Plan ahead for the new year and win a $50 iTunes Gift Card with iPhone Life's iTunes Gift Card Challenge! It's your last chance to enter before Nov. 3!

The Challenge:

Tell us how you would spend a $50 iTunes Gift Card to help you keep your new Year's resolutions. Send us a list of four to eight movies, books, songs, TV shows, or apps of your choosing, and explain why each purchase would help you keep you on track in 150 to 300 words. Your list must add up to within a buck or two of $50.

Word count: 150 to 300 words

Deadline: Email your responses to challenge@iphonelife.com by November 3. 

The Prize:

Whoever submits the best defense of their iTunes Store selection will win—you guessed it—a $50 iTunes Gift Card! We'll also feature you in our New Year issue of iPhone Life magazine!

Game Centered features roundups and in-depth reviews of the best in iOS games and related gaming news. This week we have a special Halloween-themed installment featuring some of the best horrifying and fear-inducing games the App Store has to offer.

1. The Walking Dead Season 2 ($1.99 with DLC)

This game is gory, it's true (what else would you expect from the zombie apocalypse?), but the gore isn't what makes the Walking Dead season 2 so remarkable. Like the television show and comic of the same name, the Walking Dead 2 is all about the harrowing journeys of the handful of surviving characters, after humanity has been all but wiped out by a mysterious virus that turns the infected dead into animated, biting corpses. Be prepared to face daunting ethical and moral dilemmas while navigating an epic storyline in this critically acclaimed, choose-your-own-adventure style episodic RPG.

2. Slender Rising 2 ($1.99)

I have a love hate relationship with this Slenderman game, and with Slenderman in general. He creeps me out to no end, making me jump with his murderously stealthy stalking and prowling. After a Slender Rising 2 gaming session part of me (the trembling part) always wonders why I play this game and what I see in it. The other part of me (the part that enjoys roller coasters, horror flicks, and adrenaline rushes) has no doubt that Slender Rising 2 is one of the most formidable terror trips you can take in the App Store. If you are ready to experience a new level of fear and loathing check out Slender Rising 2.

3. Dead Space ($4.99)

An oldie but goodie, Dead Space is now almost four-years old (ancient by App Store standards) yet manages to stay relevant and current with its console quality graphics and chilling action-packed storyline. Battle for your life against Necromorphs in the far reaches of the desolation that is Dead Space.

4. Year Walk ($3.99)

For a ghastly good time, this app is well worth spending some time with. This spooky game explores European folklore with simple controls and  plain graphics, though the story is anything but ordinary. Year Walk takes ancient, archetypical themes of horror, such as infanticide and mysterious mythical beasts that seek to lure you to your doom, and puts it all together into a modern classic that is surprisingly terrifying and unsettlingly haunting.

5. Papa Sangre II ($4.99)

Whatever you do, don't play this game at night in a dark room all by your self. Well, actually maybe you should, at least if you want to get the maximum thrills and chills from this auditory adventure into the ghostly supernatural. This game calls for a decent pair of headphones to get the full effect, as it has very little in the way of visuals, instead relying on 3D spatial audio and a freakish narration by none other than the award-winning Game of Thrones star, Sean Bean, to ratchet up the intensity and horror levels in this unique App Store thriller.

Vote now in the iPhone Life iPhone Photography Contest! The voting deadline is Monday, November 3. Click HERE to choose your favorite images. The top 10 photos will be featured in an upcoming issue of iPhone Life magazine.

Don't worry if you can't choose just one favorite photo; you can vote for as many photos as you like. You can only vote once per day for each image though, so make sure you vote every day from now until the contest closes at 11:59 p.m. on November 3!

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

Stop checking your inbox every five minutes for that reply to the email you sent. Enable reply notifications instead so you receive an alert whenever a reply in an important email thread arrives.

There are two ways to do this. First, in your inbox, swipe left on a message and tap more. Next, tap Notify Me. Or, while composing an email, tap the bell icon in the subject line field and then tap Notify Me. 

You will now receive a notification when the reply hits your inbox. Emails with reply notifications enabled will have a bell icon to their left in your inbox.

With the advent of the iPad Air 2, this will probably be my last review of iPad Air cases, although I remain surprised at the number of variations available and how many suppliers continue to ship new products late in the game (though with the Air remaining in the line-up, they can still find revenue for cases despite a smaller market for the original Air.)

Notes on Cases and Sleeves

Let me start, though, with a couple of notes on cases:

• Pleather isn’t a thing.  Pleather is plastic. It feels oddly sticky, even if it looks OK at a distance. I don’t like using Pleather cases.
• If you design a sleeve, think bigger than the naked iPad, at least occasionally. Many people own cases for daily use, but want something to slip the iPad and its case into when traveling. Too many sleeves are so precisely made that they don’t work with an iPad and case, even the snuggest and most precise of cases.
• Keep the cases simple. The more pieces and parts, straps and dangles, the more to get into the way of the very clean experience expectations of iPad owners

BTW, many of the less form-fitting cases for the iPad Air will accommodate an iPad Air 2, but Apple moved the camera, so even if the case appears to fit the thinner Air 2, the camera will be covered by the case, as the lens opening opens just to metal surface of the iPad Air 2.

