Booq makes an array of tech-savvy and sturdy carrying and covering accessories, and recently I was able to review the Booqpad mini Agenda for iPad mini ($39.95). This leatherette folio brings together your iPad mini, stylus, and business and credit cards, with a 50-page notepad. Lightweight but functional, the Agenda ensures you are ready for that next important meeting.

The interior of the Booqpad has a natty nubuck lining, with openings cut under the notepad into which you might secure business cards or other slim personal items. On the left side of the opened interior of the folio a sewn-in cover keeps your iPad mini in place and allows easy access to ports and controls (though the rear camera is completely covered). Attached to a tuck-in flap that wraps under your inserted iPad, an elastic loop for inserting a stylus or pen makes sure your writing implements come along for the ride.

The Agenda stays closed thanks to a flap with a heavy-duty snap on the outside and is roomy enough for an additional pen clipped in the center (if you have a stylus already in the stretchy sleeve, for example). The writing pad is nothing special at first glance (no graduated lines, etc.), but spacious enough for quick writing tasks, and made of 30% recycled soy-printed paper. The folio is designed to be reversible for either left or right-handed users.

If I were to critique the Booqpad just a little, I would say it is just that and nothing more—a folio. It doesn't do double duty as a stand, and has no smart covering capabilities. If you want to type comfortably from an external keyboard, you have to prop it up on something. I removed the writing pad and tried placing my Belkin keyboard in it's place. Once snapped shut, it was a reasonably secure way to carry mini with the keyboard, but I needed an external backstop like a wall or desk for extended typing when opened up.

The Verdict

The Booqpad Agenda for mini is an exceptionally styled cover and folio. The interior pockets don't serve any function besides carrying small, thin items, but the writing pad is handy for a quick note. If you have been searching for a tote and note-enabling case for the iPad mini, the Agenda will serve nicely, though a stand feature would be a useful addition to the design.

Pros:
Sturdy Leatherette styling
Added notepad in a roomy folio

Cons:
No Smart features or stand

As its name suggests, iTunes' origins are in music, and it was the way to buy and transfer music to the original iPod. Then came podcasts, movies, TV shows, and of course, apps and ebooks—none of which the "tunes" moniker is appropriate for. But Apple has crammed everything into that overgrown app. They've learned their lesson with the Mac App store, which has its own app, while iOS still uses iTunes for everything.

But if you just want to transfer a file to or from your iPhone, there should be a better way. And there is. MobileGo from Wondershare ($39.95) is a Mac or PC app that recognizes when you attach an iOS device and lets you address its contents directly. With MobileGo, you can quickly and easily see photos, videos, music on your iOS device and transfer in either direction. Sometimes that's all you need, so iTunes can really get in the way.

It's a smart idea, and Apple could learn a thing or two from Wondershare.  Apple does have their AirDrop system coming to iOS 7, and that helps, but it's easier to see everything on a computer sometimes, making MobileGo a handy utility.

The app might seem pricey at $40, but there is a free trial, and it does even more. It lets you manage contacts; including removing duplicates, which is something you might have to buy another app for. And you can backup SMS text messages and more. The free trial makes it a no-brainer to try, and they have versions for PC and Mac, as well as versions to manage your Android device, if you have one!

Game Centered features roundups and in-depth reviews of the best in iOS games and related gaming news. Among the App Store’s myriad games, it’s all too easy to overlook some of the greats. Each installment of Game Centered will take a close look at a select few worthy of special recognition. In this week's installment we deviate from the norm and discuss an ebook, the new Infinity Blade novella, Redemption. This week also sees the debut of a game I've been impatiently waiting for, 2013 Infected Wars. Read on to find out more.

1. Infinity Blade: Redemption ($2.99)

To call the Infinity Blade franchise successful would be an understatement. With a multiple award-winning iOS video game series; an immersive, complex, and fantastic storyline; graphics that changed the way serious gamers look at iOS; and what is arguably some of the best, most intuitive gameplay available on the platform; Infinity Blade has gone a long way in establishing iDevices as the most formidable emerging gaming consoles of the day.

If you are familiar with the franchise you know that our first exposure to the Infinity Blade universe was through the premier game Infinity Blade. As a segue between Infinity Blade and its sequel game, Infinity Blade II, we were treated to a great novella by acclaimed fantasy author, Brandon Sanderson, entitled Infinity Blade: Awakening. Now, as a segue between Infinity Blade II and what I'm assuming will be Infinity Blade III, we have the new, just released iBookstore novella, Infinity Blade: Redemption, also by Sanderson.

I was on the waiting list for this title and downloaded it as soon as it came out. Now, without giving anything away (trust me, this book gets off to such a twisted start, you don't even want to know), I can tell you that this latest chapter ties together major plot elements that have intrigued me since the first Infinity Blade, and it sets us up for a really mind-blowing third video-game installment. The book is well-written and spellbinding, and it’s totally built my excitement and anticipation for whatever the next and possibly last installment in this epic franchise has in store. If you love the Infinity Blade saga, don't delay, go download this ebook today!

2. 2013 Infected Wars ($6.99)

The highly anticipated iOS game 2013 Infected Wars is due to hit the App Store on Thursday, September 5. This impressive first-person-shooter (FPS), multiplayer adventure game puts you right in the crosshairs of the seemingly inevitable zombie apocalypse with mutated undead monsters, rotting flesh, desolate post-apocalyptic locations, and high-powered combat weaponry. This new FPS game is the first iOS game to allow you to play from start to finish in multiplayer mode. Of course, you also have the option of playing through the game in single-player mode. Either way, get ready for some gnarly zombie warfare of epic proportions.

Speaking of epic, this new gore fest is powered by none other than Epic's infamous Unreal Engine, the same engine behind the Infinity Blade games. With a level of detail and visual acuity that is rare and hard to find in the world of iOS gaming, Epic’s Unreal Engine does an awesome job of transporting you into the bleak and dismal heart of the Zombie apocalypse, where your virtual survival is anything but guaranteed.

