Navor case touches all the bases

For several months I kept my iPhone in a folio-style case. The case gave the phone the high level of protection that I wanted but it had a couple of issues.

For instance, I like to use my phone for GPS routing but I couldn’t mount it securely on my car’s dashboard without removing the phone from the case. Also, the folio case made it difficult to use the phone with a selfie stick or tilted correctly for video calls.

Now I’m checking out the Navor iPhone 7 Plus Case, which looks like it will provide everything that I want in a phone case.

The Navor case is a wallet-style case that has one flap to cover and protect the screen and another with slots to keep credit cards, IDs and cash. It also has a hole for a wrist loop and blocking material to shield the credit cards from RFID snoopers.

But this may be the best part: The case holds the phone in place with a magnetic connector. That means the phone can be quickly removed to use with a magnetic car mount or with a spring-loaded selfie stick. The case also functions as a stand and it let the phone swivel to find the best position for video calls or viewing.

 The Navor wallet case sells for $16 or less and can be ordered in the Navor Store or on Amazon. The video below shows the wallet case in a version that includes a battery charger.

By: Ric Manning On 1/26/2017

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New phone case design includes a cable

I am seldom without my mobile phone, but I can’t say the same for its charging cable. I have a cable in the car and more at home, but I never carry one with the phone.

Now some smart and clever designers have come up with a unique new idea that keeps a charging cable always close at hand. They’ve built a cable into the surface of a mobile phone protective case.

The flat USB cable slips into a channel built into the back of the case. It’s not bulky and it has the same color as the case, so you don’t really know it there until you need it.  

Called the Soso Smart & Clever, the case will come in sizes for the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and iPad mini when it is released next year.

The company plans to launch an Indiegogo campaign in the near future to raise $50,000 for production costs. Supporters are being offered cases at half of the retail prices which will be $40 for the iPhone 6, $50 for the 6 Plus and $70 for the mini.

By: Ric Manning On 10/05/2015

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Carrier Checker app reveals an iPhone's network

It’s easy to find used iPhones for sale online or in local stores. What’s not so easy is finding out if the phone will work on the carrier network that you want to use.

You probably don’t want to buy an iPhone that’s locked in to Sprint or Verizon if you plan to use it on a low-cost pay-as-you-go network.

Some people also pick up a cheap used phone for overseas travel. Again, you have to know if that bargain handset will work where you plan to use it.

Carrier Checker is a new app that knows where to look to find the information you need. By entering the IMEI number from the back of the iPhone case, the app will display the carrier that the phone is currently connected to. It will also let you know if able to use any other network SIMs, which you’ll need to know if you you plan to take it abroad.

Carrier Checker for the iPhone is available for free in the iTunes App Store.

By: Ric Manning On 6/23/2015

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The Smartphone Mall is loaded with iPhone gear

We will be heading to the beach for a week later this spring so I'm shopping now for some waterproof gear for my mobile phone. That search took me to The Smartphone Mall where I found an entire section devoted to waterproof accessories, including iPhone 6 cases for $29.99 and Bluetooth speakers starting at $69.99.

The Smartphone Mall also has name brand sections that feature headphones and other accessories from Beats By Dre, Mophie, Lifeproof and OtterBox. And I found sports accessories like armbands and headsets plus screen protectors and chargers for iPhones. They even have touch screen gloves, though I hope I won't need those for a week at the beach.

The website advertises lifetime warranties and same-day shipping for most products with free shipping on any returns. And they accept PayPal as well as major credit cards. There's also a special promotion that offers free accessories if you upgrade your phone to a new model within one year after purchase.

Check out the prices and deals at The Smartphone Mall website.

By: Ric Manning On 3/16/2015

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DazTech case keeps iPhone 6 charged

The battery life on my new iPhone 6 has been pretty good, but I'd still like to have an extra charge for long trips. Airports can get crowded during bad weather and people are quick to snatch every available power outlet.

That's why I've been looking at the new UltraSlim Portable Charger Case from DazTech. The case has a built-in 3500mAh Li-polymer rechargeable battery, which DazTech says will more than double the phone's power resource.

That means 18 hours or more talk time and at least 12 hours of web browsing. That should be plenty of power for a long flight and one or two layovers.

The "UltraSlim" description looks like a good fit as the case's internal battery adds only a slight bulge to its backside. The case also has a charging switch, an LED battery level indicator and a built-in kickstand.

You can also charge and sync the phone without removing it and cutouts provide access to all the function controls.