And Now the Case Reviews

First up will be what my iPad has been wearing for the last couple of weeks, and may well be wearing going forward, the C6 MagneFix Bookcase (Available in the UK at £40) which offers a well-fitted shell for the back of the iPad, along with a cover that also acts as a stand—a stand that is better than Apple’s competing Smart Cover. This cover and shell use magnets to firmly adhere the cover to the shell, creating a very stable platform.  The cover also invokes the iPad instant-on feature. Many colors to choose from. I also like that C6 is active in environmental and social causes.

Next up is a trio of items from Brenthaven, a company that has greatly improved its offerings since its first foray into iPad cases. The latest iPad case comes in the form of the BX2™ Protector Folio for iPad Air($59.95) with a dual-layer fFoam insert and a rigid outer shell.  The case meets US Department of Defense Drop Testing Standard 810G. An elastic strap holds the cover tightly when not in use (though I found it to be in the way when it was in use, though if you share this annoyance, you can easily remove the elastic band). A sticker on the back of each case provides a unique identifier that can help return lost cases to their owners (hopefully with the iPad still in tow).  Overall I liked the case, but found it a bit bulky for everyday use. I never felt the cover aligned consistently when closed, which is perhaps why the designers included the elastic strap.

I also looked at two other Brenthaven cases which I really like and use regularly, they aren’t intended for the iPad. The first is the BX2 Sleeve for the MacBook Air 11 ($49.95), which almost falls into the category of being too precisely engineered. My MacBook Air, with its Moshi clear cover and 64GB near-flat USB stick permanently inserted as the home for my iTunes library, the case just barely zipped closed. Other than that, this is an outstanding sleeve, from its patent-pending Secure Grip Handle,  "BX2™Xtreme Foam" four-corner drop protection, soft bubble lining and 100% Lifetime Guarantee.  Why include a MacBook Air case here? Because with iPad sleeve tolerance issues, I often grab this sleeve when running out with my iPad Air. It fits well, and it leaves enough room for papers, a pen and other small items. Not what it was designed for but that is how I use it. And besides, it looks as cool, if not cooler, than many iPad-specific sleeves.

Finally in the Brenthaven line comes the Media Vertical Messenger Bag ($150), a great product for MacBook Pros and Airs. Because this case will fit up to a 13.3-inch MacBook Pro it can do double duty for the downsized: My MacBook Air 11-inch and my iPad Air (with the C6 cover or similar low-profile cover) fit inside the main compartment at the same time. And this is a good looking case, made of a soft two-tone twill exterior complemented by genuine Napa leather trim. The bag includes a padded tablet pocket (which I find too short for an Air, but fine for a iPad Mini or a smaller Kindle) and 13-inch laptop pockets. A zippered pocket on the covering flap can hold a phone. The flap uses a magnet to secure it, which makes for easy access and clean lines. An individual tracking number helps prevent loss while the 100 percent Lifetime Guarantee further covers the investment.

As an example of cases still coming into the market, German Manufacturer and distributor F&M Technology GmbH, under the name Inateck, is offering a wide variety of iPad cases and accessories as they move into the US market. Their comfy grey felt-like fiber 2 in 1 Apple ipad Mini Protective Bag(available for $18.99 in the US from Amazon) is pretty simple. Slip in the iPad Mini and connect the “super fiber leather” (as with pleather, I don’t think “super fiber leather” is a thing) strap to the magnet. Done. Well, not so done. The Inateck designers went out of the box by leveraging the case’s squishiness to make it into a bendy-wendy stand for the iPad Mini. Squeeze down the front of the case, connect the strap across the seam and now the strap becomes a restraint for the slippery iPad. Pretty clever and simple compared to some of the cases that incorporate origami to achieve similar transformations. My only negative comment on this case: even with a minimalist case on the iPad Mini, the strap isn’t long enough to reach the magnet.

Last but not least is a case I have been waiting for since the inception of the iPad Air, the ClamCase Pro for the iPad Air ($169). This case features a solid plastic outer shell (that supports waking up the iPad when opened) that essentially transforms the iPad into notebook computer without sacrificing its tablet features. Unlike a notebook computer, this case flips around backwards to that the keys are on the rear, permitting use of the tablet as a tablet. Stop half-way through the transformation and place the keys (slightly recessed to eliminate damage) on a flat surface and you have a stand. As for the keyboard: outstanding. ClamCase offers the perfect combination of layout and touch, and the brushed aluminum finish on the hand rest with the white behind the keys is just beautiful. This case make the “case”  that no one should settle for inferior keyboard layouts or experiences on the iPad. Couple the design with seamless Bluetooth connection, lighter weight than previous models, and you end up with the ideal keyboard case. The only drawback: I don’t like to feel the keys when the case is folded back. It makes the tablet feel thick, awkward and I worry that I will inadvertently hit the keys in some way that will cause one to pop off.

