Just when you thought OlloClip's lens add-ons for the iPhone 5 had everything covered, the company released the Macro 3-IN-1 set that provides three levels of microscopic detail. The latest OlloClip adds 7x, 14x, and 21x magnification.

The two-sided gadget slips over the corner of a naked iPhone 5 or 5s, and depending on which lens is covering the built-in camera, offers 7x or 21x magnification. Another lens screws on over the 7x to achieve 14x if desired.

There are tiny translucent "cups" that fit over the lenses that keep your target at the right distance. This does make this particular OlloClip solution slightly more cumbersome than their other offerings, but it's understandable.  Indeed, you could carry a small gadget bag with OlloClip's other lenses and be ready for just about any situation, and still use a lot less space than a traditional DSLR would require!

You can use just about any traditional photo app with the OlloClip lenses, but you might want to try their official app (free). Keep in mind that the lens covers may interfere with the iPhone's built-in flash, so you will want to turn it off. The line of OlloClips are just the right size to stuff in the stocking of your favorite iPhone photography buff! 

You now have yet another option for a low-cost phone and data plan for the iPhone 5s and 5c, thanks to a new offering from TracFone. Their service brands Net10 and Straight Talk will offer the phones at Walmart starting on Friday. As is usual for a no-contract phone, you'll need to buy the phone up front. But in the long run you'll save money, with their plans running between $45 and $65 per month for unlimited U.S. voice minutes, text messages, and data, in addition to unlimited international calling to over 1,000 international destinations. Plus, you get a $50 discount on the phone compared to the price you'd pay Apple, with the iPhone 5s costing $649 and the 5c costing $549. The iPhone 5s is available both online and in Walmart stores, while the 5c is available only online. If you have a Walmart credit card, you can take advantage of interest-free financing for the phones: up to 18 months for the iPhone 5c and 24 months for the 5s.

"With the holidays fast approaching, we are very excited to offer some of the hottest smartphone gifts of the year on one of the most affordable no-contract plans in the country," said TracFone president F.J. Pollak in the press release issued yesterday. "Our growing lineup of premium smartphones with the addition of iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c reflects our dedication to providing consumers with affordable plans on the top phones on the nation's fastest and most reliable 4G LTE networks."

Note that TracFone plans are month-to-month, meaning you don't have to commit to service every month.

Be sure to read the fine print. Unlimited data isn't quite what it seems. According to the press release, "30 day Unlimited Plans include 2.5 GB of high speed data per 30 day cycle. After 2.5 GB, your data speed will be reduced for the remainder of the 30 day cycle." 2.5 GB is quite a bit of data, and should be enough for most people. But if you exceed it, you'll still have unlimited data for the rest of the month, but at a slower speed.

In addition, you're only allowed up to 15 unique international telephone numbers in each 30 day plan cycle. 

The new iPad Air is amazingly thin, light, and most importantly, fragile. Tylt aims to ruggedize Apple's new flagship tablet with the RUGGD case ($49.99), which does a bit more than simply protect your precious new tablet.

Design

The RUGGD is composed of a hard outer shell made of plastic, vulcanized copolymer, and rubber, with its inner liner designed to absorb energy from drops or falls. The corners of the case are triple reinforced, but don't add too much bulk.

Weighing just under half a pound, the RUGGD doesn't add much bulk for a heavy-duty type of case. Of course, the case offers no protection to the iPad's screen, although it does extend over the front glass just enough to offer lay-on-table protection.

Lastly, the wow factor of the RUGGD comes from its built-in kickstand that snaps in and out of the back of the case. 

Using It

With a case like this, it's nice to know the protection is there, but unfortunately it comes at the cost of losing the whole "Air" part of the iPad Air. It's a fairly light case for sure, but any added weight to the Air should be considered a compromise. That said, the rubberized edges of the RUGGD add a nice grip to the Air's smooth body and the volume button overlays don't reduce the tactility of the buttons.

The kickstand is a handy feature for watching movies and playing games, but only if you want your iPad in landscape orientation. Although the angles are somewhat adjustable, the overall range is limited, but should be fine for most desk setups. 

The RUGGD's rubberized edges are somewhat of a double-edged sword. While the added grip is nice, the case didn't slide so nicely into any compartments in my bag. The portability of the iPad Air is one of its best features, but the added second or two of yanking the case-clad slab of tech from your bag reduces that understated quality of the Air. 

Pros

• Solid protection

• Convenient kickstand

• Provides grip

Cons

• High price with no all-around protection

• Limited display angles with kickstand

• Reduces iPad portability

The Verdict

The RUGGD is a decent contender in the iPad case arena, but for the price you can find plenty of other options—many of which offer full protection of the iPad Air's screen and body. But if you have a stay-at-home iPad, or your iPad is heavily exposed to children, you can't go wrong with the RUGGD.

Lenmar Thunder ($129.99)

4 out of 5 stars

These days much of my entertainment gets broadcast through a Lenmar speaker. While still a relative newcomer to Bluetooth speaker production Lenmar has been quickly gaining recognition for making excellent and affordable Bluetooth speaker options that don't sacrifice sound quality despite their competitive pricing.

In our house a review unit of the Lenmar Thunder is connected to a small flat screen TV in the main room, and provides all the sound needed for a small room. In fact, that's an understatement. The Lenmar Thunder truly lives up to its name, with its special bass-enhancing feature which literally makes the floor rattle and shake with its deep rumble. When it's not paired with our TV, it's my go-to speaker to pair with my iPad mini when it's time to try out the latest iOS games. Whether I'm blazing around the track in Asphalt 8 or firing away in Epoch.2, the sound coming out of this deceptively petite and inconspicuous powerhouse makes it easy to forget that I am not listening to a much larger home entertainment system.

Details

The Thunder is a tiny affair, slightly smaller than your average coffee cup, and able to fit discreetly wherever you put it. Its design is simple with a modern elegance that makes it the perfect accessory for a desktop, or anyplace where space is at a premium and HiFi sound is called for.