Click HERE if you can't see the embedded gameplay video above.

Sony has just announced its release of the world's first smartphone-attachable lens-style camera!

Snap it on your iPhone, prop it on its legs, or hold it in your hands, the DSC-QX10 or QX100 (coming soon) does not require any wires or very much technical know-how. If you can download an app and press the camera icon on your iPhone, you will be well on your way to snapping images pretty much right out of the box.

The Icing on the Cake: With built-in Wi-Fi, you can instantly edit and share your photos directly from your iPhone.

Check out the specs on Sony's site for:

DSC-QX10 (18MP with Sony Lens) $249.99
DSC-QX100 (Professional grade Zeiss lens and 20MP) $499.99

I'll let you know what these are like once I receive my test model. I can tell you this: I hope the next iteration of the iPhone has a slightly larger screen. It would make this experience quite interesting. Also, kiss point-and-shoots goodbye!

Do you have an idea for an app but lack the programming knowledge to begin building it? In this weekly blog series, I will take you, the non-programmer, step by step through the process of creating apps for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Join me each week on this adventure, and you will experience how much fun turning your ideas into reality can be! This is Part 22 of the series. If you are just getting started, check out the beginning of the series here.

In the last few posts in this series, you have learned a lot about retrieving entities from a database using Core Data, and displaying the results in a table view. Now that we have we have all the other functionality working in the Write Review scene of iAppsReview, it's time to learn how to save a ReviewEntity using Core Data!

In order to work through the steps in this post, you can use the iAppsReview project you have created so far. If you need a fresh copy of the project, you can download it at this link.

Saving Entities

As I have mentioned in the past, saving entities to a database is easy to do—especially when you are using the mmBusinessController wrapper class. Let's take a closer look at this class to learn more about how entities are saved.

1. Open the iAppsReview project in Xcode.

2. Go to the Project Navigator, expand the Business Layer group, and then click on the mmBusinessObject.m file to open it in the Code Editor.

3. Let's find the saveEntities method. When you have a large code file with many methods, the easiest way to do this is to use the jump bar at the top of the Code Editor. As shown in Figure 1, click the very last section of the jump bar.

Figure 1 - Click the last section of the jump bar.

4. In the popup list that appears when you click the jump bar, select saveEntities as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 - The jump bar popup list

Selecting this method in the popup list takes you to the place in the code file where the method is located as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3 - The saveEntities method

Let's take a closer look at this code. The first line of code declares a local variable of type NSError named error. You will see how this is used in just a bit.

The next line of code gets a reference to the business controller's object context. As you learned in a previous post, the object context keeps track of all entities that are retrieved from the database as well as any newly created entities. It tracks all changes that are made to these entities, and can save all changes to entities in the database on an iOS device.

The next line of code contains an if statement that makes sure the object context is not nil. If it's not, the nested if statement executes. This nested statement is an important one, so I've isolated it in Figure 4.

Figure 4 - The main messages passed to the object context to save entities

This code first sends a hasChanges message to the object context. If this message call returns NO, the save is aborted (because in Objective-C, the && operator doesn't evaluate the right-hand condition if the left-hand condition is false.)

If the hasChanges message call returns YES, then a save: message is sent to the object context. This causes the object context to save changes to all new and edited entity objects.

As an aside, you may be wondering about the ampersand (&) in front of the error parameter. Normally in Objective-C, the value of an argument is passed in a message. However, if you preface the argument with an ampersand, a pointer to the argument is passed. It's passed this way so that the save: method can modify the value of the error argument and the new value is available to the calling method.

If all goes well and the save: message call returns YES, the saveEntities method finishes execution without running any further code. However, if the message call returns NO, the  NSLog() statement executes; which displays details of the error in Xcode's console, and afterwards calls the abort() function. As mentioned in the comments, this code is important to have in place when you are in the process of building and debugging your project; so that if an error occurs, you will know what caused it. We'll talk about the error handling code you can use for a production app in a future post.

Creating a New Entity

In the Write Review scene of the iAppsReview app, we have to perform the following steps when the user clicks the Post button:

1. Create a new ReviewEntity object.

2. Get the values from the user interface controls 2 store them in the properties of the ReviewEntity object.

3. Save the ReviewEntity object.

4. Post the review on the web (we'll get to this later in this series).

The mmBusinessObject class has a createEntity method that we can use to create a new ReviewEntity object. Let's take a look a behind-the-scenes look at this method.

Click the far right segment in the Code Editor jump bar, and select createEntity from the list (Figure 5).

Figure 5 - Select the createEntity method.

You should now see the createEntity method code shown in Figure 6 (I have broken the code into three separate lines to make it easier to read.)

Figure 6 - The createEntity method code

The code in this method passes an insertNewObjectForEntityForName:inManagedObjectContext: message to the NSEntityDescription class. This method accepts two parameters. The first is the name of the entity class (we just grab this off of the business controller object) and a reference to the object context (which we also grab from the business controller.) An object of type NSManagedObject is returned from this message call, and it is simply passed back from the createEntity method.

In object-oriented terminology, we call this a factory method because it manufactures, or creates objects.

The code in this method is standard, boiler-plate Core Data code. I want to impress this fact on you so that you know that when you use the mmBusinessObject class, you are really using standard Core Data code.

Implementing the New and Save Code

Now that you understand the basics of how to create and save entities, let's implement this code in the iAppsReview project.

1. In the Project Navigator, select the WriteReviewViewController.m file to display it in the Code Editor.

2. Use the Code Editor jump bar to select the postReview: method.

3. You should see the postReview: method code shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7 - The postReview: method code

As it turns out, I have already implemented the necessary code for you! We tweaked this code in my previous post without taking too close a look at it.

