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Saturday, 4 May 2019

You can now order Powerbeats Pro from Apple and Beats

Powerbeats Pro, the latest in-ear headphones from Beats, are now available for purchase online at Apple and Beats. The new earbuds are truly wireless, with no wires running to your device or between the individual buds. They use Apple's new H1 chip to manage wireless connectivity, power, and the new "Hey Siri" functionality.

These buds are focused primarily on more active users, with a sweat-resistant design and earhooks for increased stability. From Apple:

Powerbeats Pro will revolutionize the way you work out. Built for elite athletes, these totally wireless earphones have no wires to hold you back. The adjustable, secure-fit earhooks are customizable with multiple eartip options for extended comfort and are made to stay in place, no matter how hard you go. These lightweight earphones are built for performance with a reinforced design for sweat and water resistance, so you can take your workouts to the next level. With up to 9 hours of listening time in each earbud and powerful, balanced sound, you'll always have your music to motivate you.

Currently, Powerbeats Pro are only available in black. Later this summer, you will be able to get them in off-white ivory, dark green moss, and a dark blue navy color options. Currently, Apple says that orders placed today should arrive by May 13 at the earliest. Powerbeats Pro go on sale in stores beginning on Friday, May 10.

Ready for your workout

Powerbeats Pro

These earbuds are ready to go for any workout.

Powered by Apple's H1 wireless chip, the Powerbeats Pro support hands-free Siri functionality, connect quickly to your devices, and switch between them faster than other Bluetooth devices, too. Sweat and water resistant, the Powerbeats Pro are ready for your workout.



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Get ready for your next trip with these travel accessories for the Switch

The Nintendo Switch is the most portable console we've yet to see, so there will be quite a few people who'll take it with them on their travels and commutes. If you want to keep your Switch safe as safe as possible, you need to invest in a carrying case. Thankfully, there's no shortage of options. Here are the best travel cases for the Nintendo Switch.

Switch kit

RDS Traveler Deluxe Case

Staff favorite

It's neat and petite. This deluxe case can fit the Switch tablet, the Dock, the Joy-Con controllers and the Grip, as well as the various cables, all in a nice compact form factor.

$40 at Amazon

Pouch city

Mumba Carrying Case

Mumba's carrying case for the Nintendo Switch is slick. It's wide enough to fit your Switch while the Joy-Cons are attached. A pouch sits in the upper compartment to hold extra cables, Joy-Cons, and other accessories. Plus, there's a whole little pouch dedicated to holding your Switch games.

$24 at Amazon

Plain cheap

AmazonBasics

AmazonBasics is all about delivering quality on the cheap. This usually means there are no crazy bells and whistles getting in the way, but that can add to the charm for some people. It doesn't hurt that this roomy case with room for all your Switch stuff is one of the cheapest you'll find in this form factor.

$26 at Amazon

Travel light

TomToc Ultra Slim Case

I like to pack light when I travel and this case lets me bring my Switch and plenty of games along with me without adding a lot of bulk. It's quite protective while saving a lot of space and can hold up to ten games as well.

$21 at Amazon

Smart design

PowerA Everywhere Messenger Bag

Some people like to tote things around their necks, and that's why this messenger bag exists. PowerA's internal design for this thing is really striking both aesthetically and functionally. Dock, Switch, cables, controllers, accessories and games: you can fit it all. And it even comes with a bonus carrying pouch for the Switch when you want to carry it in-hand.

$35 at Amazon

Vault it up

Amazon Basics Vault Caseam

The Switch is already a ton of fun to game on and you can keep the fun going with this travel case from Funlab (it's in the name!). The Mario theme will keep you in the right state of mind as you contemplate your next Mario Kart or Mario Odyssey victory. There's even Luigi too if you prefer.

$18 at Amazon

Rock steady

Zadii Hard Carrying Case

This is another lunchbox design, but Zadii's has a foam insert that sections off all your accessories. This is great because it ensures your Switch stuff will stay in place even during the shakiest of times. It has a zipper compartment in the cover for extras, and a soft-backed flap to hold your Switch cartridges.

