Apple has never shied away from copying a competitor's feature, if it's a good one. Indeed, a good one that Windows offers is the ability to run a couple of apps simultaneously in separate windows. There are many times when I am writing a blog post, such as this, on my iPad and I need to browse the web for a photo or text to quote. Switching between apps is cumbersome. Microsoft found a way around it, and they have been using that distinction in advertising. It's a valid differentiator. However, that may change soon, according to 9to5mac.

Apple is expected to introduce a new version of iOS at their Worldwide Developers Conference, in June. WWDC would be the perfect time to announce this split-screen personality, as developers will likely need to rewrite their app to accommodate the smaller resolution. One approach is to switch to iPhone mode and run the two apps side by side on an iPad. That would require little to no effort on the behalf of developers. But it would not be as elegant as it should be.  I would expect Apple to craft a specification that developers could use to make their apps splittable.

There have long been rumors of an iPad Pro, which would be a more professional iPad, perhaps with a 12" screen and a keyboard similar to the Windows Surface. This is where the iPad would bump up against Apple's MacBook Air. If that happens, multi-windowing would be even more important. While the split-screen may be a temporary marketing advantage for Microsoft, the real advantage for Apple is being able to see competitors' approaches and then cherry picking the best features and making them their own. As long as they don't violate any patents!

I was recently involved in a spirited discussion with a couple of people online. The subject? The perception that African countries are somehow lagging behind the rest of the world in terms of technological innovation. I argued against that idea, citing a number of examples from different countries on the continent that show remarkable innovations and concepts. One of those concepts has grown into a viable movement that is just now catching the eye of the west. What is it exactly? The mobile payment movement. To be more precise, M-PESA.

M-PESA is a joint venture between themobile phone provider Vodafone and Safaricom, the leading mobile phone company in Kenya. The term itself is a combination of 'M' for mobile and 'pesa', the Swahili term for money. The service began in 2007 primarily in Kenya, but its roots go back to research done in 2002 in Ghana, Uganda, and Botswana facilitated by the DFID, the Department for International
Development UK. They saw that people in those countries were successfully using mobile airtime as a proxy for money transfer. With that information, the groundwork was laid out for MCel of Mozambique in 2004 to be the first African nation to introduce authorized airtime credit swapping. Vodafone and Safaricom began to collaborate a year later, with grants from DFID and a student software development program as an initial framework for today's M-PESA. M-PESA works like this: you set up an account with Safaricom via a local agent in a store or a mobile hone outlet. You then fork over cash which is deposited into your M-PESA account. After you receive the account information and your PIN, you can then make transactions and payments to anyone via the account. Both parties receive an SMS detailing the transaction. The retailer can then go and collect the funds from any authorized M-PESA agent. And fees are subtracted during this process, much like PayPal. The beauty of it is that you don't necessarily need a bank account to use M-PESA. You can also add airtime using the account as well.

Of course, the question is, why has M-PESA succeeded when other mobile payment systems have floundered? The answer is multi-faceted. One answer lies in the way that M-PESA is designed. In a nation like Kenya, economic hardship is a major problem. The program gained major ground surprisingly enough thanks to the post-election violence that ran rampant in 2008. Many caught in the poorer areas
of Nairobi had no way to conduct their daily business. M-PESA provided a way to do so without having to make a dangerous trek. It also was a welcome alternative to the banks, who were caught up in the ethnic tensions and found themselves choosing sides. More people
began to sign up. This development led to a rise in economic prosperity; one study conducted among rural Kenyan households found that M-PESA users saw their income rise in rates from 5 to 30 percent. About half of the nation's adult population uses M-PESA now. It has grown to now include other banking options such as salary distribution and microfinance loans. In Tanzania for example, M-PESA is used as a means for an NGO to provide travel expenses for those in need of medical attention, providing a possible solution to a troubling healthcare crisis in that country. Having the ability to conduct banking in a country with infrastructure problems with a few swipes on your smartphone saves not only time but actually maximizes economic growth and productivity. It's also more cost effective compared with fees for wire transfers. In addition, the improvements of smartphone technology often find their first steps in countries classified under the 'Third World' or 'developing' umbrella. 

M-PESA's success has enabled Vodafone to offer the service to other ten other nations. This list includes India and Romania, the first European nation to introduce the service. Romania's entry is huge because one of the guiding voices behind M-PESA, Susan Lonie had initially felt the program wouldn't be as popular in Europe.

Mobile payments on the whole have also been steadily progressing here in the United States thanks to PayPal and Square, but have had their difficulties due to concerns about the possibilities of money-laundering raised by banks and also the threat of hackers. M-PESA and other mobile payment programs from African nations owe a part of their success to being more willing to take risks and experiment with connecting parts of their population neglected by banking institutions. In doing so, they've created new territory that they can seize upon. M-PESA itself, for example, is defined more as a money transfer service than a full-fledged banking program by Vodafone and Safaricom. It obtained a special license to that effect from the Kenyan government, despite objections as it grew more and more successful in recent years. In the U.S., this potentially murky area would be attacked by both the need for federal financial regulation to be written and also the possible wrangling between banks, multi-national credit card companies and other financial outlets with mobile providers. But as recent reports have shown mobile payment growth in the U.S. topping one billion dollars—and that's with limited adoption—combined with noted tech investors doing research in Kenya and other African nations, that area might get clearer as time goes on. And will put the nations of the African continent in a firmer position as inspiring leaders of the tech movement of the 21st Century.

Top image credit: erichon/Shutterstock

Most of the time, I review a game because either I ask a developer if they want a review or because someone asks me to write a review.  Occasionally, however, I just feel compelled to write a review on my own, usually because I simply can’t stop playing the game that I’m reviewing.  Beach Hero (Free with IAP) is just such as case.  I honestly probably wouldn’t have even given the game a second thought had I not coming across it while compiling a list for a different article; but ever since I first launched the game, I find myself spending more time with it than just about anything else on my device. As a result I decided it was time to share it with iPhone Life's readers.

