AirPods won’t be the only Apple headphones suffering from lengthy delays this holiday season, if a recent report proves true. The release of its BeatsX wireless earphones may be delayed another two to three months, according to MacRumors. The report claims that authorized reseller B&H Photo Video emailed a customer this weekend regarding the earphones, and the reseller wrote that “the manufacturer has informed us that they still do not know when they will begin shipping this item but they do know that it will take at least 2-3 months.” This timeline would put the BeatsX release into February or…
Author: Phil Dzikiy
Phil Dzikiy
Phil Dzikiy was the Editor-in-Cheif at iLounge. He mostly edited and oversaw all site editorial content, managed staff and freelancers, made the final call on product review grades and awards, and led online coverage of all Apple events and live coverage of the International CES in 2015.
Apple has reportedly held talks about investing up to $1 billion in SoftBank Group’s technology fund, the Wall Street Journal reports. Japanese corporation SoftBank is aiming to raise $100 billion for its SoftBank Vision Fund, and Apple’s investment could enable the Cupertino company to “gain insight on emerging technologies,” the report notes. Sources note nothing has been finalized, and it’s unclear where the talks are at this point. SoftBank is investing $25 billion of its own money in the fund, which seeks to lead the way in still-emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence. The company…
After a significant number of beta releases, Apple has finally released iOS 10.2 to the public today. The release features the new TV app for accessing video content across multiple apps, 100 new emoji, and new screen effects in Messages, along with many other updates, new features, and improvements. Apple also released tvOS 10.1, with its own version of the TV app, and watchOS 3.1.1 for Apple Watch. Users can download iOS 10.2 by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
Some iCloud users have seen spam pop up in their calendar invitations in recent weeks, and Apple has now introduced a way of reporting such spam. Users will now see a “report junk” option in unsolicited calendar invites from any senders who aren’t contacts. The “report junk” option is currently available on iCloud.com, and it will hopefully be seen in the iOS calendar app in the near future. While this isn’t a complete solution to the problem, it’s a step in the right direction. There are a few workarounds in the meantime — if it’s an issue for you, we…
iHome’s iPLWBT5 ($130) is an alarm clock radio with a built-in Lightning dock, and a built-in Apple Watch charger, allowing users to charge a Lightning-based iPhone and Apple Watch simultaneously with no cables. iPLWBT5 has typical alarm clock functions, while also letting users wake up to audio from a docked device or Bluetooth — yes, the speaker is also Bluetooth compatible. An extra USB charging port can be found on the back of the clock radio, so users can even charge a third device, if they so desire. The alarm clock’s display has an auto dimming feature to adjust to…
Brydge’s Brydge 12.9 ($189) is, as you might expect, a keyboard for the 12.9″ iPad Pro. Made out of aluminum, the Bluetooth keyboard has hinges which attach to the iPad, giving it a laptop look when in use. Keys are backlit, with three levels of lighting. The top row of keys is devoted to iOS functions, such as screen brightness, playback, and volume. Brydge claims the Brydge 12.9 lasts for three months before its battery needs recharged via micro-USB (a cable is included). Brydge 12.9 comes in space gray, gold, and silver. Brydge 12.9 has almost the exact same footprint…
Just Mobile’s latest “Alu” product, AluCharge ($50), is a multi-port USB charger. The aluminum-bodied charger has four USB ports, with 2.4A max charging per port, and a total max output of 6.2A. Though AluCharge looks like a battery — and is about the size of a battery — the svelte accessory is actually a plug-in charger for home and travel. AluCharge is about 3.98” x 2.87” and just 0.74” thick, with its four USB charging ports all facing the same direction. Its mostly aluminum unibody construction is a definite upgrade in build and look when compared to many competing multi-port…
Apple has released a sixth beta of iOS 10.2 to developers today, along with the fifth beta of watchOS 3.1.1. Some were hoping for a full public release of iOS 10.2 today, but it appears that’ll have to wait at least a little while longer. We’ll update with any notable findings.
