Iphone Life Magazine Apps to Help You Find New Friends, Just Sayin’)

2 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 3 November/December 2012 2012 Holiday Buyers' Guide Regular Departments A rollicking roundup of over 200 great apps. 6 Editor's Message Best Apps 8 Meet our Writers 26 Our Top Five Apps 10 iGallery 27 Games 12 iStats, News and Other Tidbits 29 Photo & Video 14 iPhunnies Caption Contest 96 iView: TouchFire iPad Keyboard 30 Productivity & Organization 32 Music iDevice News 32 Social Media 34 Travel 16 Say Hello to iPhone 5 A breakdown of Apple’s latest announcement, 34 In the Wild including the sleek, redesigned iPhone 5. 35 Entertainment 18 The New iPhone: Should You Buy It? 36 News A closer look at the pros and cons of upgrading to the iPhone 5. 36 Weather Top Tips 37 Books 22 Top Tips and Tricks 38 Food & Drink 10 handy shortcuts for your iPhone and iPad. 38 Arts & Culture 76 Guide to Finding the Best Apps and 39 Business & Finance Gear Where to look online for the best apps and ac- 40 Home & Garden cessories. 40 Pets’ Paradise 41 Sports 42 Style & Beauty 42 Shopping & Deals 43 Party Time 44 Health & Fitness Best iPhone Cases 44 Couples’ Corner of the Year 45 Education pages 48-49 46 Get Inspired 46 Get Creative 47 Home for the Holidays

4 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 iLove it, iUse it 80 Interview with Sprinter Michael Johnson The famed Olympian discusses his new apps, exercise habits, and more. 82 iOS in the Studio Great Gaming Two top ballet dancers share how they use their iDe- Gear vices to connect to audiences. pages 70-71 86 MyTunes: Maximize Your Sound A glimpse into the audio-enhancing music player app MyTunes Pro.

Best Gear Over 85 top iPhone and iPad accessories, for home, work, or on the road. 48 Best iPhone Cases of the Year These bestselling cases protect your iPhone without fail. 50 Best Mid-Range iPhone Cases Eight great cases that keep your phone secure and in style. Cool Holiday 52 Best iPad Cases Gifts A wide selection of protective outerwear for your iPad. pages 66-69 56 Best Bluetooth Keyboards When the touch screen doesn’t cut it, connect to one of these top keyboards. 60 Best Speaker Docks Dock your iDevice and let the music play. 62 Best Headphones and Earbuds An in-depth review of audio-accessory faves—we’re all ears! 66 Holiday Gifts for Everyone A witty gift guide with fab finds for everyone on your list. 70 Best Gaming Gear Take gaming to the next level with these awesome add-ons. 72 Road-Ready Gear iPhone accessories to make any drive safe and smooth.

iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 5 Editor's Message The Best of the Best

The other day I was looking for a specific type of app in the App Store, and I was having the hard- est time finding it. You would think that I, of all people, would have no problem finding apps, since it’s pretty much what I do on a daily basis. It made me realize just how valuable what we do really is. With over 700,000 apps available in the App Store, there’s an app for just about everything, but you have to know where to look. When I first got my iPhone, it was exciting to explore a brand new world of seemingly never-ending apps. Right off the bat, I set out to investigate why those infamous birds were so irate—I downloaded Angry Birds for iPhone and iPad, plus a few other “must-have” standards like Pandora, Camera+, and Skype. When I ran out of obvious choices, I needed some help discovering new apps. I pored over websites, asked friends, and browsed lists of bestselling apps. The whole process took some time, so I wish there had been one place that would've guided me to the very best.

If you don’t want to waste your time (and money), you need a guide that helps you sort out the fantastic from the mediocre. That’s where we come in. Our 2012 Holiday Buyers’ Guide is laser-focused on showcasing only the best of the best for the entire year. We handpicked the best apps and coolest gear, and organized them into nu- merous categories. Our goal was to ease the process of finding apps and accessories; we don’t want you to have to struggle to find what you need, like I did. Creating the Issue This is always a fun issue to put together. We get to look through thousands of apps and accessories and pick out the very best, knowing that our readers will re- fer back to this guide throughout the year. If you have friends that recently bought iPhones or iPads, or if you recently bought one yourself, this is the best issue to browse through before customizing your device.

A word of warning, however: reading this issue from cover to cover may create a sense of expertise that others could find either impressive or annoying, Alex Cequea depending on the type of friends you have. If they find it impressive, you should recommend they get an iPhone Life subscription. If they find it annoy- Editor in Chief ing, give some thought to creating a new group of friends (there are plenty of iPhone Life magazine apps to help you find new friends, just sayin’). [email protected]

More and more people will continue to purchase iPhones and iPads over the holiday season, so we hope this issue will also serve as a gift guide. Every one of these products, especially the accessories, makes a fabulous gift. Looking Ahead We’re always open to your thoughts and ideas, and if there’s something you’d absolutely like to see covered over the next few issues, shoot me an email at [email protected]. We have some cool themes lined up for 2013 and beyond. For me, it’s always exciting to help you unleash the hidden power of your wonderful iDevice. So what are you waiting for? Read on!

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6 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 Editor in Chief iPhone Life magazine [email protected]

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iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 7 Meet our Writers

Cornelius Fortune Daniel W. Rasmus Rebecca Santiago Mike Wewerka Ed Zabrek

Award-Winning Journalist Strategist and Industry Analyst Editor in Chief, The Tufts Daily Founder of TechHog.com Obstetrician and mHealth Consultant [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Article page 72 Article page 56 Article page 66 Article page 70 Article page 86 iPhone Life Staff

David Averbach Nina Benjamin Alex Cequea Hal Goldstein Jim Karpen

Publisher and CEO Associate Editor Editor in Chief Senior Editor, Founder Online Editor/Columnist [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Articles pages 18, 62, 80 Articles pages 26-47, 50, 82 Articles pages 22, 26-48 Article page 96 Articles pages 16, 52, 60, 76

8 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 9 User-submitted iPhone Photography

by Benno Putuhena

by Sam Tooker by Fernando Bello

10 iPhone Life Buyersby Lou Guide Quattrini 2012 by Debra E. Hunt by Eric DiBlasi Jr. by Kim Schoning

by Becca Ludlum by David Averbach

Submit your iPhone photography and get featured in the iGallery! Email your photos to [email protected]

by Luis Mira iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 11 The Numbers $200 iStats According to Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, Apple will likely reduce the unsubsidized price of an “existing iPhone” down to $200 by September of next year. The 8-gigabyte iPhone 3GS is currently the least expensive unsubsidized iPhone model, coming in at $375. According to Munster, this move will help Apple com- News, Stats, pete in the lower-end smartphone markets, where less expensive Android-based models reign. Tidbits, & more 15 MINUTES OR LESS

Around the

Delta Airlines, in partnership with airport-based food and beverage Offi ce operator OTG, enacted a plan to deploy 4,500 iPads to restaurants at three of their airport hubs, in an effort to speed up the food and drink ordering process for travelers. The fi rst phase started in late August with 250 iPads set up at three restaurant locations inside the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The iPads feature What Tech Gift Are David intuitive visual menus that you can use to order customized meals. CEO and Publisher Travelers will also be able to check fl ight statuses and log into You Hoping to “I want Apple to introduce social media networks while at the table. Receive This Year? third-party apps for the Ap- ple TV, and a new iMac!”

Marge Raph Nina Tom Ad Sales Manager Chief Technology Ofﬁ cer Associate Editor Ad Sales Specialist “I am hoping my bosses “A 3D printer, all the way. “I’d love to ﬁ nd the Logi- “I’m hoping for a Thunder- will upgrade my iPhone That way I could manufac- tech S715i Speaker waiting bolt drive. I like to do fresh 3GS to the iPhone 5.” ture all of those obnoxious for me under the Christmas OS installs when they are little screws or plastic parts tree. It’s gotten rave reviews released, and moving GBs of my gadgets that break so for its superb sound quality, of photos and movies frequently.” portability, and great price. through a traditional USB Santa, are you listening?” drive is anything but expedi- ent. It’s all about speed and reliability for me.” 12 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 QUICK NEWS

Don’t Use That Kind of Language Here PUBLISHER AND CEO David Averbach • [email protected] Back in August, Gizmodo published a CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER leaked training manual for their in-store Raphael Burnes • [email protected] Apple Geniuses (specially trained employ- EDITOR IN CHIEF ees who man the Genius Bar in every Ap- Alex Cequea • [email protected] ple Retail Store). The conﬁ dential manual SENIOR EDITOR AND FOUNDER offers a glimpse into Apple’s unique ap- Hal Goldstein • [email protected] proach to customer service. Among the ASSOCIATE EDITOR many interesting revelations was a list of Nina Benjamin • [email protected]

©iStockphoto.com/EricHood “banned” and “preferred” words for Ge- CONTRIBUTING EDITORS & WRITERS See page 8 niuses to follow when describing a particular problem. Geniuses are encouraged ART DIRECTOR to use the phrase “does not respond” instead of “crash,” and they are told to Jaime Thatcher • [email protected] avoid calling a product “incompatible“; instead they should say it “does not work COVER DESIGN with” a particular program or accessory. A recent poll conducted by NPD Group George Foster • [email protected] found that almost 60 percent of Apple customers are more likely to purchase ADVERTISING SALES COORDINATOR another product from Apple following an interaction with their technical support. Marge Enright • [email protected] ADVERTISING SALES SPECIALISTS Janet Joyce • [email protected] Dude, Where’s My iPhone? Tom Moccia • [email protected] MARKETING INTERN Using iCloud’s Find My iPhone feature, police in Chris Younger • [email protected] San Francisco tracked down two robbers who’d CUSTOMER SERVICE & SUBSCRIPTIONS just stolen an iPhone from an individual in Ocean For address changes or subscription questions, visit www.iphonelife.com/custom- View. The conﬂ ict led to a chase through a nearby erservice, email [email protected], or call 847-763-4940. church and elementary school, where police were CONTRIBUTE To write for iPhone Life magazine or iphonelife.com, visit www.iphonelife.com/share. able to apprehend additional suspects hiding in a ADVERTISE car, along with other allegedly stolen smartphones. To advertise in iPhone Life, call 641-472-9962, fax 641-472-1879, or visit www. Apple’s Find My iPhone feature has led to the re- iphonelife.com/advertise. covery of many stolen iPhones and iPads, but the PUBLICIZE YOUR PRODUCT Send press releases, join our vendor network, and submit products for review at feature isn’t foolproof—if you turn the iPhone off, www.iphonelife.com/getpublicity. you can’t track it through GPS. PRINTER Quad Graphics, 1700 James Savage Rd., Midland, MI 48640 USA 800-448-4288 NEWSSTAND DISTRIBUTION Curtis Circulation Company, 760 River Rd., New Milford, NJ 07646 USA 201-634-7400 NEWSSTAND COORDINATOR Carl Kopf & Associates 203-944-9466 iPhone Life (ISSN 1949-2014) is published bi-monthly, 6 times a year, Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/ Jun, Jul/Aug, Sep/Oct, Nov/Dec by Mango Life Media at 402 North B St. #108, Fairfield, IA 52556, USA. Periodicals postage paid at Fairfield, Iowa, and at additional mailing offices. Sub- When Parents Text scription rates payable in U.S. dollars, checks drawn on a U.S. bank, or by credit card—one year: $15.97, two years: $24.97. Postage: United States free; Canada and Mexico add $6 per year; outside North America, add $18 per year. Please allow four to six weeks for receipt of first MOM: How’s the new digs? issue. Executive, Editorial, Circulation, Advertising, Marketing Offices: 402 North B St. #108, ME: Mom…digs? What does that even MEAN? Fairfield, IA 52556. Telephone: 641-472-6330, Fax: 641-472-1879. MOM: How’s your new house? © Copyright 2012 , Mango Life Media, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission. Reasonable efforts are made to provide ac- ME: But…what’s a dig curate and useful information, but the reader must make his or her own investigations and MOM: What, is that ANOTHER thing that no one says anymore????? decisions; the Publisher and Editorial Staff cannot assume any responsibility or liability for the use of information contained herein. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to iPhone Life, Mango Life Media, 402 North B St. #108, Fairfield, IA 52556. MOM: Hi Cover Photo: ©iStockphoto.com/pepifoto ME: Hello! How’s your new phone? MOM: Love it ME: What did you get? MOM: Smart phone ME: What kind? MOM: No clue

These and more hilarious texts are available in the book When Parents Text ($10.95, amazon. com), and on whenparentstext.com.

iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 13 Illustration by Mikaila Maidment, mikailamaidmentart.blogspot.com “Your caption here” Send us a clever caption for the iPhunnies cartoon above, and we’ll feature our favorite entries in the next issue. The winner will receive a small prize! Send all captions to [email protected]

14 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 15 Say Hello to iPhone 5! Apple Announces New iPhone and iPod touch with iOS 6 by Jim Karpen

fter months of frenzied anticipation, on September 12, Apple announced the iPhone 5, a new iPod touch, EarPods, and the availability of iOS 6 (see sidebar on p.17 for more info). As the date approached, market analystsA were saying that the iPhone 5 could end up being the largest consumer product launch in history, with 10-12 million Thinner, Lighter Design & Aluminum Back units expected to be sold by the end of September. The body of the phone is now thinner and lighter, with an iPhone 5: Larger Screen, Thinner, Faster, Lighter aluminum back (slate-colored on the black model, silver on the white model) instead of glass. The touch sensors are now built The new phone has a 4-inch screen, is thinner and lighter, and into the display itself rather than being in a separate layer, making the display 33% thinner. At 7.6 mm thick and 112 grams, the has a new camera, speaker, and dock connector. Under the iPhone 5 is 18% thinner and 20% lighter than the iPhone 4S. hood, it has a faster processor and 4G LTE data speeds, meaning a faster Internet connection. 4G LTE Data Speeds 4-Inch Screen The iPhone 5, like the new iPad with Retina display, has 4G LTE The trend in smart- connectivity. That means that if you access the Internet when you’re out and about, email downloads and web access will be phones has been to- much faster. Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint are building 4G LTE net- ward a larger size, so works, and 4G LTE is already available in many cities nationwide. Apple opted to bump How fast is it? Speeds vary widely, but in general, it’s faster than up its standard 3.5- your Wi-Fi at home. Download speeds can be as high as a blaz- inch screen to a gen- ing 56 Mbps (according to PCWorld tests). Average download erous 4 inches. The speeds range from 8–15 Mbps, which is still extremely fast. larger screen makes the phone taller, but the width remains the A6 Processor & Lightning Dock Connector same, so it’s still easy to hold in your hand. The result is a new 16:9 aspect ratio, the same as a high-definition TV and ideal for widescreen movies. The resolution is an impressive 1136 x 640. And the new display isn’t just larger: it has 44% more color saturation than the iPhone 4S and is less prone to glare.

The home screen can now accommodate an extra row of app icons, and all of Apple’s apps, including iLife, iWork, iPhoto, and GarageBand, have been rewritten to take advantage of the additional screen space.

But don’t fret—your third-party apps will work just fine on the The iPhone 5’s A6 processor offers twice the speed and double the graphics performance of the iPhone 4S. new screen. Until developers tweak them to take advantage of the added real estate, they’ll simply have a small black border on the The new phone has an 8-pin dock connector called Lightning bottom and top of the app (or on the sides in landscape orientation). that’s 80% smaller than the previous 30-pin connector. An interesting feature is that you can plug in your cable either side up, since the dock is orientation-independent. 16 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 What if you have accessories, such as a speaker dock, that are compatible with the previous 30-pin connector? Apple also announced a 30-pin-to-Lightning adapter for $29 that will be Say Hello to iPhone 5! shipping in October. iPod Touch Apple also an- Cameras nounced new iPods, Apple Announces New iPhone including an iPod The iPhone 5’s 8-megapixel iSight camera has some great new touch with a 4-inch, and iPod touch with iOS 6 features. Dynamic Low Light Mode combines pixels in the dark 1136-by-640-pixel so that your camera performs much better in low light. The phone screen just like its by Jim Karpen also has a new signal processor in the A6 chip that improves low- iPhone brethren. And light images and captures photos faster. Other camera features it, too, is thinner and include precision lens adjustment and a Sapphire crystal. lighter than before. Unlike the iPhone, though, the touch has been spiffed up with a variety of new colors.

It also comes with the new Lightning dock connector, and now has a faster A5 processor, with graphics performance up to 7 times faster. It has a 5-megapixel camera and shoots 1080p video.

Best of all, the new iPod touch comes with Siri. Prices are $299 for the 32GB model and $399 for 64GB.

EarPods An amazing new feature is the ability to take 28-megapixel panoramic photos simply by sweeping a scene. The camera The iPhone 5 and new iPod touch will come with EarPods, a takes the photos and stitches them together in real time. completely redesigned set of headphones. They fit better, have greatly improved sound quality, and feature an improved remote The camera also takes 1080p video and now has improved for adjusting volume and answering calls. � stabilization. It includes face detection for up to 10 people. And you can take photos while shooting video. Jim Karpen, Ph.D, is on faculty at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, IA. He has been writing about the revolutionary consequences of computer technol- The front camera is now also high definition at 720p, and you ogy since 1994. His Ph.D dissertation anticipated the Internet revolution. His site, can do FaceTime over a 3G connection. jimkarpen.com, contains selected regular columns written for The Iowa Source. [email protected]. Longer Battery Life

Even though features such as a larger screen and LTE con- iOS 6 Highlights nectivity take a lot more power, the iPhone 5 makes up for it with a longer battery life. You get 8 hours of talk time, 8 hours Maps gives turn-by-turn directions of LTE web browsing, 10 hours of Wi-Fi browsing, 10 hours of out loud and has a 3D image of the video, 40 hours of music, and 225 hours on standby. road ahead. Flyover shows aerial 3D images of a city. Other features in- Speakers & Microphones clude live traffic updates, rerouting around traffic, and Yelp integration. The iPhone 5 has three microphones: Passbook conveniently gathers digital coupons, airline tickets, bottom, front, and back. The speaker and other vouchers offered by third-party apps in one place. takes up 20% less space, yet has been given a boost in power, with 5 magnets Siri adds information related to sports, movies, and restau- compared to the previous 2. It also has rants, and posts directly to Facebook and Twitter. improved noise canceling and a feature called “widescreen audio” that makes Do Not Disturb in Settings suppresses incoming calls and voices sound more natural. notifications, or can let through calls from specific people.