Like many games I find myself attracted to these days on mobile devices, the mechanics are ridiculously simple. You just swipe left and right to move your gun back and forth while the gun fires automatically. Of course if you want some extra firepower, you can press the bomb or grenade buttons on the right side of the screen. The bomb does come in handy as it decimates everything on the screen, but those are limited unless you choose to spend your hard earned coins buying more. Grenades are a lot more plentiful, but only affect the enemies that are right up against your wall, and they're not really powerful enough to be of much use when you actually need them.

There are only four types of troops and one mini-boss, but it’s still enough of a variety to keep things interesting. The grenadiers are the cowards of the bunch, as they hang back a few rows and just lob their ammunition at you. The rest of the troops run right up to the wall before attacking, though each style is different. Basic soldiers attack quickly and relentlessly, while the mobile shields have a slower but more powerful assault cycle. The bombers simply explode after a second causing one time damage to your wall. As you progress through the game you will learn which enemies to attack first, though you won’t always get the luxury of choosing. For example, if you have a wall of mobile shields coming at you then you’ll need to get rid of them before hitting the other troops out there.

Whether or not you destroy an entire wave of opponents, you’ll receive some money; but your bonus will be much greater with a victory.  This money is used to upgrade several aspects of your offense like the power of your main gun and the ability to fire multiple shots. You’ll also be able to increase the amount of damage your wall can take. Some power ups require you to have sufficient levels of other power ups before you can increase them, and eventually some items get maxed out or cost an incredible amount of money to upgrade. You can certainly augment your stash of money via in-app purchases (IAP), but with no achievements or leaderboards, grinding towards that next power up is about the only thing to keep you going back. So far it’s worked for me though, as I’ve maxed out quite a few options without spending anything on IAP.

While I haven't played the games yet, the character designs in Beach Hero remind me of screen shots I’ve seen from the Field Runners series. The characters are well designed and nicely animated, and I like the way they fade out after losing all of their health. On the other hand, the solitary background image gets old rather quickly. The sound effects are pretty standard for this type of game and though most of them are easy to ignore after a few plays the rat-a-tat-tat of your main gun can get nerve wracking over time. There’s only one musical track, but at least it’s a decent one.

Beach Hero is somewhat of an anomaly for me.  I normally wouldn’t really invest in this style of game because I wouldn’t find it very interesting, yet I keep finding myself loading this one up when I should be playing something else that needs reviewing. The mechanics are extremely simple and actually quite repetitive, but I think it’s the feeling of accomplishment when you earn enough money to take an enhancement to the next level that really gets me. Whatever the case might be, I’ve certainly put my share of time into this game and don’t regret a moment of it.

Overall Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

The iPhone 5c was Apple's foray into low-cost smartphones. Prior to the iPhone 5c, Apple just kept selling the previous year's model at a discounted price. Some iPhones could even be acquired for free, but that required a two-year contract. A no-contract iPhone still meant shelling out hundreds of dollars. The iPhone 5c was meant to be a cost-reduced model without all of the iPhone 5s features like Touch ID. Still, when my neighbor bought an unlocked iPhone 5c this week, it cost her upward of $700.

Compare this with Motorola. The Google division, which is being sold to Lenovo, has been churning out solid, colorful Android phones at attractive pricing. Last year's Moto G has been available for $90 to $100 without a contract. A couple of days ago, Motorola announced the Moto E, at $129. These phones are not "burners" and only cut just a few corners to save costs. The Moto E builds on the Moto G, but addresses the most visible concerns by adding 4G LTE support and a microSD slot for expansion. End users will appreciate those enhancements. Since Motorola is still part of Google, it's natural that KitKat 4.4.2, the latest version of Android, is supported.

As an app developer, these low-cost but up-to-date Android devices make it easy to develop for. Independent developers can't afford to sign up for multiple cellular contracts just to get their hands on a smartphone. But $100 to $130 with no commitment is easy to swallow. I could buy two or three Android phones for the price of one iPod touch. Unlike the iPod touch, even without a contract, the Android phones can dial 911, which could be useful to kids. I've bought several Android phones and tablets just to play with, test my apps, and to give to my kids.  

This pricing model gives Android an advantage in the hearts and minds of developers. Make no mistake, I prefer the iOS ecosystem, interface, and app compatibility, and the App Store's revenue opportunities. But it would be nice to see a no-contract iPhone with comparable pricing.

Sometimes you fall down the Internet rabbit hole, where reading one article leads another until you are many pages from were you want to be. If you've ever found yourself repeatedly tapping the back button when browsing in Safari on your iPhone or iPad or wanting to follow a link without having to leave the page you're currently visiting, this tip is for you.

To quickly get back to an article you read three web pages ago, or to quickly view your browser history, just press and hold the back button to bring up your recent browser history and then tap on the URL you wish to return to.

In the future, if you want to follow a link without leaving the page you're on, just press and hold the link and then choose whether to open the link as a new page or to add the link to your Reading List to be accessed later.

Some enterprising students may have done what others have yet to do, namely eliminate the barriers between Apple's iOS and Google's Android. The project is called Cider, and through some clever porting of iOS frameworks to Android, native iOS apps can run, although slowly, as native apps on Android. App developers don't have to do anything special (although not all frameworks and features work, such as hardware-specific features) but for a college project, it's quite impressive.

This does point to a day when developers might not need to decide what platform to write to, and instead will just create apps using pseudo code that gets compiled or interpreted at runtime. As smartphones become faster, the lag might not be as big a deal. As an app developer who supports iOS, Android, Kindle, Windows Phone, and Samsung Bada, such cross-platform capability is the Holy Grail!

Watch their video and you may not believe your eyes. Seeing Apple's iBooks and other "native" iOS apps running on Android seems sacriligeous at first, but after all, Windows runs on Mac hardware, and iTunes runs on Windows, so maybe these barriers are artificial?

