Review TechRadar: Phone and communications news 12-09-2013

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'We want Quip to feel like two people writing on the same piece of paper' Dec 9th 2013, 13:00, by Kane Fulton Quip, a mobile document editing app looking to tap into the collective conscious of busy productive types on the move, has arrived with some impressive credentials in tow. Founded by ex-Facebook CTO Bret Taylor and Google App Engine founder, Kevin Gibbs, some of its features - such as automatic synching and checklists - will be familiar to Evernote users, while others - such as @mentions used for collaboration - are borrowed from social media. It also offers third-party keyboard compatibility (Swiftkey and Swype are supported), a responsive ability to adapt to any device's screen size and a heady dose of multi-authoring collaboration. First launched on iOS back in August before being ported to Android in December, Quip's creators position the app closer to a fully-fledged word processor, capable of "doing for smartphones and tablets what Microsoft office did for PCs". We spoke to Bret Taylor to find out more. TechRadar Pro: You claim that Quip has re-invented word processing for mobile devices - that's quite some claim. Can you tell us more? Bret Taylor: Since the iPhone was introduced in 2007, phones and tablets have transformed the way we interact with technology and each other. Smartphone sales have already overtaken PC sales, and tablet sales are predicted to pass PCs this year. To call this shift disruptive is understating its impact on our industry and the world. Companies built on the PC ecosystem are desperately trying to find an identity in this new world, and many of them won't succeed. Most people in the developing world will access the Internet for the first time through a mobile, touch-screen device without ever touching a PC. Despite the magnitude of this shift, the software that we use to get work done has not evolved over the past thirty years. With the exception of some additional color and and a stack of toolbars at the top of the screen, it doesn't look different from MacWrite, which was released with the original Macintosh in 1984. Quip is our perspective on how modern, mobile documents should work. Building for the new mobile era is not about adapting old desktop software; it is about rebuilding from the ground up assuming multiple platforms, multiple screen sizes, intermittent network connectivity. In Quip, we've re-thought everything — from the user interface to the underlying technology — to create the product that is simple and easy to use regardless of platform or screen size, and that we enjoy using to get work done every day. TRP: Why should consumers check out Quip over similar competing products? Particularly Evernote, which has similar note-taking and collaborative online and offline functionality for businesses. BT: Quip approaches the problem pretty differently from other word processors or note taking applications. We have lots of features that other word processors don't have, like @mentions, integrated messaging, and diffs. All of these features are in the service of our four core design goals. They are: Collaboration - We want using Quip to feel like two people sitting next to each other at the same table, writing on the same piece of paper. Writing a document with someone should be simple, easy, immediate, and delightful. Most of the other services we've used don't achieve that feeling in their collaboration. Mobility - Quip works well on the desktop, but it really shines on phones and tablets. We built it from the ground up assuming that you would use multiple screen sizes, spotty internet connections, and multiple platforms. For other products, offline access is a feature — something you have to turn on or pay for, that may only work in some situations. For Quip, working offline is the fundamental core of our product. Interactivity - Most documents are now read on touch-screens rather than printed out. Because of that, Quip documents aren't just fixed words on a page — they're interactive. On Quip, you can also turn a bulleted list into a checklist, transforming your meeting notes into an interactive, shared task list. You can @mention other documents to link between them. You can create a table of sales data, and your entire team can edit and type data into the table at the same time. Simplicity - Back in the early days of GUI development, there was a popular saying: "Easy is hard." When designing a user interface, it's much harder to remove something than to add in something new. We've worked hard to simplify the Quip interface, to leave you with a minimal, elegant design that helps you focus on writing — not ribbons. TRP: What were the technical challenges of making Quip multi-platform? BT: Android fragmentation itself is a very challenging problem to overcome. Every OEM and device on Android seems to be a little different, and