Reviews by The Church of Apple

Tag: iPhone

  • ION Sound Splash Review

    The ION Sound Splash is a lightweight, small, bluetooth waterproof speaker that allows you take your music and your calls into areas that are wet without putting your bluetooth device in serious danger of getting wet. This device allows you to listen to music in the shower and take a call should one come in. Just be sure to turn the shower off before you accept the call so it doesn’t get awkward:) The ION Sound Splash is available from ION’s Amazon Store for $69.99. Let’s see if this waterproof speaker is right for you.

    Form

    One thing that I noticed about this speaker right away was how small it was. This speaker is meant to be portable. You could put it in some bigger pockets, although I would recommend putting it in a bag. There is a reason it is like this… so you can take it around with you! It can go in boats, near the lake, near the pool, near the water or really anywhere. This speaker is not made cheap either. It is a pretty solid device despite it being lightweight. The device is well-designed since everything is easy to use and it actually looks nice. The buttons on the device are easy to see and use. Access to volume, play/pause, power button and the take the call button are within reach at all times. You may be wondering that if this device is truly waterproof and wireless, how does it protect the charger? Well, the speaker has a small locking flap on the bottom of the device that you can open and put the charger in. Just be sure to close it before you enter the shower. I would have liked to have seen addtional colors in the lineup other than white to make it more fun but it is not important. All in all, the Sound Splash has made a splash in the Form category, let’s see how it does in it’s function.

    Function

    The first thing I noticed when using this speaker was how powerful it was. When you first see it’s small size, you think to yourself “No way this will sound good at all” but when you actually hear it, you will be shocked to hear it’s quality. Even the bass on the speakers was surprisingly great. Another thing I noticed is that I could leave my iPhone in the other room and it will still pick up it’s bluetooth signal well. I have, as of yet, heard the device drop the sound when using the bluetooth functionality. The device can also attach anywhere in your shower. The suction cups that come with it are firm yet easy to take off. I have had problems with wet suction cups before and the inability to take them off the wall or glass but these suction cups do not have that same problem. In addition, if you’re not a fan of suction cups, you can use the attached hook to hook it onto your shower head (that is what I do). Both ways provide for easy on and off. When taking a call, the device will fade out the music and the blue light on the device will blink and you can take the call just by pressing the phone button. When you end the call, the music starts up again. In addition, other controls are within reach. You can pause or play music, turn up and down the volume, take a call or turn the speaker off. There is only one problem I have in the functionality of this device. You better have a good selection of music because if you come across a song you don’t like, you can not skip it. The beloved forward and backward buttons that we have come to know and love on MP3 players is not featured on the device. This is a big misstep in functionality. It’s one of the main buttons on an iPod, how can you miss it? On the bright side, it has forced me to get rid of songs I truly don’t like but even then there are sometimes songs I don’t want to listen to at that particular time of day. However, considering songs on people’s iPods typically is music they like, it shouldn’t be a huge deal but it is something I miss. All in all, its great sound, ease of use and great bluetooth quality among other things more than compensates for the lack of a few buttons.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Great sound
    -Portable
    -Great bluetooth quality
    -Great call quality
    -Easy to set up in the shower and with your device
    -Waterproof
    -Looks great aesthetically

    Cons

    -No forward/backward buttons, need these to change the song
    -Needs more color options

    Ways to Improve

    There are a few ways to solve the playback problem. First, ION could add buttons to the device that allow the user to go forward or backward on the music. Second, and I feel this is more of a unique way, is to add Siri/Voice Control functionality. Pressing a button (or holding a button) would activate Siri or voice control and the person can tell the device to call Steve or Play Coldplay or skip this song. The possibilities are great with Siri/Voice control. As more and more devices get Siri, the need for Siri functionality in products increases and I believe that it can be a HUGE selling point in the next rendition of the Sound Splash to include Siri/Voice Control functionality, and if they can’t use Siri with the product due to some Apple restrictions that may or may not exist, they should develop their own app that will allow the user to give simple commands. Since the Siri/Voice Control platform already exists, attempts should be made first to integrate them into the device, perhaps a button that simulates the pressing of the home button (voice control and Siri are both prompted by default by the short hold of the home button).

