Wish you had a great iPad case? Huge numbers of people on Amazon wish for Zugu Case. Photo: Zugu Case
Retail juggernaut Amazon.com keeps running lists of its most-wished-for products that folks want to buy or get as gifts. Consistently at or near the top of the tablet case list, you’ll find Zugu’s popular cases for the 10.2-inch iPad and 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
What makes those cases so coveted? There are plenty of reasons. Read on.
★★★★★
The iPad Pro 2022 is Apple's most powerful ever. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The launch of the 2022 iPad Pro in 12.9- and 11-inch versions means current tablet users have new upgrade options. Their M2 processor makes these the most powerful iPads ever made, but they are not right for everyone.
I’ve used an M2-powered iPad Pro for a week now, and that’s given me insight into who should upgrade and who should not. Some people should definitely go for the latest and greatest, but others would be disappointed if they did so.
When you look at the gear in today’s setup you might say, what is this, an ad for Elgato? The workstation is rife with Elgato devices widely used by streamers for video-production workflows, like its popular Facecam, Wave:3 microphone and Stream Deck.
But the MacBook Pro setup isn’t used for streaming at all.
The software engineer who occupies the well-appointed workstation finds perfectly productive things to do with all that Elgato gear, other than streaming.
The Apple M2 chip in the just-launched iPad Pro (2022) really delivers. Screenshot: Apple
Apple put its latest processor in the 2022 iPad Pro and it gave the tablet a significant performance boost. The M2 chip make it almost 20% faster than its predecessor.
And it’s almost 80% faster than the 2018 iPad Pro.
An iPad the size the largest MacBook Pro is supposedly on the way. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple apparently plans to “grande size” the iPad. A version with a 16-inch display is reportedly being developed.
If true, this will be a considerable jump up from the Apple’s largest current tablet, which includes a 12.9-inch screen. And the device – perhaps called iPad Ultra – will have a display the same size as the largest MacBook Pro.
Zugu's iPad cases are top-rated on Amazon for good reasons. Photos: Zugu
You don’t find many brands on Amazon with an average rating of 5 stars, but Zugu is one of them. The company focuses intently on making the best iPad cases it can, and if rave reviews are anything to go by — and they certainly are — Zugu is wildly successful at its endeavors.
After all, seeing all 5 stars filled in for thousands of ratings of each iPad case has got to be reassuring for shoppers looking to protect their tablet. And that includes cases for iPad mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro, in all sizes.
We’ll take a closer look at Zugu’s iPad cases and how the company got to where it is today below.
Not too bad for an Apple product launch event that never actually happened, I guess. Image: Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: For once, Apple’s new products leave us scratching our heads more than reaching for our wallets. We let loose our first impressions of this week’s new iPads, the surprisingly affordable Apple TV 4K, that ridiculous Apple Pencil dongle and more.
Also on The CultCast:
Is the new Magic Keyboard Folio really all that magical? Some features sound great, but we don’t think it will turn your iPad into a laptop — at least not one you can use on your lap!
What’s up with that USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter? Like everyone else in the Apple universe, we’re not diggin’ the dongle.
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.
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Special thanks to this week’s sponsor, Squarespace. Get all the tools you need to set up your very own website and commence selling anything online. Start your free website trial today at squarespace.com/cultcast (no credit card required). Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain with code cultcast at checkout.
Should you buy the iPad 10 or pay more and get the M1 iPad Air? Photo: Rajesh
Apple’s newest iPad features a redesigned chassis, a bigger 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and faster internals. Thanks to these changes, the iPad 10 carries a significantly higher starting price tag of $449.
Meanwhile, Apple sells the M1 iPad Air, with more powerful internals, for $599. So, should you spring for the Air and pay that additional $150, or save your money and buy the new 10th-gen iPad?
Will an OLED iPad finally arrive in 2024? Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple could switch to OLED display panels on the 2024 iPad Pro lineup, according to display expert Ross Young. The DSCC analyst accurately predicted that the M2 11-inch iPad Pro would continue using an LCD panel.
Apple switched to a mini-LED panel on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with the 2021 refresh. While it brings a noticeable leap in image quality, the panel is only available on the bigger model.
Pretend you're watching Apple's "Take Note" event with a video touting the M2 in the new iPad Pro. Screenshot: Apple
The much-anticipated Apple October event never happened. Apple took the rare step of unveiling the latest iPads and Apple TV via underwhelming press releases. But the company apparently did preliminary work to hold an event that would have been called “Take Note,” and some of this is still available.
Most notably, there’s a glitzy 9-minute video preview for the 2022 iPad Pro and iPad 10, just like the ones for other products at previous such events.
The 2022 iPad Pro has Apple's latest processor, but few other changes. Photo: Apple
Apple unveiled new iPad Pro models with the M2 processor, which brings a 15% speed boost to the tablets. But Tuesday’s announcement was a disappointment for those hoping for wireless charging or more ports.
“Powered by the M2 chip, the new iPad Pro features incredible performance and the most advanced technologies, including a next-level Apple Pencil hover experience, ProRes video capture, superfast wireless connectivity, and powerful iPadOS 16 features,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s SVP of Worldwide Marketing. “There’s nothing else like it.”