Price When you receive a call, you can swipe to reveal two options: • Reply with Message automatically sends a text message to the caller. The iPhone 5 follows the pricing model • Remind Me Later has options such as “In 1 hour” and of its predecessors: $199 for the 16GB “When I get home.” model, $299 for 32GB, and $399 for 64GB, with a two-year contract. The 16 GB iPhone 4 will now be free and the 16 GB will start at $99 with a two-year contract.

iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 17 iPhone 5: Should You Buy It? by David Averbach

he most surprising element of Apple’s increased battery life and the 4G LTE will iPhone 5 announcement was the com- definitely be worth it, as will the improved T plete lack of surprise. Whether by de- screen size and resolution. The iPhone 5 is sign or negligence, the famously secretive also a must have for iPhone gamers; the A6 Apple left little room for imagination. By the chip makes it twice as fast the iPhone 4S. time the new iPhone rose from the floor of the Yerba Buena stage, everyone had already If you’re a casual user, the improved specs seen it in dozens of leaked photos. probably won’t make a huge difference. The biggest factors would be how you feel about a larger screen, and whether you live in an To Buy or Not to Buy? area with 4G. If you feel indifferent (or worse) about the larger screen and don’t live in an Despite the lack of surprise that typically area with 4G, you’ll probably be just as happy accompanies an iPhone announcement, the sticking with your iPhone 4S. The improved iPhone 5 is still a significant step forward for specs are nice, but not a necessity. Apple. As Phil Schiller said in his keynote and Jony Ive drilled home in the promo video, the iPhone 5 is the best iPhone yet. The Great Screen Debate

While the iPhone versus Android debate will While Apple will market the larger screen as be fought until the end of time, I feel that the a “revolutionary breakthrough,” many experts iPhone 5 is exciting enough to keep those in speculate that the shift was a design com- the iPhone camp firmly rooted there. The thin- promise, rather than a feature upgrade. 4G ner form factor and the brushed aluminum back components are larger than 3G components, are almost certainly sexy enough to sway those so Apple may have been forced to make the who are still on the fence. For those who drink screen larger in order to make them fit along- the Apple Kool-Aid, the iPhone 5 is without a side a larger battery. doubt the greatest smartphone in the world. The question is, will people view the in- Apple has continued their practice of selling creased size as an added benefit? Or will they the previous-generation iPhone at a discount- be frustrated by it? I’m a bit concerned about ed rate. While the low sticker value is appeal- not being able to reach the whole screen with ing, I strongly advise spending the extra $100 my thumb, and I’m not looking forward to hav- for the iPhone 5. Considering it can cost over ing a larger phone in my pocket. $1,000 per year for a phone plan, it’s worth the initial investment to have the latest and greatest technology. Also, the greater resale One More Thing value of the newest phone actually makes it a better investment in the long run. While the Apple announcement contained the usual marketing hyperbole, the event somehow lacked the exhilaration that earlier Should You Upgrade? iPhone announcements had aroused. There are no surprises anymore—no “one more While picking between iPhone and Android thing” tidbits to close the events with Apple- is easier than picking your favorite Spice Girl induced euphoria. I think it’s time to adjust our (they were all so great!), deciding whether or expectations, and start thinking about Apple not to upgrade from your 4S is little bit harder like, well… every other company. That doesn’t (if you still have a 3GS or even an iPhone 4, make the iPhone 5 any less great, though. � don’t walk—run to the nearest Apple store to pick up the iPhone 5.) It really depends on David Averbach is the CEO and Publisher of iPhone Life how you use your phone. For many, upgrading magazine. David has an obsession with all things Ap- may not be worth the investment. ple. He grew up on Macs and now has a MacBook Pro, iPhone, iPad, and an Apple TV. David enjoys traveling If you’re a power user who uses the phone and Ultimate Frisbee. He has been to over 20 countries. To contact David, email him at [email protected]. all day, then upgrading is a no-brainer. The

18 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 19 20 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 21 ...... Tips + Tricks 10 Ways to Get the Most From Your iPhone and iPad by Alex Cequea

he iPhone and iPad are incredible devices, but rarely do Are You Using we get to experience their full range of power. Most Bluetooth? people are content just knowing the basic functionality. When your device is Since you’re reading iPhone Life, I’m guessing you’re paired with a Blue- notT in that boat. Please enjoy this small collection of tips and 4 tooth headset or key- tricks to help you unleash the hidden power of your iDevice. board, a Bluetooth icon will appear in the status bar along Access Audio Con- the top of the device. If the icon is a trols from Locked faded gray color, it means that Bluetooth Screen is on, but the Bluetooth device is either If you’re listening to out of range or turned off. Knowing this 1 music on your iPhone can save you some time if you’re having or iPad, you can ac- trouble connecting. If Bluetooth is turned off, or if you’re not cess the music controls from the locked paired with any other device, no icon will appear. screen if you double-click the home button. The music controls will appear along Man, that’s a lot of the top of the screen, giving you easy contacts! access to music playback buttons such I must admit that I as volume, rewind, skip, or pause. The discovered this by ac- controls work with the built-in Music app as well as with popular 5 cident. I was scrolling music players like Pandora and Spotify. through my long list of contacts, and it was taking me forever Don’t Lock Yet! to scroll all the way to the end of the al- Your iDevice auto- phabet. Then my finger slipped over the locks after one min- onscreen alphabet index, and I began to ute of inactivity. If scroll super fast! It turns out that if you 2 this is too short for drag your finger over the alphabet index you, you can length- inside Contacts, you will skip straight to the contacts at the been the amount of time it takes for your ginning of each letter. This trick also works with songs and artists device to lock automatically. Simply go inside the Music app. to Settings>General>Auto-Lock, and select the length you prefer. Search for Every- thing Once you start ac- Forward Incoming Calls cumulating apps There are a couple of ways to forward incom- 6 and music, it can ing calls to another number, depending on be hard to find what your carrier. If you’re a Verizon or Sprint user you’re looking for. To search your device 3 (CDMA), open the Phone app, enter *73 fol- for specific songs, app names, con- lowed by the number you wish to forward tacts, and more, swipe to the right or calls to, then tap Call. To turn off Call Forwarding, enter *73, press the Home button from the Home then tap Call. If you’re an AT&T user, open Settings>Phone>Call Screen and the Spotlight Search feature Forwarding, turn on Call Forwarding, and on the “Forward to” will appear. Once you start typing the screen, enter the number you wish to forward calls to. name of the item you’re looking for, it’ll pop up underneath. Spotlight Search can also search through email subjects, notes,

22 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 reminders, messages, and more. To edit what Spotlight Search the Newsstand category, or open the can access, open Settings>General>Spotlight Search, and un- Newsstand icon from the Home Screen check the sections you want to make unsearchable. and tap on Store. Either way, you’ll see a large list of publications avail- The Power of the Double-Tap able for download, including The New Double-tapping is a forgotten trick that can York Times, The Daily, and of course, come in handy when you’re browsing the web iPhone Life magazine. All publications with Safari. If you visit a webpage and want to in Newsstand are free to download, but 7 zoom in and out quickly, double-tap the page they require in-app subscriptions in or- and you’ll instantly zoom. You can also double- der to read content. Subscription costs tap words on the page to select them. vary from publisher to publisher. Digital magazines are continually evolving to take advantage of the latest technology. Happy reading! �

Alex Cequea is the Editor in Chief of iPhone Life magazine. He holds an MBA in Sus- tainable Business, and he writes and speaks about mobile technology, authenticity 8 and creating a more inter-connected world. He enjoys tennis, sustainability, public speaking, and climbing mango trees. You can contact him at [email protected].

Add to the Reading List If you’re reading an article in Sa- fari and want to PROTECT MOUNT ACCESSORIZE save it for later, tap the action button (it looks like a rectangle with an arrow coming out), and tap “Add to Reading List.” The article will appear under Bookmarks>Reading List. If you wish to add a link, simply tap and hold the link until the option appears. Book- marks and reading lists are synced across devices through iCloud.

Customize iMes- sage Settings You can receive iMes- sages with a different 9 email address than the one tied to your Apple ID. To add another email address, open Settings>Messages>Receive at> Add Another Email. You can also choose whether you want your phone number or iMessage email address to show up in the recipient’s Caller ID.

Search Text Messages If you are looking for a specific detail inside a text message, it can be a chore to look through pages and pages of conversations. 10 Thankfully, there’s a hidden search feature in the Messages app. From the main Messages Go Beyond Protection www.rokform.com window, tap the top of the screen, and a search bar will appear. Every conversation containing the searched word will appear below, and tapping on a conversation will take you directly to the right place in the chat.

Check Out the Digital Magazines Last year Apple introduced a new App Store bonus category called Newsstand. They also cre- tip ated a special Newsstand icon on the Home Screen that makes it easy to access your magazine subscriptions. There are two ways to access Newsstand: you can open the App Store and go to

iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 23 24 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 25 BEST APPS

2012 BUYERS' GUIDE THE BEST APPS AND GEAR OF THE YEAR

very year, we at iPhone Life take on the strenuous (but fun!) task of surveying tons of apps and accessories so that we can present the cream of the crop to you, our faithful readers. We scrutinize user reviews. We compare prices and popularity. We geek out over sales numbers. We test apps, cases, speakers, and headphones for hours on end. So here they are: the best of the best in over 35 different categories, handpicked specially for you.

Whether you’re an iOS newbie or have been ﬁ ddling with iDevices for years, we hope that you’ll ﬁ nd some fun and e useful new tidbits in the following pages.

OUR TOP 5 APPS OF THE YEAR

t iPhone Life headquarters, we see a lot of apps. So when Clear ($2.99, app2.me/4968) Clear is possibly there’s one that we keep coming back to again and again, the most satisfying to-do list app in the App we take notice. Here are our top ﬁ ve most-used, can’t-live- Store. Flick, swipe, and pinch your way through A without, favorite apps of the year (in no particular order): quick lists with this super-sleek, streamlined app. Instagram (Free, app2.me/3183) This mobile photography community of 80 million users Flipboard (Free, app2.me/3473) If you want a made a big splash earlier in the year when it continuous stream of personalized news content, was acquired by Facebook. Use it to add cool Flipboard is the way to go. It syncs with your Twit- ﬁ lters to your photos, share them, and com- ter and Facebook accounts and turns your news ment on your friends’ masterpieces. stream into a beautifully laid-out magazine.

Mint (Free, app2.me/2711) If you’re into per- Tiny Wings ($0.99, app2.me/3739) Long after sonal fi nance and don’t use Mint yet, then its initial release, Tiny Wings continues to win you’re in for a treat. Mint’s award-winning app, us over. This simple, one-tap game will make in combination with Mint.com, allows you to the hours “fl y by” (is that the Pun Police at my track expenses, create a budget, and manage house?), and it features different graphics every your fi nances from the palm of your hand. day that you play.

26 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 BEST APPS GET YOUR GAME ON Tiny Tower (Free, app2.me/4323) Build the tower of your dreams, and manage the day-to- MUST HAVE! day lives of the “bitizens” inhabiting it. You can also see what others are building through the Angry Birds Space ($0.99, app2.me/5137) Game Center. This follow-up to the successful Angry Birds series is out of this world, literally. The King of Fighters-i 2012. ($6.99, app2. New birds, new levels, zero-gravity trick me/5139) In the style of traditional arcade fi ghting shots, and more. If you only get one game, games, King of Fighters features 32 characters, this should be it. several single player options, and a Versus mode to play with others over a Wi-Fi connection. Where's My Water ($0.99, app2.me/4319) Disney’s physics-based puzzler debuted last Draw Something ($2.99, app2.me/4982) This year to much fanfare, and has remained a turn-based drawing game brought back the fun favorite among iPhone users. The goal is to of Pictionary to the masses. Get paired up with fi ll Swampy’s bathtub with water, but that’s Facebook and Twitter friends, or fi nd random easier said than done. partners.

Fruit Ninja ($0.99, app2.me/3013) Ready Words With Friends (Free, app2.me/2499) 20 for kick-ass juicy fun? Slash and dash your million people can’t be wrong, right? Words With way through lemons, watermelons, ap- Friends is another turn-based game resembling ples, and more. This instant classic makes the classic board game Scrabble. You can play you realize how simple and fun iPhone up to 20 simultaneous games. and iPad games can be. Sky Gamblers: Air Supremacy ($4.99, app2. Tiny Wings ($0.99, app2.me/3739) Oh, me/5140) Rule the skies in this second-to-none the shame. He’s a bird, but he can’t ﬂ y. air combat game. You can play solo or invite your Luckily, he’s got hills, and he’s got you to friends to participate in cooperative or competi- help. Get ready for addicting and challeng- tive missions. ing fun. Cut the Rope: Experiments ($0.99, app2. me/4672) This offshoot of Cut The Rope has you Temple Run: Brave ($0.99, app2.me/5136) In feeding candy to Om Nom as part of a set of curi- this sequel to Temple Run, you can play as Meri- ous experiments conducted by a science profes- da, the title character from the Disney/Pixar movie sor. It’s as deliciously addictive as the original. Brave. Jump, slide, and shoot your way through an endless path and outrun that hungry bear! DragonVale (Free, app2.me/4746) Face it, you’ve always wanted to raise and care for an Jetpack Joyride (Free, app2.me/4317) This adorable dragon. Win prizes, build your dream action-packed game has incredibly simple con- island, and delight your visitors—just don’t turn trols. Tap to boost your jetpack, and try to capture it into Jurassic Park. coins while avoiding missiles and other obsta- cles. Score new jetpacks and other bonuses as Spy vs Spy ($0.99, app2.me/5141) Based on the game progresses. the ’80s video game version, Spy vs Spy comes back as an updated favorite. Escape the embas- Where’s My Perry? ($0.99, app2.me/5138) This sy, avoid traps, and don’t let the time run out! sequel to Where’s My Water? builds on the origi- Features online and local multiplayer support. nal water puzzler idea, but expands it to include different water states such as steam and ice. Crow ($2.99, app2.me/5151) Crow takes you to a faraway land where you can battle and explore. A story-driven action game with stunning Agent Dash (Free, app2.me/5148) Sprint your graphics, it’ll leave you awestruck and visually way through enemy bases and destroy what you satisﬁ ed. can using your secret agent skills. Dodge, slide, and jump past hazards to stay alive.

iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 27 BEST BEST APPS GET YOUR GAME ON APPS Flick Champions World Edition ($0.99, app2. Doodle Jump ($0.99, app2.me/134) This one me/5142) If you’re looking for simple, engaging never seems to get old. Just help Doodle the fun, look no further. Flick your way to gold in Vol- Doodler land on springy platforms, and pick up leyball, Handball, Kayaking, or any of the other jetpacks, rockets, and propeller hats as you pass ﬁ ve featured sports. other players’ high scores.

Shellrazer ($0.99, app2.me/5143) Taking a turtle Infi nity Blade II ($2.99, app2.me/4320) In this through an annual global trek may not sound award-winning game, you’ll fi nd yourself im- like much fun, but when you add goblin archers, mersed in a fantastic story of champions and massive guns, and mutant monsters to the mix, villains, fi ghting dynamic battles in a beautiful that changes things. 3D world.

Walking Dead: The Game ($4.99, app2. Tetris ($0.99, app2.me/5149) We love to see me/5144) In this ﬁ ve-part episodic game series, the classics reimagined. Play traditional modes, you are Lee Everett, a man trying to protect an or explore One-Touch Marathon, Tetris Galaxy, orphaned girl in a world of zombies and chaos. A Tetris Log, and Tetris Rank. rich and complex gaming experience.

Fieldrunners 2 ($2.99, app2.me/5145) Follow- Beat Sneak Bandit ($2.99, app2.me/5150) Duke ing in the classic tradition of Tower Defense Clockface has stolen all the clocks in the world. games, this sequel to Fieldrunners has you once Not only is this inconvenient, but now you have to again building epic mazes of weaponry to defend steal them back. Everything in the games moves the world from invaders. rhythmically, so choose your taps carefully.

Offroad Legends ($0.99, app2.me/5146) This Osmos ($2.99, app2.me/2729) This game can game features monster trucks, 4x4 off-roaders, only be described as mesmerizingly awesome. and six-wheeled behemoths set in a vivid envi- Explore stunning and peculiar worlds as you try ronment with impressive graphics. Try mastering to grow by gobbling up smaller motes. Different all 56 tracks. environments call for different strategies.

Scribblenauts Remix ($0.99, app2.me/4756) World of Goo ($2.99, app2.me/4896) Another Think up and create objects, then use them to beautiful and well-crafted game, World of Goo help Maxwell acquire the Starite. Let your imag- oozes personality and innovation. Get to know ination run wild; there are unlimited solutions the Goo Balls, and help them uncover the mys- with different outcomes for each puzzle! teries of this world.

Minecraft – Pocket Edition ($6.99, app2. Carcassonne ($9.99, app2.me/3447) Build a me/5147) Although it can’t compare to its medieval landscape one tile at a time, and play desktop counterpart, this mobile game packs with up to ﬁ ve friends on the same device. Play a punch. Build anything you can imagine, and against nine different AI players or take turns invite friends over a local Wi-Fi connection. with players online. �

MOBILE GAMING STATS 14.7 HOURS $62 101 MILLION

The average number of hours per 23% of tablet gamers pay for virtual There are 101 million mobile gamers in month spent playing games on an goods, spending an average of $62 the U.S., 69% of whom play on smart- iPhone. per year. phones and 21% on tablets.

28 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 BEST APPS PHOTO AND VIDEO InstaCollage Pro ($0.99, app2.me/5153) Choose from hundreds of features to make your MUST HAVE! picture collage stand out. You can add text and edit individual photos without leaving the app. Camera+ ($0.99, app2.me/2583) Consis- tently one of the top-selling camera apps in the App Store, Camera+ features doz- InstaPicFrame Pro ($0.99, app2.me/5154) Like ens of incredible effects, a photo stabi- InstaCollage Pro, This app lets you add text to lizer, standard cropping options, multiple images and features multiple framing options. In frames, and much more. addition to easy sharing through Instagram, you can share through Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr. Instagram (Free, app2.me/3183) This photo community of 80 million users Diptic ($0.99, app2.me/3462) With Diptic’s el- shows no signs of slowing down. Upload egant collage templates, you can add up to ﬁ ve your photos, edit with cool ﬁ lters and ef- photos to one collage, and the editing features fects, and share. Then follow your friends’ give you an insane amount of control over the and favorite celebrities’ photos! tiniest frame or image details.

iMovie ($4.99, app2.me/2551) This lite Pro HDR ($1.99, app2.me/4137) Pro HDR gives version of iMovie for Mac lets you cre- you gorgeous, full-resolution HDR images with ate HD quality movies on the go. Choose one tap. It supports front and rear cameras, and from eight built-in themes; add photos, also features a nifty set of fi lters for additional music, and sound effects; and publish di- photo editing. rectly to YouTube or Vimeo. 360 Panorama (Free, app2.me/3582) Turn your iDevice into an immersive panoramic camera with 360 Panorama. To use, simply pan the 8mm Vintage Camera ($1.99, app2.me/4618) camera around, and watch as the app stiches Travel back in time to capture a nostalgic past. the images together. Add old fi lm lenses and effects, and create your own retro reel. The app supports 720P HD vid- WordFoto ($1.99, app2.me/4218) WordFoto eo recording. is overfl owing with artistic awesomeness. Turn any image into a collage of user-selected Viddy (Free, app2.me/5155) Viddy is a video words. The app features several themes with community reminiscent of the Instagram photo pre-determined word fonts and styles. community. Record, edit, and share your videos, and explore videos from other users. The app Slow Shutter Cam ($0.99, app2.me/3600) This features video, music, and transition effects. is a fun one to play with. With Slow Shutter Cam you can create mini time-lapse effects and Snapseed ($4.99, app2.me/4057) Snapseed cool visuals out of ordinary shots. is another amazing photo editing and sharing app. It features a vast array of cool fi lters and effects, plus the ability to auto-correct images with one tap. DID YOU KNOW? There’s an app that will keep track of your iPhone photo SpacePaint ($0.99, app2.me/5152) SpacePaint stats and create beautiful infographics out of them. Perfect adds magical light effects to your photos. You for stat geeks, PhotoStats ($0.99, photostatsapp.com) can control the specifi c type of effects and will record the time and location of your photos, along with combinations. Create complex light refractions, your “most productive” photo-taking days, your preferred bolts of electricity, and more. camera settings, and more.

iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 29 BEST APPS PRODUCTIVITY & ORGANIZATION 1Password Pro ($14.99, app2.me/2606) If you lead an active online lifestyle, you no doubt have MUST HAVE! plenty of passwords and usernames. 1Password Pro securely stores your passwords, and lets Clear ($2.99, app2.me/4968) When nearly you sign into your various accounts with one tap. half of iPhone Life magazine’s staff is using the same app, that says something. Genius Scan+ ($2.99, app2.me/5161) This inge- Clear is an ultra-simple list app with a slick nious app turns your iPhone into a portable scan- interface. Minimalism wins, big-time. ner. Simply take a picture of a document—a form, receipt, book page, whiteboard, whatever!—and Evernote (Free, app2.me/130) Evernote export it via email as a JPEG or PDF fi le. is a multi-faceted app that helps you remember and organize pretty much ev- Awesome Note ($3.99, app2.me/220) This re- erything in your life. Save notes as audio, cent Apple Store Hall of Fame inductee is an text, or images. Your data syncs across all organizing powerhouse. This full-featured app device platforms. keeps track of your calendar and to-do lists, and lets you quickly add notes. Dropbox (Free, app2.me/127) Dropbox lets you store your documents, photos, Dragon Dictation (Free, app2.me/111) This and more across many devices and plat- voice-recognition app claims to be fi ve times forms. It also features offl ine viewing for faster than typing on a keyboard. Simply speak easy access when you don’t have an on- and this app will type emails, Twitter updates, line connection. notes, and more with incredible accuracy.

LogMeIn (Free, app2.me/5162) Need remote access to your Mac or PC? LogMeIn is the Pages ($9.99, app2.me/2412) Specifi cally de- app for you. Get full access to your desktop or signed for the iPhone and iPad, Pages brings laptop through this secure app, and never lose the full power of word processing into your connection to important fi les or docs. pocket. Open and edit Microsoft Word fi les, export fi les as PDFs, and much more. Penultimate (iPad only: $0.99, app2.me/3212) Take handwritten notes, create original sketch- iStudiez Pro ($0.99, app2.me/129) iStudiez Pro es, and more with this bestselling note-taking helps you get organized in every aspect of the tool for the iPad. Integrates with Dropbox and student lifestyle. Track your grades, GPA, home- Evernote, and exports notes as PDF fi les. work assignments, and more. The app features a robust built-in organizer and alerts. OUR TAKE iThoughts ($7.99, app2.me/2424; iPad version: “While I realize that the iPhone is primarily a communica- $9.99, app2.me/3800) This mind-mapping tool tions device, I’m always surprised at the number of people is versatile and robust. You can import and ex- who don’t take advantage of its built-in productivity fea- port maps from many desktop mind-mapping tures. Reminders, Calendar, Camera, Notes, and Siri alone programs, and sync with Dropbox, Box.net, and can whip you into super-productive shape.” others. -Alex, Editor in Chief

APPLE’S PRODUCTIVITY SUITE If you want to take full advantage of mobile productivity and iCloud, check out Apple’s signature productivity apps. Along with Pages (featured above), Apple’s iWork suite of apps includes Numbers ($9.99, app2.me/2480), a robust spread- sheet program, and Keynote ($9.99, app2.me/2481), a presentation program. The two are comparable to Excel and PowerPoint on a Windows PC. In addition to letting you edit and create docs from your mobile device, these three programs sync with iCloud, so you can continue working on docs from your Mac or another iOS device.

