I've written before about the Powermat offerings from Duracell, so I was pleased to see some enhancements to the product line. The Powermat products share a wireless charging mechanism that makes it really convenient to charge your batteries. Simply place the iPhone on a Powermat charging mat and the friendly beep indicates your phone is charging. No more fumbling for cables, especially at night. 
 

Now Powermat offers portable battery packs that also support their wireless charging system. Depending on the model, the packs offer micro USB, Apple Lightning, or USB ports for charging a variety of devices.
 

The GoPower battery packs are aptly named Day Trip, the overnighter, and the Long Haul, offering 1850mAh, 4400mAh, and a whopping 8800mAh of juice so you can charge your phone and tablet a few times over!
 

I used to start out just about every review of an online game making some sort of comment about how I don’t really like online games. I'm beginning to think that’s not really the case. What I don’t like are games where if you’re not in the “elite” you’re pretty much dead when you step out on the battlefield. I also don’t care for games where people pretty much expect you to chat or make the game as much about taunting as actually playing. Thankfully The Rats Online(free with IAP) handles all of these things in just the right manner. Its simple nature makes it easy to get into, and the nicely organized list of folks you need to exact revenge on makes it worth coming back in periodically to see how things are going.

In The Rats Online You lead a rat colony and your goals are simple: survive, explore, and grow. You start out with a single room in your sewer, and as you feed your rats they will acknowledge their satisfaction by banging their heads on walls, gates, or whatever will give way to an adjoining room. Most rooms contain some sort of treasure, whether it is blocks of cheese or some sort of bonus item. Each room also contains either a goal chest or a dungeon. The goal chest requires you to complete three goals before revealing its contents, while the dungeon expects you to defeat multiple rat skeletons before giving away the treasures it contains. Initially these are both easy ways to get extra goodies, but eventually you will have to work to earn the chest no matter which way it is presented.

The real heart of the game, however, is pilfering from the other players. Pop on over to a competitor’s sewer and help yourself to some cheese, or better yet stuff one of their rats so full of gouda goodness that the rat explodes and you can collect some souls. You can do multiple things in one visit, but the chance of each successive event being fruitful is less and less. A stuffing attempt can fail or you can get caught stealing the cheese, both of which will result in the loss of points and no haul for that raid. Just remember that this attack is not anonymous, however, and don’t be surprised if the player retaliates with like actions. After all, that’s the fun of the game! It’s like built in taunting without actually having to say anything to the other players. It would be nice if you could leave a customized calling card, though.

You can sign into the game either through Facebook or via the developer’s own login system, but I believe the rankings are strictly associated with their server, regardless of how you log in. When you use Facebook you can send invites to your friends through the game, and I’m not sure how it handles that feature if you just use their system. There are no achievements in a Game Center sense, but every third room you unlock contains a chest that will only open after you perform certain tasks. You do have an overall point ranking, and apparently this not only goes down when you fail at a raid attempt, but it must drop when others raid you as well. The moral of the story is that while you don’t have to play every minute of the day, you don’t want to let your rats go for days without a visit.

Aesthetically the game feels very much like a cartoon. The backgrounds are nicely detailed, and the characters are silly but well designed.  The animation is fluid and things like the rats banging their heads to break open new areas or getting splatted into a small circle when hit with a mallet hearken back to the days of Tom & Jerry. The audio does a good job of augmenting that Saturday morning cartoon feeling with all the grunts and groans and occasional potty moans that accompany the rats’ actions. I like the fact that you can hear noises from rival clans in the distance. The one thing noticeably missing is music. There is a small riff when you enter into a raid situation, but other than that you only have the ambiance of rat sounds.

The Rats Online is certainly not a very in-depth game, which makes it perfect to pick up and play for just a few minutes at a time. It’s easy to understand and keeps things balanced just enough that you find yourself willing to push for that extra piece of cheese on a raid, even if you do fail. It would be nice if there were a bit more of a variety of things to steal, and watching your pack would be much more entertaining if the rats did something besides just walk around. Of course background music would be welcome as well. But given what the game does have, it’s worth checking out and at least putting some investment into it.

Overall Score: 3.5/5

As new iOS apps flood the App Store every day — recently topping 1,000,000 — 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. Keezy (free)

So. Much. Fun! This app is all about noodling around and being creative with sound. You get eight keys to play with. Press and hold one down to record a sound. Tap the key to play it back. It's that simple. You can do all kinds of things by experimenting with any kind of sound you like! It’s a huge hit with kids!

2. Pounce! (free)

See something in a sale flyer, newspaper, or magazine and buy it—right there, right then! Point your iPhone’s camera at a product image and Pounce will recognize the product. Click “buy now” to complete your order. The object of your desire will be shipped to you directly from the retailer! EASY.

3. Listn (free)

Listn is a really cool way to connect with your friends through music. The app puts all of your music from sources like iTunes, Rdio, Spotify, YouTube and Soundcloud in one place so you can listen and share with friends easily. All for free!

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 weeks featured items are:

1. Four iPhone 5 Cases from Puro (4 different styles):  €19.99 ($27.00) Retail Price

PURO is a reference point for those who seek accessories for protection and charging without sacrificing the style. PURO offers an effective answer to the request to satisfy a demanding target, with attention to details and quality materials, thanks to the ability to insert fashion and design elements in technology. Following the latest fashion trends and acting as an absolute reference point for those who are looking for accessories that stand out. 

