When Apple paid $3 billion for Beats by Dr Dre, a lot of analysts think Apple overpaid. But that doesn't mean you have to. Sure, Beats headphones will set you back $200 and if you want wireless Bluetooth headphones with the Beats logo, expect to pay $300 to $350. But there are alternatives.

The 8 Driver BE501 headphones from Life N Soul is a serious competitor to Beats, but at half the price. The Bluetooth model lists for under $180 and offers many of the features Beats customers look for. There's a 3.5mm jack for wired use on non-Bluetooth devices or when in airplane mode. Speaking of airplane mode, I tried these in a noisy setting, with and without any music, and the noise reduction was quite good, even when there was no music playing. When you do listen to music, the integrated "surround sound" technology does its thing and you feel like you're at the concert.

The padded cushions on the top and on the ears mean it's comfortable to use for a long time. The 8 Driver BE501 headphones should be nice for airplane travel, and it folds up nicely to fit in the included bag. And the 25 hour battery life (1300mAh) means it should last as long as your iPhone, if not longer. The Life N Soul headphones are available in either chrome or white.

I'd like to defer to Gary Oldman, who suggests in HTC's latest ads that users not take his word for it regarding the new HTC phone, but "ask the Internet" instead. I don't agree with a lot of what he says, but the sentiment is right. Life N Soul proves you don't need to trust (or pay for) a product based on the recommendation of an actor, rap star, or athlete, which can add $100 or more to the cost of the item.

Inateck is a tech accessory company that offers computer peripherals like wireless adapters, mobile charging solutions, and PCI interface cards. They also have a selection of compact and affordable Bluetooth speakers, and recently sent us charging gear and speaker samples to check out. We gave them a go...

I received and tested the Inateck BP-2001 ($29.99 on Amazon) portable Bluetooth speakerphone along with a UC-4002 ($18.99 on Amazon) USB charging base. The 10 watt BP also doubles as a handy stand for your iPad or iPhone and sports an 1100mAh battery. The Bluetooth interface is the older V2.1 + EDR, but for a simple wireless speakerphone accessory, provides the important features. The major updates to the BT standard in recent years have focused on data rates and power consumption. 

The BP-2001

The speakerphone includes an aux-in port that makes it almost universally compatible with any of your sound-producing gadgets, even ones without Bluetooth. I connected my computer with the included 3.5mm cable, and thus was able to enjoy audio from my computer and iPad (not at the same time, of course). A single button on the front allows one to switch audio modes, control calls, and pause or play music. The other ports and controls on the back include a Micro USB charge port and a hard power on/off button. A flip-out stand on the back keeps everything stable when you have a tablet on top.

I had a few challenges with the BP-2001. First, when I initially used the aux port, I could not get it to the right mode to play (from aux). After I was able to get the speaker playing, it was initially plagued with loud static. I tried reseating the cable, unplugging the charge connection from my computer, but could not clear the static until I shut the unit down and turned it back on again. The static returned a couple of times during my tests, but I could not isolate the cause. It is possible it was unique to the review unit I was sent. I verified the audio cable (or PC) was not the culprit.

The BP performed as one would expect of a small lightweight speaker using Bluetooth with both iPad and iPhone. Sound quality was challenged at higher volumes, and low tones were repressed. Some bass boost or signal processing would help the BP. The speakers work well at a medium volume, but start to expel distortion at higher volumes. The BP would be okay for small office speaker duty, but I would look for a higher quality speaker if I wanted audio fidelity at higher outputs. As a speakerphone accessory, the tone and quality was acceptable, and the person on the other end reported that my voice came through clearly when I got close to the speaker and spoke into it. The range of the unit is about normal for a low-powered BT portable device, and I didn't experience drop outs until I was around 20 to 30 feet away.

UC4002 Charger

The Inateck UC-4002 is a basic plastic USB charging base with 4 USB ports. It charges up your gadgets, but doesn't have any other functions (like being a hub, for example). It does have the ability to smartly detect the charging input voltage required and adjust charge accordingly. The UC was helpful during this review to create a fully powered iPad workspace, topping up the BP, my iPad mini, iPhone, and keyboard. The power unit worked well during my tests, which included topping up two tablets, and two iPhones in parallel.

The Verdict

I give the Inatuck gear an average but overall positive rating compared to other similar charging and sound products I have tested. They will work well for a space-challenged area like a small home office or cube farm, where you would want a little sound and power to fuel and support your gadgets without worrying about high-end output or features that will cost a lot more. You can get either the BP or UC devices at the links above.

