Getting a Grip

I’ve been fortunate enough to get my hands on a wide array of iOS accessories over the years I’ve been blogging. One category that I hadn’t seen much of was automotive-based solutions for the iPhone. I hadn’t had factory Bluetooth in a vehicle until I picked up the iPhone 4, but now the lack of it would be a dealbreaker when shopping for wheels. Tight integration with my handset was one of the factors that made me choose my current car: a 2013 Hyundai Genesis GT. I’ve been able to forgo my trusty iPod classic thanks to the Genesis’ ability to stream audio via Bluetooth from my iPhone (and this prompted me for the first time to upgrade from the 16 gig model as well).

Since my phone was now playing a larger role while commuting or pleasure driving, I needed a suitable place to store it. Keeping it a pocket was extremely problematic as I still needed to reach dig for it should I need to interact with it (remember kids, Siri is your friend when driving. Texting behind the wheel is bad news). I made do with a Belkin TuneDok I had left over from my iPod-listening days. While not designed for the iPhone it fit well enough if the phone had a case, but it was a poor solution overall. It took up one of the two cup holders (strategically placed behind the shift knob, making the position even less than optimal should I want to switch from automatic transmission to manual for more aggressive driving) and the position made it necessary to divert my gaze from the road at times, even though I rely on Siri for most interaction.

While there are many car-based iPhone stands and mounts, I was fortunate to come into contact with what could be one of the first manufacturer to enter the market- PanaVise. Amazingly they’ve been in the game as long as there have been cellular phones- all the way from 1990 when they released the PortaGrip for the ancient brick-style analog portable phones. The company began in 1954 as a tool and die manufacturer, spurred by the patenting of founder Otto Colbert’s split ball mount to allow the rotation and positioning of dies during the manufacturing process. The patent bred further innovation that created their business of mounts for multiple products and uses. Their long line of phone mounts has evolved over the years to the current model, the PortaGRIP 15504.

The PortaGRIP 15504 is a jack of all trades- while advertised as an iPhone mount, the adjustable dock will accommodate most current smartphones (even the huge phablet Samsung Galaxy Note II). The mount offers several points of articulation, permitting it to be configured for a wide range of positions and placements- perfect for my situation as my car has a steeply sloped windscreen and textured dash that would not permit me to affix a mount in the places typically shown by manufacturers or other reviewers. After some reflection I chose the upper right corner of the windscreen, with the articulation points adjusted to position the majority of the mechanism in line with the window’s border column. My iPhone was now kept in an easily accessible spot that didn’t require me to divert my gaze should I need to reach for it, and didn’t block any view of the road. The mount is held surprisingly firmly in place by a suction cup in the base, but can be disengaged for stowing or placing the mount in another vehicle.

The PortaGRIP 15504 holds your phone securely via adjustable rubberized grips below and on eitherside of the device. All surfaces that touch your phone sport the same rubberized coating to protect your device from scuffs or scratches (should you be one of those brave souls that choose not to have a case).  A button on the left side activates the quick release mechanism for easy removal when you reach your destination. Having the PortaGRIP has been a boon; its made storing and interacting with my iPhone both practical and safer, and the prominent placement ensures I won’t forget my device when I sleepily arrive at work in the morning. Better still, even after a week of testing the PortaGRIP 15504 has held as firm as the first day of use- something I can’t say about other car mounts I’ve tested.

The PortaGRIP 15504 isn’t a work of art, my admiration for it comes from its utilitarian functionality. Regardless of what handset you prefer or where you decide is the optimal placement, it can serve you and your smartphone perfectly, and do so reliably thanks to its lifetime warranty. My only issue during testing was that my placement spot didn’t allow for recharging of my iPhone, but should I place it close enough to the power port in the center console the PortaGRIP would readily allow this as well whether you had the slim Lightning cable or the traditional 30 pin connector.

