Reviews - page 5

Your iPhone needs this luxurious leather wallet case [Review] ★★★★

By

Mujjo Full Leather Wallet Case with MagSafe★★★★
You don't need a separate wallet with this handsome leather iPhone case from Mujjo.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple dropped its leather iPhone cases, but the Mujjo Full Leather Wallet Case with MagSafe is a brilliant alternative. It protects your valuable handset while also providing an easy way to carry credit cards and drivers license. Plus, it looks gorgeous while doing so.

I carried my iPhone 15 Plus this case on holiday, to restaurants … everywhere I went for weeks. Here’s why I love this case for my iPhone 15 Plus, despite a notable drawback.

Get better Bluetooth controls with AirBuddy [Awesome Apps]

By

AirBuddy for macOS
Wrangling Bluetooth should work this way out of the box, but luckily, there’s AirBuddy to help.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Awesome Apps

AirBuddy is a handy Mac app that lets you monitor all your nearby Bluetooth devices and AirPods. You can check battery life, switch them back and forth between multiple Macs on your desk, and best of all — get the same beautiful AirPods animations that you see on your iPhone.

It offers granular Bluetooth controls that Apple should build right into macOS.

Add a calculator widget to your Home Screen [Awesome Apps]

By

Calcullo is a simple calculator widget for your Home Screen.
Calcullo is a simple calculator widget for your Home Screen.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Awesome Apps

New in iOS 17 are interactive widgets on the Home Screen — that is, widgets that can do things, not just passively show information — and a handy one is Calcullo.

Calcullo is a $1.99 calculator widget for your Home Screen that makes it easy to tap out quick calculations on the fly.

This cellular home internet comes with truly unlimited data at a good price [Review] ★★★★☆

By

EZ Internet Solutions router sitting on a cable box★★★★☆
This router has a few tricks up its sleeve. It has an AT&T SIM card — but best of all, it didn’t come from AT&T.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

EZ Internet Solutions is a rural internet service provider that can give you a solid cellular internet connection that’s truly unlimited — no data cap, no speed throttling. If you live in a spot without any internet infrastructure, but you do have a cell connection, it is a solid option you should consider.

EZ Internet Solutions offers cellular home internet in places AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile don’t. Contrast that with HughesNet, a popular satellite internet provider, which charges an arm and a leg only to give you a fraction of the speed.

I truly live in the middle of nowhere, and yet I’ve been using EZ Internet to live stream a video podcast every week for months without a hitch.

Apple TV+ movie Killers of the Flower Moon is grueling but important [Review] ★★★★★

By

Jesse Plemons and Robert De Niro match wits in Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon★★★★★
Jesse Plemons and Robert De Niro match wits in Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ Review As far back as I could remember, Martin Scorsese has been synonymous with the movies. Now Apple TV+ has financed his latest work, an adaptation of David Grann’s true crime novel The Killers of the Flower Moon about the death of a native American community and the birth of the FBI to the tune of $200 million.

Killers of the Flower Moon will go down as one of the director’s boldest and most furious statements in a career full of them.

Swing into hack-and-slash fun with Dungeon Hunter 6 [Awesome Apps]

By

Choose your character and get ready to fight in Dungeon Hunter 6
The new Dungeon Hunter 6 is loads of fun and free (sort of).
Image: Gameloft/Goat Games
Awesome Apps

Dungeon Hunter 6, the new installment in the long-running RPG series, offers heaps of fantasy-themed battle. It’s a mix of real-time fighting and strategy, and offers a fun look to its characters and many, many monsters.

It’s a free to play game for iPhone and iPad, with in-app purchases.

Samsung T9 portable SSD offers big, fast storage in a tiny package [Review] ★★★★

By

Samsung T9 portable SSD review★★★★
The Samsung T9 puts terabytes of storage in your pocket.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Samsung T9 solid-state drive is small enough and tough enough to go almost anywhere. And it’s available in capacities up to 4 terabytes.

I put the recently launched SSD to the test with a range of Apple devices and came away pleased with the design and performance. That said, Mac users can’t take advantage of one of its best features.

Get your news, blogs, YouTube and webcomics all in one place [Awesome Apps]

By

NetNewsWire on iPhone and Mac
Keep up with everything from NetNewsWire.
Image: Roland Unger/Wikimedia Commons/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Awesome Apps

NetNewsWire is a delightfully simple RSS reader for Mac, iPhone and iPad that syncs over iCloud. What’s an RSS reader? It’s the best way to keep up with your news, read blog posts, get YouTube videos, read webcomics and follow anything online.

NetNewsWire is an app I leave open perpetually on my Mac and open dozens of times a day on my iPhone. Since its relaunch a few years ago, it’s become one of the most important, core apps for my work and relaxation. Best of all, it’s totally free and open-source with no ads or tracking.

