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 OtterBox Exo Edge Apple Watch case protects this wearable from bumps and blows. Photo: OtterBox
OtterBox just expanded its lineup of cases to include Apple Watch. Many people consider its iPhone cases the most protective available, and now they can get similar protection for their wrist computer.
This input device is designed to do what a mouse does, but not in the same way. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
As the phrase goes, “build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door.” Apple is turning that on its head by seeking to build a better mouse.
Its proposal is for a round mouse that can sense how the user is holding it, so it always performs as the user expects. And rather than moving the mouse to control the cursor, the user tilts it.
Apple reportedly picked Mini LED instead of OLED for future Mac Book Pro and iPad Pro models. Photo: Apple
Apple’s long interest in Mini LED technology could come to fruition as early as next year, with a reliable Apple prognosticator saying both a MacBook Pro and a iPad Pro with this new type of screen are in development.
RAVpower FileHub Travel Router does far more than its name indicates. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Life on the road can be a hassle, even with an iPhone, but there’s a lot the RAVpower FileHub Travel Router can do to make it easier. It’s a battery, a hub with a USB port and SD card reader, and (naturally) a travel router.
I road tested every feature of this accessory. Read on to see if it deserves a place in your travel kit.
Enter the world of Steven Universe with Unleash the Light on Apple Arcade. Photo: Turner Broadcasting/Apple
Fans of Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe can play as their favorite character in Unleash the Light, a role playing game that just launched on Apple Arcade.
Redout: Space Assault is just one of the games that debuted this month on Apple Arcade. Photo: Apple/34BigThings
To make sure some of the best titles recently added to Apple Arcade don’t get overlooked, Apple created a video preview showing off the action from Redout: Space Assault, The Mosaic, Sociable Soccer, Monomals, and more.
Steve Jobs signatures are rare, and this one is on a nice piece of Apple memorabilia. Photo: RR Auctions
Rare Apple computers made in the 1970s sell for amazing sums, but a bit of company memorabilia is up for auction at a price an average Mac fan might be able to afford. Which isn’t to say that a 3.5-inch disk signed by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs is expected to go for cheap.
Pixelmator Photo should be on every photographer’s iPad. Photo: Nuria Gregori
Pixelmator decided to get a jump start on Black Friday. It’s offering Mac users who need a capable image editor a 25% discount on Pixelmator Pro, but that’s just the start: iPad fans can get Pixelmator Photo completely free.
Variety calls Servant the “most watchable show yet” on Apple TV+. Photo: Apple
After binging on Thanksgiving dinner you can binge on Servant, a new horror series debuting on Apple TV+ tomorrow. It’s creepy and compelling enough to pull in generally positive reviews, and for Apple to greenlight the second season.
If you pay for everything electronically, you can still drop money in the Salvation Army red kettle. Photo: Salvation Army
The Salvation Army red kettle, a tradition begun back to the 19th century, has been updated for the 21st century. Passersby can now donate to this charity with Apple Pay or Google Pay.
First 3 episodes of crime drama Truth Be Told debut on Apple TV+ Photo: Apple
Octavia Spencer, Aaron Paul and other stars of Truth Be Told appear in a new featurette that offers glimpses into the crime drama, which debuts next week on Apple TV+.
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.