Thanks to everyone who entered the April 21st iPhone Life Biweekly Giveaway! Every other week we give away three amazing prizes, so if you didn't win this time, make sure you enter the May 5th giveaway and tell your friends to enter too!

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

Jarrod Perry, Gale Christian, and James Morgan. 

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. Spudz: Retail Price $3.49–$10.99

Spudz microfiber lens cloths offer a simple solution to a universal problem; dirt and smudges on glasses and other optics. Spudz cleans your lenses without damaging or scratching them, making spudz invaluable as an accessory. This convenient product clips to zippers, key chains, bags, or any number of other locations. It is washable and reusable, making it environmentally friendly. The cleaning cloth stays attached to a neoprene pouch that holds the cloth when not in use. Just tuck the cloth into the pouch when you are finished with it, and clip it where you want it.

2. Wood S Series Case in Ebony for iPhone 5/5s: Retail Price $39.95

This Apple Store exclusive is made of multi-layers of real wood veneer infused with DuPont Kevlar outer shell protection, 0.9mm thin, lightweight case with scratch-resistant coating.

2. Toddy Smart Cloth: Retail Price $9.99

Toddy Gear was nice enough to send us these customized iPhone Life Toddy Smart Clothes and we want to share the love. These handy little clothes are great for cleaning your iPad, iPhone, or just about anything else!

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 May 5th!

Earth Day is almost here, and there's no better way to celebrate than heading outside to become one with Mother Earth. Here are a few apps to help you enjoy Earth Day with your family and friends: 

Avenza PDF Maps (free). Easily explore the United State's national parks using the Avenza app. Avenza PDF Maps allows users to access downloaded maps without internet access, which is important for when you're out hiking and not near a cell tower. Drop pins at specific locations to help you find your way back to the car and bathrooms, estimate hiking times, and plan your hike with this app. Avenza also allows you to share points of interest and photos directly to Facebook and Twitter when you have cell reception again. Avenza has maps available for the following family-friendly national parks: Yosemite park in California, Great Smoky Mountains park in Tennessee and North Carolina, Rocky Mountain park in Colorado, Bryce Canyon park in Utah, and Zion park in Utah. 

Earth Day Carol (free) Teach your kids about Earth Day by reading a story about how too much plastic can damage our environment. The story Earth Day Carol is based on Dicken's A Christmas Carol, and Plastic Bottle Scrooge is being haunted by the ghosts of plastic past, plastic present, and plastic future. Your kids will love learning about how they can help the environment by reducing, reusing, and recycling. 

iRecycle (free) Can I recycle this? Where do I recycle this? When can I recycle this? These three important questions are easily answered in the iRecycle app. Find out where to recycle items such as batteries, paint, hazardous materials, and more. Use your location or manually enter your city to find the locations and contact information for recycling centers near you. Easily share to Facebook and Twitter to get your friends in on the recycling fun. 

National Parks ($0.99 per park) Explore 25 of the most visited national parks through beautiful photographs, visitor information, and maps. Each park information download comes with local time, weather, how to get there, when to go, where to stay (or camp!), and a custom stamp that you can collect at each park. This app allows you to save your favorites, access to photography tips from the National Geographic pros, and more!

Happy Earth Day everyone! I'll admit, I've got mixed feeling about the contemporary celebration day known as Earth Day, simply because I feel strongly that EVERY day should be approached with the love and respect for Mother Earth that Earth Day promotes. Nonetheless, once a year is better than nothing. We all have our own connection to this great planet and there's no shortage of cool gadgets, gear, and apps to help us get out there and enjoy all that this bountiful planet has to offer. I've put together a roundup (presented in no particular order) of some of my favorite items. This roundup features accessories that will encourage you to spend more time romping and frolicking outside, and that will support doing so with your modern-day tech in tow. The gear featured here isn't necessarily produced by any award-winning (LINK) Eco-friendly companies, but they might inspire you to spend more time outdoors and perhaps develop a greater connection with this great planet and Mother Nature.

1. New Trent's Waterproof PowerPak Xtreme ($51.95)

This waterproof, shock-proof, dirt proof Li-ion battery packs a whopping 12,000mAh into its compact shell, enough to boost your iPad’s capacity from 10 hours of Internet use up to 20 hours, and your iPhone's from 7 hours of surfing to around 40 hours. If you are going off-grid for any stretch of time, this handy little gadget will help ensure that you don't run out of power when you need it most. The PowerPak can be especially invaluable in an outdoor emergency situation if your battery is low. Sometimes a good backup battery for your iPhone can make the difference between life and death.

2. Goal Zero Nomad 7 Solar Panel and Switch 8 Recharger Kit ($119.98)

With the Goal Zero Nomad/Switch kit you can effectively keep your iPhone charged or even give your iPad a considerable boost while off-grid, all from the power of the sun. This kit is lightweight, rugged, and extremely portable. You can even expand your charging potential by adding moreSwitch 8 Rechargers ($39.99 each) for extra backup battery power.

3. Goal Zero Lighthouse 250 ($79.99)

The Lighthouse 250 camp light with dimming lights and emergency flashers can provide anywhere from 2.5 up to 48 hours of lighting off a single charge. It also has a built-in battery that can charge your USB powered handheld devices via a built-in USB cable. The Lighthouse 250 has one more advantage and that is its ability to recharge with a hand crack, conveniently situated on top of the lantern.

4. Braven's BRV-X Rugged Bluetooth Speaker ($229.99)

If you are looking for a multi-purpose, awesome sounding, ruggedized Bluetooth speaker, the BRV-X might be just your cup of tea. Not only does this speaker sound amazing, with settings for both outdoor and indoor enjoyment, the BRV-X is also rated to withstand all kinds of abuse. It’s safe to say this tough speaker can handle just about whatever the elements throw at it. The BRV-X also has a powerful built-in battery bank so that you can recharge your iPhone from it.

5. Blue Ant Pump In-ear Headphone$129.99

These are the earphones you'll want if you’re going to be engaging in any kind of sport, especially an extreme sport. The completely waterproof, Bluetooth headphones are the salvation of any dedicated swimmer, kayaker, or athlete who participates in sports that make you sweat or get wet. These headphones will let you take your workout playlist with you no matter what trail you travel. If you are anticipating adventures in the great outdoors, these earphones will be up for the task.

