Add four useful ports to Mac or iPad with Plugable's inexpensive USB-C hub. Photo: Plugable
Plugable just launched a hub for MacBook or iPad users who need to connect to multiple USB-A accessories. It includes four ports for legacy accessories, and connects to the computer via USB-C.
The inexpensive hub is designed for use in an office or on the go.
★★★★☆
The JSAUX Omnicase 2 Pro includes just about all the ports a traveler needs. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The JSAUX Omnicase 2 Pro is an 11-in-1 USB-C travel hub that offers USB and video ports plus SD card readers. And it sets itself apart from rival hubs with a built-in case for storing a cable, various adapters and SD cards. It’s ready to connect a Mac or iPad to USB accessories, monitors, Ethernet, memory cards and more. And it includes adapters if you run into connection problems.
I tested the multiport hub out to see how well it works. Here’s what I found.
★★★★☆
Don't use a cable when the plug-and-play EZCast Pocket is so much more convenient. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
EZCast Pocket lets a range of computers connect wirelessly to an external display. No additional software is needed — it’s very nearly as easy to use as a cable, but without the cable clutter.
I tested the affordable and very portable wireless video adapter in my home and on a business trip. Here are its strengths and occasional weaknesses.
Note: When this review was first published in March, there was so much interest that EZCast Pocket sold out almost immediately. Amazon once again has the product in stock so we’re re-publishing the review.
You won't be hurting for USB-C ports with this hub. And it's made of recycled plastic. Photo: Belkin
The Belkin Connect 4-Port USB-C Hub expands the number of accessories that can be plugged into a Mac or iPad without flattening your wallet. And its connections are fast: 10Gbps. That’s 2X the speed of other USB-C hubs.
As a bonus, the product is made with 72% post-consumer recycled plastics. It’s part of a commitment the company has made to using PCR plastic.
Accomplish more with your iPad by picking up this stylus pen for only $25. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Need more than your fingertip and a keyboard to get your point across on an iPad? An iPad stylus is an excellent option, and we’re currently offering one at a discounted price.
Much less expensive than an Apple Pencil, this one’s available for only $24.99 (regularly $39) with no coupon required. You can save almost 40% on a pen that’s perfect for designing, drawing and much more on any iPad produced since 2018.
Take an external display with you when you travel. Here are some of the best. Photo: espresso Displays
External screens for MacBook or iPad aren’t just convenient in the office — they’re also great to use on the go. There are a range of portable external displays on the market, including some with touchscreens.
Here are my recommendations for the best screens ready to go with you to a coffee shop or Paris.
Get Apple Pencil 2 at well below the usual price. If you hurry. Photo: Daniel Korpai/Unsplash
Digital artists, or those who would like to be, can pick up an Apple Pencil 2 for a whopping $40 off the usual price. That’s a 31% discount.
I use this stylus with my iPad all the time, and there’s no better tool for painting on your tablet. It’s also great for taking notes and sketching out ideas.
★★★★☆
The RiotPWR RP1950 game controller is ready to play top-tier games on an iPhone or iPad. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The RiotPWR RP1950 Cloud Gaming Controller solves a problem for iPhone gamers: the controller plugs into the Lightning port in today’s models, but also into the USB-C port that will be in the iPhone 15. In the mean time, the controller can also be used with the many iPad models that use USB-C.
I field-tested RiotPWR’s latest controller and its removable iPhone mount. I understand why Apple likes it enough to put in the online Apple Store.
This iPad stand is small, convenient and quite portable. And we're giving away five of them! Photo: Lululook
This week’s giveaway will let five lucky winners get their hands on a convenient 360 Rotating Universal Tablet Stand from Lululook. Available in two sleek colors, space gray and silver, this rock-solid iPad stand will definitely complement your device.
Enter below for your shot at winning this sturdy stand, which retails for $39.99.
Take 4TB of additional storage wherever you go with this tough SSD. Photo: Samsung/Cult of Mac
The Samsung T7 Shield rugged SSD launched in 2022 with a maximum of 2TB of capacity and is now available with twice that.
T7 Shield is a a credit-card size external SSD intended for outdoor content creators or travelers. It works with Mac and iPad plus a wide variety of devices.
★★★★☆
That's not a fountain pen. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Adonit Star is the stylus for iPad users who love antiques; it’s designed to look like a fountain pen, not the usual plastic pencil. Despite the traditional design, it’s a fully functional stylus that’s ready for handwritten notes or sketching out ideas.
I used it with my iPad Pro, and it works as good as it looks. Even better, it is surprisingly affordable.
