What if you could charge your AirPods just by putting them on your iPhone? Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Turns out the iPhone 12 could do reverse wireless charging all along — Apple just didn’t talk about it until this week. And now that the cat’s out of the bag, Apple should embrace the capability and let iPhones wirelessly charge any other compatible device.
Nomad offers a new leather case for your Apple MagSafe Charger. Photo: Nomad Goods
Accessories-maker Nomad Goods wants to cover your world of Apple gadgets in leather. Even the ones you probably don’t carry around every day. Its newest product is a leather cover designed to protect and beautify the iPhone 12 series’ magnetic charging puck, Apple’s MagSafe Charger.
This Lightning cable is the perfect way to minimize cable clutter. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
There’s probably nothing more annoying than your phone dying right when you need it the most. Ditto for your AirPods or Apple Watch in the middle of a workout. Instead of dealing with a mess of different cables and chargers to power up your favorite devices, this 3-in-1 Apple Watch & Lightning Charger Cable can charge three devices at once.
It’s the perfect way to minimize cable clutter and ensure that all your necessary charging cords can be located quickly and conveniently. And it’s on sale now for just $16.99!
This versatile wireless charger powers up four devices at once. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
There are two universal truths in life: 1) We will always want the latest iPhone, no matter how perfectly fine the one we currently have is. And 2) You can never have enough chargers.
Never underestimate the luxury of always having your devices charged. Having easily accessible chargers usefully placed around your home simply makes life a breeze.
One of the best ways to do that? With this awesome 4-in-1 Versatile Wireless Charger, which is on sale today for just $40.95. That’s a 31% discount off the regular price of $60.
Attach the Elago MagSafe Guide Sticker to an iPhone 11 or earlier and use MagSafe accessories. Photo: Elago
This MagSafe adapter from Elago is a reusable sticker that makes any phone MagSafe compatible — including the new iPhone 16e.
This MagSafe sticker allows you to use the growing number of MagSafe accessories. That includes MagSafe chargers, battery packs, storage drives, car mounts, and more. If you’re looking for the best mag safe solutions, check out this guide on the Elago MagSafe sticker to make any device compatible with magnetic accessories.
The SurfacePad wraps an iPhone 12 in leather and provides slots for two cards. All without getting in the way of MagSafe charging. Photo: Twelve South
The Twelve South SurfacePad is a folio leather wallet case for iPhone 12. It’s designed to hold ID and credit cards and protect the handset’s screen. And it does so without interfering with MagSafe wireless charging.
The Adonit Prime looks like a top-tier writing instrument. But it’s a high-quality stylus for either iPhone or iPad. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Adonit Prime is a stylus for iPhone or iPad that combines a premium form with top-quality function. It’s for anyone not satisfied with everyday styli — anybody who wants one that stands out from the crowd.
I tried both the Prime – Dash (the version for iPhone) and the Prime – Note (for iPad). Here’s why they would be at home on any executive’s desk.
With Father’s Day coming up, the Adonit Prime might be just right for the dad who has everything.
This backup stick protects and stores your photos and videos from virtually all devices. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
We all go through a similar thought process when our phones, laptops or iPads break, get lost or are stolen. Somewhere between trying to remedy the situation and coming to terms with the loss comes the sharp realization that all your content is gone. Saying goodbye to your photos is never fun, but you can prevent this nightmare from happening by taking precautions now.
What’s better than using cloud storage? Keeping your photo and video content in the palm of your hand. While the cloud can be convenient, the Photo Backup Stick automatically backs up pictures and videos — without having to rely on an internet connection. It can eliminate the need to pay for monthly cloud-storage fees.
Magnets in the iPhone 12 series means PopSockets PopGrip for MagSafe doesn’t have to use sticky adhesives. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
PopSockets PopGrips are already wildly popular, and the new MagSafe system in the iPhone 12 series improved on the design. Instead of having to attach with adhesive, the pop-up phone handles cling tightly to magnets built into Apple’s handsets.
I tried the standard PopGrip and the wallet version with an iPhone 12, and they stood up brilliantly to real-world use.
Make your MagSafe Charger even more useful by turning it into a stand and grip for your iPhone 12. Elago’s aptly named Grip Stand accessory, priced at just $12.99, makes your iPhone easier to hold onto and easier to see while it’s charging. Bag yours today from the Cult of Mac Store.
Also check out Elago’s new Charging Pad, which keeps your MagSafe Charger tidy and prevents it from moving around on your nightstand.
Charge all your Apple gear at once. Photo: Tech Zebra
Apple devices simplify our lives with user-friendly software and cutting-edge hardware — but keeping these devices charged all day isn’t so simple. If you only have one charging port, you have to choose between devices, meaning you may have to tuck your AirPods into your pocket or leave your phone dead a little bit longer. And if you lug around various charging cables or add in any other accessories, the bulk grows unnecessarily and inconveniently large.
With an ultra-compact design that makes it easy to take anywhere, Anker’s terrific 18W USB-C charger is ideal for those who are always on the go. It will charge your iPhone, iPad, and lots more.