Powerful Bass:

With four speakers drivers and a powerfully enhanced bass radiator the Thunder belts out a mighty roar. In fact, I'm listening to Jai Uttal's beats right now through it and I can feel the floor vibrating from 15 feet away. I kid you not. This is one impressively powerful little Bluetooth speaker!

On the side of the speaker, towards the bottom, are located both on/off switches as well as a charging port and a plug-in point for a 3.5mm auxiliary cable, which allows users to play music via non-Bluetooth equipped sources. The top of the Thunder has a fancy, touch-sensitive panel that is black until you touch it, at which point it lights up with red lit controls, which include your volume and track selection as well as your "phone" button and the button that turns the enhanced bass on and off.

Pros:

• Small size, fits practically anywhere 
• Powerfully impressive sound, especially with the bass booster activated
• Affordably priced for the level of performance
• Features a small disc shaped vibration dampening silicone pad underneath the speaker's cylindrical body to reduce vibration and enhance bass response.
• Subtle and stylish modernistic design.

Cons:

• Slight distortion/rattle detected at the highest end of the volume setting. More so with the enhanced bass activated. Note: The Thunder will definitely rattle and shake anything that's next to it on a desk or a shelf, which isn't a bad thing per se, just something to be aware of.

The Final Verdict:

After putting the Lenmar  Thunder through the test, I would highly recommend this great little speaker. 

Yesterday T-Mobile announced that you can now buy the 16GB iPhone 5s for $0 down and payments of $27 per month for 24 months, and also the 16GB iPhone 5c for $0 down and 24 monthly payments of $22.91. Plus, you don't need to commit to a service contract. Note that since it's a holiday promotion, the offer may not be available after December 25. They're also offering $0 down payment options on the iPad. Monthly payments for the iPad Air are $26.25; $22.08 for the iPad mini with retina display; and $17.91 for the original iPad mini. In the long run, the device ends up costing you about the same as from Apple, so the advantage is not having to plunk down money up front.

But there are other advantages to T-Mobile service. Their lowest plan is $50/month for unlimited phone, text, and data. The only catch is that after you use 500MB of data in a month, they throttle the speed. Of course, you can pay more and get larger amounts of unthrottled data, but 500MB would be plenty for me. Overall, considering their low rate and their 24-month payment plan, T-Mobile is a great option in my mind.

Also, if you're thinking of an iPad with cellular data, their lowest rate for data is $0 for 200MB per month. If T-Mobile had good service available in my area, I would have bought my iPad Air from them instead of getting a Verizon device.

Interestingly, according to 9To5Mac, AT&T's CEO told investors yesterday that he thinks carriers will eventually discontinue selling subsidized phones. His comments suggest that other carriers may eventually follow in T-Mobile's footsteps and separate the cost of the device from the cost of the plan. This is typical in other countries, and a lot simpler. 

Expecting a new iPad or MacBook this holiday season? Or maybe you just want to gift yourself or your on-the-go techie friend. Laptop sleeves don't always cut it and let's face it; you want a bag that looks as good as your gadgets. So today we'll be taking a look at the Booq Mamba Courier 13($99.95).

Design

Booq's Mamba Courier (available in three colors with 11, 13, and 15-inch sizes) is made of a unique blend of natural fibers that have been manufactured specifically for these bags. A large, flat pocket rests on the backside of the Mamba, giving you quick access to your iPad, phone, or any documents you may place inside, while a large, zippered pocket resides on the opposite side. The front flap of the bag is secured shut by metal hooks.

Inside, nylon lines most of the bag's internals. The back of the main compartment features a padded section for your laptop, while the bulk of the main compartment features fitted pockets for your iPad, pens, and anything else you can fit. One nice addition is a detachable keyring that clips into one of the bag's compartments, keeping your keys secure while you're on the move. Once your bag is loaded, just sling it over your shoulder and adjust the padded strap as needed.

Using It

After just a few days, it was obvious that this is a great bag for everyday use. On its own the bag is surprisingly lightweight. The bag's water-resistant exterior feels smooth, yet surprisingly rugged to the touch. Even stuffed full with a MacBook, iPad mini, notebook, and light jacket, the Mamba continued to be both fashionable and functional. It was easy to access the main compartment of the bag while still wearing it, which is typically one of the deciding factors in whether or not I'll get a messenger-style bag.

The only real complaint I have about this bag is if you're in a rush, unhooking the bag's buckles can be a major pain. Of course, depending on what you're doing, you can leave the bag's flap unsecured, or only secure one of its buckles.

Pros

• Superior build quality

• Stylish and functional

• Lightweight

Cons

• Closure system can be a hassle sometimes

• No cross strap for more stability

The Verdict

While the Mamba Courier 13 may not be as utilitarian as other messenger bags on the market, it sure does beat throwing a simple laptop sleeve into your existing bag. The Mamba Courier 13 does what it's supposed to well, and looks darn good while doing it.

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 33 of the series. If  you are just getting started, check out the beginning of the series here.

So far in this series, with the iAppsReview project we have always retrieved and stored data directly on the iOS device (or Simulator) using Core Data. However, we eventually need to retrieve and store data on the web so we can read other users' online reviews, and post our own reviews to the web. Accessing data on the web is definitely not trivial. That's why I've waited to introduce the subject. We'll take it slow and in this post I'll provide an overview of the concepts before we begin diving into some real code in the next few posts.

Why Access Data on the Web?

In general, there are a few reasons why you may want to access data on the web from within your apps. 

First of all, accessing data from the web allows your app to get the most up-to-date information. For example, think of the built-in Weather app. It's important that this app retrieve the latest weather information from the web in order to provide the most up-to-date information. Another great example is the built-in Stocks app. Getting the most recent information is critical when dealing with stock prices that change frequently.

Figure 1 - The Stocks and Weather apps retrieve their data from the web.