6. Bad Elf GPS Pro ($199.99)

Sure the iPhone has the ability to run any number of GPS navigation apps on it, but the big shortcoming of all of them is that without a cellular signal they have limited functionality, only working as well as your signal will allow. No signal; no GPS, and it's all too easy to find yourself out there, in need of direction yet bereft of a signal. To the rescue is Bad Elf’s GPS Pro, which is a GPS that can pair with your iPhone or iPad over Bluetooth (up to five devices can pair with it at once!) Meaning that you don't need a cell signal, just GPS satellite reception. Theoretically, you could be lost at sea and still be able to get your bearings if you have the Bad Elf GPS Pro and your iPhone. And if you are at sea or even in an RV, the GPS Pro is a handy way to navigate without depleting precious onboard power supplies.

7. Boom Swimmer Bluetooth Speaker ($59.99)

The Swimmer is from a company that certainly earned its name with this product. The miniature Swimmer is both waterproof (yep, it can be submerged completely for up to 30 minutes, no problem) and LOUD. For a speaker this tiny, it sure puts out a mighty roar. With crisp, clear audio quality, a whopping 16 hours of playback on a single charge, and a flexible tail that can double as a stand or a belt "clip" the Swimmer is the perfect counterpoint to Braven’s above-mentioned, larger and less portable BRV-X.

8. Lifeproof iPad Cases ($99.99-129.99)

A light-duty slider case or folio wallet might be all you need for the day-to-day hustle on the home front; but if you'll be taking your iPad on any of your outdoor adventures, then I'd suggest a more protective case. Lifeproof specialize in ultra-rugged cases that don't add much bulk and provide critical protection from the iPad’s arch nemesis, water. The Lifeproof iPad cases also allow complete access to all controls and ports, and it’s available in two models; one with built-in screen protection and one that maintains its waterproof integrity while allowing unfettered access to the ipad’s touchscreen.

9. Otterbox Preserver iPhone Case ($89.95)

Otterbox makes the lowest-profile, easiest-to-use, extreme-duty case on the available right now. Waterproof up to six feet and shockproof against drops of over six feet, the Preserver would be my top pick if I was going out on the land and wanted to be sure my iPhone would be safe and could handle whatever I threw at it. Arguably the most durable rugged iPhone case on the market, the Preserver definitely does what its name claims.

10. BioLite CampStove ($129.95)

Generate clean energy on the go, in any outdoor setting where you can have a small, contained fire. With the BioLite CampStove, a little kindling is all you'll need to get a pot boiling and an iPhone charging. You see, the BioLite camp stove takes the heat your fire produces and converts it into energy you can use to recharge your USB powered handheld devices. Interestingly enough, they also have a much larger, energy-generating stove for home use which will charge lights and devices.

Apple may be one of the most profitable, most valuable businesses in the world (at least among those not based on oil) but that doesn't mean investors don't want more. Apple's revenue for the first quarter of CY2014 will be released on Wednesday and are projected to be $43.6 billion with about $9.5 billion in profits. These would be terrific numbers for any company, but for Apple, they were flat compared to the same period last year, which itself was their first decrease in profits in a decade.

This may be because Apple consumers are used to specific patterns. During the summer, Apple offers Back-To-School promotions that, in addition to educational discounts, include iTunes and App Store gift cards with the purchase of a Mac. Apple typically releases a new iPhone in September and new Macs in June at their WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference.)  

Indeed, I ordered a MacBook Pro with Retina Display directly from the lobby at WWDC two years ago when it was announced, and that MacBook is now ripe for replacement. Knowing Apple's schedules, and a rumored 12" MacBook, expected to be announced at WWDC, I'm holding out. And with two-year cycles for iPhones, upgrades are even more predictable.

Obviously, the October to December period sees growth from holiday shopping, leaving the January–March quarter a time to wait and see. Despite Apple's penchant for secrecy, it may be Apple's predictability that causes the January to March slowdown year after year.

In celebration of Earth Day 2014, we'd like to present to you the recipient of this year's iPhone Life Earth Day Mobile Tech Award. Today we are highlighting three environmentally-conscious tech brands (one winner and two runners-up) that are actively making a difference in how we live life in harmony with our home planet. Each company has made their own contributions toward making the world a “greener” place with their eco-friendly products and practices. Read on to find out who gets to take home the honors...

Winner:Apple

Apple's environmentally and ecologically sensitive business practices and standards have made them a global ambassador for sustainable, Earth-friendly technology and energy conservation. With numerous accolades coming from the likes of the Environmental Protection Agency and Greenpeace, and the recent hiring of Lisa Jackson, former Chief of the EPA, Apple certainly looks to continue its bold moves as they continue to lead the way in clean, renewable, green energy.

It is worth mentioning that not that long ago it would have been unheard of for a company that was so focused on being powered by 100 percent renewable energy, to also be the world’s most profitable brand. Green energy and energy conservation have come a long way in the years since Apple has begun dominating the global markets, and it’s thanks in large part to companies like Apple, and their willingness to pioneer uncharted territory, that we can say that.

Runner Up:House of Marley

Here at iPhone Life, we've been big fans of House of Marley for years now. Not only is this brand the brainchild of one of reggae legend Bob Marley's sons, Mr. Rohan Marley, it is also a company that continuously demonstrates its commitment to building its brand upon a solid foundation of environmentally-friendly manufacturing and a pay-it-forward business ethic.

Their large selection of iDevice-oriented gear includes elegant FSC certified wood Bluetooth speakers, headphones and earphones that deliver audio quality worthy of a family of world-famous musicians, and carryalls made from primarily recycled (or as Rohan calls it, “upcycled”) materials. In fact, all of House of Marley's products incorporate a great deal of upcycled materials into their designs. House of Marley is a company that makes exceptional accessories that are available at a wide-range of price points, and there’s likely something in their catalog that would fit into most anyone’s budget. Another commendable aspect to House of Marley is that they donate a percentage of their profits to 1Love.org, the global non-profit charitable organization established by Bob Marley’s widow, Rita Marley. If you're looking for a source of eco-friendly, conscientious lifestyle accessories, House of Marley is good place to check out. They are blazing the trail when it comes to a business model that prioritizes the manufacture of high-quality gear, while still putting the preservation  and conservation of earth’s natural resources front and center.

