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148Apps 2013 Holiday Shopping Guide for Power Users

Posted by Rob Rich on December 13th, 2013

This is it - the end of our strange and wonderful shopping journey for the year. We know it can be tough to know what to get for someone for the holidays - anyone, really, regardless of how well you know them. We'd like to think that these shopping guides have been of some help. Even if you didn't go after anything on these lists there's the chance that something sparked an idea, which resulted in a successful gift. At least that's what we'd like to think.

Other 148Apps Holiday Gift Guides: for the [Heath Nuts] [Socializers] [Creative Types] [Gamers]

Today’s guide is for the intense “power users” you may know. Business folks, diehard Apple fans - anyone who tends to push their device’s battery to the limits every day, mostly. If you’re looking for something to make their trips easier, help out at the office, or even just keep their iPad running for a few more hours, check out our list below for some ideas.

iKit NuCharge Battery Case for iPhone 5


The iKit NuCharge Battery Case ($89 - iPhone) is a compact, lightweight case that allows users to charge their phone on-the-go. It's pretty much perfect for commuters, travelers, and anyone who spends large chunks of time away from their charger, really. It's a great way to keep a phone working so no important calls are missed, or even allowing for enough time to watch Home Alone while waiting at the airport. [Our Review]

The NuCharge case is a great all-around piece of hardware to have, but it pairs particularly well with essential work-related apps like Triage ($0.99 - iPhone), Appoint ($3.99 - iPhone), and Reeder 2 ($4.99 - Universal). You won't have to worry about running out of juice while answering important emails, last-minute changes to an itinerary, and keeping up on feeds.

ZaggKeys Cover for iPad Mini


If you've got an iPad Mini and plan to use it for anything other than basic web browsing, email reading, and gaming, then you'll probably want to check out the ZaggKeys Cover for iPad Mini ($99 - iPad Mini). It's well-built, has a sturdy hinge, is slim enough to be conveniently portable, allows users to place their iPad in backwards (i.e. they can use the iPad without awkwardly leaving the keyboard open or separating it entirely), and the keys are backlit. Kind of a no-brainer for any iPad Mini owner, really. [Our Review]

With a fancy iPad Mini keyboard like this, why not consider a writing app or two? Write for iPad ($1.99 - iPad) is a good coice for someone looking to write just about anything on the go, while Infinite PDF ($9.99 - iPad) offers up an extensive suite of PDF managing tools. It's a combination that's handy for presentations, setting up book layouts, and so on.

Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover


The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover ($99 - iPad) is one iPad keyboard that I'm particularly fond of. It offers some decent screen protection, pops on and off easily but is also strong enough not to accidentally fall off on its own, and makes for an incredibly sturdy stand. This is another one that's idea for anyone who does a lot of writing for any reason, as well as for those who like to give presentations with their iPad [Our Review]

With those two factors in mind (presentations and writing), why not think about OmniPlan 2 for iPad ($59.99 - iPad) or Air Display 2 ($9.99 - iPad) as a digital pack-in with your gift? OmniPlan is ideal for organizing large projects and managing teams down to their smallest details. Air Display, on the other hand, would go incredibly well with the Ultrathin's functionality as a stand and allow the user to turn their iPad into a second computer monitor.

Dodocase Folio for iPad


Let's take a step back from all the super-intense stuff for a moment and appreciate the Dodocase Folio for iPad ($124 - iPad). It's a very sturdy, functional, and elegant case that would look great on any professional's iPad. It includes large pockets on the inside flap for notes and such, a little spot along the fold for a pen or stylus, and has this marvelous "old book" appearance when closed. It makes the iPad a bit more bulky, but it's still ideal for anyone who prefers to stay organized (and look good while doing it!). [Our Review]

SanDisk Wireless Media Drives


The SanDisk Wireless Media Drives ($50 to $100 - iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch) serve as an ideal alternative to cloud storage. They vary in price and available storage space, but any of them can be useful in a variety of situations. Loading up a bunch of movies to stream to an iOS device later (thus sparing the device's own storage space) is only one example. The drives also allow users to upload their own media files from their device - so tons of photos from a family trip, video from an on-location film shoot, and more can all be transferred with little effort or fuss. [Our Review]

You might want to consider including It's Playing Pro ($4.99 - Universal) with one of those drives, as according to our own Jeff Scott it's actually a much better app to use for streaming video playback than the suggested official SanDisk app. Say&Go ($0.99 - iPhone) is another good fit, since users would be able to record all the voice memos and notes they could stand without worrying about using up their device's storage. Photo apps such as FancyCam ($1.99 - iPhone) are also a great fit due to the photo/storage combo.