If there's any doubt that the iPhone 6 is generating excitement, that's put to rest by the fact that Chinese online sellers on the Alibaba website have already begun taking preorders for the phone. What other phone would start selling even before it's announced? According to the Wall Street Journal's Digits blog, over 30 sellers are encouraging buyers to place their orders now, saying they can help purchase the phone when it's released. Those interested need to pay a deposit ranging from 500 yuan ($80) to 7,999 yuan ($1,288). And if you scroll down on this page, one seller even provides a description and images of the phone. But it seems mostly bogus, especially the reference to a 4.3-inch display and the repeated reference to iOS 7 as a selling point (since the phone is expected to come with iOS 8). One seller claimed the phone will be available around September 20.

In any case, Apple itself is certainly expecting to sell a lot of them. The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that Apple has asked suppliers to manufacture between 70 and 80 million iPhone 6 units by the end of the year. This compares to last year's order of 50 to 60 million units of the iPhone 5s and 5c. The Journal cites sources "familiar with the matter," who also said that the phones will have metal cases like the iPhone 5s and will likely come in multiple colors. 

Interestingly, in order to get 70 to 80 million sellable phones, Apple is actually asking suppliers to manufacture components for up to 120 million phones. The iPhone has used in-cell technology in the display since the iPhone 5 in order to remove a layer in the display and make it thinner. However, according the the Journal and other sources, the anticipated in-cell display on the expected 5.5-inch "phablet" is more difficult to manufacture because of the larger size. Another potential complication, according to the Journal's sources, is the possible use of sapphire crystal in the display of the phablet. 

The article says that one reason for the anticipated large demand is that in many markets around the world, the smartphone is replacing the personal computer as the person's primary computing device. In particular, Apple is expecting a surge in demand in China, where large-screen phones are popular.

Unlike earlier rumors, which said production of the 4.7-inch phone would begin this month, the WSJ article said that Foxconn and Pegatron will begin mass-producing it next month. Plus, their sources said that Foxconn will start making the 5.5-inch phone in September. I hope the latter assertion is accurate. Earlier rumors had said the phablet could be delayed until later this year.

Late last year, Facebook introduced auto-play for videos on the social network. Perhaps the most obnoxious part about it is that every time a video ad starts playing in your News Feed, you are essentially paying with your precious data or battery power for them to advertise to you. Fortunately it's easy to disable this feature.

Go to Settings > Facebook > Settings > Auto-play.

To save data, select Wi-Fi. To save data and battery power, select Off.

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Top image credit: Twin Design / Shutterstock.com

Another quarter, another solid profit reported by Apple. But it seems like investors always want more—When asked what his number (to retire) was, Josh Brolin's character in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps said, "More." In this case, the number was 35.2 million iPhones sold, which is a new record for Apple, but amazingly, expectations were higher. That number represents a 12 percent increase over the same quarter from 2013, but it's apparently not enough to make investors happy. That rate is on par with the rest of the smartphone market (understandable, because Apple is a big part of it), but much less than Windows Phone, which is growing at 28% (also understandable, because it's coming from such a small share.) Most businesses would be happy with such increases, but investors seem to have a special relationship with Apple.

Apple may be a victim of their own product scheduling. While Macs, iPods, and iPads can be released whenever the company deems appropriate, Apple has stuck to regular, annual September announcements for the iPhone, like clockwork. This made sense when most users were on a two-year contract. Every September, half the early adopters would be up for renewal, so they could get an instant market for the new iPhone.

Now, however, cellular carriers are offering incentives to switch, like T-Mobile's offer to pay early termination fees. AT&T offers their "Next" plan which makes it easier to upgrade throughout a contract as users pay a monthly fee instead of buying the phone outright at a subsidized price. Plus, family plans often make it possible for one member to upgrade any time using another family member's eligibility. That's how I've been able to get the latest device each year, despite a two year contract.

Apple's dependence on a one-year product cycle for iPhones makes them vulnerable to the assorted Android and Windows phone providers. Samsung seems to have a new device each month. Customers have had access to larger screens for years now and they're not all sitting around waiting for Apple to play catch up. The latest Samsung commercial "Screen Envy" plays up this fact, though this advantage will end once Apple does get around to offering a 4.7-inch (and 5.5-inch) device.

The rumors suggest a 4.7-inch iPhone will be coming out in September, with a 5.5-inch model following later, due to product manufacturing delays. This might be a blessing in disguise. If it gets Apple off the annual product cycle and keeps new iPhones rolling out every six months or so, customers may keep buying iPhones throughout the year, rather than slowing down in the summer and waiting for September's announcement. People don't necessarily want to buy a 10-month old phone, but a 4-month old phone might not be too bad.

Yesterday Apple forecast revenue of $37–40 billion for the September quarter. That compares to their record revenue of 37.4 billion in the just-ended June quarter. The forecast was lower than many analysts were expecting. And since everyone is expecting Apple to sell a huge number of iPhone 6 units when it launches, that forecast suggests the iPhone 6 will arrive no sooner than late September. The betting right now is on September 26 as the launch date. That would still be in September, thereby boosting revenues the last few days of the month, but not early enough to push anticipated revenue over $40 billion. 

