I recently started a series of review for products from Just Mobile, one of my favorite companies making Apple accessories. They consistently impress with quality, dedication, and vision when it comes to creating these outstanding products. I hope to be able to bring you more of these in the future, based on feedback many of you are learning very quickly how great Just Mobile is.

Today I’m looking at the AluFrame, an aluminium bumper shield for the iPhone 5. I am using the ...]]>

I recently started a series of review for products from Just Mobile, one of my favorite companies making Apple accessories. They consistently impress with quality, dedication, and vision when it comes to creating these outstanding products. I hope to be able to bring you more of these in the future, based on feedback many of you are learning very quickly how great Just Mobile is.

Today I’m looking at the AluFrame, an aluminium bumper shield for the iPhone 5. I am using the Silver version, but a Black style is also available.

The AluFrame takes the high-design of many of the Just Mobile products and creates a bumper for the iPhone 5 with this in mind. It’s a black or silver aluminium armor that surrounds the edge of your device beautifully  It wraps the edges and protects them in layers of rubber and metal, helping to stop scratches and chips. Also, the bumper has enough of a lip on the front glass and the back that the phone doesn’t actually touch the surface when placed down. This is always great!

The AluFrame has an interesting mechanism for attaching and removing. It’s extremely secure, but unlike other metal frames I’ve used, it doesn’t require tools…instead relying on an innovate clasp system. It works great and the iPhone 5 is tightly secured and wrapped with the AluFrame. The inside of the frame is lined with silicone that helps to protect the antenna band from losing signal as well as the device from scratches. Along the bottom there is an opening for the headphone port, microphone, Lightning port, and the speakers. The volume buttons are built into the case and are raised, feel very nice, and work easily.

Click To Enlarge

As I said, the AluFrame is beautifully crafted. It looks perfectly at home surrounding the iPhone, and the aluminium material stands out and looks great alongside other Apple products. While it doesn’t a ton of much bulk to the iPhone (there is some for sure), I did have an adjustment period while using it. It’s not heavy, it’s not bulky, it’s just different.

All that great stuff said, I did have an issue with the signal strength degrading while using this frame. I found that after installing the AluFrame I lost at least a bar of cell signal strength. I found installing the included screen protectors on the front and back surfaces surprisingly *improved* this, but by very little. I suppose I shouldn’t be too shocked, as I am essentially wrapping my iPhone 5 in a aluminum case, but I was a little let down by the loss in signal strength. I wouldn’t say it impacted my to the point where my iPhone 5 was useless, and certainly it wasn’t as bad as the old “death grip” from a few years ago, but it was noticeable unfortunately.

Overall, I do really like the AluFrame. As someone who gets VERY good signal strength the loss of a bar isn’t the end of the world. I’m not happy about it, but I had no issues using the iPhone or placing calls as normal. I could however see how someone who already has poor coverage may find this an impossible accessory to use. So be aware.

AluFrame [Link] – $69.95

Just Mobile [Link]

In Case You Missed It

There is always so much going on in the world of technology and Apple, that sometimes things fall between the cracks.

Here are a few stories I’d like to toss in your direction.

New or old, just in case you missed them.

Can Knockdown 3 Available – On Sale

One of my favorite games for the iPad, Can Knockdown has had updates over the last few years and new versions released. The latest is Can Knockdown 3…you should really check ...]]>

In Case You Missed It

There is always so much going on in the world of technology and Apple, that sometimes things fall between the cracks.

Here are a few stories I’d like to toss in your direction.

New or old, just in case you missed them.