NeatConnect Cloud Scanner


Whether working from home in a personal office or on a trip with a portable one, the NeatConnect Cloud Scanner ($499 - iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch) is definitely something to consider. This wireless document scanner doesn't require the use of a computer of any kind. Instead, it can scan and upload documents (saved as PDF, JPG, and more) directly to cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive. This means it would be a snap for someone to scan a few receipts to load onto their iPhone for expense tracking, or important paperwork that they'd be able to transfer to their iPad and fiddle with. Greyscale, color, black and white, or two-sided - it makes no difference to this scanner. [Our Review]

So why not include something like Polaris Office ($0.99 - Universal) with it? This mini office-on-the-go app even supports Dropbox file transfers, so it'd be a snap to upload documents with the NeatConnect and then download them straight to Polaris Office. PDF Expert 5 ($9.99 - iPad) is another great fit, what with it being newly redesigned for iOS 7 and receiving a sizable amount of new features - namely the Review mode that allows users to edit and make notes on PDF files.


Dropcam Pro


Dropcam Pro ($199 - iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch) isn't about productivity, but about peace of mind. The camera connects to a home network and can be accessed through an iOD device in order to watch the house while on a trip, keep an eye on the kids or pets from work, and plenty of other scenarios. Setup is easy, video streams can be kept private or shared with specific individuals (or made entirely public if one so chooses), and the app even knows to turn the camera off once the user comes home. Of course you'll also want to grab the free official Dropcam app to go with it. [Our Review]

Feel free to peruse our Editor’s Choice selections for more top-rated office/travel/business-friendly app ideas.

148Apps 2013 Holiday Shopping Guide for Health Nuts

Posted by Rob Rich on December 9th, 2013
+ Universal & Apple Watch App - Designed for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch

The turkey leftovers have been finished off, distant relatives have made it back to their homes, and the holiday shopping season has officially begun! Knowing what to get for someone, regardless of how familiar you may be with their tastes, can often be a challenge. Thankfully there are people like us putting together handy-dandy holiday shopping guides for you! Whether you’re looking for new hardware and accessories, or just something a bit less impersonal than an iTunes gift card, we’ve got you covered.

Other 148Apps Holiday Gift Guides: for [Socializers] [Creative Types] [Gamers] [Power Users]

Today’s guide is for the health nuts. Those people who get up inhumanly early to exercise, bike and/or jog with regularity, or otherwise make athletic activities a significant part of their day. If you’d like to help the health-conscious iOS users in your life with some handy gizmos, or maybe nab a useful app or two they may not have heard of, check out our list below for some ideas.

earHero Headphones


The earHero Headphones ($149 - iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch) are definitely something to think about for the people on your list who go jogging or biking in busy urban areas. These earbuds are all about safety. They actually allow outside sounds to reach the listener even while in-use, which may sound silly but can make a big difference to someone riding their bike through the streets of a major metropolitan area. Car horns, truck engines, etc, won't be drowned out - which will theoretically make running and biking around town significantly safer. At least from an "almost getting blindsided by an SUV while crossing the street" point of view. Admittedly the sound quality isn't ideal for listening to music, but when safety is a concern I think it's a worthwhile sacrifice. [Our Review]

While the sound quality may not be ideal for music, that's no reason to think that there aren't some worthwhile apps that would pair well with earHero headphones. Take Zombies, Run! ($3.99 - iPhone) for example: it's not about music but about listening for the approaching zombie hordes and running like mad to keep from getting eaten. Then there's TempoRun ($2.99 - iPhone), which is admittedly music-focused but it's more about the tempo than the actual tunes. It allows users to set their own pace by way of adjusting the speed of their music, and even offers streaming radio if they get tired of their own playlist.

