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The greatest new iPhone accessories available

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Soon after unpacking their new Apple iPhone 14, owners should consider the accessories they desire for the device. Like the iPhone 13s from the previous year, this year’s devices are sold without a charging adaptor, so you’ll likely need to have one on hand. With so many available attachments, you may take advantage of the greatest MagSafe technology if you decide to fully embrace wireless charging. The Apple AirTag, wireless headphones, and phone covers are just a few of the greatest iPhone accessories we’ve checked out and compiled here.

Apple MagSafe wireless charger

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Although there are many better and less expensive alternatives to Apple’s first-party accessories, if you have a new iPhone, the company’s MagSafe wireless charger is something to think about. This charging pad utilizes magnets to attach to the back of the most recent iPhones, much like all other MagSafe accessories, and it’s quite sturdy. The iPhone can dangle by the charger’s wire without slipping off, and you can pick it up and use it while the disk is still attached. (You still shouldn’t do this, probably.)

The charging plate itself is just around a quarter of an inch thick, so the iPhone is hardly heavier as a result. The most recent iPhones are the only ones that the magnets adhere to, although previous models, all the way back to the iPhone 8, may still be charged wirelessly. I only wish the wire was longer than three feet so you could charge your iPhone while using it on the couch or in bed.

Spigen’s $25 ArcField magnetic wireless charger is a good substitute for Apple’s $39 MagSafe charging attachment if you want to spend a little less. (Though we’ve seen it go on sale a few times.) You shouldn’t pick up your iPhone by this cable since its magnets aren’t even close to as powerful as those on the Apple MagSafe charger, but it will charge your phone and remain in place while doing so.



Mophie 4-in-1 wireless charging mat

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At this time, you may have gathered a number of wireless charging-capable gadgets, and Mophie’s 4-in-1 charging mat makes charging them all simple. It is an 11 by 8 inch rectangle with four charging ports for various devices. While the middle two are smaller and properly sized for items like AirPods, the other two are bigger and can fit smartphones in two of them. It can really charge up to five smartphones at once because it includes an extra connector for an Apple Watch.

I used the mat every night to charge my iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods Pro since I found it to be a helpful charging center. It’s important to note that despite the fact that my iPhone and AirPods Pro are both housed in cases, I didn’t have to take either one off to use Mophie’s mat to charge them. The mat can accomplish a lot of tasks at once, but it might be challenging to locate a space large enough for it. Most nightstands will accommodate it, although you might need to first reorganize your belongings. A 3-in-1 charging station from Mophie includes specific slots for your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods and is smaller in size.


AirPods

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The finest wireless earphones for those using iPhones are now widely acknowledged to be Apple AirPods. With the release of the third-generation versions, which have an enhanced design, substantially greater sound, and longer battery life, Apple upgraded its regular AirPods even more this year. We enjoy the redesigned “contoured” form of the AirPods since it is far more comfortable than the previous models. The H1 chipset also enables capabilities like hands-free Siri and quick pairing and switching. They’re worth every penny of their $179 price tag, but Beats’ new Studio Buds are a nice option if that’s a bit much for you. They cost $150 and include the same H1 processor, balanced sound, and strong bass that are hallmarks of Beats products.


Anker Nano II 45W GaN charger

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While Apple’s 20W charger is perfectly enough, you may use Anker’s Nano II 45W charger for a more flexible converter. Along with mid-sized devices like iPads, it can fully charge a 2020 MacBook Air in addition to fast-charging an iPhone. It employs GaN technology to minimize overheating and is 34% smaller than conventional 45W chargers. We particularly value the fact that the adapter’s prongs can fold down to make it even smaller when you need to transport it. Anker now sells a $30 version and a $66 65W two-port variant for charging your phone and laptop simultaneously, in addition to the $40 45W model.


AirTags

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Users of iPhones may easily find items they might misplace thanks to Apple’s AirTags. You can use the Find My app to keep track of your keys, bag, or wallet by simply attaching one of the small Bluetooth trackers to each item. If you are certain that your belongings are nearby, you can command the AirTag to play a melody to direct you there. Additionally, you may activate Lost Mode to get automated notifications when the Find My network finds an item if you genuinely have no idea where it is. Only iPhones can utilize AirTags, although iPhone owners also have access to other Bluetooth tracker choices, such as Tile. However, Apple products provide a degree of simplicity comparable to AirPods: your iPhone will instantly detect any new Apple AirTags nearby and link with them, and managing numerous AirTags in the Find My app is quite straightforward.


Anker 637 MagGo charging station

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Remember the charming Amazon Echo Spot, a smart display in the shape of an orb that was subsequently replaced by the Echo Show 5? The new magnetic charging station from Anker is quite similar to that one, except it lacks the little display and has considerably more connectivity choices. On the top of the eight-in-one gadget is a magnetic charging pad, and on the rear are several connectors, including three AC outlets, two USB-C connections, and two USB-A ports. The charging pad’s magnets are incredibly powerful and can support an iPhone 14 Pro Max, giving the impression that it is floating in midair. Even though your iPhone is protected by a MagSafe cover, you can still use it.


