Several years ago, I was at the Consumer Electronics Show, where a certain rapper stood side by side with the head of a certain audio cable company to announce a certain headphone business. Since then, countless headphones have been launched, often with the endorsement of celebrity rappers and musicians. Headphones have become more expensive than the phones and MP3 players they plug into. And recently, that original rapper took his headphone business and cut ties with that audio company.The lesson here is, forget about endorsements and pay attention to the build quality, materials, components, features, and overall sound before you spend a lot of money on a set of headphones. Personally, I have a pet peeve regarding headphones with two wires, one on each side. As long as the headband is wide enough, it's easy to route the audio to the second earpiece within the band. I also travel quite a bit, so even though I want full size headphones, they need to fold up for portability.
 

All of this leads me to the SMS Sync by 50 On Ear Wireless headphones ($229.95). Sure, the 50 stands for Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, the highly successful "bulletproof" rapper but you shouldn't let endorsements decide what to buy. These headphones have to stand on their own.

First, forget the wires. These are wireless! Dance, workout, or do whatever! Thanks to Bluetooth, you don't have to worry about getting tangled. And because they act as a Bluetooth headset, you can take phone calls on them using the built in microphone. There are easy to access controls on the ear cups, so you can control music playback without grabbing your phone.

Next, the SMS Sync by 50 is portable. The hinges help you fold up the headphones into a relatively compact form. The materials are top notch, with real leather and memory foam for the ear cups.
 

he sound quality is great, as it should be. They claim to offer "passive noise cancelation" which isn't as good as active noise canceling headphones, but should help with battery life. You might notice the difference on an airplane, but you're probably not supposed to use Bluetooth on the plane anyway. Fortunately, they include a wired cable you can plug in for just such occasions.

At $230, they're not cheap, but they are quite competitive with high-end headphones, even ones without Bluetooth. There's one more factor to consider. SMS supports Feeding America with one million meals per year. That's a nice touch to remember this holiday season!

The moment you begin tinkering with the game, you will have a feeling of déjà vu, as though you are playing Angry Birds in a different form. But, the app does have interesting features, including the ability to change angles, the difficulty of obstacles per level, and the progression of Kick The Ball's storyline.

The numerous in-app advertisements in the free version can be annoying to some people, preventing them from getting hooked on the game.  

While we have seen similar concepts and game play in the App Store, I do like how the game lets you select different angles to knock down the obstacles in addition to its challenging levels. 

Kick The Ball is designed for both iPhone and iPad and has a free and premium version ($2.99).

Our iPhones and iPads are capable of amazing things, but most of us only use a small percentage of their abilities. In this weekly column I share tips and tricks for beginners, or anyone who wants to harness the full power of their iDevice. This week, I'm going to give tips for the Music app on your iPhone.

1. Add an Item to Your Wish List

If you come across an item you want while you're browsing the iTunes Store but don't want to purchase it yet, you can save it to a wish list. To add an item, tap the share icon (a square with an arrow pointing up) in the bar along the top of your screen, then tap Add to Wish List. When you want to visit your wish list later, tap the far-right icon (three horizontal lines) in the top bar and then Wish List.

2. Repeat an Album

If there's an album you love and wouldn't mind listening to again and again while you're going through your day, you can set it to repeat. In the Music app, tap the More tab on the bottom-right corner, then tap the Albums option at the top. Scroll through until you find the album you want to listen to, open it, and you'll see a track list. Click a song, then tap Repeat in the bottom-left corner, then Repeat Album.

3. Control Playback

While listening to music or a voice recording, you can control the app's playback in Control Center (accessed by swiping up from any screen). To return to the app that's responsible for playback, tap the song's title while in Control Center.

4. Scrubbing

Do you ever find yourself listening to a song and just wanting to get to the good part? You can tap, hold, and drag the red line along the track for fast-forward or rewind (called scrubbing.) You'll see the words Hi-Speed Scrubbing as you do this. If you'd like to slow down the process to refine your search, slide your finger up a bit on the screen while your dragging the red line and it will change to Half-Speed Scrubbing. Slide your finger a little higher and you'll see Quarter-Speed Scrubbing, even higher you'll find Fine Scrubbing which moves the red line at much finer control.

