Editor's Message
Use Tech to Streamline Your Life
There's no denying it—winter has arrived! While the cold season is my least favorite as far as the weather goes, as an Apple fan, it is unequivocally the most exciting time of year. Between getting your hands on Apple's latest products and splurging on cool gadgets over the holidays, you can coast through chillier days with devices that help us live our best lives. Load Up on New Tech The verdict is in; Face ID and edge-to-edge displays are here to stay! Apple has released the new iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR with not only the same bezel-free form factor as last year's X, but also faster facial recognition and a better camera, powered by the supercharged A12 Bionic chip (see page 12). But if you, like most of the iPhone Life staff, hopped on the iPhone X bandwagon last year, I'd suggest holding onto your phone for another year and saving yourself some cash.
While the iPhone was the main event, I'd say the Apple Watch Series 4 stole the show, becoming a medical device in its own right (see page 20). It includes an FDA-approved sensor that, according to a study conducted by Apple and Stanford University, is more than 98 percent accurate at detecting atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm associated with life-threatening conditions. The Series 4 also has a new safety feature that detects when a user falls and then calls 911 if it doesn't detect movement after a minute. A Buyer’s Guide Built by the Whole Team More than ever before, putting together this year's buyer's guide (see page 27) has been a group effort. Over the summer and into the fall, everyone on our team has been testing out an assortment of iOS gadgets in real-life scenarios. I put true wireless earbuds through their paces while jogging on nature trails, web writer Leanne installed a smart dog door at her farm (which she programmed to keep her dogs in and her ducks out), and CEO David spent the summer turning his house into a bona fide smart home. As our resident wallet case fan, COO Noah tested how long it took to draw a credit card from any case we threw his way. For our speaker roundup, I discovered how much bass my neighbors can handle, and for our virtual reality article, our senior gear editor Dig hand-picked the best headsets available for the iPhone. I feel confident that all this hands-on testing has resulted in a buyer's guide that features our best product recommendations to date. Let us know what you think! A Tool for Empowerment This issue features a lot more than gear recommendations. Our writers are constantly looking for ways to use their phones to better their lives. In particular, our former web writer Conner Carey wrote a piece on entrepreneurial apps she's using to grow her business consultancy as she travels the states in an RV with her mom and rescue dog (see page 74). And then there's Cielo de la Paz, a contributor who has made a career out of creating professional-quality videos using the camera that's in all of our pockets. In her article (see page 64), Cielo shares apps, gear, and advice that will allow you to create your own work of art, no DSLR camera or studio required. How empowering is that?
“The Apple Watch Series 4 stole the show, becoming a medical device in its own right.”