Another reason to access information from the web is when you are creating apps that are an add-on to existing business apps. Many of my business customers have asked me to build iOS apps that augment their existing business apps (which often run on Microsoft or Linux platforms). When these business people are away from the office, it's important for them to be able to access some subset of information from their business system in an iOS app via the internet.

A third common need for web access is multi-player online games such as the popular Words with Friends or, on the other end of the spectrum, Call of Duty Black Ops Zombies. These apps use the web for communication between players.

Introducing Web Services

One of the primary tools used to access data from the internet are web services. A web service is a piece of software that runs on a web server and usually provides access to a large, underlying software system. As shown in Figure 2, an app on an iOS device can request data from a web service. In the simplest of architectures, the web service can read the data directly from a database and then send a response containing a list of data back to the app which can then be displayed in a table view. For example, in the iAppsReview project, we need to request a list of reviews from other users to display in the Online Reviews scene.

Figure 2 - A request is sent to a web service, and it responds by returning data.

It's important to note that web services are a two-way street. You can also send information to a web service (this is still considered a request) that can be stored for later retrieval. For example, in the iAppsReview project, we need to pass our review to a web service to be stored on the web so others can access it.

Web Services as Black Boxes

One of the key features of a web service is that it is a "black box." As a consumer of a web service, all you know is what information a web service accepts and what it returns to you. This black box approach shields your app from having to know the details of the underlying technology. Is the web server running Windows or Linux? Is the database Oracle, SQL Server, or MySQL? With web services you don't need to know (and ultimately, you don't want to know!)

What you do need to know is which one of the standard message formats the web service communicates in, such as:

• JSON - JavaScript Object Notation
• SOAP - Simple Object Access Protocol
• XML - EXtensible Markup Language

Once you determine the message format used by a web service, you send it messages in that format and the web service does the rest. You don't need to know the web server platform, the type of database, or other infrastructure details. It just works.

Although you may not be given a choice when working with pre-existing web services, the easiest message format to work with in iOS is JSON, and that's the message format I'll be using in upcoming posts. 

Business Controllers and Web Services

In the iAppsReview project when we retrieved and stored data directly on the iOS device, we used business controllers to encapsulate the Core Data logic. As shown in Figure 3, the view controller passed a request for data message to the Review business controller, which in turned passed the message to the managed object context which worked along with other Core Data objects to retrieve data from the SQLite database. This data was returned to the business controller, which in turn passed it back to the view controller. All of this happened relatively instantaneously. This is indicated by the dotted lines pointing back from the SQLite database all the way to the view controller.

Figure 3 - The Core Data message flow

When retrieving data using web services, we will take the same architectural approach and encapsulate the call to web services within business controllers. However, due to the latency of the web (the delay between when a request is made and when a response is received), we need to take a slightly different approach to sending and receiving responses from the business controller. In Figure 4, the cloud shape represents the internet. The view controller passes a request to the Review business controller, which in turn passes a request to a web service. The time that it takes the web service to respond is variable and unknown. 

Figure 4 - Web service message flow

Since we don't want the view controller (the user interface) to be unresponsive while the web service request is being processed, the view controller needs to give the business controller a method to call back when it receives data from the web service. Basically, it's saying "call this method on me when you get a response back from the web service." This is similar in concept to when you call a customer service help line and they offer the option to call you back when a representative becomes available, rather than waiting on the line. This frees you up to do other things while waiting for a response.

To handle this sort of callback, I've made a few changes to the mmBusinessObject class we have been using, and I'll introduce these changes in my next post.

Conclusion

Incorporating calls to web services in your apps is a big leap that requires additional knowledge of web technologies, and an understanding of the things that can go wrong when you make a web request. In my upcoming posts we will tackle these topics and explain them in a way that you can understand how it all works. When you come out on the other side, you will have an extremely important tool available to you that is critical in creating real-world apps that contain all the functionality users have come to expect.

Apple was criticized and ridiculed for launching a low-cost iPhone. Many feared Apple's attempt to attract cost-conscious customers would turn out to be a tactical blunder and probably backfire. There was always a risk of alienating premium and loyal Apple customers. But the Cupertino-based firm was spot on with the launch of the candy-colored iPhone 5c. According to data from Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, nearly half of the customers who bought the iPhone 5c in the months of September and October were users switching from Android phone, especially Samsung and LG.

On the other hand, nearly 80 percent of users who purchased iPhone 5S were upgrading from a previous iPhone. Given these numbers, Apple seems to have hit the bullseye. Kantar's Dominic Sunnebo provides some insights suggesting that “over 40 percent of 5c buyers were earning less than $49,000 per year, versus roughly 20 percent for the 5s. 5c buyers also tended to skew older, with an average age of 38 instead of the 5s' 34.”

In the period between August and October end, iPhone accounted for nearly 41 percent of smartphone sales in the United States, 35 percent in the Australian market, and just 16 percent both in China and Europe. With a whopping 61 percent market share, Japan continues to be Apple's strongest market.

But Why Are Users Dumping Android for iPhone 5c?

No Strings Attached

Well, users are aware of the highly touted Apple philosophy of innovation and quality. They knew from the word go that Apple was never going to fool customers by releasing a cheapskate Android competitor at the cost of quality. It is a no brainer. With iPhone 5c, Apple has made a sincere attempt to break the shackles of being a luxury item and to reach out to cost-conscious Android users in developing countries such as India and China.  

Vast Network, Power, and Camera

Apple takes pride in the fact that both 5c and the 5s offer support to the widest range of 4G bands for any smartphone that currently exists in the market. iPhone 5c sports the power of the A6 processor, 8-megapixel camera, and 1.2-megapixel FaceTime camera shoots 1280-by-960-pixel images. This is a no candy floss deal, as iPhone 5c is a completely new iPhone available at a competitive price compared with high-end Android devices.  

“Unapologetically Plastic” But Still Elegant

Available in vibrant blue, white, pink, yellow, and green colors and constructed from a single piece of hard-coated polycarbonate, iPhone 5c is a class apart as far as looks is concerned. No more cheap and tacky “plasticky” feel typically associated with Android smartphones.