$32 at Amazon

Keep it fun

Funlab Travel Carrying Case

The Switch is already a ton of fun to game on and you can keep the fun going with this travel case from Funlab (it's in the name!). The Mario theme will keep you in the right state of mind as you contemplate your next Mario Kart or Mario Odyssey victory. There's even Luigi too if you prefer.

$34 at Amazon

Fashionable

ProCase Carrying Pouch

This is one for the fashionistas. This carrying case probably isn't the most protection you can get for your Switch, but it definitely is the most stylish. It may remind you of those hand purses women love to carry. It won't fit much more than your Switch and Joy-Cons + a few games, but it also doesn't look like you're about to go hitchhiking when you're carrying it.

$13 at Amazon

Hard to go wrong

Possibly the greatest thing about the Switch is just how portable it is. It's literally made to travel and be carried around. Because we live in a world with Amazon, there's so many great ways to carry your Switch around with you on all your adventures. One of our favorites is the RDS Traveler Deluxe Case because it's a great all around case that lets you carry everything you need in one pouch.

Everyone travels differently, however, which is why there's so many options. If all you need to take is your Switch gear then the PowerA Everywhere Messenger Bag is a great choice to keep your hands free. I personally usually have a lot of stuff with me and the TomToc Ultra Slim Case fits great in my backpack without taking up a lot of space. Really anything you choose here will do well for you.



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Are Powerbeats Pro better than Jabra Elite 65t? Depends on your needs

When it comes to getting to most out of your headphones, the team at iMore has put many different headphones to the test. Everything from top-of-line Bose to those budget brands like Aukey has been in, on, or around our ears, and we're here to pass our knowledge on to you!

Powerbeats Pro

H1-chip enabled

$250 at Apple

Pros

  • Longer 9-hour battery life
  • 24 hours of charge in charging case
  • "Hey Siri" support
  • H1-chip enabled

Cons

  • Bigger charging case
  • Ear hook design

Featuring the same H1 chip as the second generation AirPods, the Powerbeats Pro have the ability to use "Hey, Siri," the benefits of power efficiency, and super seamless pairing. Also, they come with multiple ear tips for more flexibility in the fit. Due to their design, they offer better sound isolation and sweat-resistant, meaning they're a better gym partner. However, the ear hook design isn't comfortable for everyone and the bigger design means the charging case is bulkier.

Jabra Elite 65t

IP55 rated earbuds

$170 at Amazon

Pros

  • Great sound for tiny earbuds
  • Option to let outside noise in or keep it out
  • Supports Alexa and other digital assistants
  • No ear hooks

Cons

  • Case only provides up to 10 hours of additional charge
  • Doesn't pair as easily as AirPods

The Jabra Elite 65t are excellent wireless earbuds that pack great sound into a tiny package. They have optional noise isolation, four microphones, and support Alexa and other assistants out-of-the-box. The Elite 65t buds should last around five hours per charge, but the case only provides up to 10 hours of additional battery life before it needs charging itself.

The Powerbeats Pro feature Apple's own H1-chip, which mean they pair easily with Apple devices, and switching between devices is a cinch. Plus, with the Powerbeats Pro 9-hour battery life on the earbuds themselves as well as the 24-hour battery life in the charging case, they can easily last all day. Although, the Jabra Elite 65t buds have less battery life, they do feature a more compact charging case that's easier to carry around, and they can access Siri and other assistants with the press of a button.

The big differences

Pictured: Jabra Elite 65.

Apple designed the H1-chip to work so seamlessly with the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV, that you only have to pair the Powerbeats Pro with one device, and as long as the others are using the same iCloud account as the first device, your PowerBeats Pro will automatically be paired with all of them. Pair once, play anywhere. Plus, the chip also allows the PowerBeats Pro to use the "Hey, Siri" command to invoke Apple's digital assistant, which is useful when your hands aren't free.

If you're super invested in the Apple ecosystem and getting a pair of earbuds that work with all your devices is important to you, the Powerbeats Pro are going to be the better choice for you; however, the Jabra Elite 65t has a lot of upsides, too.