At this late stage in the development of the iPhone 6, I'm not sure Apple would still be testing various display resolutions, but that's what the latest report on 9To5Mac is saying. According to the in-depth article, which cites sources familiar with at least one model being tested, Apple is considering a display resolution of 1704 x 960 pixels, which would give a pixel density of 416 ppi and an aspect ratio of 16:9. This compares to a resolution of 1136 x 640 on the iPhone 5s, with a pixel density of 326 ppi and the same aspect ratio of 16:9. The article explains in detail why this rumored resolution would be proportionately larger, making it easier for developers to scale up to the larger size. 

The article gives the history of iPhone display sizes and resolution, and explains how the resolution has evolved. And while it acknowledges that the 1704 x 960 display being tested might not be the one we'll see, the article points to schematics leaked from iPhone manufacturer Foxconn that suggest this will indeed be the resolution of the iPhone 6.

Of course, the higher resolution means text, images, and videos will be significantly sharper on the forthcoming phone. The article suggests that this same resolution would also conveniently work on the 5.5-inch screen of the "phablet" that everyone is expecting Apple to come out with later this year.

The article includes some great mockups to show what iOS might look like on the iPhone 6, with its larger display and greater resolution.

So when when might we see the new iPhone 6? A recent rumor had said August, and that the 5.5-inch phablet would appear in September. However, the surest indicator (short of an actual announcement) is when Apple begins restricting when employees can take their vacation time. Apple wants all hands on deck around launch time, and AppleInsider is reporting that Apple is already restricting vacation time in September, suggesting that's when the announcement will come. 

Apple's handheld devices are reaching the point where just about everyone has one, and I mean everyone. If everyone in your home has an iDevice, but only one computer with which to sync and manage devices, then you might need a few extra USB ports. Enter Satechi's 10-port USB hub($59.95). Overkill? Maybe. Useful? Definitely. 

Design

I'll admit, in a world dominated by brushed aluminum finishes and slim form factors, this hub sticks out like a sore thumb. Atop this long, plastic block are nine USB 3.0 ports, divided into three groups of three. Each group features its own power switch and lights up when in use. The tenth USB port is on the side of the hub and is used solely for charging iPads or other devices that require more power. This is made possible by the inclusion of an external power supply for the hub. Mounting tape is included should you decide to keep the hub out of site for a clutter-free workplace.

Functionality

Once connected to my MacBook, the hub handled everything I plugged in flawlessly. My external hard drive, keyboard, Bluetooth mouse dongle, Nook, iPhone, and iPad all functioned properly with full connectivity. My iDevices were able to sync when connected with no speed issues whatsoever.

The power switches are a nice addition, but truthfully I'm not sure what good they do. If anything, the fact that they light up is a nice way to keep track of what you have plugged in, but for the most part I haven't ever powered one off with something connected to it.

Pros:

• More hubs than you'll need
• It works without any speed or power issues
• Can charge iPads and other tablets

Cons:

• Fairly unattractive compared to other comparable USB hubs
• Glossy finish attracts fingerprints and dust easily

Verdict

Satechi's 10-port USB 3.0 hub is a great investment if you're constantly connecting or disconnecting devices and want to save time. It's also nice just to have in case you have company over and a few people need to charge their phones. Despite its looks, it gets my recommendation. If you need something smaller, Satechi also offers hubs with less connectivity options with a look that mirrors Apple's aluminum-finished products.

If you somehow managed to miss out on one of the largest App Store sensations this year before it was pulled by its developer, you're in luck. Flappy Bird is set to return to the App Store with some new features that'll make a seemingly overnight success an even bigger deal than it was before.

According to CNBC's Kelly Evans' statement on Twitter:

That's right. Flappy Bird, an addictive game we said you'll love to hate, is coming back this August. Multiplayer support will likely be the biggest change, although there are few details regarding how it will be implemented.

If you're new to Flappy Bird, it's a free game that flapped its way to the top of the App Store and spread through social media sites like wildfire before being pulled by its developer purportedly due to the stress of sudden success getting to him. With everyone talking about Flappy Bird, analysts believed that Dong Nguyen, the game's sole developer, could have been making $50,000 a day from ad revenue alone.

Since the Flappy Bird's sudden departure from the App Store, a number of clones and knock-offs have tried to take it's place. Of course, nothing will be as good as the original. If you didn't have a chance to download your own before it was pulled, the new Flappy Bird should hit the App Store just in time to consume the rest of your summer.

Not all hotels are the same, even within the same chain. That means different amenities, features, and services. In order to avoid getting caught figuring out a solution to a problem that could have been avoided with planning, scope out your hotels before you arrive and supplement their configurations by bringing what you need to make your room work for you.

I will be using my stays recent stays at two UK Holiday Inn properties: Norwich, and London, Bloomsbury, as a examples.

Wi-Fi and Internet access

Just because you hotel offers Wi-Fi, does not mean that it is an affordable option. Because I was traveling for research purposes, the Bloomsbury property provided me with vouchers for one device for each day of my stay. Beyond that, and without vouchers, the cost of the Internet was £16 a day, or roughly $27 a day, probably similar to what you pay for a month’s worth of data on your domestic phone plan.

In Norwich we were in an executive room, which meant the Wi-Fi was included. A wired connection was available, and ran on the same password as the Wi-Fi system. There were no restrictions on the number of devices that could use the password in Norwich, which made the entire family happy. Everybody could Skype or FaceTime back home.

The two properties also differed on how they provided Internet access. In Norwich, I was provided with log-in instructions and a password. The Internet timed-out regularly, requiring logging in again after the timeout. I was told by the manager that this was due to the UK’s privacy laws. In London, I received a voucher that did not timeout until the time ran out, so every 24-hours, on the dot, even if you were in the middle of something the system tossed you out to the log-in page on their intranet. The voucher, once used, was tied to the initial machine that the code was entered on.

