iPhone SpotlightNo matter how much stuff you have for your iPhone, we know...you always want more! To help you save time and effort, we've narrowed the field down to our favorite contenders in cases, chargers, speakers and accessories. Keep coming back to the brand new www.mactribe.com for the lastest goodies--we've got more reviews coming your way!
CASES
iDox 360 Traveler Series
Mobility and safety don't always go together, but with the new iDox 360 Traveler series you don't have to sacrifice the looks of your device or its safety to use it on the go.
Part hard case, part viewing stand, the iDox comes in three styles to accommodate your iPhone, iPod touch or nano. The case is sleek and provides wrap around protection: when it's closed it looks similar to a large business card holder, and only the top ports and buttons are accessible. When open, your favorite gadget becomes a miniature TV screen, held safely in place with soft touch plastics to make sure it doesn't do any unplanned sliding (say, during in-flight turbulence?). The iDox 360 Traveler Series may well be one of the smartest cases we've seen in a while, and with easy bluetooth connection and platinum, black and pink color choices, we're sure it'll be a hit with you, too.
http://www.idox360.com/ | Price: $24.95 for iPod nano; iPod touch and iPhone $34.95
Speck CandyShell Case
From the makers of the fantastic See Thru Satin case for your MacBook comes this, the Speck CandyShell. Sized down to protect your iPhone, this gorgeous, shiny case protects your phone by combining the cushioning of a soft cover with the durability of a hard shell--and it looks real good doing it. Easy on, easy off and with an outside plastic coating that makes it easy to get in and out of a pocket, the CandyShell comes in four bright colors so you'll always stand out and even though it completely protects your iPhone the CandyShell case makes sure you can access all your ports and sensors.
Did we mention they're ridiculously good looking?
www.speckproducts.com | Price: $34.95
Pelican i1015 Case
Sometimes you can love something so much you feel the need to protect it...and sometimes you love something so much you protect it with a Pelican Case. While the i1015 might not win any beauty contests, its functionality scores it major points with MacTribe editors...especially the more adventurous ones. Designed for rugged sports use (but not any water sports, be forewarned!) the i1015 has an external headphone jack for listening while the case is closed, a built in cable manager to keep wires out of your way, and an active sport carabiner loop to make clipping your phone to yourself easy and secure.
Water resistant and crush and dust proof, this case is perfect for any extreme Apple fan!
www.pelican.com | Price: $29.95
Pong Research Radiation Reducing Case
If you've had your mother nagging you about cell phone induced tumors for the past fifteen years you can finally have a reason to tell her to relax: you're protected with the Pong Research iPhone case. Cell phone antennae generally emit their radiation in all directions, but the Pong case uses physics to attract the energy and guide it out and away from your brain. It's the only radiation reducing case that maintains full signal strength--in fact, you could even see a signal increase with the Pong! We liked its suave looks and design too, but if black is too basic for you the Pong also comes in an electrifying green.
With reductions in RF radiation of 60% and EFI "hotspot" radiation of up to 85% we think your mother will agree--you should really invest in a Pong.
www.pongresearch.com | Price: $59.95
BodyGuardz
If you want to preserve the beauty of your iPhone in its natural unadulterated state, then cases are not for you--but then how do you protect your phone from the inevitable bumps and bruises of every day life? With BodyGuardz, from NLU products. Transparent, rugged, and maintenance free, it sounds basically like what we want in a man, not just a product! BodyGuardz are actually made from the same material that is used to coat the front of cars to protect them from stones and other abrasive elements, and if it can handle gravel at forty five miles per hour, then the scratches you can put on it are negligible to say the least.
http://www.bodyguardz.com | Price: $24.99
Southern Brand Cowhide Slip Cover
Sometimes all you need to have some fun with your iPhone is a little cow...hide, that is. Show your southern roots with this ironic, fantastic iPhone cover and we guarantee you will be the hit of your little social circle. Each case is unique--of course, since they're actual hides--and they're lined with suede to keep your phone free from scrapes and scratches while it's on its wild west journey. Concrete jungle? Pfffft. We're going home on the range. Also available in longhorn hide, for a better joke.