Like all good ideas the PortaGRIP comes in many flavors. The universal phone bracket can be had with numerous mount bases, from several versions of the suction cup with various arm lengths and points of articulation to pedestal mounts, air conditioning vent clips, to a twelve inch floor fixed flexible shaft. For those that like the form of the PortaGRIP but don’t care for my mount positioning they have a model specifically for sloped windscreens. They even offer vehicle-specific in-dash models that do not impinge instruments, vents, or airbag deployment. Need a mount for a different device? No worries, Panavise has you covered there as well- regardless of the device or where you need to place it. The PanaVise 15504 is available online through Smartphone Experts (online or toll free 888-599-8998), or directly from PanaVise customer service: cs@panavise.com or toll free at 800-759-7535.

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Waking up to iOS

In an attempt to both further the uses I have for my favorite multitaskers (my iPhone and iPad) and de-clutter my nightstand I chose to ditch my old iHome dock/alarm clock for an app-focused solution.

While the iHome IP9SR served me well as both a recharging station for my iPhone, an alarm clock, and a means of enjoying audio on my iPhone it had a larger footprint that I had expected when I ordered it from Amazon. My nightstand isn’t that large, and when you consider the space the lamp takes up there isn’t much room left for the iPad dock and any other random things (paperback books, graphic novels, the random late night aperitif) I might want to place there. The clock function built into iOS worked adequately for a travel alarm, but it was hardly elegant enough to make it  my first choice for a home solution considering the hardware I wanted to replace.

So after a good bit of evaluation I chose Thomas Huntington’s Nightstand Central as my physical alarm clock replacement. The app is impressive; when coupled with my iPad’s Apple dock (I chose the iPad over the iPhone as my clock replacement due to the larger screen size- my eyes are so bad they are almost square) it offers a robust and customizable set of tools that can’t be matched by any of the bedside clock radio docks. The biggest factor that drew me was the ability to program the alarm to my work schedule; I was able to set it to only go off on weekdays, allowing me to sleep in on my all-too-short weekends without having to remember to turn off the alarm. The interface is simply beautiful, providing a digital time display even my poor eyesight can decipher without fumbling for my glasses while including temperature, weather, and a time and weather influenced background image. The app comes with additional functions I never used, such as the ability to activate a flashlight mode by shaking your device or use existing photos in your device as wallpapers. Nightstand Central also has a sleep timer that will pause whatever audio you’d like to listen to after a preprogrammed time, allowing you to choose your background noise to help you drift off. You can program in multiple alarms with a variety of sounds that will work even if your device is locked or muted.

Nightstand Central was a very good solution to my crowded bedside table, but with the purchase of my current iPhone 5 the clean aesthetic was disrupted. My 30 pin iPhone dock was now useless, and for some reason I loathe just plugging the lightning cable into my handset and leaving it just lying there (yeah, I know- first world problem). Coupled with that I had some issues with Nightstand Central that took time to bother me. While the screen brightness is easily dimmed by swiping the screen, the iPad has a large enough screen that even dimmed it can be a bit bright when turned so you can see the time display. To counter this I developed the habit of tapping the sleep button on the top of my iPad when I was ready to sleep, but this led to me sleepily fumbling to unlock my iPad’s screen when the alarm rousted me from slumber so I could hit the snooze button on the screen (or turn it off like a responsible adult).

So one day while perusing one of my new fascinations Bite My Apple (focusing on Kickstarter campaigns for Apple products) I found a new solution- the Snooze by Distil Union. The simple accessory turns your iPhone into a fumble-free alarm clock and recharging station via a free app developed for the product. Your iPhone 4, 4s, or 5 slides into the Snooze’s maple wood and silicone housing in portrait mode, with a passthrough opening allowing you to connect the appropriate charging cable should you wish to. The Snooze has a no-slip bottom preventing it from ending up on the floor (barring a hearty backhand), and a catch to keep the charging cable secure in the accessory.

