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Review two-pack: Vaja’s latest premium leather cases for iPhone 5

Mark Gurman Jul 28 2013 - 2:23 pm PT

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Product: For the past couple of weeks, I have been using Vaja’s premium leather Grip Hardshell Case and Executive Leather Flip Cover for the iPhone 5. These cases are built-to-order and handcrafted in Argentina. Vaja’s website allows customers to completely customize both the inside and outside designs of the cases. The process takes 20 days, according to the company. However, a series of in-stock, pre-chosen configurations are available.

Performance/Features: Both cases are very structurally sound, and compared to other cases that I have tested in the past, putting the iPhone 5 in and out of the cases is a simple task. In terms of leather case quality in general, I have usually found myself with a mixed bag of results. However, my past experience with Vaja’s leather quality has been outstanding. The leather iPhone 4/4S Vaja case that I reviewed all the way back in 2010 is still in use, and it is in good condition with only minor nicks and a lack of tears.

Both cases offer easy access to the iPhone 5’s camera, audio controls, Lightning connector, speakers, and sleep/wake/power button. The Grip case offers a completely open face for the iPhone 5’s display, while the Executive Leather case has a front flip that will keep your display covered while the iPhone is in a bag, pocket, or elsewhere. The flip case uses a magnet system so the flap stays intact.

In terms of protection/performance, both cases will do a solid job of preventing dents into the aluminum band surrounding the iPhone. If you drop the iPhone 5 on its rear, the camera/LED is seemingly protected as the cases are a bit higher than the flat camera face. Because of the front flap, the Executive case offers more protection than the Grip case.

Why: Vaja’s latest iPhone 5 cases are perfect for those who want to protect their iPhone 5 with some of the best quality leather cases materials for a phone. The handcrafted process adds a touch of elegance to your already high-profile device. However, Vaja is a brand that focuses on style and materials, so if you’re looking for a case that is built specifically to protect your phone, check out the Otterbox Defender (my full review).

Price: The base-model Grip case costs $70 and the base-model Executive Flip Cover case costs $90. Certain leather and color options can yield an extra  $20 on top of those prices.

Hands-on image gallery:

• Reviews
• Headphones
• RHA
• in-ear

Review: RHA M350 noise-isolating aluminum headphones + exclusive 20% discount code

Jul 27 2013 - 7:45 am PT

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RHA designs and engineers their audio products in Britain and prides themselves on honing in on the small details of a product and making them great. Prior to testing their headphones, I had never heard of RHA (they’re a division of Reid Heath Ltd.), but the fact that Apple retail carries their products coupled with their sharp industrial design made me want to check them out.

As quick as Apple can give me new set of headphones with each iDevice, I somehow find a way to misplace, break, or water (OK, sweat) damage them. I am assuming many of you are just like me in that regard and, as such, prefer a pair of solid earbuds under the $50 mark. At first glance, it seemed that the RHA M350 noise-isolating aluminum headphones would the fit the bill, so I decided to give them a test drive.

Packaging/Design

The MA350 earphones come in a compact box broadcasting a few key features (dynamic speaker, fabric cable, etc) and even their 5 star score from What-HiFi. On the back, RHA continues with a full list of specs and features – nothing out of the ordinary here. The earbuds themselves are a different story. The first thing you will notice is the machined aluminum housing, which really stands out against the rest of the black body. Apple fans are sure to love how the MA350 ‘buds look next to a Mac or iDevice.

The next most striking element on these earphones is the fabric braided cable. It feels terrific in between your fingertips and more importantly it doesn’t easily tangle like rubber (Hello, Apple earbuds!). But this luxury comes at a cost – more on that later.

It may be a bit nitpicky, but the ‘L’ and ‘R’ signifiers on the buds are a bit tough to discern at a quick-glance. I would probably put a touch of nail polish or a quick Sharpie dot to make them more easily identifiable. Again, not a big deal but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Fit/Sound

Each pair of earphones includes three different sized silicone tips so you can find the perfect fit for your ears. I recommend taking your time when swapping out the tips. It took me a couple tries to fit a new tip on the ‘buds as they are super tight. Once I worked the opening of the tip a bit to loosen the silicon they slid on pretty easily. After finding the correct size tip, the MA350s fit well and were very comfortable.

