iPhone 11 Pro Smart Battery Case Has A Dedicated Camera Button →

November 20, 2019 · 23:55

The case features a dedicated camera button that launches the Camera app whether the iPhone is locked or unlocked. A quick press of the button takes a photo and a longer press captures QuickTake video. It works for selfies, too.

I wouldn’t mind a dedicated button on the phone itself. The iPhone is a camera first and foremost for many.

The Smart Battery case is available for all three new iPhones:


Apple Releases Official Battery Cases for iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR →

January 24, 2019 · 10:22

Samuel Axon, writing for Ars Technica:

Today, Apple quietly began taking orders for battery-equipped cases for all three 2018 iPhone models—iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. The value proposition and designs are essentially the same as with battery cases made by Apple for prior iPhones.

While the cases are probably made well enough, the 30% price hike is unacceptable. I’m not a person that needs extra battery life often, so buying one at these prices and not being able to use it when I go to a newer iPhone makes no sense whatsoever. On the other hand, a good power bank will keep going for years — my 10K mAh Xiaomi is still fine after being actively used for 5 years, it holds its charge, and it cost me around 20-30 USD. And it can also charge all my other devices.