Update (12/4 12:00pm): Now exclusively available from Belkin.com and AT&T.
Belkin curiously introduced all-new iPad Bluetooth Keyboards a mere 72 hours before Tim Cook would take the stage at 1 Infinite Loop to announce iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3. The refreshed QODE keyboard cases were certainly worth lusting over, but what good are they if they don’t support Apple’s latest tablets, right? Well, Belkin fixed that this morning by releasing an updated line of keyboards and covers specifically designed for iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3… Expand Expanding Close
Tower Madness 2 is getting the nod as Apple’s free App of the Week. Regularly listed on the App Store for $1.99, the strategy/tower defense game is now available as a free download for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. This marks the very first time we have seen the title go free since it was released at the beginning of the year.
Apple’s “It’s been too Long” event just wrapped up and the Apple online store is now back up and has revealed new lower price points for refurbished iPads. As you’d expect, the original iPad mini (2013 model) is the most aggressively priced at $209 (down from $219). iPad mini 2 (w/ Retina display) starts at $249 (down from $339) and iPad Air now starts at $339 (down from $419).
Every product refurbished by Apple carries a one year warranty and is eligible for AppleCare.
Today, Belkin announced a pair of additions to its popular line of QODE iPad keyboard cases. According to Belkin, the new QODE Ultimate Pro and QODE Slim Style Keyboards for iPad Air take everything that was great about the previous generation models and add in some premium features Belkin customers have requested.
Head below for more details, availability and pricing on each of the two new offerings from Belkin: Expand Expanding Close
Small States features small companies that design and manufacture within the United States.
Need a bag? There are so many different styles and brands out there, you’ll find something. But it isn’t until you find that perfect match that you truly understand what you’ve been missing.
For me, this happened with Waterfield Designs’Staad Laptop Backpack. I’ve long been searching for a bag that could meet all of my on-the-go needs. I’ve tried the Ogio Renegade, which can carry everything you need (and feels like it too). I’ve tried the traditional leather messenger bag, but that struggled to handle everything I threw at it. It wasn’t until I came across the Staad that I realized what I’ve been missing.
IGN’s free game of the month is Ski Safari: Adventure Time for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Regularly priced at $1.99, this is the very first time we have seen this endless runner go free. It has received 4.5 stars from 2,838 Ratings.
Basically a mash-up of the popular Ski Safari game and Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time, the game features Finn and BMO along with a host of other familiar characters. There are several environments including the Ice Kingdom, Fire Kingdom, Candy Kingdom, the Forbidden Dungeon, and the Mystery Mountains as well as various character costumes and customization options.
You’ll find more details on the game below and be sure to check our daily game/app roundups:
Activision has unleashed the newest iteration in its popular NFC equipped Skylanders franchise. The new Skylanders Trap Team is available on all consoles, but there is also a mobile version for iPad, Android and Amazon tablets.
Head below for more details and what to expect from the new Starter Packs: Expand Expanding Close
The cover of Target’s weekly ad puts the spotlight squarely on Apple. This week only, you can get a free Target gift card worth $20-$100 with the purchase of select Apple products. We’ve featured better deals for all of these products in the past, but if you need one of these products now then Target’s deals are certainly better than paying full retail.
Target’s offer of a free $100 gift card with the purchase of an iPad Air is the best deal of the bunch. However, there’s a really good chance we could see an updated model released at Apple’s rumored October 16th event. If Apple does release a new iPad Air model, it will most likely be priced at $500 and it most certainly won’t include a free gift card. Reports from 9to5Mac have so far pointed towards the new iPad Air only being a slight upgrade over the current model:
The Pokémon Company International announced that its Pokémon Trading Card Game Online is coming to the App Store today. Already available on Mac and PC, this marks the very first time an official Pokémon game has debuted on the iOS platform outside of Pokémon TV and the Pokédex app.
Head below for availability details and the release trailer: Expand Expanding Close
Staples is offering the Lifeproof iPad Air nüüd case (1901-01) for $77.49 shipped. Using code 86128 drops the total down to $67.49 shipped. That’s around $62 off the regular listing from Lifeproof and the best price we can find.
The screenless technology lets you “touch the actual screen” while still being submersible to 6.6 feet, can survive drops up to 4 feet and is totally sealed from dirt, dust, snow and ice. All of iPad Air’s functionality is accessible and it ships with a 3 month warranty.