Overall, it was a good quarter for Apple, even though iPhone sales and total revenue were slightly below Wall Street's expectations. Apple sold 35.2 million iPhones compared to 31.2 million in the June quarter a year ago. Mac sales were up, though, with Apple selling 4.4 million compared to 3.8 million a year ago. iPad sales continued to decline year-over-year for the second quarter in a row. Apple sold 13.28 million compared to 14.6 million a year ago.

Profit margins were up, however, and exceeded Wall Street's expectations. Apple ended the quarter with $164.5 billion in cash.

In the conference call afterward, CEO Tim Cook and new CFO Luca Maestri gave some additional interesting details about Apple's earnings. You can see a good summary of the highlights on AppleInsider. iPhone sales were up over 50 percent in Brazil, India, China, and Russia. Those are markets, unlike the saturated US market, where there's still room for growth. Also, Apple is selling a lot of iPads in the education market: 2.5 iPads for every Mac sold. Education sales and sales in China spurred the uptick in Mac sales during the quarter, with sales in China being 39 percent higher than a year ago.

Apple's stock is higher today, so overall investors must have liked Apple's report.

The two-person team at Leef had a few issues with the current crop of productivity apps, namely the complex features and superfluous visuals that can render them almost counterproductive. With Tinker ($0.99), the creators wanted to avoid the design and usability flaws they saw in other apps, and instead, give users a direct and efficient approach to achieving short-term goals.

So what makes Tinker different from the slew of other organizational apps that can be found in the App Store? It all starts with duration-based goals, which are set up to determine how much time you would like to spend on a particular task.

Obviously goal-setting is the driving force behind any productivity app. Tinker, however, makes each goal interactive by demonstrating the activity without having to switch views.

"Tinker is the easiest way to create short goals and complete them," says co-creator Joe Kennedy. "You literally pinch out a circle to add information related to your goal, and once started, see that goal fill up throughout it's duration."

When the goal is created, you can visualize your progress, and pause a goal's time by simply covering the screen. You'll recieve a notification once your goal is complete or when you’re ready to start a new one.

While Tinker is still a newcomer to the App Store, the Leef team is pleasantly surprised by the success it has had in its limited run, reaching #3 in Top Paid Productivity and and getting featured by Apple in the Best New Productivity Apps section.

Looking ahead, improvements for Tinker will likely include iPad support, a recurring goal option, a history view to track your past completed goals, and virtual rewards for when you complete a goal. A widget for tracking the progress of active goals and interactive notifications are also possible additions we may see in future updates.

For now, Tinker is only available for iPhone and can be found in the App Store for $0.99. To stay up to date on Tinker news and developments, you can follow @TinkerApp or visit http://leef.io/tinker/.

The cheekily named Wonderful Things Factory is shipping perhaps the slimmest iPhone case in the world that also incorporates a built-in clip. They managed to do this by slicing a gap through the back of the case, creating what the casual observer might think was a broken case. But the SlimClip is a clever design move that makes for an extremely thin case, with a backing that serves double duty, protecting the back of the iPhone, and acting as a clip. As long as you're clipping the SlimClip to a slim piece of clothing, like workout wear, it works great. A thick belt or denim jeans might be too thick, but it does work.

Despite the thin design, the case protects the front glass by providing a lip above the screen. The SlimClip could prove to be quite useful to active users who don't want the bulk of a typical rugged case. I also like the texture along the back, which is hard plastic but feels like rubbery nibs, which should help users keep a grip on it. After all, the best way to protect an iPhone is to avoid dropping it in the first place!

It begins tonight. Superman, Batman, and Wonderwoman. The Hulk, Green Lantern, Thor, and Captain America. Not to mention various forms of Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Darth Vader. And those are just a few of the science-fiction-, fantasy- and manga-inspired characters that will descend on San Diego beginning on Wednesday, July 23, for Comic-Con.

In order to navigate Comic-Con you will want to bring a few apps along for the ride.

First up is the official Comic-Con app. This is the virtual program. The app includes every session, panel, exclusive collectors' item, or comic book and autograph signing opportunity available. Pick a device though, because the Comic-Con team is still figuring out “the cloud” and the app doesn’t synchronize your schedule across devices or with the Sched.org schedule (see below).

Perhaps the most important feature of the official app is the map of the floor, which can help one navigate the chaos and confusion that occurs when independent comic book creators mingle with Hollywood elite. And speaking of Hollywood elite, this app is highly, and in my opinion, annoyingly sponsored. I don’t mind ads, but I really don’t want an NBC Constantine splash screen to appear every time I open the app to look for a vendor I want to visit.

If you want a schedule that does synchronize across devices, go with the office Sched.org Comic-Con version. This web-based scheduling tool includes the same information as the official app, but in a cloud-based form. Once you create an account, you can easily install the web-app on your home screen for quick schedule reference. I would suggest you opt for this approach to managing your precious Comic-Con moments rather than using the official app. Find an overview of the system here.

