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The new iPad Pro might be too pro for you [Review]

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The new 2018 iPad Pro is a lust object you probably don’t need.
The new 2018 iPad Pro is a lust object you probably don’t need.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Every 2018 iPad Pro review I’ve read seems to be written by someone who doesn’t use the iPad like a pro. Most of the reviewers focus on using Apple’s new tablet they way most people do: reading the internet, doing some mail and watching lots of video.

Which is a shame, because there’s a lot to like in this iPad for “power” users, aka folks whose everyday carry is an iPad. People like me. The iPad has been my most-used device for years. I do everything on it. (Everything, ironically, except writing articles — but that’s because my ancient 27-inch iMac still works fine, and I like to use a trackpad for editing text.)

Rather than reviewing the iPad Pro from the point of view of a “normal,” I’m going to talk about this gorgeous new device like someone who uses an iPad for work every day.

This gorgeous photo frame is also a wireless charger

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Twelve South PowerPic
A wireless charging stand that never looks out of place.
Photo: Twelve South

Wireless chargers are great, but almost all of them are ugly and boring. That’s why Twelve South invented the PowerPic, an attractive photo frame that charges your iPhone — and any other Qi-compatible device — when you place it inside.

These are the best accessories for your 2018 iPad Pro

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The awesome new iPad Pro deserves some awesome accessories.
The awesome new 2018 iPad Pro deserves some awesome accessories.
Photo: Andrea Nepori

You’ve got your new iPad Pro, and it’s all set up. Now, you might want to start tricking it out with accessories. The bad news is that most of your old accessories won’t work. The good news is that some of them will, and the rest can be replaced, or hooked up with dongles. Let’s check out the best accessories for the new 2018 iPad Pro.

Apple Pencil 2 requires a $1,000 charger

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An iPad Pro case can prevent your Apple Pencil from charging.
Be sure to store the Apple Pencil on the side of the iPad Pro.
Photo: Apple

The second-generation Apple Pencil has to recharge from a 2018 iPad Pro. No other method is possible. This meands people will have to depend on magnets securely holding this $129 stylus to the side of their tablet because there isn’t any other option.

People criticized the original Pencil’s method of recharging, but it turns out its replacement isn’t perfect either.

Use AI to easily edit and enhance your photos [Deals]

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This app uses machine learning to touch up photos with a single click and simple sliders.
This app uses machine learning to touch up photos with a single click and simple sliders.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

To make most digital photos shine, you need to do some touch ups and editing. Too bad editing is such a pain. Without the right software, not even possible, so it’s worth checking out this tool that does the editing for you.

AirPods are still selling like crazy

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AirPods wall display is on show in New York.
Best Buy sold more AirPods last month than any other product.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Sales of AirPods don’t seem to be slowing, even though they’ve been on the market for years. And the controversial iPhone headphone adapter still sells very well, too.

These are just a couple of the  Apple-related products that are top sellers at retailer Best Buy.

First iPad Pro, MacBook Air, Mac mini preorders are arriving

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2018 iPad Pro unboxing
Have you got yours yet?
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

It’s wet and miserable outside here in the United Kingdom, but for Apple fans who have preordered one of the company’s brand new devices, it’s going to be a wonderful day.

The first iPad Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini preorders have started reaching customers around the world. Those in Australia and New Zealand were the first to get their hands on them, but as the sun rose in other countries, more and more packages arrived.

Do you have yours yet?

Fitbit finally becomes serious Apple Watch competitor

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Fitbit Versa
The Versa helped Fitbit's smartwatch shipments grow 348 percent.
Photo: Fitbit

Fitbit smartwatch shipments more than tripled last quarter. That pushed this company up to where it can actually begin to rival Apple Watch.

Apple still enjoys a commanding lead, but Fitbit managed to take a chunk out of its rival’s global market share.

Earn discounts off Apple products with Chase credit card rewards

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iPhone XS Max
You could get a discount on your next iPhone with credit card rewards points.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Chase credit card holders can now redeem reward points to cover some or all the cost of Apple products.

Spending money to save money — which is how credit card rewards programs work — isn’t always the best way to pay for expensive gadgets. Still, those who are already Chase card members shouldn’t waste their points.

Easily process and edit 4K/HD videos with VideoProc [iPhone XS and AirPods giveaway]

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Easy-to-use Mac app VideoProc makes video processing simple.
This easy-to-use Mac app makes video processing simple.
Image: Digiarty Software

This post is presented by Digiarty Software.

Shooting great video on an iPhone is easy. But if you want to edit or work with video at a deeper level for watching or uploading without any limitations, you’re going to need special software. Usually, that means getting an expensive application for video editing and conversion.

