iPad Air

A MagSafe charger smaller than Apple’s but made by a third-party? Ruggedized rubber hard drives from a company known for Mac-matching aluminum enclosures? Synchronized stereo speakers with color-shifting mood lights for your bedroom? Yes, the annual pre-CES Pepcom event took place in Las Vegas last night, and these were just a few of the products we spotted on the floor. Read on for more details…

CES 2015: Avi-on shows sub-$60, next-gen smart home lighting solutions

Jeremy Horwitz Jan 5 2015 - 6:42 pm PT

How often is merely showing up with a working lightbulb enough to attract a crowd? At a dimly-lit event held tonight by the Bluetooth SIG ahead of the 2015 CES, Avi-on demonstrated such modest magic using an early implementation of Bluetooth mesh wireless connectivity.

The company’s upcoming Bluetooth light switches ($30-$35), light dimmers ($40), and lightbulbs ($20) will be the backbone of an upcoming home lighting system with General Electric branding, and promise to eliminate the need for in-wall light switch wiring.

CES 2015: iHome debuts HomeKit SmartPlugs, SoundFlask speakers, wearables, Kineta pop-out battery speakers, more

Jeremy Horwitz Jan 5 2015 - 4:10 pm PT

2 Comments

Every year, top-ranked Apple speaker maker iHome comes to CES with an impressive array of new products — including something to show off Apple’s latest technology — and it isn’t disappointing at the 2015 CES. In an advance briefing before the show officially opened, iHome revealed its first Apple HomeKit product, SmartPlug ($40), as well as some daring new speaker and headphone designs…

…like the first speaker we’ve seen hidden inside a beautiful drinking flask. It’s called SoundFlask, and comes in coat pocket- ($50) and home bar-sized ($100) versions. Even the smaller version sounds really good given its size, and the flask cap twists to adjust the volume. All that’s missing is the ability to actually hold fluids. Read on for more.

NVIDIA sets the bar high for Apple’s A9 chip as early Tegra X1 benchmarks significantly outperform A8X

Ben Lovejoy Jan 5 2015 - 5:52 am PT

15 Comments

NVIDIA has thrown down the gauntlet to Apple in the mobile chip power stakes. While the A8X chip used in the iPad Air 2 has so far blown away the competition, NVIDIA has shown off benchmarks indicating that its new mobile superchip, the Tegra X1, leaves it standing.

The benchmark data shared with SlashGear were heavier on graphics than hard data, but appear to show that the chip significantly outperforms the A8X, with NVIDIA saying that it will offer “silky-smooth 60fps 4K video.” The one number the company did share is that when throttled back to match the GPU performance of the Apple chip, power efficiency was 1.7 times better.
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iPad with stereo speakers pictured in alleged manufacturing render, claimed to be larger iPad prototype

Benjamin Mayo Jan 4 2015 - 10:47 am PT

12 Comments

It looks like it is the season of sketchy schematics and component leaks again. Posted by NowhereElse.fr, this image is supposed to confirm the existence of an imminent larger iPad. According to the site, the images come from a source that was reliable in the past, passing over sketches of iPhone 6 chassis that turned out to be the real deal.

Seagate and LaCie debut fashionable/wireless hard drives for iOS and Mac ahead of 2015 CES

Jeremy Horwitz Jan 4 2015 - 5:38 am PT

8 Comments

Seagate and its LaCie subsidiary have announced five new hard drives just ahead of this week’s 2015 CES, including two new iOS-compatible wireless models and three new Mac-only disks. All except one will be available in January from the company’s web sites.

: Seagate Wireless

: Seagate Seven

: Seagate Personal Cloud

: LaCie Mirror

: LaCie Rugged RAID

For iOS, the 500GB Seagate Wireless ($130) is an economical and portable, battery-powered hard disk designed to compete with G-Technology’s G-Connect and Western Digital’s My Passport Wireless. Just under 4″ on each side and less than an inch thick, Seagate’s version is designed to look fun, with your choice of green, blue, gray, red, or white matte housings, and uses integrated Wi-Fi to connect with iOS devices and Macs for media playback as well as Android/Windows/Chrome. It runs for nine hours between charges and can connect to 3 devices simultaneously.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qVU2eWvmg8&w=704&h=396]

Seagate Seven ($100) is a Mac-only alternative that promises to be the world’s thinnest portable hard drive. Made from 100% stainless steel, the enclosure is only 7mm thick and includes a USB 3.0 cable for connecting to a computer, giving up wireless in order to achieve its small size. In a break from traditionally boxy or rounded hard drives, Seven is actually slim enough to let you see the contours of the traditional hard disk mechanism inside. Three additional drives are discussed below…