The keyboard from Logitech features built-in Bluetooth and full-size keys and iOS shortcuts for fast, fluid typing. The cover and iPad stay perfectly aligned and securely closed when you are on the go with magnetic clasps. Also, a magnetic groove holds the iPad upright at the ideal angle for typing and interacting with the touch screen. The Logitech automatically wakes your iPad when you open the cover and puts it to sleep when closed.
Yesterday, it was revealed that the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus could be charged faster (in some cases as fast as 2 hours to full) using a 2.1A AC charger like the one that comes with the iPad. Curiously, Apple has only included the typical 5W 1A iPhone charger that it traditionally has with its iPhone 6 and 6 Plus meaning that your iPhone charge times coming from much smaller iPhones are going to go through the roof.
Not to worry! The 9to5Toys team will get you updated to 2.1A USB ports across the board with the best products/deals we could find for a wide range of 2.1A USB needs… Expand Expanding Close
The Thunderstorm is a full-range speaker system with a protective casing with various angles for a great entertainment experience.
We found it to be perfect for iPad users who frequently game or watch videos during our review:
I’ve tried many Bluetooth speakers from Logitech, Jawbone, NYNE, JBL and more, and I can honestly say none quite compare to Thunderstorm when it comes to a rich, immersive sound experience for watching video on an iPad. Its a unique experience with Thunderstorm, fine tuned specifically for the movie watching experience, and it’s definitely worth your attention if much of your time with an iPad is spent watching video.
(Update 5/19 10:30am): The time has come. Apple has randomly announced a new Lightning dock for iPhone 6/Plus. However, you should still take a look at the numerous third party options (below) that have been on the market for years. Many of these options offer more styling and better value compared to Apple’s dock.
If you were one of over 4 million people who preordered an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus this weekend, then you may have noticed that one of Apple’s most popular accessories for previous gen iPhones is curiously absent from its online store. As of right now, Apple seems to be sitting on the sideline and will not be releasing a dock designed for its newest smartphones.
Docks position your iPhone in a way that makes it easier to keep tabs on incoming notifications, all while helping create a clean workspace by wrangling messy cables.
There are already several iPhone 6 and 6 Plus dock solutions. Here are our favorite docks, stands, mounts, and more:
Based on the same technology used on its popularYeti and Snowball microphones, Blue’s Mikey is great for live location recording with iPhone and iPad as well as interviews, audio for video and anything else you can think of. It also doubles as a Lightning audio interface for other peripherals with the included 1/8″ input jack for guitars, other mics and line-in devices. Mikey features three recording modes, a 230-degree swivel mount, a USB connector for device charging and is compatible with iPhone 5, 5S, 5C, iPod Touch (5th Gen), iPad (4th Gen) and iPad Mini.
For a complete rundown on everything Mikey has to offer check out our full review along with the quick preview video below:
The Lightning Mikey has received a 4.2/5 star rating among Amazon customers. If you’re interested in the 30-pin model, Amazon currently has it for $44.31 shipped (orig. $100, the current best price we can find), and for even higher quality recordings check out our full review of the Blue Spark which currently sits at $165.96 shipped (Reg. $200, within a $1 or so of lowest on Amazon).
The Native Instruments line of Maschine beat production products marry hardware controllers with rich software instruments, loops and effects to create an all-in-one music making suite. The hardware controllers range from the $349 Maschine Mikro up to the $999 Studio model, but Native Instruments also makes a stripped down, yet still very powerful version of its Maschine platform for iOS. Regularly priced at $4.99, iMaschine for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch is available as a free download inside of the (also free) Apple Store iPhone/iPod touch app.
Simply download the free Apple Store app and boot it up. Hit the “Store” tab along the bottom and scroll all the way down to the iMaschine icon, then tap on download now for free.
While you certainly won’t find all of the features in iMaschine you’ll have at your disposal in its full fledged counterparts, we are still talking about a very wide range of possibilities here. There are 16 pads for rhythm programming, as well as a keyboard for melodic parts and sampling possibilities from your device’s mic or your iTunes library. It supports the purchase of additional sound packs via in-app purchases much the same as the Maschine hardware, but it does come packed with 100MB of content including 10 projects, 25 kits, and over 400 samples.