2. Targus SafePort Case Rugged Max Pro for iPad mini: $59.99 Retail Price

The SafePort Case Rugged for iPad has it all from function to style. Specifically designed to give everyday protection for the 3rd and 4th Generation iPad and to protect your device from everyday impact.

3. iPhone 5 Car Cradle from SmoothTalker: $99.99 Retail Price

The iPhone 5 / 5S car cradle is perfect for hands free car kits and after market stereo systems that use a lightning port.  This cradle is designed to help you keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

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 November 18th!

Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas ($8.99)

To this day, some of those old Zelda video games remain my favorite games of all time. So it’s hard for me to convey the joy I experienced playing this new and absolutely entrancing game, Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas. Oceanhorn harkens back to the Nintendo classic Zelda: The Wind Walker and comes complete with captivating visuals, strong plot and character development, and outstanding gameplay that has been fine tuned for the iOS platform. In the game you’ll explore various islands peppered with colorful characters and no small amount of peril. As you set sail for further shores you’ll be battling villains, solving puzzles, and building your character while the plot unfurls.

Having been playing Oceanhorn with fervor since it debuted in the App Store last night, I can honestly say this game is money well spent. If you are a fan of the acclaimed Zelda series, or if you happen to be looking for one of the coolest new exploratory RPG/Action/Puzzle games in the App Store, then Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas is a must-have.

Joe Dever’s Lone Wolf: Blood on the Snow ($4.99)

Even though author Joe Dever has a huge fan base, I understand that not everyone is familiar with Dever and his Lone Wolf book series. Nonetheless, after spending some time with this unique new game I feel safe in saying that this is a game that will enthrall longtime fans and newcomers alike.

This highly interactive tale is a mixture of graphic novel, RPG, combat-based action/adventure, turn-based strategy and a well-written choose-your-own-adventure story, where the choices you make have definite and sometimes dire impact on how your own personal tale is told.

The graphics of this game-book (and do keep in mind, this is a game-book, so there is a good deal of reading and page turning involved) have an archaic and medieval feel with dark and dangerous surroundings and awesome detail and depth. The battles feature unique and innovative control mechanisms, well suited for the touchscreen environment and shining over all, is an amazing story, where you are the hero, on an epic quest to secure a victory against all odds and as you'll discover, at all costs.

Like many episodic games out there Lone Wolf's three follow-up episodes can be purchased as separate episodes, or as a bundle for a respectable 20 percent discount at $9.99.

GT Racing 2 (free)

Let me start by saying, as I often do when it comes to freemium titles, I am growing to dislike the freemium game model more and more as it becomes more pervasive. I'd rather shell out some money for a game that doesn't harass me to make in-app purchases with real world money or annoyingly limit my progress if I don't succumb to the temptation to spend real-world monies. But they are what they are and they remain hugely popular. And admittedly, some are less repressive than others when it comes to hobbling players. GT Racing 2 is one of those freemium titles that delivers such compelling gameplay and such stunning graphics that it's impossible to deny the fact that it is a truly impressive and immersive racing game, on par with most console games.

While most of the App Store reviews so far for GTR2 have sounded overwhelmingly positive, the hardcore gamers who have chimed in with reviews all complain about the same limiting elements, which naturally, encourage folks to spend more and more real world money to advance. That said, there is a definite consensus that GTR2 is the best realistic racing game in the App Store, with many racers saying it is as good if not better than the hugely popular Real Racing 3.

Indeed, GTR2 pushes the limits of what our iOS ecosystem is capable of. With its stunning graphics and adrenaline-pumping gameplay GTR2 is a stellar example of what can be done in an iOS video game and helps make it clear why iOS is the gaming platform that is becoming world-dominant in the gaming industry.

If you have the time and patience to bear with high-priced and time-delayed upgrades, the need to purchase mechanics to even upgrade in the first place, and constant reminders of how much better the game would be if only you threw down some more cash, then this game is nothing short of spectacular and well worth the download. As a side note to the game’s publisher Gameloft: years ago I gladly paid full price for the earliest versions of the Asphalt racing series, and I would still gladly pay six or seven dollars for a great racing game that wasn't based on the current high-profit, purposefully limiting, freemium model. I know I am not alone in this sentiment.

Epoch 2 $5.99

Following in the post-apocalyptic footsteps of the original Epoch RPG, our hero, Epoch, is back, continuing the saga of his adventures in the wasteland of what's left of our world.

It's a classic tale of devotion and sacrifice set in the ashes of a world gone to scrap metal. Whether you played the original Epoch or not, Epoch 2 is a game that you can pick up and immediately embrace and sink your teeth into. Through the course of gameplay you’ll quickly get brought up to speed on any critical plot elements you may have missed if you skipped the first installment.

Powered by Unreal Engine 3, Epoch delivers the same pulse-pounding FPS action/adventure RPG of its predecessor, continuing the tale with even sharper and more impressive graphics, and familiar but tweaked gameplay. Epoch 2 promises to be a worthy successor to the critically acclaimed original.

When upgrading your Apple iPhone or iPad to the new iOS 7 operating system, you will notice a new Find My iPhone/iPad feature called Activation Lock. This beneficial new technology makes it more difficult for anyone to access or sell your iPhone or iPad in the event it is lost or stolen.

Activation Lock starts working the moment you turn on the Find My iPhone application in iOS 7. While Apple’s new security feature is a helpful data-security measure, it also prevents mobile buyback companies from accessing the device to ensure your private data has been completely sanitized. 

To avoid lengthy delays in processing and possible forfeiture of payment, the Activation Lock must be deactivated on your iPhones and iPads prior to selling them.