Review: Skech’s Base and Skechbook join the early iPad Air 2 case ranks, but add bulk

Jeremy Horwitz Dec 31 2014 - 11:24 am PT

As 2014 comes to a close, there aren’t a lot of iPad Air 2-specific cases on the market, and some developers are already taking shortcuts — cutting extra holes in old iPad Air cases — just to get “iPad Air 1+2” products out. So when new cases are supposedly tailored just for the iPad Air 2, I’m interested in seeing how well they actually fit and protect Apple’s latest tablet, even if their designs are otherwise highly familiar. That’s why Skech’s Base ($45) and Skechbook ($40) are here.

They’re both fabric folios with iPad Air 2-sized plastic hard shells inside. Offered in black, blue, or pink, Base has rounded corners and feels like waxed canvas, while the black-only Skechbook has boxy, hardcover book-like edges and is wrapped in “vegan leather.” Just like Apple’s more expensive iPad Air 2 Smart Case, neither accentuates the Air 2’s thin body, but they work as basic protective and stand solutions.

Review: Belkin’s QODE Ultimate + Ultimate Pro Keyboard Cases add metal keyboards to the iPad Air 2

Jeremy Horwitz Dec 29 2014 - 12:25 pm PT

10 Comments

The average iPad keyboard case sells for $100 or less, and there are now hundreds of options, mostly from companies based in China. But several developers have been selling deluxe iPad keyboard cases, using upscale metal housings and premium features to command $130-$180 asking prices. To that end, Belkin has debuted very early iPad Air 2 options called the QODE Ultimate Keyboard Case for iPad Air 2 ($130, available now) and QODE Ultimate Pro Keyboard Case for iPad Air 2 ($150, currently available for pre-order).

As their “Ultimate” branding suggests, these are supposed to be Belkin’s best iPad keyboard cases, though only the Pro version really succeeds at justifying its price this time out. Below, we’ll explain why.

Touch ID hackers attempt to take things to next level, no need for physical fingerprint

Ben Lovejoy Dec 29 2014 - 5:48 am PT

25 Comments

The hacker who successfully used a fingerprint captured from an iPhone to fool Touch ID now believes it may be possible to perform the same hack without needing access to a physical fingerprint. Speaking at this year’s Chaos Computer Club convention, Jan Krissler – who uses the alias Starbug – demonstrated how a fingerprint can be generated from a series of ordinary photographs of someone’s finger …
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Review: SwitchEasy’s Power Amp charges 4 iPhones or iPads, somewhat ambiguously

Jeremy Horwitz Dec 29 2014 - 5:36 am PT

We take utter simplicity for granted when choosing wall chargers for Apple devices. Apple’s adapters each have one USB port and a relatively clear label identifying the device the port will charge. Most of RAVPower’s largest multi-port chargers are very clear about what their multiple ports can do: each port is either iPhone (1-Amp) or iPad (2.4-Amp) enabled, period. But SwitchEasy, an infrequent dabbler in electronic accessories, has overcomplicated its new four-port charger Power Amp ($50), sometimes styled PowerAmp. While it cosmetically looks almost as if it could be an Apple design, its ports are packed with confusion.

On the positive side, it’s relatively compact, and if you can look past its confusing labeling, its performance isn’t bad. Read on for more.

9to5 Guide: Hello, new iPad owner! Here are the best accessories to buy right away

Jeremy Horwitz Dec 25 2014 - 5:15 am PT

5 Comments

It’s Christmas Day, and if you were especially nice this year, you may have just found a new iPad under your tree. Apple’s tablets are able to do incredible things right out of the box, but they’re also easily damaged, and there are accessories that really help to expand their capabilities. If you want to make sure your iPad performs at its full potential, it’s a good idea to protect it and accessorize right away.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help new iPad owners choose the best accessories across a variety of different categories. Our top picks range from stands and cases to speakers, keyboards, game controllers, and much more. We also explain what’s near-mandatory, what’s optional, and what you can safely skip. Read on!

Review: SwitchEasy’s Rave gives iPhone 6, iPad Air 2 owners colorful case options, while Numbers stumbles

Jeremy Horwitz Dec 23 2014 - 10:56 am PT

Over the past decade I’ve been reviewing cases for Apple devices, people have occasionally asked how I can find new ways to write about products that are so similar to one another. My answer: I focus on the differences, and sometimes find fascinating how something that worked or didn’t work for one Apple device has flipped for another device.

