Now that you’ve upgraded to the latest iOS devices, you’re probably wondering what to do with all your old 30-pin speaker docks. You could get a $30 Lightning to 30-pin adapter from Apple and continue to use them, but for just $15 extra, you can get the auris and turn them into wireless Bluetooth speakers.
For awhile we were in a drought period for Lightning accessories. No one was making anything for the iPhone 5, latest iPod touch, and newest iPads. Now everyone is starting to sell accessories and peripherals that work with Apple’s newest dock connector.
Scoshe is the latest to hop on board with its new lineup of Lightning chargers and cables.
Even though Apple’s new Lightning connector is super easy to use and quicker than the old 30-pin connectors, it could be better. Right now, the Lightning port on iOS devices doesn’t transfer data at USB 3.0 speeds, even though it’s thought to be able to support it.
A recent listing on Apple’s jobs site might be clueing us in that Apple wants to boost transfer speeds on iOS devices by adding USB 3.0 support.
Apple recently made some minor updates in its accessories department. The company has started offering an even shorter 0.5 meter Lightning to USB cable for $19, which is still the same price as the normal 1.0 meter cable. We’re not sure why you would pay the same amount of money for less cable, but there you go. A shorter 0.5 Thunderbolt cable was released last month.
Interestingly, Apple’s in-ear headphones have also been updated, but not in the way you would think. The remote/mic has been slightly redesigned to match the look of the EarPods. Apple’s in-ear headphones haven’t received a major update since 2008. They sell online for $79 with free shipping.
Speck’s CandyShell cases are available for Apple’s entire lineup of iOS devices, and the latest edition comes to the iPad mini. Consisting of a soft, rubbery interior and a hard outer shell, the CandyShell promises impact protection from everyday dings and drops — without adding too much weight to your device.
Its simple shell design makes the CandyShell one of the most basic cases in Speck’s lineup. It provides protection from almost every angle, and leaves access to all of your ports, buttons, and cameras. But there’s nothing too fancy here; there’s no front cover or fold-out stand or pockets for your credit cards.
It is available in a number of bright and pretty colors, however, including raspberry & cool grey, flamingo & fuchsia, and harbor & malachite. It’s price at $44.95, but is it worth it?
There are a whole bunch of ways a guitarist can hook his axe up to his iPhone, from fancy to totally ghetto (a cable from the guitar’s jack to the iPhone’s headphone socket). IK’s new iRig HD is at the fancy end, and it even works with your brand-new iPhone’s Lightning socket.
Remember the Braeburn Dock? It was a hefty, beautifully-crafted iPhone 5 dock hewn from a single block of aluminum, and incorporating special channels which boosted the sound from the speaker and to the mic.
Now it has been joined by the Braeburn HD, which is the exact same thing, only made to hold your iPhone in landscape orientation for watching movies. Or docking it on very tall desks which leave almost no clearance between their surface and the ceiling above.
LAS VEGAS, CES 2013 – We’re always a bit stumped at how PhoneSuit is able to stuff so much battery in to their batteries. Their new Flex line is another great example; those little battery logs above each contain 2600 mAh of juice, which is more than any iPhone battery case I can think of. And that’s not even the coolest thing about them.
LAS VEGAS, CES 2013 – Samson’s iQ5 is a Lightning-connected stereo mic which rotates to give proper left and right channels whether you’re shooting in landscape or portrait.
That’s right – Samson is enabling portrait-format video. Shame on them.
LAS VEGAS, CES 2013 – I tried a Lightning-equipped battery case out today, and it was great. If you were doubting Apple’s decision to swap out its hideous 30-pin connector for the svelte new Lightning, then one smooth-sliding click of UNU’s case will put you straight.
This week's most...
Read our latest...
Cult of Mac is a daily news site that follows everything Apple. Our goal is to provide timely news, insightful analysis, helpful how-tos and honest reviews. Find out more about Cult of Mac.
Published in sunny San Francisco.
All times are in PDT (GMT-8).
