Pros
- Fun colors
- Easy to install and uninstall
- Complete access to all iPhone controls
- Can dock with case installed
- Slim
Cons
- Protective film for front of iPhone is not included
The Bottom Line
The Flick protects your iPhone without the bulk of other cases that are on the market. Creating a piece that flips up at the bottom of the case is helpful for docking purposes.
Ratings
Recommended
Yes (Strong
Full Review
I had been looking for a case for my iPhone that would protect the product but still be slim enough to slip into my wallet. Most cases available are rather bulky and make it hard to use the controls on the phone. The Flick forms closely to the phone allowing for full use of all controls. The Flick does not get in the way of the face of the phone but rather forms right around the silver edging of the face making a very nice outline.
Ratings
Pros
- Portrait / Landscape twist assisted
- Loud speaker
- Easy Bluetooth pairing
- GPS antenna works on GPS software
- Works with most skins and case while on iPhone
- Mount should work on iPhone 4
Cons
- Mount is awkward and difficult
- Footprint a big large
- Mount blocks camera
- Mic quality issue
The Bottom Line
The Magellan Premium Car Kit secures your iPhone in a grip-type fashion which requires two hands to safely attach and remove your iPhone from the mount. Most may not even find this a concern and outside of the back plate blocking your cameras view, really this is one strong mount for your iPhone or iPod touch. With compatibility for skins and cases, a good sounding speaker and the easy twist orientation, this may be your mount for your car, if you can find it under three figures.
Recommended
Yes
Full Review
Magellan is well known for its car all-in-one units and thus has had some experience with mounting these units. Magellan has taken that engineering thinking and know how and come up with a mount for the iPhone 3G/S and iPod touch. Enhancing GPS with a built-in antenna and placing a loud speaker into the car kit, Magellan hopes you’ll over look, um, Tom’s mount for the Premium Car Kit. But should you?
Ratings
Pros
- Compact with small footprint
- Easy to mount and dismount iPhone
- Holds iPhone steady while driving
Cons
- Built-in antenna seems non-effective
- Built-in speaker insufficient for phone calls
- Pairing requires phone to be mounted
- Lack of Bluetooth calls through line-out
The Bottom Line
TomTom has made a mighty fine car kit that mounts easily and securely. The iPhone never bobs or bounces while driving and the mounting method is the easiest of all mounts we’ve seen. Sadly, the speaker is weak and useless and the built-in antenna does not seem to boast your reception in any way. Yet even with its faults and bit high price tag, the small footprint and easy mount makes it a winner.
Recommended
Yes
Full Review
The iPhone has brought GPS to millions of phones with a simple and easy download from the App Store. Not so simple has been finding a way to mount that phone for viewing the GPS while driving. With many options for a mount, how does one decide which is the best? TomTom hopes that its car kit mount will be a choice that ends up on your windshield.
Ratings
Pros
- Best map interface we’ve seen
- Info Bar wealthy on information
- User configurable Voice prompting at turns
- Contact search for addressing
- iPod pausing during voice instructions
- Facebook integration
Cons
- Lackluster iPod interface and controls
- Generic highway badges
- Limited POI database
- No Internet look-up for POIs
The Bottom Line
With a slew of GPS offerings for the iPhone it is becoming difficult to find the right navigation software for your Apple device. CoPilot’s expertise and years of experience is evident in its mobile app version. While odd routing issues crept up during the review, CoPilot Live proved itself to be a nice offering with some rough edges. With a free 30-day fully functioning version to try before you buy, CoPilot is something every traveler should download to their iPhone.
Recommended
Yes
Full Review
CoPilot has been around for years and it’s version 8 number boldly indicates this. I still remember the first version it released for laptops almost a decade ago and now, it’s been shrunk down to the little iPhone screen. CoPilot Live handles the reduced screen real estate quite well placing important information in clear and easy to read parts of the screen while never cluttering it up. Of all the navigation applications I have reviewed, iPhone or stand-alone, I would say CoPilots map interface is the best. But does it get you to your destination the best?
