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.
Get real work done on your iPad Pro. Photo: Satechi
Satechi just unveiled a USB-C hub designed specifically for the new iPad Pro.It sits flush with the side of the tablet and includes ports for video, headphones, and more.
It doesn’t go overboard with ports though, and the casing on this upcoming accessory is aluminum for extra durability.
Is the 2018 iPad Pro or a MacBook a better option for you? Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
The dividing line between MacBook and iPad Pro gets narrower every year. The new iPad Pro models added a USB-C port, further reducing the differences. This is a good opportunity to consider which is the right choice for your next computer.
There’s a tremendous amount of overlap in what tablets and notebooks do. But each is better than the other at some things. For many people, a MacBook is still the best option. But for others, an iPad Pro is a better way to go. Read on for suggestions on how to decide.
This isn't even all the devices that will run the betas Apple released today. Photo: Apple
Developers and the public just got their hands on the second betas of iOS 12.1.1 and tvOS12.1.1.Not to be left out, macOS 10.12.2 beta is also available to everyone.
In addition, developers got their vey first gander at watchOS 5.1.2.
Be sure to store the Apple Pencil on the side of the iPad Pro. Photo: Apple
The second-generation Apple Pencil has to recharge from a 2018 iPad Pro. No other method is possible. This meands people will have to depend on magnets securely holding this $129 stylus to the side of their tablet because there isn’t any other option.
People criticized the original Pencil’s method of recharging, but it turns out its replacement isn’t perfect either.
Best Buy sold more AirPods last month than any other product. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Sales of AirPods don’t seem to be slowing, even though they’ve been on the market for years. And the controversial iPhone headphone adapter still sells very well, too.
These are just a couple of theApple-related products that are top sellers at retailer Best Buy.
You could get a discount on your next iPhone with credit card rewards points. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Chase credit card holders can now redeem reward points to cover some or all the cost of Apple products.
Spending money to save money — which is how credit card rewards programs work — isn’t always the best way to pay for expensive gadgets. Still, those who are already Chase card members shouldn’t waste their points.
The redesigned Apple Pencil magnetically clips to the side of the 2018 iPad Pro, and even wireless charges when its held there. This is a feature many people have been hoping for, but it comes with a significant drawback. This new pressure-sensitive stylus won’t be able to charge through some protective cases.
Case-maker Speck has confirmed that its first offering for the latest iPad will interfere with charging the Pencil, and says many of its rivals will as well.
The 2018 iPad Pro wallperars are paintings, not the usual photos. Photo: Apple
With every new Apple device comes a fresh collection of wallpapers. The recently-announced iPad Pro models are no exception. And you don’t have to buy a new tablet to get these images for your device because they’ve been posted online.
Some of them look a bit like spin art — paintings created by dripping paint onto a rapidly spinning surface.
iPhone XS and XS Max offer much faster downloads than iPhoen XR. Photo: Apple
The iPhone XR costs 25 percent less than the iPhone XS, but in many ways is just as good. However, there’s a notable exception: The pricier model offers a cellular data connection that’s nearly twice as fast.
That’s not too surprising. The additional cost of the iPhone XS series buys better networking equipment.
iPhone XR might not be selling as well as Apple hoped. Photo: Kristal Chan/Cult of Mac
The three Asian companies that assemble the iPhone XR have reportedly reduced production. Apple is ordering fewer units because sales of this smartphone haven’t lived up to expectations.
However, the source for this information isn’t the most reliable.
Hyper's iPad Pro USB-C hub boasts no less than 6 ports. Photo: Hyper
Accessory-maker Hyper just unveiled a six-port USB-C hub for the new iPad Pro. The HyperDrive for iPad Pro allows every type of wired accessory supported by the new tablets to be plugged in.
mophie Powerstation XXL was designed especially for devices with Lighting ports. Photo: mophie
Travelers who don’t want to worry about finding electrical sockets for their iPhone or iPad should look no farther than the mophie Powerstation XXL. This external battery is relatively portable but still packs enough power to fully recharge an iPhone XS Max more than four times.
Even better, this accessory gets its power through a Lightning port, and it can charge three devices at once. We put the Powerstation XXL through a complete set of tests and bring you the results.
Crusader is a player class in Diablo Immortal. Photo: Blizzard Entertainment
For the first time ever, Diablo fans will be able to answer the call to battle on their iPhone. Blizzard Entertainment is producing Diablo Immortal, a massively multiplayer online (MMO) action role-playing game for phones and tablets.
Rather than being a purely solo experience, this game will present many opportunities to meet and socialize with other demon slayers.
Apple saw a decline last quarter in the number of iPad models it shipped globally. But there’s good news hidden amidst the bad: a market-analysis firm says consumers were just holding off purchases of new iOS tablets until this quarter.
Plus, Apple’s Q3 shipments were still more than sufficient to dominate this product category. If that’s not enough, as the company pointed out at its October press event, in the past four quarters, iPad sales beat every laptop vendor in the world.
Jony Ive headed up the design team for the 2018 iPad Pro. Photo: Apple
Just a few days after unveiling the new iPad Pro, Apple’s Chief of Design revealed what he likes best about it, including one feature you might never notice. This tablet just got some significant changes in its form factor, with Jony Ive leading the redesign team.
He also discussed the difficulties of improving products that are already very popular.
iOS 12.1.1 beta 1 is a "bug fix" update for both iPhone and iPad. Photo: Apple
The iPhone and iPad operating system pre-release version seeded only to developers yesterday is now available to everyone.iOS 12.1.1 beta 1 includes tweaks to current features but no new ones.
The public also got access to tvOS 12.1.1 beta 1 today.
Speck's latest iPad Pro case transforms into a stand, too. Photo: Speck
The Speck Presidio Pro Folio boasts a polycarbonate outer shell designed to protect the latest iPad Pro models should they fall from a greater height than they are ever likely to.
The upcoming case turns into a stand for typing or viewing, and includes a cradle to store the new Apple Pencil.
Apple's adding its laser-scanning tech to the next iPad. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple is all-in on augmented reality. This requires sensing the objects around the computer and user, which is why Apple reportedly intends to build its new “Time of Flight” laser scanning technology into the back of the next iPad.
The 2018 iPad Pro isn’t even out yet and there’s already a possible reason to wait on its replacement .
The Apple Watch Series 4 could help push this wearable to more than 80 percent growth over two years. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
The original Apple Watch got off to a slow start and was even labeled a flop. But years later, this wearable has really turned things around.
A market analysis firm says shipments are up significantly this year, and will be even stronger in 2019, with 83 percent growth over a two-year period.