Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 26 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh SE/30 (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer.
That's because he's a "tablet first" type of guy. Rather than use a Macbook, he connects a keyboard case to the iPad. And instead of a desktop Mac, he connects his tablet to a 27-inch display and full-size keyboard. (So don't try to tell him that everyone has to use a Mac to be productive.)
Before coming to Cult of Mac, Ed wrote for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
It's a MacBook that makes an iPhone – even an old one – look hefty. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Surely you already know that the newly redesigned MacBook Air is super thin. But you might not have realized just how very sleek it is. It’s actually slimmer than the original iPhone.
In fact, the macOS laptop is much, much thinner than a lot of other classic and recent Apple devices.
Don't miss your chance to get AirTags at one of the best prices we've seen. Photo: Kehn Hermano/Pexels
Apple’s AirTag item tracker is available at 17% off the usual price. This is a rare opportunity to get a discount on a single one rather than a bundle of them. But if you prefer a 4-pack, that’s available at 10% off.
It’s good timing: Father’s Day is coming up fast and AirTag makes a nice present.
Macs with Big Sur should upgrade to macOS 11.6.7. Photo: Cult of Mac
If your Mac is still running macOS 11, there’s a software update you need. Apple released macOS Big Sur 11.6.7 to fix an email bug that prevents email applications from opening attachments.
The new Lock Screen is just one of the best new features in iOS 16. Image: Apple
There’s a lot to like in iOS 16, so I couldn’t resist installing the first beta to test the best new features. Here’s my hands-on experience with the new Lock Screen, improvements in the Messages and Mail apps, and more. These are just my favorites from the couple of days I’ve had to test the initial beta.
Plus, the next version of iOS adds other features that might be great — when Apple gets them working right.
There’ll only be three seasons of the massive Apple TV+ hit Ted Lasso. One of the series writers and stars says the plan is to end the show with the upcoming season three.
That’s bad news for fans. And for Apple too, which needs every successful show it can get for its streaming service.
You can't have iPadOS 16's Stage Manager multitasking system without one of the capabilities of the M1 processor. Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
iPadOS 16 gives Apple tablets some powerful new capabilities, but there have been protests that these are limited to iPad models with the M1 processor. Apple promises this isn’t a trick to force people to upgrade their computers.
The iPad-maker says that only the M-series processors can deliver enough RAM to display eight applications at once.
Auracast will let many Bluetooth headphones share the same audio broadcast. Photo: Bluetooth SIG
Bluetooth headphones are nearly ubiquitous, and an upcoming feature called Auracast will allow computers or phones to stream music to not just one Bluetooth receiver but all of them in the area.
While one goal of Bluetooth’s Auracast broadcast audio is to let people share their music with groups, it also has more practical uses.
iPad gets a lot more Mac-like in iPaOS 16. Here's what it's like to use the new multitasking features. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
One of the most-requested iPad features is here. Stage Manager in iPadOS 16 puts applications in resizable, floating windows. I’ve tested the first beta of the new system for several days now, and there’s a lot to like. And there’s plenty of frustration too. But some of that comes from this being an early beta.
Here’s my hands-on experience with the iPad’s new multitasking system, and why I think it’s going to change the way many of us use our tablets.
SoundForm Immerse earbuds are Belkin’s top-of-the-line audio solution. Photo: Belkin
The just-launched Belkin SoundForm Immerse Bluetooth earbuds offer more than just great sound. They have active noise cancellation, and also work with Apple’s Find My network so they can be located with an iPhone.
They offer many of the same features as Apple’s AirPods Pro but at a lower cost.
Craig Federighi, Apple software chief, made a pitch for more Mac and iPad gaming at WWDC22. Screenshot: Apple
Mac is not the preferred platform for most gamers, but Metal 3 in macOS Ventura shows Apple hasn’t given up. And iPadOS 16 is getting support for a wider range of game controllers.
These are just a couple of gaming features Apple is bringing to Mac and iPad.
The EU will require future iPhones to have a USB-C port. Photo: Tom Pillonel
The Lightning port’s days are numbered. The EU government has settled on a plan that will require all new phones and tablets to have a USB-C port, including iPhone.
But is seems Apple saw the writing on the wall and is already getting ready to switch iPhone from Lightning to USB-C.
The new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro can handle just one external display. Photo: Apple
Anyone with an eye on the newly announced MacBook Air or 13-inch MacBook Pro should be aware that they have a limitation: each supports only a single external monitor. It seems that’s all the Apple M2 processor can handle.