Runner Up: Goal Zero

You may have heard about Goal Zero in connection to the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. In the wake of the storm, Goal Zero donated approximately $600,000 worth of their rugged solar charges and lights to some of the people hardest hit. Goal Zero has also been charitably involved in the desert southwest with their Nothern Navajo Nation Solar Project, bringing electricity and solar charging capabilities the the Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation where over 18,000 households are without electricity and commonly rely on kerosene for light and single-use batteries for power. They've certainly earned our respect for their charitable endeavors. Goal Zero makes gear that lets people enjoy the conveniences of modern technology while off the grid. From solar panels that recharge your devices and gear via USB, to rechargeable speakers and hand cranked, USB-charging camp lights, Goal Zero is making a name for themselves as a pioneer in the field of alternatively powered chargers, battery inverters, and off-grid living solutions.

I don't have cable TV, so I'm always excited when Apple adds more channels to Apple TV. And those added today are the sorts of channels I might like to watch: History, A&E, and Lifetime. In all three cases, some of the content is free, and other content requires you to log in with the username and password that you use with your cable provider. My impression after checking them out is that there's a ton of free content available—more than I'd ever have time to watch. In some cases, there are only one- to four-minute clips from the various episodes, with the clips always being free. Sometimes for a particular show, some episodes are free and others require a log-in.

Lifetime has a selection of movies, and most of them appear to be free. Other shows from Lifetime include Those Who Kill, Devious Maids, Celebrity Ghost Stories, and Project Runway.

Shows available on A&E include the popular Duck Dynasty, Bates Motel, and Flipping Vegas.

The History channel has free full episodes of Vikings and History Special Presentations, but shows such as The Bible and Bonnie & Clyde are just represented by clips. In addition to viewing the listing of shows alphabetically, you can also view by topic, such as Ancient History, American Civil War, American Revolution, Exploration, and Inventions.

I'm glad to see Apple is continuing to put attention on Apple TV. There had been rumors of an announcement in March or April, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen. However, most rumors indicate Apple will be coming out with a new version of Apple TV sometime this year.

Apple has sent out notices to developers about changes in the iTunesconnect app management tool. Refinements include checkboxes for Medical/Treatment Information,""Gambling and Contests," and "Unrestricted Web Access." 

Before these changes, if an app launched a web browser, it had to be labeled for higher age groups because of the content it could access. It seemed arbitrary, because the built-in Safari app could just as easily access those pages, but this new classification seems to be a happy medium. There are some additional country-specific rating tweaks as well.

The App Store is now in its sixth year and has gone from an afterthought to a thriving multibillion-dollar business. It's good to see Apple making these refinements as the App Store matures. It would be nice to see iTunes refined even further, allowing users to filter the results for just apps instead of mixing apps, songs, movies, albums, and podcasts together. For example, the Mac has an App Store app just for Mac OS apps. I would also like the ability to set a preferences for age ranges or content type, now that these new tags have been created. For example, parents might want to limit searches to apps without In-App purchases. It's not necessarily in Apple's interest, but it would be helpful.

If you want to take really good pictures with your iPhone or iPad you need to enhance your devices, or perhaps just not use them at all. I'll come back to that last bit later.

Schneider Optics iPro Lenses ($39.00 and up)

This lens system includes a thin iPhone case that doubles as a lens attachment system and a tripod mount. The lenses attach easily over the iPhone's camera lens. The tripod attachment requires a secondary piece that adds standard threads. When everything is attached, your iPhone will look more like a camera than a phone, but it will take much better pictures. I brought the extra wide and the 2x wide angle. Both work well, as does the attachment system which secure locks the lens onto the case.

Pros: Great lenses provide a variety of options for the iPhone.

Cons: A collection that provides an iPhone with as many options as a good camera will cost you much more than a good camera.

Final verdict: Great quality and design. If you are determined to make the iPhone your camera of choice, this is a must have. If you don’t mind two devices, each used to best effect, then keep reading...

Now, if you don't want to spend money adding more kit to your phone, you might want to consider another device, something called a camera. I debated with myself about upgrading my iPhone for more memory and thus, the improved camera of the 5s, but couldn't really justify the $299 upgrade fee for the camera feature only. So I started thinking about alternatives, and opted for a camera.

My choice? A Canon SX280. This camera zooms in at up to 20 times optical, which is better than anything you can do with an iPhone for any reasonable investment, At just $199 in recent sales (listed on Canon website at $279.99 as an estimated retail price) the SX280 is a good deal. The camera connects directly to the iPad via, wait for it, WiFi. Once set-up, the SX280 becomes a WiFi hot spot; while Canon's CameraWindow app opens a window into the camera's memory, all images display pretty quickly on the iPad Air. A tap transfers the high quality images to the iPad. Although many people don't like carrying two devices, on a trip where the iPhone is in the bag anyway because it can't be online without racking up roaming charges, the camera makes sense. And despite the latest Nokia phones becoming more camera than phone, even their best isn't as good as a dedicated camera. Canon sells more expensive cameras with more sophisticated features, but I found the SX280 a good compromise between features, quality, and size

Canon CameraWindow (Free)

Pros: Easily connects iPad to Camera.

Cons: App is simple and well done. WiFi setup on the SX280 could be made easier with some defaults.

Final Verdict: Simple app that does what it is supposed to do with elegance are the best kind. This single-purpose app delivers well.

If you have an entertainment center, then likely you have a TV, Blu-ray player, stereo receiver, CD, DVR, and so forth. You probably also have a big old pile of remote controls to go with all that gear! If you want to tame that unruly mob of of gadgets, get a Blumoo ($89.99), and make that boatload of remotes disappear for good! This was one of several CES gadgets that I have been eagerly awaiting to come to market.