Pros
- Tremendous remote control database
- Simple key layout
- Very easy to customize
- Powerful infrared transceiver
Cons
- Bit complex to set up remote (too many steps)
- Favorites require association to Activity
- Unable to disable vibration within application
- Inability to add user images for buttons
- Steep price
The Bottom Line
You can finally take control of all remote controls in one place with the Rē. The Rē contains enough built-in infrared databases to make you say aloud, “I’ve never heard of half of these brands,” while easily finding your well known brand. Finally be able to view a DVD from your home theater with just one button press while the Rē powers and sets everything up for you.
Ratings
Recommended
Yes
Full Review
I once had an iPAQ 3600 series that had a built-in universal remote by Nevo. I loved it as it was always with me and became a major factor in my work outs at the club since I no longer had to beg the staff to change the channels on the TVs. It also made home entertainment as well as playing tricks at my friends house simple and fun. Thankfully Barry Baril of NewKinetix also enjoyed the same experiences as I did with his iPAQ of yesteryear and this was, “One of my motivations to build the Rē,” he told me in an email. Outside of the built-in infrared port missing from the iPhone, is the Rē as good as the Nevo?
Ratings
Pros
- Pleasant looking interface
- Excellent iPod player
- Google Maps integration for POIs
- On-screen speed limit indicator
- Logo-based POIs for easy identification
- Superb traffic alerts and up-to-date information
Cons
- Pop-up notifications takes GPS off-line
- No Google or Internet search integration
- Lack of podcast support in Music Player
- Does not support suite numbers in Contacts and mis-routes
The Bottom Line
Magellan RoadMate ignores the iPhones sleek user interface in favor of its own look-and-feel which will help owners of Magellan’s dash mount PNDs jump right into the iPhone application. For first time Magellan users, the simply layout will be a quick learn for any experienced GPS user. Once on the road, RoadMate wraps up its well defined experience into a tightly knit package that will get your to your destination quickly, easily, and accurately.
Recommended
Yes
Full Review
Magellan went a, um excuse the pun, different route with its iPhone navigation application. Instead of using many of the familiar iPhone menu items and other common iPhone attributes, Magellan stuck with its interface from its Personal Navigation Device (PND) units found on the windshields of thousands of vehicles across America. This twist helps those going from the PND to the iPhone to minimize the learning curve while keeping the user experience satisfying.
Read the rest of this entry »
Ratings
Pros
- Best interface we’ve seen
- Excellent iPod player
- Google Maps integration for POIs
- On-screen speed limit indicator
- Logo-based POIs for easy identification
- Superb traffic alerts and up-to-date information
Cons
- Worse routing we’ve seen
- POI and highway icons too small to easily view
- Limited internal POI database
- End-point address not display
- Does not support suite numbers in Contacts and mis-routes
The Bottom Line
Navigon MobileNavigator has everything going for it from a beautiful interface, to a well integrated iPod player, to top notch traffic information, down to Google Local Search. The irony is its failure, routing! Time after time, MobileNavigator failed to route us to our destination in the quickest manner. Until Navigon can correct this, for $90, we can’t even begin to recommend this for your iPhone.
Recommended
No
Full Review
SvenOnTech first came across Navigon about three years ago with its stylus — yes stylus! — based PND unit and gave it a try after seeing its pleasing interface with POI icons that were logo of the place of business. What we found after a week of use was some odd routing behavior. Most of the issues were in the country and we wrote it off to that fact. Improvement would surely come in the coming years. So when SvenOnTech receive MobileNavigator for the iPhone, I was curious to see how it would take me home, literally. Was Navigon able to fix its PND deficiency or would I roll my eyes and ask, “Why?”