Please follow the simple steps below to deactivate the Find My iPhone/iPad feature:

1. Go to the Settings app on your device

2. Select “Privacy”

3. Select “Location Services”

4. Select “Find My iPhone/iPad”

5. Toggle Find My iPhone/iPad to the “Off” position

6. Enter your Apple ID password and turn off Find My iPhone

After completing these steps, the Find My iPhone functionality will be disabled and your device will be ready to sell. It’s important to never remotely wipe, lock, or mark your device as lost or stolen using iTunes or iCloud when selling it because it will reactivate the lock.

If you have already sent your iOS devices to a mobile buyback company, you can disable the Find My iPhone lock through iCloud by following these steps:

1. Sign in to your Apple iCloud account at icloud.com/#find

2. Click the “All Devices” link at the top of the page

3. Click on the device you would like to deactivate

4. Click the device name link at the top of the page

5. Click the black “X ” next to your device

6. Click “Remove” when prompted

If you’re not sure if you’ve installed iOS 7, go to Settings> General> About>

Singing in the shower just got a whole lot more fun!

I received the Home NetWerks Ventilating Bath Fan with Bluetooth Speaker ($139 at Home Depot) for review a few weeks ago, and while I couldn’t wait to test it out, I was feeling a little lazy about the installation process. We finally got sick of stepping over the box, so I bit the bullet and designated a Saturday morning to the task. I regret to inform you that my procrastination was unwarranted and I could have been enjoying music in the shower a lot sooner! Curses!

Installation process

Installation was very easy. It installs like any standard ventilation fan and only took about an hour. The instructions are very clear, and as someone who’s married to a graphic designer, I have an appreciation for that sort of thing. I upgraded from my 50 CFM fan to this much larger 90 CFM one and I have to say it’s a huge difference. It’s a lot more powerful, but it’s also larger. If you have a tight fit with a cabinet or door, be careful as it may cause an issue with the door scraping or banging into the fan.

The speaker is hardwired, so it doesn’t require any batteries or recharging. Can you imagine the huge pain in the tookus it would be if you had to charge a thing that’s attached to your ceiling? Forget it!

Sound quality

The sound quality on this speaker is quite good. It’s not HiFi, but it’s a bathroom fan; we cannot expect such things! I’m just glad it sounds as good as it does. I was concerned that the sound of the fan would interfere with the music, but it really doesn’t since the fan is so quiet at only 1.5 sones.

Syncing with device and using the speaker

Once installed, the device synced with my iPhone 5 very easily. Now, when I get within about 30 feet of the fan, it pairs automatically. To turn on the speaker, you flip the wall switch once and it’s just Bluetooth, flip it again and it’s fan plus Bluetooth.

Product specs

Here are the product specs taken from the Homewerks Worldwide website:

• Connects to most Bluetooth-enabled smartphones, tablets, and laptops
• After initial set-up pairs your device automatically when in range of speaker
• Strong, clear signal up to 30 feet away
• Ceiling mount only
• 1.5 sones
• 90 CFM

I like this fan a lot and I give it 5 out of 5 stars. It’s easy to install, works well. and sounds good! Of course, my showers are a little longer now and I’m considering trying out for The Voice!

The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, is the biggest shopping day of the year. Here are some apps to help you plan those holiday saving shopping excursions.

1. TGI Black Friday (free)

Maybe the name is a little overboard, but TGI Black Friday leaks ads ahead of time to your iPhone or iPad. Get instant alerts for new Black Friday ads from favorite retailers such as Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and more. Download PDFs or just browse ads page by page. You can make a shopping list, get coupons, price compare, and even buy the Black Friday deals from your iDevice.

2. Black Friday App (free)

Another app that lets you browse leaked ads from dozens of major retailers. Keep up to date with the latest Black Friday ads with push notifications as your favorite stores post their ads. You can share them with Facebook friends and through Twitter or email. You can also create shopping lists on the app or access them through dealnews.com.

3. BFAds

The BFads.net Black Friday app lets you browse ads by store or category. It features advanced filtering and search options so you can narrow down what you're shopping for. Compare item prices between stores, categories, and existing sales information to get the best deals. This is another app that lets you sync your shopping list to their website. Sign in using your Facebook or Twitter account. You can also save your shopping list to use in offline mode if you have no data connection.

4. Black Friday Shopping (free)

This popular Black Friday app has been completely redesigned for iOS 7. As with previously mentioned apps, Black Friday Shopping sends breaking ads to your iDevice. Find store flyers and pin deals and the lowest prices on your holiday wish list.

5. Black Friday

Black Friday by Fatwallet.com is fully customizable to shop Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Search, compare, shop, save, and share all 2013 ads and deals throughout the holidays. Compare over 100 major store ads page by page with product and price details. Save deals to wish lists and share them with friends and family. Shop directly through FatWallet to buy items with just two clicks and save time from shopping individual retailers. 

As shapes and sizes of tablets, laptops, and gadgets change, the bags, backpacks, and carrying cases change with them. Booq’s latest offering caters to those whose digital lifestyles require their collection of gadgets, chargers, laptops, and other electronic accessories to travel along with them. Read on to find out of booq’s Boa shift is off target or hits its mark.