SwitchEasy has been making cases for almost as long as I’ve been reviewing them, and quickly developed a reputation for outstanding value across budget-priced options. But something changed over the last couple of years, and the cases have shifted from mostly clear hits to a mix of hits and misses. The company’s latest releases for the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and iPad Air 2 are so numerous and up and down that I’m not going to cover all of them. But for different reasons, two new models — Numbers for iPhone 6 / iPhone 6 Plus, and Rave for iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and iPad Air 2 — are worthy of a quick spotlight today.

Apple Pay in-app checkout added to Ticketmaster, LoungeBuddy, more

Zac Hall Dec 22 2014 - 8:49 am PT

6 Comments

While retailers and venues have steadily been rolling out Apple Pay support for buying goods in the real world, Apple Pay is possibly even more popular with checking out for physical goods and services within apps. This week’s additions include Apple Pay in-app checkout support on iOS with Ticketmaster, LoungeBuddy, and more.
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Review: Just Mobile’s TopGum adds glam + a magnetic charging base to a 6,000mAh battery

Jeremy Horwitz Dec 22 2014 - 5:26 am PT

The secret to understanding USB battery pricing is that you tend to get what you pay for: cheap batteries lose their charges faster and can bulge and leak over time. Other companies specialize in selling atypically nice batteries that last longer and work better. Just Mobile is a leader in quality batteries: for the past six years, its Gum series (shown below) has spanned every Apple device type, size, and speed, but it has never built a Lightning cable into a battery before. That changes with the January release of TopGum ($80), which advances the company’s prior state-of-the-art Gum++ model in two ways: an authentic Lightning cable’s integrated into the battery’s left edge, and a matching magnetic battery charging dock is included.

Of course, these features – and a choice of gold or gray metal exteriors – come at a premium over typical all-plastic batteries, so if you don’t need the cable or dock, you’ll be equally well-served with the company’s earlier batteries. Read on for the full story.

9to5Toys Last Call: iPad Air 2 15% off, Samsung 40″ LED HDTV $298, Sony on-ear headphones from $8, more

Dec 19 2014 - 3:45 pm PT

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the brand new 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Get 15% off iPad Air 2 at Target stores

Samsung 40-inch 1080p 60Hz Slim LED HDTV: $298 shipped (Reg. $400)

Amazon Gold Box: Save up to 60% on Select Sony Headphones – prices as low as $8 (orig. $20)

Last Day: Four magazine subs for $16 incl. Wired, GQ, Rolling Stone, Men’s Fitness, ESPN, many more

Giveaway: Grado Prestige Series SR80e Open-Ear Headphones ($99 value)

More new deals:

New! Skylanders Trap Team Starter Pack for iOS $20 (orig. $75)
New! Lexar Black 128GB Jumpdrive USB 3.0 Flash Drive: $35 shipped
New! WD 3TB Elements USB 3.0 Hard Drive $88 shipped (Reg. $110)
New! Apple Smart Cover for iPad mini & iPad mini 2nd Gen $17 shipped
New! Daily Deals: 39″ HDTV $240, Jawbone Mini Jambox $70, more
New! Nintendo: Christmas Day arrival for Duck Hunt on Virtual Console
New! Tomb Raider iOS App Bundle: $5 (Reg. up to $11)
New! Mac games: Borderlands Pre-Sequel $30 (Reg. $60), more
New! Games/Apps: Xbox Onew/ $70 GC $350, Final Fantasy iOS sale, more
New! Fashion: $100 Nordstrom Gift Card w/ free $20 Amazon credit, more
New! Kindle Fire HD tablet w/dual cameras: $79 (orig. $99)
New! Home: Roomba 780 Robot Vacuum $400, more
New! Google Nexus 5 16GB in Red $320 shipped

More deals still alive:

iTunes Free App of the Week: Brushstroke ($2.99 value)
iOttie One Touch 2 iPhone 6/Plus Car Mount + Dual USB Charger: $22 (up to $50 value)
Mac Desktops: iMac 5K $200 off, Mac Pro up to $800 off, Mac mini up to $150 off
Canon Monochrome Laser Printer: $65 shipped (Reg. $120)
LED HDTVs: Sharp 50″1080p $400, Samsung 32″ 720p $180
Headphones: AKG K44 $15, MEElectronics Air-Fi Wireless $38
Save 15% off at Amazon Local: deals on travel, restaurants, more
Pencil by FiftyThree iPad stylus: Graphite $40, Walnut $50 (orig. $75)
TP-LINK Nano Powerline Adapter Kit: $20
Modern Combat 5: Blackout for iOS drops to $4
VIZIO 65″ 1080p 240Hz Smart LED HDTV: $1,000 shipped (Reg. $1,500)
Headphones: JBL Wireless BT on-ears (refurb) $60, AKG sport in-ears $19, more
The Beatles collections and single albums get price cuts on iTunes
Critically acclaimed iOS action/adventure game Oceanhorn is now $5 (Reg. $9)
Sennheiser HD 439 Over-Ear Headphones in black $40 (orig. $100)
Klipsch KMC 3 130W Bluetooth speaker w/remote: $165 shipped (orig. $400)
Google Chromecast + $40 Google Play credit, more: $30 shipped
iPad mini 2 w/ Retina display and iPad Air from $250 shipped ($50 off)
OtterBox iPhone 6 Plus Commuter Series Case $34 Prime shipped (Reg. $50)
Trade-in working smartphone: iPhone 6 $90 + $50 Target GC
Incase 40% off: save on iPhone, iPad and Mac accessories
Free HD download of “Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” from Google Play
Philips Hue Lux LED Starter Kit: $80 (Reg. $100)
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Computer Speaker System $110, $93 (open box)
Philips SoundRing Wireless Speaker w/AirPlay $97 shipped (orig. $300)

New products/ongoing promos/info:

9to5 Guide: The best iPad stands, docks, and cases with built-in stand
Audio-Technica releases its new SonicPro line of in-ear headphones
Roundup: touchscreen gloves from $2, DIY options for iPhone
PSA: Free Holiday shipping cutoffs start this week
Power Pen is the “world’s first pen with an integrated smartphone battery”
The ODROID-C1 is a quad-core hobbyist computer priced at just $35
Kitchen Tech: Sous Vide water baths turn plain meat into succulent steaks
Review: Toffee’s Fitzroy Satchel is a solid gift for thoughtful commuters
Toshiba’s newest wireless hard drive streams media directly to a Chromecast
9to5 Guide: Nintendo’s rare Amiibo collectible figurines
Gaming For Couples: The Peggle Family + The Beatles Rock Band
New features/prices make these PS4/Xbox One/Wii U games worth second looks
Nano Drone: The “world’s smallest quadcopter” is also one of the most affordable
Kitchen Tech: Magical ice ball makers transform everyday drinks into classics

Holiday Gift Guides:

Justin’s holiday gift guide: accessories to amplify your Mac set-up
Trevor’s holiday gift guide: products that make life easier and look good doing it

Review: Imation’s Link Power Drive adds 16/32/64GB of storage to a compact 3,000mAh Lightning battery pack

Jeremy Horwitz Dec 19 2014 - 9:08 am PT

There wasn’t really a market for hybrid batteries and external flash drives until this year, when Mophie’s Space Pack seemingly came out of nowhere, impressively nestling 16 or 32GB of additional flash storage inside a 1700mAh iPhone 5/5s battery case. But having demonstrated the value of combining these features together, Mophie’s $150 to $180 asking prices were high enough to keep some people away, and the requirement of an iPhone 5 or 5s was similarly somewhat limiting.

Imation is trying something different with its Link Power Drive, a small plastic box with a silver top and white base. There are 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB models, each equipped with a 3000mAh battery, a Lightning cable, and a USB cable. The MSRP of the 16GB unit is less than any Space Pack, and the 64GB model has twice Mophie’s top capacity for the same MSRP — except Imation’s street pricing is much lower. Better yet, every model works with whatever Lightning-equipped iOS device you might have, and there’s enough battery power to completely recharge any iPhone except the iPhone 6 Plus. All you need to do is carry the accessory around separately, attaching it when needed.

9to5 Guide: The best iPad stands, docks, and cases with built-in stands

Jeremy Horwitz Dec 18 2014 - 9:35 am PT

3 Comments

iPads need stands. Whether you’re watching videos, long-form typing, or making FaceTime calls, it’s a chore to hold the iPad upright for extended blocks of time. To address that need, Apple launched the first iPad with regular and keyboard docks, but quickly gave up on them in favor of simpler folding lids called Smart Covers.