All you need to keep your devices juiced up all day Photo: Pitaka
The Cult of Mac giveaway this week is a corker. We teamed up with Pitaka for one lucky winner to get the chance to win an iPad Pro accessory bundle worth $190.
This giveaway includes a Pitaka MagEZ iPad Pro case along with a MagEZ wireless charging stand. If you’re an iPad Pro owner, don’t miss your shot at winning this bundle, whether you’re on the go with your iPad in tow, or working from the comfort of your own home.
It's not a fountain pen. It's Adonit Star. Photo: Adonit
Adonit Star is an iPad stylus for those who love antiques but don’t want to forgo modern technology. It’s designed to look like a fountain pen, not the usual plastic pencil.
It’s an accessory any 19th century lawyer would be proud to own. But is surprisingly affordable.
★★★★☆
Transform your iPad into a mobile office with this very portable clip-on hub from Satechi. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Satechi USB-C Mobile Pro Hub SD is designed to look and act like it’s part of an iPad. It attaches directly to the side of the tablet and adds an HDMI video port, a USB-A port plus a headphone plug, SD card reader and more.
I tested the six-port hub with my iPad Pro, and am quite pleased with it.
Black Friday deals are still going strong in the Cult of Mac Store -- but not for long! Image: Adel Neal/Cult of Mac
Black Friday went off with a bang in the Cult of Mac Store, with major discounts on excellent brands selling the best Apple accessories anywhere. Don’t miss out on the exclusive deals — many discounts end Monday!
You may be able to replace your work computer with an iPad using these 6 deals.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Whether you work in an office or on the road, you may not need a laptop to get the job done. Instead, you may be able to streamline and start relying on an iPad for work. With so much variety in screen size, processing speed and accessories, there’s a lot you could do to turn your iPad into a reliable work tablet. To get you started, we’ve got five deals that could make it easier to turn your iPad into its own home or mobile workstation.
Zagg Pro Mouse can easily flip between several computers. Photo: Zagg
Zagg built plenty of features into its new Pro Mouse. That include support for wireless charging so keeping it topped up just means occasionally placing it on a charging mat.
And the Bluetooth accessory can pair with Mac, MacBook and iPad simultaneously so it’s ready to switch to whichever one you’re using. Plus it works on glass.
The Logitech Crayon could be a better option for iPad 10 buyers. Photo: Logitech
The latest version of the Logitech Crayon iPad stylus charges via USB-C, just like the new iPad 10. That makes it a simpler option than the Apple Pencil 1 that still uses Lightning.
It looks like a nice iPad 10 accessory, but it's not cheap. Photo: Apple
Along with the redesigned 10th-gen iPad that Apple released Tuesday, the company rolled out the first Magic Keyboard Folio to go with the entry-level tablet. The new iPad accessory adds function keys — a first for Apple’s iPad keyboards.
While the iPad 10 costs much more than previous versions, starting at $449 instead of $329, if you want the detachable keyboard and stand Apple now makes for it, you have to add another $249.
That completes your basic iPad experience for a pretty penny. And the new Magic Keyboard Folio only comes in white, by the way.
The Kensington StudioDock might now be in your price range. Photo: Kensington
The Kensington StudioDock turns an iPad into a iMac with a wide range of ports and wireless chargers. It’s a powerful accessory that launched in 2021 at a very high price. Kensington has now cut the price almost in half, making the stand affordable to many more customers.
The professional-grade accessory is available for both 11-inch and 12.9-inch versions of the iPad Pro.
A HomePod that's also an iPad cradle might look something like this concept. Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple reportedly plans to release an iPad cradle with a built-in speaker. The device will function as a HomePod smart speaker, and when a tablet is placed in it will become a smart home hub with a touchscreen.
The company also allegedly continues work on a single device that will perform the same task.
These is all just one iPad case/stand. The Moft Snap Float Folio can be folded into many different configurations. Photo: Moft
The new Moft Snap Float Folio raises the bar on iPad cases that also function as stands. Literally. It can be folded to lift the the iPad screen up to 3.6 inches.
If that’s not enough, the case/strand also folds into five other configurations to allow the iPad to be used in different ways.
★★★★★
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.
The Adonit LOG wooden iPad stylus combines sustainability and functionality. Photo: Adonit
The Adonit Log is a new iPad stylus that skips the usual plastic or metal body and instead uses sustainably-sourced wood. It’s like using a pencil with your tablet.
But the stylus still includes high-tech features, including a 1-millimeter tip for high accuracy, palm rejection and a long-lasting battery.