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.
Connect to your Apple Music account through the Musish web portal. Photo: Musish
A new service allows Apple Music access through a web site without requiring any new software to be installed on the computer. Musish is free to use, and is far more secure than one might think.
The simple design of this portal is reminiscent of the Apple Musicapp.
Apple proposes a way for you to control your Apple Watch through wrist movements. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Apple is looking into making your iPhone smart enough to know you wanted to take a picture just because you aimed the camera at something.
And that’s not the only gesture it’s investigating. The company proposed a complex system to let users control their Apple Watch with wrist movements, with no need to touch the screen.
Simon Kinberg both wrote and directed X-Men: Dark Phoenix. Photo: Cult of Mac/20th Century Fox
Apple has reportedly approved a 10-episode sci-fi series co-created by Simon Kinberg, who has written many of the X-Men movies going back to 2006. This show will apparently be part of the streaming video service Apple is expected to launch this year.
Not much is known about Kinberg’s latest creation yet, though it’s scheduled to start filming this summer.
The 2019 iPhone XR might offer even better 4G performance than the original one. Photo: Kristal Chan/Cult of Mac
The next version of the iPhone XR could offer significantly faster cellular connections than the current one, according to industry analysts. That’s because the new model is supposedly getting 4×4 MIMO — the iPhone XS series are currently the only Apple devices with this speedy tech.
Most phone users have no problems how much they’re on it. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Only a small percentage of phone users expressed real concerns in a recent survey about how much time they spend on their device. And a large number of respondents were fine with it.
Still, a significant percentage of people use the tools offered by Apple and others to track their screen time.
Allegedly, these 2019 iPhone rear cameras could be getting an upgrade. Photo: OnLeaks/CompareRaja
One rumored change to the 2019 iPhone might not happen: a generally reliable source indicates that Apple’s next handset will hold onto its Lightning connector.
And the same source says the iPhone XI will have very high-resolution front- and rear-facing cameras.
You can use the new Apple Smart Battery Case with the iPhone X if you’re willing to put up with some hassle. Photo: Apple
Apple clearly says its new battery cases aren’t compatible with the iPhone X but some users of that handset claim that they’ve gotten the two to work together.
The designs of new iPhone XS and older X are nearly identical and the 2017 model mostly fits in the Smart Battery Case. Nevertheless, the handset gets power only under some conditions.
Apple’s test vehicles from its self-driving car project could be headed for the highway exit. Photo: Idiggapple/Twitter
Apple’s self-driving car development could be headed for a cliff. Maybe. A questionable report from industry analysts says that there are layoffs in this division and the whole project might even be scrapped.
The cause is supposedly the slowdown in iPhone sales caused by the weakening Chinese economy. The reduction in revenue leaves less room for non-core programs.
This is the original color of the Nomad Apple Watch Modern Strap and AirPods Rugged Case. Photo: Nomad
Leather is a popular choice for Apple Watch bands but the latest from Nomad takes this material in a slightly unusual direction: it’s as untreated as possible. The intent is that this light-colored band will take on a patina over time.
Nomad also just introduced an AirPods case of the same material.
A major topic of debate about the iPhone XI is camera lens placement. This is the latest possibility. Photo: OnLeaks/CompareRaja
Several rumors about the next iPhone point to it having three camera lenses but don’t agree on how they’ll be arranged. The latest leaked render shows it with the lenses neatly lined up in a row.
This unconfirmed image also shows a smaller notch.
DuckDuckGo searches can now include Apple Maps data without violating your privacy. Photo: DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo teamed up with Apple toprotect user privacy for map and address-related searches. Their agreement gives users of the search engine access to continually updated maps, enhanced satellite imagery and more without exposing their data.
The pairing seems natural as both Apple and DuckDuckGo have taken strong stances on protecting user privacy.
The Satechi Slim Aluminum Type-C Multi-Port Adapter V2 lives up to its name. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
A USB-C hub really adds capabilities your computer. The Satechi Slim Aluminum Type-C Multi-Port Adapter V2 was created with Macs in mind but it expands the capabilities of Apple’s iPad Pro as well.
It’s slim and portable, but still has room for many of the most-used ports.
A reboot of Amazing Stories is coming to Apple’s TV service, but one analyst says it needs much, much more content. Photo: Cult of Mac
The best way for Apple’s upcoming streaming video service to compete against already established competitors like Netflix is to buy a movie studio, according to an industry analyst.
Apple is reportedly going to introduce its video service in the first half of this year, and the analyst recommends buying Sony Pictures, Lionsgate or another studio to increase its offerings.
A USB-C hub can’t make an iPad Pro into a full desktop but Satechi‘s really tries. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Satechi Aluminum Type-C Mobile Pro Hub was designed specifically for the 2018 iPad Pro. It adds all the the most-useful ports to Apple’s latest tablet. With it, you can add headphones, an external monitor and other USB-A accessories. All in a tiny package.
Those who want even ports can choose instead this company’s slightly larger but still slim USB-C hub designed for laptops. This also works with the new iPad.
Don’t miss our hands-on review of the Satechi Alumiunium Type-C Mobile Pro Hub.
Could the multi-year wait for AirPower be almost over? Maybe so. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Production of the long-overdue AirPower charging mat has begun at last, according to a report from Apple’s Asian supply chain.
Apple first showed off the multidevice wireless charger way back in 2017, but it remains hopelessly MIA. If this latest supply chain rumor proves true, the wait for AirPower could end soon.
You’ll connect to Wi-Fi access points much faster with the 2019 iPhone. Photo: Alan Levine/Flickr
The next-generation iPhone will reportedly include a version of Wi-Fi that’s up to 30 percent faster than the current one. And that’s not even its biggest improvement in this upcoming wireless networking standard.
This is just one of the details of the 2019 iPhone that’ve leaked out in recent days.
iPhone sales are slowing because the Chinese economy is, not because Apple made a dud. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Sales of iPhones seem to be weaker than in previous years, and the Chairman of the Federal Reserve has an explanation: a drop in consumer spending in China.
The implication is that the slowdown in iPhone sales isn’t a result of anything Apple has done.
The fourth beta of iOS 12.1.3 doesn’t offer much, but it’s available to everyone. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
After seeding new beta versions ofiOS and macOS on Monday, there are already replacements.The team at Apple responsible for updating iPhone, iPad, and Mac clearlystarted the year off in high gear.
This is the forth version of these betas, and the fast pace of new releases may be because they only offer bug fixes.
The FCC is currently shut down. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
You’ll have to wait until the government shutdown is over to get your hands on many of the products unveiled at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show. Without FCC approval, they can’t go up for sale.
There are three types of lies: lies, damned lies, and marketing. Photo: AT&T
Some Android phones already claim they’re connected to a 5G network. This is the result of some fairly shady rebranding on the part of AT&T, which is pretending that improvements to its LTE network make it no longer 4G.
This is raising protests, especially from the other Big 4 wireless carriers.
Your phone company constantly tracks your location, and that information is for sale. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
It’s not hard to get learn the location of almost any phone, according to a new report. All that’s required is some cash and the right contacts in a web of companies with access to the geolocation data collected by mobile phone companies.