If you’re looking for an iPad stand or dock, you can do better than that. We know because we’ve tested lots of options for Apple’s tablets. Following up on our guide to iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus docks, we’re looking today at the very best of what’s out there for every iPad, covering four broad categories: simple portable stands, simple desktop stands, cases with integrated stands, and charging docks.
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Watch Jimmy Fallon’s ‘Oprah Moment’, gifting The Tonight Show audience iPad Air 2’s

Zac Hall Dec 18 2014 - 7:33 am PT

6 Comments

[hulu id=lqyna__lnmz36pprgionzw width=704 thumbnail_frame=73]

Alongside Justin Timberlake, Jimmy Fallon has become the voice of the iPhone 6 with Apple releasing a continuous series of ads featuring both entertainers. Fallon also sits behind a MacBook on the set of The Tonight Show on NBC, something that he brought over from his time hosting Late Night on NBC.

Now Fallon’s Tonight Show is giving the gift of Apple, specifically to the studio audience from last night’s taping as each attendee was gifted with a brand new iPad Air 2 as part of this week’s holiday gift giveaway segment. See the clip above (and wish you were there!) …

(We know Hulu works in a very limited number of countries and will post the YouTube clip when available.)

9to5’s Last Minute Apple Gift Guide

Jeremy Horwitz Dec 17 2014 - 11:46 am PT

Christmas and the end of Hanukkah are only a week away. You’re looking for a last-minute gift that’s guaranteed to arrive in time for the holidays. We’re here to help with a collection of top picks for Apple fans, all at great prices.

Welcome to 9to5’s Last Minute Apple Gift Guide!

Apple charting in Google’s 2014 trending searches, for both the right and wrong reasons

Ben Lovejoy Dec 16 2014 - 4:44 am PT

2 Comments

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVwHCGAr_OE]

Google has put together its annual inspirational Year in Search video, and shared some of the trending searches across the year – with Apple making the charts for both the right and wrong reasons.

On the plus side, Apple took the #1 slot in consumer electronics searches, with the iPhone 6 ahead of rival smartphones from Samsung, Google, Motorola, LG and Nokia. Apple was also the only company to make three of the top-ten searches, with the Apple Watch at #8 and iPad Air at #10 …
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9to5Toys Last Call: Retina iPad mini $50 off, Klipsch speaker system $110, Philips Hue smart LED Kit $80, more

Justin Kahn Dec 15 2014 - 3:13 pm PT

Today’s can’t miss deals:

iPad mini 2 w/ Retina display and iPad Air from $250 shipped ($50 off)

Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified Computer Speaker System $110 shipped, $93 (open box)

Philips Hue Lux LED Starter Kit w/ bridge and two connected home light bulbs: $80 shipped (Reg. $100)

Giveaway: iDevices iGrill Mini Bluetooth Grilling Thermometer for iOS/Android ($40 value)

More new deals:

New! Philips SoundRing Wireless Speaker w/AirPlay $97 shipped (orig. $300)
New! $10 off at Home Depot, Nest Protect smoke/CO2 detector $89, more
New! Incase 40% off: save on iPhone, iPad and Mac accessories
New! $50 iTunes gift card for $42: save on apps, music, movies, more
New! TP-LINK Nano Powerline Adapter Kit $20 Prime shipped (Reg. $30+)
New! Trade-in working smartphone: iPhone 6 $90 w? $50 Target GC
New! Toshiba’s newest wireless hard drive streams media directly to a Chromecast
New! MasterPass storage: Seagate 5TB HDD $118, Crucial 256GB SSD $83, more
New! Daily Deals: GoPro HERO4-$50 GC $500, Amazon Fire TV: $80, more
New! Save $25 on $75 purchase plus free shipping today only at Radioshack
New! Denon 7.2 4K A/V Receiver w/ Bluetooth & Wi-Fi $300 (orig. $500)
New! Games/Apps: AC Unity $30, Readdle’s PDF Converter $3, iOS freebies, more
New! Games: Mordor $28, Ground Zeroes $10, LEGO$15, Halo: MCC $45, more
New! Gaming For Couples: The Peggle Family + The Beatles Rock Band
New! 9to5 Guide: Nintendo’s rare Amiibo collectible figurines
New! Sony PlayStation TV game console: $70 shipped ($30 off)
New! Review: Toffee’s Fitzroy Satchel is a solid gift for thoughtful commuters
New! Linkin Park’s “The Hunting Party” goes free on Google Play
New! Wired sub (6 issues) w/ digital $6 + $5 Amazon credit
New! Home: SodaStream kit $30, Nespresso Espresso Maker $78, more

More deals still alive:

Take an extra 25% off any book at Amazon (up to $10) + Amazon announces its best selling books of 2014
Roundup: $50 Michael’s Gift Card $40 (20% off), more
Aukey USB Power: 5-port wall charger $17, car charger 4-port $13, more
Logitech K480 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard and iPad/iPhone stand: $40 (20% off)
iPhone 6/Plus Ultra Thin TPU Case in multiple colors for $2 shipped
15″ Retina MacBook Pro (newest version) 2.2GHz/16GB/256GB: $1,699 (Reg. $1,999)
Roundup: touchscreen gloves from $2, DIY options for iPhone
Walmart readies the best iPhone 6/Plus discounts since Black Friday
iTunes Free App of the Week: Space Qube ($2.99 value)
New features/prices make these PS4/Xbox One/Wii U games worth second looks
CowBoom Holiday Sale: Save 20% on iPad/iPhone cases, more
Logitech 720p HD Webcam w/ Widescreen Calling $15 shipped (Reg. $40)
LG 65″ 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV $699 w/ free in-store pick up (Reg. $900)
MXL 770 Cardioid Condenser Microphone $60 shipped (orig. $170)
Sony PlayStation 4 gets free game, $35 DriveClub deals at Amazon
$50 gift card w/ purchase of iPhone 6 from Target – plus other stackable discounts
Blue Microphones Spark USB/Lightning Mic for Mac/iOS $129 shipped (Reg. $200)
Bluetooth speakers: UE MINI BOOM $70, JBL Charge 2 $130
Headphones: Harman Kardon Over-Ears $140, Monster iSport In-Ears $100, more
iPhone 6 Tempered Glass Screen Protector w/ curved edge $5 shipped (Reg. $15)
Stickman iOS apps go free: Soccer, Tennis, Downhill, Motocross, more (Reg. $1 ea.)
SanDisk iXpand 32GB Lightning flash drive $60, more

Holiday Gift Guides:

Justin’s holiday gift guide: accessories to amplify your Mac set-up
Trevor’s holiday gift guide: products that make life easier and look good doing it

New products/ongoing promos:

Nano Drone: The “world’s smallest quadcopter” is also one of the most affordable
The Omni Wheel takes your bike and gives it the electricity needed for those tough hills
Kingdom Rush Frontiers is IGN’s free iOS game of the month ($2.99 value)
Marvel Contest of Champions free-to-play fighting game now available
Relive classic video games with the pocket sized Pitendo NES emulator
Kitchen Tech: Magical ice ball makers transform everyday drinks into classics
Amazon flips the switch on free 4K streaming for Prime members, here are the 4K UHDTVs you want to watch it on
Pocket Gamer to offer one free iOS app every day for two weeks
Seagate’s new Archive drives pack 8TB of storage for less than $300
Samsung releases an updated version of its best selling consumer SSDs
Get three months of Spotify Premium for $0.99 ($30 value)
Google doles out free $20 Play credits to Chromecast owners
Tommy Hilfiger’s new solar jacket can charge two iPhones at once
TRENDnet THA-101 combines a network extender and smart plug
Google Play gives Chromecast users the original X-Men movie for free ($13 value)
WeMo and Holmes team up to take the worry out of small room heaters
Top 10 kids’ toys of 2014 per early Google Search data
Twelve South makes the best iPhone 6/iPad dock even better
Internet Archive brings 900 classic arcade titles to your web browser for free
The thinnest iPhone 6/Plus cases we’ve found so far

Review: ScreenGuardz Pure protects the iPad Air / 2 with beautiful glass, but is it worth $60?

Jeremy Horwitz Dec 11 2014 - 8:57 am PT

5 Comments

If your iPad isn’t inside a case, one accidental drop is enough to shatter its screen or dent its body. That’s why roughly 80% of iPhone users use cases, and one of two good reasons (besides adding a stand) that many iPad users do the same. But the iPad Air 2 is changing things — it’s so thin that even Apple’s own Smart Case feels overly bulky, making more minimalist protective solutions highly appealing. If you could shave millimeters off of your encased iPad’s thickness, would you pay $60 just for a screen protector? That’s the question presented by BodyGuardz’ ScreenGuardz Pure, which invisibly covers the iPad Air or iPad Air 2 screen with a thin but strong layer of glass. Carrying a $60 MSRP through BodyGuardz, it’s currently on sale for only $50 through Amazon.
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Apple announces availability of iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 in China

Mike Beasley Dec 10 2014 - 6:12 pm PT

Apple announced today that the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 will be coming to China “starting this week.” One single model will support all of China’s iPad carriers. The tablets are already available on Apple’s Chinese web store and are expected to ship within about a day.