Powerbeats Pro Jabra Elite 65t
Price $250 $170
Battery life 9 hours 5 hours
Battery life with case 24 hours 10 hours
Controls Physical buttons Physical buttons
Hey, Siri Yes No
Charging method Lightning micro USB
Connection Bluetooth 5.0 through H1 Chip Bluetooth 5.0
Fast charging 15 mins = 3 hours 15 mins = 1.5 hours
Auto pause Yes Yes
Sweat resistant Yes (not specified) Yes, IP55
Companion App No Yes

Where the Jabra Elite 65t buds really excel is in customization, and a big part of that is due to the Jabra Sound+ app. It has an EQ that you can adjust with custom settings or pick one of the six presets. While the sound quality of the Jabra Elite 65t out of the box is fantastic, the ability to fine-tune the EQ is always a welcome addition. The best part of the app is the ability to activate the "HearThrough" feature, which allows the built-in microphones to pick up outside noise so you can hear a bit of what's going on around you. The Powerbeats Pro don't have this kind of control; if you're listening to anything, you'll likely have to take an earbud out to carry on a conversation.

The Powerbeats Pro work seamlessly with all Apple products, while the Jabra Elite 65t have more customization.

Looking at the spec sheet, the Powerbeats Pro have nine-hour battery life for listening to music, which is a whole four hours more than the Jabra . This means you can wear your Powerbeats Pro longer without having to pop them into your charging case, a whole regular work day even, which is a huge advantage. Plus, the charging case, although bigger than the Jabra case, does provides 24 hours of additional charge opposed to the 10 hours the Jabra case grants you.

Lastly, when it comes to sweat-resistance, the Powerbeats Pro make the water a little murky. Beats states the Powerbeats Pro are water and sweat-resistant, but gives no official IP rating, unlike the Jabra Elite 65t which have an IP55 rating. Without an official rating, it's a little hard to be certain how safe it is to work out with the Powerbeats Pro. However, past Beats headphones we've tried have had the same designation and have been just fine in our testing.

Which should I buy?

Pictured: Powerbeats Pro.

It really comes down to what you value. If you're looking for an Apple-specific experience that makes using your headphones with your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV as easy as possible, the Powerbeats Pro are your best choice. Plus, the impressive battery life of the Powerbeats Pro make them a compelling choice for anyone who wants to get the most listening time they possibly can out of their earbuds.

Of course, the Jabra Elite 65t excels at customization with the ability to adjust the EQ through the Jabra Sound+ app, and enable the Hear Through feature which lets you hear the world around you. Plus, the earbuds can work with other digital assistants, like Alexa. If you don't feel the need to pay extra money for the Apple-exclusive features of the Powerbeats Pro, the Jabra Elite 65t are a fantastic pair of wireless earbuds.

Personally, unless you are a super die-hard Apple fan dying for the Powerbeats Pro, I think the Jabra Elite 65t wraps a lot of the same features into a cheaper package that you can buy right now.

Powerbeats Pro

The Beats to beat

$250 at Apple

Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem

With a cited nine hours of battery life, the ability to listen to each earbud separately, super fast and seamless pairing, and Hey, Siri compatibility, the Powerbeats Pro promise to offer everything you love about the AirPods, but with a snugger fit and better sound!

Jabra Elite 65t

Wonderfully customizable

Wireless earbuds you can take to the gym

$170 at Amazon

They don't have the interoperability with Apple devices that Powerbeats Pro do, but the Jabra Elite 65t offer a great audio experience, both for listening to music and making phone calls. Great for travelers, the earbud design keeps the noise of the world out, while also letting the noise you need to hear back in as you see fit. Plus, the IP55 rating means you can get sweaty and not have to worry.



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Saints Row: The Third - The Full Package - what do get?

Best answer: With Saints Row: The Third - Full Package, you get the definitive edition of Saints Row: The Third, including all previously-released content, all three mission packs (Genkibowl VII, Gangstas in Space, and The Trouble With Clones) that were released for other versions of the game, and over 30 DLC items for character customization.

What are the DLC missions confirmed for Saints Row: The Third - Full Package?