Can Knockdown 3 Available – On Sale

One of my favorite games for the iPad, Can Knockdown has had updates over the last few years and new versions released. The latest is Can Knockdown 3…you should really check it out as it’s on sale for 50% off. Also, be sure to check out the trailer as well!

via App Store and YouTube [Link] [Link]

Apple Announces 50 Billionth Download Winner

Yesterday the 50 Billionth app was downloaded via the App Store, and as promised, today Apple announced the winner of the $10,000 iTunes Gift Card for downloading that milestone app. The winner is Brandon Ashmore from Ohio, and the app he downloaded was Say The Same Thing.

via Apple [Link]

Bill Gates Talks About His Last Visit With Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs and Bill Gates were competitors, they were pioneers, they were richer than rich…and they were also friends. In an emotional interview Bill Gates recalls his final visit with Steve Jobs and discusses their friendship and more.

via The Verge [Link]

Comparing iPhone Cameras

Here Camera+ takes an amazingly in-depth look at the history of the iPhone camera, and shows just how different the cameras are and how they’ve improved over the years. Amazing read!

via Camera+ [Link]

Apple Wins Trademark Case Over iBooks

Apparently there is a small publishing firm that uses the term “ibooks” and has since 2006…they were trying to stop Apple from using “iBooks”, but have lost their case according to this report. It appears the court battles never end…

via Gigaom [Link]

Today at I/O, Google announced some significant changes to its Maps offering, starting by bringing Maps to the iPad, completely rebuilding it with a new interface, search capabilities, and speedier performance.

A major part of the Maps overhaul is the use of vector imagery through WebGL. What this means is that maps should download and refresh more quickly, with intelligent street name additions and labels in real-time.

Some of the more exciting features of Google’s new Maps include:

Back in February, Square introduced “Business in a Box”, a solution for small businesses that included a slick iPad stand made by Heckler Design, a Square Reader, a locking cash drawer, and a receipt printer. Nice, but Square wanted more.

Today, the Square unveiled a new option for businesses, Square Stand, a cash register/iPad stand/credit card reader all-in-one.

Square Stand, when used in conjunction with Square Register, turns the iPad into a complete point-of-sale system. The company also recently updated Square Register ...]]>

Back in February, Square introduced “Business in a Box”, a solution for small businesses that included a slick iPad stand made by Heckler Design, a Square Reader, a locking cash drawer, and a receipt printer. Nice, but Square wanted more.

Today, the Square unveiled a new option for businesses, Square Stand, a cash register/iPad stand/credit card reader all-in-one.

Square Stand, when used in conjunction with Square Register, turns the iPad into a complete point-of-sale system. The company also recently updated Square Register to allow for customizable orders so that you can create restaurant kitchen tickets with special requests.

Jack Dorsey, co-founder and CEO of Square:

“Local business owners take as a given that they need an ugly, slow, expensive, and complicated point of sale system cluttering their counter. Square Stand is elegant, fast, affordable, and easy to use. Whether you’re selling cupcakes, cardigans, or cappuccinos, running your business with Square has never been easier.”

Square Stand features an integrated card reader, it connects the iPad to the stand and allows for use with a receipt printer, kitchen printer, cash drawer, and barcode scanner.

Users can lock the iPad to the Square Stand and then mount the stand to a countertop to ensure a secure cash register device. The stand features a swivel base so that you can turn the iPad’s screen around to let the customer sign their name.

Square Stand can be pre-ordered for $299 and is compatible with the iPad 2 and third-generation iPad, with a Lightning Connector model available later this year.

[Square]

Quickly, quietly, and without any warning, T-Mobile has increased the price of the iPhone 5 it sells by $50, raising the down payment to $149.99.

It was only last month when T-Mobile began selling the iPhone 5 at a price of $99.99 plus 24 payments of $20 – a total cost of $579.99. Now it seems the carrier claims the initial $99.99 down payment was a promotional price that ended Sunday.

AT&T, Verizon and Sprint charge $199 for the iPhone 5 with ...]]>

Quickly, quietly, and without any warning, T-Mobile has increased the price of the iPhone 5 it sells by $50, raising the down payment to $149.99.

It was only last month when T-Mobile began selling the iPhone 5 at a price of $99.99 plus 24 payments of $20 – a total cost of $579.99. Now it seems the carrier claims the initial $99.99 down payment was a promotional price that ended Sunday.

AT&T, Verizon and Sprint charge $199 for the iPhone 5 with a two-year service contract.