30 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 31 BEST APPS MUSIC Ultimate Guitar Tabs ($2.99, app2.me/2805) If you’re a guitar player, Ultimate Guitar Tabs MUST HAVE! is an indispensable tool. Get guitar, bass, and drums tabs for pretty much any song you’ve Pandora (Free, app2.me/2410) Pandora ever heard. The app also has an auto-scroll fea- has become the standard in free Inter- ture for playing on the go, and additional pro net radio. It’s the quickest way to get the features available as in-app purchases. music started, and the mobile app works great on road trips. Choose a genre or GarageBand ($4.99, app2.me/3798) There’s no favorite artist, and let Pandora do the rest. better app for unleashing your musical creativ- ity, especially if you have no music experience whatsoever. The GarageBand app for iPhone Spotify (Free for 48 hours, $9.99 monthly and iPad is incredibly versatile and works well subscription, spotify.com) I must admit I’ve for experienced and novice musicians alike. Play only recently gotten hooked to this nifty music dozens of instruments and create studio-quality player. Access millions of songs and play them songs and beats from the palm of your hand. whenever and wherever you want. Djay ($0.99, app2.me/5163; iPad version: Shazam (Free, app2.me/2812) You know when $19.99, app2.me/3481) Turn your iDevice into you hear a song you like, but you have no idea a virtual turntable. You can perform live, record what it is? Shazam will tell you! After hearing mixes for later use, or use the Automix mode, the song for a few seconds, the app will magi- which creates mixes from your favorite playlist cally give you the name of the song, the artist, automatically. Features mixer, tempo, and EQ and even the lyrics. controls; high-quality scratching; pitch-bend; and AirPlay integration.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Status Shuffl e for Facebook ($0.99, app2. WhatsApp Messenger ($0.99, app2.me/3427) me/5164) Status Shuffl e saves you the headache With WhatsApp Messenger, you can send vid- (and anxiety) of coming up with memorable sta- eo, images, voice notes, and group texts to your tus updates to post on Facebook. Choose from a contacts for free (they also need to download huge database of funny, sad, and crazy statuses the app). It’s perfect for international communi- and post directly from within the app. cation, and contacts already using the app will show up automatically in your list of favorites. Skype (Free, app2.me/2378; iPad version: app2.me/4076) If Pandora is the standard for My Followers on Instagram ($0.99, app2. free Internet radio, then Skype is the standard me/5165) Ever wonder who has unfollowed you for video calling. Call or instant message any- on Instagram? Well, wonder no more. With its one on Skype for free, and save your minutes. sleek, simple design, this app will tell you who Skype for iPhone and iPad works over Wi-Fi and has unfollowed you and who’s not following 3G networks. you back, and will let you track new Instagram followers. Pinterest (Free, app2.me/4377) This online pin- board curator exploded in popularity in 2012. Pin Tumblr (Free, app2.me/4518) This micro-blog- and share your daily inspirations in every area ging site is fi lled with all sorts of random good- of life, from places to visit around the world ness. Use the Tumblr app to create and edit to songs stuck in your head. The app lets you posts, and manage several blogs at once. You follow other users and integrates with your iDe- can also view and reply to messages, and get vice’s camera for instant pinning gratifi cation. offl ine access to your micro-blogs.

32 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 33 BEST BEST APPS TRAVEL APPS GateGuru (Free, app2.me/290) While GateGu- ru offers up-to-date fl ight status info and a place MUST HAVE! to view your TripIt and KAYAK itineraries, where it truly shines is as a resource for airport ameni- KAYAK (Free, app2.me/285) From com- ties. Check out terminal maps and over 30,000 paring prices to making reservations and reviews, photos, and tips from other travelers everything in between, the KAYAK app to fi nd the perfect restaurant or shop to visit handles all your travel needs. This essen- on your layover. tial app makes it a breeze to search for fl ight, hotel, and car rental deals; book Packing Pro ($2.99, app2.me/2955) Ever gotten hotel rooms; and much more. to your destination and realized you’d forgotten to pack a swimsuit? This handy app keeps emer- FlightTrack ($4.99, app2.me/4092; Pro gency trips to the store to a minimum. Create version: $9.99, app2.me/288) Stay on top customizable packing lists from a catalog of over of every aspect of air travel with Flight- 800 items and enjoy stress-free travel ahead. Track. Features include real-time arrival and departure statuses, live fl ight maps with RoadAhead Highway Exit Finder (Free, app2. weather radar overlay, and more. Upgrade me/5214) This awesome app takes the guess- to the Pro version for push alerts, airport work out of road-trip pit stops. Automatically lo- terminal maps, and weather forecasts. cating you on the highway, RoadAhead displays upcoming exits by distance, listing rest areas, gas stations, restaurants, and more. MotionX-GPS Drive ($0.99, app2.me/249) This consistently top-ranked navigation app will get you to your destination without a hitch. It’s DID YOU KNOW? packed with great features, including live traf- “I often have to catch connecting fl ights in a short window fi c maps and speed limit display. of time, so I rely on FlightTrack to show me my arrival and departure gates and a map of the airport. I can dash to TripAdvisor (Free, app2.me/4098) Featuring my connection without skipping a beat; I’ve literally made over 60 million user reviews of hotels, restau- fl ights because of it.” rants, and attractions, TripAdvisor is a must- -David, CEO and Publisher check before making reservations or taking a trip.

IN THE WILD

Oh, Ranger! Park Finder (Free, app2.me/5216) MotionX-GPS ($0.99, app2.me/2821) Over 10 The most comprehensive database of U.S. million users can’t be wrong. For cyclists, hik- parks and forests (national, state, and local), ers, runners, and other outdoor sports enthusi- Oh, Ranger! is an indispensable resource for asts, this GPS app—featuring nine map choices, lovers of the outdoors. Choose from 30 activity track recording, waypoints, location sharing, and categories to fi nd the perfect locale, then check more—is unmatched in its genre. out the in-app maps, park overviews, and more. Audubon Guides ($19.99, app2.me/5217) This Army Survival for iPad/iPhone ($1.99, app2. beautiful nature app combines four of Audubon’s me/2327) For outdoor adventurers, preparation popular fi eld guides by including information and and safety is key. This fi eld manual by the U.S. photos on over 3,000 species of North American Army is an authoritative reference guide on birds, mammals, trees, and wildfl owers. survival in every type of climate. It includes invaluable info on tools, shelters, poisonous plants, and much more.

34 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 BEST APPS ENTERTAINMENT Tom Loves Angela ($0.99, app2.me/5157) Back-talking character apps grew in popularity MUST HAVE! last year. In this app, Talking Tom, one of the most popular characters, has found a new friend. Tell Akinator the Genie ($1.99, app2.me/5156) Tom what to tell Angela to woo her—but choose Akinator is a genie who can guess what your words carefully, because she talks back. real or ﬁ ctional character you’re thinking of with unnerving accuracy after asking a set Palm Reading Booth ($0.99, app2.me/5158) of questions. The app lets you add names I see this app in your future… Palm Reading and pictures of people you know, and sup- Booth takes a picture of your palm, and reveals ports several languages. your personal traits. Are you a leader? How many kids will you have? and so forth. It’s a fun pastime, especially when you try it with Pocket God ($0.99, app2.me/100) In this epi- friends to see what comes up. sodic microgame, you’re a god who controls every living aspect of primitive islanders stuck Someecards ($0.99, app2.me/5159) If you on a remote island. You can hit them with light- spend any amount of time on Facebook, you’ve ning, create life, alter gravity, and more. Playing probably seen these old-style postcards with god is always a fun way to pass the time. funny (if sometimes crass) captions. Browse through popular categories, and send and re- Moron Test ($0.99, app2.me/2755) These ceive postcards through the app. seemingly simple puzzles will make your brain do acrobatics. This patience-testing app features ﬁ ve puzzle sections and global leaderboards and achievements to track your progress. BEST BEST APPS NEWS APPS The Daily for iPhone (Free with in-app subscription, app2.me/5208) This digital-only publication MUST HAVE! features new content on a daily basis, and it’s beautifully laid out with articles, pics, and info- Flipboard (Free, app2.me/3473) The graphics. You can subscribe for $1.99 a month award-winning Flipboard app has become or $19.99 a year. It’s the sister publication of The the standard in personalized magazines. Daily app for iPad (free, app2.me/4051). Flip through a gorgeous arrangement of customized news categories, along NextDraft (Free, app2.me/5210) Internet news with your Facebook, Google+, and Twit- addict Dave Pell distills the day’s top 10 news ter feeds. The app also makes it easy to stories into bite-sized nuggets written with wit share articles with your social networks. and insight. Cleanly designed and easy to read, this app is a quick and easy way to stay informed (and entertained). Downcast ($1.99, app2.me/5209) Downcast lets you subscribe and listen to podcasts without having to sync with iTunes. The app features FIND YOUR STATION Airplay support for sound and video, plus the Most major news networks have their own apps with ability to download manually or automatically. news content optimized for your iDevice. Look for apps Podcast subscriptions sync with iCloud. from CNN, USA Today, The New York Times, NPR, and the BBC. Having one-tap access to your favorite news Prismatic: Always Interesting (Free, app2. source is easier than visiting the news organization’s web me/5233) Like Flipboard, Prismatic creates a site on a daily basis. personalized news feed and layout based on your preferences and social network accounts. This stylish app makes it easy to discover and share new content.

WEATHER

The Weather Channel (Free, app2.me/2898) AccuWeather for iPhone (Free, app2.me/2373) Powered by over 200 meteorologists and their In addition to hourly, daily, and weekly weather TruPoint forecasting technology, The Weather forecasts, AccuWeather integrates with your iDe- Channel app is your essential weather app. The vice’s Calendar app, so you can see the 15-day app’s background image changes to refl ect lo- forecast without leaving your calendar. The app cal weather conditions, and badges alert you to also features animated radar and satellite pics. severe conditions. NOAA Hi-Def Radar ($1.99, app2.me/5211) MyRadar Weather Radar (Free, app2.me/4116; This smooth and interactive weather app dis- Pro version: $1.99, app2.me/4117) If you like to plays vivid animated radar videos. You can see exactly what’s happening around you, then control the loop speed and frame rate of each this is the app for you. MyRadar displays a radar animation. The app also displays U.S. drought with animated weather conditions as they hap- and wildfi re maps. pen. The Pro version is ad-free. Weather Live ($1.99, app2.me/5212) When you Weather Underground (Free, app2.me/4979) open this app, you’re greeted by animations Weather Underground’s advantage over other showing real-time weather conditions outside. apps is its extensive local weather coverage. The current temperature is an icon badge, so The app features an interactive “Wundermap,” you can see it without even opening the app. and like the other weather apps, it features The app also features hourly and weekly weath- push notifi cation alerts for severe weather. er conditions.

36 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 BEST APPS BOOKS Wattpad eBook Reader (Free, app2.me/4931) This community of readers and writers has mil- MUST HAVE! lions of members. It’s a free marketplace for original fi ction, where you can discover and Kindle (Free, app2.me/2482)If you’re an share new stories across many different catego- avid reader, downloading Amazon’s Kindle ries. Some of the app’s reading features include app is a no-brainer. It syncs your book pur- customizable auto-scroll speeds and text sizes. chases, page locations, highlights, and notes across devices, and features cus- Audiobooks (Free, app2.me/2953) Audiobooks tomizable settings to make reading more features over 5,000 free classics, plus a premi- enjoyable in any environment. um selection (available via in-app purchase) of professionally narrated modern bestsellers. The newest update features the ability to put the iBooks (Free, app2.me/2403) Apple’s iBooks player to sleep after the end of a book chapter. is a beautiful app that connects to the built-in iBookstore. Although I’ve found books on the OverDrive Media Console (Free, app2. Kindle app to be better priced, the experience me/3685) This app lets you access the digital of reading a book with iBooks is undoubtedly catalogs of over 18,000 public, school, and Apple-esque: sleek, stunning, and smooth. college libraries around the world. You can “borrow” titles just like you do from your lo- Goodreads (Free, app2.me/5220) This commu- cal library (you’ll need a library card), and the nity of 10 million loves to read and share book books disappear from your reading list when recommendations. Use the barcode scanner the lending period expires. to add books to your “to-read” shelf, and write book reviews for others to comment on. BEST BEST APPS FOOD & DRINK APPS Food Network In the Kitchen ($1.99, app2. me/4249) For Food Network fans, this cooking MUST HAVE! app is a super-fun way to expand your culinary horizons. Search thousands of recipes by ingre- Epicurious (Free, app2.me/2637) Featuring dient or chef—Giada De Laurentiis, Guy Fieri, over 30,000 recipes from notable chefs, and Bobby Flay are just a few—then save your food magazines, and cookbooks, Epicuri- favorites, create shopping lists, watch how-to ous offers a great selection of culinary de- videos, and peruse user reviews. lights for established foodies and beginner cooks. Save your favorite recipes, create Open Table (Free, app2.me/2737) Make reser- shopping lists, and share recipes or lists vations right from your iDevice at over 20,000 with friends via email, Facebook, or Twitter. Open Table-enabled restaurants in the U.S. and Canada with this essential app for diners. Specify date, time, and party size, and Open foodgawker (Free, app2.me/4947) Call it food Table will show you available tables at nearby porn, call it drool-worthy, call it whatever you restaurants—priceless for travelers! want—this guilty-pleasure app is a brilliant fi x for visually inspired foodies. This mobile companion Mixologist Drink Recipes ($0.99, app2. to foodgawker.com features photos and recipes me/2648) Play bartender at your next soirée from the best food bloggers around the world. with the help of Mixologist, a comprehensive drink-recipe app. Try the “Liquor Cabinet” fea- Hello Vino (Free, app2.me/4917) It’s like having ture, wherein you enter all the liquor and mixers a sommelier in your pocket! Hello Vino offers you have on hand to fi nd out which cocktails wine recommendations, reviews, pairings, and you can make. Bottoms up! more, helping wine beginners and oenophiles alike keep track of their favorite bottles. Local Eats ($0.99, app2.me/242) Looking for the real-deal favorites, the local (or perhaps Veg Travel Guide ($2.99, app2.me/5195) Veg- super-secret) spots—anything but your typical etarians and vegans, rejoice! This handy app chain restaurant? Try this dining guide, featuring points you to the best veg-friendly dining spots curated lists of the best U.S. and international around the world, so that you can enjoy explor- restaurants based on reviews by magazines, ing new cities without having to compromise newspapers, and food bloggers. your dietary preferences.

ARTS & CULTURE

Classical Music I (Free with $4.99 in-app pur- Smithsonian Mobile (Free, app2.me/5196) chase for full songs, app2.me/5198) and Clas- Whether planning a trip to D.C. or just jonesing sical Music II ($4.99, app2.me/5199) Treat your- for your next museum fi x, the Smithsonian app self to an aural extravaganza by downloading will provide you with all the info you need. Find the full version of Classical Music I, featuring out about current exhibitions, go on audio tours, 120 classical masterpieces from the world’s listen to podcasts, and more with this handy most famous composers, then double the en- mobile guide. joyment by adding Volume II. Both apps work offl ine without Wi-Fi, and feature stunning mu- Art ($0.99, app2.me/5092) A portable collection sic visualizations. of over 200 famous artists’ major works, the Art app lets you learn about and enjoy visual mas- American Ballet Theatre ($1.99, app2.me/5197) terpieces, whether at home or on the road. You Balletomanes from NYC and around the world can take quizzes, watch slideshows, and save will fi nd something to twirl about with this well- your favorite paintings in a personal gallery. designed app, featuring the latest company news, dancer bios, casting schedules, and more.

38 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 BEST APPS BUSINESS & FINANCE My Weekly Budget ($0.99, app2.me/5175) My Weekly Budget is a simple and powerful app MUST HAVE! with one goal: to keep you below your weekly spending target. Set a weekly budget, and eas- Mint.com ($3.99, app2.me/2711) Mint is ily update the app as the week passes. The app the ultimate personal fi nance tool. It syncs also compiles weekly spending summaries. with investment and bank accounts, and lets you track your balances and transac- GoToMeeting (Free, app2.me/5176) Attend tions, check your personal budgets, and GoToMeetings and GoToWebinars on the go. receive bill payment reminders. Join and view presentations with one tap, and see who else is present at the meeting. Works over Wi-Fi and 3G connections, and now allows PayPal (Free, app2.me/2401) Paypal is perfect live questions. for sending and receiving payments. Take a picture of a check to deposit money to your PayPal account for free. It also features a “local” fea- TIP ture, where you can see merchants that accept "Look for your bank’s dedicated mobile app. Almost every PayPal payments. mayor bank chain has their own app, and through it you can usually deposit checks, check balances, transfer funds, Square Card Reader (Free, app2.me/3735) pay bills, and more. I especially like the ability to make Paired with the Square Card Reader (available deposits by taking a picture of a check!" at Square.com), this app is a fantastic way to -Alex, Editor in Chief accept credit card payments on your iPhone or iPad. Customers can sign by using their fi nger, and receive receipts via email. BEST BEST APPS HOME & GARDEN APPS Houzz Interior Design Ideas (Free, app2. me/5171) Design junkies, watch out—you’ll MUST HAVE! be hooked on this beautiful app, featuring over 600,000 hi-res photos of inspiring interiors. iHandy Level Free (Free, app2.me/5166) Browse by room, location, and style, and save Anyone who’s ever tried hanging a paint- your favorites to a virtual idea book. ing solo will appreciate this super-useful tool. Use it to align frames, measure an- Remodelista ($2.99, app2.me/5170) Browse gles and inclines, and much more. and bookmark gorgeous interiors, then use the Steal This Look feature to replicate your faves. This design app also includes stylish do-it-your- Handy Man DIY ($1.99, app2.me/5167) Take self projects for those who are so inclined. the headache out of home improvement projects with this feature-packed app. Store room Garden Tracker ($1.99, app2.me/5172) Plan measurements, create task and shopping lists, and design garden plots with this helpful app, calculate estimates, watch and read tutorials, then track your progress with handy reference and more! tools. It comes loaded with 50 common veg- gies and herbs, and also lets you add your own. Mark On Call HD (iPad only: $1.99, app2. me/5168; iPhone version: $1.99, app2.me/5169) Landscaper’s Companion ($4.99, app2. Think of Mark as your virtual interior designer. me/5173; iPad version: $4.99, app2.me/5174) A Enter each room’s square footage and furniture rich resource for beginning gardeners and expe- dimensions, then arrange items accordingly. rienced landscapers alike, this app features info You can even take pictures of fl ooring and fab- on over 25,000 plants, including trees, shrubs, rics to add to any item or surface in the room— annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, and pretty cool! more. Great search feature, too!

PETS’ PARADISE

Pet First Aid ($3.99, app2.me/3852) When you’re iKibble Free (Free, app2.me/5180) Let the “Can facing a pet emergency, turn to Pet First Aid for I feed this to my dog?” guessing game end with quick and thorough assistance before heading to the help of iKibble, a handy app that profi les hun- the vet. Featuring detailed articles, videos, and dreds of food types. Search for a specifi c food step-by-step illustrations on bites, burns, poison- or browse by category or health rating. Features ing, choking, and much more, this app could tips and a thorough description for each entry. literally be a lifesaver for your canine and feline friends. It also lets you save vital medical info Dog Park Finder Plus ($1.99, app2.me/5179) (vaccination history, allergies, etc.) for reference. Whether you’ve just moved to a new city or are trekking across the country with your pooch, Petfi nder.com (Free, app2.me/5183) Look- this great resource will help you scout out ing to adopt a pet? Petfi nder lets you search thousands of dog parks and dog-friendly res- over 350,000 animals from over 13,000 rescue taurants, beaches, and rest areas. groups and shelters in North America. Browse until you fi nd the perfect furry pal, and read Game for Cats (iPad only: Free, $1.99 for full the Happy Tails adoption stories for inspiration! version as in-app purchase, app2.me/5181) Who says iPads are only for humans? Tantalize your Klooff (Free, app2.me/5182) A social network kitties with this engaging game, replete with for pet owners? Why not?! Create profi les of laser pointers and squeaky mice. It’ll keep them your pets, and earn badges or points when fol- entertained for hours! lowers rate or comment on your pictures. Silly? Maybe. Fun? No question. Now go get posting!