there are far more devices than anyone realizes. There are even three different, equally used keyboards on Android, so the number of variations that you encounter and have to handle is somewhat mind-blowing. But for us, beyond fragmentation, the real challenge is ensuring that your documents are always available on whichever device you choose to use and that they're always up-to-date. Sync is particularly challenging when you combine it with collaboration. Most services just choose not to handle the collaborative case (like Dropbox or Evernote) and just create multiple versions of the document and let you manage the conflicts. With Quip, we want to ensure that you never end up with conflicts, even when you're editing collaboratively or when you're editing offline. That is an incredibly hard technical challenge and has been very fun to solve. TRP: If Android is the most widely used platform, how come Quip was developed for iOS first? BT: This was influenced by the tremendous growth of tablet use, both for consumers and enterprise. When it comes to tablets, iOS has close to 80% of the tablets in use in the world. Also, iOS has been favored by companies, accounting for around 70% of enterprise activations. That said, we know that 'bring your own device' doesn't really just mean the device - it means the platform too. Android represents a huge audience and is growing quickly in offices too. We recognise this so wanted to get a version of Quip built specifically for Android out as quickly as possible. It's also been one of our most requested products since launch. Overcoming Android fragmentation is not an easy feat, but we're so happy to say that Quip is now available on 76% of the world's smartphones and tablets. TRP: How has your background with Facebook and Google Maps influenced or shaped how you approached and developed Quip? BT: My background has certainly given me an international mindset. People work more and more as global teams, and are looking for their technology to make that easier. The software that many of us are using was born in the 80s, when a lot of the problems we currently have in collaborating across borders and devices couldn't even have been imagined. Throw mobile into the mix as a defining global trend and it was clear to me what needed to be built to help. The importance of different regions, languages and countries cannot be overlooked in Facebook and Google's success — that's why international expansion in very high on our list of priorities. Quip is currently available in 11 languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, simplified Chinese, Russian, Turkish, Brazilian Portuguese, and our newest language to launch, Korean. And that's why we're particularly excited about this Android launch — Android accounts for about 50% of the smartphones in the US, but it accounts for 81% of the smartphones shipped in the world. TRP: Can you give us some tips for making the most out of Quip (businesses and consumers?) BT: People love to tell us how they use Quip so we have tons of examples. We hear of people using Quip for joint grocery lists, writing their applications to university, and planning family vacations. At work, we get feedback all the time from companies and teams using it to communicate across continents and get work done. People are so forthcoming with their stories, and we take all the feedback on board. In fact,a lot of the most asked-for features were included in version 1.5 of the iOS app. We've found that it's easiest for folks to get started when they do two things: 1) have a specific project or document in mind — a house renovation, a collaborative to-do list, a product launch, a customer pitch, etc. Ideally the project is collaborative — people have told us that collaboration is where Quip really shines. 2) Use Quip both on desktop and on your iPhone/iPad or Android phone/tablet. Quip works great on desktop but it really shines on phones and tablets, and one of the magic moments is having access to your documents across all your devices, wherever you are. Asus PadFone Mini 4.3 to encounter Chinese competition? Dec 9th 2013, 11:43, by Thomas Thorn The Asus PadFone Mini 4.3 is likely pop its head up sooner than CES 2014, with press images leaking before an expected December 11 announcement. Today's leak comes courtesy of the rather reliable evleaks, showing not only the 4.3-inch phone, but the tablet dock as well. It seems the Mini name isn't just reserved for the phone though, as the dock appears to have shrunk too, coming with a smaller 7-inch frame, rather than the 10-inch frame that has come with the likes of the Asus PadFone 2. No shots below the belt Asus may have to ready its gloves though, as it might be soon getting competition after Chinese firm Huawei trademarked the name PhoPad in the US. The only hint to what the device could be is its listing under "mobile phones; tablets computers, protective cases for mobile phones; protective