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.
Install iOS 16.0.3 now to remove some irritating bugs. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple released iOS 16.0.3 and watchOS 9.0.2 on Monday to remove a range of small bugs. Many of these affect the new iPhone 14 series and Apple Watch models.
Both updates are recommended for those with Apple’s latest handsets and wearables, as well as who’ve already installed iOS 16 and watchOS 9.
"This ride is so much fun it should make my iPhone call 911!" Photo: Angie/Pexels
People are reportedly getting off roller coasters and discovering that their new iPhone 14 called 911 for them. Turns out the handsets mistook thrilling rides for a car wreck and thought their users needed emergency help. It’s an unintended result of Crash Detection, a feature added to Apple’s latest handsets.
Fortunately, there are a couple of options to use as a workaround until Apple has a better solution.
★★★★☆
The iPhone 14 Plus offers a big, beautiful display and impressive battery life at a nice price. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The iPhone 14 Plus combines two popular phone features: larger screens and lower prices. With a 6.7-inch screen, it offers Apple’s largest display but for a lot less money than any previous model this size.
I replaced my iPhone 13 with the larger Plus. The large screen and lengthy battery life make me happy with the change, and they’re why I recommend others choose a larger iPhone, too.
Components in Apple processors keep getting smaller and smaller. Photo: TSMC
A new report indicates Apple is preparing to start putting CPUs made with a 2nm process in its computers, although they won’t be available for several years. This would allow the chips to perform faster while using less power than today’s best.
Progress marches on… with the occasional stumble. The new report comes after the Mac-maker missed out on chips made with a 3nm process, forcing the company to use a 5nm one in its 2022 Mac, iPhone and iPad models.
★★★★★
OWC Envoy Pro mini is both a small thumbdrive and a powerful external SSD. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The OWC Envoy Pro mini is a small external SSD with both USB-C and USB-A connectors so it works with Mac and iPad but also Windows, Android and more. It’s rugged, fast and comes with up to 1TB of storage.
I ran the tiny drive through a battery of tests. It passed with flying colors.
An enhanced version of the Apple Studio Display won’t launch until the first part of 2023, according to a very reliable source of insider info. It supposedly will have much in common with Apple’s current version, but with a mini-LED screen in place of the standard LCD.
This is the third time unconfirmed reports have indicated the product release has been pushed back.
iOS 16 brought new bugs to many third-party applications. Photo: Cult of Mac/Egor Kamelev/Pexels
When a new iOS version launches, it’s easy to concentrate on its bugs and forget the problems it causes for third-party iPhone software. An analysis of user reviews made in the weeks since iOS 16 debuted found that social networking apps and dating apps are more likely to have issues on iPhones running Apple’s latest OS.
So if you’re suddenly having problems with a frequently used app, you might not be alone.
The iPhone 14 Plus delivers a large screen with a lengthy battery life. Photo: Apple
Early reviews of the iPhone 14 Plus praise its long battery life and large display. There are also positive comments on the camera and the smartphone’s weight.
Apple’s first 6.7-inch non-Pro handset reaches store shelves on Friday.
Add fast and extremely rugged storage to your MacBook with SanDisk PRO-G40 SSD. Photo: SanDisk
The SanDisk PRO-G40 SSD checks all the boxes professionals are looking for in an on-the-go external drive. It offers up to 2 terabytes of capacity, it’s extremely rugged and supports Thunderbolt 3.
The drive also supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 for wider compatibility.
Matter is going to… matter to fans of home automation. Photo: Connectivity Standards Alliance
The wait is over for Matter 1.0. The Connectivity Standards Alliance, which includes Apple, Amazon and many more, has introduced the cross-platform home-automation standard after lengthy delays.
It is intended to break through the walled silos of Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa and Google Home, allowing accessories from a wide range of companies to communicate. It might finally make smart homes more common … potentially even mainstream.
The Twelve South SuitCase for MacBook is both stylish and protective. Photo: Twelve South
Twelve South expanded its SuitCase line to the latest 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. The case offers three layers of protection, with the outer being quilted twill for a smart look.
“When all you need is your MacBook for an off-site meeting, SuitCase is the ultimate shuttle,” says Twelve South.
Looks like Musk will buy Twitter after all. Photo: Elon Musk/Twitter/Cult of Mac
Elon Musk reportedly has stopped his efforts to get out of buying Twitter. He’s going to purchase the social media platform at his original price from April.
He spent the intervening months trying back out of the deal, which forces him to pay much more for the company than its current value.