The first line of code creates a new ReviewEntity object. The next several lines of code grab values from the various user interface controls and store then in the properties of the ReviewEntity object. Next, a saveEntities message is sent to the Review business controller, which saves the new entity in the database. Finally, a popViewControllerAnimated: message is passed to the navigation controller, which causes the app to navigate back to the main iAppsReview scene.

Testing the Code

Now it's time to take the code for a test drive.

1. In Xcode, click the Run button.

2. When the app appears in the Simulator, click the Write a Review option.

3. In the Write Review scene, select an App Category and rating, and enter an App Name, and comments. When you do this, the Post button should become active as shown in the example in Figure 8. Remember that you can click the background of the scene to hide the keyboard!

Fig 8 - The Post button is enabled.

4. Click the Post button. The code in the postReview: method executes as evidenced by the fact that the app navigates to the main iAppsReview scene.

So how do you know if the review was saved to the database?

Your Homework Assignment

My goal with this blog series is to teach you to write apps on your own. A real test of your ability is to write some code without training wheels. With that in mind, I have a homework assignment for you.

The My Reviews scene in iAppsReview is intended to display the reviews you have saved on your iOS device. Currently, this scene is still a prototype, displaying static review information. Your assignment is to convert My Reviews to a fully functioning scene that retrieves reviews from the database and displays them in a table view. Everything you need to know about retrieving and displaying entities in a table view can be found in this post.

After you are finished with the My Reviews scene, I'd like you to move on to the Review scene. This scene is displayed when you tap a row in the My Reviews table view and displays the details of the review. To get this to work, you are going to have to pass a ReviewEntity object from the My Reviews scene to the Review scene. Everything you need to know about passing data between view controllers can be found in this post. 

You can also look at the code in the WriteReviewViewController and AppCategoryViewController code files for hints on how to complete these tasks.

Conclusion

In my next post I'll provide the solution to this post's homework. You will find that working through these problems on your own will help you learn these fundamentals of iOS programming, and show you what you truly understand and where you need a little more help. Happy coding!

Numerous external batteries are available for the iOS family of devices, though most of them only allow you to charge one device at a time. But in today's world, many digital natives carry around multiple devices. Families traveling with their phones and tablets may find themselves passing around an external battery like a canteen running out of water. Battery accessory expert Anker offers a solution with its second-generation, high-power external battery that can recharge up to three devices simultaneously. How does Anker's 2nd generation Astro3 ($99.00) compare to other external iPhone and iPad compatible batteries? Read on to find out.

When it comes to evaluating external batteries, it might appear that not a lot of analysis is required. Either they work or they don't. But having used several external batteries in the past, I can say that effectiveness and customer satisfaction involves more than just recharge capacity. For example, if it takes 10 hours to recharge a battery that only provides 5 hours of recharge capacity, that's a downer. Another problem I've seen with external batteries is how quickly they lose their charge. Nothing is more frustrating than reaching for a battery you know was topped off a few days ago, only to discover that it has only a quarter of its charge remaining.

Fortunately, the Astro3 suffers from neither of these issues. Additionally, it has a smart USB port that can charge power-guzzling devices like iPads and other large-sized tablets, along with two Universal USB ports. This allows it to service up to three devices at once (though at a lower charging rate). Gone are the days of playing musical recharge with your devices. Anker's Astro3 delivers.

One innovation I haven't seen in other external batteries is the ability to shake the Astro3 to report the charge status. A round ring of LED's on the top of the battery shows the remaining charge. However, there's no switch to turn off the Smart LED shake status indicator, which could be a problem if you're carrying the battery in a travel bag that is getting jostled frequently. The LED is divided into 10 segments, each representing 10 percent of the remaining charge. While the circular design is aesthetically interesting, I would have preferred an exact numerical percentage LED readout.

The package includes a 12-inch USB-to-microUSB cable to recharge the Astro3, but no power adapter. It would take a very long time to recharge the battery via a standard computer USB port, so do what I do and use your iPad power adapter (with its USB adapter plug) to make the charging process go much faster. Also included is a 30-pin adapter for older iOS/iPod devices, but no lightning adapter or port. Just remember to pack a lighting cable if you're using the new iPads or iPhones. Also included is a mesh carrying case for the battery. While it's a nice addition, I would have liked the case to include a sleeve for the USB-to-microUSB charging cable so it doesn't scratch up the surface of the battery when they are packed together.

Because of its powerful recharging and multi-service capabilities, the Astro3 has become my new external battery of choice, displacing Just Mobile's Gum Max as my top product recommendation. While the Astro3 isn't perfect, it's price, performance, and feature set provide a unique combination that is hard to beat. I'll be looking forward to the third generation of this product to see if some of the issues are addressed. But even with those criticisms, if you're a multi-device iOS user with frequent recharge power needs, the Astro3 is the battery for you.

One of our editors here at iPhone Life recently asked me which pair of headphones I would vote for as best headphone of the year. Without hesitation I replied that in my opinion Phiaton’s Bridge MS 500 ($269.00) deserved that honor. These uniquely crafted headphones take precision sound sculpting to a whole new level. And when I use the word sculpting, that is exactly what these superior headphones do. Like a master sculptor, the Bridge MS 500s take the acoustics of whatever you're listening to and mold and funnel the sounds to get the maximum dynamic range out of each and every note.

Most high quality over-the-ear headphones incorporate empty space within the speaker housing of the ear "cans." The sound chamber enhances the sound in varying ways depending on their structure. The Bridge MS 500s have a unique and well-thought out sound chamber design, that's for certain. Check out their internal configuration in the image below:

As you can see, the internal crafting of the Bridge MS 500 is ingenious in its use of physical contours to isolate and modulate the tones and enhance the already clear and distinctive frequencies delivered by the high-end drivers. Contained within the sound chambers are dampening panels and air vents which all work together synchronistically to deliver a true high-definition audio experience.