cases for tablet computers". This has lead to speculation that the PhoPad could well be a PadFone rival, or a rebranding of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 challenging Huawei Ascend Mate series. We might have to wait until CES 2014 to wait and see, but what else could sin city hold for us next year? Updated: Christmas gift ideas: top Christmas gifts for 2013 Dec 9th 2013, 04:29, by TechRadar Consoles and handheld gaming devices The holiday season is usually met with indecision, headaches and a flurry of last-minute shopping as you frantically try to balance life (because it never gives you a break) with finding the perfect gift for your favourite people. To help you survive the winter madness, TechRadar has put together a 2013 holiday gift guide of the best tech goodies you can get, so you can spend more time watching the faces of the people you love light up with joy as they receive an awesome present from you. After all, that's what the holidays are about, right? Having a good time with great people, and giving something to get that smile and squeal of excitement. So happy holidays from all of us at TechRadar, and get some shopping done with our techtastic and gamerific 2013 Christmas gift guide! Consoles and handhelds The console war between gaming veterans Sony and Microsoft has been amplified this year with the upcoming release of two new next-gen consoles. Other gaming names refuse to be left out though, and have entered their machines into the console race for a chance to sit in your living rooms. PlayStation 4 - $549 First up on our list is the Sony PlayStation 4. The system boasts great features like free streaming and recording and the PS4 is more developer-friendly - meaning the list of games will continue to grow, allowing more variety. Along with making gamers as happy as possible, the console has big ambitions to be the most affordable, high-end gaming machine on the market and it looks like the company's hard work is paying off since demand for the PS4 is off the charts. With its $549 price tag - the PlayStation Eye will be sold separately for $99.99 - it's no surprise pre-orders filled up and nearly disappeared before its launch date on November 29. However, Sony claims there should be enough to go around as the holidays draw closer, so check this off your holiday gift guide list as this machine will be gone before you know it. Check out the PS4 Dualshock 4 hands on. Xbox One - $599 Microsoft's Xbox One is the other crazy popular (and much more controversial) console. Selling for $599, it's a bit pricier than its opposition - but the Kinect comes included with the whole package. The new One console wants to be your one-stop entertainment solution for the living room by integrating live TV, games, movies and web services such as Skype, all controlled using Kinect's improved voice recognition features. By getting one person an Xbox One for gaming, you're also picking up a whole entertainment system for the entire family. Microsoft says with Skype and SkyDrive functions, the system would also make a great platform for businesses. Essentially, the One is a multipurpose console that could be given to anyone, so you really can't go wrong picking one of these guys up. Check out the Xbox One Gamepad hands on PS Vita - $269.95 If you've managed to get a PlayStation 4, it only makes sense you pick up an accompanying PS Vita. Thanks to the new PS Link feature, you can use your Vita to play PS4 games over Wi-Fi. During sale season, we've see a PS Vita bundle drop to $199. Read more about the PS Vita 2DS - $149.95 Thanks to its affordability and durable looking build, the $150 Nintendo 2DS is sure to be a hit with parents looking for a handheld for the younger gamers this holiday season. The 2DS serves as an introductory gaming system and is definitely geared towards families with multiple kids who all want a handheld. The 2DS's slightly more expensive predecessors are already a popular bunch on most holiday gift guides and with popular Nintendo-only games like Pokemon and Mario, you really can't go wrong picking up a 2DS. 5 things Nintendo's Hiroshi Yamauchi gave to gaming More gaming gifts to check out! You can also pick up an "old school" PS3 or Xbox 360 bundled with the latest games for a fraction of the price you'd pay for a next-gen console. Take a gander at some holiday bundles: Xbox 360 250 GB Bundle including Halo 4, Forza Horizon and Duke Nukem Forever, as well as download tokens for Tomb Raider, Fable III, Halo Reach, Skyrim, $258 PS3 500 GB Bundle including Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and The Last of Us, $368 These other handhelds would also be a welcome present: 3DS, 3DS XL, Wii U Holiday Gift Guide: PC gaming and PC parts Headphones, gaming mice, laptops and PCs. Whatever you want to spend, there's a PC gaming gift here to suit your budget. Contrary to the notion that PCs and their things cost a ton of money, if you