Blumoo is a Bluetooth-connected universal remote control appcessory with the power to unite almost all of your I/R remote commands under one interface, and it's probably one of the smoothest functioning gadgets I have tested in awhile. That's not to say I didn't hit a snag or two, but then I usually find something to gripe about in a review. The device comes boxed with a 3.5mm-RCA cable for your stereo, a power supply, and a succinct startup manual. I tested it with my iPad without major issue, though the app is optimized for the iPhone 5.  

Blumoo reminds me a bit of the old NEVO application and gadgets from the Pocket PC days, and provides many of the same functions. The Blumoo at its core is basically a mongo I/R transmitter enhanced with a Bluetooth wireless interface. It can bounce or bleed I/R transmissions to your devices from practically anywhere. NEVO went on to market its own custom remote controls with fancy displays and control apps, only to be eventually discontinued. Griffin had a similar device (now discontinued) called the Beacon on display at CES a few years ago, and I tested it out at the show. It would seem that universal wireless remotes are not in high demand, but the Blumoo has a few tricks up its sleeve that might keep it from similarly languishing.

It took maybe 2–5 minutes to get three of my my major electronics working seamlessly with blumoo. Once you have it powered and connected, and have downloaded the app, a wizard walks you through the process of configuring your cable TV provider, a zip code, and your first device. In my case, I was able to add the remote functions for TV, Blu-ray, and even my old JVC stereo receiver. The free Blumoo app has a control code database of some 200,000 electronics products that cover the gamut of entertainment devices from wireless speakers and CD players to TVs and DVRs. When adding a device, you can usually choose a specific model control code or try a universal code.

I could not get my small Sony kitchen CD player (which was not in the database) to work with Blumoo, but it may have just been barely out of range of the device. If you can't locate a suitable device profile, you can email Blumoo support (from the app), and they say they will add it. It would be better if the blumoo had a "learning" mode that allows you to point any remote at it.

Once I added the major electronics, it was also a cinch to create custom remote functions and macros. For example I created a custom remote panel that has only shutdown functions for all three devices, and a command that not only powers on my BR player, but also opens the tray. A cool enhancement would be to initiate remote commands via Siri.

In addition to controlling your entertainment devices, Blumoo offers it's own Bluetooth streaming capability via iTunes. The app simply calls up iTunes, and if you have your iPhone paired with the Blumoo, you can stream output through the provided 3.5mm jack/cable to your stereo receiver. You have to go into your iPhone/iPad settings separately and pair with the Blumoo to enable this. It would be helpful if a setup wizard in the blumoo app prompted you to do this when you try to stream.

Blumoo provides a channel guide function for your local cable provider (assuming you entered your zip code in the startup wizard). You can browse selections and drill down into specific programming information for each show. There is a play function, which if you have  configured blumoo properly with your Set-Top-Box, will switch to the appropriate channel upon selection. You can also use the app to set reminders to notify you of favorite show times. There is no in-app help included, and the web-site has only a simple FAQ. Support was helpful in locating a suitable cable STB device (which wasn't called out by provider in the app).

The Verdict

Though Blumoo is a worthy appcessory, and it's function and features work well and provide a valuable service, the app could use a bit of polish in a few areas. But overall it has the right mix of simplicity and helpful options to add significant value. You could buy a simple universal remote for around 10 bucks of course, but Blumoo gives you the advanced wizardry and control worthy of an iPhone. 

Pros

• Easy to use and works well
• Rich feature set

Cons

• No I/R code learning mode and limited help

Spotlight Search is a really useful feature because it lets you quickly search your entire iPhone. Just swipe down from the center of your screen to bring it up.

Have a lot of apps? Search for the one you need in Spotlight. The results will even show you which folder the app is in.

Need to find an email or message from a contact? Type that person's name into the search field and their contact info and a list of messages and emails will come up. 

You can also search Notes, Reminders, Music, and a host of other things. And you can maximize its usefulness by customizing what Spotlight searches and the order it presents the results in. Here's how:

Go to Settings>General>Spotlight Search.

You will see a list of categories that Spotlight searches. A checkmark next to a category indicates that Spotlight will search that category. Tap the category name to check or uncheck.

If you find yourself looking for results in some categories more than others, you can also customize the order Spotlight shows you the search results. Just hold and drag the three horizontal bars next to the category name and move the search category names until they are in the order you prefer.

I have migrated much of my work to the iPad where possible. I still have to use a MacBook to develop apps and for serious Photoshop and video work. But more and more I find myself using apps on my iPad to perform my daily tasks, especially writing. Alas, the virtual keyboard presents its own set of challenges. SwiftKey has turned those challenges into an advantage. A traditional keyboard can't really change. Sure, you can set the Caps Lock, or hold down the Shift or Option keys to get different results. But SwiftKey leverages the virtual nature of the onscreen keyboard by offering AutoCorrect and presenting word suggestions directly above the keys, as you type.

This means, as long as the app does a good job of guessing your next word, you don't have to type it! You do have to move your finger off the letter keys but it's a small distance and can be less work than typing. They even offer statistics to tell you how many keystrokes you saved! Fortunately, those predictions are personalized based on your context and a learning algorithm that understands words and phrases that you typically use.

SwiftKey integrates with Evernote, and supports English (US and UK), Spanish, German, French (France and Canada), and Italian. The app has been downloaded over a million times in the first month alone and the developers have taken feedback and updated the app. Given the "artificial intelligence" nature of the app, the more users, the more SwiftKey can learn how users use the app and what features are needed. For example, landscape mode is supported on all devices, not just the iPad. SwiftKey is not just about text entry, but the latest version offers swift access to formatting options like Bold, Italic, Underline, Indent and Bullet Points. So now you can type faster but also produce a formatted document faster. And the best part? SwiftKey Note is free! Apple should really consider acquiring this technology, but in the meantime, you can get it at no charge!

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 beginner app developer, 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 app ideas into reality can be! This is part 40 of the series. If you are just getting started, check out the beginning of the series here. 

One of the hottest technologies to come out of iOS 7 is iBeacon. In case you haven't heard, iBeacon is Apple's trademark for what it calls "a new class of low-powered, low-cost transmitters that can notify nearby iOS 7 devices of their presence." This new technology solves one of the biggest problems with Location Services on iOS devices—pinpointing the location of a device when it's indoors. Unlike GPS technology that determines a device's absolute location in terms of latitude and longitude, the iBeacon technology measures a device's relative distance to an iBeacon in an established location. Since iBeacons work without the need for a WiFi or cellular connection, it makes them ideal for indoor use.

