iphone dock

• Apps
• iOS
• iPad
• iPhone
• Twitter

These are the most popular non-Apple apps people keep on their homescreens

You don’t need to go any further than iTunes to see the most popular iPhone apps, but a couple of days after Betaworks launched #Homescreen, an app which allows people to share their homescreens on Twitter, we thought it would be interesting to check the results so far. The above image was the result at the time of writing.

#Homescreen is an app with a single function: it allows you to share your current iPhone homescreen on Twitter. Betaworks uses image-recognition to identify the apps, and pulls together a constantly-updated image showing the most popular dock and homescreen apps.

Betaworks excludes Apple’s own apps, but does note that “between 45 percent and 65 percent of the home screens examined had replaced Apple’s default apps with third-party options,” reports TechCrunch.

One trend the company noted in a Medium blog post is the growing popularity of third-party messaging apps.

Facebook is Messenger is on 14% of people’s homescreen, Whatsapp is on 12 percent, Snapchat is on 11%, Path on 5 percent (while snapchat and path arent straight messaging app’s, worth noting them here for comparison), Groupme 4.7%, HipChat on 2.6 percent, Line on 1.5 percent, Viber 1%, Kik is on 0.5 percent.

Facebook, unsurprisingly, took the title of most popular third-party app provider, with 68.6% of homescreens having at least one of Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Pages or Instagram.

If you want to share your homescreen but can’t be bothered to download an app to do it, you can tweet a screengrab with the hashtag #homescreen2014.

• iOS Devices
• Belkin
• cases
• iphone dock
• DIAL

Belkin announces Express Dock for iOS devices w/ adjustable dial to accommodate cases

Belkin today announced its latest product for iPad with the introduction of the new Express Dock for iPad. The dock comes with a built-in 4-foot Lightning connector, and thanks to an adjustable dial you can position the Lightning connector to accommodate cases and dock just about any iOS device:

Belkin’s new Express Dock has an adjustable dial integrated to the back of the dock. When turned, the dial raises or lowers the Lightning connector that connects to your iPad so it will work with a variety of case sizes and styles. It makes every day docking faster and more convenient—even with the case on.

While Belkin is branding the product the Express Dock for iPad, the company says it will work with iPad 4, iPad mini, iPhone 5, and iPod touch 5th generation. That means you’ll likely have no issues with your iPhone 5s either, but there’s no mention of 5c compatibility.

The Express Dock is available through Belkin.com and select retail partners starting today for $59.99.

• iOS Devices
• iPhone 5s
• iPhone 5c
• iPhone accessories
• iphone dock

Apple gets back in the iPhone dock game with 5c and 5s docks

Apple didn’t announce these at the keynote today, but you can finally buy first-party docks for your iPhone again. The iPhone 5s and 5c docks are now available on the Apple Store. The ship date is currently unknown but they will be available in stores on the 20th for $29 each. The 5s dock will also work with the iPhone 5.

• Reviews
• iphone dock
• ipad mini dock

The micro-suction dock that appears to defy gravity [Review]

This morning, I received what appears to be magic in a box. Bracketron’s NanoTek Stand uses micro-suction technology to stick to flat surfaces and hold iPhones and iPad minis without a ledge or any magnets. This device was originally a Kickstarter project called the “SETA Smartphone Stand” and now Bracketron has partnered with SETA to offer the product to the masses.

From the Kickstarter project:

How It Works. SETA incorporates NanoSuction™ technology that synthetically emulates the adhesive qualities of gecko feet. Your phone magically clings to the NanoSuction™ SETA pad while another pad on the base secures the stand to most flat, non-porous surfaces.

When I put my iPhone or iPad mini on the dock, it feels like a tiny vacuum holds it in place. Swiping left to right or scrolling through webpages does not move the phone or the dock at all, but when you want to take your device off, it just takes a simple pull or tug to the left or right. The micro-suction leaves no residue or stickiness on the device.

At first, the small size made it seem like the dock would only work with small phones like the iPhone. However, it has no problem holding up my iPad mini in the landscape or portrait position.

The angle is great for Facetime calls, sending snapchats, texting, or watching videos. Unlike some other docks that closely resemble the design, the NanoTek Stand does not use gravity as a factor (the angle is there just to make it easier to see) and the footprint is extremely small. In addition, there is a slot for a 30-pin or lightning connector.

Bracketron’s NanoTek Stand can be found on BestBuy.com for just $27.99 with free shipping. The durable construction and amazing technology makes it a steal at that price. In addition, the small size means you could fit both your iPad mini and iPhone on your desk, each with their own stand.