The charm of the Snooze comes from its construction. The top panel is made of silicone, allowing the entire panel to act as a snooze button. When pressed it triggers the volume buttons on the side of your phone, suspending the alarm for whatever period of time you’ve preset. Just as with Nightstand Central, the Snooze app can be easily dimmed by sliding a finger across the display. Unlike my iPad use of Nightstand Central, the amount of light generated by the minimalistic Snooze (and the smaller screen of the iPhone) isn’t enough to be bothersome when dimmed. Up to ten alarms can be programmed, as well as five distinct tones for the alarm. Distil Union’s page mentions a possible future paid version that would offer features to rival more powerful competitors like sleep timers, choosing existing audio on your device as alarm sounds, and a gradual wake function that would slowly increase the volume of your alarm as so to wake you gently; but there’s no release date given for the more powerful version.

So far the Snooze has been a very good choice for me. While the numerical display isn’t as large as that of Nightstand Central’s on my iPad, it is still legible to my weak eyes. While I’d happily buy a version of the Snooze clock app that provided more functions,the minimalistic version gets the job done. The Snooze stand is very easy to employ; my iPhone 5 fits comfortably even while in the CM4 card case I’m currently using (although Distil Union does warn that some cases are not compatible). It’s taken me longer (and with considerably more sleepy fumbling) to detach the lightning cable from my iPhone than it did to remove it from the Snooze to answer an unexpected late night call. Should it happen again I may opt for the speakerphone function and bypass the fumbling entirely.

The Snooze is available now from Distil Union’s webpage or via Bite My Apple for $39.99.

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Is Apple DOOMED?

The guys at Cupertino have received a good deal of bad news lately. Some pundits have even declared that Apple’s Golden Age has ended, and the inevitable spiral back down to fringe player status has begun.

It began with the much-publicized Antennagate issue. The outer band of metal on the iPhone 4 served as more than decoration; the segmented border acted as an antenna for various radio functions. When grasped in a certain way the cell reception would dramatically decrease; I was able to reproduce the effect on my own 4 but never had an actual impact on my usage because of it. Famously Steve Jobs declared that users were merely “holding it wrong”, rather than own up to the engineering flaw.

Fast forward to the release of iPhone 5, iPad Mini, and iOS 6, and the controversy that came with them. The iPhone 5 has been a joy to have; thinner, lighter, yet with a larger screen. Yet some just weren’t impressed; pundits complained it wasn’t different enough, that the interface was dated, some even going so far as to complain that it was too light. The iPad Mini failed to wow some pundits due to its suboptimal specs, and reports of smaller lines than any other iOS product launch seemed to support the lukewarm reception.

The there are the real issues of iOS 6. Some complained of the removal of the YouTube app (even though YouTube is usable via Safari and several third party apps). There were sporadic complaints about wifi, Exchange settings, and the elephant in the room: Apple’s new Maps.

As Apple and Google spiraled from Frenemy to just plain adversaries, Apple has attempted to remove all traces of their competitor from their mobile platform. Chief among these has been Google’s Maps; once a crowning jewel of the handset. Rumors stated that Apple rushed to replace Google’s Maps with their own, even though they still had a year left in their contract with the search giant. Sadly, on release Apple’s Maps wasn’t ready for prime time, with numerous reports of incorrect rendering, bad directions, and warped satellite imagery. Landmarks were omitted or misplaced.

Now Apple is dealing with bad press closer to home. The recent shakeup of administrators and rumors of discord that led to the retirement (and then unretirement) of key executives showed cracks in what had been thought to be a solid, almost hive-mind group of visionaries that had assumed control of the organization after the death of Steve Jobs. Statements of infighting and contrasting visions would lead the reader to wonder why the fired executives were ever brought on in the first place.

All of these issues have led up to a precipitous drop in Apple’s stock price. At one point it was thought that the price per share might top $1000, as of 11/2 the price had plummeted to $576.80. What is a tech enthusiast to think? Are the few voices declaring the end of Apple’s reign accurate?

While I lack access to the inner circles of Apple, I can advise those that like me spend too much time perusing tech news to relax. None of the iOS devices have had a controversy-free release, and the eye of punditry has been focused ever tighter on Apple’s offerings with each successive product. Hyperanalysis comes with market leadership; almost no one noticed when the once highly anticipated Notion Ink Adam tablet failed to be released on time, and then fail to meet its prerelease hype, yet the iPhone 5 got a good deal of e-ink for not being ‘different enough’.