    This is a great device. It’s sound, portability, wide bluetooth capabilities, ease of use earn it 4 and a half stars. The addition of forward/backward buttons would have made it 5 stars easily but such an important function can not be disregarded.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Images Courtesy: ION

  • CoolStream Bluetooth Receiver

    The CoolStream Bluetooth Receiver is a small device that you put in your speaker dock and it will make the dock bluetooth. The device goes onto a dock, connect your bluetooth device to it via bluetooth and you’re ready to enjoy wireless music. This small device is available from Exeter Science and Entertainment for $39.99. Let’s see if it is the music solution for you.

    Form

    There isn’t much to say about how this product is aesthetically. There is nothing wrong structurally with the device. It feels cheap, but it actually is strong. It does have a cool, blue design on it that is a nice touch to the device.

    Function

    This little device packs a punch. The ability to no longer be bogged down with expensive wireless speakers or the compromise that comes with docks is incredible. Finally, you can put the audio of the game you are playing on that dock that you have without having to dock the iDevice. This device is also an advantage for people who have a iPhone/iPod touch dock with an iPod touch and iPhone but also have an iPad as well. Now, they don’t need an iPad dock. All you have to do is plug this little device in to wirelessly play music. The pairing of this device and your bluetooth device is as simple as pressing a button, going to settings on your bluetooth device and confirming the pair. Then, you can play music from your device wirelessly. Of course, the device is small so you can take it anywhere and put it on a dock. In addition, the device rarely, if ever, has a pause in the music. It doesn’t randomly disconnect either. The device does have a flaw, however. The device will not work with some docks. The company has a list of known supported docks and known unsupported docks. Fortunately, the number of unsupported is small compared to the number supported. This is something that I hope they can resolve. Despite this flaw, this device is a great tool to use with your music dock.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Small and convenient to take with you
    -Consistant with sound
    -Great wireless solution for the dock problem
    -Easy to pair
    -Good price for what you get

    Cons

    -Does not work with all docks (Check to see if your dock is supported before purchase)

    How to improve

    The only thing that this company should do is to improve compatibility with docks. It has great compatibility with docks but it should be 100%.

    This product is a great one. It is small, lightweight and useful. Never will I plug my iOS device into a dock again. If it works for your dock, it is a 5 star device.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Images Courtesy: Exeter Science and Entertainment
    Copyright: iHome is Copyright of iHome Audio

  • Duo Pinball Review

    The Duo Pinball is an iPad accessory that allows you to have physical pinball-like controls for the app “Pinball HD” and “Pinball HD collections”, the two best pinball apps on the App Store. The accessory, while doesn’t perfectly emulate a pinball machine as it doesn’t have the looks of one, is great for playing pinball on one of the best pinball apps available. The Duo Pinball is available from Duo Games for $48.75 at Amazon. Let’s see if it is worth the price.

    Form

    The form of this product isn’t as important as the function but there are a few things to mention otherwise. I appreciate that the Duo Pinball can be used by the best Pinball app on the App Store, personally speaking and statistically speaking. The apps themselves are great apps that are well designed and include great pinball tables. The product itself is pretty straightforward. Put your iPad into a slot, lock it into place, either put it on a table or in your hands and pull down the handle to shoot the ball and use the buttons on the sides to move the flippers. It sounds simple but the simplicity is appreciated and it works and plays well with the pinball game. It is only a few buttons but isn’t that what pinball is anyway. I see it to be no different than using a real pinball machine other than it being electronic and smaller.

    Function

    Again, as I mentioned, the Duo Pinball plays well. I like to use it in my hands only because I think it is more stable there than on the desk but it’s really the preference of the user. There is a slot for the speaker to project sound so the speaker is not blocked. The buttons and the lever feel good to use, they aren’t lagging and the app corresponds smoothly to the movements of the controls. The iPad will not fall out if you lock it in. If someone knocks into the iPad, it won’t fall off the device. This is handy when you are using it on the table. In addition, the iPad connects easily with the device via bluetooth. Also, the product doesn’t require you to shut it off via a power button, it shuts off automatically. That is useful since A you don’t have to search for an off button and B you can leave it unattended for 5 minutes and it will shut off so it won’t waste battery power. In addition. you get five free tables on the Pinball HD Collections app. There are others to be bought and downloaded and there are more on the way. The two concerns I have is that Duo is not willing to use other pinball apps for the device only those two “Pinball HD” and “Pinball HD Collections” which while they are wonderful apps, there are other pinball apps I wished it worked for. However, they couldn’t have picked a better single app to partner with since both the apps are best-sellers. The other concern I have is the cost of the product. $50 is an awful lot to pay for an accessory that works with two apps. It works well with that one app but the price and functionality don’t match Overall, the Duo Pinball is very well made and works well with the iPad to create a fluent pinball experience.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Well made, well designed