But the same is true for MacBooks with the original M1 chip, and workarounds were developed for these devices that will likely work with the M2 models.
Apple's team of software wizards unleashed a torrent of welcome surprises in the WWDC22 keynote. Photo: Apple
Credit to Apple: The company managed to sneak some real surprises past the leakers and tipsters. Several reveals during Monday’s Worldwide Developers Conference keynote came as a shock to everyone. There’s a new MacBook no one was expecting, a way to use an iPhone as a Mac webcam, a huge revamp to CarPlay and more.
Also surprising were some things that didn’t show show up during the live-streamed event.
Here’s everything unexpected that managed to sneak into the WWDC22 keynote.
iPadOS 16 brings some of the most-requested iPad features, including floating app windows and full external display support. Screenshot: Apple
The wraps came off iPadOS 16 during the keynote for WWDC22 on Monday, and Apple fulfilled the requests of many iPad power users by adding support for resizable, floating app windows. And there’s also full support for external displays. There are many other changes as well.
“Our vision for iPadOS is to create a distinct experience that’s built on the best of iOS with powerful capabilities from macOS, combined with features that are uniquely iPad,” said Craig Federighi, SVP of software engineering. “All of this comes together to deliver our most versatile release this year in iPadOS 16.”
Dinosaurs in augmented reality would look awesome. Concept: Cult of Mac/Ian Zelbo
Imagine standing in your backyard and looking up at a full-size Tyrannosaurus rex. That’s the possibility raised by a report that Apple asked producer Jon Favreau to turn his Prehistoric Planet docuseries into augmented reality or virtual reality. The project is supposedly for the AR/VR headset Apple will launch soon.
Apple also reportedly recruited other film and TV directors to create content, too.
A Mac mini with a faster M2 chip could be right around the corner. Photo: Apple
An unannounced Mac mini is now listed on the B&H website, though without full product details. The desktop’s most eye-catching feature is an Apple M2 processor, which also has not yet been announced.
In addition, the retailer lists a “Mac mini Tower” running an M1 Pro. Both products are labeled as “New Item – Coming Soon.”
Solve puzzles to solve a mystery in a new Frogger game. Photo: Konami
Mix the classic Frogger arcade game with Raiders of the Lost Ark and you get Frogger and the Rumbling Ruins. Jump through puzzle-ridden ruins to unravel their mysteries.
The puzzle game from Konami debuted Friday on the Apple Arcade subscription service.
The Satechi Slim Dock rests on your iMac's stand and adds six ports and room for an SSD. Photo: Satechi
Satechi’s USB-C Slim Dock sits on the stand for the 24-inch iMac and adds six frequently-used ports. It also sports an enclosure for user-installed SSDs.
It launched Friday, and is available now for 20% off the usual price.
Improvements to scheduling rules for Apple retail employees are likely intended to head off unionizing efforts. Photo: Apple
Apple U.S. retail store employees now get a minimum of 12 hours between shifts, up from 10 hours. And they won’t have to work more than five days in a row. These are just two of the changes Apple is reportedly making to how it schedules workers at its 270+ retail locations.
It’s likely these are intended to reduce employee interest in joining unions.
WWDC22 will give us our first official looks at iOS 16, macOS 13, iPadOS 16 and watchOS 9. But you don't have to wait. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
We’re less than a week away from WWDC22, but it’s not too late to take a look ahead to the unveiling of iOS 16, macOS 13, iPadOS 16 and watchOS 9. As always, these operating system upgrades are expected to be the highlights of Apple’s annual developer conference.
Some details about them already leaked out, though. Here’s a foretaste of WWDC22.
Case X from Byrdbyte Creations is three MacBook accessories in one. Photo: Byrdbyte Creations
There are cases for MacBooks. And there are USB-C hubs. And external hard drives, too. Case X is all three of these. It clips to the top of the laptop, adding six extra ports and up to 4TB of additional storage.
Byrdbyte Creations’ product is still at the crowdfunding stage, though.
This is our first look at Gugu Mbatha-Raw in Surface, coming this summer to Apple TV+. Photo: Apple TV+
Apple TV+ revealed that the psychological thriller Surface from Veronica West will premiere on July 29. It stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, best known for appearing in Apple’s critically acclaimed The Morning Show.
The upcoming series asks, what if you woke up one day and didn’t know your own secrets?