do a little digging, you can actually find decent parts and peripherals without having to pay too much. But in case you do have the dough to spend, we've added as many fun things we could find that the PC fan in your life would love. Corsair Vengeance M95 - $99 If you prefer thinking to shooting, you might appreciate the M95 mouse, which is designed for MMO (massively multiplayer online) and RTS (real-time strategy) titles. You can even create custom button setups for individual games. Get the Corsair Vengeance M95 from TechBuy Corsair Force GT - $208.95 Adding an SSD (solid state drive) is an easy way to speed up any PC, whether it's for better in-game performance or just to get it to boot faster. It can either supplement your PC's mechanical hard drive or replace it completely. This Corsair Force GT is perfect for the task and comes in a range of sizes up to a huge 480GB. Get the Corsair Force GT from PC Meal Roccat Isku Illuminated Gaming Keyboard - $149 The Roccat Isku looks basic but as always, looks are deceiving. With this gaming keyboard you'll have 36 easily-customizable macros, ice blue backlighting with 6 adjustable brightness levels, an Easy-Shift[+] key as a one-stop short-cut that makes giving orders quicker and easier and more. Get the Roccat Isku from i-Tech Mad Catz R.A.T. 7 - $99 The R.A.T. 7 changes everything, with its adjustable plates and Batmobile design. It's comfortable in most hands, the build quality is beautiful and the 6,400dpi accuracy is plenty. Unfortunately, such tweakery does comes at a price, and with the release of the M65 and Ballista MK1, it has some heavy competition. Get the R.A.T. 7 from MWave Mad Catz Cyborg R.A.T. 9 - $169.95 If you really want to get a 'lil crazy, you can pick up the most iteration of the Mad Catz mouse - the R.A.T. 9. It'll run you a lot higher on your credit card bill but it may just be worth it for more extreme customization for maximum comfort during your recipient's gaming sessions. Get the R.A.T. 9 from MWave Holiday Gift Guide: Mobile phones Do you know someone in your life who really needs to get rid of their half broken phone? You know, the one with the cracked screen, shoddy battery life and missing on/off button? With all the great choices available on the market, maybe it's time you help them out and choose a phone from our holiday gift guide. iPhone 5S - $869 The iPhone 5S is probably the hottest phone out there (or in the top five at least) and would make a great gift for the Apple fanatic in your life. Unlike the iPhone 4S, it actually feels like you're getting a brand new phone thanks to the addition of Touch ID, new camera, better battery life and faster guts all around. Boasting new color choices - black, space grey, gold - the iPhone 5S sales start at $869 outright. If you know someone that already has an iPhone 5S, you could get them a case instead iPhone 5C - $739 If you're looking for something a bit more flashy, Apple's neon array of iPhone 5Cs is your best bet. Hate it or love it, we think its still has a spot on our holiday gift guide. Some feel the phone is a bit childish and cheap because of the colors and its polycarbonate exterior. But if you know someone desperate for an iPhone 5 but can't afford it, you really can't go wrong picking up the 5C since they're essentially the same phone with a few upgraded tweaks here and there. Not sure which iPhone to give? TechRadar can help with that Nexus 5 - $399 Let's face it: the iPhone 5S is one expensive bit of tech. Thank goodness for the Nexus 5 then! It's a clean Android smartphone from LG and Google with enough grunt and power to stand up well against other Android devices - and all for a sub-$500 price. It sports a 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 chipset and 2GB RAM, as well as a 2,300mAh battery and a 5-inch 1080p display. It also features the latest version of Android - 4.4 KitKat. You can pick it up unlocked from Google's Play store, or head into Telstra, the only Aussie telco stocking the device. Stick with the old or spring a little more for the new? Here's the Nexus 5 up against the Nexus 4 HTC One - $689 The HTC One released earlier this year, but definitely remains a top dog in the phone arena. It's full HD screen crammed into 4.7-inches, which brings a 468ppi - making everything you're looking at crisp, clean and swoon worthy. On top of that there's a CPU and RAM combo that is barely bettered, a more-than-enough 32GB of storage and top-end Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and 3G/4G LTE connections. The HTC One is without a doubt the best phone from the Taiwanese firm. It is still available from most telcos, and we've spotted the handset as part of online sales between $550-$700. Read the full HTC One review Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - $999 The latest and greatest from Samsung, the Galaxy Note 3 is a fantastic device, but decidedly not for everyone thanks in part to its