In a move that makes absolutely no one feel better, T-Mobile said the full price for the iPhone 5, $629.99, is still lower than purchasing an unlocked iPhone 5, typically $650.

As if that news wasn’t “tremendous” enough, T-Mobile also said customers can take advantage of their trade-in an old iPhone 4S or iPhone 4 get the down payment cost of a new iPhone 5 for $0 until June 16, Father’s Day.

[The Verge]

Apple products are to die for, but I don’t think there’s anyone that wants an Apple product to actually kill them. Unfortunately if you’ve got an iPad equipped with Apple’s Smart Cover and use a pacemaker, you may be holding the key to a premature death in your hands. 

The problem was discovered by 14-year-old Gianna Chen, who explains the problem of pacemakers and the Smart Cover magnets in greater detail:

Defibrillators, as a safety precaution, are designed to be turned ...]]>

Apple products are to die for, but I don’t think there’s anyone that wants an Apple product to actually kill them. Unfortunately if you’ve got an iPad equipped with Apple’s Smart Cover and use a pacemaker, you may be holding the key to a premature death in your hands. 

The problem was discovered by 14-year-old Gianna Chen, who explains the problem of pacemakers and the Smart Cover magnets in greater detail:

Defibrillators, as a safety precaution, are designed to be turned off by magnets. The iPad 2 uses 30 magnets to hold the iPad 2’s cover in place, Chien said. While the iPad 2 magnets aren’t powerful enough to cause problems when a person is holding the tablet out in front of the chest, it can be risky to rest it against the body, she found.

The problem lies in the fact that many pacemakers need manual reactivation and paramedics may have no idea there’s a problem.

Thankfully Chen’s work is being taken very seriously by paramedics and medical professionals because as more and more use iPads, the problem may become more widespread.

Apple’s yet to address the iPad/pacemaker issue, but one can be sure the company is investigating the matter and will correct the problem or issue a strong warning if/when they discover something.

[Forbes]

The long-rumored budget iPhone may soon be a rumor no more if a hiring spree at an Apple supplier is any indication.  

Apple manufacturing partner Pegatron has revealed that it will soon be adding to its staff by 40 percent.

The news has led many analysts to claim the hires will be directly responsible for constructing the budget iPhone model primarily aimed at increasing Apple’s market share in China and India. Further fueling the rumors was a statement by Pegatron’s chief ...]]>

The long-rumored budget iPhone may soon be a rumor no more if a hiring spree at an Apple supplier is any indication.  

Apple manufacturing partner Pegatron has revealed that it will soon be adding to its staff by 40 percent.

The news has led many analysts to claim the hires will be directly responsible for constructing the budget iPhone model primarily aimed at increasing Apple’s market share in China and India. Further fueling the rumors was a statement by Pegatron’s chief financial officer Charles Lin that the company expects to see 60 percent of its revenue to come in the second half of this year, 40 percent of which would come from building communication devices.

All this speculation means production for the budget iPhone screens would conceivably begin later this month, production would ramp up in June and the device would be released in the third quarter of 2013.

A plastic bodied iPhone would boost Pegatron’s profits as it a device that’s easier to manufacture, leading to larger yield rates.  mean bigger yield rates.

[Reuters]

In Case You Missed It

There is always so much going on in the world of technology and Apple, that sometimes things fall between the cracks.

Here are a few stories I’d like to toss in your direction.

New or old, just in case you missed them.

Paper App Gains Zoom and Popular Notebook

One of my favorite apps is Paper. I use it constantly. I draw and doodle using it, and so do my kids…even the wife gets in on the act on her ...]]>

In Case You Missed It

There is always so much going on in the world of technology and Apple, that sometimes things fall between the cracks.

Here are a few stories I’d like to toss in your direction.

New or old, just in case you missed them.