    -Comfortable to hold

    -Buttons are solid

    -App is very responsive to the movements of the shooter and the flipper controls

    -iPad is well held in place so it will not be knocked off the unit

    -Simple to use

    Cons

    -Needs more Pinball apps despite the fact that the one it works with is the best one out there, selection is best

    -Price

    Ways to improve

    The only way to improve this product is to perhaps add support for other pinball apps other than the two it uses. This isn’t something that they need to tweak to the actual product itself just the services that come with it. The price is fine if they add support for many more pinball app.

    To conclude, this product is a solid one. It is a product that stands out and one that I will keep in case I get the urge to play pinball. I can easily give this device 4 stars.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • New Potato FLPR Universal Remote for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch

    The FLPR is an accessory that you can attach to your iPad, iPhone and iPod touch that will allow you to remotely control anything in your living room. The product is small and it is basically a Infrared sender to your TV, DVR and other devices. I don’t know about you but I have seen far too many houses that have so many remotes in their living room, you have to ask “which remote does this go to?”. Why should it be that way? More than half the country owns at least one Apple product, so those of us that own an iOS device, you can now solve the dilemma that you face everyday with a iPhone, iPod touch or iPad that you probably already have glued to your hands. The FLPR is available for $59.99 and I can guarantee that it will be the best money you can spend on any remote.

    Form

    As the FLPR is just a small attachment, there isn’t much to say about it in terms of aesthetics. I will mention a few things however. The device is small and can fit in your pocket or even better just set it on your coffee table or somewhere near your TV. It is small so keep it out of reach of small children. In addition, the FLPR has a free app that goes with it that has a great UI. You don’t need to be told how to do things on the app, you can figure it out easily and you can customize it really well. Aesthetically, there isn’t much to say about this small device, but what I can say is all positive.

    Function

    The FLPR has to be one of the most versatile remotes I have seen. There are a few reasons it is like this. First, it’s UI is an app that can be updated on a frequent basis so that the devices you need to connect to work with the app from the get go. The remote boasts an incredible 78,000 devices it is pre-programmed for. In addition, if you it does not have your device pre-programmed, perhaps it is a lesser known device, you can teach the remote your lesser-known device. It is easy to set up too. Just make sure to have the remote for your device you want it to learn and program the different buttons, and you are good to go. The range on the FLPR is good, I can easily control my device from the couch. All the devices that I have paired with this remote have worked fluently with it. You can customize the app with macros. That is, if you need to turn on multiple things at the same time, you can put in a combination for that one combo and that combo will appear as one button right when you open the app. I have used expensive physical remotes that don’t rank up to this device due to it’s ease of use and massive, virtually limitless database. Physical remotes need to be plugged into the computer to update, with this device all you have to do is visit the App Store and hit update or let the app learn your device. I carry my iPhone with me everywhere and I use it sometimes when watching TV, fortunately I can still use the iPhone when using the remote, just go back to the remote app from my email client or safari or whatever I had up and change the channel or turn it off. It truly is a simple, intuitive remote that I can highly recommend.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Small device, can go anywhere, no case to put on
    -App is very versatile
    -Thousands of devices supported and you can add your device to it if it is not supported
    -Connects with any iOS device and you can use your iOS device while using the remote
    -No batteries required (no need to buy those itty bitty batteries you buy at the jewelry department at WalMart)
    -Best remote for the money hands down

    Cons

    -Small item such as this one can easily be misplaced, just be sure to put it somewhere where you know where it is

    Ways to improve

    At this point, there really isn’t anyway for this device to improve. Just keep updating the app and it will remain great!

    This has got to be one of the best remotes if not the best remote you can use. The versatility of an iOS device with the portability of the FLPR and the many features of the FLPR app give this combination an easy five star rating. Great job New Potato Technologies. You have a great, versatile remote!

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Photos Courtesy: New Potato Technologies

  • Gumdrop Drop Tech Series iPhone 4/4S Case

    The Gumdrop Drop Tech Series iPhone 4/4S case is a case available for your iPhone 4/4S. It is a very rugged case durable enough to handle many falls. It is available from Gumdrop for $44.95. Let’s see if it is the case for you.

