iPhone Atlas

I'm not entirely sure what's going on with the Survival Senbei edible iPhone 5 case, but I'll do my best to sort it out despite a limited translation. The case looks suspiciously like a Rice Krispies treat wrapped around a phone, except it's made with a brown rice senbai cracker substance.

It seems you stick the case on your iPhone 5 and wait until you get so dangerously hungry that you're willing to eat a case that has been mixing with your greasy fingerprints and pocket lint. Yum.… Read more

I never expected to see an iPhone combined with pepper spray or a taser, and, yet, those cases do exist. I therefore shouldn't be so surprised to see an iPhone combined with an ear-bleeding security siren.

The Coyote Case is raising funds on Indiegogo. The case itself looks innocuous enough. You can even get it in pink. What you don't expect on first glance is the over-100-decibel siren built into it.… Read more

I can't say I'm that into Halloween that I'd buy a special Halloween iPhone case. But I guess there are enough people who are, because otherwise Speck wouldn't bother selling them.

The company has three "spooky" cases to choose from and I think the one with the skull on it (pictured above) probably has the most year-round appeal. I only mention that because these cases do retail for $34.95, which seems a bit steep for a case you'd have on your phone for only a few weeks.

But then again, there are … Read more

How many times have you played a really sweet game on an Android or iOS device, but found yourself wishing for better controls?

Because, let's face it, some games really suffer when your thumbs block the screen, or when you don't get any tactile feedback. Tapping glass is a far cry from mashing buttons.

Enter ThinkGeek's iCade 8-Bitty, a mobile version of ThinkGeek's iCade gaming cabinet, an iPad-only accessory that started out as an April Fool's Day joke.

The retro-styled 8-Bitty pays homage to the original Nintendo NES D-pad controller, but tethers to your smartphone … Read more

Update, October 10, 2012: Added five new products, including cases from Camalen, MiniSuit, Ringke, and Spigen SGP.

With the launch of every new iPhone comes an onslaught of cases to protect it.

What's the best one? Very hard to say. The problem is that everybody has different tastes in cases. And, of course, some folks choose not to bother with them at all.

In doing this initial roundup, I've tried to present a good selection of products, highlighting some of the better cases that have been announced. But this is by no means a "best of" … Read more

Whenever Apple brings out a new iPod Touch, the specs never quite measure up to the latest iPhone's, though the Touch is a good deal lighter and thinner. In the case of the new fifth-generation iPod Touch, you get an A5 processor instead of an A6 and the camera isn't as good as the iPhone 5's camera (though it has improved quite a bit).

Alas, iPod Touch buyers should also note that while Apple has included its new EarPods, they're missing a small but important feature: the inline remote with integrated microphone found on the iPhone … Read more

Most iPhone cases serve exactly one purpose: to protect your iPhone.

Occasionally you find one that can pull kickstand duty as well, or perhaps open a beer bottle or add a tripod mount.

Pbbblllttt. Indiegogo project ReadyCase offers seven handy tools in one iPhone case. It's already well past the $15,000 goal the developers set, so now you just need to decide if you want to get one for an early-bird price.

Despite measuring just 3mm thick, the ReadyCase includes a removable USB flash drive (8GB or 16GB), a removable multitool (with standard and serrated blades, a flat-head … Read more

iPhone 5 owners who ordered one of the new Lightning to 30-pin adapters may soon have one in hand.

Apple has just starting shipping the adapter, say MacRumors readers who received e-mail notices from the company. The users chiming in so far all appear to be from Australia, but presumably buyers in other countries will be on the shipping list as well.

Apple's accessories page shows the adapter as available to ship in October, while one MacRumors reader said the e-mail notice pointed to a delivery day of October 9.

The new adapter is a requirement for iPhone 5 … Read more

Apple reportedly wants approval over any manufacturer making Lightning accessories, but that move could delay their availability to consumers.

Citing "multiple reliable sources," iLounge reports that Apple recently made "significant changes" to its its MFi policy. Short for made for iPhone, iPod, and iPad, MFi certification is needed by third-party manufacturers that want the Apple seal of approval on their products.

Going forward, only facilities certified by Apple will be allowed to make accessories for the new Lightning interface, including those of third party companies. The only problem? Sources reportedly told iLounge that Apple has yet … Read more