www.southernbrand.com | Price: $29.00
Incipio Feather
As far as iPhone cases go, we've seen 'em all from the super bulky to so-thin-they-can't-work. But the incipio Feather case is an innovation: made from an ultra strong polymer, this case gives you shrink wrapped protection and is durable to boot. It measures less than 1 mm in thickness--so thin you can use it with most of the iPhone docks on the market. This case doesn't add any bulk or weight to your iPhone...one editor using the case remarked that "you don't even know it's there...which is good design." Available in a mind-boggling array of colors, you'll be able to find a Feather to suit your style, and the soft touch matte finish will have all your friends asking where you got that sweet case.
www.myincipio.com | Price: $19.99
CHARGERS
Richard Solo 1800 Battery
Made for use with iPhone 2G-3GS and all iPods except the shuffle, the Richard Solo 1800 rechargeable battery has a whopping 1800mAh of battery power...which, in layman's terms, is enough to recharge your battery completely with power left over. The battery actually latches onto your phone and has an extra support brace to ease your mind, and with included chargers, adapters and car kits you can charge both your phone battery and the external battery overnight. We're pretty sure that means the next day you'll be unstoppable.
A special deal for a free iPhone case with purchase is available now.
www.richardsolo.com | Price: $69.95
Just Mobile Gum Plus
We know you--you're always moving, jetting from place to place, setting new records for "I-haven't-been-home-in..." contests. So we're always on the lookout for products designed to keep your stuff going as long as you can, and Just Mobile's Gum Plus is a fantastic solution. Tiny (hence the name, we suppose) and unbelievably powerful, this solid and good looking back up battery is compatible with any USB based device, has five LED indicators to let you know how much power's left, and is capable of recharging your iPhone up to four times per charge.
If that's not enough, the Gum Plus can get you to 90% battery capacity in an hour, so even when your phone's run down, you won't have to stop going.
http://www.xtand.net/ | Price: $69.99
SPEAKERS
Altec Lansing Orbit M Speaker for iPhone
With its small size and a power source of three AAA batteries, you might think the Orbit M portable speaker would under deliver on sound...well, as we're sure you've guessed by now, you'd be wrong. With surprising volume and great sound clarity, the Orbit M projects in a full circle, making sure you can hear your music or escape from your wired headphones without compromising sound. It's rugged, it's so small you can fit it in a pocket, and the battery life is about 24 hours...sounds good to us.
Also comes with a 2.5mm adapter, and has on/off buttons and battery life indicator.
www.alteclansing.com | Price: $39.95
Fone Doc
If you're constantly frustrated by poor sound and unreliable syncing that sometimes accompanies bluetooth pairing, check out the Fone Doc. Perfect for desktop speaker phone calls, conferences, or playing tunes while you work, this compact yet powerful speaker ensures excellent sound quality no matter the task. The Fone Doc takes portability to a new level as well, coming with magnetized clips that can secure the machine to your sun visor...you won't be safe from those calls, even in the car.
Works with 3G and 3GS models, and includes a 3.5mm cable for use with iPods.
www.cablesunlimited.com/ | Price: $79.99
Logitech S315i Rechargeable Speaker
Another great speaker dock option from Logitech, the S315i Rechargeable speaker gives you up to twenty hours of playback time--long enough for even the extended outdoor barbecue. Any iPod or iPhone with a dock connector is compatible, and the S315i's custom tuned speakers mean that all your tunes will come out with deep rich lows and great treble for optimum enjoyment. Compact and with a built in kickstand to hold it upright, the speaker's design is sleek and streamlined--just like the Apple products that go in it.
www.logitech.com | Price: $129.99
iHome iP71
For a one stop shop for all of your iPhone and iPod playback needs, check out the iP71. It charges, plays and syncs your iPod and iPhone with iTunes while keeping it safely docked into a set of Reson8 hi-fi speakers. That means you'll get premium stereo sound when listening to your iPod, iPhone, or computer audio without investing in a super-expensive, space sucking entertainment system. The iP71 comes fully equipped: a computer port, sync switch, volume controls and a remote control round out the package. It's definitely a space saver, but don't expect a dip in quality because of the smaller package.