40 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 BEST APPS SPORTS NFL Fantasy Cheat Sheet 2012 (iPad only: $2.99, app2.me/5177) The ofﬁ cial fantasy cheat MUST HAVE! sheet for the National Football League, this app keeps you in the loop with the latest news, injury Team Stream (Free, app2.me/4091) Pick reports, depth charts, keepers, and more. your favorite teams, and follow their latest moves with the Team Stream app by Golfshot: Golf GPS ($29.99, app2.me/2684) Bleacher Report. The app curates stories This Apple Hall of Fame app is second to none. from local newspapers, blogs, Twitter, and In addition to mapping over 38,000 golf courses, other websites, so you’re always the ﬁ rst Golfshot analyzes your curb distances and ac- to know the latest news. curacy, and features colorful personal statistics.

Topps Pennant Baseball ($0.99, app2.me/5178) ESPN ScoreCenter (Free, app2.me/2679, iPad Don’t you just hate boring, static stats? This app version: Free, app2.me/4084) Get immediate ac- boasts an enormous amount of beautiful info- cess to scores, news, and rankings from sports graphics based on play-by-play stats for over leagues around the world. Create personalized 17,000 baseball games since the 1950s. It’s the scoreboards and live game details. The iPad ver- perfect app for baseball history buffs. sion includes video highlights, live in-game stats, and game previews and recaps. BEST BEST APPS STYLE & BEAUTY APPS Chicfeed+ ($0.99, app2.me/5111) Peruse photos from the web’s ﬁ nest style blogs, includ- MUST HAVE! ing the Sartorialist, with this sleek, ad-free app that lets you save your favorite looks. Pure eye Stylebook ($3.99, app2.me/4970) Orga- candy for fashionistas. nizing your wardrobe is a snap with this feature-rich app that lets you plan your Fashion Star Boutique (Free with in-app pur- outﬁ ts, store your measurements and chases available, app2.me/5233) Aspiring fash- sizes, make packing lists, shop your fa- ion designers will love this chic game, in which vorite brands, and more. you design clothes, customize patterns, and run your own boutique (picky customers included).

Trendabl (Free, app2.me/5114) Like Insta- Sephora to GO (Free, app2.me/5115) Every- gram for fashion! This fun photo-sharing app one’s favorite cosmetics store is now in the lets you follow designers like Michael Kors and palm of your hand. Shop for beauty products, post your own looks, tagging outﬁ ts with price, read customer reviews, and watch how-to vid- brand, and retail availability. eos with this handy app.

Style.com (Free, app2.me/5112) Can’t make it Total Beauty (Free, app2.me/5113) Not sure to Fashion Week? No problem—this app brings if you should splurge on that new moisturizer? it to you, with coverage of all the runway shows Browse this vast collection of consumer reviews and industry parties from NYC, Paris, Milan, and and ratings of over 45,000 cosmetics, skin care, London. and hair care products for unbiased advice.

SHOPPING & DEALS

Amazon Mobile (Free, app2.me/2645) Shop Amazon’s millions of products from your iDe- MUST HAVE! vice, just as you would online. Quick searches, reviews, wish lists, order tracking—it’s all there! ShopSavvy (Free, app2.me/3242) Ensure you’re getting the best deal possible with this comprehensive barcode scanner, The Coupons App (Free, app2.me/5117) Save which includes extra features like promo big at retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, codes, local store stock info, and sharing gas stations and more with this great coupon with friends. and promo code app, which updates throughout the day. Groupon (Free, app2.me/2643) Find local deals (in over 500 cities!) for restaurants, GoodGuide (Free, app2.me/4375) Wondering recreation, retail stores, and more with where a product falls on the social responsibility this money-saving app that lets you re- scale? GoodGuide has ratings for over 170,000 deem the deals directly from your device. food, household, pet, and personal care products based on the health and environmental issues that matter to you most. CardStar (Free, app2.me/2331) Toss out those ever-accumulating rewards cards and import them into this convenient app—it makes check- DID YOU KNOW? out a breeze! Also includes special offers, sales While iPad users account for 68 percent of mobile shop- announcements, and grocery coupons. pers (!), the iPad drives a whopping 90 percent of all mobile revenue, according to the 2012 Q1 Shopping Insights Mobile Study.

42 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 BEST APPS PARTY TIME! Drinking Games (Free, app2.me/5228) Burp! Find My Friends (Free, app2.me/4254) When This app features over 100 drinking games us- you’re out on the town partying, Find My ing in-app cards, dice, or coins. You can also Friends will help you keep track of your entou- shake the app to bring up a random drinking rage. You can see the exact location of your game. friends, and even set it to share your location for speciﬁ c periods of time.

Portable Party ($0.99, app2.me/5229) This StarMaker: Karaoke+ Auto Tune (Free, app2. app is like the Swiss Army knife of party apps. me/5230) Belt out some tunes and see how you Includes Truth or Dare, Spin the Bottle, Guess stack up against your friends. The app is constant- My Drawing, Would You Rather, and many other ly updating songs to include the newest hits. High games. Also features a blood alcohol calculator. scores unlock achievements and tokens.

Now. (Free, getnowapp.com) This slick app Flashlight (Free, app2.me/5227) This little tells you what’s happening in your city on any fl ashlight app turns your iPhone’s LED light into given night. Using public Instagram data, it can a strobe light with adjustable modes. Among determine what events are trending at the mo- the many fl ashlight apps in the App Store, this ment. The app currently supports fi ve cities: one is reliable, simple, and easy to use. New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Paris, and London. BEST BEST APPS HEALTH & FITNESS APPS MapMyRun+ ($1.99, app2.me/5207) This GPS Pocket Yoga ($1.99, app2.me/5202) This fantas- running app has everything you need to go tic yoga app features voice and video instruc- from beginner to pro. MapMyRun+ shows you tions that guide you through a series of poses a live route map and keeps track of your pace, for each diffi culty level, duration, and practice. distance, elevation, calories burned, and other The app also tracks your progress and features stats. The app also features voice updates that 145 simple and beautiful illustrations. No inter- track your run. net connection is needed to use Pocket Yoga.

WomanLog Calendar (Free, app2.me/5203; Cardiio—Touchless Camera Pulse Sensor Pro version: $1.99, app2.me/5204) This men- ($4.99, app2.me/5205) This magical heart-rate strual and fertility calendar for women includes monitor uses some interesting science and ovulation and fertility forecasts, statistics, technology. Cardiio uses your device’s front- weight tracking, and much more. The Pro ver- facing camera to determine the tiny changes sion includes a circular calendar, mood icons, in skin color and light reﬂ ection caused by blood and other features. Both versions support over rushing to your face. Just hold it up to your face a dozen languages. and get your heart rate!

iFitness Pro ($0.99, app2.me/5206) iFitness features pics, videos, and text instructions for DID YOU KNOW? hundreds of exercises. The app also tracks calo- Some health accessory manufacturers create app combos ries for over 90,000 food items, comes with for their gear that enhance the value and practicality of 20 built-in exercise routines, and includes the their speciﬁ c gadgets. Nike+ (nikeplus.nike.com), for ex- ability to track multiple users. ample, has a whole line of ﬁ tness accessories that syncs with their Nike+ apps. Likewise, iHealth (ihealth99.com) Calorie Counter & Diet Tracker (Free, app2. offers a range of health accessories that work with their me/2793) Tracking calories is fast and easy with own iPhone and iPad apps. this app’s massive food database of over 1.5 million items. The app includes over 350 exercises, a barcode scanner, a recipe calculator, customized goals, and much more.

COUPLES' CORNER

Pair (Free, app2.me/5134) A cute, easy way for Build-a-Card: Cupid Edition ($0.99, app2. couples to stay connected, Pair lets you share me/5131) Personalize your next anniversary or private messages, photos, and more with your Valentine’s Day card with a photo and sweet sen- sweetie—and even lets you “thumb-kiss” timents, and send it to that special someone. across the miles! Tons of cute customization options available!

Icebreak for Couples (Free, app2.me/5132) Get TripLingo Romance Edition (Free, app2. to know your lover better by sharing sketches, me/5130) Turn up the charm on your next inter- photos, messages, and answers to icebreaker national trip with this fun app that lets you ﬂ irt questions, then evaluate your relationship health in 10 different languages. Features easy-to-use by watching your “score” go up or down. navigation, ﬂ ash cards, audio examples, and much more. SimplyUs (Free, app2.me/5135) Though not super romantic, this über-functional app is a iWedding Deluxe – the Wedding Planner boon to busy couples, keeping them organized ($5.99, app2.me/5133) Packed with organizational and reducing stress by allowing them to share features for guest lists, seating, budgeting, and Google calendars, to-do lists, and more. more, this amazing app will save you countless headaches when you’re planning your big day.

44 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 BEST APPS EDUCATION Stack the States ($0.99, app2.me/3337) Solar Walk – 3D Solar System Model ($0.99, Stack the States features 5 kid-friendly puzzle app2.me/2555) Solar Walk puts the entire gal- games that make it fun to learn about the 50 axy in the palm of your hand. This gorgeous app U.S. states. Learn about state capitals, state lets you travel through space and time to visit shapes, abbreviations, state ﬂ ags, nicknames, faraway planets and learn about their trajecto- and more. New game modes are unlocked as ries, the history of exploration, and much more. you successfully complete levels. It also works ofﬂ ine.

Nick Jr Draw and Play ($6.99, app2.me/5221) SAT Vocab – Mindsnacks (Free, app2. Let your kids team up with their favorite Nick- me/5223) This app is: A) Useful, B) Fun, C) Fea- elodeon characters to create cool artwork. The ture-rich, D) Inexpensive, or E) All of the above. app features 8 color brushes for drawing and E is correct! Congratulations. This amusing app painting, guided-play activities, 60 animated features 6 mini-games, 25 SAT lessons, 24 fun stickers, and more. challenges, and much more.

Quizlet (Free, app2.me/5226) Quizlet makes Amazing Coloring Studio (Free, app2. it easy to study languages, vocabulary, or any- me/5224; iPad version: app2.me/5225) Perfect thing else (and it even works without an inter- for grooming the next Picasso, this app features net connection). The app syncs with your free a personalized studio with a collection of 48 quizlet.com account and offers access to over colored crayons, pencils, markers, and brush- 13 million pre-made ﬂ ashcard sets covering a es. Save masterpieces to your photo album, or vast range of subjects. share them via email, Facebook, or Instagram. BEST APPS GET INSPIRED POETRY from The Poetry Foundation (Free, app2.me/5089) This comprehensive poetry MUST HAVE! collection will give Shakespeare mavens and Billy Collins fans alike something to delight in. TED (Free, app2.me/3154) Featuring over Search by poet, subject, or mood, or shake your 1,100 inspiring and thought-provoking device for a random combo of subjects. talks from educators, artists, CEOs, and more, this essential app offers access The Law of Attraction Cards ($3.99, app2. to worlds of knowledge—and you won't me/5126) Looking for clarity or trying to mani- even have to spend a dime. fest your goals? Check out this app by Esther and Jerry Hicks, featuring 60 beautiful cards to summon your innermost desires. Simply Being ($0.99, app2.me/4005) Whether you’re wound up from work or having trouble falling asleep, Simply Being will soothe you OUR TAKE with voice-guided meditations, relaxing music, “Using the Gratitude Journal app inevitably helps bad days or nature sounds for 5-20 minutes. become brighter; it’s a great reminder to be thankful for the special moments in each day, however small they may Gratitude Journal ($0.99, app2.me/4312) Use seem. And adding a photo each day makes it fun to scroll this charming app to list the things you’re grate- back through past months. Try it out!“ ful for each day, along with a photo and star rat- -Nina, Associate Editor ing, and see what positivity unfolds in your life.

GET CREATIVE

Sincerely Ink Cards (Free, app2.me/5046) Personalize and mail beautiful greeting cards MUST HAVE! directly from your device with the help of this app—it’s even got birthday reminders built in! Pimp Your Screen ($0.99, app2.me/4020) Customize your device with slick backgrounds, app shelves, and icon skins with SketchBook Mobile ($1.99, app2.me/332; iPad this bestselling app that allows you to Version: $1.99, app2.me/3289) Casual doodlers preview each design without having to go and professional artists alike will love produc- back to your home screen. ing gorgeous digital art on SketchBook, which features a bevy of brushes, tools, and customization options. ComicBook! ($1.99 with in-app purchases, app2.me/5127) Star in your very own comic My Daily Journal ($1.99, app2.me/5129) Jot strip with this nifty app, featuring classic comic down your most private musings in this lovely graphics and fonts, customizable captions, and journal app, featuring a variety of covers, back- more! grounds and fonts; password protection; and dictation support. ScrapPad (iPad only: $4.99 with in-app purchases, app2.me/5128) If scrapbooking’s your gig, you won’t want to miss this awesome app, which boasts tons of great backgrounds and borders for your photos.

46 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

TripIt—Travel Organizer (Free, app2.me/287) Let this handy app ease the stress of holiday MUST HAVE! travel by keeping all your trip details and itineraries in one spot—and share the info with family No More Socks: The Christmas List so you never get stranded at the airport. Genius ($1.99, app2.me/5118) Not just for Christmas, this ingenious app lets you store Chai on Chanukah ($0.99, app2.me/5121) Fun gift ideas for any event or holiday. Create for kids and parents alike, this colorful app fea- proﬁ les for recipients, get birthday remind- tures an interactive menorah and dreidel game, ers, and even shop right from the app! the story of Chanukah, and more, narrated by Sweetsie, an authentic Jewish grandmother.

Holiday Recipes & Party Planning Guide Grinchmas ($0.99, app2.me/184) While you’re ($2.99, app2.me/5123) This crisp, beautifully busy cooking or catching up with relatives, plop designed app will whip kitchen amateurs into the kids down with this Grinchtastic game, in master chefs in one holiday season. Tons of which they can throw snowballs or deliver pres- recipes, tips, and other features for every di- ents in a cool 3D backdrop. etary denomination.

Celebrate the Holidays with Better Homes BY THE NUMBERS and Gardens (iPad Only: $0.99, app2.me/5122) According to Cult of Mac, on Black Friday 2011, Apple A festive and easy-to-use planner for Halloween stores around the U.S. collectively sold 89 iPads per min- parties, Thanksgiving feasts, casual cookouts, ute. Stacked together, all the iPads bought that day could and more, featuring recipes, tips, and decorat- have built a tower 900 feet taller than the world’s tallest ing ideas. Great for families! building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

iphonelife-final.pdf 1 7/3/12 9:57 AM

CMY

K The Best iPhone Cases of the Year by alex cequea

’ve seen way too many cracked screens and dam- either a black or gray border) has recently come out, including aged iPhones to risk using mine without a case. red, orange, purple, pink, teal, and blue. This is your iPhone’s first line of defense against inevitable drops, bumps, and spills. The selection of cases available varies tremendously in terms of style, protection, and price, but we’ve narrowed it down to some of the very best. You can’t go wrong I with any of these cases.

best overall best low-cost

Cygnett Workmate Pro LifeProof Case ($19.99, us.cygnett.com) ($79.99, lifeproof.com) The Workmate Pro is a shock-resistant silicone case with an We’ve covered the LifeProof case a lot throughout the year, external hard shell that adds only minimum bulk while protect- and many of us use it as our standard, everyday case. LifeProof ing your device from everyday wear and tear. It comes in two protects your device against snow, water, dirt, and waist-high color combinations: black/gray and orange/gray. The ports are drops. It adds a bit of bulk, but once you get used to it, you’ll uncovered and easily accessible. For the amount of protection wonder how you ever lived without it. The ports are easily ac- and style it offers, the $20 Workmate Pro is a bargain. cessible, although it helps to keep an eye on the headphone port lid; I’ve managed to lose it several times. If you’re bored Note: If you’re looking for bare-minimum protection at almost no of the standard black color, a new line of vibrant colors (with cost, you can find Apple Bumpers on Amazon.com for less than $1.

48 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 best wallet case

Speck CandyShell Card ($39.95, speckproducts.com) This wallet case from Speck has a built-in rubberized slot that can hold up to 3 cards and folded bills. The little thumb release best design slot makes it easy to get the cards in and out, and the hard shell has a matte finish with just the right amount of grip to keep it from slipping out of your hands. Twelve South BookBook Case & Wallet ($59.99, twelvesouth.com) The BookBook for iPhone is a beautiful case in the style of a vintage book, and it doubles as a wallet. This conversation-piece case has an ID window and can hold a few credit cards, plus some folded bills and a couple of business cards. The only caveat is that there’s no hole for the iPhone camera, but it does include a little red strap that pulls your iPhone up about half an inch to expose the camera. This gorgeous case makes for a very nice gift.

best battery case

Mophie Juice Pack Air ($79.95, mophie.com) The Mophie Juice Pack Air adds a 1500mAh battery to your iPhone without adding a whole lot of bulk. LEDs at the bottom of the case let you know how much power is left, and a standby switch lets you control when you want the iPhone to charge. You can also charge the case and the iPhone at the same time best minimalist case with the included USB cable. There you have it: the best of the best. You can either add these top-of-the-line cases to your collection, or give them away Incipio feather Ultralight Hard Shell Case as gifts. Either way, someone’s iPhone will be very happy. � ($39.99, incipio.com) Incipio’s feather Ultralight is a form-fitting case measuring Alex Cequea is the Editor in Chief of iPhone Life magazine. He holds an MBA in Sus- 1mm in thickness. The $40 package comes with two cases, tainable Business, and he writes and speaks about mobile technology, authenticity and there are a variety of color combinations to choose from. If and creating a more inter-connected world. He enjoys tennis, sustainability, public you’re looking for colorful, low-profile protection against bumps speaking, and climbing mango trees. You can contact him at [email protected]. and dings, this is it.

iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 49 Best Mid-Range iPhone Cases

Not Too Skimpy. Not Too Bulky. Just Right.

by Nina Benjamin

hile some iPhone users are looking for the big- Speck CandyShell Satin ($34.95, gest, baddest, boldest cases out there (you speckproducts.com) know, the ones that will keep your phone in- tact even after an 80-foot drop or a stampede My other favorite case was the W of wildebeests), I am happy to tuck my magi- CandyShell Satin by Speck. Though cal little wizard phone into a merely “protec- it boasts a super-protective dual- tive enough” case. I shy away from rigid, snap-on shells, which layer construction (a polycarbonate offer little to no cushion, and gel skins, which can feel flimsy, shell with shock-absorbent rubber but there is a solid middle ground between feather-light and interior), it’s a one-piece design, so monster-truck-rugged that suits me perfectly. inserting and removing your phone is a breeze. I love, love, love this In this review, I’ll cover my top picks in that mid-range cat- case’s velvety-smooth feel and egory. To compare the cases, I used the following criteria: feel matte coating, which provides and appearance (including bulkiness or lack thereof), ease of great grip. Its perforated rubber use, and protection. All of the cases I covered are perfectly lining adds a playful touch, and practical for average day-to-day use, feature raised front bezels the solid button covers offer easy to protect from face-first drops, offer full access to your phone’s volume adjustment. I can’t find ports and camera unless otherwise mentioned, and come in a anything wrong with this case! variety of cool colors. Happy shopping! Case-Mate Pop! ($30, case-mate. iFrogz Cocoon ($34.99, ifrogz.com) com)

One of my two favorites of the The first iPhone case I ever owned, bunch, the Cocoon case is the the Case-Mate Pop! is a no-frills de- perfect combination of fashion sign that remains one of my favor- and function. Featuring a dura- ites. It’s relatively slim, so you still ble polycarbonate exterior that’s feel as though you’re holding your coated with what iFrogz calls a phone—as opposed to a huge hunk “Luxe finish” for a wonderful of plastic—in your hand. Made of feel that’s silky but not slippery, lightweight plastic molded with soft this case also has a pliable inte- rubber, the Pop! combines a sleek rior layer that protects against im- back with ample interior cushion- pact. Luckily, it’s easy enough to ing. My favorite features are the slip your phone in and out without slip-free, sturdy rubber grips on each taking the two-piece case apart. side and the solid, pronounced button coverings, which make adjusting Though the Cocoon adds a tiny bit the volume and putting your phone of bulk to your phone, it’s worth the to sleep effortless. extra heft—it feels secure in your hands, has an amazing texture, and Eventually, my first Pop! case racked up a few scratches on boasts a super-stylish, sporty design. the back and cracks in the thin divider between the bottom of One thing to note: the color of the case I the screen and the charging port, but that’s to be expected after received was very different than pictured; mine was more of a four months of normal wear and tear. Overall, this simple, sleek deep rust than a bold red. case does the job quite well.

