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Apple's next-generation iPhones are almost here, and you're going to want a new case to compliment and protect your shiny new iPhone 5c or iPhone 5s when it arrives. Thankfully there are a lot of options to choose from, starting with Apple's own official line of next-generation cases. Here are a few examples of third party cases, skins and screen protectors in case Apple's "Connect Four-look" isn't what you had in mind.

This is the first time the iPhone is being offered in more than two colors, so why cover it up? Griffin Technology has just launched its new Survivor Clear for the iPhone 5c. The see-through case not only allows you to show off your colorful new iPhone, but it guards against drops and bumps thanks to its clear polycarbonate shell and TPE rubber edges. Griffin also claims that the Survivor Clear will protect your device even if you drop it on "hard pavement". The Survivor Clear for the iPhone 5c is available for $30.

UPDATE: The Survivor Clear has not been released yet, but Griffin's Reveal Case ($20) and Survivor Custom Case ($50) for the iPhone 5s are currently available.

Now that Marvel has finished taking over the big and small screens, they’ve turned their sights on the even smaller screen. As a tie-in to the release of Iron Man 3 on Blu-ray, the company has launched a free iOS app based on Tony Stark’s virtual butler JARVIS for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.

Officially titled "Marvel’s Iron Man 3 - JARVIS: A Second Screen Experience,” it features the voice of Paul Bettany, who recorded over 20 hours of new material exclusively for the app. The voice-activated A.I. butler is similar to Siri and uses verbal commands to post on Facebook and Twitter, set alarms, remind you of appointments, and check time and weather. With the purchase of Iron Man 3 on Blu-ray, JARVIS can be used as a remote control to navigate the disc menu, as well as unlock special Iron Man armors in the iOS app’s gallery.

Apple is sweetening the deal for anyone who buys a new iOS device this fall. Starting on September 1st, the company started offering five of its paid apps free to anyone purchasing a new, iOS 7 compatible device. Free titles from the iWork suite include Pages, Numbers and Keynote, while the iLife apps iPhoto and iMovie are part of the deal.

Overall, the promotion by Apple will save those picking up a new iPhone, iPad or iPod touch a cool $39.95 when compared to the App Store purchase price. Of course, the more people use iWork and iLife apps on iOS devices, the more likely they are to seek out the desktop version, which runs on OS X. When it comes to productivity, iWork competes with Microsoft Office, while iPhoto and iMovie are geared more towards creativity.

There was a time when Apple sold iPhone docks, but with the iPhone 5 the company decided to leave the dock business to third-party accessory manufacturers. Fast forward to now, and Apple has decided to offer two different Lightning connector docks for $29 each. One will be designed for the iPhone 5 and 5s, while the other will fit the colorful iPhone 5c.

Made of white plastic, these new Apple docks look similar in appearance to the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3G docks, which are still available in the Apple Store online. The simple base connects via the Lightning port on the bottom of the iPhone, holding the device up. These updated Apple docks feature special audio porting for better clarity during speakerphone calls

Remember the good old days, when services like Ping were abandoned after just 25 months? Apple must have set a new record by officially canceling iOS Cards service after only 23 months in operation. In case you missed it, September 10 was the last day to order and send a physical card using the Cards app.

Cards service was first released in October 2011, along with the launch of the iPhone 4S and iOS 5. The app was a surprise announcement by Scott Forstall at the iPhone 4S media event. Users could choose from 21 template designs and add their own message and photos. Cards were sent for $2.99 with custom postage from the USPS, and paid for using an Apple ID.