hugeness. It's not going to have the broad appeal of the Galaxy S4, nor catch the eye of the fashion-conscious iPhone 5S purchaser. But for those with Apple-fatigue and actually would prefer a larger screen (maybe the business types you know?), the 5.7-inches of full HD, 1080 x 1920 Super AMOLED display makes the Galaxy Note 3 is the perfect choice. Just be wary that the big phone means it'll cost you big bucks - around $999 to be exact. Is the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 better than the Galaxy Note 2? Find out here! Holiday Gift Guide: Tablets Almost everyone has a tablet nowadays, so why not pick one up for the person in your life who doesn't have one? Tablets are more portable and lightweight than laptops, but provide the extra screen surface a smartphone can't. Our holiday gift guide wouldn't be complete without the bus load of new tablets that came out this year, especially since they all seem to be better than the next one - specs-wise and price-wise (we wouldn't be surprised if you got one for yourself). New Nexus 7 - $299 Google's earlier Asus-made Nexus 7 was already an amazing compact tablet so it's no wonder the new Nexus 7 is also a dream. With a low starting price, great battery life, powerful performance and beautiful HD screen it hurdles right over the expensive less impressive iPad mini. The 16GB or 32GB go for a mere $299 and $339 respectively, with an LTE version selling for $439. The old Nexus versus the new Nexus, in case you were wondering iPad mini 2 with Retina display - $479 The iPad mini was missing one little thing to really compete with Google's Nexus 7 powerhouse, and with the newest iteration from Apple, it looks like the search engine giant will have a worthy Cupertino 7-incher. Actually, the iPad mini 2 measures in at 7.9-inches, exactly the same size as the year-old iPad mini, but the display comes with a resolution boost of 2048 x 1536 meaning that it has a Full HD display. This doubles the original iPad mini's 163ppi to 326ppi. With the Retina technology on board, the new iPad mini comes with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 meaning that it has a Full HD display. This doubles the original iPad mini's 163ppi to 326ppi. Hmm, which is better: the iPad mini or the iPad mini 2 with Retina display? Surface Pro 2 - $1,019 Microsoft's latest tablet seems pretty much the same as the previous iteration, but in actuality, the 10.6-inch Surface Pro 2 is much more powerful. The added upgrades really can't be ignored especially if you're looking to get a Windows 8.1 device. Running Intel's latest i5 Haswell chip gives it some appreciated speed and battery life making it almost as quick as an Ultrabook. The $1,019 price is steep, especially for a tab, but someone in your life would probably greatly appreciate this well-made machine over its bulkier, even more expensive counterparts. Does Windows 8.1 make the new Surface Pro 2 worth getting? Sony Xperia Tablet Z - $539 Sleek, powerful, iconic - these are all words used to describe the impressive tablet from Sony. With a super slim chassis, impressive screen and whole glut of Sony extras on board, Sony has surpassed expectation with this and delivered a tablet that wouldn't look out of place in a business class lounge or at the center of a home entertainment network. It's light, really light, yet looks premium, all the while being waterproof too - sure, you might not use that feature a whole lot, but it gives it an air of ruggedness that puts your mind at ease when manhandling something that costs so much. Maybe Amazon's newest Kindle Paperwhite is better for your recipient? iPad Air - $598 Apple hater or Apple lover, you know the iPad Air is going to be a major seller this year, which is why it's definitely on our holiday gift guide. We really can't blame the Apple fans in your life for desperately wanting an iPad Air tablet though - it's 20% thinner at just 7.5mm, which is a whopping 2.2mm thinner than the outgoing iPad 4 and more than a millimeter thinner than Google's Nexus 10 or Nokia's 2520. You can pick up this faster, lighter, slim-bezeled beauty from a variety of places starting at $598 for a 16BG Wi-Fi only model, where 32GB costs $699, 64GB is $799 and the 128GB for a hefty $899. If you want a little cellular data with your Wi-Fi connection, you'll have to dish up to $749 for 16GB, $849 for 32GB, $949 for 64GB and $1049 for 128GB. 10 things you should know about the Apple iPad Air Holiday Gift Guide: Grab bag If you managed to get the big gifts out of the way and want something else to add to the pile, our holiday gift guide also includes a grab bag of sorts for you to sift through and maybe find a few stocking stuffers (albeit they are somewhat pricey, so they could actually be a bigger gift). Or perhaps you'll find a few accessories and peripherals for the tech and gamer people in your life who already have it all. Fitbit Flex - $130 The Fitbit Flex combines the