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 owns), 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 must use a Mac to be productive.)
Before coming to Cult of Mac, Ed wrote for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
Glasses designed to show augmented reality could be an eye-popping product launch from Apple in 2021. Photo: Taeyeon Kim
Apple plans to release an augmented-reality device in 2021, according to a trusted analyst. This could be the AR glasses that were the subject of so many rumors in 2020.
A faster refresh rate might be a highlight of 2021’s iPhone 13. Concept: ConceptsiPhone
A much-requested feature could make its debut in the iPhone 13. The refresh rate for the phone’s display reportedly will make the jump from 60 Hz to 120 Hz, leading to a smoother appearance.
The Ugreen X-Kit looks like an ordinary laptop standing, but it does much more. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Laptop stands make it easier to type as well as see what’s on your MacBook display. USB-C hubs make adding peripherals to your laptop a snap. The Ugreen X-Kit is both a display and a hub. Plus, it’s designed to be used on the go.
I tried out this combination stand/hub to see how well it works with Apple gear. Read on to see what I found out.
There are outstanding improvements coming to many Apple product in 2021. Photo: Cult of Mac
Apple broke new ground in 2020, and will build on that in many ways in 2021. It should be a really significant year for Mac. And iPad and Apple Watch are expected to get important new features as well.
Plus, this could be the year a product Apple has been quietly developing finally breaks out.
If Apple makes a foldable iPhone, it might look like this concept design. Screenshot: ConceptsiPhone
Apple is reportedly testing two different folding iPhone designs. But only one of them has a flexible screen. If one of the prototypes successfully passes testing, it could become the first foldable iOS handset.
Max Stand seems like something Apple should have thought of itself. Photo: Floating Pixels
A small German design studio dreamed up an improvement to AirPods Max. The Max Stand from Floating Pixels holds Apple’s new over-the-ears headphones upright, making them easy to pick up and use. And it adds wireless charging, rather than requiring users to plug in a cable.
It’s not too soon to start an iPadOS 15 wishlist. Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple’s developers are surely already thinking about iPadOS 15, and will almost certainly unveil it in June 2021. Considering iPadOS 14 was thin on exciting new features, it’s easy to look ahead. Here are some suggestions from a heavy iPad user of what the devs should have on their to-do list.
Seeing your Apple Watch while running is far easier with the EdgeGear Shift. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The design of the wristwatch hasn’t changed in over 100 years, but EdgeGear has an alternative that makes it easier for runners to see their Apple Watch while on the go. The Shift is not like any band you’ve worn before, as the Watch is held near the base of your thumb, not in the middle of your wrist.
I took the EdgeGear Shift on a few runs, and can report on how it performed in the real world.
CBS All Access supports multiple user accounts. Why not iPadOS? Photo: Cult of Mac
A recent patent proves Apple is working on an often-requested feature for iPad and iPhone: multiple user accounts. It’s not proof that this will be part of the next version of iOS or iPadOS, but it’s a promising sign.
Water collected inside these AirPods Max ear cups after extended use. Photo: Donald Filimon
Apple’s AirPods Max headphones are drawing complaints from some users after drops of water formed inside the earpads after extended use. Condensation is not an uncommon problem with over-the-ear headphones, though the metal ear cups and tight fit of the Apple version might increase the amount.
Lots of iPhone activations show that Apple handsets were the most popular to gave and receive this Christmas. Photo: Apple
Nine of the top ten handsets activated on Christmas Day in the U.S. were iPhones, according to a market-analysis firm. Only a single Android slipped onto the list… and in last place.
But it’s not Apple’s newest that dominated holiday sales. Older, more affordable models were the top sellers.
The Aukey Omnia Mix3 Charger is smaller than Apple’s MacBook one, but boasts 3x as many ports. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Aukey Omnia Mix3 90W 3-Port PD Charger can juice up your MacBook Pro at nearly full speed. Or it can power your iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch all at the same time.
Since Apple stopped bundling chargers with its iPhones, but they do come with a Lightning to USB-C cable, now is a good time to consider a multi-port USB-C solution like this one.
I put the Aukey wall charger to the test powering up my devices. Read on to see how well it did.