You’ll find more features along with quick demo video of musician Jamie Lidell putting this thing to the test below: Expand Expanding Close
Beach Camera via eBay Daily Deals offers the Apple iPad Air 32GB WiFi in Silver or Space Gray for $489.99 shipped. While it is not as large of a discount as $130 off from Staples last week, the tax benefits of purchasing via eBay outweigh the Staples discount. This is the lowest price we could currently find for this model.
The iPad Air features an ‘impossibly thin’ unibody design, a beautiful 2048 x 1536 Retina display, and blazing fast A7 chip so you can multitask with ease.
Available in silver and space gray, the iPad mini will only set you back $199.99 this week at Best Buy. That’s a savings of more than 33% and a match for the best price we’ve ever seen. Of course, it isn’t Apple’s latest tablet and there are likely to be updated models around the corner, but for less than $200 it’s perfect for casual users. The first generation iPad mini will be supported by iOS 8 and features a 7.9-inch LED-backlit display, 10-hour battery life, and dual-core A5 chip.
Best Buy is knocking $50 off iPad mini with Retina display WiFi models today with an extra $50 off for those with access to a .edu email address. Keep in mind we currently have the 16GB WiFi model in space gray or silver for $320 (or $80 off), which is a better deal for those without a .edu address. While that deal is available via eBay where many buyers will see tax benefits, with a .edu address this model can be had for $300 at Best Buy today.
Apple’s pint size tablet features a 7.9″ 2048×1536 resolution display, A7 chip with M7 motion coprocessor, and 802.11n WiFi with MIMO technology. We also have some great prices on highly rated iPad mini cases from LifeProof today starting at $25 (up to $35 off).
With the Otterbox Reflex series cases, all of the iPad’s features and functionality is accessible including the headphone jack, camera, speaker and connector port. It features a durable silicone and polycarbonate exterior and a two-piece design that makes it easy to install and dock.
It has received a 3.6/5 star rating from over 180 Amazon customers. Head below for more details:
For the next six days, or until supplies are exhausted, Staples is discounting a variety of current generation Apple iPods and a first generation iPad mini. The break down is as follows:
We saw slightly lower prices on many of these items from Staples two weeks ago. But these are the best prices you’ll find if you need an iPod right now.
The iRig Pro is an all-in-one recording solution for singer/songwriters and podcasters as well more experienced musicians looking for a quick demoing set-up on the go that works with all of their Apple devices. It offers mic and guitar inputs with “high definition, high-quality A/D conversion,” +48V phantom power for use with condenser mics, a suite of music-making software and apps, and will also double as a Midi interface using the included iRig Midi cable.
It comes with three cables: “a Lightning cable for newer iPhones, iPads and the iPad mini; a 30-pin dock connector for “older” devices; and a USB cable for connection to your Mac laptop or desktop.”
We’ve been told by a Target rep that quantities are limited and as such we highly recommend picking one up today. This deal is $100 better than retail and $20 less than Apple charges for a refurbished model. The first generation iPad mini features a 7.9-inch LED-backlit display, 10-hour battery life, and dual-core A5 chip.
REDcard holders can save additional 5%. Limit 2 iPads per customer, while supplies last.
Note: if size matters to you, you can get a 9.7-inch 32GB iPad 2 for $220 on Ebay. Though it is refurbished, you’ll likely be spared tax at time of purchase.
Even bigger? Grab a 32GB iPad Air for $489.99 shipped at Ebay. That’s $110 off of retail and the lowest we’ve ever seen it.
Staples and Best Buy have both kicked off significant iPad sales. First, Staples is taking $100 off all iPad Air WiFi models when you enter coupon code 79449 at checkout. That means the entry-level 16GB model is only $399, which is $20 less then Apple charges for it in refurbished condition. At the time of posting, all storage capacities except for the 128GB model are available in both Space Gray and Silver.
It’s been a little over 2 months since Target first sent waves through the Apple deal world by offering the iPad mini for just $199. We haven’t seen a comparable sale since that time, but that drought looks to be ending on Sunday, August 17th… Expand Expanding Close
AgileBits, the team behind the 1Password security app that we’ve reviewed over at 9to5Mac in the past, announced on in a company blog post that the upcoming iOS 8 update for the software will be free for all owners of the current version of the app.
The update, which is expected to debut around iOS 8’s launch this fall, is currently in a semi-public beta and takes advantage of new features in the operating system like Safari extensions, Touch ID, and more. If you don’t already own the current version of the iOS app, you can grab it at the steeply-discounted price of $9.99.