Now, any convention can be an exhausting endeavor with all the walking, sitting, walking, listening, having your picture taken with a celebrity, and walking some more, all while in full costume with a backpack full of water, granola bars, and signed copies of comic books with Comic-Con variant covers protectively wrapped and tucked away from your touch-up make-up. So what’s a boy, a girl, or a transgender alien to do?

Visit the Marriott. And I don’t mean walk into the lobby or go for a cold one in the bar. Download the Marriott Guest Services app and Marriott will push what they are calling a “local perk” to your iPhone. Convention goers will get the chance to relax, charge their electronics at charging stations, feast on complimentary snacks, create a souvenir “gif” at a gif photo booth, and experience other amenities.

Here’s what you need to know to sit down your sword and kick up your feet on Marriott:

WHEN: July 24–27

WHERE: San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina

                  333 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

                 just a 7 minute walk from the San Diego Convention Center!

TIME: 2 PM – 6 PM PST

*open to the public

HOW: To access the lounge:

• if you are an iPhone user: download Marriott’s Marriott Guest Services application and accept push notifications. When prompted, accept location services and opt into receiving Local Perks. Go stand by a beacon (they will direct you) and you will receive a Local Perks push notification inviting you to enter the Perk Up! lounge.

Chase Masterson with Stan Lee at Anti-Bullying Event

iPhone Life readers who attend Comic-Con are highly encouraged to stop by and support the Anti-Bullying Coalition, an organization founded by Star Trek’s Chase Masterson and Carry Goldman, the author of Bullied. Take a few minutes to meet Chase and her team at the Pop Culture Anti-Bullying Coalition station found at the Sails Pavilion each day of the conference (see the Sched screen shot above for an example of one Anti-Bullying Coalition event).

There have been months of rumors regarding the next iPhone, dubbed the "iPhone 6" by bloggers and the media. Increasingly the rumors are coming from reliable sources, and some are now being supported by leaked images. Here's a roundup of what the rumors are saying. 

As always, it's important to realize that rumors fall short of fact and that we won't know for sure what the new iPhone will be until Apple announces it, which will most likely be in September. Accompanying this post is a rendering by Martin Hajek based on the cases that manufacturers are already making and purported specs. It shows what a bezel-free, 4.7-inch iPhone may look like. You can see more renderings on NWE.

[Update 5/12/14]: As I noted in this recent post, Reuters has reported that Apple will be releasing the iPhone 6 in August, which is earlier than most had been expecting. And they say Apple's 5.5-inch phone, sometimes referred to as a "phablet," could be coming in September.

[Update 7/7/14}: As noted in a post by my fellow blogger Todd Bernhard, earlier this month a Chinese website had reported the iPhone 6 would be announced September 15 and would launch on September 25. However, Apple almost always launches its new devices on a weekend, and September 25 is a Thursday. In any case, I think we'll most likely see the new phone in September and not earlier or later. 

[Update 7/16/14]: Amazon Japan inadvertently posted a listing online for the iPhone 6, revealing some of details. Notably, as I mention in this post, the listing said the device would be available in Japan on September 30. So the evidence to date is strongly pointing toward a September announcement and release. In addition, it's becoming increasingly clear that the 5.5-inch iPhone will be arriving much later. As I discuss in this post, a noted market analyst who usually has reliable inside information has released a note to investors saying that the 5.5-inch phone in a best-case scenario will arrive in late November but also may not arrive until 2015.

[Update 7/23/14]: Apple's revenue forecast for the September quarter that was presented during their June quarter results only projects revenue of $37-$40 billion in the September quarter, compared to $37.4 billion reported for the June quarter. Since Apple is expected to sell a huge number of iPhone 6 units when it launches, that low projection suggests that the iPhone 6 will launch in late September. Likely September 26.

Display

The rumors have converged around the new phone having a 4.7-inch display. Concrete evidence began surfacing in April, which I covered in a post on leaked photos of molds used to make the casing. The image at right shows the mold in comparison to an iPhone 4s. While earlier rumors said the phone would have a 1,920 x 1,080 display, most recently a credible rumor said it will have a resolution of 1334 x 750 (326ppi). You can read more in my post about Apple's roadmap for 2014, which relays information from Ming Chi Kuo, who usually has solid inside knowledge of what Apple is coming out with. Also, my post on leaked specs noted the iPhone 6 could sport an "ultra-retina" display at 389 ppi.

In addition, rumors have converged around Apple releasing a second new phone later in the year (or early next year) that would have a 5.5-inch display, which Ming Chi Kuo affirmed. In February I passed along the rumor that this "phablet"might not carry the iPhone moniker. Kuo also said that the phablet's display will be made of sapphire crystal or have a sapphire crystal laminate and a resolution of 1920 x 1080 (401 ppi). However, he said Apple may not use sapphire crystal in their 4.7-inch phone. In late February, I posted a hot rumor that the iPhone 6 display may use Quantum Dot technology, which renders colors much more accurately. Finally, in a post in early February, I passed along the rumor that said the phablet will be a 2K device, with 2,272 x 1,280 pixels.