50 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 Casemate Pop! With Stand ($40, case- iSkin fuze ($49.99, iskin.com) mate.com) The fuze case from iSkin If you want a little more oomph, pick offers ample protec- up the Pop! With Stand—it features the tion from drops with same practical mix of plastic and rubber as its dual-layer design of its predecessor (with a prettier pattern on polycarbonate on the the rubber sides), but has a little more heft outside and thermo- to it, making you feel as though your pre- polymer lining, and it cious device is in very good hands. Though has a nice, sleek look. It it offers great grip, the extra bulk is a bit also features a small flap to cover too much for my taste. The kicker, though the charging port, protecting it from (no pun intended), is the built-in kickstand, dust and dirt. which allows you to watch videos or play games hands-free, in either landscape or While it looks good, feels lightweight, and has decent grip, I portrait mode. Just like the Pop!, the Pop! With Stand is easy find it inconvenient to have to take a case apart every time I want to get on and off, and features comfortable button coverings. to insert or remove my phone. Another big issue for me was the feel of the button covers; they weren’t pronounced enough, so I iFrogz Luxe Original ($29.99, ifrogz.com) had to press really hard to adjust the volume or put my phone to sleep. And while some may love the protection that the charging Just like the Cocoon, the lightweight port cover affords, I prefer not to have to mess with a flap every Luxe Original from iFrogz features a time I want to charge my phone. If those things don’t irk you, plush, silky feel that makes me oh-so this is a good choice! happy. And this metallic polycarbonate case looks as good as it feels! Otterbox Commuter ($34.95, While it’s not as cushioned as otterbox.com) some cases, it does have velvet inserts that offer some impact The Commuter Series case from Otter- protection. box offers great protection from bumps and shocks without adding as much Though I’m normally not a fan of two- bulk as Otterbox’s rugged Defender Se- piece cases that require you to take ries case. That said, this case is one of them apart when you want to insert or the heftiest of the bunch (about equal to remove your phone (see iSkin fuze, below), the Pop! With Stand), so if you’re used the Luxe Original makes it a breeze. Simply slide to holding your iPhone without a case, your phone into the top piece, then slide the bottom piece on until it will feel very different with the Com- it snaps into the top half, and push the button to open it again—it’s muter on. It’s comprised of a thick, du- quick and painless. The only drawbacks are that, since the buttons rable silicone skin, which has a pleasingly aren’t covered, the sleep button is hard to reach in and press, and foamy feel, and a hard polycarbonate the case doesn’t lie flat, due to the button on the back where the outer shell, and features silicone plugs two halves meet. But overall, I love this case. that protect the headphone and charger ports from dirt and dust. Switcheasy Capsule Rebel ($27.99, switcheasy.com) My dislikes of this mostly great case include the port coverings, which don’t stay securely in place very well; the feel of While the Capsule Rebel isn’t my the sleep button cover; and the extra heft—someone with small favorite, comfort-wise, it takes top hands may have a hard time hanging onto it. � marks for unique style, hands-down. It has a tough polycarbonate exterior with a spine-like textured back that Nina Benjamin is the Associate Editor of iPhone Life magazine. She holds a B.A. in Literature and Writing and has written and edited articles for several regional Switcheasy claims is for “enhanced magazines, newspapers, and blogs. Once a professional ballet dancer, Nina now grip” (I disagree; while it ups the ba- enjoys teaching ballet and singing. dass factor, the raised back didn’t help me hang onto my phone) and a smooth polymer material on the inside to protect your phone from impact. Overall, I love the look and functionality of this case, but its button covers were a bit wimpy, it doesn’t lie flat, and it’s nearly impossible to wrench your phone out of (just keep it in there forever, and you’ll be a happy camper).

iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 51 rotate it 360° to view at any angle and switch easily between portrait and landscape view. Note that there are distinct models designed for the iPad 2 and new iPad. The latter includes a stylus holder, magnetic cover, and three different viewing angles. The Versavu has a stain-resistant padded exterior and soft interior The Best liner, and is available in multiple colors. iPad Cases

Add Portability, Functionality, and Protection to Your iPad

MoKo Slim-Fit Folio Stand Case

($19.99, amazon.com) BY JIM KARPEN The MoKo case is a good value, with a leather exterior and polyurethane finish, and soft microfiber interior. It has cutouts for in-case use of your iPad, and a magnetic on/off function. It has several viewing angles, and an interior hand strap for one- ases are wildly popular among iPad users, as they handed viewing and reading. serve a range of functions, including protection and portability. In this article we’ll look at a variety of Ipevo Ultra-Slim Origami Folio cases, including folios, bags, shells, sleeves, and Case C cases with an integrated Bluetooth keyboard. ($39, amazon.com) This soft, stain-resistant microfi- Best folio Cases ber case has a cover that folds in different ways to provide stands for both portrait and landscape views. It’s slim and lightweight, but Bear Motion Leather iPad Case does afford some protection for your iPad. Includes magnetic on/off and cutouts for all iPad functions. Available in five different colors. ($26.89, bearmotioncase.com) This black, genuine top-grain leather folio case continues to be popular among iPad users Best sleeves because of its combination of quality and value. Like most folio Incase Origami Stand Sleeve cases, it not only gives your iPad padded protection, it also folds ($34.95, goincase.com) back as a stand in three different A sleeve provides minimal bulk positions. Also, the cutout portions let you access the function- while also giving some protec- ality of your iPad while it’s in the case. The Bear Motion case tion. You typically need to re- takes advantage of the Smart Cover technology so that your iPad move your iPad from the sleeve automatically wakes up when you open the case and goes to in order to use it. The form-fitting sleep when you close it. Incase Origami Sleeve has a durable neoprene outer cover and faux-fur interior. You can also use Targus Versavu it as a stand, with the origami feature serving up both portrait and landscape views. Works with both the iPad 2 and the new iPad. ($63.99, targus.com) While folio cases usually rooCASE Super Bubble Neo- double as stands, they are of- prene Sleeve ten limited to landscape view. The popular Versavu case has ($21.85, amazon.com) that problem solved. You can The rooCASE sleeve has a leave your iPad in the case and bubble-textured, shock-absorbing

52 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 foam interior and a Velcro pocket for items such as earbuds and Logitech Solar Keyboard charger. It’s available in dark blue, neon green, pink, orange, and Folio red. It’s just the size of your iPad, but it can accommodate the Smart Cover. ($129.99, logitech.com) The Logitech Solar Key- board Folio case powers the keyboard via a small solar panel that even charges with lamplight. It’s designed to work with both the iPad 2 and the new iPad, and has the common folio features of magnetic on/off and a multi-view stand.

Best Bags Griffin Elan Sleeve STM Jacket for iPad ($19.99, store.griffintechnology.com) Fits all iPad models. You slide your iPad into the sleeve and then ($25, stmbags.com) secure it with a tab, which also facilitates sliding it out of the case. The STM Jacket, with It has a smooth, synthetic outer shell and microsuede interior. its shoulder strap and durable water- and stain- resistant material, is the perfect case if you tote your iPad everywhere you go. The bag Best Cases with Integrated is light and just the size of the iPad, so the bulk is minimal, and Bluetooth Keyboard it provides a thin layer of high-density padding. There are two flat pockets on the front and a flat, open pouch in the back. The shoulder strap is removable, and there’s also a handle for carry- Kensington KeyFolio Pro 2 ing your iPad briefcase-style.

($99.99, kensington.com) CaseCrown Vertical Multi-Pocket Folio cases with a built-in Bluetooth Messenger Bag keyboard make your iPad resemble a small laptop. The case props ($37.95, casecrown.com) up your iPad while The CaseCrown bag has a padded you type. Some compartment with Velcro closure cases are also de- tab to protect your iPad, but also nu- signed to offer solid merous other internal and outside protection for both the pockets. It’s lightweight and slim, front and back of your iPad and has a vertical orientation. when you fold the keyboard into the case. The popular Kensington KeyFolio Pro 2, which works with both the iPad 2 and new iPad, has a removable keyboard. When closed, the case not only provides protection, but also gives access to the iPad’s controls and ports, including the front and back cameras. Incase Coated Canvas Field Bag New Trent IMP38B Airbender ($24.99, ($59.95, newtrent.com) amazon.com) The Airbender is a hard case that provides good This coated, protection for your iPad. The keyboard has the durable, weather- same layout as the iPad’s on-screen key- resistant canvas board. There are four different typing angles iPad bag has a to choose from, and you can set the iPad bike messenger- in either landscape or style shoulder strap portrait orientation. It that mounts the bag on your back. There’s a zippered pouch also has the auto- on the front, and the quilted cotton lining offers good protection matic sleep/wake for your iPad. You can use your iPad while it’s in the case. function.

iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 53 Best sleeves

Otterbox Defender

($89.95, otterbox.com) While most cases provide some protection, shells are engineered to be especially robust. Griffin Survivor Extreme-Duty Military Case The popular Otterbox Defender is made of ($79.99, store.griffintechnology.com) durable silicone that This case is certified to meet U.S. and UK Department of absorbs impact. It of- Defense standards. It has been designed to protect your iPad fers three layers of from dirt, sand, rain, shock, vibration, and just about anything hard protection, a built- else. It has a shatter-resistant polycarbonate frame covered with in stand, and a protec- silicone to absorb shocks. It seals your display from the outside tive film for the screen. environment yet lets you use your iPad while in the case. It’s It has cutouts for iPad designed to work with both the new iPad and iPad 2. It includes controls and ports so a stand that clips on for landscape viewing. � you can use your iPad while it's in the case. It fits both the new iPad and iPad 2. Jim Karpen, Ph.D, is on faculty at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, IA. He has been writing about the revolutionary consequences of computer technology since 1994. His Ph.D dissertation anticipated the Internet revolution. His site, jimkarpen.com, contains selected regular columns written for The Iowa Source. [email protected].

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iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 55 THE ULTIMATE DEVICE PROTECTION lthough the iPad is a touch screen device, everyone who owns one knows that typing on it—one of the most basic gestures in computing—doesn't work so well. The iPad isn't tactile, so you don't get physical feedback; the only feedback you get is a screen full of poorly mis- The a spelled words. The remedy for typing, long-form or short, is a keyboard. There are many excellent keyboards on the market and I have best evaluated the top nine for this buyers’ guide. Let’s take a look! my evaluation criteria

Here are my evaluation criteria, biases, and some common denominators:

• All of the keyboards are Bluetooth. blue • All of the keyboards paired quickly and easily. • All of the keyboards demonstrated good battery life. Charge any of them once a week, and you should be fine. • All keyboards need a full-sized shift key on the right- hand side of the keyboard or it becomes too easy to hit the arrow keys, redirecting your typing to the toot wrong place in the document. • Good keyboards have spaces between keys and adequate access to the spacebar. • Good keyboards have real keys that go up and down, not projections, not rubber nibs, and not flat sensors without tactile feedback. All of these keyboards have hkey real keys. • At prices between $79 and $149, price doesn’t really differentiate in terms of quality.

One final caveat: with the iPad, it is nearly impossible to create a keyboard that doesn’t detract from the ele- gance of the device itself. Every one of these keyboards boar introduces some level of discomfort for the end user: a separate unit, added bulk, or some annoying kludge. If you keep the iPad stationary, the top keyboards offer a well-conceived experience. As soon as you want to quickly switch between keyboard and tablet, every one ds of these products hinders that transition. by WINNER

dan w. Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad ($99.99, logitech.com) The iPad presents two major typing problems: rasmus typing on glass doesn’t work very well, and the typing surface is vulnerable to damage when ex-

56 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 posed. That means all iPads need screen protection and most a keyboard that almost looks like a MacBook Air's, with black writers, jotters, and journalists need a keyboard. Fortunately, Logi- Chiclet keys against a buffed aluminum tray. tech has delivered an elegant keyboard solution that also takes care of screen protection: the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover.

Many other keyboards make up part of a case, but this is the The ZAGGfolio has excellent key placement and a nice feel, and only one that is a case all by itself. Logitech has created the case the iPad slips easily into the strong, simulated carbon-fiber cover. that Apple should have made. Align the case’s magnetic clips No need to remove the iPad to type; just bend the bottom of the to the edge of the iPad, and the keyboard becomes a perfect iPad forward and it fits neatly and quickly into the keyboard’s slot aesthetic match. at a good working angle. ZAGG and Logitech worked together on an earlier keyboard case (reviewed towards the end of this In order to use the keyboard, separate it from the iPad and article); this case is clearly an improved riff on that original design. then slip the iPad into the white, edge-protective slot that snugly For more flexibility and lightness, you can slip the keyboard out holds it in place. You can't adjust the angle, but Logitech did a of the case, but the case doesn’t close as nicely, or snap shut as great job of optimizing the viewing position. securely, as it does with the keyboard in tow.

Of course, the keys themselves are the most important ele- Unlike the Logitech keyboard that uses function keys for iPad- ment of a Bluetooth keyboard. This keyboard’s well-spaced keys specific functions, the ZAGGfolio includes a dedicated row of make touch-typing a pleasure. I can type at a good rate and I function keys for search, cut and paste, and photos, and includes don’t ever miss the full-sized keys. controls for media playback and volume.

Using the iPad as a tablet means detaching the keyboard, This case is an ideal gift for people who use the iPad as a and this is the primary downside of the Logitech case. As chic laptop replacement. as it looks, the keyboard and the back of the iPad are both exposed to potential metal-on-metal clashes in disorganized bags. I highly recommend using a ZAGG invisibleSHIELD ($34.99, zagg.com) to protect the iPad's back. THIRD PLACE

I love this keyboard. Because it is Smart Cover compliant (in size and magnet placing), it also works with several other cases ClamCase that Logitech didn't really have in mind. My M-Edge Recon ($149, clamcase.com) ($49.99, medgestore.com; see my review at iPhonelife.com) The ClamCase essentially turns your iPad into a netbook. Once easily accommodates the iPad and the Logitech keyboard, as the iPad snaps into the case, it’s completely enclosed and pro- does the Belkin Snap Shield ($29.99, belkin.com). Both provide tected. This case features a full-swing hinge that converts the additional protection with various degrees of bulk. case into a laptop, movie viewer, portrait display, and tablet, all without removing the iPad.

SECOND PLACE

ZAGGfolio ($99.99, Zagg.com) The ZAGGfolio is a very close second, and depending on how you use it, it could be your number one. A total case solution, the ZAGGfolio doesn’t need back-panel protection (though screen protection is always recommended), and it gives you

iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 57 The protection comes at a price: with your iPad in place, the to protect the screen during transport, but it leaves the rest of ClamCase weighs nearly as much as a netbook computer. The the iPad exposed. It’s also awkward to place the iPad precisely second area of compromise is the slightly recessed keyboard. in the case. It makes me feel like I’m reaching into the case to type. The typing experience is nowhere close to that of the Logitech or The Belkin YourType Fo- ZAGG keyboards, but it isn't horrible once you get used to it. lio + Keyboard If you travel a lot and worry about safely getting your iPad to ($99.99, belkin.com) your destination, this is the case and keyboard combo for you. Unfortunately, when you place the YourType Folio + Keyboard next runners-up to the other cases, it looks cheap and under- designed. And at $100, it certainly isn't cheap. Adonit Writer Plus The case employs (Starting at $84.99, modern, suede-like materi- adonit.net/store) als, and does so in minimalist Based on other fashion. The keyboard itself is pretty reviews and images good, with adequate spacing and a good shift key that supports in magazines and touch-typing with ease. However, unlike the high-end, glossy on the net, I re- plastic and metal combos of other keyboards, this case is a dull ally thought I’d like black. The keyboard suffers from Velcro positioning that can take this keyboard-case time to get right after removal. To adjust the viewing angle, the combination, but keyboard must be removed, which is awkward to do in cramped when compared to the ZAGGfolio and the Logitech, it feels flimsy places like an airplane. Belkin has a nice keyboard, but they and cramped. It just doesn't look like the Adonit design team could design a better solution at this price. focused on anything in particular. The nice metal keyboard hous- ing only offers an okay keyboard. The little nibs on the corners, meant to keep the iPad from pushing down on the keyboard, become annoying if you use the keyboard for any period of time. The bottom “on” switch requires a pen to flip it on (of course, the expectation is that you leave it on and it sleeps with the iPad, but that may not be useful if this isn't your only case). This case was engineered to be cool, but the engineers forgot that good design balances innovation, aesthetics, and functionality.

Qmadix Portfolio with Removable Bluetooth Keyboard ($129.99, qmadixonline.com) I’ve reviewed the Qmadix Portfolio before (see Sept./Oct. 2012 issue). I still really like the style of the Portfolio, with its nice leather feel and smell, and it’s the only case with a removable magnetic keyboard. The Portfolio, however, with its nicely spaced polycarbonate keys, commits Kensington KeyFolio Secure Keyboard Security Case & Lock the sin of the small shift key. I spend way too much time typing in ($129.99, kensington.com) the wrong place, or touching the screen to return my cursor to the If your gift recipient is a bit paranoid, or they travel extensively right place after hitting annoyingly placed arrow keys. and stay in places without in-room safes, then the KeyFolio Se- cure Keyboard Security Case might make the ideal gift. Since Logitech Keyboard this case is all about making sure your iPad is in your room when Case by ZAGG you return, it makes no promises of lightness or ease of use. The ($79.99, Logitech.com) heavy plastic and metal back plate holds the iPad in place above As I said earlier, this a serviceable keyboard with a good shift key, but doesn’t offer case is a joint effort enough room between the keys. The keyboard is removable and between ZAGG and re-aligns with magnets. The back plate includes a slot where a Logitech. The keyboard itself is key-based lock can be inserted. This lock, like all of those from great, but the implementation makes Kensington, should be wrapped around something relatively it a runner-up. It sports the same great keyboard found in the immovable before being applied to the case. As a case, I rather ZAGG, but here it is placed inside a tray that I never really got like the rubbery material and elastic closure strap. This case sells comfortable with. Like the Ultrathin from Logitech, it is meant at the high end of the price range, but its security features are

58 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 well worth the extra cost if you have any concerns about leaving your iPad alone in a dorm or hotel room. STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION (Required by Title 39 U.S.C. 3526) KeyFolio Pro 2 Removable Keyboard, 1. Publication Title: iPhone Life Case & Stand 2. Publication no.: 1949-2014 ($99.99, kensington.com) 3. Date of filing: September 13, 2012 This Kensington case is at- 4. Issue frequency: Bi-Monthly tractive and comes with 5. No. of issues published annually: 6 an adequate keyboard. 6. Annual subscription price: $15.97 7. Complete mailing address of known office of publication: 402 N. B St. #108, Although the shift key is Fairfield, Iowa 52556 small, it sits above the ar- 8. Complete mailing address of the headquarters of general business office of the publisher: 402 N. B St. row keys, instead of being #108, Fairfield, Iowa 52556 9. Full names and complete mailing addresses of publisher and editor: Publisher, David Averbach, 402 N. B St. buried in them. The case #108, Fairfield, Iowa 52556. Editor, Alex Cequea, 402 N. B St. #108, Fairfield, Iowa 52556 holds the keyboard in place with magnets, which makes it easy 10. Owners: Mango Life Media, Inc. 402 N. B St. #108, Fairfield, Iowa 52556; David Averbach, Alex Cequea, to remove. Unique to this case is a Velcro fastener on the bot- Raphael Burnes, Hal & Rita Goldstein. 13. Publication name: iPhone Life tom of the iPad enclosure that securely holds the screen at 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: Vol 4 No. 6, Nov-Dec 2012. your selected viewing angle. This feature leaves the Bluetooth Average Number Copies Each Issue Actual Number Copies of Single Issue During Preceding 12 Months Published Nearest to Filing Date keyboard with the freedom to wander. 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation a. Total No. Copies (Net Press Run) ...... 90,721 95,162 b. Paid Circulation