IK Multimedia, makers of mobile and home recording gear, are releasing the new iRig Mic HD for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Mac/PC. The HD is an all-in-one recording option designed for home recording, podcasters and online radio broadcasters as well journalists and videographers on the go.
An upgraded version of IK’s previous model mic, the HD is a digital condenser that has a built-in “low-noise high-definition” pre-amp and features 24-bit, 48 kHz A/D converters, that negate the need for a sometimes expensive audio interface. It also has a handy gain control to ensure recordings of all types get tracked properly.
It comes with both a Lightning cable for your iOS devices as well as a USB cable for your Mac or PC (the 30-pin connector is sold separately). It also comes with a mic clip (for standard sized mic stands), a carrying case and a suite of software for iOS and Mac/PC including iRig Recorder, VocaLive and AmpliTube.
While you’re not likely to get the same quality digital conversion through one of these as something like a high quality Apogee interface, you’re also paying a fraction of the price at $129.99. Early impressions seem to be positive in terms of recording quality for the price range, but it may be smart to look into comparable Blue Microphones which have dropped in price recently. However, you’ll still pay significantly more for a mic that does both iOS and Mac/PC like the new iRig HD Pro.
The iRig Mic HD is available for preorder now and will come in a black model and a silver one exclusive to the Apple Store.
Realmac Software has put its popular Clear app for Mac on sale for $4.99. Regularly priced at $9.99, this is the lowest we have ever seen the app go for on the Mac App Store by $2.
“Over 2 million people” use Clear for its to-do and reminders tools. With a simplistic gesture-based design for the Magic Trackpad or a mouse, Clear for Mac features built-in iCloud syncing, multiple/separate lists for every situation, customization with list themes and full syncing compatibility with the iOS version.
Speaking of the iPhone and iPad version, iOS users can pick up Clear for just $1.99 today down from $4.99. The mobile version packs much of the same features as its OS X counterpart and shares the same great hands-on impressions from reviewers. Both versions have received 4.5 stars from thousands of ratings.
This is an excellent case for iPad mini users, especially those that are tough on their devices or give them to kids. It is fully submergible to 6.6 feet for 60 minutes in water and meets military standards for drops up to four feet. LifeProof declares that it is the “thinnest, lightest, toughest, most advanced tablet case ever made”.
Note that this is listed for non-retina iPad Minis because it covers the backside noise canceling mic on the sliiiiightly thicker iPad Mini Retina but should otherwise work properly.
PC Micro Store via Amazon offers several rooCASE iPad mini cases for $3.50 each Prime (free trial) shipped with coupon code H5XCSWDD at checkout. Non-members will need to spend at least $35 to skip shipping fees. rooCASE makes low-priced gadget accessories that traditionally receive favorable reviews. The coupon code only applies to the colors specified below:
Blutek (Top Rated Plus seller) via eBay Daily Deals offers the 64GB iPad Air in Space Gray for $579.99 with free shipping. That’s $119 below the retail price of $699 and $9 below Apple’s asking price for the same model in refurbished condition. It features an “impossibly thin” unibody design, a beautiful 2048 x 1536 Retina display, and blazing fast A7 chip so you can multitask with ease.
Popular mobile app developer Flexibits has kicked off a sale on its highly rated Fantastical 2 calendar app for iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Fantastical 2 for iPad sees a 33% drop from $14.99 down to $9.99, matching the lowest we’ve seen it go for on the App Store since release pricing. The iPhone version is 50% off today dropping from $9.99 to $4.99.
On Mac, the highly rated app gets a 50% drop from $19.99 down to $9.99, which also matches the lowest all time price from the Mac App Store.
Fantastical 2 has received thousands of 4+ star ratings across all platforms. You can find more iOS price drops and freebies in our daily app round ups.
Belkin offers its Thunderstorm iPad Theater Speaker Case for $49.99 with free shipping. That’s 75% below the original list price of $200 and the best deal that we’ve ever featured by $20. It’s also the best current price by $7 for the 30-pin model and $20 for the Lightning model.
Features include a full-range speaker system, protective casing, and various angles for optimal entertainment consumption.