The Belkin Soundform Connect brings the high-quality audio of AirPlay 2 to legacy speakers or soundbars. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Belkin Soundform Connect could be just what you need to connect your speakers to Apple Music’s upcoming high-quality lossless audio. The wireless adapter allows iPhone and Mac users communicate with any speaker over AirPlay 2 using Wi-Fi rather than Bluetooth.
I ran some tests, and I’m impressed with the usefulness of this tiny accessory.
This endoscope camera packs eight adjustable LEDs and a 16.5-foot flexible cable. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Does the word endoscopy sound familiar? This medical procedure, which utilizes a camera attached to a flexible tube, is used to observe the digestive tract of the patient from a perspective that can’t be seen otherwise.
The Huex Fades case for iPhone 12 comes in a variety of iridescent finishes. Photo: Laut
This week, Cult of Mac is giving away a bundle of four cases from Laut for iPhone, iPad, AirPods and AirTag. If you’d like some shiny new holders for your Apple gear, be sure to enter this fun and free giveaway.
Connect an iPhone to legacy speakers over AirPlay 2 with Belkin’s Soundform Connect. Photo: Belkin
The audio limitations of Bluetooth have been much in the news lately, so Belkin picked the perfect time to launch Soundform Connect. The wireless adapter allows iPhone users to communicate to any speaker over AirPlay 2… that’s Wi-Fi and high-quality audio.
Daisychain RapidX Modula units to build a custom wireless charging station. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Many homes and offices have a collection of iPhones, Apple Watches and AirPods that need charging every night. Rather than a collection of these cluttered together, the RapidX Modula5 system offers wireless chargers that magnetically snap together and run off a single cable.
I used Modula5 in my multi-device home. Here’s why I like it.
This thing can charge your iPhone, iPad, AirPods, MacBook and Apple Watch all at once. Photo: ScoutPro
As technology progresses, it seems that we all need more and more smart devices to power through our day productively: a smartwatch for better workouts, a laptop for better work production, wireless earbuds for better listening, and a smartphone for better communication. While all of these high-powered devices work hard to improve our lives, our reliance on them tends to drain their batteries — and sometimes, everything goes critical all at once.
Made of high-end wood and leather, this glorious charging tray is perfect for all your Apple gear. Photo: Nytstnd
Many wireless charging stations lack something iPad users need: a place to prop up and charge their beloved tablets.
It may seem like a charging station fit for an iPad wouldn’t be as sleek and convenient as smaller models, but the opposite is true for the Nytstnd Quad Tray. Channeling sophisticated elegance with wood and cloth accents, this powerful multi-device charger will create a comfortable home for your essential personal items with a fashionable flourish. Available now for $191.99, this beautiful charger is well worth the price for an upscale charging experience.
This iPhone photo accessory lets you capture incredible macro imagery, even in hard-to-reach locations. Photo: Sinji
Macro lenses capture close-up photos that offer a completely different worldview. Just think of how a close-up of a leaf reveals an intricate system of veins. But while these popular iPhone photo accessories are ideal for creating captivating art, there are situations where you may need a close-up view of a hard-to-reach place for a less uplifting reason.
To see inside a blocked drain pipe or get a better look at a tiny, malfunctioning machine part, you’ll need a macro-powered lens with incredible reach. That’s what the Sinji Borescope delivers. Available in 2-meter, 5-meter and 10-meter lengths, this handy borescope is the perfect tool for when you need an impossibly close perspective.
Apple AirTag. So small, so meh. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple’s AirTag sales pitch is that you can attach the item tracker to your keys and you can find it with your iPhone, whether it’s in the couch or Canberra. That’s true, but the wireless range of these gizmos is so limited that finding a nearby AirTag in the next room isn’t easy as it should be. And the hardware is missing an obvious feature.
I’m a long-time user of rival Tile trackers. I was expecting Apple’s offering to be significantly better. In reality, both have their strengths. And Tile comes out ahead in some critical ways.
The SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe has both USB-C and Lightning connectors for maximum compatibility. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe includes both Lightning and USB Type-C connectors so it plugs into almost any computer. You can easily access the same collection of files from an iPhone, Mac or iPad without resorting to iCloud, etc. Even better, the drive is small and comes in an all-metal casing.
I tested the iXpand Luxe with multiple devices. Here’s its strengths and weaknesses.
The Twelve South Forté is a new iPhone 12 magnetic stand that also charges at 15 watts. Photo: Twelve South
iPhone 12 users can take advantage of the built-in MagSafe charger with the Twelve South Forté. This stand quickly powers up the handset while also raising it up so it’s ready to be used hands free.
Apple likes the design enough to put it on Apple Store.
PopGrip Slide Stretch is far more flexible than any previous PopGrip. Photo: PopSockets
The just-released PopGrip Slide Stretch lets users keep a handle on their iPhone 12 without interfering with the MagSafe charging system. That’s because the new gadget from PopSockets lets the PopGrip slide back and forth on the back of the handset.
Treat Mom (or yourself) to a very capable charger. Photo: TechButter
While our smartphones, smartwatches and earbuds are essential to a tech-savvy lifestyle, they can create quite a bit of clutter when scattered about. Charging multiple devices can use up several outlets, and it can even be easy to lose small earbuds without a proper resting place.