Griffin’s Pencil Sleeve ($30) is a silicone sleeve for Apple Pencil. The non-slip sleeve fits snuggly around the Apple Pencil, and its triangular design prevents Pencil from rolling around. Pencil Sleeve also comes with a built-in cap, which essentially acts as a replacement for the easy-to-lose Pencil cap. Also, the sleeve’s cap has its own multi-touch compatible stylus tip on the end, adding extra functionality to Pencil. The sleeve comes in gray or clear versions. It’s debatable as to whether or not Apple Pencil even needs a non-slip sleeve, as we’ve certainly had no trouble using the Pencil in its…
The full product name of iHome’s new iZBT10 Zenergy Bedside Sleep Therapy Speaker ($100) explains its main aim: a bedroom speaker meant to be a sleep machine. But that’s not all, as iHome has packed the speaker with features, hoping for it to become a jack-of-all-trades speaker — at least as far as the bedroom goes. On top of its alarm clock and sleep machine abilities, iZBT10 allows for Bluetooth playback, a full array of lighting options — the speaker offers light therapy in addition to sound therapy — FM radio, and a 2.5A charging port, as well. While there…
Twelve South’s HiRise Duet ($120) is a new dock that can charge an Apple Watch and iPhone simultaneously. As you’d expect from Twelve South, HiRise Duet is made of high-end materials — its metal construction is accentuated by leather, and a rubber base prevents the stand and dock from scuffing up a surface. A magnetic Apple Watch charging disc is built right into the front of the stand, allowing an Apple Watch to charge while in Nightstand mode. The Lightning connector above can be adjusted to fit different iPhone cases, and HiRise Duet will even dock and charge an iPad,…
Nomad’s Vulcanized LSR Silicone Strap ($40) is a newer band option for Apple Watch, from one of the most interesting Apple Watch developers out there. The silicone strap is currently only available for the 42mm Apple Watch, though customers can choose from silver or black stainless steel hardware to best match their Watch color. Nomad’s silicone strap is affordable and comfortable. Users looking for a utilitarian watch band will likely be happy with this rugged strap. That being said, we’d only recommend this for large-wristed Watch users at this point. Nomad only lists “large” as a current size option, and…
Apple has seeded the fourth betas of iOS 10.2 and watchOS 3.1.1 to developers today. It’s now likely that iOS 10.2 will get its full public release soon, possibly next week. We’ll update with any noteworthy findings from the betas.
Welcome to iLounge’s Best of the Year Awards for 2016! Our editors have reviewed and debated the top products we’ve covered during the past year, and we’ve picked our favorites in a number of categories. Our selections this year were made based on any products we covered — and any apps we used — from Nov. 7, 2015 to Oct. 31, 2016. This year, we’ve come up with 19 categories in total. As usual, there have been a few changes based on what we’ve seen — there are a few new categories, while some other categories have been combined. Each…
Zivix, known mostly for its Jamstik MIDI guitar, recently introduced AirJamz ($50), a Bluetooth “guitar pick.” Using a free app, the pick lets users play air guitar like never before, as their strumming motions in the air are turned into music and sounds within the app. The app comes with 25 free downloadable tracks, and a few extra tracks can be purchased, too. You can switch through available instruments for each song within the app, and your Bluetooth pick will change sounds on the fly. Up to four players can play at once, and AirJamz gets 18 hours battery life…
Edifier’s e235 Luna E ($500) is a large 2.1 speaker system with Bluetooth compatibility. The company sells versions of this system for much less ($200-$250), but Luna E adds a gigantic 5.8 GHz subwoofer that the other Luna systems lack. That subwoofer joins with two satellite speakers — one active, one passive — to make up the stereo system. Both satellites use a 3/4” tweeter and a 3″ driver. Luna E can pump out 176 total watts of power. Of course, many users will look to use a system like this as a stereo system for a TV setup. While…
ClamCase has released a version of its ClamCase+ for the 9.7″ iPad Pro. As in the case of past ClamCase keyboards we’ve reviewed, ClamCase+ for 9.7″ iPad Pro ($130) is a Bluetooth keyboard case. Which means that, despite being an iPad Pro keyboard, it doesn’t use the iPad’s Smart Connector. ClamCase+ can be used in a variety of angles using the smart hinge — typing, viewing, and the folded “book mode” for typical tablet use. As a case, it offers full button coverage. ClamCase+ has backlit keys and the company claims the keyboard can be used for several weeks on…
Apple has released new betas for iOS 10.2 and tvOS 10.1 to developers today. The company seems to be keeping up a weekly schedule of new beta releases at this point. We’ll update if any major changes are found, but it’s more likely these updates will offer minor tweaks from last week’s betas. A public iOS beta release should follow shortly.