The iPhone 5c will cost $99 with a contract and finally transcends beyond Apple's black and white color approach. Let's see if Apple is able to challenge the increasing dominance of Android smartphones with the relatively inexpensive iPhone 5c. Perhaps the iPhone 5c could be a great Christmas gift for Android users. What do you think?

The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday that today Walmart would begin offering the iPhone 5c for $27 and the iPhone 5s for $127, with a two-year contract. This is a great price for the 5c, but not actually as good as Walmart's Black Friday offering: $45 plus a $75 gift card. As part of its holiday promotion, Walmart is also offering the 16GB iPad mini (first generation) for $299 plus a $50 gift card, and $30 iTunes Store gift cards for $25. According to the article, the sales started at 8 a.m. this morning and runs through December 24, or as long as supplies last.

Of course, these sorts of discounts are a new phenomenon. Apple has long controlled the pricing of its products, but now is letting Walmart and other big-box retailers slash prices in a manner that was never before allowed. It's not at all clear why they've changed. A post on The Street wonders why this is happening and laments this new direction, but obviously it benefits consumers.

Good news for music enthusiasts: Spotify's streaming music service is now free. The Spotify app has always been free, but you had to pay $10 per month for the opportunity to listen to on-demand music. That meant that you could request any particular song from their catalog. This, of course, was different from services such as Pandora and iTunes Radio, which let you indicate your favorite music but then stream similar music rather than the particular favorite you identified. Spotify's new free service for the iPhone falls somewhere in between. You can identify a particular artist, album, or playlist, but then Spotify streams the music in "shuffle mode," meaning that you get your favorite music but not a particular song at a particular time. The playlists available include those you've put together as well as playlists your friends have created.

The terms are different if you have an iPad. You can actually play on-demand songs for free. Whether you listen via the iPad or the iPhone, you'll have to listen to an ad every five or six songs,.

In addition, there's a premium version still available for $10/month that lets you listen to music on demand on your iPhone or iPad, without occasional ads, and at a higher quality. Plus, you can download songs for listening offline. A great article on Mashable clearly explains your options.

The free shuffle mode for the iPhone may not let you listen on-demand to particular songs, but it's way ahead of the other services in that you can identify a particular artist, and then it will stream only music of that artist. The only hitch is that the songs are shuffled. Similarly, you can listen to a playlist of your favorite music that you've created, but Spotify shuffles the order. There are some rules for playlists: they must have at least 20 different songs from at least 3 different albums.

The app has lots of other features, including the ability to create playlists and a feature, called Discover, that helps you find new music based on your favorite songs and artists. 

So why did it take Spotify so long to come out with a free service to compete with the others? A great article on CNET explains the complexities of the licensing details and gives interesting background information about Spotify, which is based in Sweden.

Overall, this seems like another excellent option — and one that has features not available from the likes of iTunes Radio and Pandora.

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. Jeopardy! Platinum($0.99 from $1.99)

Feel like a real contestant on Jeopardy! with this cool app. You can compete as a single player or choose online or local multiplayer modes. You even get to write your name on the podium!

2. Strip Designer($0.99 from $2.99)

From now until December 15, get 66 percent off! Create your own personal comic strips on your iPhone or iPad using photos from your photo album. Just select one of many page templates, insert photos into the cells, fill in some thought bubbles and you’re done!

3. Stress Away Breathing(free)

This app holds great promise for folks who suffer from stress, anxiety, asthma and panic attacks. With it, you can practice guided concentrated diaphragmatic breathing, which helps get breathing under control during stressful situations. 

It's photo contest time again. We know you enjoy taking occasional artistic shots with your iPhone so why not get rewarded for it! Enter our iPhone Photography Contest for a chance to win awesome prizes and a spot in our magazine! 

Submit your best iPhone photograph(s) at iphonelife.com/enterphoto by Dec. 20. You must take and edit all photos with an iOS device, using only iOS apps. Don't forget to give each photo a title, and tell us which apps, if any, you used to process each image with.

If your submission is among the 3 top-voted photos on our Facebook page, you’ll win an olloclip quick-connect lens set ($70 value) and a CanvasPop 16- by 20-inch gallery-quality print ($80 value). In addition, we’ll feature the top 10 photos in an upcoming issue of iPhone Life magazine.

Get your friends to vote through Facebook to increase your chances of winning. And get this—They can vote every day! (Voting ends Dec. 30 and is limited to one vote per image per day.) 

You still have time to create a winning masterpiece, so get out there and do it!

Are you in a bind because you just can't think of a gift to buy that person that seems to have everything? There's still time to do some shopping and there are several unique gifts out there for an iPhone user in your life.

1. Elite Command-AR ($14.99)

Plug the iPhone into this interactive gun and save the planet by taking out alien forces. Aim the pistol, pull the trigger, and shoot the virtual enemies and targets in the game. The Elite Commander app is free in the iTunes store.

2. Mr. Ghost ($20 on Amazon)

This device plugs into the iPhone's headphone port to detect electromagnetic radiation sources. Users log on to the free app to detect any ghostly activity in the surrounding area. They can also record any spooky sounds and listen to them as audio. I ain't afraid of no ghosts!

3. Universal Gadget Wrist Charger ($24.99)

A wearable wristband that lets your favorite iPhone lover use their device while it's charging. Plug the iPhone in and talk or play away. It will also charge any other device compatible with mini USB.

4. Secret Agent Phone Holster ($19.99)

Just like a real FBI-style gun holster, this fun accessory keeps their iPhone ready to grab anytime they need to wield it. And, if that's not enough, the Secret Agent Phone Holster also comes with self-adhesive 70s-style sideburns and a handlebar mustache. You know, just in case they need to go undercover.

5. iPhone Inspired Cupcake Toppers ($24)

Ok, so these aren't for use with the iPhone, but I just had to include them as a unique gift. The app icons are hand-made and individually designed using edible ingredients. Use them at Christmas or order them for a special birthday.

