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Apple Pencil - page 3

Absurd Apple Pencil dongle sends fans into spiral of grief

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Yes, you'll need a dongle to charge an Apple Pencil with your shiny new iPad. Deal with it.
Yes, you'll need a dongle to charge an Apple Pencil with your shiny new iPad. Deal with it.
Photo: Ben White/Unsplash License

The decision to make the all-new iPad compatible with the original Apple Pencil looks likely to go down as one of Apple’s most ridiculous design decisions.

Since the new entry-level iPad utilizes USB-C rather than Lightning, you can’t plug the Apple Pencil into the tablet to charge the stylus. And Apple’s “fix” — the $9 USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter that will come packaged with old-school Apple Pencils — sent some Apple fans into an accelerated version of the five stages of grief.

iPad 10 could support more-capable Apple Pencil 2 [Updated]

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Like everything else, the new Apple Pencil is better.
iPad 10 will apparently include support for the improved Apple Pencil 2, which helps confirm that the tablet is in for a major redesign.
Photo: Andrea Nepori

A slipup by a retail employee revealed that the upcoming iPad 10 will support the Apple Pencil 2. That’s a change from the current version of Apple’s most affordable tablet, which is compatible with the original version of the stylus with fewer features.

Update: No, it does not. There are many changes in the iPad 10, but it still supports Apple Pencil 1.

The next budget iPad is expected to launch any day now. This is only the latest leak revealing info about it.

Get 20% off screen protector that makes writing on iPad feel like paper

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Write or draw like it's real paper with this iPad screen protector.
Write or draw like it's real paper with this iPad screen protector.
Photo: SwitchEasy

If you’re like me, you love your iPad for its many uses and its portability. And an Apple Pencil is fun to use for both writing and drawing on the tablet. But wouldn’t it be more rewarding if it felt more like writing and drawing on real paper?

This may be why I still use an old-school notebook for most of my notes and doodles. But now the SwitchEasy PaperLike iPad Screen Protectors offers an inexpensive way to make the iPad screen feel more like paper when you use Pencil.

And better yet, you can get the screen protector at 20% off in the Cult of Mac Store from October 14 through October 21. That’s a savings of $6.

Get a magnetic iPad stylus for about half Apple Pencil 2’s price

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Palm sensitivity lets you rest your palm as you write or draw without messing anything up.
Palm sensitivity lets you rest your palm as you write or draw without messing anything up.
Photo: SwitchEasy

Buying an iPad doesn’t usually mean just buying an iPad. Many people want useful accessories, like a stylus that lets them write and draw more precisely than they can with their fingers. But Apple Pencil 2 usually goes for a fairly steep $129.

If you’d like to get an advanced stylus with most of Apple Pencil 2’s features for much less, you have options. A good one is the SwitchEasy EasyPencil Pro.

You can get the fourth-gen version of it in the Cult of Mac Store for just over half the cost of Apple Pencil 2, plus a supply of extra tips for different uses. Or you can nab the third-gen EasyPencil for a little less. See more information below.

‘Tower of power’ spurs cable-clutter debate over otherwise-clean rig [Setups]

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Plenty to see here, but the
Plenty to see here, but the "tower for power" in the corner drew most of the attention.
Photo: [email protected]

Some people care deeply about cable management, with nary a cord to be seen in their computer setups. Others couldn’t care less about it, leaving wire-spaghetti all over the place. And folks in the middle want to do it right, but meh, maybe next week, and maybe only somewhat.

Today’s featured MacBook Pro and iPad Pro setup stakes out much of the ground described above. Cable management is in play, but it’s done in a way that drove some neatniks crazy while others applauded the controlled mayhem.

Adonit’s inexpensive new iPad stylus offers on-tablet wireless charging

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Adonit's inexpensive new iPad stylus offers on-tablet wireless charging
The Adonit Neo Pro gets power from the side of a compatible iPad, just as Apple Pencil does. But it costs much less.
Photo: Adonit

Place the Adonit Neo Pro on the side of an iPad and the stylus will start charging. The Apple Pencil 2 can do the same trick, but the Neo Pro costs less than half as much.

Adonit’s stylus can do most of what Apple’s can, as it offers tilt sensitivity and palm rejection. All it’s missing is pressure sensitivity.

