News

Those of us who live in snowy climates can appreciate an app like unSnow.me (free). unSnow.me is actually an app and a service, similar to Angie's List, but focused exclusively on snow plowing and shoveling. That singular focus makes it easier to navigate, get in, get out, and get the snow off your property. 

Much of the news today is about "fake news." Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites are doing little to nothing to avoid the spread of such articles. One possible option for those who want to take control of what news they see is Slangwho (free). Slangwho is a free app for iOS and Android from the company with the same name. 

The latest rumors continue to indicate that Apple is actively developing some sort of VR or AR headset. Virtual Reality is a completely immersive, 3D visual (and sometimes auditory) experience. If you didn't know, VR is poised to change many things in our modern world; from interactive educational and training apps, to video games, movies, and sports.

The iHome iPLWBT5 Docking Clock Radio ($129.99) could really eliminate some of the clutter on your nightstand. It's a clock radio, which iHome has been making for years, but it also doubles as a dual charging dock for your iPhone 7 and Apple Watch. There's a Lightning dock on the top, which should accommodate most cases except really protective ones. For iPhones in protective cases or an iPad, there's a USB port so you can charge a device via your own Lightning cable. Finally, sitting on the side is an Apple Watch magnetic charging base. 

Apple has updated the operating system for Apple TV to tvOS 9.2. The latest enhancements, for the U.S. at least, include a TV app that makes it easier to find TV shows and movies. You can find your favorites as well as Apple's suggestions. To make it even easier, the company has adopted Single Sign-On which lets you specify your official source for television (cable or satellite) and log in once to get access to all of your subscribed channels. Previously, you might have had to log in to the MSNBC app, the Disney app, etc. Additionally, the iOS Apple TV Remote app makes entering your login credentials easier by leveraging a virtual keyboard instead of having to use the Siri Remote to navigate the alphabet.

I remember where I was ten years ago when the iPhone was announced: I was in Las Vegas, attending the Consumer Electronics Show! It was funny because all of the buzz at the show was about what was going on, hundreds of miles away, at MacWorld in San Francisco. Apple doesn't participate in CES and actually stole the thunder that year. Indeed, Apple has been having an effect on CES and the entire industry ever since the iPhone was announced.

Don't forget to enter this month's Giveaway Contest! 

Here's how it works: Every month we raffle off tons of great apps and accessories for FREE then announce the winners through iphonelife.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. To enter, go to iPhoneLife.com/giveaways. If you win an app, we will email you the promo code. If you win an accessory, we will ask you for your mailing address.