Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 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.
The Satechi Compact Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard leaves plenty of extra room on your desktop. Photo: Satechi
Don’t let the name fool you — the Satechi Compact Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard includes a full keypad and numberpad. Plus, it can be paired with three devices, and switch easily between them.
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery then Huawei is outrageously flattering the iPad Pro. Photo: Huawei
No, we didn’t mix up the picture of Huawei’s new tablet with one of the iPad Pro. The two are so similar you have to look closely to see any differences.
The just-announced MatePad Pro doesn‘t run iPadOS, but is otherwise a clone of Apple’s tablet, including the clip-on keyboard and stylus.
A proposed iPhone 12 boasts a screen with 505 pixels per inch, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and 900 nits brightness. Screenshot: Pallav Raj/ConceptsiPhone
An artist has imagined the 2020 iPhone with in-display Face ID, a fourth camera lens, and a design based on the iPhone 5. His video brilliantly shows off these proposed features for the iPhone 12.
Apple CEO Tim Cook is not just a fan of the Mac Pro, he also strongly favors national privacy legislation. Photo: White House
Tim Cook says that tech companies are doing a poor job creating policies that protect user privacy. The CEO of Apple wants the US government to step in.
Apple won a round in court against VirnetX, a company often accused of being patent troll. An appeals court threw out $503 million award that the iPhone maker was ordered to pay in an earlier ruling.
However, the court didn’t reverse the original patent-infringement decision, just the amount of the award.
Perhaps some extra time will let Microsoft rethink the design of the Surface Earbuds. Photo: Microsoft
Making a serious rival to AirPods is harder than Microsoft thought. It just pushed back the release of Surface Earbuds until well past the holiday shopping season.
Building your smart home is about to get a whole lot easier. Photo: Abode
Abode finally scored HomeKit certification for its Iota home security hub. This allows iPhone and iPad users to arm and disarm the system, get alerts, and access the video feed coming from this gateway. Even better, sensors connected through this hub can also be controlled via HomeKit.
Trump’s China deal may stop Apple hiking prices of iPhones and iPads Photo: White House
Apple CEO Tim Cook clearly impressed Donald Trump yesterday during their tour of the Mac Pro factory; the president suggested that Apple be involved in rolling out 5G access across the US.
Apple CEO Tim Cook talks Mac Pro and American jobs with President Trump. Screenshot: White House
President Donald Trump today toured the factory in Texas where the blazing-fast new Mac Pro is being assembled. His tour guide was Apple CEO Tim Cook, further demonstrating the good relationship the two have, despite disagreeing on many topics.
The Banker was originally scheduled to debut last year. Photo: Apple
The Banker, the first Apple TV+ original movie, will miss its world debut this week. Apple pulled the film after allegations of sexual abuse emerged involving Bernard Garrett Jr., the son of one of the men portrayed in the film and a co-producer of the project.
In the wake of recently surfaced accusations lodged by his half-sisters, Cynthia and Sheila Garrett, Garrett Jr.’s name has been scrubbed from the movie’s publicity materials. And the movie, originally scheduled to premier Thursday night at AFI Fest in Los Angeles, has been nixed. Now it’s not clear when it will be released.
The OtterBox Strada leather folio wallet case is a both tough and attractive. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Combining your iPhone case with your wallet is an easy way to simplify your life. Take the OtterBox Strada for the iPhone 11, which offers slots to hold multiple cards, while also wrapping around the front, back and sides of your handset. A leather exterior gives it a luxurious look and feel.
I used an OtterBox Strada for weeks — here’s how it stood up in daily use.
AirPods Pro might sell out before Christmas or Hanukkah. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
AirPods are shaping up to be one of the hottest gifts this holiday season. And while it might seem like there’s still plenty of time to pick up a pair before Christmas or Hanukkah, there’s less time than you think.
iTunes for Windows might be split up. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
Windows users might not have to use iTunes much longer. Mac users were freed from this often-criticized multimedia software by macOS Catalina, but it lives on computers running Microsoft’s operating system.
However, Apple seems to be staffing up to create a replacement for Windows too.
A proposed Apple VR glove lets you feel the virtual items you see. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple engineers laid the groundwork for a pair of gloves that would let users feel objects displayed by virtual reality or augmented reality.
The idea of gloves with haptic feedback isn’t new, but a newly-received patent shows Apple continues to put considerable research and development effort into cutting-edge VR and AR.
Satechi Type-C Aluminum Stand & Hub really matches the look of the Mac mini. Photo: Satechi
A just-released stand adds an array of front-facing ports to a Mac mini, and it matches the look of this tiny desktop. The Satechi Type-C Aluminum Stand & Hub not only elevates the computer, it includes six expansion ports.
AirPods are the gift teens want most this holiday season. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Anyone at a loss for what to get a hard-to-buy-for teenager need look no further than the Apple Store. Specifically, AirPods. That’s a conclusion of a survey done by a market-research firm.
Surprisingly, this same firm sees slowing interest in Fortnite.
Explore the inside of the new 16-inch MacBook with a teardown by iFixit. Photo: iFixit
Disassembling the new 16-inch MacBook Pro finds plenty to like. There’s a keyboard that’s almost certainly more reliable, a revamped thermal system and a bigger battery.
On the other side of the coin, repair company iFixit did a teardown and gives this laptop a low, low rating for repairability.
ColorWare can make a set of AirPods Pro uniquely yours. Photo: ColorWare
Apple sells AirPods Pro in any color you want, as long as it’s white. But ColorWare brings some style to these in-ear headphones. The company offers 64 color options, and shoppers can decorate each AirPod differently.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro isn’t quite as svelte as it could be. And that’s good news. Photo: Apple
The new 16-inch MacBook Pro is a sign of a fundamental shift at Apple: It includes a keyboard that makes this laptop slightly less stylish but more useful. It’s hard to believe this would have happened in the days when chief designer Jony Ive’s habit of putting form ahead of function still reigned supreme over all Apple’s products.
As Ive slowly exits the company, we’re already seeing products less willing to make compromises in functionality in order to get super-sleek looks.
Open a gate or unlock your bike at just the press of a finger with Tapplock One+. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The combination lock you used in school is a dinosaur now. It’s been replaced with much smarter versions like Tapplock One+. This has a fingerprint scanner, and a Bluetooth connection to your iPhone. It’s a padlock with no key to lose or combination to memorize.