5. Genre Shuffling

You can always tap Shuffle at the top of your screen while listening to the Music app to move through all your songs randomly. But if you want to only listen to a certain Genre, say Holiday music, you can shuffle without creating a specific playlist for the music. First, swipe downward on your screen to the search field and type the Genre name you want to listen to. When it appears in the search results, you can tap on it to view all the tracks assigned to that genre, grouped by album. Tap on one of the tracks and it will automatically begin a shuffled playback of that genre. 

Although it's unlikely that you'll drop your iPad down a flight of stairs, it's comforting to know that the NuGuard KX case from NewerTech ($49) will keep it safe. But does that extra protection come at a cost?

Design

The NuGuard KX is available for the iPad Air and the iPad mini and both feature the same wraparound shell design. Available in black, the case wraps around the back of your iPad, and just enough over the bezel to provide a protective lip if you were to lay it face down. Other than that, the case leaves your iPad's screen completely exposed. As for your iPad's ports and buttons, button overlays are available for the volume and power buttons, while the mute/orientation lock switch, speakers, headphone jack, and Lightning port are exposed by cutouts. This case is a bit thicker than some of its competitors, but that's the price of added shock and drop protection. The back of the case provides some added grip thanks to a crosshatched texture design. 

Functionality

For the most part, the NuGuard KX works as advertised. My iPad Air was protected and setting it down on counters and tables was never a worry. The added grip provided by the case was a nice touch, as I'm still getting used to how thin and light the iPad Air is. Unfortunately, the NuGuard KX takes away the "Air" from the iPad Air.

The case, which is 0.59-inches thick, roughly doubles the overall thickness of the iPad Air. While it doesn't add much to the Air's slimmed down sides, the case changes one-handed holding drastically, at least in my experience. The experience of using the amazingly thin and light iPad Air gets lost in the bulkiness of the case.

Pros

• Offers great drop protection
• Provides extra grip

Cons

• Added bulk reduces iPad's ease of use
• High price for somewhat limited protection

The Verdit

The NuGuard KX offers great drop protection, but little else. If you want full, heavy-duty protection for your $49, you're probably better off looking elsewhere.

I love high technology and modern components, but there's something special about the juxtaposition of those materials with natural components. These cases from Evutec ($39.95) meet that specification, and then some.

Over the years, I've tried a lot of cases that use wood, bamboo, and other natural materials. Often, they place form over function and don't do much to protect your phone if it falls.

The Evutec cases protrude above the glass in the four corners, for protection where it counts. The case uses real wood veneer combined with DuPont Kevlar fibers, offering the feel of natural wood combined with the durability needed for a protective case. And it feels great in your hands!

Evutec also offers carbon-fiber-style cases and cases for non-Apple devices, but I think the beautiful Apple iPhones go great with the natural wood designs.

It's been a great year for new devices from Apple, each of which was preceded by months of rumors—which I dutifully passed along. Many turned out to be true: a new iPad with a form factor like the iPad mini, an iPad mini with retina display, and a lower-cost iPhone. But some were off. There were many rumors of an HDTV from Apple that would arrive late this year. Many people are now doubting Apple will ever come out with one, even though they're known to have developed a variety of prototypes. We kept getting rumors of an iWatch, which have gotten more tangible over time. But still no watch. 

Cult of Mac has posted a list of six of "The Craziest Rumors of 2013," some of which I had passed along. Topping the list was the rumor of an HDTV to come out by the end of this year that would be controlled by an iRing you wear on your finger. I do think that crossed the line into crazy. They also mention a rumor of a 12.9-inch iPad Pro coming next year that would have a 4K display. The larger screen seems like it's going to happen, but the 4K resolution? Very unlikely.

Early on there was also a rumor of a 4.8-inch iPhone that would be released in the fall along with the iPhone 5s. I passed that one along. Didn't happen. But it does seem like we'll see a larger iPhone next year. I've noticed that sometimes a rumored phone does eventually appear, but a year later than initially rumored.

