Welcome…

Welcome to the latest issue of iPad & iPhone User. Our homes are growing ever smarter and Apple is one of the tech giants betting on the potential the Internet of Things offers in our homes and personal lives. That’s why in 2014 it launched HomeKit, a framework that developers can use to enable their smart products to be controlled via its iOS Home app. Our ultimate guide on page 16 explains everything you need to know about Apple’s smart home technology, while on page 29 we’ve our favourite HomeKit devices.

There are a few pretty good MFi-approved game controllers for iOS, but most of them seem more ideally designed for iPad than iPhone. Thankfully, the Gamevice is a better solution for bringing physical controls to Apple’s handset. It clamps around the top and bottom of your phone to surround the screen with buttons and analogue sticks. Read our thoughts on page 44.

Also this month, GarageBand for iOS has been given an upgrade and it’s absolutely fantastic. Adding features such as configurable guitar amps and a beginner-friendly loop grid player, it will appeal to newcomers and pro musicians alike.

Plus, we explain how to fix a broken Touch ID fingerprint scanner, look at whether Apple should dump the Lightning port and ask whether the nextgeneration of iPhones will have facial recognition.