Apple’s online store has gone offline ahead of the rumored M2 iPad Pro announcement later today. Tim Cook also shared a teaser about the new iPads on Twitter.
Rumors have indicated that Apple will announce new iPads in late October. It is unclear if the company will unveil the new M2 MacBook Pros today as well.
Update:The wait is over. Apple unveiled the 2022 iPad Pro and iPad 10 on Tuesday. There’s also a faster Apple TV 4K on the way.
Fresh versions of the iPad Pro and basic iPad are on the way soon. Photo: Apple
October is likely to be a good month for iPad fans with new models expected any day now. That includes a faster version of the iPad Pro and a redesigned budget iPad, according to leaks.
But don’t expect them to appear at a glitzy event. Apple is apparently going to launch these on the downlow.
This moody shot doesn't show the folding MagSafe stand well, but you can see it in the images below. Photo: [email protected]
Once in a while a computer setup comes along that shows off its owner’s invention. Sometimes it’s something perfectly utilitarian and sometimes it’s something weird and wonderful (examples below).
In today’s featured MacBook Pro and Intel NUC PC setup, we find a nifty folding MagSafe charging stand just about to go on the market.
The M1 Max Mac Studio works great, but sometimes the LG ultra-wide display's USB-C struggles to recognize connected devices. Photo: [email protected]
Graphic design is one of the best uses of a powerful computer like the Mac Studio, assuming it’s paired with a magnificent display. In today’s featured computer setup, the Mac Studio handles the job. But the LG UltraWide monitor falls a bit short, due to some recurring connectivity issues.
And the setup features some interesting bits that might give you ideas about how to organize your own workstation.
Some non-M1 iPads will support Stage Manager too. Image: Apple
Apple listened to a chorus of user complaints by bringing support for Stage Manager to some older iPad models that don’t have the M1 processor. That gives more tablets access to the system that puts iPadOS applications in resizable, floating windows.
But the news isn’t all good. The company also decided to delay full support for external displays until later. The feature won’t be part of iPadOS 16.1 when it launches.
Dr. Jordan Rogers uses iPad Pro to conduct a 3D scan of the pit his team is excavating in an ancient Roman kitchen in Pompeii. Photo: Apple
The iPad has joined the traditional tools of archeology. Along with shovels, brushes and buckets, the team excavating Pompeii uses Apple’s tablet to record what they find.
“iPad is the perfect archaeology machine,” says Allison Emmerson, who is leading the dig at the long-buried Roman city.
More USB-C ports would make the 2022 iPad Pro far more capable. Concept: Apple/Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The 2022 iPad Pro that almost certainly will launch in October raises hopes among tablet fans for significant hardware improvements. The basic iPad design is great, but there are nevertheless a few changes that need to be made.
Here’s a handful of suggestions that would make the iPad Pro easier to use without mucking up the best tablet on the market.
Save some cash on the iPad Pro right now. Photo: Roberto Nickson/Pexels CC
You can now save a bundle on the latest 12.9-inch iPad Pro. This tablet is powerful enough to be a notebook alternative, and now it’s available for $100 below the usual cost.
There are also a nice deal on the 11-inch iPad Pro, iPad Air and other Apple tablets.
New MacBook Pro models and moderately redesigned iPad Pro tablets will likely be the highlights of the Apple October 2022 event. Photo:
Apple isn’t ready to relax just because the September iPhone event is done. An Apple October event is almost certainly planned with new MacBooks and iPads. And maybe more.
Here’s everything we’re expecting to be on the agenda.
There's a lot to look forward to on September 7 at 10 a.m. Image: Apple
The long-anticipated Apple early fall event is just around the corner. On September 7, executives will take to the stage at Apple Park to unveil an array of new products.
Here’s everything we’re expecting at the “Far Out” event, plus the devices we’ll likely have to wait until later in the year to see.
The LG 5K display and the iPad Pro work together through Sidecar. Photo: [email protected]
Apple has said many times it won’t produce a touch-screen Mac because that’s what iPads are for. But Sidecar functionality can make an iPad a touch-screen extension of a Mac, where you can drag and drop elements and work with them using Apple Pencil or your fingertips.
Today’s featured MacBook Pro setup mounts a big 5K display and an iPad Pro right next to each other. In the photograph, you can see the desktop wallpaper running right onto the tablet’s display through Sidecar (more on that below).
And who doesn’t love an all-Apple audio arsenal? This setup rocks paired OG HomePods, AirPods Max on a cool charging stand and AirPods, too.
Can you picture needing 9 Macs, including 3 top-shelf machines? Photo: [email protected]
Occasionally a computer setup displayed on social media makes you swoon. Usually it’s a combination of amazing gear, artful arrangement and exceptional photography, like something staged by a pro. But sometimes it’s just a sick amount of awesome Apple computers and displays.
Today’s featured setup, run by a consultant who “works for several companies,” relies on four high-spec Macs, five very-nice-but-not-exceptional Macs and three Apple Displays, including a Pro Display XDR — which goes for $5,000 or more by itself.
Does your wallet hurt yet? We just took ours to the ER.