Make the case for cases

As I keep emphasizing, cases are a big thing. European and British design shops are connecting with Chinese manufacturers for some interesting products. I’m sure the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas will produce a plethora of new options for the iPad Air 2 and the iPhone 6 and 6Plus. One truth will persist in the iOS device case/sleeve market: there will always be a case to fit your mood, your attire or your use case—and it’s OK to have a case for every occasion and even one or more for unexpected situations.

When Apple preannounced their Apple Watch, some naysayers complained that the watch doesn't work as a standalone device. It requires an iPhone to be fully functional. But those critics should be careful what they wish for. There are competing smartwatches that can accept a SIM card and access the Internet directly via a cellular carrier, but those wearables may require a data contract, and that can cost as much as a phone or tablet would cost.

Considering that the quantity of data displayable and downloadable on a watch should be much less than a tablet, this is prohibitive.  While users might stream videos via Netflix, surf the web, and download apps on a tablet, a smartwatch is more likely to be accessing weather, news, and texts; small potatoes compared to a phone or tablet.

Apple's decision to tether the Apple Watch to an iPhone might make more sense, as the cellular carriers try to turn wearables into a cash cow. Smartwatches are a luxury item, not a necessity and at $200 to $300 or more, they are not impulse purchases. If wearables are to take off, they need to be more affordable, not more expensive. The data plan money grab doesn't help.

Sometimes you want a game that tests your reflexes and makes your fingers fly; other times, you want a lazier, more Zen-like experience. If swiping back and forth through your iOS home screens isn't quite stimulating enough, then you might want to give Chillingo's Find the Line (Free) a try. While you don't do much more than move your finger, you're rewarded for your efforts with an enjoyably unique puzzle style. It's got its problems, but it's definitely worth a look.

Find the Line has a neat concept: you're presented with several lines on the screen, and as you swipe back and forth they trace themselves along pre-determined tracks. If you get all of the lines in their correct positions, you'll make an image appear and beat the level. There are also hidden stars and keys for you to find; the former boosts your score, while the latter is required to move on to the next set of levels. There is a hint system, which can be supplemented through in-app purchases. The levels are arranged into themed sets of about 20 levels each, with subjects like Food, Animals, and Travel.

There's a lot to like about Find the Line; the art is beautiful, and the concept is clever and unique. Rather than just rearranging pieces to form the picture, you actually have to figure out where each line starts and ends—and sometimes the results are bizarre. If it sounds like something that would quickly get repetitive, you're not wrong; Chillingo has designed each level quite nicely so that small clues show up as you swipe your finger back and forth and make each line move. For instance, an image of a deer will have several smaller sketches of rearing bucks and antlers, but also an image of a beetle (since both are stags) as well as a crown and shield (deer are often featured in royal crests). It's interesting just to look at those clues as you put the answer together.

Things do get a little frustrating sometimes. While the stars are always fairly obvious, the keys get really difficult and cryptic fairly quickly. One example is on the aforementioned deer level, where the key's head is actually one of the smaller antler drawings and the whole thing is so bizarrely shaped that it was impossible to find without help from the Internet (see photo). The game also takes its time to load up; while each level loads reasonably quickly (especially for such a graphics-heavy game), the level packs are introduced with infuriatingly long animated sequences. If you reach the end of a set and haven't found the three keys, you must either pay to uncover the levels in which the keys are hiding or wait for a few hours between reveals. It stops the gameplay in its tracks; while in-app purchases of hints is now a standard, it's not fun when a game springs a surprise time gate on you like that. But if you're willing to wait, the levels are clever and worth coming back for.

Find the Line isn't going to be a regular go-to game in my phone, but it's lingered for longer than I expected; it's a great game to play while you're watching TV or listening to music, as it doesn't occupy too much of your brain power but is more stimulating than a virtual Zen garden. It's a new take on the classic image-assembly puzzle, and very well designed.

iPhone Life Rating:

3 stars out of 5

You know the feeling—you hand your phone over to a friend or family member, intending to show them a single picture, and suddenly you’re watching in horror as they begin swiping through your 50+ selfies or stumble across your hoard of risqué photos. Thankfully, iOS 8 has introduced an easy way for you to hide your shots from prying eyes with its new "hide" feature. Simply tap and hold on any photo and a pop-up will appear, giving you the option to either Copy or Hide your photo. Once you select Hide, another bubble will pop up, informing you that your photo will be hidden from Years, Collections, and Moments, but not from your Albums. 

