Luxi Light Meter For The iPhone

Photographers know that light is one of the most important aspects in taking great shots and many use a light meter to make sure they get most accurately exposed photo. The problem with this is that Light Meters are expensive and difficult to use and many times they may not be on you when you need it. Enter the Luxi Light Meter for the iPhone, a portable and easy to use device that clips onto the rear camera of your phone. When used with the free app, it can help you determine the best settings for your DSLR camera and is just as accurate as more expensive Light Meters available on the market. Accessories like this are what make the iPhone so versatile and for $19 this is something that any photographer, amateur or serious, should not pass up. 

Rumor: iPad 5 Case Taking Design Cues From The iPad Mini

Electronic accessory company MiniSuit has provided Gadgetmac with an exclusive photo of what they claim to be the new redesign of the iPad 5. Apple typically sends accessory makers dimensions of upcoming products beforehand so that they have a sufficient amount of time to begin manufacturing. MiniSuit notes that dimensions were from a “reliable source” and that the iPad 5 takes design cues from the iPad Mini in the forms of a thinner, slimmer bodied case with less bezel on either side. There is also a small hole near the top of the case which would presumably be the rear-facing microphone along with a larger speaker grill at the bottom which could mean dual-speakers like the stereo ones present in the iPad Mini. Little else is revealed but this comes at a time in which Apple is reportedly switching to a twice-a-year refresh for their iPad line of products and could be announced as soon as March.

Deff Cleave Aero iPhone 5 Bumper Designed In Japan To Look Awesome

What's this? A new and slightly more improved Deff Cleave aluminum bumper case, a.k.a the Draco 5 in North America. It's an unreleased Japanese model that'll soon be available world wide. The Cleave Aero by Deff is the same three-dimensional and insanely curvy CNC machined aluminum bumper as the Draco 5, with one difference in that it features a TPU bumper on the inside that'll provide better shock-absorption and complete isolation from metal on metal contact. Each Cleave Aero comes with one red and one gray thin inner TPU bumper that you can see forms a parameter around the front and back sides of the iPhone 5 while also serving as the Aero's volume and power buttons. Gone are the integrated metal buttons and the silent switch. Deff claims the new design of the Aero will not interfere with signal reception.

It's an interesting new look for the Cleave and soon to be Draco Aero that will let users color-customize their bumper straight out of the box. There will only be two color options including a white colored Aero called the Luxury that features a glossy powder-coat finish that closely resembles that of a car's paint finish, and a matte anodized black Aero dubbed the Dark Knight. As for price, the Aero will go for around $90 when released in North America.

Element Case's Soft-Tec iPhone 5, Galaxy S3 Wallet Case Now Out

Known for its machined aluminum cases, Element Case's new Soft-Tec line of synthetically-made cases for the iPhone 5, Galaxy S3 and the iPad mini are finally available for purchase. We first reported on the Soft-Tec cases back in January where Element Case first debut its new offerings at CES 2013. The company has released a $50 Soft-Tec wallet case for both the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S3 which is made using a new non-slip, grippy rubber material from Element Case called Tech Grip. The supposedly high-tech material is a coating with a matte rubbery finish made to enhance the grip and feel of the case. We've seen a similar material used in the TidyTilt iPhone cover.

Element Case's Soft-Tec case has a slim protective profile with two card slots located on the inner flap. The Soft-Tec wallet case also features a magnetic closure and an embedded snap-on polycarbonate hard shell that can be folded into a horizontal viewing stand much like Twelve South's SurfacePad cover.

We can't help but think about how this case opens almost like an old-school Velcro wallet, with lots of excess flap left to deal with while you're using your device Luckily, there's an earpiece cutout to enable you to talk on the phone whilst the Soft-Tec's flap remains closed. Both Soft-Tec models for Apple's and Samsung's handsets are designed exaclty the same, while Element Case's $65 Soft-Tec case for the iPad mini understandably leaves out the credit card slots. 

olloclip Intros iPod Touch 5 Lens Adapter, Ships With All iPhone 5 olloclips

The olloclip for the iPhone 5, a $70 3-in-1 quick-connect lens apparatus, is now also shipping with an included iPod touch 5 adapter which can also be purchased individually by existing olloclip owners for $10. The olloclip is one of the best lens adapter accessories that we have tested, although it isn't case-friendly. It features a fisheye lens for capturing 180 degree photos, a wide-angle lens that nearly doubles the iPod touch 5's field of view, and a macro lens for detailed microscopic closeups. It can be ordered starting today in white, red and black colors directly from olloclip.

Google Now Allowing Public To Get Early Access To Glass

Last summer Google announced at their Google I/O conference their “Explorer” edition of its Google Glass project allowing early buyers an opportunity to pre-order one for $1500. For those who think they are, “...creative individuals who want to join us and be a part of shaping the future of Glass,” Google is now taking open applications to allow the public to purchase their bold new headset. For those unfamiliar with the Glass project, it is an augmented reality head-set display that would display smartphone like information. Examples of what it could do include: taking a photo or video, allowing others to see what you see in real-time, give directions or even translate text for you. To apply, you’ll need to submit an application via Google+ or Twitter being 50 words or less describing what you would do if you had Glass and begin it with hashtag #ifihadglass. You can include up to 5 photos and a short 15 second max video also. If you get accepted you’ll still need the $1500 but you will be able to attend a, “special pick-up experience,” in Los Angeles, New York, or San Francisco. Good luck because the deadline is February 27th.