Best rugged bands for Apple Watch Ultra

By

These are the best rugged bands for Apple Watch Ultra
Bands built to be as strong as Apple Watch Ultra itself.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

You can give your new Apple Watch Ultra a quick and easy makeover by slapping on a brand-new band. There are plenty of awesome, rugged-looking options to choose from that go great with Apple’s most robust smartwatch.

We rounded up the best Apple Watch Ultra bands in this buying guide to make your shopping easier.

Know Apple Music’s next song at a glance with LivePod app [Awesome Apps]

By

LivePod iOS app for Apple Music
With LivePod, you'll never have to open Apple Music to know what song is coming.
Photo: LivePod
Awesome Apps

Wish you didn’t have to open the Apple Music app to see what song will play next? The new iOS app LivePod turns your Apple Music Up Next queue into a Live Activity on your Lock Screen. And with newer iPhones, it shows up in the Dynamic Island.

You can use it for free on a limited basis.

Get in the habit of reading, track flights, and use iPad as a monitor [Awesome Apps]

By

iPad screen showing three apps: Flighty, Reading Time and Orion.
This week’s Awesome Apps: Reading Time, Orion and Flighty.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Awesome Apps

In this week’s Awesome Apps roundup, we have a book-reading app that will help you make reading a habit; a free app that turns an iPad into an external monitor for game consoles or cameras; and a great travel app that puts critical flight information on your Apple Watch.

3 reasons you should buy an Apple Watch Ultra

By

The Apple Watch Ultra has one standout feature that alone is worth the price of admission.
The Apple Watch Ultra has one standout feature that alone is worth the price of admission.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Although I go for almost daily bike rides for exercise, I used to always forget to record the rides on my Apple Watch. I’d always record the rides on my bike computer. But when it came to the watch, I’d never remember until halfway through the workout, if at all.

That’s until I got the Apple Watch Ultra, which boasts a bright orange Action button that I set to start an Outdoor Cycle workout.

Now, I remember every time, and it’s because of the button. It’s the strangest thing, and I have no explanation. But the act of hitting a physical button makes me remember.

The versatile Action button — which you can set to turn on the watch’s flashlight, start the stopwatch or run a shortcut, among other things — is reason enough to get the Apple Watch Ultra, which I’ve been wearing since its launch last year. But there’s another great reason. Actually, two.

PNY dual Lightning/USB drive is ready for iPhone and Mac [Review] ★★★★☆

By

PNY Duo Link iOS USB 3.2 Dual Flash Drive★★★★☆
PNY offers the cross-platform flash drive your iPhone needs.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Feeling jealous that iPhone 15 users can plug a thumb drive directly into their phone? Then you need the PNY Duo Link iOS USB 3.2 Dual Flash Drive. It has both a Lightning connector and USB-A connector, which makes it compatible with iPhone, iPad and Mac. Windows, too.

With it, you can copy images or other files between devices. Or backup your iPhone when you’re on the go.

I put PNY’s drive through its paces. Here’s what I found out.

Build a reading list and track your progress [Awesome Apps]

By

Reading Time for iPhone
A smarter way to keep your reading list organized.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Awesome Apps

Reading Time for iPhone and iPad lets you build a library of books, then tracks your progress as you read. It encourages reading by making everything easier and more fun.

You can easily scan books by their barcodes to add them to your library. When you start a reading session, a Live Activity will show up on your Lock Screen, in the Dynamic Island or in StandBy.

The Reading Time app keeps track of your progress with detailed stats — like your reading speed, and estimated time until you’re finished — in an organized dashboard of books.

Lift your iPhone way, way up with this very portable stand [Review] ★★★★★

By

Moft Snap Phone Tripod Stand review★★★★★
Moft Snap Phone Tripod Stand does a better job of bringing an iPhone to eye level than any rival I've seen.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Anyone who watches video on their iPhone can see the advantage of a portable stand. The Moft Snap Phone Tripod Stand does more than prop up the screen — it lifts your handset up 4.5 inches so the screen is closer to eye level.

It’s not bulky at all, and it magnetically attaches to the iPhone so it can be carried anywhere.

I tested the stand out for myself. Here’s why I love it.

Make iPad into HDMI monitor with Lux Orion [Awesome Apps]

By

Make iPad into HDMI monitor with Lux Orion [Awesome Apps]
Make your iPad into a screen for any device that supports HDMI output with Lux Orion and an adapter.
Photo: Lux
Awesome Apps

You can make your iPad into an external screen for your Mac, a Nintendo Switch, a camera or another device. All you need is the free Lux Orion application and a relatively cheap adapter.