They also include the "budget iPhone" on their list. Yes, we did see the iPhone 5c, but it turned out to be more expensive than any of the rumors were suggesting and hardly qualifies as a budget phone.

I'm sure Apple has big plans for 2014, and I'm sure we'll have a steady stream of rumors. It is, after all, a marketing ploy.

I think there are some pretty safe bets for 2014: a larger iPhone, a larger iPad, a new version of Apple TV with a new interface that's open to developers, and an iWatch or other wearable device. I look forward to seeing what Apple has in store.

In a surprise move, popular jailbreak team evad3rs have just released a jailbreak for all devices running iOS 7.0-7.0.4. While this may be great news for jailbreakers, you might still want to wait before liberating your device.

If you've been waiting to update to iOS 7 for fear of losing your iOS 6 jailbreak, it's now safe to update as evasi0n7 has just been released for both Windows and Mac. The jailbreak supports all devices running on iOS 7, including the iPhone 5S, iPad Air, and iPad mini with Retina display.

The full requirements to jailbreak include:

• five minutes of your time!
• A computer, running Windows (XP minimum), Mac OS X (10.6 minimum), or Linux (x86 / x86_64)
• iTunes installed if you're running Windows
• An iPhone, iPad, or iPod running iOS 7.0 through 7.0.4 (you may check in Settings / General / About => Version)
• A USB cable to connect the device to the computer

So, should you jailbreak? 

Jailbreaking your iDevice gives you the freedom to customize your device's settings and features in ways that Apple just won't allow. Jailbreaking even gives you access to your device's filesystem, which is a good enough reason alone to jailbreak. However, most popular jailbreak tweaks and apps remain unsupported on A7 devices like the iPhone 5s and iPad Air due to evad3rs' secrecy with the jailbreak. No other members of the jailbreak community have had time to update any compatibility issues with their tweaks.    

In an end-of-year memo to employees, Apple CEO Tim Cook said, "We have a lot to look forward to in 2014, including some big plans that we think customers are going to love." That's not much to go on, but it's created a lot of buzz. And it lends support to the latest rumor that Apple will be releasing a larger iPhone in May and a 12.9-inch iPad in October. Both rumors of larger devices are gaining some traction, given that various sources in Apple's supply chain have indicated this. The most recent provenance is the Taiwan publication DigiTimes. Their source says that Apple has considered both a 12.9-inch and 13.3-inch display for the larger iPad, with the former now seeming more likely. The report doesn't say what size iPhone is expected in May, but past rumors have said that Apple has been testing a 4.9-inch model. One analyst has suggested that the phone will be between 4.5 and 5 inches, and that a model larger than 5 inches is unlikely.

Samsung, of course, already has its Galaxy Note series, ranging in size from 5.3 to 5.7 inches. and their Galaxy Mega, which has screen sizes of 5.8 and 6.3 inches.

Apple has long tried to keep its product line focused, with fewer models. This has several advantages. One is that developers have the convenience of developing for a limited set of dimensions. Another is that market research has shown that when consumers have fewer choices, they are more likely to purchase. Too many choices simply confuses them. And a third is simply that the more different models you make, the greater the manufacturing costs.

So Apple is clearly going in a new direction with multiple sizes, though still keeping to a fairly narrow range. Apparently it's an acknowledgment that some consumers simply have a need or strong preference for larger sizes. However, regarding the iPhone, Apple seems intent on keeping the size under 5 inches, hewing to their belief that one should be able to conveniently operate the phone with one hand.

So what else might CEO Cook have been referring to when he noted "big plans that we think consumers are going to love"? Much evidence suggests an iWatch. and I'm betting they'll come out with a new version of Apple TV, with a new interface and a new platform that will be open to developers.

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. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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. 

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!

Vote now in the iPhone Life iPhone Photography Contest! The deadline is Monday, December 30. Click HERE to choose your favorite images. The top 10 photos will be featured in the March-April issue of iPhone Life magazine.

Don't worry if you can't choose just one; you can vote for as many photos as you like. You can only vote once per day for each image though, so make sure you vote every day from now until the contest closes at 11:59 p.m. on December 30!