The honeycomb-lined primary sound chamber and the generous bass-defining sub chamber give the Bridge headphones a soundscape that is almost succulent in nature. The attention to detail in design is noteworthy and the effect is one that will be appreciated instinctively by a non-audiophile and perceptibly by the discerning audiophile.

Add to the mix plush, leather-covered ear cushions that effectively mute outside sounds while keeping whatever you are jamming to contained and sealed in, and you have one of the best pairs of headphones on the market today.

I'll tell you this: These headphones will sell you with their looks, and blow you away with their sound. If you are looking for a low-profile, elegant, and luxurious pair of headphones that are extremely comfortable and sound like you are live in the recording studio, the Phiaton Bridge MS 500s deserve some serious consideration.

Pros:

• High comfort factor.
• Silky smooth adjustable sliders and gimbaled headphone "cans" provide excellent customization of fit.
• Two, heavy-duty, fabric-covered headphone cables, one with an in-line mic and one without.
• A convenient carrying bag.
• Plush leather-covered headband.
• Stellar audio reproduction. Some of the best I've tried.

Con:

• Although billed as over-ear headphones, I felt like they began to pinch my lower lobe after hours of listening to them. I would have liked to see just a little more generosity with regard to space for your ears within the ear cushions.

If you can't see the cool product video above, just click HERE.

Somehow an Australian teen named Sonny Dickson is getting some big scoops, first attracting attention last month by posting quality images and videos of the champagne and gray casings for the expected iPhone 5S. Now he's posted hi-res photos of the fingerprint sensor that's expected to be in the new phone. While one can never be sure the photos are authentic, he insists he's verified their authenticity. The fingerprint sensor is expected to be part of the Home button and to be used to enhance security. Once it learns your print, only you will be able to turn on your phone if you choose to use this feature.

According to the rumors, the new Home button will be convex rather than indented, and will be made of super-hard sapphire crystal. Such material is necessary, since any scratching would interfere with its ability to recognize your fingerprint. Not only will the sensor be more secure, it may also reduce theft when the bad guys realize that if they steal a phone they may not be able to turn it on.

In addition to the images of the sensor, other evidence for it includes the presence of code in iOS 7 related to sensing, as well as Apple's past purchase of a company that specialized in this technology.

Keep in mind that no one knows for sure that we'll see a sensor. It's still on the level of rumor. Fortunately, we don't have long to wait. Next Tuesday we'll learn all the details, when Apple is expected to announce the new iPhone 5S and lower cost iPhone 5C. iOS 7 is also expected to arrive that day or soon after.

Two videos have been posted this week that give you a clear look at the forthcoming iPads based on the front panel and the back casing. First a video of the the fifth-generation iPad was posted by Lou of Unboxing Therapy earlier this week. (See the video embedded below.) It shows in detail the new device compared to the current fourth-generation iPad. As expected, the new version is narrower overall, thanks to the narrower bezels left and right. In that respect, it has the same form factor as the iPad mini. The video demonstrates that by placing the iPad 5 front panel on top of a fourth-generation iPad, so you can see easily compare the size, and does the same for the back panel. 

The video also shows that the new iPad uses separate up and down volume controls like the iPad mini, rather than a single unit. A view of the bottom shows upgraded speakers similar to those on the iPad mini. The new iPad is also thinner than the current model, but the video shows that the difference is negligible. 

The same website also posted a second video comparing the comparing the casing of the forthcoming iPad mini with that of the iPad 5. The video also compares the iPad mini back casing with the first-generation mini, showing that the form factor is identical, with the only difference being the new mirror finish on the Apple logo. No one knows what features the new mini will offer, but speculation is that it will have a retina display.

With the Sept. 20 release date for the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C coming up, there’s never been a better time to get a new iPhone case. Whether you’re going to be first in line for the latest model, or you’re sticking to your iPhone 4, here are five cases that are a little out of the ordinary.

1. The Case for Anyone Stuck in the 1980s

For anyone who might be looking for a case that serves absolutely no purpose other than to make you feel like you’re on the set of Wall Street, the 80s Retro iPhone Case ($6.88) is just the thing. By simply slipping your phone into the chunky plastic case, you can combine the technical wizardry of an iPhone with all the clunkiness of a retro-style telephone. Not to mention that a case that stocky is bound to provide a pretty impressive amount of protection for your technology.

2. The Case that thinks it’s a Locker

Whenever you leave the house, it’s almost certain that you take several small items that end up lost in your bag or pockets, leaving you fumbling around whenever you need your gum or lip balm. Now, thanks to a brand-new type of iPhone case, you can combine protecting your phone with keeping hold of all of your necessities, high-school-locker style. The Eyn iPhone Storage Case ($34.99) features a hinged back storage space with enough room for bank cards, cash, and other valuables, and it even comes with a kick stand and mirror.

3. The Case that Charges your iPhone

There’s nothing more annoying than your iPhone running out of battery power halfway through the day. Whether you need constant access to your emails, or you’re trying to arrange a meeting with friends, being without a phone is incredibly inconvenient. Luckily, the Elite Battery Case from PhoneSuit ($79.95) charges your iPhone to 100 percent capacity, meaning that the power of your iPhone is literally doubled. That should see even the most hardcore users through until dinner time.

4. The Case that Can Withstand Anything

If you’re into adventure sports or outdoor activities like bungee jumping or rock climbing, or even if you’re just a little accident-prone, your iPhone needs extra protection. With the range of iPhone cases from LifeProof, you can be sure that no matter what you do to your phone, it will almost certainly be safe. These incredible cases provide an amazing level of waterproof, shock-proof, and dirt-proof protection while managing to be incredibly slim and unobtrusive.