I’ll agree that Apple’s Maps was rushed to market, but in defense of the maligned app I haven’t had a single issue with it since the release of iOS 6 (and Google Maps led me far astray more than once). Some pundits have pointed out that Google has a several year head start on Apple when it comes to map data, and I would agree with the notion that Apple will have it on at least equal footing in a very short timespan. In the meantime, there are multiple options (including using  Google maps via Safari) for iOS 6 users that don’t feel like waiting.

The iPad Mini is a product of adaption of existing product lines. It sports some of the same internals as the iPad 2, as well as its screen resolution (albeit on a smaller screen, making the pixel per inch count significantly higher) for a reason- it made the device not only more affordable to produce, it allowed a seamless introduction into Apple’s existing product ecosystem. The Mini can use all existing apps with no conversion, and while its screen isn’t Retina Display quality it is better than its closest iPad relative. Apple had to walk a fine line to create a legitimate product between the iPad and iPod Touch- too powerful and you steal sales from your other products, too weak and no one will be interested. Much like Porche intentionally created their Boxster as slightly underpowered as not to infringe on the more expensive 911 and Cayman, Apple crafted the iPad Mini with exact specs- it offers value via a smaller and lighter form factor, more screen than an iPod Touch but less power and resolution than the full iPad. I would have loved for Apple to have followed Amazon and Google’s business plan of selling their devices at cost, but Apple has never done so. The $329 price marks it as a superior good; if you are shopping with price as your sole determining factor Apple seems comfortable with you choosing an Android-powered device rather than undercutting the $299 iPod Touch.

As for their executive team, who can say what inspired the creation of the group that was just dissolved. I had noted that the quickly reversed changes to Apple’s retail outlets went against what I and many others valued in Apple. The skeumorphic design of some of Apple’s software lineup has been curiously deviant from their overall design (just look at the stitched leather design of Calendar compared to the design of the device). I’d wager that the shift of control of iOS 6 to Jony Ive will result in some subtle changes to the interface of iOS 6. Apple has strongly stressed user experience as the primary benchmark of their product line for almost the life of the company, and I would expect the reshuffling of responsibilities to reflect this.

Lastly, stock prices are notoriously fluid. Wall Street and investors crave just two things: profit and stability. While Apple is still obscenely profitable (and holds more cash reserves than many nations) the shakeup of executives was unexpected and untimely. This was bound to have an impact on investor behavior. Couple this uncertainty with the introduction of a powerful competitor with Microsoft’s release of Windows 8 and their first internally-produced hardware the Surface, along with the rapid improvement of Android-powered tablets like the Nexus and Kindle Fire and you have a recipe for sure-fire turbulence.

Ultimately, nothing has really changed. Apple’s meteoric sales of iOS devices cannot last forever; one would assume that they are spending a good portion of their vast reserves on R&D to develop the next wave of cutting-edge devices. Apple is still incredibly profitable, and the outlook of their entire product line (save the iPod Classic and Mac Pro) is rosy- sales of just about every category of device has met predictions, and the Mac’s market share has risen along with the unexpected adoption of the iPad by businesses.

No pundit, least of all this modest blogger, can predict the long term outcome of a major international organization, but I can venture that the short term outlook of Apple is very good. While competition in the new market of portable devices is about to become much more intense, Apple still has a very advantageous position. Reports of their pending demise are more than a little premature.

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Survey: Apple’s Map issues not affecting iPhone demand

Despite the well-documented issues Apple has had with their new Maps app, a recent post from Macworld has shown that it hasn’t impacted consumer impressions of the latest generation of the iPhone.

Possibly the most telling figure has been the sales; the iPhone sold out in record time (I ordered mine within a handful of hours of availability, but was placed in a two week waiting queue). While sales are an important barometer, they aren’t the only reliable one. Demand hasn’t flagged after the initial release, despite the lack of compatibility with existing accessories or limited availability of Apple’s proprietary adaptor to convert the traditional 30 pin connector to the new Lightning input.

