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The best iPhone and iPad accessories
This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. Read the full article here. A huge ecosystem of accessories surrounds the iPad and iPhone, with options to handle pretty much any need. At The Wirecutter, we spend dozens of hours (at least) on each of our reviews to find the best gear for all parts of your life. Here are some of our favorites for your iOS devices. This guide may have been updated by The Wirecutter/The Sweethome. To see the current recommendations, please go here.
CES 2015: LifeProof and Scosche say it's OK to play in the water
A couple of announcements out of Las Vegas seem to be telling those of us with iOS devices that it's going to be OK to play in the water this year. Both LifeProof and Scosche have announced new waterproof goodies at CES 2015 that promise to provide power to your iOS toys while keeping them safe from H2O. First, LifeProof announced the frē Power, a waterproof battery case for the iPhone 6 that will not only supply 2600 mAh of power, but keep your pride and joy from drowning if you happen to dunk it. The frē Power case is not only waterproof at depths up to 2 meters (6.6 feet) for up to an hour, but it meets Milspec standards for shock and impact as well. No price or delivery date has been announced, but you can sign up to be notified when the frē Power ships later this year. Scosche is saying "go big or go home" with the new goBAT 6000 and goBAT 12000 rugged and waterproof external battery packs. The goBAT 6000 features a 6000 mAh lithium-ion battery and a single 2.4A USB port, while the goBAT 12000 boasts a 12000 mAh battery and two 2.4 USB ports. Both goBATs are IP67 rated and meet or exceed military shockproofing standards. Expected later in Q1 2015, the goBAT 6000 will retail for US$44.99 while its big brother will be priced at $79.99.
Scosche boomBOTTLE H2O waterproof Bluetooth speaker perfect for summer fun
Summer is almost here, which means days at the beaches or by the lake listening to all of your favorite tunes. And you want to share that music with friends, right? Schosche has introduced the boomBOTTLE H2O waterproof Bluetooth speaker (US$99.99), and one lucky TUAW reader will win this speaker just in time for summer fun. Specifications Dimensions: 2.87 inches in diameter x 4.5 inches tall (72.9 mm diam. x 114.3 mm) Weight: 10.6 ounces (300 grams) Waterproof up to 30 minutes in one meter of water Ports: micro-USB for charging, AUX-in Colors: Gray, Yellow, Blue Design Highlights The cylindrical shape of the boomBOTTLE H2O is designed to fit perfectly in most bike bottle holders, although as TUAW writer Erica Sadun found out with an earlier model, you might incur the wrath of other bikers if you cruise the local paths while pounding out tunes. The boomBOTTLE H2O is so named because of its waterproof abilities. You can dunk it underwater for up to 30 minutes, and the device even floats. There are three switches on it: a power/pairing switch and a pair of volume switches. On the back of the speaker is a tiny waterproof door hiding a micro-USB port as well as a jack for connecting non-Bluetooth devices. The entire speaker is wrapped in a tough rubberized material, and it has some ridging to make it easier to grab onto when wet. All-in-all, the boomBOTTLE H2O is well-designed in terms of being able to take abuse. Functionality Highlights While I was impressed with the toughness of the boomBOTTLE H2O, I didn't find its sound quality to be all that great -- at least indoors. Oddly enough, when I took the speaker outside, it sounded better to me than when it was sitting on my desk. It's about half the price of some competing speakers like the Jawbone Mini Jambox and Beats Pill. While the boomBOTTLE H2O makes a great rough and tumble outdoor speaker, the sound just reminded me of an AM -- lacking depth and bass. It's fine on the high end, which is somewhat expected given the size (50 mm) of the one speaker. One other caveat. If you need a speaker that can also act as a speakerphone, this isn't going to do the job for you. It will last for about 8 hours on a single charge, which is pretty darned good. Conclusion On the plus side of the equation, the Scosche boomBOTTLE H2O is a very tough waterproof speaker that can take a lot of abuse and play all day. On the negative side, the sound -- albeit quite loud -- is somewhat tinny and lacks bass punch, and the device can't be used as a speakerphone. Rating: 2-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Get ready for tunes by the pool, TUAW readers! We're giving away a Scosche boomBOTTLE H2O, and all you have to do is fill out the form below to enter. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before May 20, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Scosche boomBOTTLE H2O valued at $99.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Scosche's new heart rate armband helps you leave the smartphone at home
Forgotten about your New Years' resolutions yet? Don't worry; Scosche is announcing another fitness wearable that'll help you make up those lost days. The company is unveiling the Rhythm Smart+, an armband designed to optically monitor your blood flow and heart rate that's apparently much more accurate than a traditional chest strap. The unit is able to pair with both smartphones and sport watches over Bluetooth or ANT+, and will work with the usual bunch of apps including RunKeeper and Strava. If, however, you prefer to leave the other gear at home, embedded memory will track your stats for upload later. It'll arrive at some point between April and June, priced at $99.