This is unfortunate, as it means that finding your “hidden” photos will be a breeze for anyone searching through your phone; however, if you’re merely worried about people flipping through the rest of your pictures after you pull up an image to show them, then just be sure that you are showing them your pictures in Photos rather than Albums and you will feel safer.

If you ever decide you want to unhide your pictures, simply tap and hold again and you'll be given the option to unhide them.

The Biweekly Giveaway – Award Winner Edition features prizes from companies that won iPhone Life awards at the recent Super Mobility Week powered by CTIA 2014 trade show! Be sure to enter the giveaway at iPhoneLife.com/giveaways to win prizes, which we'll announce November 3! We are raffling off tons of great accessories for FREE.

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 week's featured items are:

1. Toast Real Wood Cover: Retail Price $34

The original cover that started it all. (And by "all" we mean Toast.) This elegantly crafted real wood cover for the iPhone includes a back cover, sleek side wraps, and button covers. As you expect from any Toast product, this cover is beautifully engineered with precise details, cut by lasers, and finished by hand. Simple peel and stick application. Max it out with a matching wood front cover for extra protection and woodiness.

2. Scosche boomBOTTLE H2O: Retail Price $99.99

Experience remarkable audio with the boomBOTTLE H2O. The boomBOTTLE H2O packs remarkable wireless audio into a rugged IP67 waterproof frame—perfect for the poolside, beach, snow, or any other environment.

3. Otterbox Alpha Glass: Retail Price $29.95

Ultra thin glass screen protectors for iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, and iPhone 5c for hardcore, anti-shatter protection you can't see. Premium display clarity worthy of protecting your iPhone's touchscreen.

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 November 3!

I've shared with you how important it is to protect your iDevices—I was recently able to upgrade to the new iPhone 6 ($299) and received $295 from Gazelle for my "old" iPhone 5S because it was in stellar condition. My new iPhone 6 cost me $4 because I kept a case and screen protector on it at all times.

While I'm all for protecting my phone, I'm not someone who likes to use big and bulky cases. I thought I'd share with you my favorite protective cases that are tough, yet slim. 

Otterbox Symmetry ($39.95-44.95) This is my go-to case for everyday use. The Symmetry case has a protective ledge around the outside of the screen to protect against face-down drops and the plastic back allows the case to be easily slid into a pocket or purse. This one-piece case is made of both hard plastic and a silicone for extra durable protection. Available in five colors and four patterns. 

Speck Candyshell ($34.95) The Speck Candyshell will add just .16 inches onto your iPhone. You read that right. The slimmest of the slim cases, the Candyshell one-piece case includes both hard and soft plastic layers to protect your phone against all kinds of drops. There is a raised ledge around the screen. Available in eight colors. Inked patterned series is also available starting at $39.95.

Cellairis Challenger ($49.99) This two-piece tough case has a "tailgate" that protects your phone's ports from dirt and dust. The built-in screen protector is a bonus that most other cases don't have included, but I highly recommend. The raised area around the screen means that your glass is well protected. The rubber grip pattern on the sides is another great feature of the Challenger. Available in eight colors. 

Ventev Aria ($24.99) The Aria case by Ventev is a slim but durable case for everyday use. The raised accent lines on the back of the case help you grip it better, and the metal button covers on the sides give it a fun touch of class. The raised edge around the screen helps to protect against scratches and drops. The metal buttons are much easier to click, too! Available in two colors. 

PureGear DualTek Extreme ($34.99) The PureGear DualTek Extreme case has an ergonomic grip, and is rated to keep your phone safe for drops up to six feet. The two-layer protection is perfect for those who need a little extra peace of mind, and the raised area around the screen will keep your screen safe. I love the extra padding on the corners, which is where I typically drop mine. Available in five colors. 

STM Harbour ($24.99) This one-piece case is made of two durable plastics to protect your iPhone every day. It even has a hinged "kickstand" so you can easily prop it up. The kickstand also helps you get the case on and off your phone without struggle. Slight raised edge around the screen. Available in four colors. 

Don't forget a screen protector! Otterbox and Ventev both offer tough screen protectors. Much thicker than the basic protectors you'll normally find, these are definitely worth the extra money as they'll protect your phone from face-down drops and scratches. You won't notice a thing when using your phone, though—they won't get in the way of your gaming or texting. A huge bonus of these screen protectors is that they're easier to apply than the thinner versions. 

I've used the Lowe's Iris home automation system for quite a while and though the technology is decent, the interface is lacking. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to try the Piper from Icontrol for an extended amount of time, and I really like it. It addresses many of the deficiencies in the Iris system. For starters, it's compact and integrated whereas there were a lot of pieces in the Iris system. Instead of a separate motion detector, environmental (temperature, humidity, light, and sound) sensor, hub, and camera, the Piper has that all in one sleek unit.