    Form

    The case definitely is one of the stronger cases I have seen in terms of material. One of the cases I received was black and the other one was light blue and pink. As I received a guy’s case with one solid color and a women’s case, I can’t evaluate the different colors available. However, from the pictures, I see yellow and blue, orange and blue, white and black, black and red, pink and white, green and black and purple and pink cases, they seem to be good colors. The first color is the primary color, the color the rubber part of the case is and the second color of the combination is the outline inside the case. The case is made of a soft but firm rubber material and is easy to hold in the hand. The case is a bit bulky and adds some weight to the phone but then again, what really protective case doesn’t. The case does end up being white after I take it out of my pocket though as the residue from my pocket, and the pocket itself, come out with the phone. This is a concern for me not only aesthetically but also in how it’s function is too. The case does have port protectors, however despite other cases I reviewed in the past, this case has the port protectors attached to the case, which is a plus for me. The case also has a screen protector. The case is durable, protective and, if you buy a colorful case, colorful but it does raise a few red flags for me such as your whole pocket in your jeans coming out with it and the hundreds of white specks that come out with it also.

    Function

    I felt that if I were to drop this case from my second story, my iPhone would still be in the same great shape it was before the fall. That said, the case is extremely durable. It definitely beats the Otterbox case despite that case being THE case that everyone says is the most protective. I think this one is more so. The screen protector is a plus for me as well as the port protectors. A note about the screen protector; you don’t have to put it on yourself, it’s built into the case. This is great since you don’t have to deal with those annoying bubbles. The camera is not blocked and the case will not cause issues with the camera. The speakers are also not hindered when using this case. All the ports but the silent switch, despite being protected, are easy to access. The silent switch on the side is a bit more difficult to access. There are a few concerns I have with this case though. It is a hindrance taking the phone with this case on out of your pocket. This I think really only applies for men and teenagers of either gender as women tend to put their phones in their purse and not their pocket. Those that put your phone in your pocket you will have some trouble. First off, the black case and a pocket don’t mix. After you pull out the case, white particles cling to your case like glue and it looks tacky. This applies to all cases but especially the black one. In addition, the rubber part of the case will require you to reset it every time you take it out of your pocket. As the case sticks to your pocket, the rubber part will unhinge off of the inner durable plastic part of the case and you will need to reset it. If you have used an Otterbox iPod touch case, you will know what I am talking about. Resetting it is not difficult at all but it definitely is a hindrance on using your phone with the case. Also, you texting teenagers out there listen up, the case does not allow easy access to the letters on the left and right extremes of the keyboard when you put it in portrait, such as q and p. However, these letters are more accessible when you turn it over to landscape mode, which is the preferred texting orientation. However, those that like to text in portrait or those that use their keyboard in portrait, you will have a tough time typing the q and the p. Despite these flaws however, the case still protects very well and I think that they did a good job with the case.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -STRONG case
    -Aesthetically in great shape, the rubber feels good to the hand
    -Port protectors; most ports are easily accessible
    -Camera not blocked
    -Built in screen protector, don’t have to mess with the put on yourself kind

    Cons

    -Rubberized case will take your pocket and it’s other contents with it when you take the phone out of your pocket
    -Texting may be hindered through the difficulty of reaching q and p on the keyboard in portrait viewing mode
    -The silent/vibrate switch is difficult to access
    -A bit heavy and thick

    Ways to improve

    I believe that there are a few ways to improve going forward. First, use a material that will not stick to your pocket. A non-stick cover is something that is needed here without losing any of the ability to protect. Second, lower the depth so people can type on the keyboard without their finger hitting the side of the case. Third, allow easy access to the silent/vibrate switch. Perhaps add a rubberized switch that goes over it and extends down to the actual switch, see a LifeProof iPhone case for more detail. Additionally, find a way to cut down on the thickness. Skinny jeans and this case don’t go well.

