iPhone Archives - Terry White's Tech Blog

October 3, 2024October 3, 2024

I got a new iPhone, headphones and watch

It’s that time of year again, and as a tech reviewer and photographer, I usually get a new iPhone to have better tech, get camera improvements, be able to make recommendations, and answer your questions. This year was no different. I got the new iPhone 16 Pro.

Let me answer the first question I get when I say what I just said: “Why didn’t you go with the iPhone 16 Pro Max?” People are usually shocked when I say, “I don’t like the bigger phone!” After all, what’s not to like? It’s a bigger screen, usually longer battery life, and a feature or two that the regular “smaller” Pro model doesn’t have. So why wouldn’t I get the 16 Pro Max? Here’s why: I had a 13 Pro Max, and all I remember saying for an entire year was, “I can’t wait till the iPhone 14 Pro comes out so that I can go back down in size.”

I didn’t like the bigger iPhone at all. It wasn’t hand-friendly for one-handed use, and I always felt like I was going to drop it. It was too bulky for my pocket. I just didn’t like it, and I don’t miss it.

October 23, 2023October 22, 2023

A Less Expensive USB-C Hub for your Mac/PC, iPhone 15 or iPad

With the introduction of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro phones, I’m connecting more peripherals to my iPhone 15 Pro than ever. For the first time, I can connect to gigabit ethernet, which is GREAT for those times when I need to sync a ton of raw photos and 4K videos to the cloud.

The Plugable 7-in-1 USB-C hub is plugged into my iPhone Pro. I currently have it connected to Ethernet, USB-C power and a microSD memory card from my drone.

When I first blogged about this, I recommended a great 9-in-1 USB-C hub, Hyperdrive. However, it was expensive (about $99). I discovered a 7-in-1 USB-C Hub with the same connectivity minus one USB port and one audio port. If you can live without these two additional ports, then you can save money by getting the Plugable 7-in-1 USB-C hub (about $40) instead.

The Plugable 7-in-1 USB-C Hub gives me four things in one.

September 21, 2023September 20, 2023

These 3 Pieces Make a Great iPhone iOS 17 StandBy Charging Stand

One of my favorite features in iOS 17 is the new StandBy feature. This feature lets you display beautiful widgets while your iPhone is wireless charging in landscape mode on a MagSafe charging stand.

You can add the widgets you want to easily control apps while in StandBy. Above, I added an Apple Home widget for smart home control of scenes and accessories.

MagSafe Charging Stands Are Pricey!

My favorite 3-in-1 Charger is the Belkin BoostCharge Pro. It’s the one on my nightstand.

If you buy a name-brand MagSafe charging stand, you could easily spend $90-$150 for it. In all fairness, those stands can usually charge 2 or 3 devices, such as your iPhone, AirPods case, and Apple Watch. However, if you’re looking to charge your iPhone on your desk or nightstand and take advantage of StandBy in iOS 17, I have a great solution for you that costs less.

My favorite 3-in-1 Travel Charger is the Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe. It stays in my suitcase for travel—a very clever design for traveling as it folds down to just a cube.

If You Get These 3 Pieces, You Can Have a GREAT MagSafe Charging Stand For Your iPhone That Costs Less.

September 18, 2023September 18, 2023

Why USB-C on iPhone 15 Pro is a Big Deal For Me

I remember my disappointment last year when the iPhone 14 Pro came out and didn’t have USB-C. I wrote this post, “Why Apple Needs to Dump the Lightning Port on the Next iPhone Pro.” I knew it would eventually happen, and it took another year. Apple makes a lot of money licensing Lightning and certifying 3rd party cables/accessories. Although they had switched to USB-C on all their other pro products and even some of their lower-end products, they held off going to USB-C as long as possible. I get it.

USB-C Means More Than Just Having One Cable

January 23, 2023January 22, 2023

Take advantage of Siri Shortcuts

Most of you know I’m a fan of smart home technologies. I spend a lot of my spare time thinking of new Automation ideas. However, not every device or application is compatible with smart home systems. For example, Apple HomeKit has no category for robot vacuums. I still can’t believe that robot vacuums aren’t a supported HomeKit category, but it’s not. This means I can’t create a HomeKit automation to vacuum based on certain conditions like “start vacuuming after the last person leaves the house.” However, my latest robot vacuum, the Roborock S7 MaxV does support Siri Shortcuts.

Siri Shortcuts are awesome

In the case of the Roborock vacuum, I can simply say, “Hey Siri, vacuum the family room.” The vacuum will start and head to the family room to complete the task.