Cognition Episode 1($3.99)

3.5 out of 5 stars

Back when graphics were first starting to take shape for computer games, Sierra set the standard for adventures with titles like King’s Quest and Leisure Suit Larry. The fact that you could actually see your character follow your commands along with the immense amount of dialog made the experience feel as much like an interactive movie as anything. Phoenix Online Studios clearly understands what it takes to make this style of game, and as much as I loved the old Sierra games, I’d say the Cognition series kicks things up a notch or two. More realistic characters, adult subject matter (in a mature way, not like Leisure Suit Larry), and a focus on exploration and discovery (instead of finding an obscure key in a tree to unlock some mystic chest) give Cognition Episode 1 more of a Law & Order bent than anything. It’s just too bad this intriguing story telling couldn’t have come with a better interface wrapped around it.

You play Erica Reed, an FBI agent tasked with hunting down various serial killers. As the story progresses you’ll have to explore crime scenes, visit the forensics “lab” (a room in the main lobby of the morgue building thanks to budget cutbacks), and try to buddy up with the less than charming medical examiner. While certainly not your typical adventure game to begin with, Cognition takes things a step further by giving Erica Reed the unique ability to see into the past. It starts with the simple mechanic of touching an object to see what has occurred in its recent history, but as you continue your journey you’ll learn more about the power and expand it to be more accurate and useful. The combination of methodical analysis of the scenes as well as the use of cognitive powers gives Cognition Episode 1 a unique feel among modern adventure games.

To move Erica around you can just tap the location on the scene you wish to move to, or you can select an object and choose to interact with it in which case she will automatically move to it if necessary. Tapping on an interactive item on the screen brings up a context-sensitive set of icons that depend on what you know about the item and whether or not you have an inventory item selected. Opening your inventory and tapping the hand icon lets you manipulate certain items in your inventory without selecting something in the scene first, and tapping the plus sign lets you combine two items in your inventory. If you tap on a person that has something to say you’ll receive a series of dialogs letting you choose topics to talk about. The interface actually seems very well thought out; but I often have to select things two or three times before the system seems to respond, and sometimes it can be difficult choosing the right item in the dialog tree.

Many folks will probably find the balance of solving puzzles to exploring and talking with others a bit off-putting because it leans a lot more heavily towards the latter. Normally I’d be one of those people, but in the context of this particular game it actually makes sense. What I don’t like is the engine itself. This game is written on top of Unity 3D, and I’ve played many such games without much incident. The first problem with Cognition is that it seems to have to load for every single transition, even when you’re just going to zoom in to a particular part of a scene. This is often accompanied by a black screen for a bit, so you don’t know if the game is just doing its job or if it actually crashed. In one scene I was able to ask someone to recover something for me that I already had in my inventory, so I got to watch him repeat actions that made no sense. Another time Erica just sort of started walking on air in a particular scene, and in the most recent bug when she walked behind a certain area in a scene she’d actually disappear, which made the scene impossible to complete. Thankfully so far anything I’ve run into could be dealt with, but it’s still frustrating to see so many issues in a released game. My advice is that you make sure you save often using the explicit save feature in the menu, since the auto save either only saves when you first enter a scene or randomly decides at one point to save. Either way the auto save doesn’t feel very reliable.

There is a lot of good design in the visuals for this game. The characters look good, the backgrounds are highly detailed, and I like how the scenes often look like paintings. The animation is decent too; though just like the interface, there are apparent glitches like walking through furniture or mysteriously floating on air depending on where you tap to walk. The sound effects are good, and often there is nice use of ambient background noise such as when you go to your office. They also did a great job of casting the voices. The music is well written and does a good job of hanging in the back unless you’re focusing on it.

Overall Cognition Episode 1 is a great game. The story is interesting, the characters seem real, and while you’re not left completely on your own for obvious reasons, it feels a lot more like an investigative scenario than most detective games. The audio and visual elements certainly hold their own among iOS based adventure games as well. Unfortunately the buggy engine prevents me from giving this game the higher marks it deserves. If you can deal with mostly annoying glitches I still highly recommend giving Erica Reed a hand in her endeavors.  Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Something's going on with Apple TV. After several quiescent years, Apple has been adding a lot of channels in 2013 — 18 so far. And there's evidence they may be preparing a software developers kit to open up development for the platform. On Wednesday Apple quietly added four more channels: Crackle, which offers free movies; Bloomberg TV, which offers a range of news reporting; Watch ABC, which requires that you already have cable TV service; and KORTV, a Korean channel offering paid movies and shows along with some free content (all in Korean). All of this activity suggests Apple is increasing its focus on Apple TV; and there are rumors that the company will be coming out with a new iteration of their Apple TV device in the first half of next year, or eventually even their own HDTV.

The small selection of movies on Crackle, which have occasional breaks for ads, include some familiar titles: The Cable Guy, The Survivors, Last Action Hero, Desperado, Hollow Man, Brian's Song, The Gods Must Be Crazy, Red Rock West, Godzilla, and Spring Break. There's also a selection of TV shows and other serials, including Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.

Bloomberg has a range of news programming available, including financial, technology, politics, and style, as well as shows such as Charlie Rose and StreetSmart. You can even watch their live program.

I'm very encouraged by all of this and find that there's so much content on Apple TV now that I really don't have a need for cable. The only exception is sports. Apple TV does offer some sports, but you have to pay. My favorites are Smithsonian, PBS, Podcasts (which has a ton of video content), Yahoo Screen, and now Crackle and Bloomberg.

Regarding the evidence that Apple may be moving toward opening up Apple TV as a platform, a great article on 9To5Mac discusses their interview with two of the people who developed the new Bloomberg TV channel. They said Apple has created tools that make it very simple to develop apps (or channels) for Apple TV. Two developers and their supervisor created the Bloomberg app in just five weeks, and most of that time was spent optimizing the video performance. So it sounds as if Apple has put some real attention on creating these tools. Likely one reason we're seeing more channels is because of these tools, in addition to Apple increasing their focus on Apple TV.