    The case is definitely one of the more protective case I have used. However, so was my iPod touch Otterbox case and I took that one off of my iPod touch because of some of the same reasons as the cons listed here. However, this case offers even more protection and durability than that case did. The case does have some (major) kinks to get out, however those that don’t care about the hindrances I described this is a great case. As I do care about these hindrances, I can evaluate this case at a 3 and a half star rating. The case knocks it out of the ball park in terms of protection but strikes out in some key areas.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Images Courtesy: Gumdrop

  • Snugg iPhone 4/4S Anti-Radiation Case

    The The Snugg iPhone 4/4S Anti-Radiation Case is exactly as the name implies. It is a case for your iPhone that blocks the radiation from going to your head. There is science to prove that radiation does indeed enter your head after prolonged use of the cell phone due to the rays of cellular radiation being right next to your head for a long period of time. Prolonged use of cell phones and the radiation it brings may be harmful to our head. The FDA says it doesn’t bring health affects that it knows of but the risk when using a cell phone does increase. The anti-radiation part comes at a premium on this case. The case is $49.99 from Snugg. Let’s see if it is for you.

    Form

    I have to admit, when it comes to the form of the case, I was surprised in a good way. The case did seem like it was fairly durable, not sure if it is durable enough to handle a big fall. The material it was made out of was firm to hand, as it should be. The case is only in black but it does look pretty sleek. It didn’t add much weight or width to the phone and it fit comfortably. The case does not stick to your pocket when it is inside the pocket which is a good thing. I have used cases in the past where my whole pocket came out along with my phone, chasing bits of paper that I had stored in my pocket was never fun. The case looks as though it would be cheap and that it would bend but when I tried bending it, it held up pretty well. However, I am not sure if the case would hold up in a fall. The case has all the appropriate cut outs and it doesn’t have the annoying port protectors, which since I found out that some cases ship with those pesky things, I have been on the look out for ever since. They are almost always a negative. Overall, the case does have good build in terms of material and what it should be like aesthetically.

    Function

    This is where things get a little tricky. The case is supposed to protect the iPhone in case it falls so it will prevent the phone from breaking. However, despite the fair build quality, it doesn’t seem as though it would hold up in a big fall. Albeit big falls don’t happen everyday but I would not feel comfortable with my phone in this case if I kept it a high counter over hard floor. It may break. With other case, I wouldn’t do that. However, despite this, it is the first case I have seen that involved a bit of science. The case, according to Snugg, reduces Cell Phone Radiation or SAR by 92% and Hot Spot Radiation or EFI by 90% so it does do well in protecting our heads (testing performed in private labs, chance of false claims). Long term use may reduce the risk for cancer, brain tumors, Alzheimers, Parkinson’s, Fatigue and headaches. Therefore, this case may not be the best in protecting the phone but it does protect your health and that is what is really important.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Radiation protection*
    -Aesthetically pretty well made
    -Protects phone from minor falls (drop from your hand) and scratches

    Cons

    -Won’t protect the phone from bigger falls
    -Pricy

    Ways to improve

    Snugg has always amazed me with their cases and this case definitely was an interesting one. If I were Snugg, I would look into putting more protecting material into the case to protect the phone better. It may sacrifice it’s low width but I think it is a good trade off, the main purpose of a case usually is to protect, right? Also, unless the material they use to make the case is expensive, they need to lay off the price. No iPad case on their site is priced that much.

    The case may not be the best in terms of protecting your phone but it does the job. It does a better job of protecting you than the phone. If it can protect me from the radiation like it says it can and if San Onofre decides to burst, I’ll be sure to use this case. I give the case 3.5 stars for it’s protection of the user but not so much protection for the device.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Images Courtesy: Snugg

    *The claims that Snugg have made may or not be true. As I am not a radiologist or a scientist, I can not test to see if it actually does protect you from harmful radiation as it advertises. Many companies have made false claims before and I can not guarantee that Snugg is not one of these companies. I have based this review on Snugg being honest and the tests correct. If evidence proves that they have lied, this review will automatically be reduced to zero stars. If you have any information about the validity of their claims, please contact the Editor-in-Chief or leave a comment.

  • The Ultimate Irony: ION iLP Review

    The ION iLP is a product that converts your old 33s, 45s and 78s (if you don’t know what those are, you need not read this review) into an MP3 file onto your computer or iOS device. You can also use the device to just play the records, if you have external speakers that is. The ultimate irony of it is that the iLP has a 30-pin dock connector on it, putting technologies that are 40 years apart from each other on the same device! The iLP is available directly from ION for $99.99. Free apps direct from ION for iOS, PC and Mac are available to transfer the music. $100 is a high price but if you have a huge collection of records around and you don’t have a turntable for them or you do but you want to transfer your aging records into something that will last even longer, this is for you.