Here are some samples of the beautiful photos being submitted (click HERE to see all the entries):

You've been waiting with bated breath to find out who won the iPhone Life - Monster Giveaway, and finally the results are in!

The winner of the unlocked gold iPhone 5s and pair of  Monster headphones is...

Christian H.!

Congratulations! Enjoy being the envy of all your friends, family members, and coworkers as you flash that brand spankin' new gold iPhone 5s and rock those awesome Monster headphones around town.

If you didn't win  this time, stay tuned for our next giveaway! We're having so much fun giving stuff away, there's no way we're stopping now!

Now is a good time to buy games for your iPhone or iPad. Electronic Arts, one of the top game developers, is having a limited-time sale on 40 of its games, which are currently available for $0.99. You can see a list on TUAW. That page also lists special holiday prices on scores of additional games from developers such as SNL Playmore, Subatomic Studio, Taito Corporation, Warner Bros, Gameloft, and many more. Around 200 games in all. 

The TUAW website also has a helpful list of must-have apps for new iPhone and iPad owners.

And speaking of new iPads, CNET has a great article on the first 10 things you should do with your new iPad. If you were lucky enough to get one of these gadgets from Santa, you'll definitely want to read this article. 

CNET also offers a roundup of the best free games for the iPad. 

Get it while its hot! Flexibits' Fantastical 2 is currently on sale for $1.99 (normally $4.99). If you're looking for the perfect calendar app for your iPhone, your search may end here.

Design

Upon first launching the app, you'll be greeted with a red bar at the top of the screen that displays the current month. Fantastical 2's "Day Ticker" is displayed by default, with events or reminders (which may be synced with Apple's Calendar and Reminders apps) presented in a list view—essentially making the app a calendar and task list. Pulling down on the Day Ticker reveals a month view, with colored dots appearing on days with events scheduled. Pulling down slightly on the Day Ticker or month view enables Search, which can filter events by title, location, invitees, or all.

Tilting the device in landscape orientation displays a more traditional calendar view, showing you five days at a time with a scrollable eight-hour view of your day's events.

Funtionality

Event creation is where Fantastical 2 really shines. It's natural language input makes scheduling appointments or events a breeze. Simply tap the "+" icon, and typing something like "Lunch next Tuesday with Tom at 12:30," will schedule it as such (bonus points if you use Siri to dictate it). 

Moreover, the app handles repeating events just as well. Adding phrases like "every other Friday" to events will have them repeat as such. If you have multiple calendars, typing "/(calendar name)" will add your new event to its respective calendar.

While viewing today's date, Reminders will always be at the top of the day's event list. Tapping it will take you to a seperate view of all incomplete to-dos in your list. Reminders will only appear in your Day Ticker if they are assigned a due date. New reminders can be created from within Fantastical 2. Otherwise, it'll pull reminders from the Reminders app, or sync with any reminders you use Siri to create. 

Several smaller features tucked away in Fantastical 2's settings make using the app much more enjoyable, such as the light or dark theme for the Day Ticker, badging the app's icon to show the current date, and opening links and locations in Google's Chrome or Maps apps. You can tweak the app's settings to cater to your needs, which is something Apple's Calendar app sorely lacks. 

Pros:

• Gorgeous, intuitive interface
• Natural language input works flawlessly
• Syncs with Calendar and Reminders
• More control of repeating events than with Apple's Calendar

Cons:

• None

The Verdict

If you're even remotely disatisfied with the stock Calendar and Reminders apps on your iPhone, Fantastical 2 is a great way to have better event and task management. Its intuitive interface is new, yet familiar, and is easy to start using right away thanks to its ability to sync with your existing calendar and reminders.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

I love authentic Italian food, and as a foodie, I want to try just about everything that I can get my hands on. Most of the time though, I end up with a totally different dish than I thought I was ordering. It can be a nice surprise, but I wouldn't want that to happen all the time!

That's where the Translate A Menu – Italy Food Dictionary (free with in-app purchases) helps to save the day. The app tells you exactly what you are ordering, including the ingredients and how it is cooked.