2. The Case that Smells Delicious

Yes, you read that correctly. As well as ensuring that your brand new iPhone is well protected, you now also have the option of making it smell great too. Scented cases are the latest accessory for smartphones, and the premise seems to be that if you can smell it, you can have it on your case. Popcandy has a wide range of scented cases, from the Fruity Popsicle ($12.99) to the deliciously indulgent Milk Chocolate ($13.99), while Jelly Belly, famed for their jellybean flavors, has also come up with a range of iPhone cases ($12.98) that smell good enough to eat.

If you don’t fancy a case that smells like candy, or one that’s so big it won’t fit in your bag, you could always opt for a nice, plain, sensible version. But it won't be nearly as much fun!

As new iOS apps flood the App Store every day—recently topping 900,000—we know it’s tough to tell which ones are worth their salt. But thanks to our Weekly Scoop, you can have the best for free! Here you’ll find a weekly roundup of the coolest apps free or at a discount for a limited-time only. Each week features the best and brightest from websites like Free App Report,AppsGoneFree, appsfire, and more.

Hurry! Get 'em while they’re hot!

1. Asian Cuisines (Free from $3.99)

If you love to cook Asian meals from places like Korea, Japan, Thailand, and China, you’ll enjoy this app a lot!  It has step-by-step photo instructions that make it easy for you to create an elegant and healthy meal tailored to your specific dietary preferences.

2. Flat Stanley (FREE from $1.99)

The Huffington Post calls this “a solid, solid app” and it’s a must have for anyone who has ever participated in the Flat Stanley Project. Help kids learn about the world and discover different cultures with this app that makes it fun and easy to explore to their heart’s content.

3. Drawing Desk (FREE from $0.99)

With Drawing Desk, you can turn your iPhone or iPad into a really cool place to sketch and draw. Choose to draw with 3D brush strokes or use stamps to add extra flair to your drawing. The special color palette lets you draw in any color and you can choose to draw in either Kids or Pro Mode.

A charging cable is usually just a charging cable. They accomplish the same thing by giving life to our favorite iDevices.

However, the boltBOX lightning charger by Scosche ($24.99) intrigued me. I liked the nifty, compact design of the boltBOX and the wide range of colors to choose from. I received a red boltBOX to review.

Even though there are many other retractable cables out there, my previous solution to keeping my charging cable together when away from home was to wind it up and wrap a rubber band around it before putting it in my bag. I know, I know, I'm pretty high tech that way.

But now when I use the boltBOX charger, I simply pull each end of the three-foot cable out of the mini-box and charge away. When I'm finished, I pull both ends again and it quickly winds back up and the connectors fold back into the box. That's what sets the boltBOX apart from other retractable charging cables—the connectors are folded up too and not left sticking out on each end.

I now use the boltBOX as my charging cable at home and take it with me when I travel to make sure my iPhone and iPad stay juiced up. No more rubber-banded charging cables for me. 

I love my iPad mini, and I'm glad I switched, but one thing I've regretted was having to forego the Uzibull case from my full-size iPad. I was one of the original backers of this multipurpose, ultra-protective case, so I was happy to try their iPad mini case.

Just like the full-size version, the case has a flexible, air-cushioned design with a rubbery grip for a comfortable feel.

Multiple colors are available, and Uzibull is aggressively targeting the education market. They offer free engraving for schools ordering 1,000 or more cases, and the cases are designed to be slim enough to let the iPad slip into charging carts from Anthro and other vendors. With so many schools embracing the iPad, it's important to keep them protected and charged.

Uzibull makes cases for the current iPad and iPad mini, but I'll be looking for one for the next iPad which should have a slimmer, thinner bevel design!  The folks at Uzibull have offered a 10% discount for a limited time, to iPhone Life readers, via their Amazon web store.  Use the promo code: iPHlif13 at this link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html?ie=UTF8&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&me=AG5CZALQAZBOY

Don't forget to enter this weekend's Giveaway Contest! 

Here's how it works: Every other weekend we raffle off tons of great apps and accessories for FREE then announce the winners through iphonelife.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. To enter, go to iPhoneLife.com/giveaways. If you win an app, we will email you the promo code. If you win an accessory, we will ask you for your mailing address.

This week's featured items are:

1. Speck ToughSkin Duo: Retail Price $39.95

ToughSkin Duo is tougher than ever, providing maximum protection against fumbles, tumbles and never-saw-it-coming stumbles. This dynamic duo of defense combines two iPhone 5 cases in one – all with sharp color options and a super-functional holster that make safety look smart.

• ToughSkin Duo case fits iPhone 5!
• Relentless protection. Slim inner case and rubbery outer layer give your iPhone full-on coverage
• Ultra-rugged exterior. Rubbery, notched surface provides a no-slip grip and full-on shock absorption.
• Flexible inner case. Use the slim inner shell on its own when you need to keep a low profile
• Handy detachable holster. Get quick-draw access to your iPhone with a rugged rotating belt clip that does double duty as a viewing stand.

2. Speck's SmartFlex CARD: Retail Price $34.95.

The SmartFlex Card case is a slick, supple choice for your on-the-go lifestyle. When carrying a wallet is too much, our SmartFlex Card iPhone 5 case makes a clever companion.

• SmartFlex case fits iPhone 5
• Cool card carrier. Securely hold up to 3 cards (or folded bills) in this iPhone 5 cover's side-loading slot.
• Easy on, easy off. Flexible construction provides protection that’s durable, yet pops on and off in a snap.
• Snappy thumb release. Easily push cards out from the slot when you need them.
• All-around protection. Raised bezel keeps screen safe and rubberized covers shield buttons.

3. square jellyfish 3 piece combo set (tripod, ball head, and spring mount): Combined Retail Price $30.00.

The Jelly Legs micro tripod gives digital camera and smartphone users the ability to stabilize their cameras and phones, while offering flexibility with regard to angle or location. This tripod, ball head, and spring mount are all small, lightweight, and easy to use, making it a handy tool for any traveler or picture-taker who wants to enhance the next photo-op. Designed to hold smartphones and similar flat and thin devices weighing up to 9 ounces Jelly Legs is pocket size and weighs less than half an ounce. When the tripod legs are folded down they form a handle for secure video taking, self-portraits and iPhone 5 panoramic photos.