Ratings
Pros
- Best routing we’ve seen
- Great menus system
- Fast start-up
- Wealth of information on navigation screen
- iPod pausing during voice instructions
Cons
- Horrible iPod interface
- Dated map interface
- Limited POI database
- No Internet-connectivity for POIs
The Bottom Line
TomTom has a strong history of being one of the best in the GPS industry and as the first to the iPhone, it took the market lead. But with a dated interface and lack of Internet look-up of POIs that the other guys have, TomTom may have a tough sale at $60. It’s saving grace may be the fact that it routed us better than any other GPS app we have tested.
Recommended
Yes
Full Review
I’ve been a fan of TomTom navigation products way back to the start of the millennium dating to our first review of its Palm OS navigator in 2002. Yes, this isn’t the first time TomTom has brought GPS to a “PDA”. (Remember that acronym?) We all first learned of TomTom’s navigator when the second generation iPhone, the 3G, came to the world with the ability to run third-party applications. Unfortunately, it would take over a year before one was able to download it from the App Store. Now that we have it, is it as good as a TomTom dedicated device or is just a little better than the nearly decade old Palm OS version? Truthfully, there is no short answer as to how good TomTom for the iPhone is. Like all the other GPS applications for the iPhone, it has it’s lacking and it has its strengths. Take a ride with me as we make a turn-by-turn review of TomTom’s navigation for the iPhone.
Pros
- Ability to create multiple folders to keep notes organized
- Password protection for files
- Can export text to an email quickly and easily
- Fairly accurate handwriting recognition
Cons
- Full enjoyment of the program is probably experienced with the desktop client which costs extra.
- The program’s own copy and paste function seems to work against the iPhone’s existing ability to achieve this at times.
- Simple text only. No underlines, italics, bold, etc.
The Bottom Line
PhatNotes raises note taking on your iPhone to a new level. If your “Notes” program looks like a train wreck, then this is a good way to organize and manage all those things you jotted down.
Ratings
Recommended
Yes
Full Review
This program is definitely for all the “paper people” out there. You know who you are. Your desk is covered with sticky notes. You’ve got phone numbers of people you don’t even remember written down on the back of receipts. If you’re a Mac user, you hit the dashboard button and suddenly 90% of your screen is covered with those little yellow virtual pieces of paper. And then along comes the iPhone and all we get is this one little program called “Notes” that functions like an endless legal pad. I open up mine on my phone the other day and I must have 200 notes, most of which I don’t even know why I have anymore, or why I ever wrote them in the first place. I found one note that simply said “bank” on it, nothing else, just “bank.”
If you can relate to any of the above tendencies then you need to get PhatNotes. To quote the Borg queen from Star Trek First Contact, it “brings order to chaos.”
Pros
- Ability to create custom albums on the phone
- Can delete multiple photos at once
- Works smoothly with Picasa and Flickr
Cons
- A bit pricy
- Syncing only through WiFi
- Buggy
- Limited to uploading only to Picasa and Flickr
- Cumbersome at times
The Bottom Line
The concept is a good one but the software is still quite buggy and in
need of some work.
Ratings
Recommended
No
Full Review
The concept behind SplashPhoto for iPhone is to enable iPhone users to better manage their photos from their phones. Unfortunately the app falls short in many respects. The concept is great, but the app is in need of some serious tweaking.
Pros
- Nicely made
- Sytlish look
- Durable
Cons
- Little tricky to remove
- Unexplained Dock connector hole netting removal
The Bottom Line
If you’re not looking for a “permanet” case or belt-clip holder but want something to protect your iPhone while in a purse or jeans pocket, then for the price, you really can’t beat the Uniea U-Pouch.
Ratings
Recommended
Yes
Full Review
Uniea prides itself on more than just protection but also on quality and looks. You’ve heard not to judge a book by its cover but son, this ain’t a book and you have full permission to judge it by its cover. You’ll be pleased with what you find inside, too.
Pros
- Sporty look
- Comfortable material
- Unique cable management
- Comes with 2 guards
Cons
- Very tight fit
- Phones backing exposed by insert slit
The Bottom Line
If you’re a jogger or one that works out the gym and you want your iPhone easily accessible while working out, then for the good price, this may be your ticket…if it’s not too tight on your arm.