The app also tells you how to pronounce Italian dishes and some common phrases such as "Could we get the bill/check please?" and "We need more time to decide."

What's great about the app is that I can access all the content without an Internet connection. Once I get back from the restaurant, I can pull up a diary page of my search history, add in the photo I snapped while dining, and then share my experience with other food lovers on Facebook and Twitter.

Some additional features I would love to see within the app include the ability to add descriptions to the images and also an audio pronunciation of the Italian words. Overall, the app does a great job of helping me figure out what dish to order and which common phrases to use. 

Try the app next time you hit your favorite ristorante, osteria, or trattoria. Translate A Menu – Italy Food Dictionary is compatible with iPhone and iPod touch.

It can be downloaded free and comes with 15 free searches. An additional 15 searches can be purchased for $0.99 and unlimited searches for $8.99.

We're in day 2 of Apple's 12 Days of Gifts, a free app that offers you something for free each day for 12 days starting on Dec 26. Yesterday's inaugural freebie was a music download that included the four songs performed by Justin Timberlake at this year's iTunes Festival. Earlier today Apple's offering in the U.S. was the pilot episode of the TV series "Once Upon a Time," which I downloaded to my iPad Air. Then, for unexplained reasons, the offering later in the day was switched to the Tiny Thief game from Rovio, makers of Angry Birds. So I went to my iPad mini and was able to download that, too. To get your gifts, install the app and each day you'll be offered a new gift—songs, apps, books, movies, and more. 

The Bible is one of the most read books worldwide. And with the emergence of iOS devices, there have been numerous apps available for those to partake in the Good Book. Since the last article on this topic, applications that give one an in-depth Bible reading and learning experience have improved a great deal. Here are five choice apps from the lot:

1. Bible+ (free)

This app by Olive Tree Bible Software, Inc. has become a favorite among users because of the ability to sync between different devices without a problem. It comes with two versions, the King James and the English Standard. You can also download maps of locations mentioned throughout as well. In addition, Bible+ also allows you to share verses via your social media feeds. It's available for the iPhone and iPad only, sorry iPod Touch users.
 

2. Bible.is (free)

This app stands out partly because it was created by a ministry that specializes in spreading the gospel worldwide, and partly because you can actually watch re-enacted video scenes of different passages in the Bible. Combine those features with the ability to listen to selected passages and Bible.is is a strong addition to the field.

3. Bible (free)

This Bible app has become a default app among both iOS and Android users over the past couple of years. It's simple and straightforward and recent updates now allow you to read offline. One notable feature of this app allows you to work with a free YouVersion account to better organize your notes and share passages. This is one of the few Bible-related apps that give you a wide variety of versions without charge.

4. Bible Gateway (free)

This Bible app is unique in its layout, giving the user a lot of information in a clean but compelling array. There is a parallel reading feature for translations available here, but it's only when you are online. Bible Gateway also gives you daily verse quotes and comes with the requisite social media share function.

5. Holy Bible (free)

This app is different from the others because its developer is a missionary by trade. It also stands out among others as a pure reference app; it gives you the Bible in a straightforward manner. A drawback would be that you have to make an in-app purchase just to compile study notes during your reading. There are features for highlighting certain passages quickly and with no fuss, and it does allow for full iCloud syncing and backup. 

Now that Christmas is over you probably have a lot of new additions to your wardrobe. And just how do you plan to incorporate these new pieces into your current rotation? With the help of these fashion friendly apps designed to showcase your personal style and organize your closet. 

1. Cloth (free)

Cloth is great because it lets you take a photo of yourself wearing all your new clothing and trying on different combinations. Love the look you put together with the new sweater from grandma? Snap a photo of yourself and add a little note. You can even add the occasion for which you're wearing the outfit and current weather conditions. Keep everything organized by category for easy reference later. Want to share? Photos are easily uploaded to a variety of social sites including the Cloth site itself. Don’t want to share? That’s cool too. All your photos are saved to the app, so they’ll be easy to access but they won’t clutter up your camera roll. I’ve found Cloth most useful when I’m trying to pack for various trips. I can easily pull up appropriate outfits. Although Cloth is limited to complete outfits, sometimes just paging though the things you’ve worn in the past gives insight and inspiration to mix and match the items in your closet. 