The case has a $79.99 list price but it's discounted to $58.95 now at Amazon.com.

By: Ric Manning On 3/07/2015

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iOS app downloads free music from SoundCloud

One of the elements that separates SoundCloud from other streaming music services is that many tracks on SoundCloud can be downloaded and stored offline, without running afoul of copyright laws. And if your mobile is an iPhone, a new app makes the it easy to discover and capture the music you want.

Free Music Download – MP3 Downloader for SoundCloud - yes, that's it's official name - is a free app that lets you discover and collect favored tracks.

The app searches for music based on a user's query and delivers all results for tracks that can be downloaded. The list includes the name of the track, the artist and album.

Users can preview songs before downloading and download multiple MP3 tracks simultaneously. The app will also play, pause, skip tracks.

MP3 Downloader for SoundCloud requires iOS 7 and it works with the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. Check it out in the Apple iTunes Store and follow the developers @freemakecom on Twitter.

By: Ric Manning On 2/24/2015

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An affordable case for Apple's big phone

If Apple's new plus-sized phone turned out to be the right mobile for you, you'll be looking for the right case to keep it safe. Before you part with $50 for one of the big-brand cases, take a look at the new Reveil Series case from Aptez Technologies.

The Reveil has all of the features you need at a price you can afford. It has a soft plastic bumper that wraps securely around the edges of the phone along with a frosted hard backing that gives the phone an attractive smoky look.

The case also comes with a screen protector that is sized specifically for the iPhone 6 Plus.The protector is 0.33mm thick yet sensitive enough for easy scrolling and swiping.

The Reveil is available in five colors - Rose, Black, Azure, Gray, and Violet - at prices that range from $16.97 to $19.97.

Get a closer look and read the buyer reviews on Amazon.

By: Ric Manning On 2/22/2015

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Neit case protects iPhones and IDs

In their younger days, my daughter and her friends would hit their favorite bars on Saturday nights. All too often, one of them would discover on Sunday that they left their ID or credit card at one of their stops.

That would not have been a problem if they had put their iPhones in a Néit CardCase. It's a uniquely-designed case that protects the phone while also keeping important documents safe and close at hand.

The Néit CardCase for the iPhone 5 was launched last year in London and it's now been joined by a version for the iPhone 6. The case is made in two parts with hard rubberized inner shell that protects the phone and a softer outer shell that has a more grippy surface.

The back side of th case has a slot that can store two cards, a driver's license and a credit card, for example, or maybe a Starbuck's card - whatever you want to be easily accessible.

The Néit CardCase is for sale on the Néit website for 15 pounds - that's about $23 US - and you can check in with Néit @neitcase on Twitter.

By: Ric Manning On 2/13/2015

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Grate app lets you rate your servers

Today, everybody wants a report card. Whether it's your Uber driver or the person who created the app you just installed, they want to know what you thought of their product or service.

Now there's a new app called Grate that lets you rate your restaurant server. Once the app is installed, users can select a restaurant and a server. After the meal, they can give the rating between one and five stars and enter comments about the service and how the server or the restaurant might improve.

The app isn't designed to replace monetary rewards for good service. But ratings  and reviews are shared with restaurant managers or owners who can use the comments to train employees and fine tune their performance.

You can check out Grate at the company's website, download the iOS version in Apple's App Store and keep up with the Grate chatter on Twitter.

By: Ric Manning On 12/17/2014

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Hotspotz has a new way to find and meet people

You've heard about Match.com, It's Just Lunch and Tinder. Now meet Hotspotz, an app that, according to its creators, "takes the guess work out of meeting someone of interest."

Hotspotz is designed to let people connect at specific locations, or Hotspotz. It might be a concert or festival, a sporting event or a pub, a club or coffee shop - any sort of place where people gather and where they could be interested in meeting other people.

The Hotspotz app lets you search for other members and find out if they are nearby. If you see someone you'd like to get to know, you can send a wink or an Ice Breaker.

The Insight feature lets you pose questions like "Do you watch the news?" or "Do you ever play video games?" It also has filters and protection features that let you block another user or report an offensive message.

You can sign up for Hotspotz at the service's website an check out the mobile apps at the Apple iTunes Store or Google Play Store. Hotspotz is also on Twitter.

By: Ric Manning On 12/09/2014

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App gives the iPhone a panic button

A guy I know who lives alone took a tumble at his home about a year ago. By the time his friends got worried and called for help, he had some serious medical issues.