Three DLC missions are included in Saints Row: The Third - Full Package. The first, Genkibowl VIII, sees the protagonist join the titular game show event run by the cat man Professor Genki. The second, called Gangstas in Space, brings three different missions: Faster More Intense!, Hangar 18 1/2, and That's Not in the Script! These missions can be done repeatedly as often as you like and will rotate through, with the next appearing as you complete the one before. Finally, The Trouble with Clones is similar to Gangstas in Space with three more missions: Weird Science, Tour de Farce, and Send in the Clones.

What cosmetic DLC packs have been confirmed?

So far, the following cosmetic DLC packs have been confirmed to be in the game:

  • Shark Attack Pack
  • Z Style Pack
  • The Trouble With Clones
  • Genkibowl VII
  • Gangstas in Space
  • Penthouse Pack
  • Invincible Pack
  • Genki Girl Pack
  • Funtime! Pack
  • Explosive Combat Pack
  • Special Ops Vehicle Pack
  • Moneyshot Pack
  • Steelport Gangs Pack
  • Witches and Wieners
  • Warrior Pack
  • Nyte Blayde Pack
  • Horror Pack.

Why are the Bloodsucker Pack and Unlockable Pack being omitted?

The Bloodsucker Pack and Unlockable Pack are not included in Saints Row: The Third - Full Package. According to the Nintendo Switch eShop description, this is for "game balance and improvement based on feedback." The likely reason is because both of these packs applied bonuses to characters immediately when downloaded that could not be turned off or removed, effectively changing gameplay dramatically in a permanent, imbalanced way.

Saints Row: The Third - The Full Package is the best version of Saints Row: The Third out so far. It's a great opportunity to get your hands on every bit of meaningful DLC that has been released for the game alongside its solid original campaign and relive the mayhem eight years after release.

Get the game

Saints Row: The Third - The Full Package

$40 at Amazon

Rejoin the 3rd Street Saints

Saints Row: The Third - The Full Package is the most definitive edition of the game so far. Detailed character customization, co-op play either online or via local multiplayer, and all the DLC packs you can possibly imagine combine for one hell of an adventure in the city of sin.



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Should you get AirPods 2 or Powerbeats Pro? It's complicated

At iMore, we strive to understand everything Apple related, and that includes its subsidiaries like Beats. When it comes to selecting AirPods or Powerbeats Pro, the decision is more complicated since they both have the same high standards. We're here to help.

Powerbeats Pro

Sweat-resistant

$250 at Apple

Pros

  • Longer 9-hour battery life
  • Sound Isolation
  • Better fit for more people
  • Sweat resistant

Cons

  • Bigger charging case
  • Ear hook design

Featuring the same H1 chip that you'll find in the second generation AirPods, which gives the Powerbeats Pro the ability to use Hey, Siri, the benefits of power efficiency, and super seamless pairing, the Powerbeats Pro come with multiple ear tips for more flexibility in the fit, and due to there design, they offer better sound isolation and sweat resistant, meaning they're a better gym partner. Of course, the ear hook design isn't comfortable for everyone the bigger design means the charging case is bulkier.

Apple AirPods 2

Classic Apple

From $159 at Apple

Pros

  • No ear hooks (easier insertion)
  • Better sound than standard Apple earbuds
  • Wireless charging case option
  • Compact design

Cons

  • Fit might not be right for some people
  • No sound isolation

AirPods, now in their second generation, are considered by many to be the best product the company has produced in many years for good reason. They pair easily with Apple devices, and switching between them is a cinch. They also sound better than your standard wired EarPods. The 5-hour battery life (with another 24 hours thanks to the charging case) means they should last throughout your day and more. However, some people might have trouble getting the AirPods to stay in their ears due to the design, and there's little to no sound isolation.

Both the AirPods 2 and the Powerbeats Pro feature a lot of the same positives, thanks to the Apple H1 chip that is featured in both pairs of headphones, but the Powerbeats Pro offers a better battery life and better sound isolation. Considering the almost $100 price difference between them, it's worth taking a deeper dive into the pros and cons of each model of headphones.