2. Pose (free)

More interested in what’s in someone else’s closet? Download Pose. Pose is a social collage of clothing, accessories, and even make-up. Pose is where to go for inspiration. One of the great things Pose offers is the ability to search for specific styles or brands you frequently shop. Pose also allows you to upload your own outfits; but since the site is dominated by fashion bloggers who have invested time and money into perfecting the professional looking fashion photos, you may want to invest in a camera app such as Camera+ (1.99).

Pose takes a little bit of a learning curve in order to get the most out of your experience, but it can be really inspiring and handy once you get the navigation down. I find myself looking to the “What to Wear With…” section of the app as I peruse my closet. And if you spot something on Pose that you don’t have in your closet, you can click on the item and shop items like it in varying price ranges. This is how I ended up with my faux leather leggings (which I rock, by the way). 

3. Closet+ (free)

Maybe you just need to get a comprehensive look at what you already own. This is where Closet comes in. Closet lets you take photos of everything in your closet and then mix and match what you already own. Once you put an outfit together, you can add it to a calendar. I have this weird obsession with not repeating clothing, shoes or handbags within the same month. I suspect the makers of this app are either like myself or cared about someone like me. The biggest issue I have with Closet is that importing all of your clothing is time consuming. I’ve found the easiest way for busy people to accomplish this is one outfit at a time. As you chose your outfit for the day, simply snap photos of each item and tag them. Granted it takes months to get through your entire closet (yep, not done yet myself), but it’s a lot better than trying to take photos of everything you own all a once. Custom tags can be added along with the last day you wore the item (love this feature!), the number of times you’ve worn the item, and how much the item costs (it’s depressing to see what my Chanel bag Cost Per Wear comes out to). 

This is another must-have for people who travel often because you can easily pack mix-and-match items in the event that what you thought you would want to wear turns out to not be what you’d like to put on once you get to your destination. I also use my Closet app when I go shopping. When I see something I like, I check my app to make sure I don’t have anything like it already and to check if I have things already in my closet that will also go with it. I use Closet and Pose in tandem on shopping sprees. If I find something funky which goes with nothing in my closet, I open up the Pose app to find items like it and see how others have styled it. It’s a comfort to know that even if I can’t find something to make it into the perfect outfit at the mall I can always purchase something straight from the Pose app. 

No matter what your personal style, Cloth, Closet, and Pose give you options to get the most wear and diversity out of your wardrobe and will help you get organized for the new year. 

A friend got some money for Christmas and emailed me to ask where she should go to get an iPhone. I checked and was surprised to see at least one holiday sale still going on. So if you're in the same situation, be sure to check around. As I write this on December 28, Best Buy is offering the 16 GB iPhone 5c for free and the 16GB iPhone 5s for $124.99. There's also a $75 discount on models with more storage. Of course, these offers entail committing to a two-year contract. Also, not all colors or carriers are available. Shipping is free.

It’s a matter of when not if. To me it's a foregone conclusion that the release of a larger iPhone is not far off. Granted, this might not be the kind of news you want to be reminded of just days after unboxing your shiny new iPhones; but the fact remains: the impending introduction of the new iPhone 6 or iPhone Air (or whatever it ends up being called) is literally just around the corner. For Apple to deliver this highly anticipated and widely rumored iPhone to market seems a no-brainer; all one has to do is look at the popularity of the competition’s larger-screened smartphone devices to conclude that this would be a wise and prudent business plan.

This introduction of the new, larger iPhone will likely take precedence to the release of either an iTV or iWatch. Not that those devices won't also be introduced soon too, and not that they won't be wildly popular and do very well, but my feeling is that neither of those devices will be as instantly popular, accessible and useful as the forthcoming iPhone in its larger iterations. And yes, I meant iterations plural, since the blogosphere is already abuzz with the rumors that the next iPhones that come to market will be available in two size options, one in the 5-inch range, and one in the 6-inch range.

