Hasta La Gadget!

Is the iPhone 5 facing low demand? While we don’t have access to the numbers, the Wall Street Journal seems to think so and according to a recent report, they are saying that Apple has reportedly cut orders for iPhone 5 components due to “weak-than-expected demand” for the device. The publication claims that Apple has cut orders from January-March (basically Q1 of 2013) by half, suggesting that perhaps the iPhone 5 isn’t doing as well as Apple had thought it would have. However on the flipside, some are speculating that perhaps Apple is in fact winding down stock in order to make room for a potential refresh. There have been a couple of rumors so far, one of them being that Apple could be launching a cheaper iPhone although this has since been denied by Apple’s Phil Schiller, so what could it be then? Of course these alleged cutting of orders has not been confirmed by Apple so you might want to take this news with a grain of salt, but what do you guys think? Are you starting to see less iPhone 5 devices in the street than you would have a couple of years ago with the iPhone 4/4S?

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: WSJ Also Believes A Cheaper iPhone Is In the Works For 2013, Apple Eyeing New Display Technology From Innolux [Rumor],

Earlier at CES, we got our hands on the Rode iXY 30-pin stereo microphone iPhone add-on that left our Lightning users a bit sad. Cheer up! The folks over at Zoom got us over to their booth to take a peek at the company’s new iQ5 professional stereo microphone. The iQ5 is a different beast than its aforementioned competition in that it works in conjunction with native iOS applications. What this means is that you can use it while recording video on your iOS device. The microphone itself rotates for this specific purpose, allowing for both horizontal and vertical audio recording in raw, 90- and 120-degree field positions. The recording resolution is capped at a respectable 16-bit/44.1kHz — though slightly less than we were hoping.

We didn’t get a chance to actually hear an audio sample from the iQ5, but we’re pretty confident it’ll sound better than the standard mic equipped on any of the supported devices. The Zoom iQ5 lacks a bit in customization department as well as build quality — we’re generally not fans of the cheap plastic construction, which is unlike most other Zoom products. The spec sheet certainly leaves us wanting, but it’s a start in the right direction for current-gen iOS devices. The iQ5 will set you back $100 and will start shipping Q2 of this year — until then check out the gallery to hold you over.

Filed under: Peripherals

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Pelican is mostly known for its line of rugged bags and large cases meant for photography equipment and other expensive belongings that you need to protect. However, the company has released a new line of smartphone cases here at CES 2013, and we ended up getting our hands specifically on the ProGear Vault cases for the iPhone 5 and the iPad mini.

The iPhone 5 variant offers protection from “wind-driven” rain, dust, and scratching. All the ports are protected with durable flaps that let the sound out (for the speakers), but don’t let dust in. The case also has insulating shock and impact protection, thanks to rubber shock absorbers inside the case.

The case is made out from a magnesium and high-grade polymer, and it’s held together using military-grade hex screws at the four corners. Acoustic membranes also prevent water access through the microphone speaker ports, without hindering the audio. The buttons on the side, as well as the silent switch, was a little difficult to press, but like most cases, added that extra layer will hinder some of the button performance. What’s odd about the iPhone 5 case, is that the silent switch on the case is actually a knob that you twist slightly to change it. It’s an interesting concept, and one that we don’t see very often.

The iPad mini version offers the same protection and technology as the iPhone 5 case, and it features a flap door cover that can be opened up and used as a kickstand. The iPad mini case is actually still a very early prototype, and the cover actually didn’t even close all the way when we tested it. Nonetheless, both the iPhone 5 case and the iPad mini case are planned for an April or may release. Both cases will be priced between $75 and $85 when they eventually launch.

Pelican ProGear Vault iPhone 5 and iPad mini cases hands-on is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

I personally like the iPhone 5’s design. It’s sleek, it feels solid and the choice of materials makes it feel like a premium gadget, but unfortunately it’s the same materials that has led to me fussing over my phone like it is super fragile. Some of you guys might have heard stories where the edges or even the back of the aluminum body of the iPhone 5 has been scratched due to aluminum being a softer metal, and in order to prevent that happening and to preserve the design of the device as much as possible, I went for the most minimalist case I could find. Some of you guys might have done the same but if you think that it still does not showcase the design of your iPhone, then perhaps the Radius iPhone 5 case might be a case worth looking at. At the moment Radius is a Kickstarter project and is currently seeking funding for what can be described as one of the most minimalistic iPhone 5 cases you can find.

As you can see in the rendering above, the Radius is a “case” (if it can even be called that) that hooks onto the four corners of your iPhone. Each corner piece features a non-slip lining and is made from aircraft-grade aluminum and has been raised ever so slightly so that when your phone is placed on its front, the screen will not be touching the table or surface. The “X” at the back presumably does the same. Of course this by no means protects the sides of your iPhone which we guess would be one of its flaws, but given its super simple nature, we’re sure that some of you guys out there wouldn’t mind getting your hands on it. At this time of posting the Radius has surpassed its Kickstarter goal, so head on over if you’d like to find out how to pre-order one for yourself or to learn more about it.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Japanese Inventor Features Quick-Draw iPhone System In Mind-Blowing Montage, Bloomberg: Cheaper iPhone Model Coming In Late 2013 For As Low As $99,

This week we got the opportunity to speak with Jane from ONGUARD about the company’s new family of folding cases and covers for the iPad, iPhone, and Google Nexus 7. What you’re seeing here is a brand new line of cases and covers, the company bringing on a new generation of magnet-toting amalgamations of protection and display for your devices. What we’ve seen here is a unit for the iPhone 5 that’s a case and a stand in one, a similar solution for the iPad (3/4), and another for the Google Nexus 7 tablet that’s not just a stand, but a sleeve as well.

The iPhone 5 unit we’re seeing here is shown in leathery black with red stitching, working as two separate pieces, a case that can exist on its own, and the leathery bit that fits over it to create one single unit. The protection this unit offers is thick and robust, but the real gem is the stand – it’s magnetically held tight and down in your pocket when you don’t need it and folds up and out when you do. Real simple, really high quality – and it’ll hold your iPhone up in two different positions.

NOTE: None of the cases are called “origami” as such, but that’s certainly the easiest way to describe them to someone who has never seen them before.

Next is the iPad case and stand by the name of ONGUARD Shell. This unit fits around the sides and back of your iPad to offer some basic protection for everything but the display and, like the iPhone case, folds up in a triangular origami-like way to prop your iPad up with style. While we’ve seen similar solutions to this in the past, this is the only unit we’ve seen where the stand stays flat against the back when not in use.

Finally there’s a unique case/stand by the name of ONGUARD Sleeve for the ASUS Nexus 7 from Google. This unit (like the other solutions we’ve seen today) comes in a variety of colors, but here works on the understanding that the Nexus 7 is already thick enough as it is, keeping your protection limited to when you’re in transit with the machine rather than having it covered at all times. The case then folds up and acts as a stand, once again, when you’ve taken the device out for daily use. Well played!

We’ll be seeing more of ONGUARD in the near future – for now you’ll want to jump in on the rest of our CES 2013 action in our massive CES portal all week long for more hands-on action and up to the minute updates all week long!

ONGUARD iPad, iPhone 5, and Nexus 7 folding “origami” cases hands-on is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.