This momentum suggests that TV is going to be one of their major new directions in 2014.

You probably already knew that iHome has cool audio gear to accessorize your smartphone or mobile computing platform of choice. I had been eagerly awaiting the iB75 since getting a brief demo at CES last January, having scoured the earth for a good pair of active-wear Bluetooth headphones. In this review, I'll go over why the iB75s will make a great stocking stuffer for that on-the-go person on your list.

The iB75 Bluetooth wireless headphone set has an attractive sporty look and weight. They are wireless in the sense that a BT pairing procedure with your smartphone is required (though the earphones are cross connected with a short flexible cable worn behind the neck). The earpiece itself is an elongated, lightweight plastic housing with a rubbery cover that is also water resistant. Like hands-free headphones the world over (that support V2.1 + EDR/A2DP stereo profile), you simply turn them on, pair them up to your phone, and they work—you can make and take calls and play your favorite media apps wirelessly. I had them working with my iPhone in less than a minute.

Located along the sides of the right earphone is a cluster of controls: tiny volume up/down and track forward/back controls that are a tad awkwardly placed (the buttons could be a little easier to push down as well). My personal design preference might have been to move them to the face of the earpiece (right or left), but they functioned well enough once I got used to their location.

The rubber stabilizer fins mounted on each side helps to keep the earpiece snugly inserted in each ear. Memory foam buds would have been a nice addition to the kit, though the silicon buds work okay (if not the most comfortable for my taste). Extra earbuds and guides of various sizes are also included along with a USB charging cable. The cable is a non-standard "mini 8 pin" cable on the headphone end, which means you have to replace it with one from iHome, and can't easily charge them on a base station.

To take or initiate calls requires a simple tap (or tap-tap, which can decline a call) of the primary "Multi-function" button placed on the outer face of the right-side earphone. This universal button also shuts down the headset and starts the pairing mode. A tap and hold for 2 seconds will cause Siri to fire up, but because the standby sequence starts up at a mere 3 seconds (and pairing at 5 seconds), it is somewhat frustrating, and requires a bit of practice, to consistently get it to work without causing the iB75 to go to standby mode. Otherwise the hands free worked rather well. I could understand Siri, and she understood my commands rather well.

Sound quality was clean for calls in both directions, games and music sounded clear and crisp, with signal fading out at a distance of about 20–25 feet from the handset (not unusual for BT). The quality was decent, as good as most similar BT earbuds I have tried at a moderate volume, but a little light on the bass, in my opinion. Overall, the fit is decent, though could be problematic for truly energetic outdoor activities with a lot of jolting. The manual purports 100 hours of standby use (8 hours talk time) between charges, which I did not confirm, but they certainly held up well over an extended 2 hour workout period (while streaming Slacker radio).

Pros

• Clear and consistent wireless performance
• Attractive, lightweight, easy to use and carry

Cons

• Player controls tiny and stiff
• Buds not that comfortable for extended periods

The Verdict

iHome offers a complete line of popular audio accessories including docks and headphones; and active gear is becoming a necessity for those of us who workout with our phones, so I like the overall design choice for the iB75. As headphones go, these are good ones that could be a bit better with a little button tweaking, and more comfortable buds. You can grab a pair for $99 at the links above.

A reliable protective case not only comes in handy to ward off scratches and scrapes, and a good, heavy-duty protective case can make the difference between a catastrophic, life-ending event for your iDevice and a mere bump in the road. Whether you are a bathtub iBook reader or an outdoor adventurer who always has their iPad in tow, a ruggedly protective case that offers a high measure of insulation from outside elements can be a very worthwhile investment.

With that in mind, check out these ultra-protective iPad cases, each with its own unique features and advantages, yet all designed to absorb and redirect the shock and potential damage to your iPad.

Although technically many cases made for the original iPad mini may indeed fit the new iPad mini with Retina, they don't account for the placement of the new mini’s secondary microphone on the back side, or its ever-so-slightly (only 3/10ths of a millimeter) thicker body. And you have to be careful when shopping online for rugged cases for the iPad mini with Retina display. I've seen several sites offering rugged cases that were designed for the original mini as compatible with the iPad mini with Retina. While technically the mini with Retina may indeed fit inside a rugged case designed for the original mini, what about the new microphone that would get covered up? I could see this being a big issue for some folks.

So in this roundup I'm focusing on cases specific to the iPad mini with Retina display and the iPad Air. I actually started out with a list of ten case manufacturers who I figured would have their iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina cases ready by now. I was a little surprised to have ended up with such a relatively short list of iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina heavy-duty cases currently available (I think Apple caught the case manufacturers off guard with the introduction of this new mic on the mini’s backside). But I will update this article early in the new year since I know that a lot of new rugged iPad case options will be hitting the market very soon. For further information on exceptional rugged cases for the original iPad mini, (if you just can't wait, or, just don't care about that second mic being exposed) click HERE or HERE.

Criteria:

• The cases featured here must protect the iDevice with a minimum  MIL-STD-810, meaning they provide a required level of protection from drops, shock, liquid, dirt, and other debris. For a rugged iDevice case to come with a MIL-STD-810 rating is fairly standard, so it isn't particularly excessive to expect a rugged case to meet this ratings standard. Additionally, while being waterproof is not a prerequisite, it goes a long way in helping a case receive my highest rankings.
• Each case must be a full-time use iPad case—no glorified Ziploc bags or cases with no charging ports or headphone access here.
• The less bulky a case manages to be, while still offering the maximum protection and convenience, also factors into my ratings.