What will this mean?

Well, we would then have an iOS option small enough to still navigate easily (and for the most part single-handedly) but also large enough for the user to truly enjoy its graphics and resolution, something that can be challenging with the diminutive screen size of the current iPhone 5 series.

More than even the highly anticipated iPad mini’s introduction back in 2011, I am ever so eagerly awaiting the introduction of the "iPhone 6." The larger iPhone represents not only direct competition to Apple’s closest smartphone rivals, it also represents the potential for further synthesis of the iOS platform. Will this new, larger iPhone support iPad-only apps, or both iPhone and iPad apps? I feel that this new iPhone should be the first true hybrid between the iPad and the iPhone, one that supports apps in both formats. And yes, I am well aware of the game changing precedence this sets, as it would further blur the lines between iPad-specific and iPhone-specific apps as we inevitably move towards a more unified iOS. Wouldn't it be cool if every app in the App Store were compatible with this new iPhone? Wouldn't it be sweet if when you turned your iPhone 6 horizontally into landscape orientation, the homescreen apps flipped accordingly like they do on the iPad, instead of staying frozen archaically in vertical/portrait mode? And how cool would it be for anyone interested in gaming, beyond Words with Friends, to be able to really see and appreciate the iPhone's Retina graphics on a larger screen? All in a device that can still fit in your jean's pocket. Wow huh?!

There's been no shortage of concept designs from talented designers (some of which I've included here), depicting their imaginative predictions of what the new iPhone might look like and what it may feature. It's worth noting that all of the fancy and futuristic-looking technology shown in these images, are based in part on patented technology that Apple has reportedly been tinkering with behind those closed doors in Cupertino.

There have also been no shortage of predictions as to the time frame of the release of such game-changing devices, some pundits speculate that we’ll see this new iDevice as early as May, others expect that the new iPhone will be introduced on Apple's usual time table with an October event.

One thing is for certain, and that is that this new iPhone will not only cannibalize Apple’s sales of the iPhone 5 series as well as the iPad line, it will (in my humble opinion) immediately begin to squash the competition, who at the moment are seeing unprecedented and unopposed popularity on account of their larger, more user-friendly screens.

Stay tuned to iPhone Life for all of the latest reports and rumors as word of this new iPhone moves from the realm of conjecture and speculation into the realm fact and reality.

A few days ago I listed the rumor that we'll see a 4K "iPad Pro" as one of the craziest rumors of 2013. Yet the rumor keeps popping up. A 4K display would have twice the resolution of today's retina iPad. To my mind, it's not credible, given the difficulty and expense. Plus, it's not clear to me whether the unaided eye would even be able to see the difference. You can read about the latest rumor on Forbes, which cites as it sources the Chinese language website Pad News as well as Foxconn, the Chinese company that manufactures many of Apple's devices. According to one rumor, Apple already has a prototype ready of a retina iPad Pro and is now working on developing a 4K version of the iPad Pro. By way of comparison, the retina display of the iPad Air has a resolution of 2048 x 1536, while an iPad with a 4K display would have a resolution of 4096 x 3072.

So why 4K? The Forbes article says it would be useful for watching ultra high-definition movies and for "big data" visualization. Also, given that video is moving toward a 4K standard, it would be useful for Apple to offer a portable device to complement Apple's new Mac Pro that could shoot and edit video in native 4K resolution. 

Still, a 4K iPad is a stretch (so to speak), but I'm guessing the rumored iPad Pro with a 12.9-inch display is much more likely. An interesting article on Computerworld talks about the iPad Pro being perfect for the education market and suggests this is what Apple may have in mind. The article says that the big challenge Apple and Microsoft face today is transitioning to the Post-PC world. Educators will increasingly be replacing their desktop computers with tablets. But the article says that today's 9.7-inch iPad isn't the optimal size for the classroom. The iPad Pro would be a perfect Post-PC solution in terms of size and relative cost.

The article discusses other options available, such as Chromebooks, that might be options for the classroom, but concludes that none are optimal and that a 12.9-inch iPad would fill the bill.