[Update 7/11/14]: As my fellow blogger Todd Bernhard reported in this post, Apple is rumored to have developed a new vibration unit that could appear in the iPhone 6 that would have the remarkable ability to give you varying levels of tactile feedback depending on where you touch the screen. This might be useful in gaming, for example.

[Update 7/8/14]: Videos of alleged front panels for the iPhone 6 are starting to appear on the web. The panels come courtesy of Sonny Dickson, who says they're straight off the assembly line and who has been the first to post leaked iPhone and iPad parts in the past. As shown in the embedded video in this post, an amazing scratch test of the sapphire crystal display shows just how indestructible this material is. No matter what he does, video blogger Marques Brownlee is unable to scratch or break it.

[Update 7/16/14]: While much evidence points toward the use of sapphire crystal in the display of the 4.7-inch iPhone, there's still some doubt, as I note in this post.

Bezels

In February we also began to get rumors that the iPhone 6 would have narrower bezels (the left and right borders on the display) or even no bezels. This would mean that while the display would be larger, it would keep the overall size of the phone as small as possible.

Buttons

I also posted a photo of an iPhone 6 case that suggests the sleep/wake button will be moved to the right side of the phone opposite volume-up button. And I passed along the rumor that the shape of the phone's volume buttons will be an elongated pill shape, similar to the iPhone 5c. In that post I also reported noted that the iPhone 6 will emulate the iPhone 5c's holes on the bottom for the speaker and microphone as well as the iPhone 5c's back, rounded edges. In my post on the bezel-free design, I passed along the rumor suggesting that the Touch ID would be incorporated into the bottom of the display, and that there would no longer be a Home button.

Styling

[Update 7/7/14]: A number of mockups based on the specs for the new phones began to appear in June, not only giving a sense for their overall size, but also the styling. As I note in this post showing the mockups, the phones will styling continuity with the iPad Air and iPad mini, with the same sort of rounded edges. This lends a softer appearance to the hardware and is a departure from Apple's current iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s handsets.

Processor

Pretty much everyone expects the phone to have a new A8 processor. In March I passed along the rumor that new processor will be a quad-core chip with quad core graphics. I also posted in March some leaked specs, which included the tidbit that the processor will be a speedy 2.6ghz. The new processor is rumored to greatly enhance performance and efficiency, thereby giving a longer battery life.

Battery

[Update 7/7/14]: As I detail in this post, a Chinese technology website has reported that the 4.7-inch phone will have a battery capacity between 1,800 and 1,900 mAh, compared to 1,570 for the current iPhone 5s. The larger 5.5-inch iPhone 6 is expected to have a 2,500 mAh battery. The large displays of the new phones will require more battery capacity, so these specs don't necessarily indicate these devices will have a longer battery life. But I suspect battery life will be improved because of the new A8 chip.

Mobile payments

[Update 5/14/14]: Rumors are about that the iPhone 6 will have a near field communications (NFC) chip for making mobile payments. The information is said to come from a source close to the matter. But given Apple's use of iBeacons and the increasing adoption of this technology, this rumor may not be credible.

Memory

In a post in early February, I passed along some leaked specs that said the there would be a 128GB option for the new phone.

Dimensions

Some rumors have suggested the iPhone 6 will be even thinner than the .3 inches of the iPhone 5s, as in this post about leaked specs in which I reported it will be in the range of .22 inches thick.

[Update 7/16/14]: Amazon Japan inadvertently temporarily posted a listing for the forthcoming iPhone 6 that gave specs regarding the overall size of the device. As I detail in this post, it gave the dimensions of 130 x 65 x 7mm, which compares to the iPhone 5s specs of 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6mm. It appears that the new phone will be even thinner than the iPhone 5s. In addition, the weight was listed as 113g, compared to 112g for the iPhone 5s. 

Camera

Rumors suggest the camera will continue to be 8-megapixel but will be much improved and will include optical image stabilization.

Touch ID

[Update 7/7/14]: According to Gadget Insiders, a report out of China in late June said that Touch ID in the new phone will be upgraded so that the fingerprint sensor is more durable than in the iPhone 5s. Also, many are expecting improvements in accuracy and security.

Cost

In mid-April TheStreetInsider.com reported that Apple was talking with the carriers to see what they'd think about a $100 price increase for the iPhone 6. So far, the carriers are balking, but it's possible Apple could succeed in getting them to agree to at least a small increase in price.

[Update 7/16/14]: As I note in this post, Amazon Japan's inadvertent premature listing showed a price increase for the iPhone 6 over the iPhone 5s.