Dodo Hardcover Case for iPhone 5 and 5s


Why the Dodo Hardcover iPhone Case ($34.95 to $54.90 - iPhone 5/5s)? Because it's a good-looking and sturdy iPhone case, that's why. It may not be ideal for clipping to a waistband or strapping to a limb, but it offers great protection when tossed in a pocket. And sometimes people prefer to put their iPhone in a pocket (presumably a zippered or buttoned one) when they go running or biking. So the Dodo case will protect their phone, and look good when they take it out for a moment or two during a breather at that little cafe on the corner they like to stop at sometimes. [Our Review]

With such a durable and good-looking case, there's no harm in taking a look at some rather movement-intensive apps. For example, if your recipient were to load up Performance Stretching ($2.99 - iPhone) or Pocket Yoga ($2.99 - Universal) before going for a run or otherwise working out, they wouldn't have to worry much about their iPhone falling out of a pocket and bouncing off the floor. The same goes for Pedometer Pro ($1.99 - iPhone), which will keep track of the user's running information whether they're out on the street or on a treadmill. If the phone happens to fall out of their pocket while in mid-run, the Dodo case will be there to protect it.

Adidas MiCoach SPEED_CELL


On the more literal side of things, we have the Adidas MiCoach SPEED_CELL ($70 - iPhone). It's a tiny stat-tracking gizmo that measures speed, distance, steps, stride rates, and more, and clips right on to a shoe's laces or can be placed into a special cavity found in specific brands. Just sync it up with an iPhone and start running! [Our Review]

RFLKT+


Then there's the RFLKT+ ($129 - iPhone); an iPhone-powered bike computer. The RFLKT+ clips on to a bike's handlebars and displays app data (and controls music playback) straight from the iPhone - transmitted wirelessly over bluetooth, of course. In other words, users can clip their iPhone somewhere or stuff it in a secure pocket or something, then control everything from this tiny display mounted in front of them. Yes please!

FitBit Force


The FitBit Force ($129 - iPhone) is another worthwhile stat-tracker to consider. This little watch-like thing can be worn all day and night - keeping an eye on calories burned, steps taken, sleep, and more. Those stats can then be wirelessly synced to an iPhone, where users can monitor their progress in real time and even set personal goals to try and beat. It also supports a sizable number of third-party fitness apps. Oh, and it tells time.

Bike2Power BikeCharge Power Pack


For the very active bike riders who tend to stay out for hours at a time, there's also the Bike2Power BikeCharge Power Pack ($59 - iPhone). This durable all-weather battery backup attaches to the user's bike and can be hooked up to a number of iOS devices (yes, even an iPad) when needed. If they're out for a while and need more juice for music on the ride back, they're covered. If the forgot to charge their iPhone and need to call for a pickup due to inclement weather or exhaustion, no problem. Of course if they stay out even longer after recharging their stuff, that's another matter entirely.

With that in mind, how about an app like gMusic 2 ($1.99 - Universal) for all their audio entertainment needs? It allows users to stream their entire Google music collection, and if they burn out their phone's battery in the process of listening to Queen on repeat they can easily charge it back up again with the Bike2Power. Anything they'd be using while out on the road would be a good fit really; from Cyclemeter GPS ($4.99 - Universal) to MotionX 24/7 - formerly MotionX Sleep ($0.99 - iPhone).

Feel free to peruse our Editor’s Choice selections for more top-rated fitness app ideas.

Dodocase Folio for iPad mini Review

By Jeff Scott on October 17th, 2013
The Dodocase Folio for iPad mini is a impeccably-made protective and functional case for the iPad mini.
Read The Full Review »

Dodo Leather Wallet for iPhone 5/5s Review

By Jeff Scott on October 4th, 2013
The Leather Wallet case for iPhone 5/5S from Dodo is a very sturdy portfolio-style case with an extra insert on the front for credit card storage. In spite of the name, it is only partially made of leather. The back is made with a thick cardboard and plas
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Hey Dodo - There's A 48% Sale On iPad and iPhone Accessories

Posted by Andrew Stevens on April 4th, 2013

Today only, DodoCase is having a 48% sale on everything in their store by using the code 'SUPPORTSMALL'. DodoCase is celebrating three years of manufacturing and has a number of accessories, including cases for both the iPhone and iPad, for you to save on.