I thought about him when I came across the Panic SOS Button, an iPhone app that can send a quick distress message to a chosen list of contacts. The app lets you use a default help message or write your own along with a second message saying that all is well. There's even a fake cancel code in the event that you need to trick an assailant.

Panic SOS Button is aimed at anyone who could use an extra level of security: an older person living alone, students and children who travel to and from school, business travelers or young adults who might be out late or in unfamiliar locations.

The free app is available in the iTunes App Store and you can get more information on the Panic SOS Button at the product's website.

By: Ric Manning On 12/08/2014

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Bobine's charging cable puts a phone at eye level

Is the Bobine a cellphone dock or a charging cable? Actually, it's both.

The unique combo product is built around a 24-inch length of tough but flexible metal tubing, the kind you sometimes see used as a gooseneck shaft to hold a utility light. At one end is a USB plug, at the other is a cradle for a mobile phone.

With a few twists and turns, you can fashion the cable into a rigid snake that keeps your phone in view while it charges or syncs. For a Skype or Facetime video call, the stalk holds the phone steady at eye level. And the Bobine might be the solution for getting your phone in the right position to provide GPS navigation in your car.

The cable comes with a standard USB plug at one end and your choice of plugs for your mobile phone: Android, Apple's Lightning plug for the iPhone 5 or 6, or the classic 30-pin Apple connector for the iPhone 4 or iPods.

All of the Bobine versions sell for $35 at the Fuse Chicken website.

By: Ric Manning On 11/12/2014

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SmartQuit app helps smokers kick the habit

As a former smoker, I can testify that most smokers are willing to try just about anything to break free of cigarettes. I remember trying everything from nicotine gum to hypnotism, all with varying degrees of success.

Today, smokers can get help from their mobile phones with an app called SmartQuit. The app was developed by Jonathan Bricker, a Ph.D. researcher at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle.

Bricker takes a new approach to smoking cessation programs. Instead of counting cigarettes, smokers are trained to recognize the urge to smoke and teaches them new ways to deal with those urges - ways that don't involve lighting up.

An article in the Puget Sound Business Journal described the SmartQuit system this way: "SmartQuit has three phases: First, users answer questions about what things are important to them, such as their family and other personal values; Next, they unlock a series of exercises that introduces them to methods to track their urges; Finally, they keep track of all the times they let their urges go."

2Morrow, which licensed Bricker's work, cites research says four out of five smokers prefer the privacy and convenience of an app based program over telephone coaching. 2Morrow's website also points to research that says SmartQuit is the first smoking cessation app that has been scientifically proven to help smokers quit.

Smokers who want to try SmartQuit can download a free trial version of the app in the Apple iTunes Store or the Google Play Store. If they want to continue, they can upgrade to the full version for $50.

By: Ric Manning On 11/11/2014

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Livinity plugs you into local live music

With some friends in from out of town last weekend, we were looking for a concert or a band we might like playing in a local club. The paper lists many local events, but not all of them and it's doesn't always list the kind of music we like.

A new app called Livinity turned out to be much more helpful. Livinity lets you choose the style of music you like - Rock, Country, Blues etc. - then presents a list of shows that include the date, location and distance from your location. We were pleasantly surprised to find that Paul Thorn, one of our favorite artists, would be playing just a few miles from home.


One button plays a clip of the artist's music. Other links give you the name and address of the venue and driving directions. Livinity will also post the activity on your Facebook page and enter it into your calendar.

Now that Livinity is installed on my iPhone, I'll be using it more often at home and especially when we're traveling. Next time we're in Nashville, I can get the scoop on all the acts appearing up and down Broadway.

Livinity is currently available only for Apple mobiles. You can get the free download in the iTunes App Store. See how others are using the app in Livinity's Twitter feed.

By: Ric Manning On 10/01/2014

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New mobile app helps Juan lose pounds

I've encountered dozens of apps and games that help people lose weight, but this is the first one that doesn't require you to break a sweat. Run Juan Run can be played in a comfortable easy chair or even flat on your back.

The game follows pot-bellied Juan on his quest to slim down. Like most middle-aged and overweight guys, Juan has a wife who thinks he should be working harder to drop those extra pounds. She gets him started by calling in a crane to lift him out of their house.

Juan's road to fitness takes him through a number different levels. You follow him jogging through snowflakes and past icebergs, doing push-ups in the gym and driving past the pyramids. Is that drive part of his diet, or  is he on his way to his favorite taqueria?