Bottom line

Everything points to a 4.7-inch iPhone 6, and a larger 5.5-inch iPhone that would come out late this year, or even possibly early next year. Of course it will have a faster chip, and I'm betting we'll see the A8 processor. I also think it's a good bet that the appearance will change, such as the bezels, button shape, and edges. It will come with iOS 8, a feature of which will be the new Healthbook app for monitoring health and performance, as well as a new version of the Maps app.

What it means

So is Apple copying Samsung, who's been making larger smartphones for several years? Steve Jobs was pretty clear that he thought a phone should be small enough that you could easily hold it in one hand. But larger phones and phablets have become extremely popular, so much so that a court document in Apple vs Samsung revealed that Apple explicitly acknowledged they needed a device to compete in this segment of the market. Not only does a larger phone seem to contradict the direction Steve Jobs gave, it also goes against Apple's long-held tradition of keeping its product line tightly focused. This has helped Apple be more profitable, as well as sell more devices. Research suggests that when there are too many options, consumers actually make fewer purchases. By the end of the year, we could have three phones to choose from: the iPhone 5s, the 4.7-inch iPhone 6, and a 5.5-inch phablet. That's quite a change for Apple.

Market analysts seem pretty much agreed, though, that the iPhone 6 is going to create the biggest splash of 2014 in the smartphone market. Many are already expecting huge sales for the device, and there are rumors that Apple will be making some 80 million of them in 2014. That's a lot of phones. In the meantime, the world awaits breathlessly to hear what Apple announces.

Once you get over the fact that Apple's earbuds are called EarPods™ you can start to appreciate all the cool things you can do with them. You can answer and decline calls, fast-forward and rewind songs, take pictures, and more with your Apple earphones. Oh yeah, and you can also adjust the volume up and down. 

Fast-forwarding and rewinding and skipping between music tracks and video chapters only works if the app you are using supports it. (For example, you can't skip back to a previous song in iTunes Radio, so you can't do it with your EarPods either. But you will be able to skip to the next song.)

RONORMANJR/Shutterstock

To start or stop music or a video

Press the center button once to play or pause.

To skip to the next song or chapter

Press the center button twice quickly.

To fast-forward

Press the center button twice quickly and hold. 

To go to the previous song or chapter

Press the center button three times quickly. 

To rewind

Press the center button three times quickly and hold. 

Using Earphones During Phone Calls

To answer or end a call

Press the center button once to answer or end your call

To decline incoming calls

Hold down the center button for about two seconds, then let go. When you let go, you will hear two beeps indicating that you successfully declined the call.

To place a call on hold when switching between calls

Press the center button once to switch to switch to an incoming or on-hold call. You current call will be put on hold. Press again to switch back. 

To end a call when switching between calls

When ending a call and switching to an on-hold or incoming call, press and hold the center button for about two seconds. When you let go, you will hear two beeps indicating that you successfully ended the call you just left.

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The wait is over. After several delays, Gameloft's Modern Combat 5: Blackout ($6.99) is finally available. And it is well worth the wait! This is one of the year's most anticipated games and it doesn't fail to impress. With cutting edge graphics and gameplay, and a storyline filled with mayhem, evildoers, and heroic deeds, MC5 is destined to be one of this summer's top blockbuster video games. This week's Game Centered gives you a brief introduction to this latest installment in Gameloft's highly successful Modern Combat series.

The game that so many of us have been patiently waiting for has landed in the App Store. Modern Combat 5: Blackout is a premium iOS title, thankfully with no in-app purchases. This benchmark first person shooter (FPS) will redefine what people thought was possible on a tablet, with a truly console-caliber presentation and gameplay experience.

If you are unable to view this embedded video, please click HERE.

MC5 casts you in the role of the main character and protagonist, Phoenix. What starts out as a mission to secure a transfer of WMDs from a group of extremists in Venice, Italy, turns into a violent and bloody race around the globe in an attempt to avert a catastrophe of epic proportions. You'll have to battle well-armed opposition, in desperate situations, and at times in the midst of total social anarchy and chaos. This realistic game will treat you to some of the most visually-stunning environments and action-packed combat that you can find on iOS; it's a must have for any fan of the FPS genre.

I particularly appreciate the new gameplay of MC5. Gameloft has definitely improved upon the experience since MC4, making it more streamlined and integrated. Now, thanks to MC5's unified progression, any progress you make in your single-player campaign also reflects in your online multiplayer achievements. What this means is that if you make it to level 15, and have acquired certain weapons and skills, those weapons and skills will also be yours in multiplayer mode; you don't have to start at the beginning in multiplayer. Multiplayer mode features 6 vs. 6 battles but unfortunately, voice chat will not be available in MC5. In addition to story and multiplayer modes, there are also numerous Special-Ops side missions within the game.