December 16, 2021December 17, 2021

How to Add Your COVID-19 Vaccination Card to Your Apple Wallet

Depending on where you live and the places you like to go, you may be required to show proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status.

Apple took a step towards making this easier with iOS 15. When this feature first rolled out I was kinda out of luck because Walgreens (the pharmacy where I got my shots) didn’t have support for digital vaccination cards. Oh well. I moved on and just used Clear to store my card. Not as convenient, but it was better than nothing. I figured one day pharmacies like Walgreens, CVS, etc. would get on board and there would be some big announcement when they do. Well, that wasn’t the case! Walgreens quietly added support that I just discovered.

How to Add Your COVID-19 Vaccination Card from Walgreens to your Apple Wallet

August 30, 2021August 30, 2021

Why Apple Needs to Dump the Lightning Port on the Next iPhone Pro

Before you pick up your pitchfork, here me out. There was a rumor floating around that Apple was considering removing the Lightning port altogether and that is NOT what I’m proposing here. I actually think there are times where using the physical port is better/faster than doing things wirelessly. We can certainly debate this at another time.

It’s time for Apple to switch from Lightning ports to USB-C ports on iPhone

July 6, 2021July 5, 2021

Searching for the perfect 3-in-1 Wireless Travel Charger

I have three devices that I charge every night. My iPhone 12 Pro Max, my AirPods Pro and my Apple Watch. Each one of these devices can charge wirelessly. At night I simply want to set all three devices on a single charger and wake up fully charged. This is easy at home. As a matter of fact I have two favorites:

Logitech Powered 3-in-1 Wireless Charger

The best all around 3-in-1 Wireless Charger is the Logitech Powered 3-in-1 Dock and the Belkin Magsafe 3-in-1 Charger (for iPhones with Magsafe).

I would have no problem recommending either of these two chargers because they work. However, both are designed to be stationary on a nightstand or a desk. They are NOT designed for travel and frankly they are just too big and bulky for travel.

What makes a perfect 3-in-1 Wireless Travel Charger?

June 1, 2021May 31, 2021

Don’t Use an Apple AirTag as a Pet Tracker – Use a Whistle Instead!

Apple introduced their AirTag (a Tile competitor) for those looking for an easy way to keep track of things like keys, purses, wallets, etc. However, many have been tempted to use them on their pets too. There certainly isn’t anything wrong with this thought process, but it really depends on your situation and where your pet may go missing.

How do AirTags work?

With an AirTag there is no subscription fee, no WiFi, and no GPS. It works with Ultra Wideband technology to show itself to the Find My app on your iOS devices. In order for your lost/misplaced/stolen object to show up on the Find My network it would have to be within range of another Apple device such as an iPhone, iPad or Mac. Let’s say you left your backpack with an AirTag attached to it/in it, in the library and you drove home. Now you’re miles away from your backpack.

You are way out of the range of bluetooth or even the 800 foot range of Ultra Wideband technology. However, if someone else is in the library near your backpack with an iPhone, iPad or Mac your backpack AirTag would automatically be picked up by the Find My network and show its location in the Find My app on your iOS device. Luckily the people near your backpack don’t need to do anything special. There’s nothing they need to install or activate. It all happens in the background. Your AirTag in your backpack would privately be detected and shown on the Find My network just being near another Apple device. Cool!

This is not ideal for pets depending on where they may get lost

February 16, 2021February 15, 2021

Belkin Gets it Mostly Right with This New Wireless iPhone Charger

Belkin BOOST?CHARGE PRO 3-in-1 Wireless Charger with MagSafe

I have been on a quest to find the ultimate wireless iPhone charger for my nightstand. After upgrading to the iPhone 12 Pro Max, I added MagSafe to my list of requirements:

Has to charge an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods case simultaneously
It should come with the Apple Watch charger already built-in and not require me to use my existing Apple Watch charger.
It should have one cable and one power supply
While the Apple Watch is charging it should be easy to see at night in Nightstand Mode
MagSafe Charging (if you have an iPhone 12 series)
No annoying LED status lights
The Apple Watch charger has to accommodate bands that don’t open!

There are several wireless chargers out there. The problem is that most of them get the design wrong. I’ve gone through a few models and all but the last two I tried were complete disappointments. Again, this is mostly due to bad design. Also, it seems harder to find ones that will charge all 3 devices. Many will charge the iPhone and Apple Watch or the iPhone and AirPods case.