Elite members of Intercontinental Hotels reward program, called IHG Rewards Club, do routinely received complementary Internet, nationally and internationally. I did not experience this feature during this trip. In the US, elite hotel loyalty members, in general, usually just login and the charges are waived at check-out, or they use their loyalty program credentials to log-in which them provides them with special offers (like free Internet).

By contrast, we visited a Guoman hotel (Charring Cross) and found the following image in the lift:

The sign speaks for itself: “Free wi-fi is not a luxury. It’s a necessity. Fast, free, unlimited wi-fi. Now available throughout the hotel.” (Note, that this “free” wi-fi was provided by Bluetooth. BT hotspots in town ran £4 an hour so another service, like O2 or Free Wi-Fi were our go-tos while wandering London and Norwich.)

Printing

Printing was an issue at both properties. Norwich did not have a business center or a printer, but they allowed the front desk staff to print things if the customer e-mailed them to a special e-mail address. This was available on request, and not shared during check-in. At London Bloomsbury, the hotel had a small HP printed nuzzled between two PCs used as Internet access points (still running the now unsupported Windows XP, by the way). I tried to use the printer twice. It was out of ink both times, even after reporting it the first day (and receiving several pages of blank paper following a print request). As far as I know, the printer never received ink during our stay. We ended up going to concierge and asking them to print items, like discount tourist vouchers for places like Hampton Court that the Churchill War Rooms.

It would have been more efficient for us, and frankly for the hotel, to have a working printer with open terminals. Many US hotels offer basic web-services, including printing, in their lobby area. The PCs in London required asking for a “lobby/lounge” voucher at the front desk that worked only with those two computers. The first time I tried it I couldn’t get on. I finally took a shot and swapped the codes and was on—they had the codes reversed on the documentation.

If you think you will need to print, specifically ask the hotel before you arrive what they provide in terms of printing, and if they don’t offer printing, what other resources might be nearby (like a copy center) that can provide printing services.

As an alternative, you can bring your own printer, but travel printers are very expensive. If your work requires confidential printing, and your company is paying for it (and you want to lug around a printer) then your own personal printer, like the HP OfficeJet 150 Mobile Wireless Color Printer with Copier  ($399.99) or the less flexible HP Officejet 100 Mobile Printer ($279.99) may be worth your while. And remember a printer requires paper and ink, or those add either to the weight of the solution, or the time involved in set-up or problem solving when on the road.

Power

Power was not a problem, but that is only because I planned ahead. In Norwich, we had a desk with two outlets, both UK Standard. One was used by a lamp, which we occasionally disconnected to expose the other plug. The other outlet was open. In London, the desk lamp was plugged in under the desk, making both desk outlets available.

I plugged in the Lenmar World Travel Adapter with Dual USB Ports, which provided two international plugs, a US standard plug on top, and two powered USB ports. To that device I attached a Simran SM-60 Universal Power Strip that I brought in my checked luggage. This combination provided for enough plugs and ports to charge everything we had: An iPad, A Kindle Fire, two iPhones, and a camera battery. That configuration also left enough plugs for the Microsoft Surface Pro, and a place for my wife to plug-in her HSI dual voltage travel hair straightener.

Other European power tips:

• If nothing in your room works, check by the door for a keycard slot. Stick your keycard in the slot to “activate” your room.
• Many individual outlets have their own on-off switch. Make sure they are pressed to the bottom and the top is out (usually) to ensure that the power is on to the plug. This is in addition to “activating” the power in the room.
• Before you leave, count the number of simultaneous devices you will need to charge and make sure you have enough outlets and cables for all of them.

An early configuration of plugs at the Norwich Holiday Inn. Note the outlet switches in the “ON” position.

Video and Music

I brought cables. Everything I owned could be output to HDMI. And you know, the televisions had HDMI ports. Unfortunately, all of the switches controlling inputs were disabled at both properties. Many hotels now offer patch panels for plugging various devices into the hotel’s flat screen TVs for PC output, watching video or streaming music. There should be clear statements at all properties that don’t allow for this so people don’t waste time fiddling with the TVs, which also increases the risk of damage to the sets.

The room in Norwich also had an iHome. When I first arrived, I could get power out of the port. After looking around, I realized the clock was running on just the LCD battery backup. The radio had been unplugged, no doubt, so a previous tenet could use the outlet next the bed (take note, there should be available outlets next to the bed) I found all the bits and plugged it in. Still no power to the iPod/iPhone 30-pin port. Looks like the 30-pin connector on the iHome was also damaged. In London, it took us a while to realize that the clock was actually in the TV, which explained the lack of clock-radio. If you want to listen to music, you might want to consider your own portable Bluetooth speaker, as you can’t expect every room to have a working sound system to plug into.

Always remember to:

• Check the power to the clock-radio before trying to charge an iPhone/iPod. Bring adaptors if you have a Lighting device.
• Don’t expect rooms with Flat-panel TVs to permit use of their ports for your own purposes. When they do, though, it is very useful.
• Consider bringing your own Bluetooth speaker to ensure a viable sound system. Make sure to count its adapter among the outlets required for charging.

Holiday Inn Overall

I found both hotels clean, quiet, and restful. Both could use tech and power upgrades, like television inputs and business or Internet centers, to bring them up to the level of many US hotels in the same class. Upgrades should also include revisiting Wi-Fi policies so they are more affordable, more consistent across properties in the same brand, and more generally convenient for the customer. I would also like to see clear postings on televisions that the ports are disabled so customers don’t waste their time finding out for themselves. Television was pretty sketchy at both properties with very few channels, which isn’t unusual for the UK, but improved cable or satellite access would have been welcomed.

All the staff members were accommodating and helpful. I would suggest that they have a clear check-list of information for business travelers that is volunteered at check-in, such as how to print, if the televisions can be used as monitors or not, and what to expect from Wi-Fi in terms of costs, performance, and behavior.