MC5 also introduces four classes of warriors. The Assault class is a medium-range fighter that utilizes pistols and rifles. The Sniper class are sharpshooters who specialize in long-range rifles with scopes. The Recon class excel at close-range combat and quick insertions with submachine guns. Lastly, the Heavy class deals with shotguns and RPGs and is best suited for close-to-medium-range action.

MC5 will support MFi game controllers, though it's worth mentioning that I didn't feel my gaming experience was hindered in any way using the iPad's touchscreen. With the intense action and detailed graphics I do feel that MC5 is best suited for a larger screen like the iPad, or even a TV screen via AirPlay. The upcoming larger iPhones will also be a great size to accommodate this game; the bigger the screen you get to play it on, the more you'll appreciate all of the lighting, depth, and texture this game has to offer. On the smaller screens of the iPhone 5 series it felt like my fingers interacting with the controls blocked too much of the screen. If you are going to play this game on an iPhone, then a good MFi controller might be a very worthwhile accessory.

Mortal Combat 5 shines in every way that a good video game should. I have been thoroughly enjoying playing it; and having played through MC4: Zero Hour several times over, I can say that Blackout is a worthy successor, and significantly improves upon the gameplay of its forerunner. The fact that it is so spectacular and yet runs on a tablet, undoubtedly has the console manufactures taking notice, as iOS continues to establish itself as one of the most formidable platforms in gaming. With its stellar graphics and some of the best gameplay in a hardcore FPS that you'll find on iOS, Mortal Combat 5 is an essential game for any serious gamer to check out.

iPhone Life rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

If you'd like a more detailed look at MC5's gameplay, you can watch this longer video from E3 2014 and posted by Game Mob.

If you can't see the above video, just click HERE.

Given the announced (and shipping) smartwatch products from Samsung, LG, Motorola, Pebble, and other manufacturers, and the substantial rumors around an iWatch from Apple, the question is when, not if, Apple will introduce a wearable offering. But there are some fresh reports that suggest a new twist.

First, the iWatch might not be called iWatch after all. A patent filing from Apple suggests they could call their device iTime. Of course, that could be a placeholder for patent purposes. I would recommend they use "Apple Watch" similar to the "Apple TV." That way, they get off the "i" prefix treadmill. Every time someone talks about the watch they would be saying Apple's name! Another option is to leverage the Beats brand somehow. After all, headphones were the first wearable, and it could add some prestige to help offset the expense of a smartwatch. If people pay $300 for Beats headphones, they should be okay paying that much for a Beats Watch. It's a form of electronic, functional jewelry.

Next, perhaps Apple might not be the only one making iOS-based smartwatches? There have been rumorsabout Apple meetings with both Timex and Swatch. Swatch has tried to quash the rumors, but that could be because of confidentiality agreements, or deals that aren't yet complete. Apple could be creating a platform, similar to HomeKit for smarthomes or Google Wear, which sets standards for Android-based smartwatches and wearables. In that scenario, Apple wouldn't make the actual device but would establish specifications to make watches compatible with Siri, iOS, etc.

Still, Apple is great at design and I would love to see what Jony Ive can do with a watch. If Apple makes a watch that is elegant and full-featured, what opening is there for iOS-based smartwatches from other vendors? Probably price, as Apple's watch wouldn't likely be cheap. Clearly Swatch has a colorful fashion sense all their own, and could combine Swiss-made with Cupertino specifications, at a low cost. And Timex is known for rugged and affordable watches, with a recognizable name so that could be their advantage.

Maybe iOS-compatible smartwatches won't look like miniature iPhones after all? I've been using a Voice-Command Martian Watch for years that has a Siri button and small LCD screen, on top of a traditional analog face. This could be a way for traditional watch vendors to make official Apple-compatible watches without the size, expense, and fragility of a touchscreen display.

Your iPhone automatically locks itself after a set period of inactivity. This saves battery life, makes unauthorized access to your iPhone less likely, and prevents butt dialing and the sending of nonsense text messages to random contacts. The default auto-lock setting is one minute; but if you find yourself constantly having to unlock your phone in the middle of using it, you may need to change the delay time.

To change the delay time, go to Settings>General>Auto-Lock. You can set your iPhone to lock after a delay of one to five minutes or never.

Keep in mind, the longer the auto-lock delay, the more likely your friends are to play one of these iPhone pranks on you while you are in the bathroom.

Top image credit:  NOBUHIRO ASADA/Shutterstock.com

If you want to enjoy work from some of the emerging writers and artists that will be at San Diego Comic-Con 2014, but you can't make it to the show, comiXology is celebrating their five-year anniversary by offering 100 books from their comiXology Submit self-publishing program for just 10 bucks U.S.,— a savings of 94 percent off the cover price.

The comiXology Submit self-publishing platform allows independent creators and cartoonists to upload at no cost their comic books and graphic novels for sale on comiXology. Creators and cartoonists interested in submitting works can visit http://submit.comixology.com.