If you want to see what Rene Ritchie thinks about Powerbeats Pro versus AirPods 2, check out his Vector episode below.

A close race

Apple owns Beats so it's not unusually to see Apple's fancy proprietary hardware being used in both headphones, but because both headphones use the H1 chip, the differences between them are harder to distinguish.

Both the AirPods and Powerbeats support voice-activated Siri, meaning you can access the assistant anytime you want to help you get directions, search the web, or make phone calls just by saying, "Hey, Siri," but the Powerbeats Pro actually have physical buttons to control playback, whereas the AirPods rely on gestures and Siri to control your audio. The physical buttons on the Powerbeats Pro are on both the left and right earbuds, so if you're choosing to only listen with one earbud you have full access to controls.

While both headphones feature a charging case that provides up to 24 hours of extra juice, due to the ear hook design of the Powerbeats Pro charging case is a fair bit larger. The compact AirPods 2 charging case easily fits in pockets (even those little coin pockets in most jeans) and the ability to easily store them is a huge bonus for people who already have to carry a lot around. Plus, the AirPods 2 can be purchased with a wireless charging case, so you can pop it onto any Qi-enabled wireless charging pad to get juiced up.

Apple AirPods Powerbeats Pro
Price $160 (or $200) $250
Battery life 5 hours 9 hours
Battery life with case 24 hours 24 hours
Controls Tap gestures Physical buttons
Hey, Siri Yes Yes
Charging method Lightning (or Qi wireless charging) Lightning
Connection Bluetooth 5.0 through H1 Chip Bluetooth 5.0 through H1 Chip
Fast charging 15 mins = 3 hours 15 mins = 4.5 hours
Custom fit No Yes
Auto pause Yes Yes
Sweat resistant No Yes

Looking at the spec sheet, you likely notice that the Powerbeats Pro have nine-hour battery life for listening to music, which is a whole four hours more than the AirPods 2. This means you can wear your Powerbeats Pro longer without having to pop them into your wireless charging case, a whole regular work day even, which is a huge advantage. It's important to remember though that the AirPods 2 and Powerbeats can fast charge inside their respective cases, and as you can see above, the fast charging speeds are similar and both provide up to 24-hours of playback.

AirPods 2 and Powerbeats Pro can fast charge inside their respective cases, and both provide up to 24-hours of playback.

The other important consideration to give the Powerbeats Pro is the inclusion of water and sweat resistance. The AirPods 2 headphones have no water resistance whatsoever, they aren't really meant for working out or building up a sweat, and if it's raining outside, you'll likely want to keep them tucked away. Beats states that the Powerbeats Pro is both water and sweat resistant, but they haven't (and if history is any indicator, they won't) given an official IP rating. If they are anything like the older Powerbeats, they should be able to hold up during your intense workouts, just make sure not to let them fall into any bodies of water and get completely submerged (and please, don't shower with them).

Lastly, the sound. The Powerbeats Pro are Beats, meaning you're going to get that bass-heavy signature sound profile that Beats has been known for, and you're either going to hate it or love it. What the Powerbeats Pro will offer though is way better sound isolation which will allow you to shut out more of the outside world around you and in turn, give you a better listening experience overall. The AirPods 2 don't fit as snug into the ear canal as the Powerbeats Pro and therefore suffer from a lot more sound bleed, and because the AirPods 2 don't have multiple ear tips, you can't play around to fit the best fit.

It's important to point out that the Powerbeats Pro headphones do not have the ability to cancel noise isolation, so if you're the type of person that prefers having the ability to hear what's going on around you while you walk or bike, Powerbeats Pro won't work for you.

Which should I buy?

Luckily, the differences between the Airpods 2 and the Powerbeats Pro are pretty minimal, meaning it really all comes done to personal preference.

If you're looking for a workout pair of headphones that won't fall out of your ears, and still want all the benefits of the H1 chip, go with the Powerbeats Pro. If you want to be able to get through your workday without having to use your charging case, go with the Powerbeats Pro. If you prefer sound isolation and physical controls to control playback, go with the Powerbeats Pro.