company's honed pedometer technology with a convenient wristband that, while not the most stylish of accessories, oozes ruggedness like no other tracker. An adjustable clasp keeps things secure, while a black strip acts as a simple progress display that's activated with a double-tap and powered by a removable plastic sensor housed inside a rubber pouch. Battery life is around five days, and although the five LED lights helpfully indicate the number of steps taken in a day, it's the iOS and Android apps that offer a more detailed and extended picture of your activity. Want some more fitness-sided ideas? Check out our top 10 fitness gadgets GoPro HD Hero3+ Black Edition - $529 Truly the king of action cameras, the GoPro Hero3+ provides jaw-dropping image quality in both light and dark scenes. It's really easy to use and comes with housing that waterproofs it to 60 metres, making it perfect for diving. There's also a Wi-Fi remote so you can control it from afar, and an app so you can use your smartphone to preview your footage. Creative Sound Blaster EVO Zx - $279.95 Though the Creative Sound Blaster EVO Zx headset is for the PC, we're sure you know at least one PC gamer who would appreciate new headphones, especially since they get better every year. Creative Sound Blaster is a known presence in computer audio and has been making headphones for a while now. They aren't always perfect, but you'll get decent sound quality from the EVO Zx. If this pair isn't up to your standards, or if you don't feel like spending $250 bucks, there are plenty of other gaming headset options out there to choose from. Bose QuietComfort 20i - $399 Bose QuietComfort 20i (with the "i" standing for the Apple version) in-ear headphones are definitely a must for the audiophile in your life, if you have $400 to spend. But heart attack inducing price aside, you really get what you pay for - amazing noise canceling tech and incredible sound added to the fact that the QuietComfort 20i is also really quite comfortable. There's also the neat "Aware Mode" feature which is designed to help you be able to hear important things that the noise canceling may drown out. Sonos Play:1 - $299 The Sonos Play:1 at $299, impresses with what it offers for its size, but perhaps more importantly, we're impressed with what it offers for the price. And for the holiday season, it'll sure be a welcome addition to households. There's no Bluetooth to be found on the Play:1 and no battery either. This is totally about high quality streaming around the house that's only limited by your Wi-Fi capabilities. Well, that and the location of your power sockets. Check out our full review here Google revamps News for mobile, boosts in-depth article tool for search Dec 8th 2013, 17:28, by Chris Smith Google has launched a new look Google News mobile web app for iOS and Android devices, giving the site a new, easier to read, look and feel. The revamped service, which is currently rolling out in the US and coming to international smartphones soon, makes it easier for users to browser the feed at news.google.com as well as keep track of individual stories. Users of Google's 'real time newsdesk' are also able to change the theme to a black background and white text, while an easy share button now appears beneath the top stories. The company is also making it easier to navigate to different sections, while the popular weather widget from the desktop version has also been integrated into to the local news section. In-depth binge Meanwhile, Google has also expanded its in-depth article search tool, making it easier for users to immerse themselves in extensive coverage of a subject or event, Engadget reports. Now the 'in-depth articles' Knowledge Graph box, which appears to the right of search results now offers a link at the bottom promising 10 more like minded articles. And here you were wondering what you were going to do with your Sunday... Google Chromecast dongle set to get AirPlay-like display mirroring Dec 8th 2013, 15:42, by Chris Smith Google's HDMI Chromecast dongle is great for streaming content from an Android device directly to a television set, but falls short of the Apple TV platform when it comes to full-on display mirroring. However, that could soon be about to change, judging by code spotted within the Android 4.4.1 update which is currently rolling out to Nexus smartphones and tablets. Cyanogen co-founder Koushik Dutta, whose company creates software to help users modify and extend the functionality of their mobile devices, thinks the screen mirroring roll out will be coming soon. However, he believes the API will only be available to Google and the device manufacturers rather than becoming a tool that all developers are able to use for different purposes. Kinda bullpoop He said, judging by the code that the possibility of sending Android displays to hardware other than the Chromecast, such as Apple TV or Roku set-top boxes will likely be out