★★★★☆
Play games on the Gamevice Flex without taking off your iPhone case. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Gamevice Flex is an iPhone game controller that mimics the design of the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con with the controls set on either side of the display. Similar iPhone controllers make you take the case off your handset to play but the Flex wraps around the handset even if it’s in a protective case.
The wired controller includes a full set of buttons, sticks, bumpers, etc. so you can enjoy games like Fortnite from Xbox Cloud Gaming or similar services, or almost anything from Apple Arcade.
I spent quite a few hours testing Gamevice Flex – here’s why I like it.
The original AirPods Pro don't have the hardware for Adaptive Transparency. Photo: Apple
The hopes of AirPods Pro users were raised recently when evidence pointed to the original version of these wireless earbuds getting Adaptive Transparency, one of best features of the second-generation model. Turns out it’s probably just a mistake.
Will Smith stars in Emancipation, coming to theaters and Apple TV+ in December. Screenshot: Apple TV+
Still remember why you’re mad at Will Smith? Apple TV+ hopes you’ve forgotten about the “The Slap” by December because that’s when Emancipation staring Smith will reach theaters and the streaming service.
The historical drama is based on the real-life story of a man named Peter, whose saga of escaping slavery made headlines around the world in 1863. A just-released teaser trailer gives a first look.
AirPods Pro 2 aren't larger than their predecessor, but they do have bigger batteries. Image: Apple
Apple promises that AirPods Pro 2 offer a longer battery life that the original version, and now we know part of the way this is accomplished. The 2022 version uses batteries with 16% more capacity.
But the truly wireless headphones manage to pull off a 33% increase in time between changes.
There are now a whopping 100 million songs available to stream on Apple Music.
That’s “more music than you can listen to in a lifetime, or several lifetimes,” says Rachel Newman, Apple Music’s global head of editorial. “More music than any other platform. Simply the biggest collection of music, in any format, ever.”
You'll need patience when ordering an iPhone 14 Pro. Photo: Apple
The two iPhone 14 Pro models have been on the market for several weeks now but demand still outstrips supply. As a result, anyone shopping for the handsets should expect to wait until November to get one, especially the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
The iPhone 14 Plus is set to launch October 7 and already has a short wait time beyond that date. Those shopping for the basic iPhone 14 face no wait.
It's time for iPhone 6 to ride off into the sunset. Photo: Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
The iPhone 6 is now a “vintage” product. That doesn’t mean it’s now cool for hipsters to use one – it’s the classification Apple uses for products it stopped selling five years ago, and somewhat limits the repair options.
The iOS handset was hugely successful in its day, and probably still holds the title of the best-selling smartphone ever.
Jon Stewart is no Apple Genius, but he plays one on TV. Screenshot: Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Ever wondered what the + in Apple TV+ stands for? According to Jon Stewart, it means you can go into an Apple Store and find him and other Apple TV+ stars working at the Genius Bar.
Watch this clip to see the former host of The Daily Show utterly failing to provide tech support.
While Apple is producing fewer iPhone 14 units, it's making a lot more iPhone 14 Pro Max ones. Photo: Apple
Reports that Apple is making fewer iPhone 14 units than its predecessor are true… but that’s not the whole story. Apple is producing many more units in the entire iPhone 14 series than it did the earlier models, according to an analyst.
And the change will be a benefit for Apple’s bottom line.
Rob McElhenney and Charlotte Nicdao return for season three of the gamer-oriented comedy. Photo: Apple TV+
Gamer-themed workplace comedy Mythic Quest returns to Apple TV+ on November 11. That’s the date the third season of the hilarious show premieres, Apple said Thursday.
Apple’s streaming video service also announced the launch dates for new seasons of Slow Horses and Little America.
Ethan Hawke and Ewan McGregor are Raymond and Ray. Photo: Apple TV+
Raymond and Ray is a film about two half-brothers who reunite at the funeral of their terrible father. The dark comedy starring Ewan McGregor and Ethan Hawke will reach theaters and the Apple TV+ streaming service in October.
The trailer released Thursday gives a glimpse of the difficulties the two men face coming to terms with their father – whose last wish was for them to dig his grave.
RIP Google Stadia: Apple users lose an option to play console games. Photo: Google/Cult of Mac
Google Stadia cloud gaming service is being shut down. It allowed Mac, iPad and iPhone users to play console-quality games, but its developer admits it never found an audience.
Other cloud-gaming services remain, including Microsoft’s online version of Xbox and Amazon Luna.