Holiday Inn is continuing to evolve. They announced in July of 2013 that IHG® Rewards Club would offer free Internet in all its hotels globally. In Europe, free Internet is currently available for IHG® Rewards Club Elite members and will extend to all members from July 2014. Free Internet is currently available to all IHG® Rewards Club members, when staying at any of IHG® nine brands in Greater China, Asia, Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.

The company is also deploying what it calls Open Lobby, a concept that is currently available in five European properties. Holiday Inn Open Lobby transforms the traditional hotel lobby by combining the front desk, lobby, restaurant, bar, lounge area, and business center into one open, cohesive space, with a refreshing, contemporary design.

I really appreciate the opportunity to work with Holiday Inn on this trip and look forward to sharing my comments on their properties, and those of other brands, in the future.

There are a lot of articles out there on keeping kids safe while while they use mobile devices. But I'm guessing even more parents want to know how to keep their iPhones and iPads safe from their kids! Here are a few tips:

Protect Your iDevice

You could always make your iDevice off limits; but lets be honest, sometimes you just need your kids to stay out of your hair for a few minutes and iDevices make great temporary babysitters. If you're in the habit of keeping your small child occupied by handing over your iPhone or iPad, investing in a rugged, waterproof case is a good idea. Even older kids sometimes think nothing of enjoying sticky snacks while playing on an iPad or throwing an iPhone down when frustrated. A protective case will protect your children from your future wrath.

Control Access to Your iDevice

Is your tween or teenager being unusually affectionate while you are using your iPhone, willingly sitting next to you and even hugging you of her own accord? Beware, she's actually trying to catch you in the act of entering your security code so she can bypass TouchID and play games on your phone when you're not looking. Avoid using your security code in her presence and make sure your code is not easy to guess and change it regularly.

Enable Restrictions

You can restrict your child's access to certain applications and features and prevent them from deleting and installing apps, making in-app purchases, changing privacy settings, and more. Go to Settings>General>Restrictions and select Enable Restrictions. You will need to enter a passcode. Apple has a really helpful online article on using Restrictions in iOS.

How do you keep your iDevices safe from your kids?

Top image: Zurijeta/Shutterstock

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. Trident Kraken AMS iPhone 5/5S Case + Bike Mount + Suction Cup Mount: Retail Price Total ≈ $90

Kraken A.M.S. Series cases are the absolute strongest, most durable cases Trident makes. Kraken A.M.S. features a three-in-one case, transforming a heavy-duty Kraken A.M.S. case into a light-weight Perseus case. This feature allows you to choose your level of protection: Kraken A.M.S., standalone Perseus, or Perseus with Kraken front. The detachable aluminum media stand provides the option to attach a variety of interchangeable accessories, including the two accessories included in this prize, allowing you to use your device to its full potential.

2. UZBL Shockwave iPad 2/3/4 Case: Retail Price $49

Rugged protection meets beautiful style with the ShockWave Case for iPad 2/3/4. The new ShockWave Case features a six-angle integrated kickstand and a built-in screen protector. Like all other UZBL cases, the Shockwave has cushioning ribs for the most shock absorbtion.

3. NoiseHush NX26 Headphones: Retail Price $99.99

The high performance NoiseHush NX26 features handcrafted wooden housing to preserve the natural and superb sound quality. The neodymium magnet drivers and advanced engineering delivers deeper bass, lower distortion and wider dynamic range. Sleek and light weight, the soft-touch, rubberized frame offers comfortable listening for hours on end and can be used for both mobile sources and home Hi-Fi systems. The in-line microphone of NX26 is acoustically tuned to filter out external noise, ensuring that callers hear clearly even in the noisiest situations. With its control button, you can conveniently switch between phone calls and your favorite music. Crank it UP!

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 19th!

Has Apple's pending stock split made you think about picking up a share or two? Well get in line, because Carl Icahn just added 2.8 million shares to the 7.5 million he already owned! Icahn is an activist investor who uses his holdings in firms to push his agenda. It often works, at places like eBay and even Apple.

Apple has reacted to his demands over the years with a buyback plan, dividends, and the recent stock split announcement. Specifically, Apple increased their stock buyback plan from $60 billion to $90 billion, although Icahn wanted Apple to increase the plan by $50 billion. Apple's dividend increased by 8 percent, offering more value for existing stockholders. Additionally, through Apple's 7-for-1 stock split planned for June, the individual share price should be under $100.

Not all investors agree on the benefits of stock splits, since most of the benefits are psychological. If you owned 10 shares at $600 that becomes 60 shares at $100, after a 6 for 1 split. Either way, your shares are worth the same $6,000 value. However, that lower price makes it easier for individual buyers to afford a share or two, increasing the liquidity and making that stock easier to buy and sell. After the split, the stock is less likely to seem overpriced, as well, making it more attractive. However, small changes are worth more, which can be good or bad, depending on the change.

Beware of a reverse split, where a stock is priced so poorly that it is in danger of being delisted from a stock index. I worked for Sun Microsystems from 1988 to 1993. Sun had amazing highs in the 1980s and 1990s, and tragic lows in the 2000s.  In 2007, as a sign of desperation, after a 90 percent drop in stock price, Sun announced a 1-for-4 reverse split. That too was psychological and didn't help. Ultimately, Sun was consumed by Larry Ellison's Oracle.

Apple is in no risk of such a future, which is all the more ironic because Sun Microsystems almost bought Apple in 1996! And when Oracle acquired Sun, it was part of Ellison's goal is to have Oracle be “the Apple of Enterprise!

'Tis the season for graduations! High school, college, whatever your family member or friend is graduating from, spring is the time to watch them walk across that stage and celebrate their accomplishments. And then, of course, buy them a gift to say congratulations! Here's my list of the best Graduation gifts for iDevice users. 

1. PUC ($129.99)

For the musician or DJ, the PUC wireless device interface allows you to connect any MIDI device wirelessly to an iDevice. Guitars, drums, keyboards, and DJ controllers are just some of the devices you can connect to and not worry about cables, dongles, or extension cords. Runs on two AA batteries and includes a MIDI cord. 