of the question. On his Google+ page, Dutta wrote: "From the patches I see in 4.4.1, they'll be adding Android mirroring to Chromecast very soon." "Unfortunately that API is not available to anyone but Google and the OEM. Similar solutions to different hardware can't be built (Apple TV, etc). Kinda bull***t." In the Android 4.4.1 software patches, the code for 'Capture_Screen_Video_Output' allows "an application to capture secure video output," but adds that it is "not for use within third-party applications." Another hint is a change within Android 4.4.1 itself within Display settings. Instead of the 'Wireless Display' option, the setting now reads 'Cast Screen.' Interesting. Google has been bigging up its Chromecast-compatible apps by giving them a section of their own within the Google Play store, but could things be able to get a lot more interesting for the little dongle? Buying Guide: Best iPhone 5S and iPhone cases: 19 to choose from Dec 8th 2013, 11:00, by TechRadar Concerned about dropping your iPhone 5 or iPhone 5S? Panicked about scratches and nicks? If you're worried about the sight of a crack appearing in that beautiful Retina display, here's our pick of the best iPhone 5 and 5S preserving cases that will keep your Apple smartphone in pristine condition much longer. 1. Knomo iPhone 5 Leather Folio Price: £45 / $70 The plastic part of the case certainly grips the phone firmly, and the cover is then held shut nicely thanks to the elastic wrap-around band. The leather isn't of the best quality considering the high price point, though, and we found that bits of it tended to flake off around the spine. Buy from Amazon.co.uk 2. Belkin Grip Glam Matte Case Price: £18 / $30 Belkin's Grip Glam cases are made of thick rubber, and they certainly live up to the 'grip' part of their name. The case is comfortable in the hand and feels hard enough to keep the sides and rear of your iPhone 5 well protected. This also represents reasonable value for money at under £20. Buy from Amazon.co.uk 3. Proporta Aluminium Lined Price: £30 / $50 One of the best quality cases here: lovely leather, tidy finish and a good magnetic clasp. It folds in an unconventional downwards fashion and is also quite bulky, but if you prefer a flip-down case like this and you're after one made out of leather, this is the best on the market for the price. Buy from Amazon.co.uk 4. CoolerMaster Aluminium Bumper Price: £40 / $65 There's the essence of a good design here, but it's ruined by the huge gap at the rear that leaves a large section unprotected. Proceed with caution when fitting your phone, because this tough metal case could easily scratch it. Having said that, once it's on there, it's a very firm fit. ILUV NINJA £20 / $30 iluv.co.uk 5 If you're into your martial arts you might fall in love with this design, but it's not the great rubber case we were hoping for. The areas where the coloured design is printed are on thinner rubber, giving it an uneven feel – as a result the textured back doesn't feel particularly comfortable. There are better cases here for less money. Buy from Amazon.co.uk 6. Gumdrop Drop Tech Series Price: £30 / $50 When it comes to rugged cases, look no further. Gumdrop's Drop Tech Series iPad mini case is very highly rated, and here the design is almost identical, just scaled down. The fitting takes a little getting used to but, once in, your iPhone will be kept safe from all manner of scuffs and bumps the world might throw at it. Buy from Amazon.co.uk 7. Pong Classic Soft Touch Case Price: £40 / $65 pongresearch.com Pong's range of iPhone cases make claims of improving battery life, boosting signal and even cutting out radiation, but we like this case simply for its good-quality hard rubber casing. We failed to find much in the their claims, but if you believe Pong's blurb, this is a hard shell you could easily learn to love. 8. Be.ez La Cover Allure Price: £20 / $30 A very light but deceptively tough plastic case. We like the clear sides keeping the iPhone 5's silver or black antenna band on view. If the striped design is to your taste, then this is a close-fit hard shell worth your consideration. If stripes aren't your thing, it also comes in a variety of slightly more subtle colours. Buy from Amazon.co.uk 9. Ichic Gear Oxford Tweed Slim Shell Folio Price: £20 / $30 This fold-over case is super-protective, keeping all sides safe thanks to its plastic shell and solid clip. Flappy covers aren't for everyone (you sacrifice some convenience), but this is a fine example of the form - we really like the tweed, and the card-holder slots are handy, giving that 'flappy cover' an added feature. Buy from Amazon.co.uk 10. Tech21 Impact Band Price: £15 / $25 This case covers the outside edge of your iPhone 5 with a special impact protection material – it provides a sturdy surround, without adding much thickness. It keeps your phone safe from drops, but does make the buttons harder to press. The bottom