Scosche boltBOX retractable Lightning cable: a colorful accompaniment to your new iPhone
Scosche always has a pile of new products coming out for the electronic toys in our life, and just recently they sent a very timely item for review. It's a new retractable USB to Lightning cable that's perfect for charging your new iPhone 5c or 5s, or any other Lightning-compatible Apple product for that matter. The boltBOX (US$24.99) is a handy power and sync cable that won't tangle, and it comes in colors that will make your iPhone 5c feel right at home. The boltBOX is a fairly small 2.125" x 1.625" x .6875" (5.4 x 4.1 x 1.75 cm) bi-color box. Each box comes with a primary color -- the one I have is bright green like the image above -- and a secondary shade of either black or grey. Available color choices are green, black, white, blue, red and pink. It's a lightweight 1.3 oz (37 gm), and has a USB cable neatly tucked into one end and a Lightning connector on the other. Drop it into your favorite bag or a pocket, and it's not going to get tangled with anything. To extend the cable up to 3 feet (.91 m), pop the cable ends out with a finger, grab the USB and Lightning connectors, and pull. The cable locks into place for charging or backups. When you're done, just grab the loose ends again and pull to unlock, and the cables retract into the box. Push the cable ends back into their respective slots on the boltBOX where they're magnetically held into place and it's ready for storage. Unlike several other similar products I've tested in the past, the boltBOX felt very solid and the mechanism worked beautifully over repeated extensions and retractions. For the person who wants a Lightning cable that won't tangle, the boltBOX is a top-notch solution. At about $5 less than Apple's Lightning cable (granted, Apple's product is 2 m long...), it's also less expensive than what you could pick up at the Apple Store. Scosche accessories are available not only through the company's website, but at a number of brick and mortar retailers as well.
Scosche BoomBOTTLE brings big beats to bikes, beaches
If there's one major problem I have with most Bluetooth speakers designed for use with iOS devices, it's that they share a boring design. Let's face it; most of them look like bricks. Accessory manufacturer Scosche has broken out of the design doldrums with a new rugged wireless speaker called the BoomBOTTLE (US$149.95) that not only looks different but provides excellent sound at the same time. Read along to see how the BoomBottle works, and then enter our giveaway for one -- perfect for your summertime jaunts to the beach or those long bike rides. Design Forget those old brick speakers; Scosche has gone cylindrical with the BoomBOTTLE. It's 8 inches long, 2.85" in diameter, and just happens to fit in either a standard bicycle water bottle cage or into most car cupholders. That cylinder is covered with a shock-absorbing rubberized material, and the entire thing is weatherproof. No, not waterproof, but the BoomBOTTLE isn't going to be upset if you splash it with a little beer or if it gets rained on. BoomBOTTLE comes in neutral gray, cyan, magenta, green and yellow. BoomBOTTLE features two 3W 40 mm speakers and supports Bluetooth 4.0 with the A2DP, AVRCP and HFP profiles. The battery inside is charged through a weather-sealed micro-USB port and provides up to 10 hours of playback. The sound blasts out in all directions, so just be sure to place BoomBOTTLE in the center of a group if you're partying. Functionality One of the best features of the BoomBOTTLE is that the controls are designed for one-handed operation. There's a large power button -- pressing it for several seconds, you'll hear a woman's voice saying "power on" so there's no mistaking whether or not it's working. That same voice tells you when you're in Bluetooth pairing mode and when your smartphone or tablet is connected. Another press and hold plays a descending tone indicating