The initial raft of iBeacon-enabled apps have been in the retail space. For example, Apple installed iBeacons in various Apple stores during the December 2013 holiday season that allowed shoppers to more easily purchase items as well as notify them when their Apple devices were ready for pickup. As another example, Major League Baseball in the U.S has adopted iBeacon technology providing fans with maps, concessions information, video clips, and the ability to upgrade their seat.

Big iBeacon Improvements in iOS 7.1

With the release of iOS 7.1, Apple introduced iBeacon changes that drastically improved the technology for real-world apps.

One of the biggest changes allows iOS apps to receive iBeacon notifications even if the app is not currently running! This helps make the iBeacon experience far more seamless, since it doesn't require users to launch an app before receiving notifications. All they have to do is have the app installed on their iOS device.

Apple also made big speed improvements for iBeacons in iOS 7.1. Previously, it could take several seconds to a minute before an iOS device would detect that it left an iBeacon region. Now this happens instantaneously.

How iBeacons Work

iBeacons transmit a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signal at regular intervals which can be detected by one of the following iOS devices that has Bluetooth 4.0 (aka Bluetooth Smart):

• iPhone 4S or later
• iPad (3rd generation) or later
• iPad mini or later
• iPod touch (5th generation) or later

Apple has also included Bluetooth 4.0 in newer Macs. To see which version of Bluetooth your Mac uses, check out this link. Bluetooth 4.0 is also available in non-Apple devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S3, Motorola RAZR, Windows Phone 8.1, and Google Glass. For a more complete list of Bluetooth 4.0 devices, check out this link.

As it's name suggests, Bluetooth Low Energy consumes very little energy. In fact, some beacons can transmit a signal for up to two years or more on a single battery. The typical range of a BLE device is about 70 meters, although this distance can decrease based on the environment in which the iBeacon is installed (due to absorption or defraction of the signal). 

With each transmission, an iBeacon sends five main pieces of information:

1. A prefix, which is a fixed value (specified by Apple) for all iBeacons
2. A Universally Unique Identifier (UUID) that is usually unique to a specific iBeacon manufacturer
3. A major identifier
4. A minor identifier
5. The transmission power of the beacon

To detect a signal from an iBeacon, your iOS device must have Bluetooth turned on, and you must have an app installed on your phone that knows how to search for that specific brand of iBeacon. This is good news. It means that users won't be bombarded with messages from random iBeacons. 

Buying an iBeacon

Some of the more notable companies that have begun producing iBeacons are Estimote and Roximity. 

Estimote iBeacons include a BLE transmitter, a 32-bit ARM processor with 256KB of flash memory, a temperature sensor and an accelerometer. They sell a developer package for $99 that includes three beacons. If you want just one beacon, Roximity sells a single beacon for $50, and they also have a three-beacon package that sells for $100.

Turning Your iOS Device Into an iBeacon

If you want to try out the iBeacon technology without purchasing an iBeacon, you can turn your iOS device (one of the newer Bluetooth 4.0 devices listed in the previous section) into an iBeacon. 

Apple has created a sample app called AirLocate that can turn your iOS device into an iBeacon. In order to test the iBeacon technology, you need to install the app on two iOS devices—one device to act as the iBeacon and another device to search for the iBeacon. Note that you need to be enrolled in the Apple Developer Program ($99 annual fee) in order to install and run the AirLocate app on your iOS device.

Let's take a step-by-step look at this project.

1. Download the AirLocate Xcode project at this link by clicking the Download Sample Code button. 

2. After downloading the project, expand the AirLocate folder and double-click the AirLocate.xcodeproj file to open the project in Xcode.

3. In the Project Navigator on the left side of the Xcode window, expand the Supporting Files group and then select the Main.storyboard file. This displays the project's storyboard in the center area of the Xcode window.

4. If you check out the AirLocate scene (Figure 1), you can see there are four main options available for this sample app. The last option in the list, Configuration, is the option that allows you to configure your iOS device as an iBeacon.

Figure 1 - The AirLocate scene

5. Next, connect your iOS device via a USB cable to your Mac and install the AirLocate app on the device. If you need help, check out my blog post for step-by-step instructions. 

6. When the app appears on your iOS device, select the Configuration option shown in Figure 1. This takes you to the Configure scene shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2- The Configure scene

Here is an explanation of each row in this list:

• By default, the Enabled switch is turned off, which means the beacon is not transmitting.

• UUID specifies the unique id the iBeacon transmits. If you tap this row, you can choose from three different UUIDs. 

• Major specifies the major number transmitted by the iBeacon. You can tap this row to change the number.

• Minor specifies the minor number transmitted by the iBeacon. You can also tap this row to change the number.

• Measured Power specifies the measured power of the iBeacon from a distance of one meter. Although you can change this value, the default of -59 works well for the majority of iOS devices (see the section below Calibrating the Measured Power for an iBeacon).

7. Tap the Enabled switch to turn on the iBeacon, and then tap the AirLocate back button to return to the main screen. Your iBeacon is now transmitting!

Note that the iOS device will stop transmitting the iBeacon signal when the device auto-locks. If you want to keep the iBeacon turned on, you can go to the Settings app on the device and under General, set Auto-Lock to Never. 

Monitoring a Beacon Region

Now you're ready to monitor the beacon region with another iOS device that is running AirLocate. Here are the step-by-step instructions:

1. Install the AirLocate app on a second iOS device and run the app.

2. When the main AirLocate screen appears, tap the Monitoring option in the list. This takes you to the Monitor screen shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3 - The Monitor scene

3. Tap the Enabled button and then tap Save. If you are within the proximity of the device acting as an iBeacon (70 meters) then you should see the alert shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4 - Inside the beacon region!