is also annoyingly flappy, but it still gets a thumbs up because it can be found at very affordable prices online. Buy from Amazon.co.uk 11. Twelve South Surfacepad Price: £30 /$50 The SurfacePad actually sticks to your iPhone instead of clipping onto it, to keep things as thin as possible. It's really smart, and it even lets you prop your iPhone 5 up for watching videos. However, it offers little protection, doesn't close properly and can lose its stickiness after being fitted and removed just a few times. Buy from Amazon.co.uk 12. Toffee Leather Slip Price: £25 / $40 The mottled leather of this slip case might not suit everyone, but it feels lovely. It's also impressively slimline, and holds the iPhone 5 snugly while still making it easy to get in and out. We're unconvinced by the narrow card slot on the outside, but you don't have to use it. A near-perfect little sleeve case. Buy from Toffeecases.com 13. Toffee Leather Shell Price: £25 / $40 This leather-lined plastic shell case is pretty standard as these kind of solid clip-on cases go, but it feels considerably more plastic than it does leather. As a result, you're paying a fairly premium price for something that feels like it should cost a lot less. Inelegant with a tacky feel, this toffee leather shell case is a far cry from the Toffee Leather Slip case above. Buy from Toffeecases.com 14. Cygnett TFL Tube Map Price: £15 / $25 Save the 'hassle' of downloading the Tube Map app with this guide to the Underground (at least, the bit inside the Circle Line). This hard shell offers almost no protection for the front your device, but it covers the back really nicely. It's quite stiff to get on and off, and is a little thick round the edge, making it a bit of a stretch to hit the Sleep/Wake key. Buy from Amazon.co.uk 15. QDos Smoothies Metallics Price: £20 / $30 The Union Jack design we've got here is kind of a nasty 90s throwback, but there are other patterns available for this case - otherwise, it's not bad. The curved edge around the phone's rim is nice, and it's nicely slimline. There's a nasty join where the back meets the edge, though, and it's a tad pricey at £20. Buy from Amazon.co.uk 16. iBattz Mojo Refuel For iPhone 5 Price: £57 / $75 Why did no one think of this before? This battery case for the iPhone 5 boasts a removable rechargeable 2200 mAh battery (two supplied), so if you're likely to be away from your charger for a long while, you can take a few spares and replace them when they're flat. Each battery gives 100% extra power, and you can swap them over without removing your iPhone from the case. It fits snugly and doesn't add too much bulk, but its detachable frame feels a little cheap and makes it awkward to reach the buttons. Still, it's a great option for regular travellers and it's the only removeable battery option around. Buy from Amazon.co.uk 17. Belkin Grip Power Battery Case Price: £90 / $100 This Belkin battery case has an almost identical shape and feel to the Mophie Juice Pack. It's every bit as comfortable and the 2000 mAh battery gives you the ability to charge your iPhone 5 from flat to full. Where it differs from Mophie's design however is that it's not a split case, where you remove the bottom quarter to fit the iPhone in. Rather it's like the iBattz in that the frame comes off the case, you slot the phone onto the Lighning connector and then place the frame back on. It's purely a matter of preference, but we prefer where Mophie has placed the USB port for charging (on the bottom). Buy from Amazon.co.uk 18. Powerskin For iPhone 5 Price: £60 / $60 powerskin.co.uk This one-piece silicone soft-touch case conceals a 1500mAh rechargeable battery, which holds enough power to extend your iPhone 5's battery life by up to 70%. It gives a good degree of protection, and only adds around 8mm to the thickness of your phone. Your earbuds might not plug into the headphones' socket unassisted, but a short adapter is supplied. PowerSkin for iPhone 5's design isn't very sympathetic to the iPhone's aesthetics, and the connecting cable is a bit fiddly, but it gives a good grip. It's just a shame that it can't compete with the charge capabilities of the other battery cases here. Buy from Amazon.co.uk 19. Mophie Juice Pack Plus For iPhone 5 Price: £110 / $12 The Juice Pack has been a popular model and this latest version offers 120% more power – one full iPhone 5 charge plus a little bit extra. It's all done with the slightly beefier (2100mAh) battery compared to the Juice Pack Helium: around 10 hours of talktime and 12 hours of Wi-Fi use. With a full charge, you'll be sorted for a couple of days of heavy use. The case also features a dual-injected sleeve, engineered with a shockproof band to help buffer the impact of falls. Yes, this Juice Pack is now over £100 – a serious investment – but it really is the best mobile charging case you can hope for. Buy from Amazon.co.uk

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