If you dislike the bass heavy sound of Beats, enjoying having a wireless charging compatible case, want to save about $100 (or $50) dollars, the AirPods 2 are going to give you a lot of the same functionality. Also, the AirPods 2 are avaiiable right now, whereas the Powerbeats Pro aren't coming out until May. so if you need/want something right now, the AirPods are the only choice.

Powerbeats Pro

Sound isolation that stays in your ear

$250 at Apple

Sweat resistant and snug fitting

With a cited nine hours of battery life, the ability to listen to each earbud separately, super fast and seamless pairing, and Hey, Siri compatibility, the Powerbeats Pro promise to offer everything you love about the AirPods, but with water-resistance, a snugger fit, and better sound to boot!

Apple AirPods 2

Classic Apple

$159 at Apple

A cheaper way to get the H1 chip

With easy pairing, device switching, "Hey Siri" support, and decent sound, the AirPods provide a total earphone package that's just right for most Apple device owners. It also comes with a charging case, which gives you an extra 24 hours of battery life, and for an extra $50, it can be Qi wireless charging-enabled. We just wish there was some sound isolation or more universal design.



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You can play how many Fortnite games through Mint Mobile?

Best answer: That depends! Your personal experience can vary depending on how much data you buy and how much you use for other activities.

What's Mint Mobile?

California-based Mint Mobile is a discount carrier that provides prepaid data plans in the U.S. starting at just $15 per month; it uses T-Mobile's national network. Available for unlocked phones only, the service provides plans that include unlimited talk and text, plus a limited amount of 4G LTE data of your choice. You can select from 3-, 8-, or 12GB of 4G LTE data each month.

Even with all those choices, how does Mint Mobile hold up during a round of Fortnite?

Selecting the best data plan

When you run out of high-speed data, you can purchase more online or through the Mint Mobile app starting at $10 per gigabit. If you exceed your monthly 4G LTE limit and don't buy more data, your data speed drops to just 128 kbps until the next month begins. At that speed, your Fortnite game play will slow down considerably. However, you might not get that far, assuming you're not using a lot of data on your smartphone on other games or apps.

According to at least one site, you'll use between 45MB and 100MB playing Fortnite each hour. In other words, a 15 minute game would use between 12MB and 24MB of mobile data. With 1,000MB per GB, you'd need to play between 40 and 85 Fortnite games just to use 1GB of data. In other words, even if you purchase Mint Mobile's 3GB plan, you'll be able to play between 120 and 255 games using 4G LTE. On the 8GB, you could play between 320 and 680 games; on the 12GB plan, between 480 and 1,200 games.

That's plenty of games, don't you think? And this doesn't include games played through Wi-Fi! If you are linked up to the Wi-Fi, you can essentially play until your phone battery dies.

Pick your plan

Mint Mobile

from $15/month at Mint Mobile

Explore for less.

Are you tired of paying too much for data? Play plenty of Fortnite and save some money, too. Try Mint Mobile and enjoy your phone for less.



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An external microphone makes iPhone video better — these are the best

Why trust us? We're a virtual company made up of tech experts across the globe, and most of us work from home. For podcasting, great audio for video, and more, we need the best and most convenient mics around.

Best Value: BOYA Lightning Microphone

Having a versatile, reliable, and portable microphone can be beneficial for a variety of reasons: but capturing crystal clear sound in your videos is key. The BOYA Lightning Microphone is a simple to use iPhone accessory that attaches via Lightning port and allows you to record and create a stereo sound effect with the help of two built-in microphones and an X/Y condenser design. It can be used on its own, or with a foam windscreen or furry windshield depending on where you're recording your video.

Pros:

  • Best for most
  • Easy to use
  • Portable
  • One year warranty

Cons:

  • Bulky
  • Fragile

Best Value

BOYA Lightning Microphone

Portable, reliable, and ready to record crystal clear sound.

The BOYA Lightning Microphone is a small but mighty microphone that allows you to record sound, speech, music, and whatever, all from the convenience of the Lightning port of your iPhone. You can use it on its own, or you could use it with a foam windscreen or furry windshield if you're filming in windy locations.