(1) Paid Mail Subscriptions stated on PS form 3541 a great gift (includes Advertisers’ Proof Copies/ Exchange Copies) ...... 11,992 11,929 (3) Sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors and counter sales (not mailed)...... 30,058 32,223 To some, a keyboard for the iPad is an anathema. But for writers and e-mailers, it is a necessity. Not only do keyboards make c. Total Paid Circulation typing on the iPad more comfortable, but they also create more (Sum of 15b(1) and 15b(3)...... 42,050 44,152 d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (by mail and screen space by automatically hiding the on-screen keyboard. outside the mail) If you’re looking for a holiday gift that will please your parents, (4) Outside the Mail ...... 3,585 2,675 lover, or colleague, look to the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard or e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (Sum of 15d (1) and (4)) ...... 3,585 2,675 the ZAGGfolio. If the person already has an iPad, go with the f. Total Distribution Logitech, because it will likely work with their existing acces- (Sum of 15c and 15e)...... 45,635 46,827 sories. If they are receiving a new iPad, get them the ZAGG, as g. Copies Not Distributed...... 45,087 48,335 it’ll likely be the only case they need. h. Total (Sum of 15f and 15g) ...... 90,722 95,162 i. Percent Paid (15c/15f x 100)...... 92% 94% Note: All of the products reviewed here have iPad 2 and new 16. This Statement of Ownership will be printed in the iPad versions, or a single version that accommodates both. � Vol.4. No.6 Nov-Dec 2012 issue of this publication. 17. Signed, David Averbach, CEO. September 13, 2012

Daniel W. Rasmus, author of Listening to the Future and Management by Design, is a Digital Circulation: strategist and industry analyst who helps clients put their future in context. Rasmus was the Director of Business Insights at Microsoft Corporation, and today is a consul- The digital editions of iPhone Life are distributed through Apple Newsstand and the Zinio Digi- tal Newsstand as enhanced digital replicas of the print issues. tant and internationally recognized speaker. He blogs for Fast Company and iphonelife. com. You can reach him at [email protected] As of September 13, 2012, iPhone Life had a total of 32,580 digital subscriptions, with an additional 3,686 single issues sold. The digital editions of iPhone Life are available in the Apple App Store, Zinio.com, and the Zinio Magazine Newsstand & Reader app. They can be read through any iOS device including all versions of the iPhone and iPad.

iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 59 The Best Speaker Docks by jim karpen

fter cases and headsets, speaker docks are one of the more JBL OnBeat Air popular iPhone and iPad accessories. Plopping your device A in the dock simultaneously recharges it and redirects your ($249.95, jbl.com) music or other audio to the dock’s built-in speakers. The OnBeat Air has great sound quality, with a range of features. While it of- Note, though, that all of the docks in this article have the 30- fers both portrait and landscape modes pin connector common on iOS devices up through the iPhone for your iPhone and iPod touch, it’s 4S and iPad with Retina display. But all new iOS devices are portrait-only for the iPad. It includes expected to have a 9-pin connector. Adaptors are expected to Wi-Fi networking and AirPlay for be available, but in many cases they won’t likely work with these streaming music, composite vid- docks. So if you have a device with a 9-pin connector, be sure eo output for connecting to a TV, to look for a new dock specifically for your device. As this is be- a USB port, and an IR remote for ing written, the newer docks weren’t yet available, but some of navigating your device. the most prolific manufacturers, such as Altec Lansing, Phillips, iHome, or iLuv, will likely have new versions out in an instant. iLuv ArtStation Pro iMM514

In this article we’ll look at a range of docks, from the more ($149, amazon.com) expensive models with sound quality suitable for audiophiles The ArtStation Pro works well with to inexpensive portable docks with solid sound. The first group the iPad, with an arm that lets you consists of docks for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod, while the sec- rotate your iPad, iPhone, or iPod to ond group lists docks only for the iPhone and iPod touch. And both landscape and portrait mode. I’ll also list a dock that’s only for the iPad. It has good sound, and a free app turns your iPad or iPhone into a For iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch multi-featured alarm clock. It includes an auxiliary-in jack and a JBL OnBeat Xtreme remote that lets you adjust volume and skip through tracks. ($499.95, jbl.com) This stylish dock is a high-end Satechi iFit-2 speaker system that accommodates the iPad as well as oth- ($29.99, satechi.net) er iOS devices. It includes The iFit-2 has surprisingly Bluetooth wireless stream- good sound for a speaker ing and a speakerphone for stand that can be purchased answering calls while your for under $30. It not only works iPhone is docked. The ro- with the full range of iOS devices, tating dock connector lets but also phones and tablets from other manufacturers. Unlike you use your device in either the other devices listed here, it’s a stand rather than a dock: it landscape or portrait mode. The RF remote lets you control doesn’t recharge your device. The speakers are powered by a menus on your iPhone or iPad, iTunes songs, playlists, photos, rechargeable lithium-ion battery that lasts up to seven hours. and videos, as well as letting you change tracks and system settings. It comes with an auxiliary-in jack and composite video For iPhone and iPod touch Only output for connecting the OnBeat Xtreme to a TV to display video content. A USB port lets you sync with your computer, Audyssey Audio Dock and it includes a free app that lets you adjust the sound. ($399.99, audyssey.com) The Audyssey speaker dock has top sound quality, the sort that

60 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 you expect from high-quality speakers. Sony ICF-CS15iP Speaker Dock But it also has a range of useful features, with Alarm Clock and Radio including Bluetooth streaming, a built- in speakerphone for answering calls, a ($89.99, sony.com) compact form factor, a remote, an app This Sony docking speaker has for customized sound, and computer very good sound quality for the connectivity. price. The many features include an alarm clock, LCD display, Bose SoundDock Series II sleep timer, and wireless remote with full menu control of your iPhone. This speaker also fea- ($249.95, bose.com) tures Sony’s Mega Xpand and Mega Bass sound technologies, Bose is legendary for quality sound, as well as an auxiliary-in jack. and the SoundDock maintains the tradition. This is one of Philips Fidelio DS3010 the best sellers on the higher end of speaker docks. It ($89.99, usa.philips.com) comes with a remote that lets you control power and volume, as The Phillips is a quality speaker well as playlists and track-seek. An auxiliary port lets you use it as dock on the lower end of the price a speaker system for other devices. range. Despite its small size, it has good sound quality. Features include Altec Lansing Mix BoomBox iMT810 bass boost, USB for syncing with your computer, and a free app that lets you ($299.95, alteclansing.com) adjust the sound, access over 7,000 radio This dock has a retro boombox stations, share music, and set alarms. Also, you can dock your style and a booming stereo iPhone without removing the case. sound to go with it. The Boom- Box comes with a digital FM Altec Lansing InMotion Com- tuner and a remote that lets you pact iMT325 toggle between all your music sources, including the FM radio. ($54.99, Amazon.com) It also lets you control the power, One of the least expensive, volume, track-seek, EQ, and play/ the InMotion Compact por- pause, as well as having four preset buttons. The dock has dual table speaker system is a auxiliary-in jacks, and can run on battery or AC power. It auto- lightweight and basic dock matically pauses the music when you get a call on your iPhone. with good sound and a few features. It runs off AC or AA A set of controls let you tailor the sound, and the LCD display batteries and has a built-in carrying case that folds into a stand. gives information on what’s playing. For iPad only Soundfreaq Sound Platform SFQ-1 Logitech Speaker Stand for iPad

($179.99, soundfreaq.com) ($97.99, amazon.com) The Soundfreaq is another Designed exclusively for the iPad, this is dock with good sound com- a sturdy speaker stand that not only accom- bined with useful features. modates both portrait and landscape mode It includes Bluetooth wireless streaming, FM radio reception, but also just about any viewing angle. And an auxiliary-in jack, and an accompanying app that lets you use although it’s called a stand, it is in fact a your iOS device as a remote. dock to recharge your device. Plus, it includes speakers, an auxiliary-in jack, and Logitech S715i Rechargeable Speaker controls for power and volume. �

($129.99, logitech.com) Jim Karpen, Ph.D, is on faculty at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, One of the bestselling speakers IA. He has been writing about the revolutionary consequences of computer technol- for the iPhone and iPod, the portable ogy since 1994. His Ph.D dissertation anticipated the Internet revolution. His site, Logitech S715i includes a remote, jimkarpen.com, contains selected regular columns written for The Iowa Source. [email protected]. travel case, and rechargeable battery with an 8-hour life. Customers say the sound quality is excellent, making this unit a good value.

©iStockphoto.com/Nastco

iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 61 SURROUNDED BY SOUND THE BEST HEADPHONES AND EARBUDS FOR YOUR IPHONE AND IPAD BY DAVID AVERBACH

©iStockphoto.com/miappv

smartphones become increasingly prevalent, more and more people are scrapping their iPods IN EAR HEADPHONES EARBUDS and burning their Zunes in favor of using their iPhone as their primary music player. The little In-ear headphones are the most portable white earbuds that come with the iPhone are style of headphones. The small earbuds great for casual use, but they don’t quite cut fold up easily, allowing you to carry them AS it when it comes to extended listening. Now comfortably in your pocket. In order to that iTunes Match loads your iPhone music at offer maximum portability, in-ear head- 256 kbps, the sound quality is just too good to use cheap phones sacriﬁ ce sound quality and noise headphones. cancellation. In recent years, earbuds have made large improvements in sound qual- There are so many options out there that it’s important to be ity, closing the gap between earbuds and clear on your needs when buying a new pair of headphones. You on-ear headphones. have to balance portability, sound quality, and, of course, price. There are three main types of headphones: in-ear, on-ear, and Etymotics hf2 ($159, etymotic.com) over-the-ear. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. The Etymotics sound great. They deliver clear, low-distortion audio, and look sleek

62 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 doing it. They come with several different earpiece options and a convenient carrying pouch. The hf2s also have a built-in mic that allows you to control your music and talk on the phone.

The bass can sound a little weak, so if you listen to bass-heavy music such as hip-hop or electro, these may not be the earbuds for you. The long, slender earbud piece slides deeper into the ear canal than most headphones do. Most people ﬁ nd the shape to be comfortable, but if you are sensitive to sticking things in your ears, or if you have a shallow ear canal, these headphones may feel a bit uncomfortable.

have the sound quality of over-ear headphones, they sound great for this class. If you want high-quality headphones, but travel too much to get over-the-ear headphones, I strongly recommend the Bowers & Wilkins P3s.

Koss PortaPro ($49.99, koss.com) While the Bowers & Wilkins P3 looks retro chic, the Koss PortalPro just looks retro. Some people love their classic style, while others prefer a more modern look. If you’re one of the people who likes the look (or just doesn’t care), these headphones offer great sound for a great price. The PortalPros also fold up for easy travel.

FOR THE AUDIOPHILE

Klipsch Image S4i ($99.99, klipsch.com) Klipsch recently released a retooled and much improved version of their S4i earbuds. These headphones have exceptional sound quality for their price. They also have a convenient remote that is designed to work with all Apple products. All in all, they’re a great value.

ON EAR HEADPHONES

On-ear headphones have small pads that press up against your ears. Many of them fold up, making them easier to travel with. With better sound quality than earbuds and better portabil- Westone 4R ($499, westone.com) ity than over-the-ear headphones, they offer a happy medium. No, that price is not a typo. Westones are top- of-the-line earbuds. These bad boys have four Bowers & Wilkins P3 ($199; bowers-wilkins.com) symmetrically balanced armature drivers and Bowers & Wilkins has a reputation for making stylish prod- a three-way crossover network. If that doesn’t ucts, and the P3s are no exception. These headphones exude mean anything to you, then you probably don’t sexiness. I’ve always found on-ear headphones to be a bit un- need these headphones. But if all you care comfortable, but the P3s feel great. The pads have a soft fabric about is sound quality, then these are the ear- that doesn’t apply too much pressure against your ears. The buds for you. Simply put, they sound amazing. headphones fold up for travel and come with a hard plastic carrying case. They also have a built-in mic and volume control that works great with Apple products. While the P3s still don’t

iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 63 OVER THE EAR HEADPHONES FOR THE AUDIOPHILE

Over-the-ear headphones cup your ears, allowing for better audio isolation, and their size allows for superior bass and volume. Most people also ﬁ nd over-the-ear headphones to be the most comfortable. While the sound quality of over-the-ear headphones makes them sound undeniably better, the bulkiness makes them difﬁ cult to travel with. They also tend to be the most expensive type of headphones.

Beyerdynamic T5p ($1,399, beyerdynamic.com) V-MODA Crossfade LP ($199, v-moda.com) I know what you’re thinking: “For $1,400 I After breaking a few pairs of headphones, DJ Val Kolton set could buy a new iMac or three above-ground out to create a pair that wouldn’t break. After several years of pools!” Audio perfection never comes cheap, trial and error, he came up with the Crossfades. Not only are my friends. The T5ps are on a whole other lev- the headphones very sturdy, but they also look great. The Cross- el. Listening to them feels like listening to live fades come in a variety of colors, and you can engrave an image music. The T5ps have amazing sound clarity; it and text on the side for free. They were designed for DJs and almost feels like 3D quality. The headphones have very heavy bass. If you listen to a lot of hip-hop or elec- have a solid build that could easily last 10 to tro, these headphones will sound great. If you listen to a wide 15 years. My only knock on the T5ps is that range of genres, you may want to look for a more balanced set they don’t fold up, making them hard to travel of headphones. I also found that they became uncomfortable with. $1,400 is defi nitely a serious investment after prolonged use. for a pair of headphones, but if you are a serious audiophile or listen to headphones while Philips Fidelio L1 ($299.95, you’re at work all day, the Beyerdynamic T5ps philips.com) won’t let you down. Generally I prefer boutique brands over large corpo- rate brands. However, for the Philips Fidelio L1s, I’ll make an exception. These headphones are beautifully crafted with brushed HAPPY LISTENING metal and real leather. The memory foam pads provide If you listen to music regularly, don’t settle for those little white a sealed fi t and good sound Apple earbuds. That’s not how music was meant to be heard. isolation, while applying a A good pair of headphones allows you to appreciate the fi ner minimal amount of pres- details of music. While you may not need the world’s greatest sure. The semi-open back headphones, investing in quality is defi nitely worth it. � allows for a fuller sound than closed-back headphones do. I found the sound to be rich David Averbach is the CEO and Publisher of iPhone Life magazine. David has an and well balanced. All in all, obsession with all things Apple. He grew up on Macs and now has a MacBook Pro, this is a great pair of high- iPhone, iPad, and an Apple TV. David enjoys traveling and Ultimate Frisbee. He has end headphones. been to over 20 countries. To contact David, email him at [email protected].

64 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 65 ©iStockphoto.com/ithinksky Holiday Gift Guide The Perfect Presents for Friends (and Foes)

by Rebecca Santiago

the holiday season is here, and unless you’re one of those irritatingly proac- tive holiday shoppers, you’ve probably got a little gift-getting to do. If that’s the case, you’re in luck—I’ve got you covered with this list of gotta-get-’em Well,gadgets for the most important people in your life (and even the less important ones). And, hey, if you want to stick a few items under the tree (or by the menorah) for yourself, you have my permission. Consider that my gift to you.

For the Relative You’re

Contemplating Unfollowing landscapes), Fisheye (for Instagram-y warping), and Telephoto on Instagram (for zooming)—rotates around the camera lens of your phone, allowing you to transform the look and feel of your photos. The dial is affixed to an aluminum case, which doesn’t look like any- Is it your 18-year-old cousin who still finds mirror shots charm- thing too special until you realize it includes two tripod mounts. ing, your pregnant sister who can’t stop documenting her baby Clearly, this is not a strictly amateur gizmo, and it’s pretty im- bump, or your bored uncle who has developed an annoying af- pressive for a pocket-sized device. finity for photographing his wife’s flower garden? Whoever it is, you are sick of their Instagram nonsense—but, at the very least, The Phocus for iPhone 4 and 4S (2 Lens Bundle) you could make sure their pictures are high quality. ($99.95, smartphocus.com/store) This case, complete with both lens and tripod mounts, is the The iPhone Lens Dial stuff hipster dreams are made of. It comes with two lenses, ($249, photojojo.com/store) one for wide-angle shots and one for macro. Even more impres- First, this is just plain neat, even for non-photo nerds. This sively, the case also supports lenses manufactured by Nikon and quirky lens dial is by Photojojo, the online king of fascinating Canon, so photographers can swap in and out even more mas- photography gadgets, and it features three optical-quality coated sive and high-quality lenses. This case might not slide sleekly glass lenses. Each of the lenses—Wide Angle (for sweeping into a pocket like the iPhone Lens Dial, but if you compare it to some of the bulkier DSLR models, it’s still pretty darn sleek.

66 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 to withstand spontaneous hiking trips, beer pong games gone horribly wrong, and everything in between. The speaker syncs with iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches, and you can unite two speakers for double the noise. The most fun part about this, though, is that you skip songs by swiping your hand above a censor—not on or across, but above, like a wizard. Magical!

©iStockphoto.com/ithinksky Sanwa iPhone 3D You- Tube Viewer ($25, bit.ly/MBs0Ec) You’ll have to toil through a Japanese website to get your hands on this cool piece of technology, but it’s so much fun that it just might be worth it. Just tune in to a YouTube Gismon iCA iPhone System video, plop your phone into ($25, fourcornerstore.com) the slot on this goofy-looking Your Instagram-obsessed relative is set of goggles, and enjoy as the screen comes to 3D life. Sure, it’s already giving their photos a vintage not the most practical purchase in the world, but as far as novelty feel, so why not take it to the next gifts go, this is far better than a whoopee cushion. level and retro-fy their iPhone? This durable polycarbonate case comes Joystick for iPad with a detachable tripod mount and ($19.99, logitech.com) two mock lenses that attach to the Pardon the bad pun, but he’ll front. The best part, though, is the jump for joy for this one. shutter button on top—it actually This thumb-stick-style works. So much fun, right? You can joystick attaches easily also purchase different (real) lenses to your iPad with suction from the same company and snap cups that actually stay them into place over the iPhone’s camera lens. Admit it: your put. It’s not too bulky, inner hipster is a little bit tempted right now. and it’s super-sensitive to the touch (which takes some For Your Man-Child College getting used to, but once you’re used to it, man, will you love the responsiveness). The joystick is mostly see-through, which Buddy Who Just Wants keeps it from overwhelming the look of your device. There’s a to Chill, Bro reason we’re not using old-school Ataris anymore, you know?

Graduation day has come and gone, but it seems your former For the Lady Who Has frat brother is still a tad bit immature. You don’t have to indulge his affinity for the keg stand this holiday season (there is a time Everything (Except... These) and a place, and dude, it is over), but you could cater to some of his other kid-at-heart likes. I will level with you: this is basically my personal wish list. But I have excellent taste (I get all of my calories from fashion Phillips SB7200 Se- magazines), and I promise these are what a girl wants—case- ries ShoqBox Wire- wise, anyway. less Portable Speaker ($179.99, store.apple. iPad Envelope in Metallic Gold com) Embossed Python There’s a lot to love ($145, graphicimage.com) about this fancy speak- Graphic Image makes some of the er. The design is futur- loveliest cases for iPads, and this En- istic and cool (it seems velope is truly a game-changer. The to channel Spider- leather envelope accommodates all Man a little, no?), and iPad models, and though it comes in the speaker is sturdy a variety of bright and metallic col- enough to withstand a ors, the python is my favorite. This ac- little wear and tear. It’s splash- and drop-proof, meaning it’s built cessory is prettier than most clutch

iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 67 purses, and it transforms the iPad from “that vaguely cumbersome Look, it is a basic truth that leather is an instant VIP-maker. It thing she reads magazines on” to a true statement piece. looks expensive, it’s classic, and it conveys that you have your act together. There is no easier way to look like you’re a big Michael Kors Wallet deal. This iPad case has a classic design, accommodates all Clutch for iPhone 4S iPad models, and is available in black and brown. You can have ($79.95, store.apple.com) it personalized for a mere $7.50, which is perfect, because the This leather wallet- only thing sharper than leather is monogrammed leather. clutch-case hybrid is almost too pretty, and it comes in both gold and red-and-gold, which is just too seasonal to pass up. Seriously, my ideal Christmas tree would be filled with these instead of glass ornaments— imagine them dangling off branches by the wrist-strap, looking holly-jolly as could be. Back to that wrist-strap for a minute: it’s BookBook for iPhone 4/4S the real draw for this particular case, because it means she ($59.99, twelvesouth.com) doesn’t need to take anything else with her when she leaves Lest you thought I wasn’t serious about the leather thing, the house. Save her from oversize bag woes. Save her stylishly. here’s a gorgeous iPhone case that, as an added bonus, makes the carrier look literate. Sort of. It’s kind of hard to be stagger- New Yorker Logo iPhone 4 Case ingly wowed by such a tiny faux-book, but it fits in well with a ($39.95, condenaststore.com) bookshelf of thicker tomes. The best part about this case is that A smart girl deserves a smart case for it doubles as a wallet, with a flip cover that reveals pockets for her phone, and what better way to say credit cards and a pouch for money. Books. Money. What more “I respect your brain” than by gifting this do you need to impress? New Yorker-themed polycarbonate hard shell? This case has a number of nice ShaveTech USB Travel features—a contour that shifts audio to- Shaver ward you instead of down for enhanced ($39.99, shavetech.com) sound quality and the ability to stand Okay, this is the anoma- up on its hind legs like a YouTube cat, to ly on my list, because it’s name a couple—but I mostly just love not actually iPhone gear, the design. Buy her a subscription to The or iPad gear, or any kind New Yorker (and iPhone Life, too, while of gear, really. I know, I you’re at it), pop this in a bag with the know, for shame! But it subscription confirmation, and watch her eyes light up. looks like a smartphone, and honestly, this is te- chie heaven, so bear with me. The ShaveTech is a light-as-a-feather electric razor that seri- For Your Business Mogul Dad ously looks like an iPhone and charges by means of a USB port. Who Just Wants to Look It’s remarkably flexible, guaranteeing a close shave, and it will make your dad feel like Don Draper every time. For a double- Important whammy gift, pop it into an iPhone sleeve.