The outer shell is composed of a weather-hardy 1680 denier ballistic nylon exterior with water-repellent coating, keeping electronics safe from dust, rain, or snow. The rugged YKK zippers are also solid and will help keep a tight seal and a jam-free operation. The Boa shift also has lots of pockets of various sizes to fit all your gadget and electronic accessory needs. The center pouch features a spacious interior that can carry books, cloths, food, and other overnight or weekend necessities. There’s also a sleeve designed to fit multiple-sized laptops from 13” to 17”, with rubbery Nylex interior sides that prevent the laptop from sliding around regardless of the laptop’s dimensions. An iPad user will find this space somewhat oversized, but it's thin and grippy enough to keep the iPad stable and safe during transit. And like other high-end booq bags, the Boa shift backpack features booq’sTerralinq system that helps lost or stolen bags find their owners. Besides the photos included in this review, check out booq’sYouTube video showing off the various pockets and angles of the backpack.

All these features make the Boa shift a compelling bag, but after spending a few days using it, I encountered issues that were hard to dismiss. Least of my criticisms is the bag’s look. While it meets all the functional specifications, it looks fairly unremarkable. Perhaps that’s the aesthetic that booq’s designers intended, but it just looks kind of boring. More troublesome is the skimpy padding in the shoulder straps combined with their lean width. The straps had a tendency to dig into my shoulders and collar, making the bag uncomfortable to carry after 15 minutes. I also couldn’t get the shoulder straps to adjust quite the way I wanted, which likely exacerbated my discomfort. But the real kicker against recommending this bag was the cloth-lined front pocket. Whether intentional or not, the pocket gave way when I slid my phone into it, as if it either wasn’t stitched properly or there was a tear in the fabric. Either way, the phone slid past the cloth liner and into the space below. I had to tear the fabric further just to retrieve my phone from the compartment. It’s possible that I received a rare defective product for review, but it made me question how effective Booq’s quality control was on the shift. Should this be a recurring issue, I would hope the company encourages customers to report the problem for an exchange or refund.

Overall, the Boa shift is a disappointment. Notwithstanding the defective front pocket and the meager shoulder straps, the backpack’s overall design lacked the cool sizzle that other tech backpacks offer in the same price range. I did appreciate and use the bag’s roomy interior and the way it easily fanned out when opened to find my contents quickly. I also like booq’sTerralinq system, though I’m not sure how many customers will actually make the effort of registering the bag with the service in order to take advantage of this feature. So for those seeking function over form, engineering over style, this backpack may be adequate. But at its suggested retail price, I expected more from booq than what the Boa shift had to offer.

Product: Boa shift

Manufacturer: booq

Price: $149.95

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

As with the iPad Air, the early reviews of the new iPad mini with Retina display are stellar. Overall, the consensus is that the new iPad icontinues to lead the other smaller screen tablets. 

Associated Press: The $399 price of the iPad mini might too pricey for those on a budget, says the Associated Press, and in that instance recommends one of the other tablets or the first-generation mini. "But if you're looking for a top-notch experience, you can't go wrong with the new Mini, even with the higher price tag."

The Verge: Last year's iPad mini was clearly a lesser tablet than the full-sized iPad, with a lower resolution display and slower processor. But, says The Verge, all that has changed with the retina iPad mini. "For $399 with 16GB of storage, it’s everything the iPad Air can be— only smaller and $100 cheaper." Same speedy processor, same retina display.

Macworld: Macworld emphasizes how superior this iteration of the mini is compared to the first-generation model. "The original iPad mini won people’s hearts despite the deficiencies of its processor and screen; the Retina iPad mini has left all of those deficiencies behind. It’s small and light and five times as fast as the old mini, but with 10 hours of battery life."

Engadget: The new mini has finally reached its full potential and is a top-tier product, says Engadget. "Because it now offers a Retina display, fast connectivity, and a powerful processor, the mini now shares top-tier product status with the iPad Air." It's as good as the Air, the review says, just smaller.

CNET: CNET says the new mini is the "the best small tablet yet," and they conclude that it's "Best in class" and award it Editors Choice. The review acknowledges there are other worthy, less-expensive tablets, but says the mini is the top choice. "But, if you want a small tablet with no limitations, that can run the best gamut of high-end apps, display productivity-type applications in a larger amount of screen space, and play games amazingly, the iPad Mini with Retina Display is hands-down the way to go."

PCMag.com: Although the mini doesn't quite earn their Editors Choice, it gets 4.5 stars and lots of praise from PCMag.com. "Like the Air, this is one of the slimmest and best-built tablets you'll find anywhere. It's an absolute pleasure to use." Why not Editors Choice? Because there are other great small tablets available at a lower price, making the iPad mini "less of a must-buy and more of a luxury purchase."

The Loop: The display comes in for high praise in a review by The Loop. "It should come as no surprise that the Retina display is absolutely gorgeous. Just looking at the two iPad minis side-by-side, you can see the difference." Not only do the images look better, the review says, but also text is easier to read. The only complaint about this tablet: no Touch ID.

AppleInsider: Yet one more review acknowledges the tough competition among smaller-screen tablets and says the mini isn't the obvious choice in the same way the iPad Air is, giving it a score of 4.5 on a scale of 5. But still, the review calls it best-in-class. "That said, Apple's iPad mini with Retina display remains an easy recommendation. It features best-in-class software and hardware, and is backed by the strongest mobile ecosystem available."

Wired: Wired gives the mini a score of 9 out of 10 and sums it up this way: "Nearly flawless; buy it now." Like one other review, it says the device can get a little warm when playing processor-intensive games. But overall, they love it: "The iPad mini is exactly the type of product we expect from Apple. Stunning good looks, a display so high resolution it’d take a magnifying glass to pick out the pixels, and unparalleled performance."