2. ShareBrands Stereo Headphones ($65)

Who says great headphones have to be expensive? ShareBrands has lightweight headphones that are comfortable to wear and sound great. They're built using neodymium magnet drivers and easily deliver the deep bass and wider dynamic range you're looking for. The cushioned headband is a great feature that many other brands don't offer. The best part? ShareBrands donates 25 percent of the sale price of your purchase to social causes, depending on the color headphones you choose. Blue: Men and Children's Health, Red: To Fight Poverty, Pink: Women and Children's Health, Yellow: For Education, and Green: For the Environment.  

3. Pelican ProGear Voyager Case ($50)

Armed with a lifetime guarantee (their motto is, "You break it, we replace it... Forever."), the Voyager tough case is designed to protect your phone from being dropped or crushed. The case is made up of four layers: a belt/pocket holster that doubles as a kickstand, a hard (but slim) beveled-edge back, a scratch-resistant screen protector, and an extra rugged drop protection front layer. Each layer is designed to help deflect and absorb the shock of a dropped phone. There are soft covers over each of the buttons and ports to help protect from dust and dirt, and the smooth case ensures the phone can quickly be slid into your pocket without "sticking." 

4. Shuttr by Muku Labs ($39.99)

Is your grad addicted to selfies? The Shuttr makes them easy by providing the slimmest external camera remote control shutter on the market. Take group photos and selfies from up to 30 feet away by inserting the included audio jack phone stand to angle your phone just right. No apps to download, just connect via Bluetooth and begin clicking! The possibilities for the Shuttr are endless—trick shots, sensitive shots where you can't risk the movement of your iPhone while taking a picture, selfies in front of historic monuments, new homes or offices, and even group selfies. Available in red, black, and white. 

5. iHome Power Case ($69.99)

Never be without power while using the iHome 2000 mAh Power Case. Unlike other battery cases, the iHome Power Case leaves the charging port for your phone open to allow the phone and case to be recharged separately. It features an LED light so you can keep tabs on your power level and gives your phone up to one extra battery cycle. Available for iPhone 5/5s in black and pink. 

6. Speck Candyshell Amped ($44.95)

A sound amplification case with military-grade protection, the Candyshell Amped is truly like no other. The exclusive horn design in the case takes the sound from your phone's speaker (at the bottom on the case) and redirects it to come out the speaker grill on the side. No battery power is needed–everything is done through the horn. The bonus? Speck's best-selling Candyshell case is still on the outside, protecting your phone with military-grade materials. Available in pink, blue, and black. 

7. Retro Game Case ($29.99)

Grads can take a much-needed brain break with these retro game cases from PureGear. We all know how easy it is to get stuck inside Facebook or Twitter while waiting for the elevator. Take a minute to disconnect and have some fun while solving one of two maze games, or a pinball-style decision making game. These cases are definitely business in the front, and party in the back. 

8. Ventev Powercell 6000 Portable Battery ($74.99)

Give your grad extra power with the Ventev Powercell 6000. Plug it into the wall for nightly charging, but then take the 6000 mAh charger with you and use the stored power to charge your phone an additional two to three full charges. Includes 1A and 2.1A charging ports, and can charge two devices at the same time.  

9. PureGear PureMove Sports Armband ($49.99)

iPhones don't belong in a pocket, where they could easily fall out during exercise. The PureGear sports armband is a great gift for any fitness enthusiast—just click your phone in and go! Have easy access to the screen and side controls and know that your phone is safe and secure while your workout. Unlike other sports armbands, the PureMove armband is made from fabric that is moisture-wicking, antibacterial, odor-free, machine washable, and even reflective for running at night. The detachable cord keeper ensures that your cords stay where they should. Available in green/gray and pink/gray. 

10. Cellairis C3 Bluetooth Headset ($29.99)

Keep your grad safe with this headset from Cellairis. The C3 Bluetooth Headset connects to your phone to provide hands-free talking, better sound transfer, and reduction of exterior sounds while driving or walking around. The headset is lightweight and can be used in the right or left ear. Available in silver, black, red, and hot pink. 

The hulking beast of an app that is iTunes has been updated. This has nothing to do with Apple's expected acquisition of Beats, instead iTunes 11.2 primarily adds enhancements for podcasts. If you subscribe to a lot of podcasts, iTunes will now let you automatically delete them as they are listened to, which will help free up space. To demonstrate just how big iTunes has become, the latest version requires 400MB. That's almost half a gigabyte of space! These days, iTunes does much more than handle music, podcasts, or even movies.  iTunes is also responsible for browsing the mobile app store from a desktop computer. Apple has a separate Mac OS App Store app for browsing Mac apps. However, when using iTunes to search for mobile apps, users see songs, artists, podcasts, and videos instead of just apps.

The rumored purchase of Beats by Dr. Dre would come with Beats Music, an elegant alternative to iTunes Radio, Pandora, Spotify, and others. If Apple could integrate the design asthetic of Beats Music within a separate iTunes app, it could be just what the doctor ordered! Many analysts are hung up on the $300 headphones, but Beats Music could be the real advantage to Apple.

Microsoft is playing catch up in the app world, but they are doing something worth copying. When users browse for a desktop app, it now shows related mobile apps so developers can cross-promote their apps and end users can make a more informed decision. In the meantime, we are stuck with iTunes to manage just about everything. And the update fixes some outstanding bugs, so go get it!

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, AppieDay, AppShopper and more.

Hurry! Get 'em while they’re hot!

1. C-Time ($1.99)

Have you ever wondered exactly how much time you spend in certain places?  You probably have a general idea, but somehow days just slip by and you never get to do everything you want to do. Now, C-Time uses a geo-fence system to automatically record the amount of time you stay in certain places per day, month and year.  Don’t let time get away from you again!

2. Morse-It (Free from $0.99)

In celebration of the release of version 6.0, Morse-It is free for the next four days!  With this app you can translate, interpret, type and learn Morse code.  Type some text and it will be automatically encoded into full screen flashes in Morse code.  It also flashes your device’s flashlight.