Is your dad a big deal (or does he wish he were)? Help him really feel the part this December with two sleek cases and one For Your Germaphobic fascinating gadget. Co-Worker Who Tends to Say Things Like, “This Office is a Cesspool!”

First, it’s your coworker, so you don’t want to drop too much cash on their gift. Second, you want them to stop saying the word “cesspool” and you are sick of the scent of hand sanitizer Universal iPad Sleeve in Traditional Leather wafting from their cubicle day in and day out. Maybe you can ($139, graphicimage.com) tone down the madness with the following products.

68 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 Original Touch- Stump stand is perfect for getting a little distance between your screen Gloves palm and your tech—just prop your phone or iPad up while you ($17.99, agloves.com) work, cook, chat on speakerphone, or listen to music. The stand Yes, texting gloves are is notched so you can position your tablet three different ways. old news, but guess Chuck it in a bag with some tissue paper and a bottle of hand what? It’s winter, it’s sanitizer, and wham—germaphobe gift heaven. cold out, and not nearly enough people are us- iSkin solo for iPhone ing these suckers yet. 4/4S Seriously, I don’t under- ($29.99, iskin.com) stand why any other They do possess kind of glove even exists anymore, because it’s not like you’re the same translucent going to just quit your technology for an entire season. Anyway, sparkle as freshly Agloves are America’s top-rated touchscreen gloves for accuracy, washed wine glasses precision, and OCD co-workers, and this black-and-gray pair will in a dishwashing de- match everything. These make great stocking stuffers, too. tergent commercial, but otherwise, these slim thermoplastic cases seem fairly ordinary. Take a closer look: iSkin embeds these cases with Microban, a leading antimicro- bial product protection. So even though it’s stretching the truth a little, you could totally tell your coworker that you just turned their cell phone into hand sanitizer, and it wouldn’t even be a total lie. In all seriousness, that is some impressive technology. �

Rebecca Santiago is a senior at Tufts University majoring in English and minoring in Mass Communications and Media Studies. Currently, she is the editor-in-chief of The Tufts Daily and an editorial intern at Boston magazine. Her previous employers include Marie Claire and Glamour. Follow her on Twitter @rebsanti. The Stump ($24.95, stumpstore.com) It’s a fact that hands are germy, but unless you plan to walk around wearing swipe-friendly kid gloves your entire life, you can’t really avoid touching your iPhone. You can, however, mini- mize your hand-to-phone time without unplugging entirely. The

iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 69 GEAR FOR GAMING BY MIKE WEWERKA

hen it comes to gaming on the iPhone and iPad, Created by ThinkGeek, makers of the iCade, the 8-Bitty is a there’s no lack of cool accessories available. Be it wireless tactile controller for your iPad and iPhone. It features cases, dongles, or props, there are plenty of gadgets a D-Pad, four face buttons, and start and select buttons. The Wto take your experience to the next level. It’s impossible to list 8-Bitty already supports hundreds of games on the App Store, every single gaming accessory for the iPad and iPhone, so we’ve and developers can create games with 8-Bitty support, free of decided to narrow the list down to fi ve top picks, each of which charge, so the list of games should only grow. will provide you with a completely unique gaming experience. JOYSTICK-IT The iCade 8-Bitty ($8.99 for iPhone; $14.99 for iPad, ($24.99, thinkgeek.com) thinkgeek.com) If you’re a fan of the old-school If carrying around a controller in 8-bit gaming generation that pro- your pocket isn’t your style, but duced classics like Sonic the you still want that physical sen- Hedgehog, Super Mario Bros, sation when playing games on and Castlevania, but have diffi - your iPhone or iPad, then Think- culty playing them on an iPhone Geek’s JOYSTICK-IT may be the because your thumbs cover up solution. It safely adheres to your most of the display or the on- device’s display via suction, and al- screen buttons don’t offer the same lows you to play thousands of games, level of sensitivity of a “real” controller, from old arcade titles to fi rst-person shooters. When you’re fi n- you may enjoy the 8-Bitty. ished, simply pull up, and the JOYSTICK-IT pops right off. This handy accessory works with any device that features a capacitive touch Hits app (free, app2.me/4844). The only downside to this acces- screen and is small enough to carry in your pocket. sory is that it really only works with Atari’s app, so unless you’re a die-hard nostalgic gamer, the $60 price tag may be a little too much. Spin Master Appfi nity AppBlaster Toy Gun Parrot AR. Drone 2.0 Quadricopter ($24.99, bestbuy.com) ($299, amazon.com) If you’re a fan of fi rst-person One of the coolest gaming shooter games, you may really accessories out there is the dig the AppBlaster by Spin Mas- AR. Drone 2.0 by Parrot. This ter. Simply lock your iPhone or Quadricopter takes fl ight and iPod touch in place on the top of is controlled entirely by your the gun, download a few of the iOS device. The Drone is well supported games, and start shoot- built and features incredibly tight ing. The AppBlaster utilizes not only controls for accurate fl ying. It also the iPhone’s accelerometer, but also its records 720p HD footage with a gyroscope, allowing you to physically control the game’s camera, wide-angle lens while in fl ight, and you turning left, right, up, and down. The only downside to the Ap- can then share your video with the FreeFlight app (free, app2. pBlaster is that it doesn’t work with every game in the App Store. me/5218). The hull of the device can even be changed with the fl ip of a button for indoor/outdoor use, and it can do awesome Atari Arcade for iPad fl ips that’ll impress your friends. The price tag is a little steep, ($59.99, atari.com) as this is no child’s toy, but it certainly promises a lot of fun for Much like the iCade by Think- any game-and-gadget-loving adult. � Geek, the Atari Arcade allows users to dock their iPads (any generation) and play a massive Mike Wewerka is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the award-winning online tech site TechHog.com. Wewerka has been involved with technology for over 15 years, collection of classic Atari games but his main area of expertise is mobile gadgetry, including Apple, Android, Win- (like Asteroids, Centipede, and dows Phone, and everything in between. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWewerka. Missile Command) by simply downloading the Atari’s Greatest road- ready gear The Best iPhone Car Accessories

by Cornelius A. Fortune

hether you’re driving to a variety of Apple products. This versatile work or embarking on charger plugs into your car’s 12-volt power a six-hour road trip, the outlet and includes a detachable USB Type- iPhone gear you bring A to 30-pin dock connector cable, making it Walong can help ensure a smooth journey. compatible with your iPhone and all charge- It's all about comfort, convenience, and the by-USB iPod models. It also features a con- feeling of being fully connected, even as venient charging status light. And check out you’re gaining traction on the highway. the price! You can’t beat that.

Here’s a list of must-have iPhone accessories and apps to make your next trip easier, and with a little luck, more fun. Griffin iTrip Product Line (Starting at $49.99, griffintechnology. com/itrip) fully charged Griffin has a great line of products that InCase Dual Car Charger give new meaning to the term “hands- Car chargers have been around awhile, ($34.95, goincase.com) free.” These music-playing accessories of- and are almost interchangeable, so Not only will this handy dual charger fer a lot of convenience with minimal fuss. choosing the right one for you might from InCase charge your iPhone, iPad, The iTrip DA for the iPhone and iPod fea- come down to size, speed of charge, or iPod, but it will also charge your GPS tures Griffin’s FM transmitter technology and availability. Though it's always a good and other electronic devices. One nifty so you can listen to your radio without an idea to charge your iPhone before head- feature is that, thanks to its 2.1 Amp ca- auxiliary line from your car, home stereo, or ing out on the road, having a car charger pacity, it can take on two iPads at once! boombox. All you need is the iTrip Control- offers the security of knowing that the It features two USB ports and works with ler app (free, app2.me/5219) to get started. infamous “20% of battery remaining” most 12-volt outlets. warning won't slow you down one bit. Chargers are all about peace of mind, and giving your phone a much-needed jolt. "look ma, no hands!"

There are a plethora of iPhone accessories available that are built to let you concentrate on keeping your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. From Exogear Exomount enabling phone conversations to assisting ($29.95, exogear.com) with navigation, these gadgets help mini- The Exomount features a patented suc- Griffin PowerJolt mize distractions and eliminate scrambling tion technology that holds your iPhone in ($14.99, store.griffintechnology.com) for your iPhone when it’s sliding around the place as you make calls or use your GPS. The bestselling PowerJolt offers ev- dashboard or buried in your purse. Going It’s basically a giant clamp, but the simple erything you need from a car charger— hands-free has never been easier! and sleek design with multi-angle rota- namely, dependability—and it works with tion makes it easy to insert and remove

72 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 your iPhone, and use it at your preferred Wi-Fi hotspot. It works with phones, tab- viewing angle. lets, e-readers, and of course, laptops. It’s possible that even during the best road trips, your family might want to do road- car maintenance separate tasks, together—the Autonet ready gear Mobile Router makes this possible. apps for the road

Your “virtual” gear is almost as important as the physical stuff you take with you on the road. From radio to remote controls to GPS navigation, there’s a wealth of apps GL1 Vehicle Diagnostics for to get you through your trip. Here are a iPhone/iPad couple of choices to consider. ($99.99, thinkgeek.com) Wondering how serious that “check TuneIn Radio engine” light might be? Get the GL1 (Free, app2.me/4045) Vehicle Diagnostics tool for iPhone— Satellite radio’s great, it works like your very own AutoZone but if you want to for- representative. The GL1 plugs direct- go the monthly fees, ly into your car engine’s On Board Di- the TuneIn Radio app agnostics (OBD) data and shows you is the next best thing. You can find over on your iPhone whether you’ll need 70,000 stations from all over the world, to get it fixed ASAP, or wait for your broken into categories like sports, talk ra- mechanic to have a look. dio, and any genre of music you can imagine. What’s more, if you’re enjoying a radio station on your way through Kentucky and want to keep that listening experience, all hotspot on the highway you have to do is dial in on this app.

Sure, you've got a data package, but MapQuest if you're going the road-trip route, your (Free, app2.me/2404) passengers may want access to Wi-Fi as MapQuest guided well. Some newer cars come preinstalled most of us before GPS with mobile Wi-Fi; if you don't own one became the in thing. of these shiny new vehicles, this device Now, not only does is a nice alternative. Sometimes, being MapQuest have a free app, but it also able to slide the Wi-Fi setting to the On offers the comforting turn-by-turn voice position—and save on cell phone data navigation that's become the standard of charges—is its own reward. 21st century road trips. �

Cornelius A. Fortune is an award-winning journalist who covers technology, TV, and popular culture. He is the author of the book Stories from Arlington, and has written for Yahoo News, The Advocate, Chess Life, the Detroit Metro Times, and others. He is also a Rhysling Award-nomi- nated poet. Visit his website at corneliusfortune.com.

Autonet Mobile KT-ANMRTR-01 Auto- motive Wi-Fi Router ($299, amazon.com) This device literally turns your car into a

iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 73 How Many Passwords Can You Remember? oneSafe Secures Them All

sive protection possible. But all this technology is useless if your Online Security, Then and Now passwords are not strong and well protected, just as a house with strong walls isn’t safe if its locks are easy to pick. 15 years ago, life was much simpler. You only had to remember 2 or 3 passwords—your debit card PIN number, computer 3 Basic Security Practices to Remember login, and email account password—and that was pretty much it. Back then your greatest security risk was getting your house robbed or your car stolen. Today, with the advent of social me- Ready for the good news? It’s easy to dramatically improve your dia, e-commerce, and online banking, you face a more severe online security by applying some simple rules: security threat than ever before. • Never reuse the same password • Use a strong password, meaning one that is 8 or more characters and is alphanumerical (randomly generated is best) How Mr. Smith Paid the Price • Never write your passwords down But these steps are easier said than done. How do you manage Let’s take a look at over 50 different online accounts without writing your pass- Mr. Smith, a man to words down? whom we can all relate. Between work oneSafe – Secure Password Management and social commit- ments, Mr. Smith leads a very busy life. oneSafe is an iOS application He keeps in touch that allows you to store all your with his friends over confidential information— IDs Skype and Face- and passwords, internet ac- Time, and shares his counts, bank details, confiden- thoughts and photos tial documents, and personal on Facebook and Twitter. He manages three personal banking ac- photos—safely and easily on your counts over the internet and does most of his shopping online. In iPhone and iPad. Using oneSafe’s total, he has more than 50 online accounts, and to make life easier password generator, you can (even though he’s aware it’s not the ideal thing to do), he uses the create unique and strong pass- same password for most of his accounts. words, eliminating the need to write down your passwords ever One day Mr. Smith goes to a new shopping site and, as usual, again. he registers with the same password that he uses on most of his other online accounts. The site is then hacked, compromising his personal information not only on the online shopping site, as Mr. Smith would presume, but also on all the other online accounts where he uses the same password. Does this give hackers access to his email accounts? Or worse, his banking account? Act now! Your Security is in Your Hands Make Your Life

Encryption standards and online security have significantly Safer and Easier improved over time, claiming to provide the most comprehen- with oneSafe onesafe-apps.com ADvertorial iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 75 Finding the Best Apps and Accessories A Guide to the Best Online Resources bay Jim K rpen

apps available for App Store in the iTunes software, with its categorical listings the iPhone and and front-page highlights, including Editors’ Choice, New and With over 700,000 over 200,000 de- Noteworthy, What’s Hot, and more. But be sure to also check signed specifically out the Quick Links section at the top right. The Essentials link for the iPad, it can has an excellent collection of curated lists in major categories be a real challenge to find the apps that best suit your needs. such as Live Sports Scores, Fashion, Music Discovery, and TV And you face a similar challenge when buying accessories. In Time. The link Great Free Apps directs you to some of the best this article I want to highlight some of the ways you can find the freebies. There’s also a link, Apple Apps, that directs you to all best apps and accessories. the apps created by Apple.

app store options

App Store on Facebook (facebook.com/appstore) is also a good way to discover new apps. It offers Free App of the Week picks, daily posts about apps, and more. The Collections link points you to lists of top apps in particular areas, such as Addictive Games, Hard- App Store Quick Links is an easy way to access curated core Games, and Entertainment. Some posts elicit hundreds of lists directly from Apple. You are likely quite familiar with the comments, such as the post that asked, “What’s your go-to app?”

76 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 a very helpful selection of Best Apps lists, such as “Best Free iPad Games of All Time,” as well as a section of video reviews.

App Store Preview (http://itunes.apple.com/us/genre/ios/id36) is a basic outline view of the apps in the App Store, sorted by popularity. Clicking on any app name brings up the web-based version of the App Store entry for that app. One nice feature is that when you access the information for a particular app, at the bottom you’ll see an Amazon-like “Customers Also Bought” list of similar apps.

websites for finding apps Macworld AppGuide (macworld.com/appguide) has a strong There are a number of websites that index most or all of the apps search capability that lets you filter search results in a variety of available in the App Store. But unlike the App Store, they offer ways, including by price, age restriction, and which iOS devices greater flexibility for filtering search results as well as giving other the apps are compatible with. You can sort them by Macworld’s modes of discovery. For example, let’s say you need a weather rating, user rating, whether the apps are on sale, and more. You app. Search for that term in the App Store, and you get a page of can also limit your search to a particular category. results, but no way to see just the free apps. A site like the ones below will typically let you filter by price, rating, and more. The Browse feature of the AppGuide lets you cross-filter by category. If, for example, you want to browse the Reference category looking for apps that relate to music, you can select Reference in the Browse menu and then click on Music in the same menu. (Note that if you then want to browse a different top-level category, such as Photography, you’ll first need to de- select the first category.)

The Essential Collections section (macworld.com/appguide/ collections.html) may be the site’s best feature. It lists the top apps for a few hundred specific topics (e.g., Train Games, Task Masters, Stand-Up Comics, American History, etc.).

Appolicious (appolicious.com) gives you an amazing variety of ways to find apps, including search, a directory, recommendations by your friends or Appolicious staff members, lists of specialized apps, an App Library Builder, and more.

The directory may be especially useful. Its main categories are similar to the App Store’s, but unlike the App Store, it also offers extensive subcategories. Click on Books, and you’ll see subcategories for Audio Books, Children’s Books, Classics, E- books, and E-readers. The Business & Finance category has iPhone Application List (iphoneapplicationlist.com) takes an some 30 subcategories. excellent approach to organizing search results. If you search for “weather,” the site not only returns a listing of apps, but also The Lists area of the site offers over 4,000 curated lists of returns lists of video reviews, text reviews, and Twitter mentions apps on many different topics. There’s a search box that lets related to weather apps, as well as lists of reviews, blog posts, you search just their collection of lists. A search on “weather” and forum posts from their own website. returns 108 app lists related to the weather. Appolicious also has The site also lets you view the App Store categories of apps

iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 77 and sort or filter them in a variety of ways, including Top Apps, appSmitten (appsmitten.com) offers lists of best apps in Most Discussed, and Price. You can also view just the iPad or nearly 100 categories. They also have a weekly email newsletter iPhone apps. The area of their site labeled On Sale shows all of with their latest recommended apps for the iPhone or iPad. Plus, the apps that have just come down in price. You can also filter they offer a large number of topical lists, such as Best Apps for that, such that you can see, for example, only those apps whose 20-Year-Olds and Best Apps for a Long Plane Ride. price has dropped to free. websites for finding ACCESSORIES

AppShopper (appshopper.com) has a row of buttons across the top that conveniently let you filter the app listings by device type, category, popularity, price, and more. The site also has some helpful Top 200 lists for free, paid, and top-grossing apps that you can filter by device type and category.

iLounge (ilounge.com/index.php/accessories) has a huge collection of reviews and information on iPhone and iPad accessories. It rates all of the accessories it reviews, and divides them into over 80 categories that make it easier to find the type of accessory you’re interested in. See also their iLounge iPad Accessory Gallery (ilounge.com/index.php/accessories/ipad), a helpful collection of iPad accessories. And check out their free downloadable Buyers’ Guides and eBooks (ilounge.com/index. php/library), which have extensive information on the best apps and accessories.

AppAdvice (appadvice.com), like Appolicious, has quite a number of excellent lists of apps in two sections of their site: AppLists and AppGuides. The AppLists seem to be more topical, such as St. Patrick’s Day Apps, whereas the AppGuides section is more general, giving you lists of best apps in categories similar to those in the App Store. The Entertainment category, for example, offers lists of best apps on topics such as Alternative Video Players, Movie Showtime Finders, and Animation Apps for the iPad. Each list identifies the top two apps, followed by notable apps, and then “decent apps.” Another area of the site is called Appisodes, which features daily app-related videos.

iMore (imore.com/accessories) has a large number of reviews of accessories, as well as lists of best iPhone and iPad cases. The site also has a well-organized categorical listing.