that power has shut off. Two other buttons, one marked with a "-" and the other with a "+", are used to control volume or skip tracks. Volume is surprisingly loud for such a small device -- I mean it's pretty ear-blowing, making this a perfect speaker for outdoor use. If there's a negative, it's that the BoomBOTTLE doesn't deliver clear stereo sound. But that's not what it's designed for -- instead of being used in a quiet home environment, the BoomBOTTLE is made to be tossed around at a beach, thrown into a tent while camping, or to bounce around on your mountain bike while you ride the trails. For that use case, the BoomBOTTLE is perfect. You're not going to be concerned if the sound isn't as clear as you hear from your headset; instead, you're usually sharing the music with a group or listening while surrounded by the ambient sound of the city or beach. Conclusion The Scosche BoomBOTTLE is your perfect companion for outdoors sound, featuring long battery life, a rugged design, and one-handed controls with audio feedback. Pros Excellent battery life for a portable speaker Designed to take the abuse of the outdoors life Unique design that fits in bike waterbottle cages or most cup holders One-handed controls offer convenience and audio feedback Omnidirectional speaker is extremely loud Cons Somewhat pricey for a portable speaker Sound quality is somewhat muddy and has no channel separation Who is it for? The outdoor enthusiast who wants a compact and powerful Bluetooth speaker Giveaway Just in time for your summer fun, TUAW and Scosche are giving away a grey BoomBOTTLE. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before June 2, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Scosche BoomBOTTLE valued at $149.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Scosche intros BoomBottle, thinks you'll prefer sound over water during bike rides
Looks like Braven's BRV-1 ruggedized Bluetooth speaker just got some competition out of CES. Scosche has unveiled its BoomBottle speaker, which is indeed similar in form to your average water bottle -- perfect if you don't actually use that H2O holder on your bike or bag. This IPX4-rated "splash-proof" system lasts about 10 hours per charge, pumping out sound through two 40mm drivers and a passive bass unit. The BoomBottle is covered in rubber and TPU to handle light impacts, and houses a 3.5mm input if you don't want to stream over Bluetooth. No word on pricing or availability just yet, but you can also read about it and the also announced RH1060 "reference-grade" Bluetooth headphones in the press release after the break.
CES 2013: Scosche unveils boomBOTTLE bike speaker
Every year at CES, thousands of new products and accessories make their debut. On occasion, there's one that stands out for being completely unique and useful. Today's example is the Scosche boomBOTTLE Bluetooth speaker. While no price or availability information has been announced, the design of the boomBOTTLE will attract bike riders of all ages. It's an outdoor speaker in a weatherproof housing that's designed to slide into a bike water bottle cage (I guess you can use a Camelbak bag for your hydration needs). The rechargeable battery in the boomBOTTLE will last through your longest rides, providing 10 hours of sound per charge. Since it uses Bluetooth to receive music streamed from your iPhone or iPod touch, no wires are required. As you'd expect with something that's going to be slapped onto a bike, the boomBOTTLE has a tough shock-proof TPU exterior. There are large rubberized buttons on the device for adjusting volume or skipping tracks while riding. It can also be used as a speakerphone, in case you wish to annoy your peloton partners with business calls. When it's available, you'll have your choice of dark grey, green and yellow cases with black end caps. Scosche also announced the new, colorful lobeDOPE headphones today, as well as the RH1060 Reference Grade Bluetooth Headphones.