Spot the gadgets hidden in new Apple wallpaper

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Can you see Siri, an iPhone and an Apple Pencil among the flora here?
Can you see Siri, an iPhone and an Apple Pencil among the flora here?
Photo: Apple

Cupertino’s latest Apple Store location is coming to tony Brompton Road, London, on July 28. To go along with that opening Apple just put out a flowery new wallpaper with some hidden imagery to help pique your interest.

Among the exotic flora in the image above, can you spot an Apple Pencil, an iPhone and Siri remote? That’s not everything lurking there, but it’s a start.

Apple marks Juneteenth with artist’s iPad Pro illustrations

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To celebrate Juneteenth, artist Ajuan Mance is revisiting “The Ancestors’ Juneteenth,” a series that depicts historical Black figures in present-day settings.
To celebrate Juneteenth, artist Ajuan Mance is revisiting “The Ancestors’ Juneteenth,” a series that depicts historical Black figures in present-day settings.
Photo: Apple

In the run-up to Juneteenth, which takes place on Sunday, Apple showcased an artist Friday who created a series of digital drawings with iPad Pro and Apple Pencil.

The series, by Juan Mance, celebrates and chronicles Black figures throughout U.S. history, putting them in modern contexts.

Dress up and protect your iPad mini and Pencil with durable sleeves

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This folio case shown has the clasp. Another version does not.
This folio case shown has the clasp. Another version does not.
Photo: Elago

You’d probably no sooner carry around your iPad mini in public without a case than you would your MacBook Pro. But you can keep the slim form factor and terrific portability of your tablet while keeping it safe by slipping it into an Elago Smart Folio Case.

And what’s more, Elago just put out a new product that goes with iPads and the Apple Pencils that work so well with them. The Elago Apple Pencil Holder is a super-secure and protective sleeve for a stylus that fixes strongly to a tablet or its case.

And best of all, two versions of the folio are a great deal in the Cult of Mac Store, as is the Pencil holder — all detailed below.

Wildly expansive USB-C hub jacks up new Mac Studio [Setups]

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With the dock it sits on, that Mac Studio is even more formidable.
With the dock it sits on, that Mac Studio is even more formidable.
Photo: [email protected]

A cool aspect of both Mac minis and the newer Mac Studio are the platform-like USB-C hubs festooned with ports and added storage capacity that third parties have designed for them to sit on. Satechi was quick out of the gate with one for the mini, but there are other such cleverly designed, space-saving hubs on the market. And many of them also fit the Studio.

Today’s featured setup boasts a powerful new Mac Studio perched on a Qwiizlab hub as it drives an LG UltraWide display, among other gear.

This sleek charging station powers 5 Apple devices at once

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This modular charger can power 5 devices at once.
This might be the perfect solution to handle all your charging needs.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Why mess with multiple chargers for multiple devices when you can use one for everything? A quality charging station can provide the same charging power as dedicated cables, while taking up a fraction of the space.

The modular Omnia Q5 5-in-1 Wireless Charging Station can power five devices at once: iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods and Apple Pencil. And for a limited time it’s $89.95 (regularly $120) with code SPRING10.

If you own an Apple Pencil, you should try these 4 accessories

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Elago's Home Stand gives your Apple Pencil a nice little house.
Elago's Home Stand gives your Apple Pencil a nice little house.
Photo: Elago

The Apple Pencil is a great tool that helps you make full use of an iPad, whether you want to take notes or draw. And Elago offers some wonderful accessories that can help you get the most out of your Apple Pencil.

The company’s Apple Pencil accessories collection includes inventive stands, helpful grips and a case. See the descriptions and direct links below!

Wow, this stunning iPad drawing isn’t a photo

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iPad art: Wow, this stunning iPad drawing isn’t a photo
It’s amazing what can be created with an iPad, Apple Pencil and Procreate.
Photo: Apple/Greg Joswiak/Cult of Mac

Greg “Joz” Joswiak, Apple’s marketing chief, shared an image of a surprised young girl today. It looks like a photo, but the image was instead drawn by an Apple employee using an iPad Pro and Apple Pencil.

Check Joswiak‘s post for the full image. And never doubt that iPad is a serious tool for creating amazing art.

Is it OK to use a Mac mini as a stand for your display? [Setups]

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Is it OK to rest your display on top of your Mac mini?
Is it OK to rest your display on top of your Mac mini?
Photo: [email protected]

We’ve written about storing a Mac mini in an upright rather than a flat position to save space. It’s OK to do if the machine’s intake and exhaust vents are not blocked. But what about using your Mac mini as a stand for a display, as in today’s featured computer setup?