The survey was compared to one done on prior versions of the iPhone, and the faults of the new Maps was judged as a “very big problem” by fewer respondents (3%) than the hot issue of the 4- Antennagate (7%). Consumers actually had higher stated levels of those that said they were likely to and highly likely to purchase the latest handset.

My own impressions of the iPhone 5 are still developing, but have been very positive to date. Even my experiences with the Maps app have been positive; the turn by turn navigation has been more than welcome, and the quality of the map data in my hometown has been equal to that of Google’s offering. While I am disappointed in the loss of compatibility with my car’s stereo and various other accessories, I do think this is yet another step towards a less than obvious strategic move by Apple. More on this idea to come…

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iPhone 5- some completely unscientific observations

After a long and fretful preorder wait, UPS finally smiled on me- my shiny new iPhone 5 arrived at my doorstep. The technical aspects of Apple’s latest cornerstone mobile device have been dissected ad nauseum; every possible objective facet of the iPhone 5 has been well covered and discussed.  While iOS 6 has taken its (perhaps not so deserved) lumps, for the most part the iPhone 5 has been judged another winner for Apple. The only point of dissension so far involves its new aluminum back; some claim that the metal (especially the black anodized version) is far too easy to scuff or scratch. More on that later.

Instead of yet another breakdown that I have neither the time nor expertise to provide I’d like to offer a very subjective, impressionistic review of daily life so far with the iPhone 5. For starters, one thing hasn’t changed- Apple still has better packaging than just about any retail organization I’ve bought from. It would never have occurred to me that packaging could be aesthetically pleasing, but everything I’ve purchased from them reflects their overall corporate image- sleek, modern, eye-catching, and produced with minimal waste. An admission- I am one of those strange people that keeps the boxes my gadgets come in (although no cord will ever easily reoccupy its original space once unspooled, no matter how much you try).

My first impression of the 5 was mild surprise. The form is the same one we’ve grown accustomed to, but the extra length combined with the thinner profile mark it as a different animal at a casual glance. I’ve read of complaints of the iPhone 5 being easy to scuff (and some even stating that the phone arrived scuffed) but after two days of use with no case I had no marks on my iPhone’s chassis. That being said, I’ve since placed it in a case- no matter how solid a phone may be, I can’t see the wisdom of carrying something so expensive about without some measure of protection. I’m saddened by the loss of my BookBook and other card cases, but I expect accessory makers to adapt quickly.

My first impression when holding it was that the phone is light- almost too light. While it feels sturdy in your hand, the 5 lacks the heft that my old 4 sported. After about an hour of use I didn’t miss the lost mass; it was more comfortable and easier to hold for longer periods than its predecessor and sat better in the breast pocket of my hospital scrubs.

The black version I opted for looks fantastic. I have friends that love their Android handsets, but I don’t think anyone can successfully argue that any of them have the iPhone’s charisma. The changes to the form have all been welcome as well. When I first heard that the headphone jack was being moved to the bottom I dreaded having to reprogram myself to flip the iPhone bottom up to plug in my earbuds. The new placement is much more ergonomic, however: no more fussing with the earbud cord falling over the screen.

The new Lightning cable has been welcome for the most part. I had seen numerous photos of the new cable long before my iPhone arrived, but was still struck by how diminutive it is. The connector isn’t much bigger than the cable itself, and is dwarfed by the USB end. It fits (very) snugly into the iPhone. Not having to insure that the connector was properly aligned is a huge plus, but I worry that the smaller connector will make any accessory that used to rely on the structural support of the connector unreliable. The tiny footprint of the Lightning connector won’t be able to stabilize the iPhone in a loose cradle or dock like the original 32 pin connector did, so accessory makers will have to reengineer their devices accordingly. Another plus is the transfer speed; even though it uses the same USB port that my old sync cables did, it’s markedly faster transferring files. Fingers crossed for a Thunderbolt-compatible version in the future; being able to sync several gigabytes in seconds would be fantastic. I’m not looking forward to getting an adaptor for or replacing my current accessories to accommodate the Lightning port; my Mini Cooper (and cars made by their parent company BMW) won’t be able to interface with the 5 like it could with the 4 even with an adaptor.