4. Try walking away from the other iOS device. When you are out of range of the iBeacon device, you will see the alert shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5 - Outside the beacon region

5. Walk closer to the iBeacon device and you will see the message shown in Figure 4 again.

Ranging Beacons Around You

When you monitor a beacon region, you are simply informed when you enter or leave a beacon region. When you choose the Ranging option in the AirLocate app, you get much more information. Let's check it out.

1. Make sure the device you have set up as the iBeacon is awake and transmitting a beacon signal.

2. On your second iOS device, choose the Ranging option from the list in the main AirLocate scene. You will be taken to the Ranging scene as shown in Figure 6.

In the Ranging scene, you will see a list of all iBeacons that are in your vicinity. In the first line of the table view row, you will see one of four values indicating your proximity to the device:

• Immediate
• Near
• Far
• Unknown

The second line of the table view row displays the UUID of the iBeacon. The third line of the row displays the iBeacon's Major and Minor numbers. The Acc setting indicates "Accuracy", and lets you know how many meters you are positioned from the iBeacon device. As you position your second iOS device nearer or further to the iBeacon device, you can see the proximity and accuracy settings change accordingly.

Calibrating the Measured Power for an iBeacon

In Apple's documentation for the AirLocate app, they mention that calibrating the iBeacon device is optional, but it's recommended if you want to fine-tune the ranging for your environment.

1. Make sure the device you have set up as the iBeacon is awake and transmitting a beacon signal.

2. Take the second iOS device (the calibration device) and move it exactly one meter from the iBeacon device.

3. On the calibration device, select the Calibration option in the main scene. As shown in Figure 7, you should see the iBeacon device in the list, and the bottom line of the table view row should show that you are approximately one meter from the iBeacon device.

Figure 7 - Calibrating the iBeacon device

Tap the iBeacon device row in the table view. This displays a progress bar directly above the table view as shown in Figure 8.

Figure 8 - The calibration progress bar

5. As instructed by the text below the progress bar, wave the calibration device side-to-side while keeping one meter away from the iBeacon device. As you do this, the progress bar will move towards completion. When the calibration process is completed, you will see a number as  shown in Figure 9. This is the measured power of the iBeacon device.

Figure 9 - Calibration is complete!

6. Now go back to the iBeacon device, select the Configuration option and enter this value under Measured Power.

Your iBeacon is now calibrated!

How iBeacon Works Under the Hood

Now that you know how the AirLocate app works at run time, let's take a peek under the hood and see the code that makes it all happen.

1. Open the AirLocate project in Xcode.

2. In the Project Navigator on the left side of the Xcode window, expand the Frameworks Group. You can see that the CoreBluetooth and CoreLocation frameworks are both included in the project. These frameworks are required when working with the iBeacon technology.

3. Now let's see how the iBeacon signal gets transmitted. In the Project Navigator under the AirLocate group, select the APLConfigurationViewController.m file. Near the top of the file you can see the instance variables shown in Figure 10.

Figure 10 - Configuration instance variables

The peripheralManager variable holds a reference to the Core Bluetooth Peripheral Manager object (CBPeripheralManager). This is the object that is used to broadcast the iBeacon signal.

The region variable hold a reference to the CLBeaconRegion object which defines the beacon settings (UUID number, major & minor number, and beacon power).

4. Just below the declaration of the instance variables is the @interface declaration shown in Figure 11.

Figure 11 - The APLConfigurationViewController interface

As you can see, the view controller adopts the CBPeripheralManagerDelegate protocol which allows it to receive notifications from the Peripheral Manager.

5. Now scroll down to the viewWillAppear: method and you will see the code shown in Figure 12 at the top of the method.

Figure 12 - The Configuration scene's viewWillAppear: method

This code checks if the peripheralManager object has been created yet. If not, it creates a new Peripheral Manager object, passes the view controller as the delegate, as well as the queue to use for dispatching events (for more information on dispatch queues, check out this link). If the Peripheral Manager object already exists, the view controller is set as its delegate.

6. Now scroll to the bottom of the view controller code and check out the code in the updateAdvertisedRegion method (Figure 13).

Figure 13 - The Configuration scene's updateAdvertisedRegion method

This code first checks the state of the Peripheral Manager. Before you can ask the peripheral manager to transmit the Bluetooth iBeacon signal, you must first check that the state of the peripheral manager is powered on (CBPeripheralManagerStatePoweredOn). This indicates that the iOS device supports Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and that its Bluetooth is turned on and ready for use.

Next, if the enabled button is on, a CLBeaconRegion object is constructed and configured with the UUID, major & minor numbers, a unique identifier (used to identify the region object) and power level. The CLBeaconRegion object is then passed to the Peripheral Manager's startAdvertising method, which causes the iBeacon to begin transmitting a signal.

How iBeacon Ranging Works Under the Hood

Now let's check out the code that is used to range an iBeacon.

1. In Xcode's Project Navigator, select the APLRangingViewController.m file.

2. Near the top of the file, you can see this view controller adopts the CLLocationManagerDelegate protocol (Figure 14). This allows the view controller to receive notifications when the heading and distance to the beacon changes.

Figure 14 - Adopting the CLLocationManagerDelegate protocol

Just below the protocol declaration, there are three instance variables:

• beacons - Contains a list of discovered beacons
• locationManager - Contains a reference to the Location Manager object, which is used to locate the beacons
• rangedRegions - Contains a list of CLBeaconRegion objects that specify which beacons the app is looking for

3. Scroll down to the viewDidLoad method and you will see the code shown in Figure 15.

Figure 15 - The Ranging scene's viewDidLoad method

This code initializes the array of beacons that will be potentially found. Next, it creates a Location Manager object and sets the view controller as its delegate. This allows the view controller to respond when beacons are found. Afterward, it creates an array of rangedRegions for which the app is looking.

Scroll to the bottom of the view controller code and you will find the locationManager:didrangeBeacons:inRegion: method (Figure 16).

Figure 16 - The Ranging scene's locationManager:didRangeBeacons method

This delegate method is automatically called by the Location Manager when a beacon comes within range or goes out of range. The Location manager passes an array of all beacons that are in range in the beacons parameter. These beacons are then sorted by their distance to the ranging iOS device and displayed in the table view.