It’s not necessarily quite as cut-and-dried as the upright mini question. Whether it’s totally fine or a little risky depends a little more on the specific Mac mini and the kind of monitor you use.

Apple should build Find My into everything it makes

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Apple should build ‘Find My’ into everything it makes
We should be able to locate every type of Apple accessory with Find My.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

I’ve misplaced my AirPods case. It’s in my house … somewhere. Fortunately, I can use the Find My app to locate it, as though it were a lost AirPod or AirTag.

Ha, ha, ha! No, I can’t. AirPods cases don’t offer Find My support. Just as the feature is missing from far too many other Apple accessories.

This needs to change. Find My is amazing, but limited by not being on devices that need it.

Update: In autumn 2022, Apple built Find My support into AirPods Pro 2, a sign that the tracking system might be coming to more peripherals.

Save on awesome accessories for all Apple devices this St. Patrick’s Day

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Cult of Mac Store St. Patrick's Day sale
Use the code PATRICK at checkout.
Image: Elago/Cult of Mac

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by saving 20% on outstanding accessories for all your Apple devices in the Cult of Mac Store.

We’ve got cases, premium Apple Watch bands, do-it-all charging stands, sturdy in-car mounts, MacBook risers, and lots, lots more. Use the promo code PATRICK at checkout to take advantage of the discount today only.

Recharge your Apple Pencil 2 in this convenient case [Review]

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TechMatte Apple Pencil Gen 2 Charging Carrying Case review
With TechMatte’s charging case, your Apple Pencil.is ready to use wherever you go.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The TechMatte Apple Pencil Gen 2 Charging Carrying Case juices up the iPad’s official stylus when it’s not attached to the tablet. It’s a secure place to carry the Apple Pencil around, and keep it topped off when you’re on the go.

I tested this charging accessory to be sure it lives up to its promises.

College gives every student free MacBook Pro, iPad mini and Apple Pencil

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If you're in college, maybe it's time to transfer?
If you're in college, maybe it's time to transfer?
Photo: Bowdoin College

In 2020, Bowdoin College in Maine launched a $1.7 million program to give students iPads and accessories. It was a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Tuesday, the school said it would expand what it calls its Digital Excellence Commitment. Now it will provide every student with a MacBook Pro, an iPad and an Apple Pencil.

How to quickly and easily fix common Apple Pencil problems

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Apple-Pencil-close-up
There's almost always an easy fix.
Photo: Daniel Korpai/Unsplash

Just like any other electronic gadget, Apple Pencil can sometimes experience issues that prevent it from working as intended. The good news is that it’s quick and easy to fix almost any Apple Pencil problem.

Try these simple tricks to eliminate connectivity problems, stuttering and more when your Apple Pencil starts acting up.

This 5-in-1 modular charging station is the perfect gift for any Apple fan

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Give the gift of a full battery this holiday season.
This five-way charger takes up very little room on your desk or nightstand.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

You shouldn’t need separate charging cables for each of your devices. The Omnia Q5 5-in-1 Wireless Charging Station is one of the first wireless charging stations that works for five devices at the same time. It’s on sale now for $99.95 (regular price: $120), but you can save even more — get an additional 20% off with code GREEN20.

The best Cyber Monday deals on Apple’s hottest devices

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Apple Cyber Monday deals
Enjoy the discounts before they disappear.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Black Friday is over for another year, but Cyber Monday has just begun, which means there’s still time to enjoy big discounts on Apple devices.

AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad and more are currently available at tasty discounts from third-party retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. And to make shopping a little easier, we rounded up all the best deals on Apple’s hottest gear.

AirPods Pro with MagSafe Case is a total steal at just $189.99

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AirPods Pro with MagSafe case: There's no telling how long these deals will last.
There's no telling how long these deals on AirPods Pro and other Apple gear will last.
Photo: Apple

A pre-Black Friday price cut from Amazon makes the new AirPods Pro with MagSafe Charging Case surprisingly affordable at just $189.99. With active noise cancellation, excellent audio quality and three sizes of silicone ear tips for a comfortable fit, Apple’s high-end earbuds hit all the right notes.

If you want a pair — or want to knock out some early holiday gift shopping — you might want to jump on this deal. Or one of Amazon’s other surprising discounts on the Apple gear you crave, like an Apple Pencil 2 for just $99.