    Form

    When you look at the iLP, it reminds you of the past blended with the present. It has the classic stylus (you can take off this stylus and replace it with a diamond stylus for even better sound quality) for the record, the place to put the record on and even a 45 holder so if you lost all those plastic things that you placed in the middle of the record so you could fit it in the player, you are in luck. On one corner, it has the iOS dock (oh, the irony). Covering the record playing stuff is a see-through plastic dust cover which is really useful and you don’t even have to put it on yourself, it is already attached to the turntable. Just lift and close the cover. The turntable itself, like the ION iCade Mobile, has a Piano Black chrome feel and color, which just make the device very nice. Don’t expect the iLP to be portable, it is about the size of a record player and it will require speakers even then. It is not light either but at least that shows it is sturdy and not made poorly. The iLP can not be used without the complimentary application. The app itself provides instructions and is self-explanitory. I found it to be easy to use both on the iOS devices and Mac, not sure about the PC as nothing is easy to use on that :). Seriously, it is an app that does what it needs to and performs well despite many people’s criticisms about it. Of course, what it does and how it does it is more important so let’s move on.

    Function

    The iLP is a turntable that allows you to play and record your songs on records. You put the record pole into the hold in the record (put in the 45 port if need be first) and pull the lever so you can move the stylus. Move and line up the stylus, pull the lever down and it will do one of three things. One, it will play on it’s weak internal speaker. Two, it will play through your way more powerful external speakers (and play beautifully too) or three it will play/record on your iOS device, Mac or PC. The internal speakers in the iLP, despite being quiet, are okay since they will only be used to make sure that the device is playing and recording on your iOS device, Mac or PC if you have the volume off on the device you are recording onto. Of course, this is 2013 so why not make a change to it and add more power to the internal speakers? I don’t see any reason why not. The iLP plugs into RCA inputs from a stereo system. This is how other record players worked too. Perhaps not through RCA inputs but through external speakers. Additionally, you can play the music on your computer speakers as well if the internal is too weak or you don’t have external speakers for it. It has the auto stop function and a switch to change from 33, 45 and 78 RPM speeds. It comes with a 45 connector so you can use your 45s should you have lost the ones you had from a long time ago. The applications that come with the iLP are useful despite what most reviews say. You are able to record multiple tracks at one at a time, at one time. You can do the automatic track splitting, however it will make mistakes if the song becomes quiet or if there is a scratch on the disk. I played “The Entertainer” and I got three recordings for one song. Just turn this feature off and manually split the songs if there is more than one song on a disc. What you hear is what you get. If there is static, it will playback as static which is okay considering that it is a straight conversion. Be prepared to give up some of your office space though since it is certainly not the smallest player out there. It is big and bulky, which to me is a downside because not everyone has a lot of space. Overall, the iLP is well made and is very useful for those of you who want to keep your golden oldies.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Strong aesthetic
    -Converts records to MP3 with no problem, easy transfer into iTunes
    -Brings back the Golden Age
    -With external speakers, including RCA or computer speakers, you can blast your ears with Johnny Cash and The Beatles
    -Applications for iOS, Mac and PC are simple to use and self-explanatory.
    -Attached dust cover
    -Stylus can be taken off and replaced by any stylus

    Cons

    -Bulky (as with all turntables)
    -Internal speaker could be improved

    Ways to improve

    This product would do best with better internal speakers. Many similar products also don’t have speakers in their turntable conversion products but why not innovate? Why not be the first to add those needed speakers?Make it more than a conversion table, make it a conversion/listening table. It concerns me a bit that this product is a bit bulky and there isn’t a whole lot you can do especially when you have a similar product that ION sells that is marketed as a smaller, cheaper version of this turntable. However, I believe that ION could work on making it a bit smaller. It can be done. I believe it can be, Apple does it all the time! :)

    The ION iLP truly does a great job at combining the older record age with the new digital age. The record age may be gone but this product helps it make it’s own little comeback. It offers conversion of your golden oldies unseen by any other product of similar pricing. It’s a job well done. It receives 4 and a half stars from me.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • ION iCade Mobile Review

    The ION iCade Mobile is a wireless bluetooth gaming controller for certain games available on the Apple App Store. It allows you to turn your iPhone or iPod touch into a sort of PSP-like device. The iCade mobile is available direct from iCade for $49.99.