Scosche unveils Lightning charging accessories
Known for its car audio accessories, Scosche also has a booming iPhone and iPad accessory business. The company expanded its offerings by announcing a variety of charging accessories equipped with a Lightning port. The new chargers are available in either 5W or 12W capacities. The 5W chargers will work with the iPhone 5, iPad mini and the latest iPod models, while the 12W ones will work with any Lightning-equipped device. Scosche didn't provide a launch date for these accessories, but, according to MacRumors, some will ship before CES in early January. Below, you will find the list of Scosche's new Lightning chargers (all prices are USD). strikeDRIVE 5W ($24.99) and strikeDRIVE 12W ($29.99): Car charger with a single hardwired Lightning cable. The 5W model is designed for iPhone, iPod and iPad mini models, while the 12W model can charge any Lightning-equipped device. strikeDRIVE 12W +12W ($39.99): Car charger with one hardwired Lightning/micro-USB cable supporting up to 12W with a second USB port also supporting up to 12W. strikeDRIVE pro 12W + 12W ($49.99): Car charger with two USB ports each supporting up to 12W. Comes with one detachable USB cable with convertible micro-USB and Lightning tips. strikeBASE 5W ($29.99) and strikeBASE 12W ($34.99): Low-profile wall adapter for home use includes a single hardwired Lightning cable attached and offers folding prongs. The 5W model is designed for iPhone, iPod and iPad mini models, while the 12W model can charge any Lightning-equipped device. strikeBASE pro 5W + 5W ($39.99): Low-profile wall adapter for home use with two USB ports each supporting up to 5W. Comes with one detachable USB cable with convertible micro-USB and Lightning tips. strikeBASE pro 12W + 12W ($49.99): Low-profile wall adapter for home use with two USB ports each supporting up to 12W. Comes with one detachable USB cable with convertible micro-USB and Lightning tips. strikeLINE pro ($29.99): Retractable USB cable with convertible micro-USB and Lightning tips.
Scosche is next up with Lightning accessories, brings chargers for iPads and iPhones alike
If you've snagged one of Apple's new iThings complete with 30-pin dock connector-replacing Lightning ports, Scosche is the next manufacturer (after Belkin) to offer up a compatible line of accessories. The variety of car and wall chargers come in several 12W and 5W variants, with the more powerful ones pushing enough juice to quick charge those fourth generation iPads and iPad minis. Of course, while they can provide design alternatives like multiple ports that Apple's official hardware doesn't cover, there's not a price break coming with the cheapest strikeDRIVE car charger starting at $29.99, while the most expensive item listed is the strikeBase pro dual USB wall charger (pictured above) and lightning cable setup for $49.99. There's more details at the source link if you're interested in purchasing. Apple users let us know what your plan is -- making do with just the one new charger, slapping on a $29 adapter, or sticking with old hardware for now / switching to a new platform to avoid the new connector altogether?%Gallery-170859%
Scosche bassDOCK blasts Weezer from any iPad, available now for $150
If you're having trouble wading through the pool of iPad dock prospects, we're about to add another to the mix. Scosche has announced that its bassDOCK for both iPad models is now shipping. The dock will blast "My Name is Jonas" from a pair of 1.6-inch stereo speakers and a 3-inch subwoofer. As you'd expect, the kit charges your Apple slate in a cradle that sports both landscape and portrait orientations alongside tilt positioning for the optimum viewing angle. If you find yourself needing to switch over to a smartphone to bump your tunes, the bassDOCK has a 3.5mm aux jack for just that purpose. The speaker dock is available now via the source link for $149.99 and a closer look awaits you in the gallery below.
Scosche cellControl locks your device while driving, tattles on your text habit
Trying to keep the points off your record, but just can't resist the urge to tweet, text and talk behind the wheel? Maybe it's time you gave up on that whole "self-restraint" schtick and leaned on technology to keep your cellular inhibitions in check. Scosche's cellControl might do the trick, it pairs bit of bluetooth-enabled automotive hardware with a feature-blocking smartphone app to keep your handset under lockdown when you're on the go. It even rats you out if you deactivate or uninstall the system -- automatically sending a text message or email to a "designated administrator," just in case you fall off the wagon. The system boasts compatibility with over 1200 devices across Android, Blackberry, Symbian and Windows Mobile 5 and 6. Artificial restraint will set you back $130, you know, in case self-control and other distracted driving apps aren't doing the trick. Hit the break for the system's official press release.