Additionally, the Piper camera is much more powerful than the Iris one.  Through a clever fisheye lens, I can pan and zoom around the room, at almost 180 degrees of coverage. This is achieved electronically, in the app, rather than a noisy panning and tilting camera. This is good for not waking the puppy or alerting the burgler! If you want to alert an intruder, there is two-way audio capability or a piercing siren! And you can program phone calls, text messages, emails, and push notifications based on security alerts.

By comparison, the Iris camera offers a limited range of view, take it or leave it, without panning and zooming. Both cameras can show live video and record video based on motion, but the Iris requires a paid subscription ($10/month) to be able to record video. It seems like each opportunity to upsell the user was leveraged when building the Iris software. And that software looks like a 1990's interface. The Piper interface is designed for "Mobile First," the mantra of Microsoft and many software makers these days.

Because the Piper is so compact, that can also be a downside. You might want a motion sensor in a different part of the house than the camera. The Piper solution is to just get another Piper.  You can connect up to five Pipers on one wireless network with shared sensor data, camera views, and recorded videos. Perhaps if there was a volume discount, that would make it easier to swallow. Still, I really liked the software, elegance, and the robust camera of the Piper.  And I liked that there's no monthly fee. While thePiper itself doesn't do everything (thermostat, lighting) that you might need, it can be a part of a larger smarthome. You can control Z-wave appliances using the app and via programming. In fact, Piper was acquired by Icontrol recently which makes them one more tool in the Icontrol bag for a complete solution.

While all the attention in the smartwatch arena was on Apple, Microsoft snuck in a wearable that looks more like a fitness band, but offers some smart tricks. Most notably, while the Microsoft Band works (best) with Windows Phone, it also works with Android and iOS. When you're in third place, you have to acknowledge the leaders, and Microsoft made sure their wearable worked with the top two platforms. However, Cortana, Microsoft's answer (and some might say a superior one) to Siri is the only voice command option. This could be a Trojan horse to get people to try the band and then migrate to a Windows Phone to take full advantage. But the Apple Watch should be out soon enough.

That's not to say the Apple Watch and the Microsoft Band are direct competitors. While both vie for your valuable wrist real estate, the Microsoft Band is $199 and the Apple Watch starts at $349 but will go up much higher depending on the model (gold, etc.) and band. The Apple device has a larger, almost square screen whereas the Microsoft Band's screen is a narrow rectangular strip. Still, Microsoft has managed to squeeze a lot into that space, leveraging the Windows Live Tile design. One neat trick is the ability to pay at Starbucks by swiping the wrist. Apple Pay is not yet accepted at Starbucks, because they use optical readers, not NFC, for now. So the Microsoft Band displays a barcode connected to your account and voila, you've paid. It's not as secure as Apple's Touch ID system, but it's handy.

Of course there are sensors built in to the band, but Microsoft took an interesting approach and put one of the sensors on the opposite side of the wrist, at the end of the strap. This could cut down on the bulk of the watch part, but it certainly eliminates the possibility of swapping out bands. Indeed customers have to order the right size, small, medium, or large. This is a single unit, like a FitBit, and not a customizable accessory like the Apple Watch. It does offer a color touchscreen so it's a bit of a hybrid between full-featured smartwatches and fitness bands. Naturally, there are notifications, health tracking, and a stopwatch and lap timer. The watch is splash resistant and offers up to 48 hours of battery life. While the Microsoft Watch may not dissuade Apple fans from the Apple Watch, it is a nice addition to the smartwatch marketplace and will give some Apple users, especially those who find the Apple offering too bulky, a nice altenative option.

Thanks to iOS 8, Apple lovers finally have access to widgets on their iPhones. But users will find some widgets more useful than others. Maximize their utility by deleting widgets you don't need to see in the Today view in Notifications and arranging the rest in the most convenient order.

To delete and reorder widgets, swipe down from the top of your homescreen to open Notifications. Tap on the Today tab and scroll down until you see the Edit button and tap on it. Tap on the red circle to the left of the widget to delete it from your Today view and tap on the green circle to include it. Hold and drag the three horizontal bars on the right of the widget to rearrange the order. Tap Done when you are finished.

I come across a great many headphones as a tech reporter; some are amazing, others not so much. With so many different models flooding the market, it can be hard for a pair to stand out from the crowd. Nonetheless, few accessories do more to enhance our experience and enjoyment of our iDevices. After all, even though our mobile computers have great speakers for their respective size, they can't match the audio delivered from a quality pair of headphones. Enter the Urbanite from Sennheiser. Available in either a compact on-ear model($199.95), or a slightly larger, more noise isolating over-ear pair ($249.95), the Urbanite not only manages to successfully distinguish itself from the masses when it comes to sound quality and design build, it does so with a style and finesse that is rare in the industry. Read on to learn more about this phenomenal pair of cans.