Paper App Gains Zoom and Popular Notebook

One of my favorite apps is Paper. I use it constantly. I draw and doodle using it, and so do my kids…even the wife gets in on the act on her iPad mini. It’s just a great app and it has received updates over the past year to make it even better. The latest is a zoom feature and a notebook full of other artworks that have been submitted to their gallery. Some of them are amazingly impressive!

via App Store [Link]

iPhone 5 vs HTC One: Camera Comparison

iMore took a lengthy and detailed look at the iPhone and HTC One cameras. It’s a crazy great comparison for anyone interested. Seriously, take a look!

via iMore [Link]

Penultimate 4.1 Adds New Options

When I first got an iPad Penultimate was a staple on my Home Screen. While I can’t say the same today, it still is a very very nice note taking app, especially with its tight integration with Evernote, who purchased the app some time ago.

Now with the 4.1 update, Premium Evernote users earn access to the entire Paper Shop. They have also added a passcode lock for security, better Evernote syncing options, and a few other updates. Overall it’s a good update to an app that is still great, but is lagging behind somewhat lately.

via Macstories [Link]

Apple Counting Down to 50 Billion App Downloads

Apple’s App Store is approaching 50 billion downloads and just like other milestones reach in the past, Apple will be awarding the lucky person who downloads number 50 billian with a gift. A $10,000 gift, in the form of an App Store/iTunes Gift Card.

via The iPad Fan [Link]

With WWDC right around the corner, it’s expected that the release of the next version of the iPhone will follow in a matter of months, if not weeks.

According to new reports out of Japan, iPhone 5S production will ramp up in the near future, with display maker Sharp to begin manufacturing the screens for the device this summer in preparation for a Q3 release.

The screen is likely to remain very similar to the one found in the iPhone 5, and ...]]>

With WWDC right around the corner, it’s expected that the release of the next version of the iPhone will follow in a matter of months, if not weeks.

According to new reports out of Japan, iPhone 5S production will ramp up in the near future, with display maker Sharp to begin manufacturing the screens for the device this summer in preparation for a Q3 release.

The screen is likely to remain very similar to the one found in the iPhone 5, and production orders have been sent to Japan Display and LG Display where production has reportedly already started.

One has to wonder if the manufactures listed above are working the next generation iPhone screen with the rumored fingerprint scanner built-in. Let’s hope that they are.

[AppleInsider]

It seems that recently stylus options for use with the iPad has been somewhat stagnant. It’s not so much that people are not using them, it just appears that there haven’t been many new entries into this accessory category. One of the best stylus options I have tried over the past few years is the TruGlide Stylus by LYNKtec and they’ve just released a new version called the TruGlide Pro. The TruGlide Pro takes all the great things about the ...]]>

It seems that recently stylus options for use with the iPad has been somewhat stagnant. It’s not so much that people are not using them, it just appears that there haven’t been many new entries into this accessory category. One of the best stylus options I have tried over the past few years is the TruGlide Stylus by LYNKtec and they’ve just released a new version called the TruGlide Pro. The TruGlide Pro takes all the great things about the original and improves them…

The TruGlide Pro Precision Stylus is still very lightweight, the perfect size, smooth to the touch, just a little thicker than a regular pen, and durable. These are great features, but as I said with the original, the tip is where this thing really shines. The tip is made from a patented material that in my experience is much more durable than the rubber tips, and slides across the screen easier…almost effortlessly…it just glides.

The TruGlide Pro Precision Stylus takes that amazing tip the original had and makes it even better, and smaller, at 5mm it’s one of the smallest iPad stylus tips I’ve come across. There is an interchangeable tip that allows users to customize the color (black or silver), or change to a paintbrush like tip (coming soon) for even more fun. Most stylus choices for the iPad tend to have a very poor precision point, and while the TruGlide Pro isn’t as precise as say a sharp pencil tip, it is amazingly accurate and I commend the makers for it.

If you still haven’t found the perfect stylus for you I’d highly suggest looking into TruGlide Pro, it makes writing notes and jotting down ideas a breeze. I’ve been a huge fan of taking notes on the iPad using a stylus, and the TruGlide Pro Precision Stylus is easily one of the best I’ve used on the iPad.

TruGlide Pro – $29.95 – [Link]