Summary

Most of the reviews point out that it's pretty much identical to the iPad Air, except for being smaller and cheaper. They typically say there's tougher competition for the mini than the iPad Air, but say that if you're willing to spend the extra money, the iPad mini with Retina display is the way to go.

If you’ve been following us on iphonelife.com, you know that we like to give away great cases, tech gadgets, and awesome apps in our bi-weekly contests. This time, we’re kicking it up a few notches and giving away a new iPad Air for free! And you can enter the contest as many times as you want!

Have We Lost Our Minds?

Nah, we’re just awesome. 

Here's how it works:

Every time you share the contest on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or via email you’ll get additional entries into the contest. And guess what? Each time a friend comes from your share link and signs up, you’ll get even MORE entries into the contest. But we're not stopping there.

If one of your friends wins the iPad Air, we’ll give YOU an iPad mini with Retina display just for referring them. In a nutshell: if one of your friends wins an iPad, you win an iPad too! It’s as simple as that. Imagine that brand new iPad Air in your hands. So. Freaking. Light. Trust us, it’s an amazing device, and you deserve to hold it in your hands.

The contest ends on December 2, and it only takes 10 seconds to join. So click on the contest link right now to enter: www.iphonelife.com/contest/freeipad/enter. And don't wait another minute after you enter to share the contest with all your friends and increase your chance of winning that iPad! (Please let it be you. Please let it be you.)

Enjoy reading fine print? Check out the official rules here: http://www.iphonelife.com/OfficialRules/WinANewiPad

I just returned from the MacTech Conference in Los Angeles, where iPhone Life was a Media Sponsor.  The event was well attended and was truly a great experience. Attendees had opportunities to learn from great speakers, meet some great vendors, and hear some great observations from tech industry luminaries like Andy Ihnatko of the Chicago Sun Times and Adam Engst and Tonya Engst of TidBits and their Take Control series of e-books.

MacTech wasn't all about programming. In addition to inspiring speakers and delicious catering, the organizers made sure attendees had a fun time with a variety of experiences. Throughout the first day, guests could take the ultimate geek photo op on the bridge of the Star Trek Next Generation Bridge. The good folks at NewStarship.com are renovating the bridge and other assorted science fiction memorabilia in order to create a sci fi educational museum for kids. I'm proud to be a small part of the effort, volunteering my help with the Text-To-Speech and Voice Recognition efforts. 

If that wasn't enough, attendees had the opportunity to test drive a $70,000+ Tesla Model S and experience the latest in real-world (somewhat) obtainable technology. The 17" touchscreen dash computer puts the iPad to shame! The Tesla is not quite accessible to most civilians, although one attendee did already own one!

Next, almost to rub it in, we were taken on a private tour of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, the youngest shuttle in the recently retired fleet. This was a remarkable opportunity to see the shuttle up close and get to speak with representatives from NASA and Jet Propulsion Labs.

MacTech was not all fun and games. The lectures were just as outstanding, with knowledgeable speakers who use Macs in their work environment. Additionally, select vendors demonstrated their latest hardware and software. It was a good, solid three days (longer if you attended the pre-conference) chock full of information and entertainment.

iPhone Life readers can save on both the MacTech regional "Boot Camp" events or the annual conference next year, back in Los Angeles, using the links below, but act soon to take advantage of Early Bird pricing.

• Austin: January 22, 2014 ; Microsoft Office Accreditation takes place the afternoon prior
• Seattle: February 12, 2014 ; Microsoft Office Accreditation takes place the afternoon prior
• Atlanta: March 12, 2014 ; Microsoft Office Accreditation takes place the afternoon prior
• Denver: April 30, 2014 ; Microsoft Office Accreditation takes place the afternoon prior
• Boston: May 21, 2014 ; Microsoft Office Accreditation takes place the afternoon prior
• Washington DC: June 25, 2014 ; Microsoft Office Accreditation takes place the afternoon prior
• Chicago: July 23, 2014 ; Microsoft Office Accreditation takes place the afternoon prior
• San Francisco: August 27, 2014 ; Microsoft Office Accreditation takes place the afternoon prior
• Toronto: September 17, 2014 ; Microsoft Office Accreditation takes place the afternoon prior

With a swipe of your finger you can open and close the door to your garage, turn lights on and off, and even receive text alerts when your garage door is opened while you're away. Unprecedented control over such a frequently used area of your home can be attained with a bit of simple installation and a nifty app on your iPhone.

Is the ability to control your garage with your phone necessary? Well, not necessary in the way oxygen or food and shelter are. But streamlining life's mundane tasks (like controlling your garage door) with your phone frees up time and brain space for you to focus on more important things like your family, your work, and your life.

These systems and apps make garages more manageable and accessible from nearly anywhere.

My Door Opener App

One of the newer products in the garage door opener field is the My Door Opener app, which is tooled to take full advantage of the powerful new iOS7 released by Apple a few months ago. My Door Opener functions as its name would suggest, allowing users to ditch their old garage door opener for a more secure means of entrance, but it also opens the door to further home automation.

Once the My Door Opener app system is installed, it can be used as a control hub for remote control of things like your security system so that you can disable the system when your kids come home from school. If you like, the app can also control your fireplace and ceiling fans. For peace of mind, the app can be enabled to send text alerts to your iPhone when your garage door is opened. The My Door Opener app can be purchased at the iTunes store but you'll need to visit the company's website to find the requisite hardware and assembly instructions. This project is geared more for an electronics and computer hobby buff as it involves circuit board controllers, relays and internet connection setup. Read on for more user friendly options focused on specific tasks.