Sennheiser really nailed it with these headphones. While I have been a fan of Sennheiser's premium brand of audiophile-grade headphones for a while now, not every pair can be their best. With the Urbanite, I feel that Sennheiser has taken its many years of experience and directed its talents to create the company's most impressive pair of 'phones thus far.

The Urbanite is a true luxury pair of headphones, have no doubt. Everything from the gimbaled earcups to the plush cushioning incorporated throughout the Urbanite's design, to the precisely adjustable earcup height; it all works together to make you feel like you are riding with cush suspension in a posh vehicle.

It's All in the Details

An insane amount of time and energy has obviously been poured into the creation of these cans. Some of my favorite qualities of the Urbanite include:

• The braille on the left hand side of the headband to let you know, even in the dark, which side is which, without having to fumble or search for other identifying markers.

• The Urbanite implements a unique click-lock headphone jack which twists in place and clips the regarding moveable headphone cable securely into place. No more accidentally yanking the audio cable out while working out or bustling about the house with your headphones on.

• These headphones feature an ingenious headband and headband cushion that is quite flat and deceptively plush and comfortable. The Urbanite's headband is wrapped with a rugged ballistic canvas on the outer side with a svelte, soft-touch comfort cushion on the inner side.

• A collapsible frame helps make these headphones extremely practical and portable.

• Wide, tangle-free, and heavy-duty audio cables don't just add to the superior durability of the Urbanite, they lend an air of class and style to the Urbanite's unique design.

• The adjustable earcups move with a silky smooth flow when you reposition them. Everything about the Urbanite reflects Sennheiser's attention to bringing you the most luxurious headphone experience you'll find.

• Of course (and this almost goes without saying), the Urbanite delivers absolutely amazing audio quality, which of course is Senheisers signature.

• Faux-suede, memory foam ear cushions are the icing on the cake of this remarkable pair of cans, allowing for extended listening sessions in great comfort.

Verdict:

The Sennheiser Urbanite is certainly one of the best pairs of headphones on the market today. It's raised the bar in terms of what I'd expect from a high-end pair of audiophile-grade headphones.

iPhone Life rating:

5 out of 5 stars

Sennheiser is currently hosting a contest to win a pair of Urbanites! Find out how you can win a pair HERE.

I don't like to recommend Kickstarter projects too much, because I've been burned and I hate to let others down. But once in a while a project comes along, like the Pebble watch I backed on Kickstarter, that makes it worth it. That was an example of an existing smartwatch firm, with a good design, and experience, and enough money already raised to make the product a reality (eventually.) There's another project, the Pronto power pack, from a group who has experience in the field, the backing of Shark Tank's Mark Cuban, and way more than the $50,000 they sought already raised. So the signs are good.

The Pronto power packs are available in multiple sizes, but they should be ideal for campers who want to stay in touch, survivalists, or even a road warrior, tradeshow traveling journalist like myself! 

Imagine being able to charge multiple devices, or the same device over and over, without recharging your Pronto. Or when you do need to charge it, having it take a lot less time than competitors. You can even charge 12v accessories. I won't spend a lot more time on it, because you can read all about it on the Kickstarter page, but it closes within a week. So act fast... Pronto!

It's that time of year again. Right after a new iPhone comes out there is the inevitable deluge of great cases to protect your new investment. This happens with every iPhone release, but perhaps never more markedly than with the introduction of the completely new form factors of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. If ever an iPhone needed a case it is these large and larger models, with their increased real estate, slick, rounded edges, and extra weight. Rather than clump a bunch of individual cases together I'll be focusing on one great case each  week over the course of the coming months. This week's featured case is the stylish Access Italian leather case by Nodus, which is currently available at a special discounted pre-order price for a limited time.

The Access case for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus by Nodus is an elegant affair, understated and regal. Even though it is a bargain purchase at under $63.50, it has the look of a case that you might see being used by a celebrity or business executive. Then again, with its classic, old-west look of leather and precision stitching, I could also see this case being an equally good fit for anyone with some good ol' Southwestern country flair. 

While the Nodus Access case isn't necessarily the go-to case for anyone in need of heavy-duty protection from impact and elements, it is an excellent choice for those looking for a slim, chic case to shield your iPhone 6 or 6 Plus, whether it happens to be in your pocket, purse, or backpack, or just tossed on the countertop or your car's dashboard. 

