Is Your iPhone a Crime Fighter?

You spent money on your sleek new iPhone and (we hope) added a slim, fashionable case + screen protector. In other words you protected your iPhone. But, did you know your iPhone might protect you someday?

In January of this year an NYPD officer tracked down a stolen iPhone using the Find my iPhone app. A mugger pulled a gun on an unsuspecting woman on Avenue of the Americas near midtown. Officer Robert Garland used his own iPhone to track down the mugger.

By entering the woman's Apple ID into the app, Officer Garland was able to pinpoint the exact location of her phone and the assailant. Upon arriving at the location Officer Garland and his partner Sgt. Richard Coan used the app to emit a beeping noise typically used by owners to find misplaced phones. The assailant stepped out of a supermarket and the officer's found the stolen phone in his beeping sock. The phone was returned to its rightful owner and the assailant was arrested.


Theft of smartphones and tablets is a growing problem, a problem that even the best cases and covers can't protect your phone from. But, it is to know that in this instance an iPhone fought back and won.

Make Life Easier with Lightning Chargers

The new tech on display in tablets and smartphones gets all the 'wow' factor attention. But, sometimes the most useful tech is that found in the day-to-day utility gadgets. Take lightning chargers for instance. Here are three reasons why you'll want to retire all your standard USB connectors.

1. Lightning chargers are just better. They do what standard micro-USB charging connectors do only much faster. Long charge time waits are a thing of the past. Odoyo's Micro Charger with Lightning Connector is a prime example. A super fast 2.4 amp charging chip provides snap-quick data transfer and charge times.

2. Ditch the extra connectors. Every device comes with a connector, and every connector looks the same. Who needs all that? Lightning chargers are compatible with most Apple products including; iPhone 5, iPad Mini, iPad 4th Generation, iPad Touch 5th Generation and iPod Nano 7th generation. With one rugged, charge-all cable like Odoyo's three foot lightning to USB cable you can lighten your load without worrying about wear and tear.

3. Lightning cables are easier to use. Standard USB ports can be difficult to line up. And who hasn't accidentally tried to force a cable in upside down. Warranties don't cover this type of damage because its deemed user error. You won't have these issues with lightning chargers. Plug it in and before you know it you'll be charged up and ready to go!

Is a slimmed down iPad 5 coming?

Photo Credit: Phishthoughts.com

Just when you thought it was safe to settle. It looks like Apple may soon release a lightweight, slimmer iPad 5. Industry experts attribute the quick release of a next gen iPad to the pressures of a quickly equalizing market.

How does Apple plan to slim down the already slim iPad 4? Rumor has it they will attempt to use a single LED lightbar meaning the tablet would use less power thus accommodating a smaller, slimmer battery. In MacRumors, Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst for KGI Securities, said that he expects Apple's new offering to be 15% thinner and 25% lighter than iPad 4. He predicts that Apple will maintain the same GF DITO touch screen technology used in the new iPad Mini. Technology that made the mini 23% thinner and 53% lighter that its larger counterpart.

This may be a case of the cart leading the horse. In the accessories market consumers have become more and more interested in protecting their device without adding weight or bulkiness. That is certainly the case for our best selling iPhone 5 cases.

But, don't go out and buy a new iPad case just yet. Even if manufacturers are looking at the accessories market for inspiration, a great tablet cover will always be designed to fit the finished product perfectly.

Give Your Next iPhone Case the Squeeze Test

The unprecedented success of online retailers has taken away an age-old consumer assurance: the squeeze test. Like choosing a ripe piece of fruit many consumers feel more comfortable feeling the weight and texture of iPhone and tablet cases before making a final purchase decision.

Fear not squeeze testers, Odoyo's innovative and trend-setting accessories will now be available in 130, 4G Wireless retail locations throughout California and Nevada. Featured products include cases from the new Metalsmith collection and the equally striking Mosaic Galaxy S III hard case.

This is exciting news for us too. We don't want you to go a day without accersories perfectly matched to you and your devices. Our in-store options will provide immediate solutions should an accident happen, while insuring that consumers purchasing a new device won't go a minute without stylish and dependable protection.

Odoyo designs its products with the user experience in mind. We always strive for the perfect blend of durability and a fashionable cutting-edge look. Our Metalsmith collection is shock resistant, sturdy, and surprisingly lightweight. Each premium iPhone case incorporates the hip metallic trend with attention grabbing metallic elements injected into geometric patterns for a chic design. The ultra-durable Mosaic collection for the Galaxy S III features decorative art blended into a raised pattern to give you an easy grip on classic style.

This expansion is just the beginning. In the coming months Odoyo’s unparalleled products will reach even more retail locations--a squeeze test away from slipping onto your device.

How Tablets Are Being Used to Educate the Visually Impaired

Photo Credit: wired.com

Tablets are becoming an established part of mainstream education. This is not breaking news. Tablets are being used to educate the visually impaired. This is breaking news.

Tablets like the iPad, and Samsung Galaxy seem to be an inherently visual medium. But, thanks to the dedication of professionals such as Ed Summers, a manager at the SAS Institute the visually impaired are being given every opportunity to succeed in a technology laden world. Summers (who happens to be visually impaired) and his colleagues at SAS offer courses for instructors of visually impaired students, teaching them techniques such as using hand gestures to control iPads. These revolutionary techniques give students a new range of freedom allowing them to handle tasks such as emailing homework assignments without help.

Since its launch in 2010, Apple has sold more than 4.5 million iPads to schools across the country. We can only hope that the schools were smart enough to invest in 4.5 million sturdy tablet cases as well!

And now with advancements being made to incorporate the needs of impaired students tablets are becoming a truly universal educational tool. Well done technology!

Apple vs. Android. It's Closer Than You Think

Photo Credit: tapscape.com

Choosing a tablet in today's market is exciting. It can also be frustrating. "A few minutes of research" can quickly turn into hours of searching for the best deals and accessories. And then there are the contradicting opinions on forums. And then there are the friends who swear that you would be crazy to buy anything but an iPad and the other friends who tell you that an Android is the only sane choice.

Is all the variety worth it? Would it be better if there were one tablet to rule them all?

No. And here is why--personalization and lower cost.

When Apple released the original iPad they were the only game in town. They also cornered the market on cases and all associated accessories. A wise move, but this is Apple we are talking about.

The accessory market was the first to boom. Competing suppliers came up with a lot of fun, stylish and innovative products including cases, chargers, screen protectors and lightning cables. Next up were the tablets, Nexus, Samsung Galaxy and so on. This was of course great news for accessory suppliers because until someone manufactures an indestructible tablet a good case a required accessory.

The rise of the Android market is the result of insatiable consumer demand for tablets and tablet accessories. And public sentiment toward Apple or Android is down to the flip of a coin. IDC, a market research firm, released a study predicting that 49 percent of all tablets sold this year will be Androids, 46 percent will be iPads, with Windows tablets making up the single digit remainder.

Apple started the revolution. And in these early years they have been the runaway leader. But times are changing. Some will argue that competition has led better products. Others will argue that anything less than an iPad is a pale imitation. Ultimately that is for you to decide.

Here is what we can say for sure--the variety available in the market means you can mix and match to personalized perfection. You can have an iPad with a stylish aftermarket hardcase, ultra-fast lightning cables, the best stylus available, you name it. And because of intense competition prices are being driven down.

Cheaper. Customizable. Win and win.