GarageMate

With just a password-protected phone, no one can open the garage-door except for you, even if your phone is lost or stolen. This is but one feature that sets GarageMate apart from the competition. As with most systems, a GarageMate app must be paired with a receiver communicating with your garage door opener.

The installation of the $50 receiver takes under five minutes and connection requires physical access to the garage door opener, so no one can hack or access the system remotely. the company will have an app for the iPhone in late 2013.

Craftsman Assurelink Garage Door Openers

Say what you will about brand loyalty, but some companies are trusted for a reason. Enter Craftsman with their Assurelink Garage Door Openers. Their products begin at $249, which obviously isn't cheap, but after the initial purchase there's nothing else to buy. The Craftsman kit replaces your old door lift, giving you everything you need from the outset, thus eliminating the time-consuming guesswork of matching proprietary pieces.

Craftsman Assurelink Garage Door Opener apps can also send text alerts when your garage door is opened and can be configured to control house lights. Their openers can be bought on their website. Here, you'll find videos explaining product features, a frequently asked questions page, and warranty information.

NiOGarage

The folks at NiOGarage believe that you should be able to open and shut your garage door with your iPhone without the tedious and expensive process of buying new hardware. Their system retro-fits your existing garage door opener and allows your family members to access your home through the NiOGarage app or their parent website, iotos.net.

Installation of NiOGarage is simple, and very similar to setting up a wireless router. The app is free, but does require the purchase of a secure, Wi-Fi connected receiver ($149) through the company site. The app itself may be the most intuitive and best looking in the field, with large, bold icons for easy use.

Garage door image: Shutterstock

It's time to start planning your Black Friday shopping, with some great deals available on November 29, the day after Thanksgiving. In fact, some deals are starting on Thanksgiving this year. Among the websites tracking iPhone- and iPad-related deals are iMore and IntoMobile. One of the best deals on the iPad may be Target's, which is offering a $100 gift card with any iPad purchase. Plus, they're lowering the price of the price of the 16GB WiFi iPad Air to $479. So that means that, in essence, you're getting the iPad Air for $379.

WalMart will be offering a great deal on the original iPad mini. They're selling the 16GB WiFi model for $299, the same as Apple, but they're tossing in a $100 gift card, which is in effect lowering your price to $199.

The best iPhone deal may be WalMart's price on the 16GB iPhone 5c. They'll be selling it for $45 plus tossing in a $75 gift card with every iPhone 5c purchase. Essentially, they're giving you $30 to buy the phone. Of course, you'll need to sign up for a two-year contract. Their Black Friday price on the iPhone 5s is $189, again with a $75 gift card thrown in.

WalMart's Black Friday deals will run from 6 p.m. November 28–6 p.m. December 1.

Other deals include Best Buy's price of $449 for the 16GB WiFi iPad Air and Target's price of $179 for the iPhone 5s plus a $30 gift card.

iMore also lists great deals on a range of iPhone and iPad accessories. One of the most interesting is Best Buy's price of $85 for a $100 iTunes gift card. Seems like a no-brainer.

Thanks to everyone who entered iPhone Life's Biweekly Weekend Giveaway! We received entries from 486 people in 25 different countries this week! WOW! And are giving away 3 amazing accessories!

And the winners are... (drum roll please):

Vicki Defauw, Dave Jackson, and Maria Crafton. 

If you see your name but didn't receive an email, please check your spam folder.

Didn't Win This Week? No worries! Visit iphonelife.com/giveaways for the chance to win in the next giveaway round.

This weeks featured items are:

1. Blue Piston by Logiix (Purple): Retail Price $49.95

Looking for a powerful yet small Bluetooth speaker? Take your music anywhere with the Blue Piston Wireless Bluetooth Speaker from Logiix! This portable Bluetooth speaker has a brushed aluminum military-grade shell and a built-in low-frequency resonance system for a clearer sound. Not only can you listen to your favorite music, but you can also answer phone calls and make voice commands hands free!

What's included: a carry case, auxiliary cable, micro USB charging cable, and an anti-slip pad attached to the bottom of the speaker.
Dimensions: Height - 2.05" Width - 2.44" Depth - 2.44"

2. Targus iNotebook: Retail Price $179.99

iNotebook wirelessly transmits handwritten notes, drawings, and sketches to your iPad so that all of your ideas are easily captured and shared. Thanks to a Bluetooth-enabled sensor and premium pen, everything you put on paper is saved and instantly transferred to your iPad. Plus, everything you create is intuitively organized and searchable.

3. Karbon S Series for iPhone 5/5s (Gray and Black): Retail Price $39.95

Evutec is the first company to produce protective cases that contain DuPont Kevlar fibers. With five times the strength of steel on an equal weight basis, this composite material is extremely lightweight and remarkably strong, while allowing clear cellular signal to pass through. Made in the spirit of innovation with state-of-the-art materials and craftsmanship, Evutec offers its Karbon and Wood Series Cases for iPhone 5/5s, iPad, and iPad Mini to discerning Apple customers that demand the highest quality device protection in the thinnest profile. Now available at Apple.com and Apple Retail stores. 

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 December 2nd!

Initially the impression that Apple gave was that the iPad mini with Retina display was pretty much the same as the iPad Air, but smaller. Same processor, same high-resolution display, same camera. But small differences are emerging. The processor clock speed on the iPad Air is a bit higher than the retina iPad mini, and now AnandTech is reporting that the new iPad mini has the same color gamut as the first generation device, and a smaller range than the iPad Air. Their article shows the sorts of tests they run to measure a display's performance. The new mini clearly has a narrower color range. However, they said the difference is a non-issue and that while the difference is apparent, it's small. They say it would mainly be of concern to photographers and other professionals who need the best possible color reproduction.