The Access case has a couple of features that help it stand out from the crowd. The first being the case's ability to serve as a stand when you are using your iPhone 6 Plus in landscape orientation. This is especially handy when using the bigger iPhones for watching video content or when typing. If you have the smaller iPhone 6, the Nodus Access is available in either portfolio or flip-up styles so you have your choice of standing the iPhone upright in portrait orientation, or horizontally in landscape mode. The other neat feature of the Nodus case is how it holds your phone securely in place. Rather than relying on some kind of adhesive or elastic strap like some other cases of this ilk, the Access case instead employs a special micro-suction rubber which effectively adheres the case to your iPhone. This approach means that there is never any gunky residue on your pristine new iPhone, and unlike a sticky adhesive, the micro-suction strip will not loose its ability to create an incredibly reliable bond.

With its luxury leather exterior and plush microfiber interior lining, the Access case gets high marks as an elegant solution for protecting your new iPhone in rustically sophisticated style. For a limited time you can still take advantage of Nodus' special pre-order discount through October 31. Even though the Access for both iPhone 6 and 6 Plus is currently available for a great savings at $63.50, normal retail price for the iPhone 6 Access case is $96.51 and $112.60 for the iPhone 6 Plus version. According to Nodus, their Access cases are expected to ship to customers within three weeks of ordering and even though the case is manufactured in Britain, the company offers free shipping worldwide.

iPhone Life rating:

4.5 out of 5 stars

One of the major benefits of iOS 8.1 is iCloud Photo Library. All your photos can now live in the cloud rather than being tied to a particular device, making them available to you regardless of which device you're using. Any change you make to a photo or video on one device is carried over to the others. And perhaps the most important benefit is that it allows you to free up space on your devices. If you enable iCloud Photo Library, you can choose to store only optimized versions of your photos and videos on your iPhone or iPad. The full-resolution versions are kept in the cloud, and versions less memory-intensive, which are perfectly suited to the size and resolution of your iPhone or iPad, are stored on your device. This can save you gigabytes of storage space. And any time you want, you can download the full resolution.

To turn on iCloud Photo Library and optimize storage on your device, go to Settings  > iCloud > Photos.

Tapping on Photos brings up a screen that lets you enable iCloud Photo Library (Beta). Turn on iCloud Photo Library and, if you're connected to a Wi-Fi network, your device will immediately begin the process of uploading and storing your entire photo and video library.

On that same screen is the option that says Optimize iPhone (or iPad) Storage. That option is selected by default, meaning that as each photo or video is uploaded, a version is saved on your device that takes less memory.

If you decide you want to have the full versions of all photos and videos on your iPhone or iPad, simply select Download and Keep Originals.

Of course, storing your photos in iCloud may require your paying to increase your iCloud storage space. You get 5 GB for free. You can up that to 20 GB by paying $0.99 per month.

As I was preparing for an article on the future of iOS gaming (for the current issue of iPhone Life magazine), I had the pleasure of interviewing Tino Soelberg, Chief Technology Officer of gaming peripheral manufacturer SteelSeries. 

If you are a core iOS gamer then it's quite likely you are already familiar with this company and their professional-level gaming gear. SteelSeries has not only elevated the caliber of high-quality gaming accessories, they have devoted considerable energy and resources toward developing the best iOS-specific gaming accessories on the market. We got a chance to discuss the impressive and ever evolving SteelSeries catalog of gaming gear as well as Tino's outlook on the evolution of mobile gaming and professional gaming in general. With eSports revolutionizing what we think of as popular spectators sports and raking in record profits and viewers at the same time, SteelSeries is in a unique position to help direct and shape the course of an entirely new genre of legitimate pro-sporting entertainment. As I discuss in the Sept/Oct 2014 issue of iPhone Life magazine, the future of gaming is mobile, and it is companies like SteelSeries who are helping to elevate iOS gaming to bonafide professional eSport status.

iPL: Thank you for taking the time to chat. I recently read an interview with Steel Series CEO Bruce Hawver, in which he was quoted as saying: "SteelSeries [is] one of the fastest-growing gaming peripherals manufacturers globally. No other organization works as closely with both gamers, and now software creators, in order to build arguably the most responsive gaming products in the world, optimized for gamers’ preferences, as well as specific gaming publishers and specific titles.” Can you say a little about what inspired SteelSeries to enter the gaming accessories market in the first place?

TS: We started about 12 years ago when gamers at the time were struggling in Quake and Counter Strike tournaments while using their trackball mice on cloth surfaces. The fibers of the mouse pads were contributing to dust build up that was getting stuck in the tracking rollers of the mice. It forced players in having to adjust their mouse use, it felt different clean, and it would effect CPI settings, etc. We solved that with a frosted glass surface named the Icemat, which alleviated the frequency at which users would have to clean their mice. It was about coming up with a solution for consistency. Since then, we’ve continued to create products that take even the smallest nuance, or even one that may have never been brought to your attention, to make gameplay better.

iPL: It's no secret that the MFi game controllers currently being crafted to Apple's MFi specifications have come under criticism for being excessively pricey. Apple's insistence that manufactures source their internal components from specified suppliers who charge a premium price is part of the reason that most MFi controllers are costlier than even the high-quality console controllers for the likes of XBOX and Playstation. While SteelSeries certainly led the way in introducing the lowest priced game controller with the original Stratus controller, I'd like to ask what, if any, plans your company has moving forward, for keeping your prices affordable and competitive, while keeping the products' quality high and compliant with Apple's MFi certification.

