This Case Adds Four Extra Camera Lenses to Your iPhone

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Smartphone cameras are quickly replacing point-and-shoots in pockets, everywhere.

While users can definitely take some impressive shots with an iPhone camera, they're limited by its built-in lens. One accessory-maker is trying to expand lens options for cellphone cameras by offering a protective case with five additional lenses.

Called WoW, the smart-lens case has a built-in Macro lens for taking photos up close, a wide-angle lens, cameo function and a polarized neutral-density lens. All four lenses — along with an option to use your iPhone’s lens — are built into a spindle on the rear of the case.

The WoW case is currently seeking $50,000 in funding on Kickstarter, and has raised a little over $5,000 towards that goal.

What do you think of the WoW case? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Report by : Emily Price

iPhone 5 in multi-colored plastic predicted in Apple 2013 roadmap

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This week KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has released a projected roadmap of Apple products spanning the next 12 months, this map including no less than an iPhone 5S and a new iteration of the iPhone 5, complete with plastic casing. While an actual “official” leaked roadmap as such leaked from Apple would be a first sign of the apocalypse, we’re ready and willing to have a peek at this possible vision for the future, especially given the relatively good future foretelling we’ve seen come from Kuo specifically in the past.

What this map shows is an iPhone 5S coming in Q3, followed within weeks by a new design and release for the iPhone 5, complete with a set of case modifications we’ve been hearing rumors and suggestions about over the past week – how odd! These predictions include a device which has largely the same specifications as the iPhone 5 as it exists on the market today, but with a 1600 mAh battery instead of 1420, 8.2mm of thickness instead of 7.6, and a weight of 130g instead of 112.

Perhaps most interesting of all is the suggestion that the refreshed iPhone 5 will be coming with multiple different colors, not unlike the most recent push with the iPod touch. This release will also have plastic casing rather than aluminum, this keeping the cost of the device down considerably – and remind yourself here that these are all predictions from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, not assurances.

The price for this newly refreshed iPhone 5 will be between $350 and $450 unlocked (compared to the current $600-700 on the market today) and it’ll be completely free when purchased with a 2-year contract. This contradicts the pattern Apple worked with when the iPhone 4S was revealed, the “free” model being at that time the iPhone 3GS, aka the least powerful of the three models on the market. With this release there’d only be two.

This roadmap also predicts that there’ll be an iPad 5 released between the iPhone 5S and the modified iPhone 5, with a newly designed Retina MacBook Pro released at the same time. Also released with the iPhone 5S will be a modified iPod touch 5th gen and an iPod nano refresh. Predicted for Q1 is an Apple TV refresh of some kind, near the end of Q2 a new MacBook Air, and last in Q3 an iPad mini 2nd gen.

Lastly Kuo suggests that at the start of the fourth quarter of 2013 we’ll be seeing a new iMac and a new Mac mini – exciting times! Have a peek at our Apple hub for more Apple action through the year, and get ready for the multi-colored plastic of the iPhone 5 refresh – if that’s what you believe will be coming, of course.

Report by : Chris Burns

Moshi iGlaze Kameleon iPhone 5 kickstand case Review

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You’ll find no lack of highly fashionable accessories for your Apple devices in the archives and active market at Moshi, their newest offering for the iPhone 5 (and the iPad mini) being no set of exceptions. With the iGlaze Kameleon for the iPhone 5 (with models for the iPhone 4 and 4S also being offered up for the masses) you’ll be both well protected and ready for stand-up action, with a fabulous form-fitting casing surrounding the device with a hard metal kick-out stand ready at the back for portrait or landscape sitting action.

The iGlaze Kameleon looks and feels extremely similar to the basic iGlaze collection with its cut-out circle set for a full Apple logo peek-a-boo. You’ve also got full access to each of your ports, switches, and your camera and flash. Best of all (and required for a people such as we), this case does not place any casing around the headphone jack – or at least the closest casing isn’t going to interfere with our headphone plugs. That’s vital for the on-the-go headphone wearer and/or hard-wired car audio lover.

Understated fashion is what we’re talking about here, and the kickstand sticks with the theme. You’ve got the Moshi name/logo sitting near the end of the tail while the bulk of the stand is a perfectly simple flat aluminum, just ever-so-slightly darker than the rim of your iPhone 5. There’s also a protective “skin” included in the package that adheres to your iPhone 5′s back before you add your iGlaze Kemeleon case – the case attaches on its own, while the skin helps protect the logo of your iPhone through the revealed logo hole. Note here that we’ve got the black model while there’s a white color combination available from Moshi now as well.

Another case we’ve just gotten our first chance to take a peek at is made for the iPad mini and called “concerti”. This case is made of a hybrid silicone / microfiber inner casing for shock and scratch protection, and includes magnets for Smart Cover functionality. Close it up like a book and your iPad mini falls asleep, pull the elastic band around from the back to keep the whole case closed. This case also stands up and several angels and allows you full access to your back-facing camera, even when the case is folded backward.

The concerti for iPad mini case will run you $45.00 USD and is available right this minute from Moshi. The iGlaze Kameleon is also available now from Moshi and will cost you a cool $49.95. Interestingly enough, you can also use Moshi’s own “Xen Credits” for these purchases, these being points you earn from Moshi for special events and through your friends adding your name to their purchases upon payment – wild stuff!

Report by : Chris Burns