Scratching around for the most suitable case is part and parcel of being a smartphone user, but while companies have established great reputations by delivering high quality, practical and protective guards for our digital devices in their daily battle against the elements, it doesn't always have to be that serious. A new gaming-themed case for iPhone owners is a great example of what can happen when imaginations run wild, and the iDroid concept, based on a feature of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, looks a real treat for any MGS fan.
The iPhone may have been a major contributing factor in the fall from grace of standalone consoles like the Game Boy, but this isn't to say that we, as gaming fans, don't have something of a soft spot for the old handhelds. With the recent spate of emulators enabling jailbroken iOS device users to enjoy the ROMs of various antiquated devices, one individual has sought to make the experience even more realistic by creating the 'G-pad,' a nifty, silicone-comprised accessory that wraps around the iPhone, a offering physical, Game Boy-esque set of buttons, and is designed specifically for GBA4iOS.
You may or may not have heard of WTFJeans, a small start-up operating out of Zagreb, Croatia. The company was applauded for thinking out of the box four years ago when it launched a range of jeans that were marketed as being "iPhone friendly" thanks to the inclusion of a specifically designed microfiber lined pocket. We're now four years down the line, and although we are yet to see any pairs of WTFJeans making it onto the catwalk during Paris Fashion Week, the company behind the product has just launched a revamped lineup that offers additional appeal to iPhone owners.
When you consider the fact that users are starting to embrace mobile based photography more and more, and mix it together with the diverse world of iPhone based accessories, then you get a perfect opportunity for innovative and unique products to take center stage. The Creative Focus Lens by Lensbaby Inc. is one such product that is attempting to break into that world.
Apple has always been extremely keen to show the world some of the amazing and innovative ways how an iPhone or iPad can be used. The Cupertino based company is rightly proud of the fact that the iPad is used extensively in the education sector by teachers and students. Tim Cook and his marketing team are also willing to wax lyrical about the fact that the likes of NASA and multiple airlines across the world have found a great way to introduce the award-winning tablet into their daily routines. A group of researchers at Stanford University have now created a simple iPhone accessory that thrusts Apple's smartphone into the medical world by allowing almost anyone to get a greater insight into the human eye.
With so many innovative products out there intended to help you keep your treasured devices free from the scrapes, scratches and bumps that they may encounter on a daily basis, it's little wonder that the makers of these cases and covers are short on ideas for unique sales pitches. A company by the name of Sir Lancelot's Armor launched an interesting product this week in the form of the Holy Grail - an iPhone case comprised of bulletproof glass - and although it was never stipulated that the film would itself be bulletproof, the guys over at Ars Technica couldn't resist putting it to the test.
Over the last 12 months, we've become accustomed to seeing companies like Nike, Fitbit and Sony releasing wearable technology that serves to track various aspects of the wearer's life. Capturing the amount of distance that we've covered, food and calories consumed as well as sleep patterns can give a valuable insight into the way we live our lives, allowing us to make routine changes where necessary. If this area interests you, but you don't want to wrap a wristband or watch around your arm, then Azoi Inc. could have just the thing, with their new Wello health tracker, that doubles up as a functional protective iPhone case.
The first wave of MFi (Made For iPhone) accessories may not win awards for design innovation or aesthetic beauty, but they did manage to highlight the power of what is possible with mobile gaming, and draw serious attention to Apple's Game Controller APIs that launched as part of iOS 7. MOGA, the company behind the MOGA Ace Power iOS 7 controller, has taken on-board the lessons learnt from the initial launch and have gone back to the drawing board to build their next MFi product, as shown in the company's official teaser image below.
The Apple iPhone is renowned for its high-end build quality, and as such, many regard it among the benchmark products in the premium handset market. With all that anodized aluminum loveliness, it stands to reason that owners want to protect it as much as possible, and the new Moshi SenseCover, which is built for the iPhone 5 and the all-new iPhone 5s, does exactly that. Not only does it operate much like a smart cover in that it protects your display when not in use, but it the precision-carved letterbox slot lets you see who's calling and answer their call without actually opening the case.
The LaCie Fuel storage device, which is as compact as it is stylish, allows you to store up to 1TB of data, which can in turn be wirelessly beamed to your Apple devices such as your Mac, iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Not only can you store a whole bunch of media, but with AirPlay support, you can actually stream your favorite movies and TV shows to your Apple TV, or hook up to your AirPlay-ready speakers for a music-listening session.
