emails in a snap.
Review: Pionears Are Fun & Functional True Wireless Earbuds
By Todd Bernhard
One of the coolest gadgets I saw CES, according to myself, my friends, and my family, was the Pionears Wireless Earbuds ($69.99) from Origaudio. At first glance, it looks like an oversized Zippo lighter (about the size of a deck of playing cards), but it's really a charging case for two remarkably tiny earbuds. And the lid snaps open and closed (thanks to magnets) just like a lighter, but for a much healthier use case! The storage case itself has a 4,400mAh battery; and what is really cool is that it slips into a charging dock with integrated A/C wall plugs, so no cables are needed.
Review: VogDuo 30W Travel Wall Charger
By Daniel Rasmus
I have a new travel companion. VogDuo has delivered what is perhaps the ideal travel charger. The VogDuo Charger Pro 3-Port USB Wall Charger ($49.99) is thin, powerful, and adaptive. And my evaluation unit is cherry red, just like Elon Musk’s car heading out to the asteroid belt.
I have to admit I have a new addiction. Well, not an addiction so much as a way to while away my time during on-demand NBC television show commercials you can't fast forward through even though Comcast owns NBC. The game is called Word Flow (free with in-app purchases).
I recently tried out Solo New York's Cameron Rolltop Backpack and Shorewood Leather Briefcase. Solo New York gets the urban vibe and understands the practicality of modern work. The design of both bags takes into account that briefcases and backpacks often travel with other luggage. The design includes panels for sliding thebags over rolling luggage handles. For someone who travels a lot, that feature alone makes these bags far more appealing than any who skip or skimp on this feature. Read on for more details about each bag.
iOS 12 Features We're Willing to Bet On
By Sarah Kingsbury
In the 78th episode of the iPhone Life podcast, the team fills you in on everything to expect from Apple's next major mobile software upgrade, iOS 12. Listen in to learn the release date, top rumors, and features we bet Apple will include.
Should You Buy the HomePod? We'll Tell You Everything You Need to Know
By Sarah Kingsbury
In the 77th episode of the iPhone Life Podcast, Sarah and David share their hands-on review of Apple's new smart speaker, the HomePod. Can the sound quality compete with Sonos? Is the HomePod as smart as the Amazon Echo or Google Home? Learn everything you need to know.
I reviewed the earlier version of Nomad's USB Hub, and I liked it then, but since then, Apple introduced phones with Qi-based wireless charging, so I had to use a third-party charging pad next to my Nomad hub. RECENTLY, I was able to try the USB Hub - Wireless ($79.95) from Nomad, which was announced at CES and will become available to the public soon.
Plug the Logitech MX Sound Speakers into a Mac While It’s Paired to Your iPhone & iPad
By Todd Bernhard
Why have speakers for your Mac or PC and separate ones for your wireless devices? Logitech has an interesting alternative with the MX Sound ($99.99). The beautiful speakers can plug in to your computer using the 3.5mm input jack, while also being paired with not one but two Bluetooth devices. This means you could connect an iPhone and an iPad to the same high quality speaker and alternate use between the devices.
Review: Outcry Extreme Bluetooth Speaker from Wicked Audio
By Todd Bernhard
I was expecting a more outrageous design for a speaker named Outcry Extreme ($54.99) from a brand named Wicked Audio, but that's what you get for making snap judgments. In reality, the Outcry Extreme looks like a high-end speaker from Sonos, but it's a fraction of the price. There is one styling cue that is subtle, but it's there. The Wicked Audio logo is embossed in the metal grill, if you're looking for it.
5 Best Screen Protectors for the iPhone 8 & 7
By Conner Carey
One of the best ways to protect your iPhone 8 or 8 Plus (or your iPhone 7 or 7 Plus) is to get a screen protector. Tempered glass screen protectors in particular offer great drop protection for the glass screen beneath. Of course, we recommend using a rugged case for your iPhone 7 or for your glass-bodied iPhone 8 as well, but covering your iPhone screen is priority number one. If you prefer not to use cases (you really shouldn't go without a case on the newest glass-bodied iPhones!), screen protectors become even more important. There are tons of companies out there with iPhone screen protectors, which means there's a lot to choose from in a wide range of prices. We’re going to cover our picks for the five best screen protectors for iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. Any of these tempered glass screen protectors will also work with the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.
Presenting iPhone Life's Best of CES 2018 Winners!
By Sarah Kingsbury
Looking for a glimpse into the future? That's why 180,000 people gathered in Las Vegas this year for CES, an annual event where tech companies from all over the world debut their most innovative new products. A dedicated team of iPhone Life writers combed the far reaches of every hall to find the coolest new tech for your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Our Best of CES 2018 Awards went to the most forward-thinking, creative, and useful iOS-related gear and more coming to market this year.
Qi wireless chargers are about to become all the rage with owners of the new iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X. If you weren't already on the Qi wireless charging bandwagon, you're about to find yourself much more inclined to be, now that Apple is offering Qi wireless charging as a native feature of its new iPhone X and iPhone 8 series. With Qi wireless charging, you simply place your Qi enabled device upon the Qi charging base and that's it, your device begins charging. Easy as can be. Fortunately Qi wireless charging is already an established charging platform, so there are plenty of great Qi wireless charging pads to choose from, with more on the way including Apple’s own AirPower charging plate. Let's learn more about some of the best wireless iPhone charging stations currently available.