Best Overall: Blue Spark Digital Microphone

The Blue Spark Digital Microphone is a microphone that's ideal for someone who wants beautiful audio during something like still video or interviews. With its plug n' play design that makes it simple to use with your iPhone (remember, you'll need to pick up a Lightning to headphone jack adapter in order to use it), focus control switch, advance processor, and even the ability to answer phone calls, this microphone is worth checking out for stunningly sharp audio on the go.

Pros:

  • Crystal clear sound
  • Easy to use
  • Relatively affordable

Cons:

  • Need Lightning adapter
  • Pricey

Best Overall

Blue Spark Digital Microphone

Plug, record, and revel in the crystal clear sound of this portable microphone.

The Blue Spark Digital Microphone is a standing microphone that allows you to record real-time sound with the help of two modes: normal mode for recording low frequency recordings, and focus mode for extreme clarity and detail. It's perfect for recording landscapes, wide shots, and interviews.

Best Lavalier: PowerDeWise Lavalier Lapel Microphone

The PowerDeWise Lavalier Lapel Microphone is a noise cancelling clip-on microphone that let's you record your voice as crystal clear as possible. You'll need to have a Lightning to headphone jack adapter to use this microphone with newer iPhones. Simply clip and attach it to your clothing, plug it into your iPhone, unravel the 78" cord, and start recording for your iPhone video.

Pros:

  • Portable
  • Minimal
  • Easy-to-use
  • Affordable

Cons:

  • Limited
  • Need Lightning adapter

Best Lavalier

PowerDeWise Lavalier Lapel Microphone

Small but mighty and perfect for your lapel.

The PowerDeWise Lavalier Lapel Microphone is a clip-on mic that works effortlessly with your iPhone. It simply clips onto your shirt and then with a Lightning adapter, connects to your iPhone — then all you have to do is press record.

Best for Interviews: Shure MV88 Digital Microphone

The Shure MV88 Digital Microphone is a microphone that connects quickly to your iPhone via the Lightning port and comes with a free app so you can get the most out of your audio recording. The sleek yet retro design and easy-to-use, easy-to-rotate and angle of the microphone makes it ideal for recording in a variety of different situations, while five different present modes — speech, singing, flat, acoustic instrument, and loud — allow you to get the perfect recording every time.

Pros:

  • Solid build
  • Versatile
  • Easy-to-use

Cons:

  • Pricey

Best for Interviews

Shure MV88 Digital Microphone

Be sure of your audio recordings with the versatile and reliable microphone.

The Shure MV88 Digital Microphone is a portable mic that allows you to effortlessly record a variety of different types of clear sound via the Lightning port on your iPhone. It's both discreet and can be easily angled to pick up the best sound.

Best Design: RØDE VideoMic Me-L

The RØDE VideoMic Me-L is a high quality directional microphones that doesn't require a battery and effortlessly plugs into your iPhone via Lightning port. The durable aluminum body makes it perfect for taking on adventures like camping and travelling, while the small and portable design means you can pop it in your bag without any hassle. The RØDE VideoMic Me-L can be paired with a fuzzy windscreen in order to keep the recorded audio as crystal clear as possible.

Pros:

  • Durable
  • Portable
  • Good for outdoors

Cons:

  • Short sound range

Best Design

RØDE VideoMic Me-L

Durable, sleek, and ready to record straight to your iPhone.

The RØDE VideoMic Me-L is a reliable and rugged little external microphone that uses a cardioid polar pattern to provide incredibly clear sound. It comes with a furry windscreen to protect against harsh wind and outside noise.

Bottom line

The BOYA Lightning Microphone isn't only portable and reliable, but it gives you a variety of different options to record your sound while still being reasonably priced and easy to use. With it, you can get clear audio of everything from a party with friends, to a speech in a lecture you want to record for later, to an interview for a short documentary you're making, and everything in between.

Depending on the windshield or windscreen you use, you can easily record your mobile audio outside in more intense weather conditions. If the wind is howling in a particular shot, try playing around with the different options the microphone gives you (although don't stay outside in a thunderstorm — it's not waterproof in the slightest).