Caviar saw the complaints about the AirPods Max’s $550 price and said “Hold my beer.” Photo: Caviar
The $550 price tag for Apple’s AirPods Max raised no few eyebrows, but the Russian luxury brand Caviar blows that out of the water. It just launched a version of these over-the-ear headphones that is 200x more expensive.
A driverless vehicle from Apple might not hit the roads for close to a decade. Graphic: hatzfeld/Pixabay CC/Cult of Mac
A respected Apple analyst and prognosticator threw cold water on recent reports about a future Apple Car arriving in the next few years. Ming-Chi Kuo says it’s possible a self-driving vehicle from Apple could land in 2025, but he wouldn’t be surprised if the launch doesn’t happen before 2028.
An iPad with an Apple M-series processor should be able to run the Mac version of Photoshop. But not macOS. Photo: Cult of Mac
Future iPads will be built around Apple’s M-series Mac processors, rather than A-series iPhone chips, according to a recent unconfirmed report. This is a much-needed step in Apple tablets becoming all they can be.
A more powerful processor would allow iPads to easily run macOS software. And that’s just one of the game-changing improvements possible for tablets with M-series chips.
iPads could be so much faster running Apple M-series Mac processors. Photo: Cult of Mac
Apple could be preparing to dramatically improve the performance of its iPads. The company reportedly will start building its tablets with the same M-series chips that go into the company’s laptops and desktops.
These will be produced by Apple’s chip maker TSMC, which is moving ahead with developing 3nm processors. Its first production units will reportedly be M-series chips for Macs. And these processors will also allegedly be used in future iPad models.
Twelve South AirFly Pro is the perfect companion for AirPods Pro. Photo: Twelve South
AirFly Pro can wirelessly connect your AirPods to a plane’s entertainment system. Or the machines at your gym. If it has a 3.5 mm audio jack, this Bluetooth adapter lets it communicate with your AirPods. Even two pairs at once.
And the same easily pocketable gizmo can connect your iPhone to a car stereo’s AUX port to play music off your iPhone.
I tested both these features — find out how well they work in this AirFly Pro review.
Reconfiguring the buttons on an PS4 or Xbox game controller connected to an iPad or iPhone is easy. Here’s how. Graphic: Cult of Mac
Serious gaming on your iPad or iPhone gets better with an external Xbox or PlayStation controller instead of a touchscreen. And Apple recently improved the experience even more by allowing you to reconfigure the buttons on your game controller.
Here’s how to customize what those all-important buttons do.
An Apple Car for your family might be ready in 2024. Photo: Cult of Mac
Apple is reportedly prepping an an autonomous vehicle that’s aimed at the consumer market. Leaked information indicates Apple is going to make a car and sell it to the public, not just develop self-driving technology to license to other companies.
Apple Car production supposedly will begin in 2024 using cutting-edge battery technology.
The Mophie Juice Pack Connect is bulky, but the clip-on battery is easily removable. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Attach the Mophie Juice Pack Connect to your iPhone to significantly increase the battery life. And replace it with a ring holder/stand when you want a slim handset again.
I put this clip-on battery system to the test. Here’s how it stood up.
Apple tipsters are butting heads over whether there’ll be an iPad Pro with an OLED screen in 2021. Photo: Apple
Apple reportedly isn’t prepping a iPad Pro with an OLED display in 2021. This counters a report from several weeks ago that said an iPadOS tablet with the advanced screen is in development.
All iPads use traditional LEDs, but that might change in the coming year. What the new type of display will be is still up in the air, though.
Samuel L. Jackson (center) first appeared on Apple TV+ in “The Banker.” Photo: Apple
Superstar Samuel L. Jackson will take the lead in The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, a limited series coming to Apple TV+. The show is being adapted from a novel about a dying man getting a revival of his youth.
Earlier in 2020, Jackson appeared in The Banker, the first movie on Apple TV+.
Justin Timberlake learns to be a dad in Palmer, coming soon to Apple TV+. Photo: Apple TV+
The next star-powered movie on Apple TV+ will put Justin Timberlake in the spotlight. He’ll star in Palmer as a former prisoner determined to put his life back together. The film will debut on Apple’s streaming service in late January.