Lux, the maker of the brilliant Halide camera application, made Orion just for fun. But it’s very useful, too.

Bring primo sound wherever you go with new Soundcore Motion 300 [Review] ★★★★

By

If space is at a premium, bring this little guy for big sound.★★★★
If space is at a premium, bring this little guy for big sound.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Summer outdoor activities are no more, but if you’ve got a fall hike or hay ride coming up, bring Soundcore’s compact new Motion 300 portable speaker. It’s one of the best of its kind.

It’s small, it’s tough, it looks good, it sounds great and it goes on sale today for $80. Soundcore got it right with the Motion 300, a 30-watt speaker with Wireless Hi-Res Certification and 13 hours of playtime.

Best accessories for Apple Watch

By

These are the best accessories you can buy for Apple Watch, including screen protectors, charging stands, wireless earbuds, and more.
Make Apple Watch even greater.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Got a new Apple Watch? The spending doesn’t stop there. It’s time to pick up some awesome Apple Watch accessories that will make using your device even better.

You’ll want a charging stand to enjoy Nightstand mode (and maybe even StandBy on your iPhone), a portable battery for top-ups on the go, a screen protector to keep your display free from scratches, and more. We rounded up the best options for you, so all you have to do is grab your wallet.

Hit the slopes, amuse your dog, and run a freelance biz [Awesome Apps]

By

Jolly Pet dog game running on an iPad with dog looking on.
Jolly Pet is popular iPad game for canines -- and some humans too.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Awesome Apps

This week’s Awesome Apps include a comprehensive skiing and snowboarding app with a ton of features, an app for running every aspect of a freelance business, a social network for photographers that isn’t Instagram, and a simple iPad game for dogs that also helps some humans with their anxiety.

The ultimate in pet entertainment: Jolly Dog [Awesome Apps]

By

Jolly Pet dog game running on an iPad with dog looking on.
Jolly Pet is popular iPad game for canines -- and some humans too.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Awesome Apps

Jolly Dog, an iPad game for dogs, is rapidly climbing the App Store charts, thanks to viral gameplay clips on social media.

Originally released in 2016, the app currently ranks No. 27 on the top free iPad apps in the United States, according to App Figures, a market research firm that provides app analytics.

I couldn’t get our dog interested in it, but plenty of pet owners say it provides lots of gameplay fun — and not just for their furry friends. Some humans enjoy playing it, too.

Hands-on with Spigen’s iMac-inspired iPhone 15 case [Review]

By

Three of Spigen's limited-edition Classic C1 MagFit cases, inspired by 1998's iconic iMac G3.
Spigen's limited-edition Classic C1 MagFit case is inspired by 1998's iconic iMac G3.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

One of my favorite iPhone cases of all time is Spigen’s Classic C1 MagFit case. Inspired by the iconic iMac G3, the translucent case is strong, protective, easy to get on and off, and inexpensive.

I used a similar Spigen case all last year to protect my iPhone 14. The case now looks worse for wear, but the iPhone remains pristine.

Spigen updated the case in a limited run for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, and in my hands-on testing, it’s as good as ever.

Best bands you can buy today for Apple Watch Series 9

By

Graphic showing various best Apple Watch bands for Series 9 and previous.
These are the best bands for Apple Watch in any situation.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

One of the best things about Apple Watch is the insanely wide range of awesome bands to go with it. If, like me, you’re addicted to buying bands for your Apple Watch, we’ve rounded up some of the best you can buy today to help you out.

All our picks work with Apple Watch Series 9, as well as previous versions of the device. Just be sure to pick the right size.

Why Glass is a great social network for photographers [Awesome Apps]

By

Glass social network
I don't miss Instagram since moving to Glass.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Awesome Apps

Glass is a return to the simplicity of Instagram circa 2012. It’s a social network specially tailored for looking at and posting beautiful photography. I have a thing for niche social networks, I guess.

I was an early adopter of Instagram, which initially was a picture-first social network. It’s lost focus in the years since, getting crowded with Stories, Reels, shopping and countless more half-baked features that don’t make sense. I now avoid it at all costs.

You don’t need to be a professional photographer to use it — although you do need $30/year.

Skiers and snowboarders, hit the updated Slopes app [Awesome Apps]

By

The Slopes tracking app for skiers and snowboarders is now updated for iOS 17 and watchOS 10.
The Slopes tracking app for skiers and snowboarders is now updated for iOS 17 and watchOS 10.
Photo: Slopes
Awesome Apps

As fall rolls toward winter in much of the world, it’s time for skiers and snowboarders to get ready to hit the slopes. And major updates in the popular Slopes tracking app offer a lot of great new features for just that.

The app’s slogan is “Track your edge,” and the new version gives you plenty of ways to do it with iOS 17 and watchOS 10.