ComiXology debuted at Comic-Con International in 2009, and now offers over 50,000 books from more than 75 publishers, not counting this great independently produced work. If you want to read these comics on your iDevice, you will have to buy the comics online and then download them to your comiXology app.

When it was first introduced, iTunes seemed to be the most logical answer to the heated controversy caused by widespread online illegal music downloads. According to NPD estimates, iTunes is currently responsible for 63 percent of all digital music sales, and is undeniably the United States' top music retailer.

But how did this music purchasing model become so widely accepted by music lovers? Some of the success can be pinpointed to the standardization of the 99-cent singles model: music shoppers no longer have to buy the whole album in order to listen to the tracks they like. This practice had mixed results, however, as music sales are no longer as strong as they were in the past.

NPD analyst Russ Crupnick notes that musicians will increasingly have to rely on touring, merchandise sales, and endorsement deals to make up for lost album sales. The effect of iTunes' model, in this case, certainly seems to be a double-edged sword. The music industry has recuperated some of the billions of dollars it lost in illegal downloads, but it's still not making as much money as it did in those bygone days when people only had the choice of buying CDs. 

Something that few people can argue about, ultimately, is the convenience of iTunes for iPhone users. Before long commutes, it's hard to resist downloading one of your favorite songs at such a cheap price. But the question of whether this will be good for the music industry as a whole will probably continue to be debated for years to come. Currently, the streaming subscription model—a model that allows a customer to pay a subscription price to have access to the product/service—is providing Apple with a new challenge to catch up to, and we can only guess what practices they're going to adopt to keep in step with the ever-changing technological climate.

If you constantly find yourself squinting at your iPhone screen and you're tired of always pinching and zooming in and out, you probably can't wait for the rumored bigger screen of the upcoming iPhone 6. In the mean time try turning on your iPhone's Zoom setting for easy zooming.

Go to Settings>General>Accessibility>Zoom and toggle Zoom on.

Now you can use three fingers to double-tap the screen wherever you want to zoom.

Use your three fingers to move around the screen.

Want to get out of zoom? Just double-tap with three fingers again. It even works on your lock screen.

Top image credit: dade72/Shutterstock.com

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. Fantastical 2($4.99 from $9.99)

Half price for a limited time, hurry up and grab this award-winning, best-selling calendar app. It's been updated for iOS 7 with a sleek new design and terrific functionality. Some say that it's actually better than the iPhone's stock calendar. Check it out and get yourself organized!

2. Hatch ($0.99 from $1.99)

Available at a discounted price for a short time only, this app is an interesting one—it's actually a pet. The app store description asks "What if a tiny pet hatched on your phone? If it loved you, would you love it back?" This is totally intriguing to me. This pet requires feeding, love, and attention just like any other. Do you think you could come to love a virtual pet? Try it and see!

3. Table Tennis Touch($1.99 from $3.99)

50 percent off its regular price, this addictive table tennis game is a steal! The graphics are great and the challenges are nuts! Work your way up the ranks from rookie to champion as you win tournaments and see your skills improve with each new game. Do you have what it takes to become a World Champion?

Messages, emails, notes, reminders, there are so many ways to give your thumbs a workout while using an iPhone. Getting your iPhone typing up to speed can be a real time saver. Here are a few suggestions that will have you thumbing out messages speedily and with ease:

1. Practice. The more you type with your phone, the faster you will get. This is why teenagers, who communicate almost exclusively via text, can type entire novels to their friends under the dinner table in-between taking bites of casserole and ignoring your attempts to bond with them.

2. Type in landscape mode. The more spacious keyboard may make it easier for you to type quickly and accurately. Especially if you have larger hands.

3. Hold and slide for punctuation, symbols, and capitals. This is much faster than tapping the number and capitalization buttons and then tapping the symbol or letter you need.

4. Trust in auto correct. The auto correct feature is surprisingly accurate. Type as fast as you like and most of the time auto correct will fix your mistakes. Just make sure to proofread before you hit send or you may end up on Damn You Auto Correct!

5. Work around auto correct. Is there a word you use frequently that auto correct keeps "correcting" when you don't want it to? You can work around this by creating a shortcut. Just go to Settings>Keyboard>Add New Shortcut. Enter the word you don't want corrected in the Phrase field, but leave the Shortcut field blank. 

6. Dictate your message. Technically it's not typing, but it will get your message written fast; and that's the point, right? 

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If you've ever found yourself checking your teeth or applying lipstick in the reflection of your iPhone screen or if you've ever considered downloading an iPhone mirror app, this tip is for you.

This tip is very obvious and simple, but I'm sharing it anyway because I'm against having useless or unnecessary apps on my phone. And a mirror app is definitely unnecessary!

To do a quick check of your appearance, open your camera (the fastest way is through control center) and tap the camera icon in the top right corner to switch to the front camera.

Look, it's you! 

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