78 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 CableWholesale (cablewholesale.com/buy/iphoneipad-accessories.htm) is an online reseller that offers a wide range of inexpensive cables, chargers, and other accessories for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. �

Jim Karpen, Ph.D, is on faculty at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, IA. He has been writing about the revolutionary consequences of computer technol- iPhone Accessories (iphoneaccessories.com) offers a large ogy since 1994. His Ph.D dissertation anticipated the Internet revolution. His site, database of both iPhone and iPad accessories. Shipping is free jimkarpen.com, contains selected regular columns written for The Iowa Source. on orders over $19.95, and you get a 30-day money-back guar- [email protected]. antee on all items. The site also includes an outlet area that offers clearance items.

iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 79 Exclusive Interview with Legendary Sprinter Michael Johnson by David Averbach

ong before Usain Bolt sprinted my experience. The app uses a lot of the I liked the way my voice sounded. I actually into the history books, Michael same motivation techniques that I used for re-recorded some things, because when Johnson was widely considered myself when I was competing as an ath- you’re trying to motivate someone it has to to be the world’s fastest man. lete to stay consistent and try to get the sound right. I use the final version to track LHis 200-meter world record, unique up- best performance out of myself every day. where I run and to see how far I’ve run. right running style, and iconic gold shoes made him an Olympic legend. Since retir- david: What would you say was david: Do you still run regularly? ing from competitive track, Michael has the best technique you remained busy. In addition to training run- used in order to stay focused as runner? ners and appearing on NBC’s The Celeb- michael: Yeah, but it’s a little rity Apprentice, Michael recently worked michael: A few things, actu- different than most as a commentator for the London Olym- ally. You want to set a people think. When I was a sprinter I didn’t pics, and also found time to release two goal every day as to what you’re going actually go for 2-mile runs, or that sort of new apps. I talked with Michael while he to achieve during that training session. thing, because that doesn’t really help a was in London to discuss his new apps, Once you set a goal on the app, then I’m sprinter. I didn’t actually start going for as well as what it’s like to be a retired able to help remind you of that goal and runs until I retired. People think that when Olympian. remind you why you’re out there train- you’ve been an athlete that you always ing each day. And then, of course, being want to go out and exercise. That couldn’t david: Tell me about your new consistent is extremely important for an be further from the truth. It’s much more apps. athlete, so I continue to remind the run- difficult for me to motivate myself now ner of that and remind them of how that than when I was an athlete, because now michael: I just released two consistency will make the following day I don’t get a gold metal when I go out new apps in July: that much easier. there. I found that motivation was a little Michael Johnson Motiv8 ($2.99, app2. bit difficult. So that’s another reason why me/5184) and Michael Johnson’s Fun Do you use the app when doing this app was really cool, because Run (free, app2.me/5185). The Motiv8 david: you go on runs? I’ve struggled with motivation myself. app helps recreational runners chart their paths on a map, and helps them keep Yeah, I do, actually. I david: Your second app, Michael up with their running regimen. The Fun michael: used it when we had Johnson’s Fun Run, focus- Run app is a game for teaching kids about the trial version, just to make sure that I es on healthy eating. Why do you think good nutrition. It motivates kids to eat liked everything about it, and to make sure this is such an important message? healthy and stay active.

david: I’m a casual runner and have tested out a lot of run- “People think that when you’ve been an ath- ning apps. What makes Motiv8 different? lete that you always want to go out and exer- Well, as far as motiva- cise. That couldn’t be further from the truth.” michael: tion, I can probably do a better job motivating runners based on

80 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 michael: Childhood obesity is a huge issue right now in the U.S. and around the world. It’s something that we’ve got to address. Kids are going to play games, we already know that, so I want to give them something they can play that will hopefully in- spire them to get up and be active and that also teaches them about the ben- efits of staying healthy and the perils of eating an unhealthy diet.

david: You own an iPhone—what are some of your favorite apps, other than the ones you created?

michael: I travel a lot, so I’ve got a translation app and a weather app, and, of course, Twit- ter. I tweet from here [London] and post Facebook updates from here as well.

What are you looking for- david: ward to in these Olympics?

Of course track and michael: field. All eyes will be on the men’s 100 meter; that’s always the signature event. I will be watching Usain Bolt’s events. All of the track and field events are always exciting. It’s the Olympic Games, so you’ve got the best athletes here, competing at their best. There’s always high drama.

To find out more about Michael John- son’s apps, please visit appshen.com/mj- motiv8/ and appshen.com/mjfunrun/ �

David Averbach is the CEO and Publisher of iPhone Life magazine. David has an obsession with all things Apple. He grew up on Macs and now has a MacBook Pro, iPhone, iPad, and an Apple TV. David enjoys traveling and Ultimate Frisbee. He has been to over 20 countries. To contact David, email him at [email protected].

iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 81 iOS in the Studio Apple Devices Make the Leap into the Ballet World

by Nina Benjamin

ome things about a ballet studio never change: the wall-length mirrors the dancers rely on to check every angle, hone each The Faces of Change position, and catch every misstep; the rows of wooden barres along the perimeter, Daniil Simkin is considered by many to have led the way used to support the dancers during the in the “social media meets dance” movement. A soloist with first half of every class; the endless hours American Ballet Theatre, one of the top companies in the United of rehearsing, pushing past what seems States, the Russian-born Simkin has made it a personal mis- humanly possible in order to achieve the sion to reach out to audiences in a fresh new way. He explains, Sunachievable yet ever-sought-after goal of perfection. It’s an art “Dance has so much potential to appeal to a wider audience steeped in tradition, one of centuries-old stories and classroom and I find it a pity that, especially in the U.S., it tends to have an etiquette, not likely to be changed anytime soon. image of unapproachable mystique.”

Yet modernity creeps in. Set against the timeless backdrop are He continues, “Ballet tends to have this stale, untouchable, and unmistakable elements of change—cutting-edge technological elitist image, which I am trying to soften. Nowadays, many people advances, to be precise—and with them, a glimpse into a world would like to attain information about our lives and routines as that was once shrouded in mystery. More and more dancers are dancers and artists, which I am willing to give to them, to a certain using iOS devices, inside the studio and out, not only to help degree. In [these] times of transparency and openness, I find it them organize their professional lives, but also to connect with essential to provide the audience with interesting information and their audiences in a way that was never before possible. shots, not only to refresh the image of the dance world, but also to attract new audience members to the art form.”

82 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 “Dancers are using iOS devices to connect with audiences in a way that was never before possible.”

She, like Simkin, makes an effort to connect with fans and potential audience members via social media. “I think it’s really important, because it’s free publicity,” Jacoby explains. “I have Through Twitter and Instagram, Simkin is doing just that—and 2,000 dance fans as friends on Facebook, so I have a whole he’s not the only one; dancers from major companies all across the market right there. Also, because I travel so much, I’ll tweet country are hopping on the social media bandwagon in an effort where I’m performing and then I’ll get people [coming to the to shed some light on their elusive art. Wendy Whelan and Ashley show that wouldn’t have otherwise]. It’s like I have a dialogue Bouder of New York City Ballet, Maria Kochetkova of San Francisco with all these fans and friends from all over.” Ballet, and Marcelo Gomes of American Ballet Theatre, all principal dancers with their respective companies, are avid Instagrammers, Just as Jacoby didn’t follow the conventional dance career as is Drew Jacoby, who recently joined Nederlands Dans Theater, a path, Simkin didn’t move up the ballet ranks in the typical fash- highly acclaimed contemporary ballet company in Europe. ion, either. Rather than training at a company-associated ballet school or conservatory, he was coached privately by his mother Jacoby, dubbed the “It Girl” by Dance Magazine in 2006, for 10 years, attending a regular academic school all the while. made her way into the spotlight by joining Alonzo King’s LINES He then gained exposure by winning medals in international bal- Ballet at age 17, after training at the acclaimed Pacific Northwest let competitions and posting videos of his dancing on YouTube, Ballet School. After four years with LINES, Jacoby pursued a garnering followers from around the world, including nearly freelance career—traditionally a difficult path for a dancer—and 13,000 fans on Facebook. He is revered for his youthful exu- earned accolades for her impossibly long, supple lines, strength, berance, brilliant technique, and charismatic stage presence that and stylistic versatility, eliciting the title “guest dance goddess” transcends his slight build, and has drawn frequent comparisons from Ballet-Dance Magazine. to the legendary Mikhail Baryshnikov.

She then went on to form a successful touring duo with fel- Using social media apps on his iPhone to promote himself low former Complexions dancer Rubinald Pronk called Jacoby and shed light on the ballet world came naturally to Simkin, who and Pronk, which she’s been focused on for the last five years. has had a particular interest in technology since childhood. “I’ve Jacoby also created a website with her husband during that always felt drawn towards the combination of aesthetics and period called Dance Pulp (dancepulp.com), which features video technology,” Simkin relates. “I get satisfaction from utilizing aes- interviews with leading players in the dance world. “The idea thetically pleasing and, most importantly, functioning devices. was to be sort of like Inside the Actors Studio for dance, but The iPhone changed the way a phone works for me.” with more of a peer-to-peer feel,” she says. “When I’m talking to these people, they’re really relaxed. It’s not your typical interview; it’s more of a candid conversation with two professionals.”

iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 83 “It definitely makes my life easier.”

ing on the big screen in HD on my computer later on,” Simkin explains. He also uses his iPad to learn choreography, watching Tools of the Trade video that he’s encoded from DVDs on his computer into an iPad-compatible format. Simkin, with his iPhone 4 and iPad 2, and Jacoby, with her iPhone 4S, do more than just post Instagram photos depicting “I am addicted to the constant flow of information,” Simkin ad- the behind-the-scenes world of dancers’ lives; they both rely mits, “[so] my iPhone tends to be always on me.” Apps that he heavily on their iDevices for a wide spectrum of daily tasks, from uses regularly, besides Instagram (free, app2.me/3183), Face- recording rehearsals to organizing their schedules. book (free, app2.me/260), and Twitter (free, app2.me/102), are Snapseed ($4.99, app2.me/4057), for photo corrections; “It definitely makes my life easier,” Jacoby says of her iPhone, Instapaper ($2.99, app2.me/117), for reading material while then laughs and confesses that she’s obsessed with Siri. “[When he’s on the subway; Evernote (free, app2.me/130); and Draw I first got my phone,] I was like, this is going to change my life! Something ($2.99, app2.me/4982). I can say ‘put this in my calendar’ and I don’t have to open up my calendar… I mean, it’s not like it’s that inconvenient to open Jacoby calls her iPhone “a one-stop shop for my tech, social it up and type it in, but [it’s] so amazing just to tell [Siri] to open media, and promotion needs.” Her favorite app of all? Instagram. up my calendar and put in an appointment.” “I love it so much,” she shares, “and there are a lot of dancers who use it, so it's fun to see where my friends and colleagues Jacoby also uses her iPhone during the rehearsal process, are and what they're up to.” Besides Twitter and Facebook, Ja- by docking it to a speaker to play music, or to film rehearsals coby also regularly uses Pose (free, app2.me/5110), a fashion so she can watch the footage for corrections or send it to the trends app, and Scrabble ($1.99, app2.me/402); in fact, she choreographer for feedback. “Sometimes we’ll [use my phone confesses to being “a hard-core Scrabble player,” having played to] go on YouTube in the middle of rehearsal and watch ourselves it all the time on her 40-minute commute from Brooklyn to Man- to remember choreography,” she adds. hattan before moving to the Netherlands. She also frequently uses the Maps app (free, built-in) “to get directions to castings, Simkin uses his phone similarly. “The camera of the iPhone 4 auditions, and venues.” was a revelation for me,” he confides. “Besides the immediate feedback of a teacher in the studio and the mirror in front of you, it is essential to have the feedback from watching yourself A Peek Behind the Curtain on camera.” He bought a wide-angle lens from Photojojo ($20, photojojo.com/store) and a GorillaMobile tripod mount ($39.95, joby.com) to film himself dancing in the studio. “The wide-angle For these dancers and others, offering a glimpse into the ballet lens allows me to see the full studio, and I can analyze my danc- world through social media isn’t just about branding themselves

84 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 Daniil Simkin Website: daniilsimkin.com Instagram: daniil Twitter: @daniil Facebook: facebook.com/ daniilsimkinfans YouTube: youtube.com/daniils

Drew Jacobs Website: drewjacoby.com, ja- cobypronk.com, dancepulp.com Instagram: drewjacoby Twitter: @iamdrewjacoby Tumblr: thedailydrew.com Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Drew-Jacoby/379817775113

Photo Credits p.83, L-R: Rosalie O’Connor, courtesy of ABT; Sara Forrest for Capezio

p.84, L-R: Chad Riley; Gene Schiavone

or gaining followers; it’s a way of boosting the awareness of a seasoned art form in a fresh and appealing way. As Simkin sees it, “Providing a glimpse of my life and the things I do is my way of giving back to an audience that comes to see us dancers do our job… I find that every ticket sold for a ballet performance through exposure of social media does not only benefit me, but the art form in general.”

He continues, “I grew up in a ballet family… sometimes, I tend to take my life for granted. Providing people a virtual backstage tour refreshes my view the same way it does when I [give a tour] in real life. When I take [my friends] around the theater, their eyes glow and it makes me notice the little, mundane things that make my life so special once again in full light.” �

Nina Benjamin is the Associate Editor of iPhone Life magazine. She holds a B.A. in Literature and Writing and has written and edited articles for several regional magazines, newspapers, and blogs. Once a professional ballet dancer, Nina now enjoys teaching ballet and singing.

iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 85 MyTunes Unleashes Incredible Sound By Edward Zabrek, M.D.

you’re an audiophile, like I am, then you probably these apps do with those files is what makes them remarkably know by now that our dearly loved iPhones and iPads, different from other music players that I’ve tried before. while incredibly powerful and versatile machines, lack drastically in the audio performance department. MyTunes Pro addresses If the iPhone’s audio qual- Case in point: I, and other iPhone 4S users, have experienced ity by working in a host questionable stereo audio quality when playing music through of SRS Labs’ proprietary the device’s integrated speakers. Specifically, on the iPhone 4S, audio signal process- it seems that the sound on the right speaker plays at a volume ing technologies, most that is two to three times higher than that on the left speaker. notably WOW HD. The The result, of course, is a distorted and mostly unintelligible company claims their soundstage and an overall poor-quality audio experience. technology retrieves audio information that gets lost in the recording and Improving the sound compression processes, resulting in music that sounds far more natu- Fortunately, there is an answer to this problem: MyTunes Pro ral. SRS states that the HD (iPad only: free, full features available via in-app purchase, technology restores the app2.me/5014), an advanced audio-enhancing music player ap- natural tonality and spa- plication developed for the iPad, and the accompanying My- tial characteristics of re- Tunes Pro (free, full fea- cordings, making music sound as if you’re in the same room as tures available via in-app the artist. By turning this feature on within the app, I immediately purchase, app2.me/5015). heard a noticeable improvement in quality and didn’t even have Both are from SRS Labs, to work the advanced settings. While the presets worked well, the consumer electronics SRS also gives audiophiles the option to precisely control their industry’s go-to source listening experience with advanced controls that no other music for audio technologies players have, such as spatial control, psychoacoustic bass en- that make TVs, PCs, tab- hancement, definition control, and vocal level. lets, and smartphones deliver bigger, better sound. SRS Labs is also behind getting started the popular iWOW 3D ($59.99, srslabs.com) audio-enhancement adaptor Getting started with this app couldn’t be easier. It takes a few for the iPhone, iPad, and seconds to boot on the first launch since it has to populate the iPod that iPhone Life re- music library, but once it’s loaded, it works very quickly. The viewed last year. second you pop in your headphones, a small window appears, asking you what kind of device was just plugged in. Each setting According to SRS, both has a different sound, so for my application, I selected over-the- MyTunes Pro HD and My- ear headphones. When listening to music with the WOW HD Tunes Pro were designed to enhance any iDevice’s ability to play feature on, I could notice the improved clarity, higher highs, lossless and compressed digital music, so it would sound truer to and lower lows, but additionally, I could hear the soundstage the studio recording. The apps seamlessly pull music, podcasts, expand far beyond my headphones. When using my iPad’s built- and audio book files from your iTunes music library, but what in speaker with WOW HD on, the sound quality was greatly im-

86 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 87 proved across the entire frequency range, and the music didn’t sound so glued to the device. the final verdict

In addition to the audio- processing technology, Though the MyTunes apps are available to download for free, the app features several you can only use their fully functioning music players with ad- other bells and whistles, vanced features for 10 minutes a day. If you like what you hear, including a fully adjust- you can unlock the apps’ advanced features via a one-time, in- able 10-band EQ with app purchase (iPhone/iPod version: $4.99; iPad version: $7.99). presets and a simple Overall, I was impressed with the functionality and advanced three-knob tone control features of MyTunes Pro HD and felt that what it did for my system (both of which of- iPad’s music collection and sound capabilities made it well worth fer further personalization the $7.99 unlock price. There are very few music player apps out of audio playback). It also there that trump Apple’s built-in music player, but the array of has volume normalization, playback features included in the MyTunes apps, combined with which maintains a consis- their uncanny ability to improve the overall sound quality on any tent listening volume, re- iDevice, make MyTunes Pro HD and MyTunes Pro must-have gardless of the music be- apps for any music lover. � ing played. I appreciated the ability to tweak the Edward M. Zabrek, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician practicing high-risk obstetrics various frequency levels at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley, CA. As an international consultant in the EQ in order to give in mHealth and mobile medical software applications, he has an ambitious dream to my music a little stronger bass and more pronounced highs— “evolutionize” the practice of patient care using mobility and digital wireless devices. this is something that I think most of us who listen to music He can be reached via email at [email protected]. on our iPhones, iPods, and iPads have wanted since the beginning, and now with MyTunes, we finally have it. Additionally, the volume normalization feature was highly effective at keeping all of my music at the same playback level. Amazingly, when going from classical music with a large dynamic range to modern pop, which is optimized for loudness, there was no noticeable difference in perceived loudness between the tracks, so I never had to adjust the volume level.

additional features

Beyond their sound-improvement technologies, MyTunes Pro HD and MyTunes Pro also feature a mix of advanced audio- processing technologies designed to allow users to personalize and customize their listening experience to match their moods, settings, or activities. For example, the app has a workout mode that allows users to simply set their workout intensity level. Then the app automatically adjusts their playlist and songs’ speed to fit the intensity of their workout. Similarly, there is a party mode that allows users to select their playlist and party type; the app then reorganizes the playlist to fit the selected party style. The app also provides the experience of having a DJ mix your music—no hired DJ required—thanks to the app’s built-in intelligent DJ transitions.

Another cool feature is the speed control setting. According to SRS, this technology was intended for use with tracks featuring only spoken words, like podcasts and audio books, not music. If you do use it with your music, it may sound a little weird. This feature allows you to increase or decrease the speed of your podcasts and audio books with no detrimental effect on the pitch and tone of the person’s voice, and, I must say, it works well! I was able to get through The Hunger Games audio book much faster than I could have without it.

88 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 89 90 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 91 92 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 93 94 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 iPhone Life Buyers Guide 2012 95 Hal, along with his wife Rita, founded iPhone Life’s iView original publishing company, Thaddeus Computing, in 1985. You can reach him at [email protected].

TouchFire: An iPad Keyboard Funded by 3,146 End-Users

uppose you have a great idea for an iPhone or iPad product, What is TouchFire? S but no funding. Or suppose someone describes a product that you really want, but it does not yet exist. Would you be TouchFire works with all three versions of the iPad. The ultra- willing to put up, say, the retail cost of the product and be first thin silicon rubber, less-than-an-ounce TouchFire fits right over the in line when the product ships? That’s what I did, and it’s how I iPad’s on-screen keyboard and it’s completely transparent, so you got my new iPad keyboard. can see the iPad keyboard characters underneath it. TouchFire is supple, yet stiff enough to let you rest your fingers on the home Funding Products Through Kickstarter row keys without accidentally triggering the touch screen. When you type, TouchFire responds with resistance and spring-back Kickstarter (kickstarter.com) offers a venue for product creators that feels like a responsive keyboard. I find it significantly better to raise funds from end-users in exchange for a small percent- to touch-type with TouchFire than on the iPad screen. age of the money raised. Creators set a funding amount and a deadline. No money changes hands if a project is not fully If you want TouchFire funded by the deadline. out of the way, fold it down; corner magnets Go to kickstarter.com and search for “iPad,” “iPhone,” or “iOS.” keep it folded below You’ll find hundreds of listings of fully and partially funded app the iPad screen. Flip it and accessory product proposals. A few examples include an back up when you want amplifying iPad case, an iOS app development course, a de- to type again. TouchFire tachable iPad gamepad, a snowflakes physics learning app, and comes with a pair of cover clips, which help secure it mag- “Kitty Karaoke.” netically to the iPad’s cover when not in use. TouchFire was designed for the Apple Smart Cover and the iPad 1 black Apple I was introduced to case, but it also works with many other cases. Since TouchFire my current iPad screen- attaches to my Smart Cover, it is always available. I use it of- top keyboard, TouchFire, ten, particularly with email. I find that I use external Bluetooth through Kickstarter. The keyboards only when I know I will be in one place and have a TouchFire proposal was lot of typing to do. listed in October 2011, and had been funded The strengths of the TouchFire— many times over by the portability and typability—also point time I pledged $45 for it to its limitations. The combination of in December. The Touch- the iPad, TouchFire, and a Smart Cov- Fire “pledge summary” confirmation email estimated delivery er is ever so slightly bulky. Also, I find later in December. myself fumbling with the TouchFire more than I would like. In addition, Actually, I finally received TouchFire in July, after receiving a typing isn’t always smooth, especially number of emails chronicling delays. Touchfire is now available if TouchFire and the iPad keyboard are at touchfire.com for $49.99. misaligned. Still, TouchFire will definitely stay in my iPad arsenal for the foreseeable future. �

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