To illustrate, they put side-by-side screenshots of an iPad Air and retina iPad mini with a highly colorful wallpaper and point to the color of the red triangles in lower left. Frankly, I can't see the difference, but they say it's there. Their tests show that the Google Nexus 7 and the Kindle HDX 8.9 also score better than the retina iPad mini.

Still they praise the display of the new mini, and say that it's superior to the previous model.

Although your iPhone 5s may not be facing the same battery issues that some handsets are, you may still be searching for a way to keep your iPhone running throughout your day. Mophie offers a few different battery cases for the iPhone 5/5s, but today we'll be looking at the Juice Pack Air($99.95).

The Juice Pack Air is a two-piece case for your iPhone 5/5s that houses a built-in 1,700 mAh battery that, according to Mophie's claims, will give your iPhone up to 100 percent more power, which is up to 10 additional hours of 3G talk time, up to eight additional hours of 3G internet use, up to 11 additional hours on Wi-Fi, and up to 10 additional hours of video playback. 

The case itself roughly doubles the thickness of your iPhone, but the bulk is necessary to house that battery. Pass-through buttons are integrated into the case, giving you uninhibited access to the volume buttons and sleep/lock switch. The microphone and speaker still work fine, if not a bit better with the case, as the sound gets channeled to the front of the phone, as opposed to the bottom.

An included micro-USB cable is included to charge the case, which can be done both on its own or while connected to your iPhone. Unfortunately, you won't be able to sync your Juice Pack Air-clad iPhone with the included micro-USB cable. You'll either have to do all your syncing wirelessly, or take your iPhone out of its case before connecting it to iTunes.

After a few days with the Juice Pack Air, I can say that the added weight isn't very noticeable and actually feels pretty good with the case's soft finish. From 20 percent battery on my iPhone 5s, the Juice Pack Air was able to get me back to 70–75 percent fairly quickly when fully charged. I would imagine its performance would be better on an iPhone 5, due to it's smaller battery, but it typically gave me more power than I needed for a normal day.

The Good

• Looks and feels good.
• Performs as well as it needs to.
• Protects your phone.

The Bad

• Can't sync your phone with the case on, unless you do it wirelessly.
• Can be difficult to remove.
• Doesn't quite live up to Mophie's claims for the iPhone 5s

The Verdict

The Juice Pack Air is a great battery case for the iPhone 5/5s that performs very well under normal conditions. In addition to providing the your iPhone with enough power to get you through a long day, it does so without taking away from the sleek design of your phone.

For more information on the Juice Pack Air, visit Mophie's website.

The Korea Times reported today that Apple will be launching a 12.9-inch iPad early next year, according to "an official at a local Apple supplier in Korea." The source says that Apple's Korean supplier is already producing the display. Also, the iPad will not only be larger but will also have improved picture quality, approaching that of ultra high-definition. When Apple introduced the iPad Air last month, a number of observers suggested the name change opened the door for an 'iPad Pro," paralleling Apple's line of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The Korea Times says Apple is making the move to compete with Samsung and LG, who will also be introducing larger tablets next year. And the Sony VAIO Tap 11, with an 11.6-inch screen, is already available.

It's easy to imagine that Apple will position the device as a productivity tool, in the same way that Microsoft is positioning its Surface tablets. And there's been speculation that Apple would introduce a keyboard case similar to the one available for the Surface. Clearly the 64-bit A7 processor has the power to run robust business applications. Since Apple feels that tablets are replacing PCs for many purposes, it would make sense for them to go after this niche.

On the other hand, Apple's expanding line is a bit out of character. They've long kept their product line very focused. Indeed, research shows that consumers tend to spend more when they have fewer choices. Give them too many options, and they get confused. Samsung's shotgun approach is the opposite of Apple's. Their strategy appears to be to offer just about every size you can think of, as well as an array of other gadgets, in the hope that some of them will become popular. Also, they may feel that different people have different needs, and their goal is to fill every possible niche.

One thing's for sure: we're going to keep seeing more and more gadgets, especially wearable devices. One article I read talked about the trend from early computing, when computers were monstrosities that were locked away, to personal computers in the home, to devices that one carries, to computers that one wears. The trend is toward increasing intimacy. Perhaps ultimately, the computers will be implanted in us.

The Bravo ($99.99, special offer) is an aluminum, waterproof and rugged, heavy-duty iPhone 5/5s case. It enters an increasingly crowded field of extreme-protection iPhone cases. Not only does this case manage to hold its own and shine amongst a crowd of excellent waterproof cases, with its ability to be submerged to about 7 feet and its drop-test rating of over 6 feet, the Bravo actually exceeds the highest standards of some of the industry leading alternatives for waterproof iPhone case protection.

If you follow my articles here at iPhone Life you know I often review iDevice gear and accessories that are heavy-duty and ruggedly constructed. As someone who spends a lot of time in nature with my various iDevices, having reliable protection for them is a priority, and I've put many of the best rugged protection iDevice cases through some pretty extreme tests on my adventures. Recently I received the Bravo case for testing purposes and I was honestly very impressed with many of the qualities of this top-notch iPhone case!

The Bravo is hands down the toughest waterproof, full-time use iPhone case I've come across. With its metal shell, this case is relatively indestructible. Within the metal shell, is a shock absorbing rubber, designed to completely protect your iPhone from falls that would undoubtedly shatter an unprotected iPhone. Not many cases on the market can claim such a high level of drop protection, much less in a case design with such a svelte form factor.