 

As a long time gamer, Francesco has survived more zombie invasions, meteor strikes, magic spells than he can count. He still keeps fighting today to bring hope into countless gaming worlds. Or destruction, depending on his mood. Writing about video games was only the natural step for such a dangerous life.

Mobile Devices

3 Video Games About Women’s Health

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Video games have transcended entertainment to become powerful tools for promoting health and wellness. One notable genre in this realm is fitness gaming, exemplified by titles like Hatsune Miku Fit Boxing, which motivates players to engage in physical activity to enhance their fitness levels. Building on this foundation, developers have ventured into women’s health with games designed to raise awareness and empower players to take control of their well-being. Here are 3 video games on women’s health that provide valuable health information and foster a sense of agency to uplift women around the world.

Tampon Run – Menstrual health

Created by Girls Who Code alumnae Andrea Gonzales and Sophie Houser in 2014, Tampon Run is an old-school 8-bit online game where the main character, Luna, lobs tampons to destroy enemies, who will confiscate the tampons if she lets them pass by. Interestingly, the concept of weaponized tampons is based on a real incident that occurred in 2013, where Texas state troopers confiscated tampons as potential projectiles, but not guns, from visitors observing a vote on abortion restrictions at the Texas State Capitol. The goal of Tampon Run is to destigmatize periods and menstrual products, which, up until recently, have not been properly studied to measure their absorbency, which underscores the need to address menstrual health so that women can get better care.

In between tossing tampons, Luna shares empowering messages about how periods are a natural part of women’s lives and should not be a source of shame or embarrassment. The game is available to play on the Tampon Run website and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store for iOS users.

PCOS Vitality – PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex hormonal condition and the leading cause of female infertility that affects approximately 5 to 6 million women in the US, according to the Endocrine Society. Common features of the condition include having irregular menstrual periods, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. Additionally, some studies estimate that up to 88% of women with PCOS are overweight or obese. While there are weight loss programs helping women tackle PCOS, focusing on aspects like lifestyle, symptom management, diet, and other tips for how to lose weight with PCOS, the condition itself remains grossly under-researched. For some women, it may take years to confirm that they have PCOS, as there are other disorders that mimic PCOS signs and symptoms that must be excluded.

The lack of research has extended to a lack of awareness among the general population and is what clinicians from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland are trying to address with the 2023 game PCOS Vitality. Essentially a learning tool, the game takes users through a simple obstacle course. As you click toward the finish line, you are asked simple trivia questions about PCOS. The game is free to play on Focus Games’ website.

Bound by Blood – Period poverty

Period poverty refers to the lack of regular access to period products, painkillers, or underwear during a menstrual cycle. In the US, where 16.9 million menstruating women live in poverty, two-thirds cannot afford basic menstrual products. Period poverty has also been associated with mental health issues and urinary tract infections.

Available to play on the itch.io website, Bound by Blood was created by Jessica Gates in 2017 and aims to educate players about the reality of period poverty. Users take the character of Beth, a homeless woman who wakes up in her car and realizes that she’s started her period. Players then make a series of choices to try to stay as hygienic as possible in spite of lacking resources such as menstrual products and clean restrooms. There isn’t really a way to “win” the game, and it is instead a peek into the reality of life where period products are inaccessible and how this affects women’s quality of life.

Through these games, players not only gain valuable insights into various aspects of women’s health but also find themselves actively engaged in their own well-being. As developers continue to explore this emerging field, the potential for video games to serve as educational tools and catalysts for change in healthcare remains promising

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Consoles

Despite popular belief, PS4 sales in the UK skyrocketed last year

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PS4 sales in the UK climbed by a shocking 633 percent year-over-year in 2023, so apparently the old system isn’t dead yet. The previous year’s very limited supply of the system is likely a major factor in this figure, since the console’s lifespan was drastically reduced because of chip shortages caused by the pandemic. Still, it’s proof that PlayStation’s original platform has unmet demand.

With the very low prices of PS4 software (both in-store and online at the PS Store), this strategy makes a lot of sense. Plus, it’s future-proof, so there’s no harm in stocking up on PS4s while new-gen pricing is still high, since if you decide to switch to a PS5 in the future, you can transfer all of your purchases across. Not to mention that the majority of new releases still come out on the PS4, with several offering free PS5 upgrades.

While the percentage rise may seem huge, real PS4 sales will probably be much lower. It’s a sign that the gadget, which is now a decade old, isn’t completely dead yet, and we expect it to keep receiving maintenance for a while longer. Of course, this is great news for Sony, because the company would rather have PS4 players playing on its last-gen gadget than none at all, even if it would love to have them upgrade to PS5.

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Consoles

New PS5 firmware is available for download!

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A PS5 firmware update on a cold winter morning is unmatched. The latest PS5 system software update is 23.02–08.40.00 from Sony. Does this one add useful features or just boost system performance?

Though closer to the latter, it’s more than Sony’s favorite patch note. It fixes security issues, improves messages and usability, and boosts system software performance. Official patch notes for this 1.185GB update:

  • We updated system software security
  • We improved system software stability and performance
  • Some screens now have better messages and usability

That’s it. PS5 gets another win to recover from its midweek slump. Do you share our enthusiasm for this firmware update? Comment below. To spice things up, make your comment rhyme.

 

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