    Form

    While the form of this product isn’t nearly as important as the Function of the product, it still needs to be covered because who wants something thats cheap plastic? Or looks like it’s a piece of junk? This product, in terms of aesthetics definitely isn’t that. The iCade Mobile is sturdy and looks as though it will not shatter if dropped. It consists of two parts. The controller and an insert if you use an iPod touch. If you don’t have an iPod touch, just take the insert out and you can use it with your iPhone 4/4S. The controller is made out of a chrome material, hard plastic (not cheap plastic) and rubber. The buttons and front of the controller are chrome, the spot to put your iPod touch or iPhone is a soft rubber that while won’t scratch your device, will protect it while it’s in the controller. The backing is a hard plastic that I feel fairly certain will hold up if dropped, I think it could take a lot. The device actually looks pretty nice aesthetically. The chrome gives it an interesting look, almost like the PSP itself, which as you know, with it’s sleek chrome is a very nice looking product. The controller is black with silver only and it may only be one color combination but trust me, it looks very nice.

    Function

    The abilities of this controller are far more important than how it looks. The controller connects via bluetooth very well and I have had no problems with it disconnecting on me which is great, I don’t want to lose a game I’m playing! The controller truly transforms your device into a PSP-like device. It has four buttons on the right that resemble the X-Square-Circle-Triangle pad on the PSP. Also on the right is a D-Pad that resembles the D-Pad on the XBox controllers. It has L1-L2, R1-R2 like buttons on the top as well. These buttons are easy to press, easy to use and they aren’t stiff. At first I thought the way the device is made is a bit awkward to use but after further use, I learned to get used to it and I actually like it’s profile because it fits in almost any bag or traveling case or whatever. It is easily stored. The containment that holds your device can flip from landscape to portrait should any of the games you play require it. The device actually reminds me of a case and I wish the containment that holds the device came off so I could do such a thing. It really seems like it would do a good job at protecting your device and it really isn’t all that thick either. I also appreciate the fact that they made it an iPhone and iPod touch accessory. It is important that they made it for both. The insert that goes into the holder can get lost though, which is my concern for such a thing, however most people will use it for one device anyways. There are a few things that I am not a fan of though. Despite the many good physical things with it, there is a severe issue with the device in terms of when I can actually use it. Currently, the Apple App Store has a total of about 130,000 games available on the App Store. This controller can work with 139 games (some of which have multiple classic games on them). That is .001 of all the games of on the App Store. Also, even then, I’ve only heard of a few select games such as Temple Run, Frogger, Nyan Cat, Namco, Midway Arcade Collection and Final Run. For this product to be successful, they truly need to work on getting more games to support it and not only more games but better quality games, ones that are much more successful. The apps they have are limited in number and limited in popularity and that, I think, is hurting this product and preventing it from being much more popular than it could potentially be. Truly the only thing that needs help is not the product itself (maybe the controller could be less awkward to hold) but the amount of apps that support it.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Great Aesthetics
    -Supports both iPhone and iPod touch
    -Landscape or portrait view
    -Similar to the controllers already out there
    -Great gameplay with the controller
    -Does not drop bluetooth connection

    Cons

    -Needs more, higher-quality games, as-is, it is just way too limited
    -Controller is a bit awkward to hold especially for someone with big hands

    This controller is a true example of something that shows true potential. The controller itself is a great product, something that makes you think, I should have thought of that! It has all that you would think that a device like it would have. Unfortunately, the thing that needs serious improvement also is the most important thing, it’s support for a large base of games which it does not have. The potential in this device is huge and it makes you see how much you miss not using the touch screen. However, a great product/service is different than great potential. The product has only been on shelves for a year now and is destined to take off with a lot of games. In order for it to be truly successful, their roster of games needs to improve. Until then, the ION iCade receives a 4 star review from me. As the roster improves and more games are added, I absolutely will update that rating. However, as of right now, 4 stars feels right. It’s a great working product with great potential that just isn’t there yet. I feel, though, it can and will be.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • Nutkase Genuine Leather iPhone Wallet

    The Genuine Leather iPhone Wallet is exactly what you would guess it would be, a leather wallet that houses your iPhone inside. The wallet is available from NutKase for $34.99 direct. It is a great iPhone wallet and a must have for anyone who wants to put two of their going out must-haves into one. Let’s find out if it is best for you.