3. Hurricane Tracker ($2.99 from $3.99)

If you love a good storm, get super stoked for hurricane season, or even if you’re a nervous nelly, this is the app for you!  With it you can enjoy what CNN rates as the best hurricane tracking app available for iOS.  A portion of the proceeds from the purchase of this app goes to support the Red Cross.

When Apple announced CarPlay, Apple's new technology for automobiles, the big question was whether it would only be available on new cars, or if older cars could also take advantage of it. Then to the relief of many, two different companies announced forthcoming aftermarket CarPlay systems, with the one from Pioneer to be the first to hit the market. As noted by AppleInsider, Pioneer has been offering hands-on demonstrations of its NEX car infotainment system to the media this week, including CNBC, Macworld, and Digital Trends, which has a very detailed hands-on review of the system. Pioneer's CarPlay system offers Phone, Music, Maps, and Messages. See an earlier post for a bit more detail. 

According to the CNBC report, the NEX system will work with most cars except for some luxury vehicles. Support for CarPlay will be in the form of a software update for Pioneer's five NEX systems. The imminent arrival of CarPlay from Pioneer is somewhat earlier than had been expected. Pioneer's NEX systems begin at $700. To install CarPlay, one downloads the software from Pioneer's website to a USB thumb drive, and then plugs it into the system to install the update.

Do you have a gadget-loving iDad? Does he get excited to show you all of his new accessories for his iPhone and iPad? If so, we have a few gift ideas for every budget that'll make you Dad's favorite this year on Father's Day!  

1. Star Wars SMS First Edition headphones ($199.95) 

These STREET by 50 on-ear wired headphones from SMS Audio (owned by rapper 50 Cent) are the same great headphones you know and love, but now you can choose your Dad's favorite Star Wars character to show off. The STREET by 50 wired on-ear headphones are durable and not too bulky. The sound is stellar, in my opinion, and I love the fun extras that SMS stuck in the First Edition packaging: an embossed carrying case that matches your headphones, a Star Wars branded cable with the three-click microphone, a Star Wars branded cleaning cloth, a first edition poster, set of stickers, and certificate of authenticity. Available in Galactic Empire, Rebel Alliance, Boba Fett, and Stormtrooper. 

2. The SYNC by 50 over-ear wireless headphones ($399.95)

If your Dad isn't a Star Wars fan, but loves music, SMS has something special for him. The SYNC by 50 over-ear wireless headphones are the top of the line for Dad. With crystal clear sound and a range that reaches up to 50 feet, these headphones are the perfect iPhone companion. The SYNC by 50 wireless headphones feature an ultra-durable adjustable band, 40mm drivers and 16-bit digital sound, on-board controls with bass boost, and leather cushions. The battery lasts for approximately 17 hours and comes with a connector cable in case you run out of juice. Available in black, white, and silver. 

3. Rukus XL by Eton, ($199.99)

My favorite sound system to date, this solar charged stereo connects to your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch by Bluetooth and delivers 22 Watts of stereo sound. Other features include the ability to charge your device through the stereo, an AC cable to power the stereo when needed, and a charging compartment for your iPhone or iPod Touch. Battery lasts eight hours so when the sun goes down, you don't have to stop listening. 

4. Olloclip 4-in-1 lens ($69.99)

5. Quick-Flip case ($49.99)

Is your Dad a budding iPhoneographer? He needs the Olloclip 4-in-1 lens and Quick-Flip case! The quick-flip case provides easy access to the top of your phone for attaching the lenses–fisheye, wide-angle, macro 10x or macro 15x. The Olloclip lenses are small enough to easily fit in your pocket and quickly snap on the top of your phone when you need them. 

6. Speck DuraFolio case for iPad mini ($59.95)

7. iSpeck DuraFolio case Pad Air ($69.95) 

Easily the most durable and least cumbersome iPad cases I've come across, the Speck Folio line has something for everyone. The DuraFolio is ultra-thin military-grade protection for your iPad. It has a textured grip and easily folds for several viewing angle choices. Magnets secure the front flap and protect the screen. Available in several colors for each iDevice. 

8. Ventev Glide ($39.99)

The leather Glide case has been designed to fully protect Dad's iPhone with a microfiber lined pouch and magnetic closing flap. When you open the case, a lifting mechanism partially ejects the phone from the pouch for quick and easy access—no digging around for your phone. This slim case is a must-have for those who don't want to carry a bulky case on their phone, but know that an unprotected phone is an accident waiting to happen! 

9. Optrix PhotoProX Rugged iPhone Case ($149.95)

Is your Dad tough on his iPhone? The Optrix PhotoProX is the tough case designed to the the best photos–it includes 4 interchangable photo lenses to get the best pictures out in the real world. The case is drop-proof from 30 feet, waterproof to 33 feet, and is created from military grade materials.

The macro, fisheye, telephoto, and low profile lenses come with their own tough case and easily screw on to the outer PhotoProX case. Truly the all-in-one kit, the OptixPhotoProX comes with an inner "sled" case, the outer protective case, 4 lenses, o-rings for the perfect fit, a padded lens hard case, a leash for the case, and a cleaning cloth for the lenses. 

As you my have heard, as part of Apple's expected acquisition of Beats Music, Grammy-award winning "Gangsta" rap artist Dr. Dre is likely to be appointed as an executive board member at Apple. This is a very interesting development, and word has it that the official introduction will take place at Apple’s annual WWDC this first week of June. Why do I find Dre’s involvement with Apple Inc., as an executive board member no less, so uniquely intriguing? 