Ratings
Recommended
Yes
Full Review
Uniea wants you to take your iPhone on a run. Well, with you as you run or walk. Simply just slide in your iPhone into the back of the U-Motion, secure it to your arm with the velcro strap, and plug in your headphones. Now run…or walk. As you are on your course of health, you will undoubtedly look sporty with your iPhone strapped to your arm while listening to This Week in Tech, or to the latest remastered Beatles edition of Rubber Soul, or even while talking on the phone.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Extensive templates for various types of data
- Very customizable
- Syncs with both PC and Mac
Cons
- Lack of cable sync (for those without WiFi)
- Somewhat plain looking interface
The Bottom Line
In a world full of user ID’s , passwords, PIN numbers, and so on, who can possibly remember them all? Splash ID hits a home run in addressing this dilemma in one simple easy to use application that securely stores, essentially, your life in one spot.
Ratings
Recommended
Yes
Full Review
I have been using this Splash ID App for about 2 months now and to tell you the truth at first I thought that I wouldn’t use it all that much once I got all the info plugged into it. But since having this app I have found myself referring back to Splash ID where all my personal info is safely tucked away just for me constantly. There isn’t much that I don’t like about Splash ID. In fact, I have found it very difficult to to find any cons for this review!
Pros
- Powerful customization
- Support for iPhone Push Notification
- Informative notification screen
Cons
- No support for user ringtones
- Some rules do not work correctly
- Inability to deactivate during specified times **
- Weak tone selection
The Bottom Line
Ratings
Recommended
Yes
Full Review
The iPhone has been the biggest thing to rock the cellular phone market since it went cellular and it just keeps getting better. Sure, it had some major short comings, such as lack of MMS, Cut-n-Paste, and applications support upon its release; however, Apple has all but corrected the majority of the follies. But nothing’s perfect and if you’re one that relies on your ear to prompt you to look or not look at your iPhone for things, then we have an email trick you’ll love to hear…and see.
Pros
- Excellent sound
- Compact
- Comfortable
Cons
- Cable either too short or two long (comes with two)
- Does not support iPhone phone features
The Bottom Line
AKG is well known in the professional world for extreme quality and rich sounding headphones and the K 450 brings that tradition to the personal market. Professional roots come at a price, but any discriminating listener will not be disappointed with a set of K 450s sitting on their head.
Ratings
Recommended
Yes
Full Review
I first heard the K 450s at Macworld 2009 and thoroughly enjoyed the richness of the mini-headphonse. Bass was fluid and deep while highs were crisp and defining. Even in the midst of a noisy convention center, I was able to take in the musical experience from my iPhone with a smile on my face.
AKG sent me a pair of K 450s for some in-depth R and R with them. In a quite office to give them a run through, my impression only improved with the K 450s. The quality of sound is amazing, even while knowing that I am listening to compressed music which in itself has flaws. Yet the K 450 emphasizes the beauty of the sounds it receives and magnifies them in your ears. The highs are clean and crisp and never harsh. Some headphones I’ve reviewed usually have problems in this area adding bitter, jarring, scratchy tones to the highs especially with spoken word. I never had this problem with the K 450s. In fact, listening to well recorded podcasts was a treat with the AKGs making you feel as if you were in the studio with the podcaster.
Pros
- Light and slim form factor
- Lengthens iPhone life by nearly 2 times
- LED indicater
Cons
- Doesn’t work with Apple Dock Connector
- A bit tricky to remove phone from battery
The Bottom Line
I loved the first Juice Pack and now this new Juice Pack Air is even better than the first. It’s smaller, lighter, smarter, and protective. Outside of planting an actual iPhone dock connector on the bottom, there’s nothing the Juice Pack Air is missing!
Ratings
Recommended
Yes (Strongly)
Full Review
So now Mophie’s gone and made its external battery into an actual case. It’s slapped a power switch into to prevent leaking and made it super slim. Oh ya, Mophie lowered the price, too. But is it all that? Why not watch the video review and see for yourself!