I had installed iOS 6 on my old iPhone as soon as it was available, so I was already comfortable with the nuances of the updated OS. That being said, the 5 is much more nimble, flying through tasks and apps. The only new task that I’ve been routinely doing that my iPhone 4 wasn’t capable of has been voice launching of apps via Siri; especially useful when you can’t or shouldn’t be looking at your phone. Siri as a whole has been a fascinating bauble: cool to play with, but not something I really need. Too often speaking to your device just isn’t the most optimal method of interaction for it to be a central part of the user experience.

Overall use has been an evolutionary improvement. The more powerful processor and increased system RAM offers a bump in performance that’s not readily obvious, but after using it for a couple days going back to a 4 is a bit of a exercise in patience. The one area it has shone has been the phone ‘app’. The extra microphone provides better noise handling and the earpiece audio is better than my prior phone as well.

I’ve had several friends and coworkers ask if they should upgrade. My response is a firm “maybe”. If you have a 4s and/or are under contract, no- unless you have money to burn. If you have a 4 or earlier, absolutely; the 5 is a leap in performance and the new form offers some significant improvements. Having access to LTE is fantastic; the speeds are almost equivalent to my cable modem at home. The better camera is welcome, as are the aforementioned improvements. The iPhone 5 hasn’t remade the category like it’s great grandfather did for smartphones, but it’s another step up for what I feel is the best handheld device you can have.

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iPhone 5 accessories already reaching merchants

While you can’t get your hands on Apple’s latest iPhone, savvy merchants are already moving now to expand their offerings to include accessories for the new, larger form factor.

Case in point- my friends at MobileFun (UK or US) have already announced their first accessory specifically for the iPhone 5. The SGP iPhone 5 Screen Protector is a different from the typical smartphone screen protectors widely available. Most are single-use plastic or resin sheets that adhere to your screen, where the SGP screen protector is chemically reinforced glass. The protector is a scant 0.4 mm thick, so it doesn’t noticeably increase the thickness or profile of your device, yet it offers superb protection from scratches and abrasions. The SGP protector has similar oleophobic (oil shunning) attributes as the glass it covers, helping to reduce smudges and streaks. The glass is shatter proof as well; should it be struck with enough force it will crack but like automobile windshields it will retain it’s shape. Best of all, unlike plastic protectors it can be applied without annoying bubbles. I’ve used this type of screen protector for my current iPhone 4 and have been pleased with it with one negative observation; it isn’t compatible with all cases. It worked perfectly with my BookBook case, but wasn’t ideal when I switched to a CM4 iPhone Case Wallet. 

MobileFun expects to expand on their line of dedicated iPhone 5 cases and accessories to go along with their existing lineup of universal smartphone accessories. If you’re looking for something to complete your phone or tablet give MobileFun a look, chances are they’ll have whatever you need.

 

UPDATE: As suspected, it didn’t take long- MobileFun has already notified me that they’ve received their first shipments of iPhone 5 cases- specifically some leather cases from SGP, the same manufacturer as the aforementioned screen protector. The cases confirm what was already suspected; the iPhone 5 will be slightly longer/taller but the same width as the iPhone 4/4s. They even included a hastily-taken snapshot:

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The next wave of devices

For those of you that haven’t been keeping up with the Apple rumor mill, there’s big news brewing. Several sources have confirmed a September 12th Apple media event to announce the release of the next wave of devices from Cupertino. The only question is what are the devices that will be launched?

The device most likely to be talked about is the next generation of iPhone. Whether it’s the New iPhone or iPhone 5, we’ve had too many bits of evidence for it not to be close to being in the hands of consumers. We know some likely aspects: a larger screen, LTE integration, and some changes that will make accessory manufacturers cringe like a new, smaller sync port and the headphone jack being moved to the bottom.