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Cella Lao Rousseau writes for iMore on social and photography. She's a true crime enthusiast, best-selling horror author, lipstick collector, buzzkill, and Sicilian. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram: @hellorousseau.

Rene Ritchie is a podcasting pro and lover of all things clear-sounding. From audio for Vector, to recording on the road, and everything in between, he knows the power an iPhone and a good external mic can truly have.



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Can you use Mint Mobile with iPads?

Best answer: The best way to use the Mint Mobile service on an iPad is by tethering to your phone.

What's Mint Mobile?

Mint Mobile is a discount mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that provides prepaid data plans in the U.S. starting at $15 per month for unlocked smartphones. The plans offer unlimited talk and text, 4G LTE data, and the ability to use your smartphone as a mobile hotspot. The price you pay depends on how much high-speed data you want each month (3, 8, or 12GB) and how many months you'd like to prepay for service, 3, 6, or 12 months.

You can add more data and months with ease using the Mint Mobile app or website. Mint Mobile service runs on T-Mobile's national network.

Using Mint Mobile with iPad

Mint Mobile doesn't offer iPad data plans. Instead, you can use Mint Mobile data from your smartphone through tethering using the service's mobile hotspot feature. In doing so, you can use data on your tablet just as you would any Wi-Fi connection. Mint Mobile's prepaid plans each offer a Personal Hotspot feature for no additional cost.

To get started:

  1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap on Personal Hotspot.
  3. Tap on the toggle to turn Personal Hotspot On. Create a password for your personal hotspot in the password field. This prevents unauthorized users from using your iPhone's data.

  4. On your iPad, launch the Settings app.
  5. Tap on Wi-Fi.

Join your iPhone's network like you would any other Wi-Fi network. The network name will be the name of your iPhone. Instead of Wi-Fi bars, you should see an interlink icon next to it, which makes it easier to pick out from other Wi-Fi networks.

It's your choice

Mint Mobile

from $15/month at Mint Mobile

Pick your plan.

Choose your own budget-friendly path with Mint Mobile. With so many different combinations with different data packages and speeds, you can build a plan that fits you.



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Powerbeats Pro have so many more colors than AirPods, and here they are!

Apple's AirPods — currently, the only other headphones with the H1 chip — only come in one color; white. Thank goodness Beats has launched its Powerbeats Pro line. You have your choice of four different colors, and they all come with the powerful H1 chip. Powerbeats Pro are up for preorder starting May 3 and the black version will be in stores May 10. The other colors are expected later this summer.

Navy Blue

Powerbeats Pro Earphones

The Powerbeats Pro Earphones come in four different colors, but the sleek navy blue option are both eye-catching and simplistic. The B on the earphones has a rose gold accent.

$250 at Apple

Ivory White

Powerbeats Pro Earphones

The ivory white Powerbeats Pro Earphones are incredibly stylish and simplistic. They're not quite white, but more of a cream-colored ivory, while the B on the earphones are a bold, contrasting black.

$250 at Apple

Moss Green

Powerbeats Pro Earphones

If you're on the market for an alternative color to a standard black or white, the moss green Powerbeats Pro Earphones are a great option. The B on the earphones are a beautiful rose gold accent color.

$250 at Apple

Black

Powerbeats Pro Earphones

Simple, sleek, and incredibly stylish, the black Powerbeats Pro Earphones are the standard when it comes to earphone colors for a reason. These earphones are a solid black, including the Beats B on the side.

$250 at Apple

My favorite color

Out of all the colors available for the Powerbeats Pro I personally love the white ivory version. The simplicity of the earphones are so stylish and eye-catching but are also less common than a standard black shade. Plus, as someone who loves the crisp whiteness of the AirPods, the ivory white is a fantastic option for me, too.

While both AirPods and Powerbeats Pro are great earphones to have in your back pocket, the Powerbeats Pro are a great match for working out or an active lifestyle with their water-resistant and hooked design and have four striking color options to pick from.

No matter what you end up going with, there are plenty of different colors available for the new Powerbeats Pro headphones, which are available to preorder as of May 3. The black versions will be in stores May 10, but the remaining colors won't launch until sometime this summer.



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