    Form

    The first thing that struck me about the wallet is that it is made out of very nice leather and it looked like it truly was genuine leather. According to Nutkase, it IS genuine leather. That is a huge plus in the Form category because that means it doesn’t get damaged very easily and it will not fall apart like fake leather tends to do after a while. The wallet comes in black or red leather, both are very good looking colors, at least in my opinion. Something that struck me about the wallet, before even getting into the it, is that there is no zipper. The wallet is held close by a strap or a magnet (this depends on whether you get the black or red model respectively) that binds the two sides of the bifold. It actually is a great idea to use this strap instead of a zipper, because after awhile zippers fall apart, they break after a short amount of time. The strap, however, dangles and becomes a nuisance when using the iPhone, it dangles on your hand and it becomes annoying. On the back, you’ll notice the cool Nutkase logo which is an acorn with a bite into it, like the bite in the Apple logo. Another thing you’ll notice is the hole one the top left for the camera, so you don’t have to take the iPhone out of the wallet to take a picture. Another thing you’ll notice when it is closed is that it’s lengthwise exact to an iPhone 4 and 4S so as a wallet it is a little awkward but once you use it for a little while, you’ll get used to it. The form makes it that you can’t put a dollar in longways, you have to fold it, but that is okay anyway since most cashiers like to give you cash back folded. Of course, if you could put a dollar in it longways, it would be a very awkward wallet so it is better actually that you just fold it. Going inside the wallet is two parts, made out of genuine leather of course. There are three pockets, one for ID and two for any cards you have. Also behind these pockets is the cash pocket to store folded cash. On the right, there is the iPhone holder which, you probably guessed, holds your iPhone. Behind this, is a part that comes down, unveiling a little stand so that it can stand on your desk or a flat surface while you watch a video. Also, I’ve noticed the stitching on the product is very well done and it should be known that the product is made in Italy, which is known for it’s great leather, which this product is made out of. Out of all the leather cases I have seen, this one steals the show, it is very nice.

    Function

    Of course, the function of the case is very important which this product delivers in as well. The fact that you cant put bills in long ways is a downside but it would make the wallet really awkward so it is a trade-off. If I’ve used case instead of wallet throughout the review, that’s for a reason. The leather wallet is also a case. It does a fairly good job at protecting the iPhone and I would feel safe with my iPhone in it. It is big enough to fit enough stuff in it, but not too big where it’s awkward and doesn’t fit in my pocket. It’s a great size. Another feature that I like a lot about the case is the stand, allowing you to watch videos or what not on it without holding it. In order for the the other side to not get in the way, you can fold it back. This makes it that one of the sides doesn’t get in the way of the viewing experience. However, the stand may not work as well if you have stuff inside that other side, such as cards or coins. It can make it bumpy which would cause it to not be as straight as it would be if there was nothing in it. That is not a huge problem and can not really be controlled, just be aware of it. I’m just glad they added the stand, it is a nice feature, unique to even standalone cases. The wallet is held by a strap which holds the two parts of the bifold together so the wallet will stay closed when you want it to stay closed. Also, the red wallet is not held by a strap but a magnet. I am more of a fan of the strap since a magnetic connection can always be broken. Like I mentioned before, there is an annoyance with the strap but it generally works well. It just is annoying. However, despite the few flaws it has, this case is a solid piece of work, well worth it’s price.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Genuine leather
    -Made in Italy, best of the best
    -Nice design/brand and good form factor
    -Available in two very nice colors
    -Strap/magnet instead of destined-to-break zipper
    -Protects iPhone
    -Holds business cards, credit cards, IDs and cash
    -Stand, some iPhone CASES don’t have stands so this is real cool

    Cons

    -Not big enough to fit longways bills, there is a tradeoff to this though, it would definitely be awkward if it did
    -Red wallet can be opened due to it be magnetic and not strapped, as you can tell, I prefer the strap and I think that it should be adopted across the board
    -Strap can be a nuisance

    As you can see, there are many pros and few cons. That’s for a reason. The wallet does a great job at many things and a not-so-good job at a few things. There is always improvement to be done in products but this wallet did exceptionally well. It’s a wallet, a case, a stand and it’s in genuine leather. What else can you want in an iPhone case/wallet? The ideas are great, and most are executed very well. A few can be improved therefore it is with that the NutKase Genuine Leather iPhone Wallet receives 4 and a half stars. Great job NutKase, you did exceptionally well with this wallet, the first iPhone wallet I’ve seen and I’m glad that I did see it.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Image courtesy: Nutkase