Apple today added a variety of charging solutions and other products to its online store from brands such as OtterBox, Mophie, Belkin, Ubio Labs, Native Union, STM, and Promise Technology.
OtterBox's stackable wireless charging system OtterSpot includes a base that can charge up to three disc-shaped 5,000 mAh batteries and an iPhone, AirPods case, or other device on the top simultaneously. The idea is that you can quickly pick up one of the batteries from the stack and charge any Qi-enabled device on the go.
Apple has added two BOOST↑CHARGE power adapters from Belkin, including one with a single 18W USB-C port for $39.95 and one with dual 18W USB-C and 12W USB-A ports for $44.95 for charging devices like iPhones and iPads. Each power adapter includes a Lightning to USB-C cable in the box.
Three more RAID storage systems are available from Promise Technology, including R4/16TB, R6/24TB, and R8/32TB options.
Last, there are new cases from Native Union and STM for the 10.2-inch iPad.
Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026.
"I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld.
The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld.
Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by Juli Clover
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do.
The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up.
Upgraded Architecture
The next-generation...
Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by Joe Rossignol
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April.
Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far.
iOS 26.3
iPhone to Android Transfer Tool
iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie.
"Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
Very interesting concept and I'll wait to see how this actually works, but I do see some potential issues. The biggest issue is charging things "on the go" with a wireless connection. Right now I can hook a battery up to my iPhone via a cable and put it in my carry bag (or more often a 6-foot cable connected to the battery in my bag while I still USE the device). Under the same scenario this would require some mechanism to keep the battery and phone touching and in the correct orientation... so I'll use what? A rubber band? How exactly is that an improvement?
I'm thinking it could be cool to charge them overnight and then place them around the house in areas that get a lot of traffic. Gives people a place to toss their phone down to charge without needing a separate wireless charger with a nearby outlet at each area. It's really just a convenience thing instead of a necessary gadget :)
Very interesting concept and I'll wait to see how this actually works, but I do see some potential issues. The biggest issue is charging things "on the go" with a wireless connection. Right now I can hook a battery up to my iPhone via a cable and put it in my carry bag (or more often a 6-foot cable connected to the battery in my bag while I still USE the device). Under the same scenario this would require some mechanism to keep the battery and phone touching and in the correct orientation... so I'll use what? A rubber band? How exactly is that an improvement?
I'm thinking it could be cool to charge them overnight and then place them around the house in areas that get a lot of traffic. Gives people a place to toss their phone down to charge without needing a separate wireless charger with a nearby outlet at each area. It's really just a convenience thing instead of a necessary gadget :)
But then you have more batteries to manage. I'd rather just get more chargers and leave them plugged in around the house so I don't have to remember to put them on the charger too. I wonder if you can give one to your family members and have them vibrate and blink when dinners ready too :p
Today, where did I put my phone? I remember, its on the charger by the wall. Tomorrow, where did I put my phone? It's on the charging puck. Where did I put the charging puck?
I'm thinking it could be cool to charge them overnight and then place them around the house in areas that get a lot of traffic. Gives people a place to toss their phone down to charge without needing a separate wireless charger with a nearby outlet at each area. It's really just a convenience thing instead of a necessary gadget :)
Great point. We could have convenient chargers in places where a plug isn't available. For example... on a sofa or end table!