Well, come on, isn't this Dr. Dre we are talking about after all? Dr. Dre, one of rap's most notorious gangster superstars? "Straight Outta Compton" Dr. Dre? Of NWA’s notorious fame? Dr. Dre, who has the multi-platinum selling Chronic album, all about smoking marijuana and the hardcore gangsta life? Dr. Dre, producer and collaborator of some of the most popular rap acts ever? This is who Apple picked as their executive board member? Really? It's almost too hard to believe! Yet here we are, with numerous reputable sources backing up these rumors. In fact, if you haven't seen Dre’s celebratory video, released when the news first broke of the 3.2 billion dollar deal with Apple, it's worth a look for posterity and perspective if nothing else. Indeed, the merger of Apple and Beats could be as much a sociological event as a business one.

From video of Dr. Dre and actor Tyrese, celebrating Apple's acquisition of Beats.

South Central Meets Cupertino

The fact of the matter is Dr. Dre is a true South Central gangsta; at least as far as his public image and song lyrics would lead one to believe. And this is the man Tim Cook is rumored to be talking about placing on the executive board. I say, "Go Tim!" that’s pretty radical, and radical might just be the best thing for Apple right now.

What an interesting and unexpected buy-out for Apple, especially as a company known for its cautious and prudent business moves. Then again, to a company with an estimated brand value of over 100 billion, I reckon 3.2 billion might be considered chump change. In any case, talk about shaking things up! Talk about embracing a little controversy. Talk about gaining an edge! This move would align Apple with one of the major forces in the music industry, leveraging his wisdom, business smarts, and cultural identity, to tap into the elusive younger generation, who also happen to be one of the primary demographic age groups targeted for Apple’s own forthcoming wearable products. Not to mention, can you imagine what Apple will do with Beats headphones when they get their hands on them? They may not change the external look much, at least not at first, but considering Time magazine just ranked Beats as some of the worst headphones on the planet, I reckon Apple will certainly tweak the Beats headphone’s internal components, if nothing else.

A Cultural Revolution

Personally, I think it’s a great business decision! Despite the fact that Dre isn't exactly a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. role-model type, in this day and age of so much thinly veiled racism continually playing out in the national media, I think it's fantastic that Apple is not only actively and consciously embracing popular black culture, but that they are doing so with one of the most recognized, profitable, controversial, and prolific black entertainers of the day. Consider these statistics: According to The Daily Dot, 71 percent of African-Americans are smartphone users, the highest percent of any demographic, while 73 percent of African-American smartphone owners are still Android users.

With a populace of 43 million, African-Americans currently have a collective buying power of over 1 trillion dollars, which would be another sensible reason for Apple to pursue Dr. Dre, as his influence in the black community is far-reaching, with roughly as many as 90 percent of African-Americans (and perhaps unsurprisingly, 75 percent of Caucasian-Americans) listening to some form of hip hop.

Let's face it, Dr. Dre has been, and still is, hugely popular, and it's almost a foregone conclusion that aligning with the good Doctor and his associate Jimmy Iovine is a shrewd business move on Apple’s part, one that has  apparently caught the entire business world by surprise.

The Iovine Factor

Speaking of Iovine, he should also be considered another most vital key to this whole deal. With Iovine, Apple adds to its board an extremely respected, well-connected and highly influential member of the music industry, who has ties to numerous high profile musicians and executives and performers including such greats as Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga, Tom Petty, John Lennon, U2, Eminem, and Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, who also happens to be Chief Creative Officer of Beats music subscription service. With Iovine, Apple gains valuable traction in a music industry where they could use the amicable influence of Iovine to help secure highly lucrative deals with records labels moving forward.

I'd be surprised if this deal doesn't go down. Stay tuned to iPhone Life as official confirmation from Apple could come as early as this week. We'll keep you up to date on the latest developments surrounding what might be Apple’s priciest acquisition ever.

Not with a bang, but with a whimper. That's how the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States ended and how the ongoing litigation between Apple (and NeXTstep) and Google's Motorola Mobility unit appears to have ended. The longstanding suits and countersuits stem from claims of each party infringing on the other's patents. This goes back to when Steve Jobs threatened "thermonuclear war" after Google Chairman Eric Schmidt, who sat on Apple's board, allegedly leveraged that insider position to create what is now Android. (Full disclosure, I worked at Sun Microsystems from 1988 to 1993, when Schmidt was Sun's Chief Technology Officer.) Alas, Steve is gone, and the more practical Tim Cook may have decided enough is enough. To Microsoft's credit, unlike Google, they did license Apple technology and Windows Phone is indeed quite different from iOS.

Google and Apple are not cross-licensing patents, but are ending their existing lawsuits. At the same time, Apple and Google claim they will work together to combat patent abuse. However, Samsung is not off the hook. With a jury verdict in favor of Apple, Samsung faces a penalty of over one hundred million dollars for their infringements.

This reminds me of a presentation I attended by former Secretary of State Colin Powell, at the Jacob Javitz Center in New York City a few years ago. He was discussing the meetings with Mikhael Gorbachev. Reagan and Powell were doubtful that Gorbachev was serious about Glasnost, or ending the Cold War. Finally, Gorbachev said, as if he was talking to the producers of the next James Bond movie, "Mister Secretary, I'm afraid you will need to find yourself a new enemy." I remember a chill upon hearing those words. We were in New York City and I thought how America did indeed find a new enemy, a few blocks away, on September 11, 2001. Sun Microsystems had an office in the Twin Towers, and I had been working there a couple of months before 9/11. Al Quaeda was an enemy born from the same Cold War, when the U.S. helped Bin Laden's Mujahadeen fight the Soviets. As if war isn't damaging enough, there is another tragedy of war—the unintended consequences.

Gorbachev recognized the cost of the Cold War was too great for the Soviet Union. Reagan and Powell were skeptical but Gorbachev knew that Americans seemed to always need an bogeyman. He just decided it wasn't going to be the USSR anymore. Perhaps Google's Schmidt and Apple's Cook feel the same way. The question is, will Samsung be the new enemy, or will the real enemy be traditional PC-style computing, flip phones, wearables, high-priced cellular plans, or other industries like Home Automation that could benefit from iOS or Android?