Pros
- The virtual cellar – one glance shows you the wine you have and the wine you want!
- Large collection of wines in database
- Very easy to understand on first use.
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Access to wine database much slower using the 3G network.
- A little glitchy and slow to save data.
The Bottom Line
If you want fingertip access to search for wines you love, track the wines you have and plan for wines you will buy, this application is well priced to meet your needs.
Ratings
Recommended
Yes
Full Review
I was recently given the Drync wine application for my iPhone with the promise that I would use and review this application. Let me begin by saying that I am not a wine expert, but I really like good wine. In the early 90s, I worked as a waiter in a high-end wine and cheese shop. I learned several valuable lessons early on, but at the top of the list I learned to ignore the hype and simply drink what you like. Over the years, the brand, winery, vintage, grape, and cost of the wine has meant little to me, I have consistently focused on the wine I liked and then tried to remember it the next time I was buying wine.
Pros
- Very addictive game
- Easy to learn
- Difficult levels adds for long-term fun
- Easy on the eyes
Cons
- Inability to play saved games
- Price point could be lower
The Bottom Line
Apple progressively pushes the iPhone and iPod touch as gaming platform and developers have welcomed this push. With a slew of games to choose from, it’s becoming difficult to find that perfect game. Cronk fills the need for good addictive game play and while it’s a little pricey, it will not become old anytime soon.
Ratings
Recommended
Yes
Full Review
I’ll be upfront right from the get-go. I don’t have time for games. I come from the Atari 2600 generation and loved all my gaming systems up to my Sega Genesis. But after college and Sims 2000, I pretty much gave up on games. But from time to time, I need a stop-gap and a game here and there can fill that need. The slimmies at Cronk Games had to send me Cronk, didn’t they? I quickly found my stop-gap trickle over into “things I should be doing” time in little time flat.
Pros
- Clear and unnoticeable when installed
- Excellent scratch resistance
- iPhone easily fits in dock when installed
- Comes with 2 guards
Cons
- Challenging installation
- Corners difficult to bond
The Bottom Line
Ratings
Recommended
Yes
Full Review
Remember car bras? Remember how cool they looked on Camaro IROCs? Tight fit, black tones, and protection. Good combo. Well, I’ve dated myself because there are no more IROCs and most bras are now clear. Ya, clear. It’s this very technology that NLU Products has been using to protect laptops and phones for some time now and the iPhone, both 1st gen and 3G, can be protected by this incredible skin.
President Kirk Feller told me at Macworld 2009 that his company has sold about 200,000 skins and is excited to move forward in protection. Adding “tattoos” to the line to spice things up, Feller explained NLU’s priority is protection and one can still see this even in the tats with its thick skin. Every NLU product comes with a lifetime warranty that only requires a small shipping fee. When Feller says lifetime, he means it. If you have to send your protector back for a second, a third, or even a fourth time, NLU will keep sending you back new ones. Nice. Very nice. And with 2 protectors per box, you really can’t go wrong.
Pros
- Slim form factor
- Lengthens iPhone life by nearly 2 times
- LED indicator
Cons
- Doesn’t work with Apple Dock Connector
- A bit tricky to remove phone from battery
The Bottom Line
The number one complaint for many on the iPhone 3G is battery life or the lack of it. Mophie allows you to easily add nearly twice the longevity of your iPhone without adding too much bulk to the phone.
Ratings
Recommended
Yes (Strongly)
Full Review
I held off on purchasing the 3G iPhone for sometime due to the poor battery life. My area was sparse of 3G signal, so an upgrade didn’t make sense. When I finally did purchase the Second Coming, the battery life did in fact disappoint. Apple’s stubbornness to include a removable battery kind of puts you in a difficult situation and lends to creative ways to over come this dilemma.
Mophie’s thoughts are to simply make a slide-in case. Accented with green on the inside (is that X-Files green?) and black every where else with four hypnotic LED indicators on the back, the Juice Pack is a mighty fine case indeed.