Now on to how these stylish ‘buds sound. Keep in mind, sound quality is extremely subjective and is heavily influenced by the music you listen to. In my opinion, the RHA M350 earphones sound great. Especially when you consider that they retail for only $40. I tested them with several genres of music and found that they are extremely balanced. Don’t expect overbearing bass (Monster Beats) or overly high acoustics. They are a nice mix of both. I was impressed that I was actually able to decipher new sounds and instruments in songs I’ve been listening to for years. As mentioned above, the fabric braided cable proved to be a double-edged sword. It’s great aesthetically and for avoiding tangles, but creates some unexpected feedback (microphony) if jostled or rubbed during audio playback.  Not a big deal, but something you should be aware of if you plan to use these for running or working out.

Wrap up and 20% discount code

The RHA M350 earphones look and sound great for a pair of $40 headphones. The only major feature I wish these headphones included is a remote and mic for better smartphone compatibility. Other than that, I think they are perfect for people looking to upgrade to better sounding earphones at a reasonable price. RHA even includes a 3-year warranty on every pair sold.

For the next week, 9to5Mac readers can take 20% off a pair of these headphones when purchased at Amazon (must select RHA as the seller) with coupon code 9TO5MAC2.

• Reviews
• ios screen recording
• iphone screen recording
• no jailbreak screen recording
• xrec

xRec app brings screen recording to non-jailbroken iPhones

Scott Buscemi Jul 21 2013 - 10:47 am PT

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/zc47UEmx5fs]

Screen recording directly on iOS devices has usually required the device to be jailbroken. Rather than recording sans-PC, the general solution is to hook up the iPhone/iPad to a computer and use some sort of a mirroring app then record the computer’s display. Now, the app xRec has made its way into the App Store. As you can see in the video above, you do have to deal with a red “xRec” bar at the top of all screens since it is taking advantage of iOS’ recording APIs. On the plus side, you can quickly record the entire operating system on-the-go without plugging into a computer.

Of note, the app currently does not work with iOS 7 and it seemed to crash multiple times on my current-gen iPod Touch. Even after a reboot, opening the Mail app or a game crashed the recording.

The developer assures me iOS 7 compatibility is on the way (after iPad compatibility is built), but stability of the current app would be more appreciated.

xRec is available in the App Store for $1.99.

• Apps
• Reviews

A look at GV Mobile + 3 for Google Voice [Review & Giveaway]

Scott Buscemi Jul 14 2013 - 10:58 am PT

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Google Voice has had an interesting relationship with the iPhone. If you’re an avid user of the service, the tight integration found on Android devices is enviable. First downloadable in the App Store then taken down then available on Cydia in 2010, GV Mobile + has been the go-to app for many Google Voice users even with the launch of the official Google Voice iOS app.

Now, the app has matured into version three, a full-blown messaging and VoIP application contained within a sleek design.

New Design

GV Mobile + has always kept up-to-date with the latest design trends. In this third version, the app moves to a slick “flat” design. It’s not exactly in line with iOS 7 and makes use of the hamburger menu that has plagued many apps lately, but the design has a solid and complete feel to it.

Transitions between screens are also notable and appreciated. New pages fly up from the bottom or slide out from the top. When placing a call, the screen fades out and a new “in-call” screen fades in.

VoIP

While the option to make calls using your cellular minutes is still readily available, this is the first version that includes built-in VoIP. Even though I was extremely excited to use this feature since my data plan is still unlimited but I only have a few hundred minutes per month, I haven’t found this to be quite as reliable as I would hope. Even with a strong LTE connection, I usually receive complaints from the people I talk to and end up calling them back using my cell. In WiFi environments, it can be a viable choice and definitely saves you if you don’t have many minutes.

Ever since I placed my first FaceTime Audio call, every phone call sounds dull and mono, so any criticism of the sound quality from me is a bit skewed. VoIP in this application sounds like a regular phone call placed over the regular phone application.

In-App Notifications

Mirroring the same design as Facebook, this version also includes in-app notifications. This is definitely helpful if you’re having multiple SMS conversations.