TUAW visits Scosche at CES
Yesterday we got a chance to stop by the Scosche booth at CES. While we were there, we got to see all manner of items, from the just released to the recent but also pretty cool. Here's what we saw: Kelly's top pick: A new car charger. Why? It has three very important features all in one convenient package! It is not only a dual USB charger, but both ports will charge iPads, AND it's the teeny compact style that just barely peeks out of your power port. It's coming soon, and when it does, I'll be getting several. Victor's top pick: freedomMIC Bluetooth Wireless Microphone. Not only is it a wireless mic that is handy for recording nicer audio when you are shooting with your iPhone, but you can also use it as a remote to start and stop recording, or snap a still photo with your iPhone camera. If you use your iPhone for reporting (as I have done), you'll find this mic super handy. We saw a number of other neat things in the Scosche booth as well. We saw a case with two pieces for the iPhone that has a silicone sleeve to protect the back and front of the iPhone, and then an aluminum Element case style band that buckles around it (think springform pan) for extra protection (and aesthetic coolness). This was really neat to see and very sturdy to use, the latch was solid and it really did look sharp on the iPhone. Plus, unlike the Element, you don't need a tool to get the metal band off. Also there was a really interesting cable. I know, cables aren't THAT interesting, and that's true, until you see one cable transform from one you always have to carry into the other one you always have to carry. Since I basically only need two cables, it was nice to see them both in one. You take the 30-pin end and it lifts up and pivots over, unveiling a micro-USB end as well. Generally I only need to charge on micro-USB, and this way I can have the "emergency" iPhone cable as well without taking up another cable's worth of space. It's called the syncABLE Pro. Speaking of iPhone cables, another nice thing to see was that Scosche has expanded on their line of flipSYNC cables, a compact cable about the size of a car alarm remote that unfolds into a USB charging cable. Now they have the clipSYNC which includes a carabiner-style clip to attach it to your bag, and also a flavor that has a battery in it and is still really compact. One thing I personally liked a lot about their booth was all of the hands-on they had available. There were a lot of companies with things set up under glass or back on a wall where you couldn't really get at them, so it was nice to get the chance to touch all of it and really see what it was like.
Daily Update for August 31, 2011
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes, which is perfect for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen.
Scosche's RDTX-PRO for iPhone and iPod touch detects radiation
Scosche Industries produces a wide line of accessories for Apple products, ranging from iPad cases and flexible keyboards to screen cleaners and headphones. Now the company has developed and is selling the RDTX-PRO Radiation Detector and app for the iPhone and iPod touch. Primarily designed for those who are affected by radiation from the disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in Japan, the US$329.99 device will be sold at Synexx in Tokyo beginning in September. The RDTX-PRO can either be plugged into an iPhone or iPod touch via the dock connector or used as a standalone radiation alarm. When being used as a standalone alarm, the device runs on a single AA battery for up to 96 hours. What's unique is that the device requires no calibration at all, but can still detect gamma radiation above 60keV with +/- 5 percent accuracy. The accompanying free radTEST app makes it easy to interpret the readings, showing simple green (safe), yellow (elevated), and red (dangerous) zones on a meter. A digital display is available for advanced users who wish to get exact radiation level readings, and the results can be shared via Facebook and Twitter or viewed on a Google Map. Scosche is donating $10 of each sale to charities that are assisting people affected by the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, with a goal of $1 million within two years.