There is strong evidence for a refreshed line of iPods as well. The iPod Touch is likely to be updated to take advantage of the production lines of the new iPhone. The iPod Nano is believed to have been reconfigured too; the updated chassis will look like a shrunken iPod Touch instead of its current quirky square form.

The last strong possibility is the long-rumored iPad Mini. The form is said to be identical to the existing iPad, just shrunken from 9.7 to 7.8 inches. The smaller tablet form factor has been shown to be a viable niche (contrary to the opinion of the late Mr. Jobs) and Apple would be negligent to leave the Nexus, Kindle Fire, and Nook Color unchallenged. No word yet on exact prices or construction; Google sells the Nexus at or just below cost, something Apple has had no interest in doing to date so I’d wager the starting price to be slightly more than the Nexus’ $199.

There are some not-so-likely devices that have been bandied about the rumor mill  as well. The Apple-produced television has been talked about for some time, but there has been no concrete evidence that such a device is even close to manufacture (if it will be made at all). Google is still attempting to gain traction with their Google TV line of set top boxes and integrated television sets made by partner firms, but to date it hasn’t been embraced by consumers. The Apple TV has sold respectably well for a device dubbed as a “hobby”, but it’s a big leap from making the diminutive input device to a full fledged TV set.

Lastly there’s the not-so-widely rumored changes to the Apple TV itself. Some have stated that Apple could make the Apple TV a competitor to lower-end gaming platforms like Nintendo’s Wii if they added Bluetooth and the ability to run iOS apps on the device. Access to the App Store would also open up a world of new content to the device, from TV shows via Hulu or streaming video from HBO Go or other provider-specific apps. While AirPlay provides a way to enjoy these services over an Apple TV now, a second device to push content is required; having native apps on the Apple TV would be a boon. The devices already runs a limited version of iOS and contains the same system-on-a-chip internals as other iOS devices, so the leap isn’t unreasonable even it if is unexpected.

I for one am rabidly anticipating getting a new iPhone (my current iPhone 4 has been a great handset, but I’m ready to upgrade). Thanks partially to AT&T’s two year contracts I held off upgrading to the iPhone 4S (the second ‘S’ version I’ve skipped). While I see the benefit of an iPad Mini, I doubt I’ll be buying one unless I have a couple hundred dollars lounging about with nothing else to spend it on. The smaller size would make it easier to hold in one hand and might be a bit better for personal media consumption, but I can’t see replacing my current iPad with one. The smaller form wouldn’t mesh as well with Bluetooth keyboards (like my current ZaggFolio case) and the extra screen space is handy when working with something like iWork Apps.

No matter what iOS device you prefer, you’re likely going to have some decisions to make come September. Start saving those spare coins now, the latest and shiniest doesn’t come cheap!

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The next Apple wave

Now that Apple has revealed their staggering financial success last  the way is now clear for the next wave of highly anticipated Apple products to finally reach consumers.

The first will be July 25th Wednesday’s release of Mountain Lion, the latest incarnation of Apple’s OSX operating system. The rumors were all but confirmed when multiple sources cited Apple store employees being tagged for all-night shifts the previous Tuesday night in preparation; Apple had previously announced that Mountain Lion would be released in July. The next incarnation of OSX will bring tighter integration with iOS and a slew of new features. Customers that have recently purchased a new Mac will be able to download the new operating system free, others will be able to obtain it for just $20. Like the previous OSX edition Lion, the Mac App Store will be the only retail source; unlike Lion there will be no hard copy available. Those that wish to have a DVD or USB to install the OS will have to make their own; Apple had offered a USB stick with Lion for customers that requested it (although it was at a higher price than the download).

MobileFun.co.UK has confirmed the upcoming iPhone 5′s form via a slew of new cases they have seen from Chinese manufacturers. The iPhone 5′s new physical features have been discussed for a couple weeks now at various sites; the cases shown by MobileFun support the new 4″ screen, relocated headphone jack, and new smaller sync cable port (said to be a 19-pin input instead of the current 32 pin one). Anticipation of the new handset has picked up with industry indications that the device has already started production for the rumored September or October release. Some Chinese resellers have even begun taking preorders for the handset.