Conclusion

If you're asking the question "How can I get my apps noticed in the App Store?" one of the answers is to incorporate new technologies such as iBeacon. There is also a large, emerging market for developers who can incorporate the iBeacon experience in business apps (my company is already building several of these for our clients). I'm looking forward to seeing how readers of this column incorporate iBeacons in new creative ways in your own apps!

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Apple released their results for the March quarter yesterday after the market closed, and the news was all good, sending the stock up 7 percent in after-hours trading. Not only did Apple's quarterly results beat Wall Street's most optimistic estimates, Apple announced several stock-related moves that thrilled investors: an unusual 7-for-1 stock split, an increase in the quarterly dividend, and an increase in their stock buyback program. Apple's results set a record for a March quarter. Analysts were expecting Apple to report $43.5 billion in revenue, but Apple handily exceeded that, coming in at $45.6 billion. The iPhone led the way, with Apple selling 43.7 million iPhones, well above Wall Street's estimate of 38.5 million. Strong iPhone sales were attributed in part to strong demand in China and emerging markets—where there remains a lot of potential for growth.

The only slight downside in the report was a 16 percent decline in iPad sales compared to a year ago, with sales of 16.4 million units. Still, Apple remains by far the biggest player in the tablet market. (Apple attributes the decline to unusually high sales in the March quarter last year because of a shortage of iPad minis during the Christmas season. Those who were unable to buy them waited and purchased them in the March quarter.) Apple also reported an increase in Mac sales at a time when PC sales are uniformly declining. 

All in all, analysts and commentators are saying that all this reflects well on Apple CEO Tim Cook. And all the good news came at a time when many commentators were starting to write off Apple. With new products ahead, and Apple steadily on course in what is traditionally a weaker quarter, everything is looking up.

I think Apple will continue to grow, thanks in part to new product categories that are in the works. CarPlay is generating a lot of interest, and analysts expect a big demand for the larger iPhones. The arrival of an iWatch and a new Apple TV will also contribute to Apple's bottom line. Plus, Apple's services are increasingly contributing to their bottom line, and that will only grow.

Customers loved the EverDock by FŪZ so much that they wouldn't let up until the creators relented and created a mobile version (called the EverDock Go) that will snug into the cupholder of your vehicle. Of course, it's on Kickstarter, so go give your support and love if you happen to be one of the fanatics who absolutely need to dock your phone 24/7. Though they have already met the Kickstart goal, you can still grab some of the gear for pre-order pricing of $35 and up (ships in September 2014). Read on for more specifics from the press release:

Maintaining all the great features that made the original EverDock so popular, the EverDock Go is:

Universal. The EverDock Go is designed to support virtually all smartphones. Accommodating lightning, 30-pin, and micro-USB connectors, the EverDock works with devices from Apple, Samsung, HTC, Motorola, Nokia, LG, BlackBerry and others

Stunning. Made from aircraft-grade aluminum, the EverDock Go has a finish that matches today’s premium mobile devices and automobiles

Compatible. By using an adjustable adapter, the EverDock Go easily accommodates devices with or without a case

Effortless. By using an innovative docking system, the EverDock Go remains firmly in place when removing your device. Just grab and go

Options. Available in silver and black, the EverDock Go complements your devices and the interior of your car

Other important information about the EverDock Go:

• Price: $39 (early bird pricing will be $35)
• Delivery: September 2014
• FŪZ is pronounced fuse :)

Look for an exclusive EverDock review in the near future here at iPhoneLife!!

This year at CES I was able to meet a brand that was completely new to me. I immediately fell in love with the sparkles, texture, and durability I saw. Cellairis carries iPhone and iPad cases, portable chargers, headphones, speakers, and screen protectors. The products I am loving right now are their cases. Cellairis has cases for everyone: moms, dads, professionals, fashionistas, tweens and teens... like I said, everyone. Here are some of my favorites, but don't let me limit you—you should check out the Cellairis line for yourself! 

If you don't see anything you like here, you might be wanting a personalized case. Cellairis offers several design variations with their Shout! custom iPhone case designer.

Matter Aton for 5C ($27.99)

Durable inner shell and outer case, with a protective anti-slip ring around the screen.

Debari Crystaria Bloom Case ($49.99)

Beautiful hard shell case designed for every day use. 

Bespoke Cross-stitch Diary Case for 5C ($39.99)

Fashion meets function!

Elle & Blair Whimsicle Fairytale Case ($27.99)

My personal favorite. Durable and especially beautiful at night!

Cody Simpson Beach Kid Slim Case ($24.99)

Slim case, which means not as durable, but my beach-loving kid would love to carry this around.

Rapture Rugged Glitter Case ($29.99)

Who says you can't be tough and beautiful?

Rapture Elite ($34.99)

Hard outer shell, soft inner liner means twice the protection for you. 

The Charlotte by Lily K. Wong ($300)

Beautiful case with interchangable 18K gold Swarovski crystal bracelet around the outside, additional bracelets available. 

Rugged Three-Piece ($29.99)

Tougher than the rest with three layers of protection. 

Colossus Matte Case ($19.99)

Simple and durable. 

Colossus Matte Print ($24.99)

Many designs available! 

Festival Collection, ($39.99)

I've fallen in love with this case! It's on my wishlist for sure. 

Royal Case by Elle & Blair ($49.99)

This one-piece designer case is durable enough for daily use. 

Here's a good reason to include an up-to-date address for every entry in Contacts: You can then use Maps to quickly get directions to the location of any person or business in Contacts (And set location reminders!)

To get directions to the location of one of your contacts, open Maps and tap on the bookmark icon in the top right corner.

This will open a list of all your contacts. Contacts with an address will be highlighted. 

Tap on the name of the contact whose address you want directions to, and Maps will quickly show you the location without you having to type anything!

Apple learned a lot from their underperforming Mobile Me service, and doubled down on the data center to support iCloud. Apple's cloud service handles iOS backups, iMessages, notes, music, videos, photos, iWork documents, Siri, FaceTime, and more; and for the most part, it performs without downtime.

Perhaps more significantly, Apple is leveraging 100 percent renewable energy to run their Maiden, North Carolina data center on "green" technology. The facility is the largest privately held solar energy farm. Biogas fuel cells are utilized as well. Excess power is even returned to the community. Greenpeace, once hypercritical of Apple, has given them Most Improved status. Learn more from the Today Show backstage tour.

