Ed Hardy, author at Cult of Mac

Speedy new Samsung T9 portable SSD puts 4TB in your pocket

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Samsung T9 portable SSD
The Samsung T9 SSD is small but holds terabytes of data.
Photo: Samsung

The just-launched 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.

The USB-C drive offers high-speed data transfers, and support for USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 allows files to move even faster … but not for Mac users.

Feds will test nationwide phone emergency alert system on Wednesday

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Feds test nationwide phone emergency alert system
Your iPhone will get an emergency alert Wednesday that looks a lot like this.
Photo: FCC/FEMA

iPhones and Androids in the United States will receive an emergency alert Wednesday, but it’s not anything to worry about. It will come from a couple of U.S. government agencies testing the Wireless Emergency Alerts system.

This isn’t the first time the system has been tested — the feds are required to check that the system works every few years.

In short, just ignore it. Also ignore the crazy conspiracy theories surrounding the test.

Pick up HomePod 2 refurbished by Apple on the cheap

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Apple HomePod 2 in white and midnight
You don't have to pay full price to get the audio quality of HomePod 2.
Photo: Apple

Apple is now offering refurbished units of its second-generation full-size HomePod at 17% off the regular price. This new version offers high-quality audio and additional smart-home features

Buying refurbs from Apple is a popular way to save on used electronics that can be relied on.

How to access a USB drive with iPhone or iPad

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How to access a USB drive with iPhone or iPad
Using a USB drive with iPhone or iPad is much easier than it used to be.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The world is full of USB drives, from portable thumbdrives to full external SSDs. Happily, you’re not closed off from these just because you use an iPhone or iPad. Connecting to external drives has gotten much easier than it used to be.

And you’ll have full read/write access to everything on the drive. You won’t even need to install any software, as the app you need comes preinstalled on your device.

It’s not just you: iOS 17 has a battery life problem

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iOS update does not deliver promised iPhone battery improvement
iOS 17 is hard on battery life.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iOS 17 reduces the battery life of an array of older models. The result: Users of the iPhone XR, iPhone 13, etc., running the latest operating system version need to charge up their handsets more often.

It is not normal for a new iOS version to universally reduce battery life. But a fix may be on the way.

iPhone 15 Pro Max isn’t nearly as fragile as you might think

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iPhone 15 Pro Max drop test
This titanium corner of an iPhone 15 Pro Max drop test smashed into concrete in a drop test..
Photo: PhoneBuff

An iPhone 15 Pro Max came away severely cracked but still completely functional after a punishing series of drop tests.

Apple’s latest performed almost exactly as well as last year’s iPhone 14 Pro Max did on the same tests, despite a recent report that the new model is more fragile than its predecessor.

Kingston’s tiny new external SSD is quick and budget-friendly [Review] ★★★★

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Kingston XS1000 External SSD review★★★★
Add up to 2TB of storage to your Mac or iPad with this pocket-size SSD.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Kingston XS1000 External SSD is about the size of pack of gum but holds up to 2 terabytes of data. And it can transfer files at high speed, too.

I put the petite but powerful and affordable solid state drive to the test and came away impressed.