http://www.ihomeaudio.com/iP71 | Price: $129.99
ACCESSORIES
Maximo iP-HS5 iMetal Headset
These earbuds, the latest from Maximo's iMetal line promise great sound coupled with isolation audio technology...and they really work. If you have music on with these headphones in, you can't hear a thing, even from people speaking five feet in front of you. Useful? We think so! They're also equipped with soft buttons and a mic so not only can you use them for your iPod function, you can switch over to your iPhone and enjoy the same sound quality and benefits...MacTribe editors found these to be a true slam dunk.
http://www.maximoproducts.com | Price: $79.99
LUXA2 H1-Touch iPhone Stand
For those of us who can never have enough bling, the LUXA2 H1-Touch iPhone stand come through. With understated and tasteful Swarovski crystal accents on either side of the device logo, the brushed aluminum stand looks beautiful on any desk. But good looks only get you so far with our editors (no matter what they say!), and the H1-Touch has some impressive features as well, including compatibility with multiple devices, three-sixty rotation on the horizontal axis and three hundred degrees on the vertical and five rubberized pins to keep your phone safely cradled during viewing.
www.luxa2.com | Price: $59.99
JayBird Tiger Eyes
Jaybird is a well known maker of high quality headphones, and we've given them love before...but now we're really excited. The Tiger Eyes headphones do double duty as iPhone headsets, have full remote controls for your iPhone or iPod, and are built for active people: they have a lifetime warranty against sweat! Titanium coated speaker diaphragms contribute to a crisp and clean sound and ensure a longer lasting product, while warm bass tones keep your workout moving. If the sound quality from these is any indication, they might be the last set of headphones you ever want to buy.
www.jaybirdgear.com | Price: $89.00
More iPhone
10 Billion Served
Fight! Fight!
That's strong language when you're talking to a government body that could very shortly be involved in the way you conduct business.
Years of litigation could ensue if the FCC wins this first battle for control of the industry, and we'll keep you up to date as developments occur...
iPad vs Netbooks
More News
All we're gonna say is the Golden Arches has better watch their backs. Kidding. The 10 billionth download, "Guess Things Happen That Way" by Johnny Cash, was purchased by Louie Sulcer of Woodstock, Georgia. And not only does Louie get the unending fame associated with his historic purchase, he's walking the line with a $10,000 iTunes Gift Card. (We couldn't help it, sorry.) That is a heck of a lot of money to spend on iTunes, especially considering you can't buy other people gifts with your own gift card...maybe they'll bend the rules a little for Louie, or else he has 1000 album purchases in his near future!
Yes, it's true...at the beginnings of what could be a long and dirty legal battle we rub our evil hands together with glee. We never said we were nice people. But really, there could be some major complications in the FCC's initiative to regulate the U.S. broadband network if major carriers like Verizon and AT&T have their say. The companies are joined by major trade organizations and make the case that attempting to regulate the networks now would render upgrades to infrastructure impossible. Also, they don't want to play by the rules chairman Julius Genachowski has set forth in his proposals, namely open internet practices and extending broadband coverage to rural areas of the country. The carriers called the Title II rules "extremist" and urged the FCC to keep that "Pandora's box...nailed shut."
Apple COO Tim Cook spoke at a tech conference in San Francisco Tuesday and a few more of his comments have made an appearance on the news circuit today, mostly regarding the newest release from Apple. The iPad is less functional than some netbooks, has an unfamiliar OS and new formats to get used to. However, Cook thinks Apple can take the netbook market by storm in the usual Apple fashion: by providing an unsurpassed user experience. The iPod was not a revolutionary device when it was introduced; the iPhone was not the only internet ready handset on its debut; the iPad is not the most productive tablet device on the market. But by creating a "magical" experience consumers will be drawn to the iPad over its clunkier cousins.