TS: The short answer is there are definitely plans in place to make this happen. For us, however, bringing to market an affordable product does not mean cheap or exchanging one for the other. We were the first among the MFi certified controllers to bring the price of the Stratus to market at $79. Originally we announced it at $99, but it was always our intent to work with our suppliers and factory to try and bring those costs down as much as possible. We announced the new Stratus XL during E3, the full-sized MFi-certified controller for iOS and did not announce the price simply because we are doing the same—working with our factory until the very last minute to bring that product to market at a price that is affordable to the consumer. And though it’s a larger controller, it will not cost more than the original Stratus.

iPL: As far as iOS gaming accessories go, SteelSeries stole the show at E3 2015 when you introduced both the new Sentry eye movement tracker as well as the Stratus XL game controller. Would you share with us some of your thoughts about the potential of the Sentry eye tracker and how it might be utilized in future iOS game apps?

TS: The Sentry is an incredibly exciting product for our team; one that is constantly evolving for us everyday. There are so many possibilities that can take place with eye tracking as a form of coach and controller; we just skimmed the surface with its introduction at E3. Our partner in creating the Sentry, Tobii Technology, is the master of the eye tracking industry. In addition to the Sentry, one of our key initiatives together is to build awareness within the developer community. From game developers of triple A titles to indie games and even to app developers. It’s really through this developer program and the education and cooperation of devs do the world of eye tracking and gaming really come to life.

iPL: What problem(s) does the Sentry solve for gamers?

TS: Gamers today face many challenges while trying to compete at their absolute highest level. Some might not necessarily know what to look for when reviewing their gameplay even. The Sentry acts as a “virtual coach” for gamers by tracking their eye movements in their favorite competitive titles such as Dota 2 and Starcraft II. That data is then presented in a sleek replay which shows a highlighted circle where you were looking in real time, how many times your eyes “fixated” in a certain area (we label a fixation every .44 seconds) and comparing your data against your friends and professionals from around the world.

iPL: Can you say a little about the design and development process for the Sentry?

TS: The design and development process focused on two main things. First off we wanted to make sure the Sentry looked discrete in users’ current setup. We really want people to feel like the small bar isn’t even there, so the device is thin, slim, and can be placed on the bottom of your monitor by using a simple adhesive strip. The development side of things has been focused on keeping the price reasonable and creating a powerful software suite to match the infrared sensors and single camera found in the bar itself. We spent a lot of time trying to tweak the software’s graphs to make them intuitive enough for the average user. We also wanted the analyzer to be non-obtrusive on your screen.

Screenshot of the Sentry's 'heat-map" feedback.

iPL: How are you hoping to see the Sentry evolve in the years to come?

TS: Initially, the Sentry is going to act as a training tool to help gamers improve. Later on down the road we envision the product becoming a third-peripheral in addition to their mouse and keyboard. There will be basic implementation of this idea when the product launches, but the more advanced concepts are still a few years out from happening.

TS: (Laughs) You’re right, there are not many details I can unveil to you right now, but what I can say, is that we are building products that will forever impact the audiences that helped build our brand to what it is today. We believe in innovation, but more importantly, in innovation that will work and impact the attitude and way you consume your gaming and entertainment. I can also tell you that later this year we’ll be introducing some new products that will thrill the gaming community. Specifically for the iPhone Life community you already know the Stratus XL will hit stores later this year. Don’t be surprised if you see a couple more things from us for the mobile gaming world as well. We can’t wait!

Vote now in the iPhone Life iPhone Photography Contest! The voting deadline is Monday, November 3. Click HERE to choose your favorite images. The top 10 photos will be featured in an upcoming issue of iPhone Life magazine.

Don't worry if you can't choose just one favorite photo; you can vote for as many photos as you like. You can only vote once per day for each image though, so make sure you vote every day from now until the contest closes at 11:59 p.m. on November 3!

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

As anyone who has used to Siri to make calls, search the web, or send messages knows, Siri doesn't always understand what you say. This can be followed by increasing frustration levels if Siri fails over and over to understand your voice corrections. But when Siri gets it wrong, you don't have to repeat yourself. Instead, you can edit your query via typing.

Under the query text, tap on tap to edit. 

This will bring up a keyboard and allow you to edit your request by typing instead of voice. When you are finished typing, tap Done and Siri will respond to the corrected request.