1. Griffin Survivor 

iPad Air ($79.99)

Available now for the iPad Air, the Survivor provides the highest level of protection for the iPad Air of any of the cases for the Air. In terms of reliable protection and sheer ruggedness the Survivor is tough to beat; and it’s my favorite extreme-duty case for the Air currently available. The Survivor is the most watertight of the current crop of cases for the new iPad Air, which goes a long way to securing it the top spot in this roundup. It's multi-layered design provides solid protection from most crises that could foreseeable befall your new iPad. The Survivor also has a handy little stand that clips on to the case’s shell which detaches for conveniently propping the iPad up in landscape mode for movie watching or typing. I expect the Griffin Survivor for the new iPad mini with Retina to become available any day now.

2. Otterbox Defender

For iPad Air ($89.95)

For iPad mini with Retina ($79.90) *Currently the ONLY ruggedized case specifically for the iPad mini with Retina available for purchase!

Otterbox is once again, first to market with their impeccable protective cases for BOTH of the newest iPads. The Defender series for the iPad Air and the iPad mini with Retina display offers some the best and most comprehensive protection for the new iPads currently available. In addition to the rugged protection of the case itself, with it's shatter-resistant inner shell and shock-absorbing exoskeleton, the Defender for the new iPads also comes with a rigid plastic screen shield which doubles as an iPad stand, as seen in the photo of the iPad mini with Retina above.

3. The Joy Factory aXtion Bold

iPad Air($59.95)

The aXtion Bold for the new iPad Air is an inventive and attractive new design from a company that I've written favorably aboutmany times in the past. Joy Factory has a solid reputation for manufacturing top-quality iDevice cases and accessories, and the new aXtion Bold continues in this tradition. With its snug port covers, incorporated touchscreen protection and streamlined design the aXtion Bold is an excellent and affordable option for top-notch heavy-duty protection for that new iPad Air. Currently available in black and red models, the only thing the aXtion Bold lacks compared to its competition is a wider selection of color options and a kickstand.

4. Trident Kraken A.M.S.

iPad Air($69.95)

The Trident Kraken A.M.S. is a sturdy and well-tested rugged case for the new iPad Air. Unlike many of its competitors, the Kraken has it's layer of silicone protection on the inside of its shell, with the polycarbonate layer serving as it's exoskeleton. It also features a built-in screen protector for that extra level of ruggedized protection. The Kraken’s A.M.S. (Adaptive Modular System) feature also allows you to easily mount your iPad on the various A.M.S. accessories that Trident has available, including their Arkon heavy-duty C-clamp mount ($75.95) and their Arkon extendable car headrest mount ($49.95).

Enjoy your new iPads everyone, and if you want the most reliable in protective cases to secure your prized possession, this roundup should help you find something that fits your specific needs. And if you are looking for a rugged case for the iPad mini with Retina display, keep your eyes open, I expect all of the case manufacturers featured above to be carrying heavy-duty cases for the iPad mini with Retina any day now. I'll update this roundup early in the new year and I am sure I'll have a lot more to add to this category, especially after CES 2014 in January! Stay tuned...

A reliable protective case comes in handy not only to ward off scratches and scrapes, a good, heavy-duty protective case can make the difference between a catastrophic, life-ending event for your iDevice and a mere bump in the road. Whether you are a bathtub iBook reader or an outdoor adventurer who always has their iPhone in tow, a ruggedly protective case that offers a high measure of insulation from outside elements can be a very worthwhile investment. Read on to find out which are the best iPhone 5s and 5c heavy-duty cases available right now.

Something to keep in mind with regard to rugged iPhone 5s or 5c cases: While I am focusing on cases that are specific for the 5s and 5c, cases that were made for the iPhone 5 also work for the iPhone 5s. This means there is a whole slew of rugged protection cases (including Otterbox’s Preserver or Griffin + Survivor’s Catalyst) that will fit the 5s, but won't allow for use of the TouchID feature. For those of you for whom that's not important, you will have a much wider selection of iPhone 5s rugged case options. For more information on the best rugged cases designed for the 5 that fit the 5s, you may also click HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Criteria:

• The cases featured here must protect the iDevice with a minimum  MIL-STD-810, meaning they provide a required level of protection from drops, shock, liquid, dirt, and other debris. For a rugged iDevice case to come with a MIL-STD-810 rating is fairly standard, so it isn't particulalry excessive to expect a rugged case to meet this ratings standard. Additionally, while being waterproof is not a pre-requisite, it goes a long way in helping a case recieve my highest rankings.
• Each case must be a full-time use iPhone 5s/5c case, no glorified ziplock bags or cases with no charging ports or headphone access, ones that can't be used all the time. If the case is for the 5s, it must alow for access to the TouchID feature.
• The less bulky a case is, while still offering the maximum protection and convenience, also plays into my ratings.

1. Lifeproof (nüüd and frē models)

Lifeproof frē for iPhone 5s($79.99)

Lifeproof nüüd for iPhone 5s($89.99)

Lifeproof frē for iPhone 5c($79.99)

Lifeproof is synonymous with both quality and attention to detail. First to market with a waterproof case for the new iPhones, Lifeproof has not only designed the most protective case on the market, their new frē and nüüd models for the 5s and 5c are also the sleekest and least obtrusive of the ruggedly designed, heavy-duty use cases.

The Lifeproof frē is a waterproof case with a built-in, plastic screen protector and the nüüd is a waterproof case with an O-ring sealed discreetly around the touchscreen face while the bare glass of the iPhone 5s touchscreen remains exposed.

Other than that, the only notable difference is that the frē has an empty lanyard attachment point where you can attach a wrist strap, while the nuud has a built-in "lanyard" attached to the removable headphone port screw. The frē is available for both the 5s as well as the 5c, while the nüüd is currently only available for the 5s.

Don't forget, Lifeproof has extended a special offer exclusively to our iPhone Life readers. You will get 10 percent off of any Lifeproof order between now and Christmas. all you have to do is place your order and when prompted for a coupon code enter:

iphonelife10

3. Otterbox Defender Series

Otterbox Defender for iPhone 5s($59.90)

Otterbox Defender for iPhone 5c($59.90)

The Otterbox Defender is available now for both the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c in a wide range of color choices. There’s definitely something for everyone, as Otterbox allows you to custom pick the colors of your case’s shatter-resistant inner shell, its outer rubber skin and its belt clip. You can end up with some unique color combinations, that's for sure!