Questions or comments? Email Brian@iphonelife.com. Good Luck and remember to visit iphonelife.com/giveaways to enter! Also check out our other contests at iphonelife.com/contests. The next contest drawing is September 9th!

Sometimes function is the most important thing in an iPhone case. Check out these two super-funtional cases, one for anyone who spends time near the water and one for anyone who likes to use their phone hands free:

Outdoor Tech iPhone 5 Safe 5 Case ($49.95)     

If you are concerned about waterproofing your iPhone 5, seriously consider the Safe 5 case by Outdoor Tech. It will keep your pride and joy safe in up to three feet of water for 30 minutes.

The case itself is a bit clunky and will significantly increase the size of your phone, but I suppose that’s the price you must pay for this kind of protection. It’s not all that handsome in my opinion either, but functionality should be the ruling factor, not beauty.

The case folds open for you to insert the phone. You open and lock the case using three screws on the back that you turn with a coin. Inside there is a rubberized seal to keep out moisture. On the front of the case there is a screen protector that is touch sensitive and does a good job.

There is an opening with a rubber plug for the charging port. There are waterproof volume buttons on the side and a power switch on the top. There is a see-through sealed window for the camera. But there is no way to plug a set of headphones into your unit through this case. For me, this would be a deal breaker. So, if you want to use this case and listen to your tunes, you’d better also invest in a set of Bluetooth wireless earphones.

The one I received for review is green with black trim. The only one available on the manufacturer’s website is clear with black trim, but I suspect there may be other colors as well.

X-Doria Kicks Cases ($29.99)

x-Doria has hit a homerun with its new line of Kick cases for iPhone 5. I have often lamented that case makers do not take the trouble to add a kickstand, which I consider a great convenience. X-Doria has come out with a whole new line of Kick cases that not only offer portrait but also landscape orientations.

These durable, impact-resistant polycarbonate cases are rugged, yet sleek and slim. There are apertures allowing access to all ports and buttons including camera.

It comes in your choice of white, blue, brown, red and orange with tasteful combinations. 

It’s that time of the year, and we couldn’t be more excited! Tomorrow at 10 a.m. Pacific time, Apple will host a special event at its Cupertino campus, where it is widely expected the tech giant will announce a new version of the iPhone. In addition to complete coverage through iPhonelife.com and iPhone Life magazine, we’ll be live Tweeting the event and commenting live as all the new products are announced.

For complete live coverage and commentary, follow us on Twitter: @iphonelife, @alexcequea, and @daverbach.

Because Apple has a history of being very secretive about its products prior to release, we usually start to see a stream of rumors and leaks the weeks and months leading up to the main event. We’ve seen everything from questionable blurry photos of supposed new iPhones to videos showing parts of the new iPad 5.

The bottom line is that although no one is ever completely sure what Apple will end up unveiling, we can usually make a pretty strong prediction—especially after seeing the patterns of the last few years. We’ve been right most of the time before, so here’s a roundup of all the recent rumors and leaks that we’ve seen, and what to expect from this year’s announcement.

What to Expect:

iOS 7 Goes Live

Developers have been playing with several Beta versions of iOS 7 for the last few months, and it is widely expected that iOS 7 will ship with the new iPhone. iOS 7 is the strongest departure from the look and feel of previous iOS versions. The colors are brighter, the design is flatter and cleaner, and the animations smoother. Among numerous new features, iOS 7 will include a brand new Control Center, with quick access to useful settings and apps such as the Calculator, Flashlight, Brightness controls, Wi-Fi, and more.

If you’re a current iPhone and iPad user, you should not have any problems getting used to the new iOS interface, since the general structure and location of most settings will stay exactly the same. The new color palette and redesign should hopefully make you feel like you have a new phone, at least for a little while.

A New iPhone Version: the iPhone 5S

Following the naming pattern of previous iPhone versions (iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5), we expect Apple to name the new iPhone, the "iPhone 5S." Generally speaking, at least for the last couple of versions, the number in the name only goes up when the outer design and form factor of the iPhone changes, which we don’t expect with the 5S. We saw it with the iPhone 4, which had a different shape and design from the 3G and 3GS, and we saw it with the iPhone 5, which sports a larger screen and is thinner than the 4 and 4S.

As far as rumors go, here are the main features we expect on the iPhone 5S:

• Faster processor: As is common with every new iPhone, the new version usually has a little more power and speed under the hood;
   
• Better Camera: Rumors say the new camera may have a higher megapixel count (up to 13MP), and a dual LED flash, which would improve low-light camera shots;
   
• Fingerprint Sensor on the Home Button: This rumor started to make the rounds since Apple acquired a Fingerprint Sensor Patent from AuthenTec last year. To make sure the fingerprint sensor doesn’t get damaged, Apple may possibly use Sapphire Crystal for the Home Button, which is an extra durable material that doesn’t get scratched easily;
   
• Gold: The iPhone 5S may feature a new choice of color: gold! At first I thought this was a joke, because the idea of a gold iPhone just seems tacky and not very sleek and techy. But after seeing some supposedly leaked videos, the gold iPhone could actually work.

We also expect the iPhone 5S to use the same 4G/LTE network speeds as the iPhone 5, and feature the same (or slightly better) amount of battery life, which is currently around 8 hours of talk time and 10 hours of video playback.

A New iPhone Category: iPhone 5C

This is probably the most surprising rumor of all. Apple might introduce a whole new category of lower-cost iPhones, which based on some leaked packaging, might be called the “iPhone 5C.” The iPhone 5C might come with a plastic outer back casing, instead of the metal found in the iPhone 5, or glass found in the 4 and 4S. The 5C might come in several different colors variations, similar to the iPod touch. It will likely have a slightly bigger form factor than the current iPhone 5, since it’s often more expensive to create smaller tech components.