Scosche's RDTX-PRO for iPhone and iPod touch detects radiation, funds charities
Scoshe already offers a fairly impressive range of mobile accessories, but its now branched out into some uncharted territory with its latest offering. The company has just announced its new RDTX-PRO radiation detector and app for the iPhone and iPod touch, which launches in Japan next month. With no calibration needed, the device attaches to your iOS handheld via the dock connector and offers gamma radiation detection above 60keV within +/- 5% accuracy. If that wasn't enough, the peripheral can also be used as a standalone alarm for radioactivity for up to 96 hours, and the aforementioned app will let you to share your findings via Facebook, Twitter or Google Maps. Still not convinced Scosche is fighting the good fight? Well, $10 from each $330 unit sold will benefit a group of charities dedicated to aiding those affected by the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan. For an closer look at the UI, take a peek at the gallery below, or for the full rundown, hit the PR after the break. %Gallery-132042%
Engadget's back to school guide 2011: accessories
Welcome to Engadget's Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we're here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today, we've got a slew of accessories -- and you can head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! Fall's slowly, but surely creeping back in, and we bet you've already started to gather up the necessary gear for your return to the residence hall. Sure, you've got the basics covered, with a computer, smartphone, MP3 player and even a tablet at the ready. But wouldn't it be nice to start the school year off in style with some handy accoutrements to trick out those digital crutches? Let's face it, you're going to need a lapdesk buffer zone between you and your laptop's scorching heat for those countless hours spent churning out term papers. Or, an external hard drive, so you can store those full seasons of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and bring the late night funny to your stressed-out friends. However you manage to make it through the year and snag that 4.0 GPA, we've got a selection of accessorized aids to match your collegiate budget. Oh, and don't forget, we're giving away $3,000 worth of essential back to school gear to 15 readers, and you can be among the chosen few simply by dropping a comment below! Click on past the break to start browsing.
Scosche BoomCan ups your mobile device's sound for $25, annoys anyone near you
Sure, you could use the built-in speaker on your tablet or cellphone to crank your tunes on the bus or at the office, but Scosche's BoomCan may be the ticket for those looking to pump out a bit more volume. It's not wireless like some other options, but twenty-five smackers gets you a 2 x 2.5-inch aluminum Can loaded with a 40mm driver, an audio / USB charging cable and a pouch for scratch-free traveling. You'll have seven hours to rock on its internal battery, and although any chance of stereo separation looks pretty slim, you'll be able to daisy chain a few of them together for a mini rig. The BoomCan is up for order now at Scosche's website in red, blue, black or silver if you haven't heard of the breakthrough in portable sound technology known as headphones. Full PR past the break.
Scosche freeKEY Bluetooth keyboard: A hands-on test
A few days ago I highlighted a new flexible and water-resistant Bluetooth keyboard from the folks at Scosche. As many of the people commenting on that post noted, flexible "chiclet-type" keyboards of this type have a reputation for being difficult to type on. TUAW blogger Erica Sadun mentioned that when she's used chiclet keyboards, her fingers have actually started to hurt after a short amount of time due to the extra pressure required to depress the key switches. After hearing that from Erica, it was with a great deal of skepticism that I opened a box from Scosche the other day that contained one of the freeKEY Bluetooth keyboards. Is the US$59.99 ($49.99 through Amazon.com) freeKEY a good portable keyboard for iOS device owners who want to travel light, or does the design of a keyboard like this keep it from really being useful? In the following review (see next page), I'll provide a hands-on test of the freeKEY with an iPad 2 and let you know how it held up to my lightning-fast typing.
iPad 2 accessories: The flood begins
No sooner had Steve Jobs bid farewell to the crowd at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco yesterday than the TUAW inbox began filling with news of iPad 2 accessories. While many of the accessories aren't as snazzy as the bath tub lid-inspired Smart Covers, I thought you might like to take a peek at what manufacturers have been working on under NDA. Booq is coming out with a nice looking folio case for the iPad 2 that includes a non-digital component -- a built-in and replaceable paper notepad. The Booqpad for iPad 2 (below) starts at US$49.95, with a "luxury option" available at $99.95. The notepad sheets are the same size as an iPad 2 screen and are perforated for easy removal. Knowing Dave Caolo's penchant for cool notebooks, I've been asked by his wife Mia to tell him to not buy one of these.