The notifications are reliable and it’s definitely a great feature for power users of the app.

Roundup & Giveaway

A while back, GV Mobile + was updated with a nasty bug that made the app unusable. Although the developer, Sean Kovacs, pushed out an update very quickly, Apple was slow to push out the critical update. At that time, I tried using the free, official Google Voice app, but found it to be extremely lacking. To put it simply, it seems like Sean Kovacs cares more about Google Voice and the features in the iOS app more than the Google Voice employees do. Seeing that this is one of my most used applications on a day-to-day basis, I couldn’t live without it.

You can purchase GV Mobile + 3 in the App Store for just $2.99.

In addition, we’re giving away 5 promo codes for the app. Leave a comment below with your Twitter handle by the end of tomorrow  (7/15 at 11:59 PM PST) and we’ll announce the winners on July 16th. Good luck!

• Reviews
• glif
• Hone
• bitemyapple
• soundfreaq sound step

Soundfreaq audio system, Hone key tracker, glif tripod mount [Review roundup]

Scott Buscemi Jul 14 2013 - 9:17 am PT

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Buying an iPhone isn’t just about the device. Instead, you are buying into the entire ecosystem of apps, accessories and add-ons available from third-party companies. In this review roundup, we’ll be looking at a small assortment of hardware accessories for iOS devices.

Soundfreaq Sound Step

The marketplace is full of iPhone/iPod docks and speaker systems. Lately, it seems that the trend is moving towards portable Bluetooth speakers rather than plug-in dock (and hopefully we’ll continue to see a trend towards AirPlay – one can hope!). So why would we spend any time with a docking station that needs AC power? It’s an all-around system.

The Sound Step Lightning has many different inputs – Bluetooth, an auxilary jack, USB, and a dock connector. With the remote (or app which you’re prompted to download when you dock your device), you can switch sources at any time. Thus, the system could act as a small stereo system for your TV and a Bluetooth speaker for your device at the same time.

There’s still something special about a docking station. Not only does the lightning plug provide for a data connection for music playback, but it also charges your device. The lightning connector is strong enough to hold up even the iPad with Retina display.

The speakers themselves can get extremely loud and the bass is definitely strong. Even when the volume is on high, music is still clear and doesn’t become distorted. Make no mistake, this is a high-quality device with a sleek design and intelligent sound.

You can pick up the Soundfreaq Sound Step SFQ-02L on Amazon for $129.99.

Hone

Losing your keys is extremely inconvenient. For me, I never leave the house without my phone, wallet, and keys, so if I’m in a rush and the keys seemed to drift off somewhere, I’m stuck until they’re found.

Hone is BiteMyApple’s solution to this problem. Through the use of Bluetooth 4.0 and the Hone app, an arrow in the app lights up as you get closer and closer to your keys. What’s more useful is the “Find” button, which makes the Hone light up and beep from up to 150 feet away.

The device itself is a little bit on the large side – just about the size of a key fob. However, it’s only half an ounce and the battery should last you about six months.

This device started as a Kickstarter with 1,132 backers. Today you can buy the Hone for $59.99 on the BiteMyApple’s website.

In fact, BiteMyApple is a web store that exclusively sells devices that started out as Kickstarter projects and reached their funding goals.

Glif

The iPhone’s camera is incredibly powerful, and, as the saying goes, “the best camera is the one you have with you.” Since it’s so portable, taking pictures from an iPhone is extremely convenient. However, trying to take a steady video or a long-exposure photo (using a third-party app) doesn’t turn out so well when holding the phone.

Enter Glif. Like the Hone, the Glif is sold by BiteMyApple. It’s a sturdy accessory that works with any regular tripod or mount. Simply twist the Glif into place, fit your phone into the Glif, and you’re ready to start taking pictures or videos. I’ve actually used the Glif in some of my videos and found it to be extremely simple and useful. In addition, it has a good enough grip on your iPhone that you can tilt your tripod at a 90° angle toward the ground and it’ll still keep the phone in place. The Glif is approved and used by me.

The Glif is available on BiteMyApple’s website for $19.99.