I’m questioning the use of the letter “C” as part of the name. It automatically makes me think of “cheap,” which I’m sure isn’t what Apple had in mind. I also can’t imagine Steve Jobs being excited about selling what most will immediately label as an “inferior” product. He often defended premium Apple prices, and he would justify them by saying “we don't ship junk.”

Nevertheless, a lower-cost iPhone might make perfect sense as a business move for Apple. They’ll be able to reach almost every corner of the market except for the lowest end, which usually isn’t buying smartphones anyways. The other angle that is the "C" may stand for "China," and there are rumors that Apple has finally managed to partner with China Mobile, one of China's largest mobile carriers.

With a lower-cost iPhone, which would target entry-level customers (or customers overseas), Apple will be able to mount some serious pressure on Android, which currently dominates the market in terms of sheer number of devices deployed. The rumored iPhone 5C will probably sell at retail for $350-$400, or come free (or $99) with a new 2-year contract through your wireless carrier.

New Apple TV

Apple might refresh its current Apple TV set top box at this event. Rumors of a full blown Apple TV set (an "iTV") have swirled around for years, and Tim Cook has previously said that the area is of “immense interest” to Apple. Some rumors suggested that Cook had been talking to cable and TV providers trying to strike a deal to make the iTV a reality. So far, it just hasn’t happened, and there has been no indication that Apple is moving forward in that front. It could be that they’re secretly working on an Apple TV set, and they’ve managed to keep the project a complete secret, but judging from how ineffective they’ve been at managing all the leaks and rumors over the past couple of years, I highly doubt it.

iTunes Radio

An interesting bit of news is the introduction of iTunes Radio—Apple’s streaming music service that will compete against Pandora and Spotify. Apple has a long history with the music industry, and since iTunes is already built-in to all Macs and iOS devices, it makes perfect sense for them to venture into this space.

The music streaming service will be very similar to Pandora, where you can listen to free music from a variety of artists, and an ad plays in between songs every 15 minutes or so. You’ll also be able to favor certain types of songs or artists, with the radio service adjusting to your preferences and playing you more of that type of music. iTunes Radio will be ad-free with the purchase of the $25/year iTunes Match service, and it’s expected to launch at the same time as iOS 7.

Other Possibilities

The iWatch

The most exciting possible announcement would be the rumored iWatch. With Google Glass coming next year (I have a pair!), and the recent release of Samsung’s own smartwatch, the Galaxy Gear, the wearable gear space is starting to heat up.

An iWatch would likely pair with your iPhone, but not replace it. It could theoretically keep track of vital signs in a similar way as the Nike FuelBand, and offer a whole new level of insight into your daily activity. With a whole new world of possibilities, the wearable tech space is an exciting space to, um, watch.

Mac Line Refresh

We might see a refresh of the entire Mac line, with the exception of the Macbook Air, which recently got upgraded about 3 months ago. I expect to see improved specs for the Macbook Pro, Macbook Pro with Retina Display, and iMacs. If it doesn’t happen now, it’ll likely happen at another Apple event, later in the fall.

What Not To Expect

New iPad 5

Sorry folks. I don’t think we’ll see a new iPad announcement, at least not yet. Apple announced the 4th-generation iPad and the iPad mini at a fall event last year, and even though we’ve seen a few leaked videos showing what the new iPad will probably look like (it’ll be similar in shape to the iPad mini), I’m betting that Apple will wait until the fall to stay consistent with a once-a-year schedule.

An iPhone with NFC capability

The battle for the online payments space has shown no clear winner, and so far, Apple has not wanted to jump into the ring. For those of you unfamiliar with NFC technology, it’s basically what would allow you to make payments from your mobile device by simply waving your phone in front of a register or tapping it on some sort of point-of-sale terminal. Apple introduced the Passbook app last year, which is sort of like a payments solution, but not really. One of the many challenges around wide implementation of NFC, is getting enough retailers to provide NFC-capable terminals to receive payments from mobile shoppers. Until that happens, having NFC technology on your iPhone can't really solve a major problem.

Solar-Powered iPhone

This is by far my favorite Apple rumor, although I have to admit I’m the one that has been actively trying to make it catch on, in the hopes that Apple will be forced to do it (that's how it works, isn't it?). Apple holds a patent for the ability to create a shell out of solar cells that can act as the casing for an iPod-like device. Unfortunately, Apple holds many patents for products that may never get created, but this one has the potential to turn the world upside down. Can you imagine a solar-powered iPhone that doesn’t get drained during the day because it’s constantly being charged by daylight? Mind=blown.

There you have it folks, pretty much everything we’ve heard from our side. What about you? What have you heard? What product would you like to see Apple create in the future?

According to the website Electronista, a post by China Telecom accidentally confirmed that Apple will be announcing the iPhone 5S and 5C next Tuesday. As if there were any doubt by now. Details on the new iPhone 5S continue to emerge, including some clues about the Home button/fingerprint sensor. According to AppleInsider, it appears that Apple will place a subtle silver ring around the Home button to differentiate the fingerprint-enabled button from its appearance on the other iPhones. 

An earlier report that I saw suggested the button would be convex, but AppleInsider says it will be indented as in the previous iPhone models. The evidence for the appearance of the Home button with silver ring was bolstered in part by photos of boxes containing the new phone, with the image on the box showing a ring. Of course, there's no way of knowing whether the photos are genuine, but they seem to be. The use of a silver ring is also suggested by the presence of plain rings on the invitation.

AppleInsider suggests the purpose of the ring is to let iPhone users quickly identify which models have the fingerprint sensor, since the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S will have the same form factor. (Imagine one spouse having a 5 and the other having a 5S. Without the distinguishing characteristic, hubby might inadvertently grab his spouse's phone as he heads out the door. Apple thinks of everything.)