We found it to be perfect for iPad users who frequently game or watch videos during our review:
I’ve tried many Bluetooth speakers from Logitech, Jawbone, NYNE, JBL and more, and I can honestly say none quite compare to Thunderstorm when it comes to a rich, immersive sound experience for watching video on an iPad. Its a unique experience with Thunderstorm, fine tuned specifically for the movie watching experience, and it’s definitely worth your attention if much of your time with an iPad is spent watching video.
Built-in Bluetooth keyboard with full-size keys and iOS shortcuts for fast, fluid typing
2-sided protection: Durable, water-repellant case protects front and back of iPad
SecureLock system: Low-profile clips keep corners of iPad firmly fastened to the frame; Powerful hidden magnets keep folio securely closed when you are on the go
Dual-view stand: Folio doubles as a stand; Holds iPad upright for typing or flat for web browsing with keyboard hidden
Auto wake/sleep: Automatically wakes your iPad when you open the cover and puts it to sleep when closed
Blutek via eBay Daily Deals offers the 32GB iPad Air WiFi (Space Gray or Silver) for $489.99 with free shipping. That’s $109 below the list price and the lowest price we can currently find. Apple’s newest full-size tablet features a gorgeous 2048 x 1536 9.7″ Retina display, up to 10 hours of battery life and weighs just one pound. Buy with confidence, Blutek USA is a Top-Rated Plus seller with a feedback rating of 99.3% from 85,062 buyers. If you are looking for a case for your new iPad, then check out this deal for a Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Folio. Expand Expanding Close
This is an excellent case for iPad mini users, especially those that are tough on their devices. It is fully submergible to 6.6 feet for 60 minutes in water and meets military standards for drops up to four feet. LifeProof declared that it is the “thinnest, lightest, toughest, most advanced tablet case ever made”.
This particular model of the nüüd is designed for the first generation iPad mini. You can pickup the Retina iPad mini version for $119.99. This deal expires on July 15 (or until sold out). Expand Expanding Close
Amazon is offering the Canon PIXMA Printing Solutions Wireless Inkjet All-In-One Printer (MG7120) for $99 shipped. That’s $100 or 50% off the regular asking price, matching our previous mention and the lowest we’ve ever seen this highly rated printer go for. Today’s deal is available in both the black and white models and marks the only other time we’ve seen these particular printers discounted outside of a one day Amazon sale early last month.
This cloud enabled all-in-one features AirPrint, a 9600 x 2400 dpi photo resolution and more:
3.5″ Touchscreen LCD and Intelligent Touch System: only the buttons you need illuminate
Compatible with: Individual/Combo CLI-251 XL Ink Tanks (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Grey, Black) & PGI-250 XL Pigment Black Ink Tanks. Only Replace The Inks That Run Out!
AirPrint: Print wirelessly and effortlessly from your compatible iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch- no drivers needed!
Superior 9600 x 2400 dpi photo resolution and gray ink: Load plain and photo paper right into of the printer at the same time!
Compatible with Mac and Windows
The Canon PIXMA Printing Solutions Wireless Inkjet All-In-One Printer (MG7120) has received a 4/5 star rating from over 270 customers. Today’s deal is not to be confused with the MG5520 model, which has a smaller display, less functionality and a lower photo printing resolution.
Last month Target set the deal world ablaze with its $199 iPad mini deal. This major retailer looks primed to once again launch an unprecedented iPad sale.
According to a leaked ad scan that has shown up on several online forums and blogs, starting this Sunday July 6th, Target will offer free $100 gift cards with the purchase of an iPad Air or iPad with Retina display. The ad only mentions 16GB capacities of both models, but also states “other Wi-Fi models available” for iPad Air, so this discount may apply to more configurations beyond 16GB. We won’t know for sure until the deal page goes live later this weekend.
We have frequently seen the iPad Air drop to $400 via eBay Daily Deals, but this is the first time we have seen a current generation iPad promotion of this caliber from a major retailer.
Best Buy is taking up to 58% off select iPad mini Smart Covers, which yields prices from $16.99. Orders of $35+ ship free or you can opt for in-store pickup to dodge freight charges. It’s rare to see a discount this large on retail-packaged, current generation Apple products.
A must have accessory for many iPad owners, the Smart Cover snaps into place thanks to perfectly positioned magnets, has sleep/wake functionality, and can be folded into a stand to make viewing movies and typing more comfortable. It’s compatible with the first generation iPad mini and newest iPad mini with Retina display. Expand Expanding Close