Accompanying the new iPhone is the long-rumored iPad Mini. The smaller version of Apple’s industry-standard tablet has been bandied about for over a year, and now with the mild success of Amazon’s Kindle Fire, Barnes & Noble’s Nook Color, and Google’s own Nexus 7 the time is apparently right for Apple to enter the niche with a smaller, less expensive iPad. No firm information other than the screen size is available, but pundits have surmised that the device will likely rely on Apple’s A5 system-on-a-chip used in the iPhone 4. Like the iPhone 5, there are industry clues pointing to the device already being in production for a September or October release.

Further in the future are more Retina display Macs. The iMac, 13 inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air have all been thought to be receiving a Retina version, but release dates aren’t uniformly known.

With the upcoming release of Windows 8 and Microsoft’s first foray into hardware Apple is likely looking to redirect public attention back to their supremely successful product line with timely offerings. In the past they’ve been masterful with their marketing, considering the quantity and quality of their upcoming lineup I’d wager that their unrivaled sales and profits will likely continue.

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Get more out of FaceTime

One of the bigger wow factors of the latest generations of iOS devices has been FaceTime, allowing any network-connected device to operate as a surprisingly functional video conferencing platform (albeit only with other iOS devices). I’ve only used it a couple of times, but have been overall impressed with how well it works. The sole issue I had with it was when my father attempted to use it over the free wifi of his favorite coffee destination. While the coffee might be good, their wifi is wholly lacking, causing stuttering in the video and an altogether less-than-accepatble experience with FaceTime. With the upcoming release of iOS 6 FaceTime will no longer be limited to wifi, but while this vastly increases your opportunity to video call it increases the likelihood that you’ll run into the kind of bandwidth issues that I did.

While some have complained about the low resolution front facing camera that iOS devices ship with, it’s by design- that lower resolution camera offers acceptable quality images for FaceTime calls in exchange for those images being far less bandwidth-intensive. Sure, a front-facing camera of the same quality as the rear camera would be a nice addition, but it would far outpace the network capacity of most connections to stream such a high resolution image. When even the lower resolution camera is too much for your connection so far the only viable option iOS users have had is to give up on FaceTime in favor of iMessage. 

A recent post from OSX Daily offers a compromise- forcing FaceTime into a voice-only mode. The workaround turns FaceTime into a de facto low-bandwidth VIOP service, providing a voice connection via your device’s data connection. The process is a simple one- start FaceTime as usual, and after the connection is made simply hit your device’s Home button. This freezes the video connection but allows voice to continue; according to the article your audio connection should be drastically improved even over otherwise poor networks.

While you’d miss on the video portion of FaceTime, if you need to make an important call (or possibly a coherent one in a worst case scenario) this simple trick may give you the help you need. The trick isn’t limited to just handhelds- it should work even when connecting via the OSX FaceTime client by minimizing the video portion.

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Incipio Feather Case- slender protection for a slender Mac

Hats off to GearZap.com; the accessory retailer has listed the first Retina Display MacBook Pro case when the super-high resolution laptop has already slid to three to four weeks delay in shipping time. If you are one of the lucky ones that had a couple thousand dollars lying about and were able to pick up a Retina MacBook Pro, the Incipio Feather Case might be the accessory for you. 

Much like an iPad case, the Incipio Feather Case is sleek and form fitting; adding no added bulk or weight to your slender powerhouse of a laptop. The case provides protection from scrapes and abrasions without blocking any of your MacBook’s ports, and installs in seconds.

Need anything else to compliment your new MacBook? GearZap has you covered there as well; just take a quick look at their comprehensive lineup of MacBook accessories. If you’re like me and just couldn’t balance want with need and ended up passing on the opportunity to upgrade, don’t worry: GearZap has what you need to complete your device, from iPad to laptop, Kindle to mobile.

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