So far a fair amount of evidence has emerged that suggests the new phone will have a fingerprint sensor. Apple purchased AuthenTec, a specialist in this technology, in the summer of 2012. That peaked everyone's interest. Then a developer noticed code in iOS 7 that seemed related to a fingerprint sensor. And recently a photo of the component was leaked and posted on an Australian website.

In other news, according to AppleInsider, the Wall Street Journal claims that Apple is working on prototype phones with screen sizes ranging from 4.8 to 6 inches. The WSJ's sources say that Apple is now more open to offering a "phablet," that is, a device that's a cross between a phone and a tablet. The report says that Apple is the most interested in the 4.8-inch size. Don't read too much into this, though. Apple is always producing a lot of prototypes in an effort to identify which form factor they think people will love. Most of the prototypes never go beyond that stage.

Enthusiasm for Tuesday's event continues to build, with Cult of Mac reporting that customers wanting the new phone were already starting to line up yesterday at Apple's Fifth Avenue store in New York City. As much as we know about the new phones, there's still a lot that we don't, especially about the 5C. So interest in Apple's announcement remains high.

The biggest question is the price point for the iPhone 5C. Will it be significantly lower cost or will the price be mid-range? Many are speculating that it will be $49 or $99, with one of the earlier models, possibly the 4S, becoming the low-end freebie (with contract). We don't know if Apple will continue to sell the iPhone 5 at a lower price; some think it will be discontinued, as well the iPhone 4.

We also don't know if the iPhone 5C will lack some features in order to achieve the lower price. It seems unlikely that it will have the fingerprint sensor that's expected on the iPhone 5S. One analyst even predicted that the 5C would lack Siri, but I seriously doubt that. Of course, Apple is saving money by using a polycarbonate casing instead of aluminum. It's possible that the casing material and the fingerprint sensor will be the only differences in features.

We don't know whether the gold-colored iPhone 5S will be available in all markets or at all price points. Some have speculated that it could be limited to the Asian market or to a 128GB version of the 5S.

Also, there are rumors that the 5S will have a camera upgrade in addition to the expected dual LED flash — possibly as high as 13 megapixels — so I'm looking forward to more details on that.

We also don't know the storage configurations for the devices. Many are hoping that a new 128GB option will be available for the 5S, with the possibility that the least expensive model will come in at 32GB. It seems possible the 5C will have a lower range of storage configurations than the 5C.

It will be interesting to hear what Apple says about the fingerprint sensor. Patently Apple has posted extensive detail related to Apple's patent for the sensor. It shows that the sensor may actually have a built-in near-field communications (NFC) chip. Among other uses, NFC lets your device communicate with point-of-sale terminals so you can quickly complete purchases via your device.

We also don't know what Apple has in mind regarding the Apple TV. The latest reports say that Apple definitely won't be introducing a new version of their set-top box next week, but that they will be introducing a new version of the software.

We also don't know when iTunes Radio will launch, and Apple will likely give us the word Tuesday. And we'll likely find out when we'll be able to download iOS 7.

I suspect Apple will have a couple surprises, but more in the area of software and surfaces rather than a new device such as an iWatch.

Apple is rumored to be releasing an iWatch. But if you can't wait, or find yourself using your iPhone to tell time instead of a watch, considerthe iHangy ($19.99 and up).

The iHangy is a clever slip-in case and adaptor that lets you dangle your iPhone from the included keychain or necklace. Optional earbuds make it a pleasure to listen to your music. Their newer models even have a built in stylus. 

It is a bit of a hassle to remove and reinsert your iPhone into the iHangy case, so you will probably want to keep it in the case, but that's not a bad thing. The case itself offers plenty of protection so you can use it independently from the hanging feature.

With the iHangy, you get a lot more than just a case, and can experience "Wearable Computing" today without waiting for an iWatch!

Humans use only 10 percent of their brains. Actually, that's a myth, but it's probably not a myth that many of us utilize only about 10 percent of our iPhone's capabilities. In this weekly column I share tips and tricks for beginners, or anyone who wants to make use of the other 90 percent of their iPhone's abilities.

This week I will cover some tips and shortcuts for using the camera on your iPhone.

1. Pinch to zoom

I was walking with a friend recently when she spotted a bird she wanted to take a photo of. She pulled her iPhone out of her pocket, but then realized the hawk was too far away and would only show up as a dot in her photo. She said she wished she could zoom in on it. "But you can," I told her. In the Camera app, pinch to zoom in and out of a scene up to 5x. You can also use the zoom slider on the bottom. Just be aware that the more you zoom in on the object the lower the photo quality gets.

2.Use your headset as a remote shutter for the Camera

If you decide to become an avid iPhoneographer, you may decide to use a tripod at some point to steady the camera. Instead of tapping the screen to shoot the photo which could shake the camera, use your Volume+ button on your Apple headset as a shutter. Just plug it in and shoot away.

3. Tap to focus the camera

Many times the camera decides on it's own what to focus on. If it doesn't choose the object you want in focus, tap on the screen while shooting video or photos where you want it to focus. If the camera is too close to the object and it's still blurry after tapping the screen, try backing away until it comes into focus and then move closer.

4. Swipe for Camera Roll

You can view the last picture you took in the Camera app without having to go the Photos app. Just swipe towards the right to jump straight into your Camera Roll. Want to get back to the Camera app to take more pictures? Simply swipe to the left past the last picture you just took. 

5. Send more than one photo at a time

Ready to share those great photos you took? Want to send several images at once? Open up your photo albums, and tap on the edit button on the top right. Tap on the images you want to send and then tap Share. You’ll get the option to share via Facebook, email, message, or print.

And don't forget, if you want to capture an image quickly just swipe up on the camera icon on the lock screen.