All of the controls, buttons, and ports are easily accessible which is essential for a case to be considered "full-time use".

The screen protector is designed in such a way that it performs better than practically any other screen protector that I've tried out. Instead of being built in to the front frame of the Bravo, the plastic screen protector is a separate piece altogether, and it adheres to the perimeter of the iPhone and is also secured firmly in place when the front panel of the case is attached.

Getting the iPhone in and out isn't hard; but it's also not a quick affair and requires a very specific tool to screw and unscrew seven tiny screws. Once your iPhone is ensconced in the Bravo, you will feel like your iPhone can handle just about anything. I didn't try it, but I would not be surprised if your iPhone could survive being driven over by a truck, several times, with the Bravo case on it. I definitely felt confident taking this case under water and into sandy and muddy conditions.

The Bravo features an ergonomic design with natural handholds incorporated into the cast metal. While these handholds are very convenient, they still don't quite make up for the slick case exterior. I never quite felt that I was able to get a good grip on it. Add to tha, the fact that it's a very heavy case, and you can imagine why I felt as if I was often about to drop my iPhone, and did in fact, inadvertently drop it on more than one occasion. I had a lanyard on it, which helped keep it from hitting the ground, but not every time.

My primary gripe with the Bravo had nothing to do with the great integrity or the obvious rugged durability of the case. My main problem with the Bravo was how it affected my signal strength. Once I began using the Bravo, I immediately became aware of the fact that my iPhone was displaying on average, two bars/dots less signal strength anytime I was outside of a city, which in my case was quite often. To experiment I took the Bravo off and swapped it for the Otterbox Preserver (an all-plastic case shell) and immediately saw an increase of two bars Wi-Fi signal strength and one dot Cellular signal strength, which is significant for those of us living in the country where two bars/dots makes a difference between having some reception and having zero reception. I'm not sure how the makers of the Bravo can remedy this situation, but it was the biggest drawback to this otherwise excellent case.

Pros:

• Virtually indestructible aluminum frame
• Able to withstand submersion of over 12 feet and drops of over 12 feet, which is more rugged and durable than most of the other cases in this same waterproof/heavy-duty category.
• Best audio broadcast quality of any waterproof iPhone case I've tested. The Bravo really amplified the sound of the iPhone without coming across muffled or distorted.
• Replaceable plastic screen protector—a major plus, since if anything on this case might get damaged first it would most likely be that.
• Plastic touchscreen protector adheres to the iPhone’s touchscreen as opposed to being built into the case’s shell. It is secured in place when the aluminum frame clamps down on it, and is one of the most responsive touchscreen covers of any case (waterproof or otherwise) that I've tested.
• Easy access to all buttons, ports, and controls. Essential if a case can be considered "full-time use".
• Lanyard attachment point
• Comes with a convenient holder attached to headphone cable adapter, where you can store the removable headphone port screw-in plug when you have your headphones plugged in.
• One-year manufacturer’s warranty.
• Includes a spare headphone port plug and extra screws in case you accidentally loose one of the little rascals.

Cons:

• Heavy!
• No traction, which combined with heavy weight results in an iPhone that is easy to drop. Good thing it's heavy-duty!
• Reception issues: this was the big drawback to this case for me. With the metal case on, my signal strength was obviously affected in areas that had poor Cellular service or weak Wi-Fi.

Verdict:

**** (4 out of 5 Stars)

The Bravo is definitely one of the toughest and most durable full-time use, protective case you can get for your iPhone. It looks great and is highly functional, with its snappy touchscreen responsiveness and access to all buttons and ports. If you plan to use your iPhone in areas where you get great Cellular and strong Wi-Fi this case won't let you down, if there's a strong signal around you won't notice any performance issues. If you know that you will be using your iPhone in areas where signal strengths are inconsistent and unreliable, this case could present a problem for you if you need to do anything other than enjoying locally stored music, videos, or games. The Bravo is currently available in black and white with more colors coming soon.

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'm going to give you some tips for Siri. She (or he, depending on your preference) can do more than you may realize.

1. Generate Passwords

Having a hard time coming up with an original, hard-to-crack password? Siri can generate random passwords for you using the website Wolfram Alpha. To do this, activate Siri and say "Wolfram password." You'll then be provided with an eight-digit alphanumeric password. If you'd like to add more characters, say "Wolfram password 14 characters."

2. Correct Siri's Pronunciation

If you have a name that is hard to pronounce like my friend Tadhg does, you can correct Siri. Launch Siri and say "you didn't pronounce my name correctly."Siri will then ask how you pronounce your name. Say your name and listen to the three other pronunciations Siri provides. Choose the option that sounds best or tell Siri you're not satisfied with the options and more will be provided.

3. Turn on Bluetooth/Wi-Fi with Siri

As a habit, I don't leave my Bluetooth on to save battery life. So, when I'm in my car and decide to connect my phone to it, I have to take my eyes off the road to enable it, which kind of defeats the purpose of hands-free calling. With iOS 7, Siri can now do it for me. All I have to do is launch Siri and say "Turn Bluetooth on." Same goes for turning on Wi-Fi. I can also have Siri turn them off when I want.

4. Change Siri's Default Search Engine

When you ask Siri to search the web for something, results are automatically delivered from Bing. If you prefer to use Google Siri will comply with your search request. Simply tell Siri to "Search Google for …" and answers will be provided by Google.