The game requires iOS 4.3 or later and is compatible with the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch and it's optimized for the iPhone 5. You can check it out in the iTunes app store.

By: Ric Manning On 9/17/2014

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Moni knows a lot more than you

You may think you've met a few know-it-all types, but you probably haven't met Moni. She's the voice and brain behind askMoni, a website and mobile app that draws on collective intelligence to answer questions.

You can ask her the square root of Pi, the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons or just about anything else you were wondering about. She will deliver an instant answer on almost any topic.

You can help Moni get smarter by opening an account on the askMoni website and answering some of the questions that users have posted. The answers become part of Moni's collection intelligence.

With the mobile version, Moni can also be trained to perform tasks, like launch an application or open a web page. She's kind of like Apple's Siri, but with less of an attitude.

You can find out more about Moni at the website or download the free mobile app at the Apple iTunes App Store or at Google Play.

By: Ric Manning On 9/08/2014

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mSpy lets you monitor and track a target mobile phone

If you provide a mobile phone to your children or employees, you might natually wonder who they are calling and, perhaps more important, what photos are they sending?

The makers of mSpy understand your curiosity and anxiety. The program lets you monitor the phone's usage almost as if you were holding it in your hand. It logs incoming and outgoing calls, tracks text messages, gives you access to emails, monitors Internet use, read instant messages and even uses GPS to track the user's location.

The monitoring software runs in an invisible mode, letting you remotely track all activity that takes place on the monitored phone. Everything from calls to calendar updates is sent from the tracked phone to a secure online account. This is just whet we needed when our teenage daughter talked us into dropping her off at the mall, leaving her mother and I to wonder if she actually stayed there.

The version for mobile phones works with iOS, Android and Blackberry handsets. Pricing starts at $39.99 for one month. To see all of the available features and pricing, visit the mSpy website and check out this site for customer reviews and discussion.

By: Ric Manning On 9/08/2014

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Converter app calculates almost anything

If you've done much travelling, you probably have a currency converter installed on your smartphone. You'll know in a flash how many dollars you would need to buy 100 euros.

But will your smartphone convert temperatures from Celsius to Farenheit? How about miles to kilometers or acres to square meters?  It will if you install the new Converter app for iOS and Android devices.

The app was developed by engineers at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, a European company that works with high-precision materials in the aerospace, automotive, marine and other industries. The app delivers more than 300 engineering and scientific conversion units in 32 categories.

Some of the conversions, like torque or density, will appeal primarily to engineers, but many others provide useful answers for everyday situations. For example, there's a timezone converter (What time is it now in Prague?), a percentage calculator and a table that will calculate an optimum pace for running a morning jog or a marathon.

I especially like the percentages calculator. I no longer have to remember which value is divided (or multiplied) by which.

Check out Converter in the iTunes Store or the Google Play Store.

By: Ric Manning On 9/02/2014

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It's always Trivia Night when you have Brainer

Bertrand Russell once said "There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge." I wonder if he was the star of trivia nights at his local pub. I bet he would have loved Brainer, a new and free iOS game app that puts a trivia quiz in your pocket.

The game delivers rapid-fire questions from any of seven categories: Movies, Sports, TV, History, Science, Music and Video Games. Each has sub-categories, like Game of Thrones under TV or Middle Ages under History.

Select a subject area and the game presents a question and four possible answers. You might be asked which philosopher did Aristotle study under? Or when can a football team attempts a two-point conversion?

You have 8 seconds to respond. If you're both smart and fast, you might win an Amazon gift card. Or at least impress your friends with your grasp of useless knowledge. Tell them Bert would be proud of you.

Get the full scoop on Brainer and a download link at Brainerapp.com.

By: Ric Manning On 9/01/2014

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Check out Lyft, get a free ride

My city has everything you would want for a good time. Lots of bars and music halls, a few strip clubs, a growing collection of microbreweries and a bourbon distillery. We even have a thoroughbred racetrack and a casino.

Fortunately we also have Lyft, the ridesharing service that lets you leave your car at home when you and friends are heading out for a night of fun and possibly a few adult beverages.

Lyft offers on-demand rides that are more fun, more convenient and more affordable than a taxi. Lyft drivers are your designated driver, your friend with a car, even after last call.

Do you have Lyft in your city? Find out here, then download the free iPhone or Android app. If you're new to Lyft, you can get a free ride worth up to $25. Go to takealyft.com or enter the code 1FREE25 in the payment section of the app.  

By: Ric Manning On 8/14/2014

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