Along with being perhaps the most fashionable and uniquely customizable of the rugged cases currently available, the Defender for the new iPhones offers the same high level of rugged and reliable protection as its famous predecessors. The Defender covers your main ports and buttons with rubber flaps and has a built-in screen protector which covers the iPhone's touchscreen while leaving your home screen button exposed (even on the 5c). With the Defender on your iPhone it has a great chance of surviving most maladies. And even though the Defender can't claim to be waterproof, I can personally attest to three experiences I've had where my Defender encased iDevice fall completely into the water, albeit briefly, and survive intact. I'm just sayin', but I wouldn't recommend it.

Wait! Say what?! You'd think there'd be more choices huh? While I know there will be lots of options soon, at this time, these are the only two companies that I've found that have cases that are ready for the iPhones 5s/5c that meet my above-mentioned criteria. One thing's for sure, in six month's time the market will be flooded with cases that meet my rugged case criteria for the 5s and 5c. In fact, I suspect I'll be seeing many of them at CES 2014 in January. Until then, if you are looking for a quality and dependable rugged case for your iPhone 5s or 5cC, these are your best options. And fortunately, excellent options they are indeed.

Enjoy your new iPhones everyone, and if you want the most reliable in protective cases to secure your prized possession this roundup should help you find something that fits your specific needs.

Thanks to everyone who entered iPhone Life's Biweekly Weekend Giveaway! We received entries from 405 people in 25 different countries this week! WOW! And are giving away 3 amazing accessories!

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

James Lucidonio, Thomas Hohmann, and Jason Jennings. 

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. Sena Magia Wallet for iPhone 5/5s: Retail Price $54.95

Match the sleek look of the iPhone 5s/5 with a case that is designed to secure the phone without adding bulk. The Magia Wallet's unique clean and reusable adhesive mount secures your phone. The case also functions as a three card wallet.

2. Otterbox Reflex Series iPad Case: Retail Price $69.95

Otterbox's engineers and industrial designers carefully considered every aspect of the iPad to create a simple, yet protective case. Inspired by the crumple zone of a car, the Reflex Series case for iPad 2, 3, and 4 features a unique dual material combination of polycarbonate and silicone. Cushions of air in the corners allow the case to flex and absorb any impact force. This case not only takes a hit, it recoils and springs back, ready to protect again. If you're looking for strong yet sleek protection, look no further than the Reflex Series case for the iPad 2, 3, and 4. 

3. Otterbox Reflex Series iPhone 5: Retail Price $34.95

Lifestyle and protection come together in this highly protective case. Providing innovative protection, the Reflex Series dockable iPhone 5/5s case is lightweight, easy-to-dock, and portable—leaving you with a secure feeling of protection wherever and however you use your smartphone or tablet.

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 30th!

It's that time of year: when tech websites post their lists of best apps for the year. Here are some of the lists of best apps for 2013 that you may want to check out. It's a great way to quickly find those that best suit your needs.

InformationWeek— I like well curated short lists rather than long lists of 50 or more. So I think a good place to start your search for the best apps is the list of 10 posted by InformationWeek. You should definitely consider adding a number of these to your iPhone or iPad. The list includes Google Maps (free), Dropbox for iOS (free), Jump Desktop ($14.99), which lets you access a Mac or PC remotely via your device, Duolingo (free), which offers foreign language instruction for free using gaming techniques, Burner (free), which lets you conceal your phone number when making calls by giving you temporary disposable numbers, and Uber (free), an alternate taxi service. I notice a number of these, such as Google Maps, Dropbox, and Uber, have made several of the lists.

Inc.— This small list of the five best apps of 2013 also deserves a look. Mailbox (free) made a big splash because it was a new approach to email that people loved. The goal of the app, which is available for both the iPhone and iPad, is a zero Inbox. Also on many lists is IFTTT (free), which stands for "If This, Then That." Basically it's a way of programming your iPhone to do specific tasks for you, such as sending you an email whenever there's bad weather in the forecast, or automatically saving attachments in Evernote. People like it because it's so simple to set up these "recipes." 

iDownLoadBlog— The focus of the previous list was productivity apps, and this list on iDownloadBlog also offers up the 10 best productivity apps for 2013. The list includes Mailbox and IFTTT, and a number of other apps that look similarly useful. The most interesting may be Donna (free), a personal assistant that tells you when to leave for an appointment, dials into conference calls for you, and lets others know when to expect you. And she does all this without your even needing to open the app. 

PCMag.com— If you like free apps, check out PCMag.com's list of the 50 best free apps for 2013. All of them are truly free: no in-app purchases or memberships required. Entries in the list include Cloze, which was also on a number of other lists. This app "collects tweets, emails, Facebook posts, and other bits of communication from your contacts and prioritizes them based on people who are most relevant to you."Adobe Photoshop Express. for both the iPhone and iPad, is a fairly powerful photo editing app that lets you make a wide range of adjustments, such as contrast, exposure, white balance, and color. The app also offers 20 filters and 15 borders and frames. Of course, it includes the  basics of crop, straighten, rotate, flip, and remove red eye. The list also includes Evernote, which seems to be everyone's favorite app these days. It's a note-making app that effectively uses the cloud and that people love because it makes organizing your notes, files, and photos so easy. 

Time Tech— Time magazine's list of 50 best iPhone apps for 2013 also deserves a look. Overall, this is an excellent, well curated selection of apps, and includes many that were on the other lists. You can scroll through the list as a slide show, or you can select View All to see the whole list of 50 at a glance. Be sure to check out Hotel Tonight (free), which lets you make last-minute hotel reservations—while getting an extremely low price. A great article in the New York Times talked about this app and the effect it was having on the industry.