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.Audubon Birds Pro($0.99 from $9.99)

What a fantastic deal! In celebration of John J. Audubon’s birthday, this app is being offered at a great discount. Get it before May 1st and enjoy a super cool app that provides a very useful mobile field guide with which you can identify over 821 different species of birds.

2.Ghost Texter(Free from $0.99)

I can see this app being used in many a practical joke. Text friends one-way using this app and they won’t know who you are. It could also be useful when you need to send an anonymous message to someone without getting yourself in trouble. But remember; always keep it classy. No cyber bullying or other such jackwagonry!

3. Spelling Star(Free from $0.99)

Is your spelling becoming more atrocious with each passing day? With everything having autocorrect these days, it seems like we don’t have to remember how to spell things anymore. That’s a shame! What would your third grade teacher say if she saw you struggling to remember how to spell? Let this app save you from total humiliation at the next spelling bee!

This is the official announcement of the iPhone life Biweekly Giveaway! Be sure to enter the giveaway at iphoneLife.com/giveaways to win prizes, which we'll announce May 5th! We are raffling off tons of great accessories for FREE.

Here's how it works: Every other Friday we will announce the prizes we're giving away through iphonelife.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. To enter the giveaway, go to iphoneLife.com/giveaways and tell your friends to enter too! On the following Monday morning, we will randomly select the winners. If you win an app, we will email you the promo code to redeem the app for free. If you win an accessory, send us your address and we will mail it to you.

This weeks featured items are:

1. Wood S Series Case in Ebony for iPhone 5/5s: Retail Price $39.95

This Apple Store exclusive is made of multi-layers of real wood veneer infused with DuPont Kevlar outer shell protection, 0.9mm thin, lightweight case with scratch-resistant coating.

2. Toddy Smart Cloth: Retail Price $9.99

Toddy Gear was nice enough to send us these customized iPhone Life Toddy Smart Clothes and we want to share the love. These handy little clothes are great for cleaning your iPad, iPhone, or just about anything else!

3. Spudz: Retail Price $3.49–$10.99

Spudz microfiber lens cloths offer a simple solution to a universal problem; dirt and smudges on glasses and other optics. Spudz cleans your lenses without damaging or scratching them, making spudz invaluable as an accessory. This convenient product clips to zippers, key chains, bags, or any number of other locations. It is washable and reusable, making it environmentally friendly. The cleaning cloth stays attached to a neoprene pouch that holds the cloth when not in use. Just tuck the cloth into the pouch when you are finished with it, and clip it where you want it.

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 May 5th!

Game Centered features roundups and in-depth reviews of the best in iOS games and related gaming news. Among the App Store’s myriad games, it’s all too easy to overlook some of the greats. Each installment of Game Centered will take a closer look at a select few worthy of special recognition. This week we'll take a look at some of the newest fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled action games to hit the Apple App Store.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 ($4.99)

Spidey’s back! In this new tie-in with the summer blockbuster movie of the same name, you'll play as none other than the wise-cracking, web-slinging superhero himself, as you battle and brawl through the open world environment of New York City.

Expanding on the movie’s storyline, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 features combo-focused combat on the ground as well as in the air, high above the city streets. In this game you’ll have to subdue a wide assortment of adversaries, ranging from street thugs to Spidey’ssuper-villan archenemies!

With crazy acrobatic action, a deep, original storyline with high-quality voice acting, and console-caliber graphics, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is a sure-fire hit for any fans of RPGs, action, and/or superhero games. Are you up for the challenge of restoring order and (relative) peace to the Big Apple?

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 gets a stellar 4.5 out of 5 Stars, good job Gameloft!

TriBlaster ($0.99)

Ahh, now here's a game that totally harkens back to my youth and days spent at the roller rink playing the old classic hit arcade game Tempest. Atari's Tempest was the first game I ever got really good at, and the first game in which I could actually break into the coveted high score list on any given day when I was in the zone. So when I saw that TriBlaster was as faithful a port of the original Tempest as you could hope to find, I had to try it out. I wasn't disappointed.

In TriBlaster, as in Tempest of old, you control a space ship as it moves along the perimeter of various challenging grids. With the signature vector graphics of Tempest, and modern, intuitive, touch-based, swipe-to-play controls, this reimagining of the old classic hit is sure to satisfy the cravings of any old-school gamer like myself, as well as any "newer" (ahem, younger) fans of retro-style iOS games. I give TriBlaster 3.5 out of 5 Stars and say it's a must-have for the collection of anyone who's a fan of old-school arcade games.

Trials Frontier (Freemium)

I'm a sucker for off-road motorcycle racing. The growl of an engine, the rumble of a muffler, tires kicking up dirt, the thrill of catching air and working with the bike like a well-tuned horse beneath me, these are the things that get my blood primed. But after God only knows how many injuries and near fatalities, and the fact that I have a baby boy in my life now, my extreme motocross days have been put on hiatus.

Enter Trials Frontier, the latest motocross game to occupy my spare time and fill our household with the exhilarating purr of motorcycle engines revving. In Trials Frontier you follow an interesting storyline set against a vividly illustrated backdrop of Old West mixed with a few Steampunk/cityscapes. Like other trails games, this title is a side-scrolling, physics-based game where your speed, traction, lean, and timing all play a factor in your success, as you flip and fly your way through the varied challenges and obstacles this gnarly motocross adventure presents you with.

Even though there are no advertisements in this game, I wish I could say that the in-app purchase system isn't obnoxious. It is! Like so many freemium games these days you are pressured to either wait to play, or pay to play as the game hobbles you every which way after you get a little way into it. Fuel cans equal time you can play, and gems equal upgrades you can purchase, and both are in very sort supply! That is, if you really want to get into this game and spend some time playing it for "free." It's an addictive game, and the developers are banking on this, and hoping you will be willing to plop down real world money in this virtual game to be able to continue playing. Because of the ever-so-popular in-app purchase scheme this game has going, I can only give it 2.5 out of 5 Stars, solely on the merits of its intense motocross action and artful graphics.