A new app from Digiarty Software called VideoProc offers an easier, more affordable way to process video. Plus, you can win a copy of the Mac app in our sweepstakes — and maybe even take home a free iPhone XS and AirPods to enjoy your sparkly new video! Just visit the iPhone video processing page and enter your email for a chance to win.

The first folding smartphone is already here

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smartphone
Royale's new FlexPai folding tablet.
Photo: Royale

The future’s promise to give us folding smartphone-tablet hybrids like the ones found on Westworld has already arrived.

Apple fans will have to wait until 2020 at the earliest for a folding iPhone, but an Android manufacturer called Royole just debuted its folding smartphone and while it doesn’t look that incredible, it’s an amazing sign that the sci-fi tech might finally be ready for mass-market devices.

Take a look:

iPhone XS Max giveaway and Casetify Impact drop test!

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iPhone XS Max Drop Test
Drops like this aren't a worry with the Casetify Impact case.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The new iPhone XS and XS Max are relatively tough phones. But even with the “world’s strongest glass,” these pricey iPhones remain subject to smashing. Casetify’s new Impact cases for iPhone XS and XS Max can help. These slim, military-grade cases can protecting the iPhones from drops of up to 6.6 feet.

In today’s video, we’re putting them to the test in some real-world scenarios. And, thanks to Casetify, we’re also giving you the chance to win a brand new 64GB iPhone XS Max in gold. Check out the video below to see the cases in action (and find out how to enter to win an iPhone XS Max).

2018 Mac mini review roundup: Pricey but impressively powerful

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Apple Mac mini 2018
Apple packed a lot of power inside the new Mac mini's space gray case.
Photo: Apple

The Mac mini is back! It’s no longer the ultra-affordable entry to macOS it once was. But it’s still the cheapest Apple computer you can buy — and there’s a good reason for the price hike.

This year’s upgrade (the first since 2014) makes it the fastest and most impressive Mac mini yet. Intel’s latest chips, coupled with faster RAM, ample storage options and all the ports you need are squeezed inside its tiny shell.

Here’s what the reviewers are saying so far.

When to expect big price drops on new iPad models

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Expect iPad sales to start soon
How to save on the 12.9- and 11-inch iPad Pro, and the 9.7-inch iPad too.
Photo: Apple

The 2018 iPad Pro is a huge improvement over its predecessors. It also costs a heap of money. But there is a sneaky way to save a bit.

Or consider the the 9.7-inch iPad unveiled last spring. It already has a low price, which doesn’t mean its not about to go on sale for even less.

If you’re interested in snagging any 2018 Apple tablet, read on to see when we expect the biggest iPad discounts to show up.

Foxconn denies US plant will be staffed with Chinese engineers

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Foxconn Wisconsin
Foxconn is moving to the U.S.
Photo: Foxconn

Apple’s top manufacturing partner Foxconn is denying a recent report from the Wall Street Journal that the company is looking to staff its new Wisconsin plant with employees from China.

Foxconn allegedly plans to bring engineers to fill a gap in prospective talent due to a tight labor market, the Journal claims. The plant has already been scaled back in size. Adding Chinese laborers instead of creating American jobs would certainly cause even more controversy.

Shark Tank investor bites into Apple over lack of transparency

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Kevin O'Leary
It will take a lot for "Mr. Wonderful" to buy Apple stock again.
Screen shot: CNBC

Entrepreneur and Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary said it “took seconds” to sell off his Apple stock after hearing company executives announce the tech company would no longer disclose units sold.

The self-named “Mr. Wonderful” said he was listening in on Apple’s Q4 earnings call on Nov. 1 and was shocked as CEO Tim Cook described unit sales like a shopping cart. The items in the cart aren’t as important as the total bill of sale, Cook said.

How Apple Watch pace alerts will make you run faster

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watchOS 5 pace alerts are like having a running coach strapped to your wrist
Pace alerts in watchOS 5 are like having a running coach strapped to your wrist.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Apple made three big strides for runners in watchOS 5, adding Pace Alert, Rolling Mile pace and Cadence features.

In this post, I’ll focus on Pace Alerts, which let you set a specific pace for your run. This handy new feature is not just designed to keep you moving by warning you if you slow down. Pace alerts are ideal for lactic threshold workouts, which will help make you a faster runner. And you can use them to develop your pace awareness — an essential skill if you want to achieve a personal best this marathon season. Here’s how to get up to speed with pace alerts on Apple Watch.

2018 MacBook Air review roundup: A beautifully big improvement

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MacBook Air 2018
The original ultraportable is back with a bang.
Photo: Apple

The long-awaited MacBook Air update sports an all-new design and more powerful internals, but early reviews indicate there’s still room for improvement.

It’s also the most expensive MacBook Air to date. So, should you spend $1,199 on it when it lands in stores this week? Here’s what the first 2018 MacBook Air reviews have to say.

iPad Pro cases make charging new Apple Pencil a pain

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An iPad Pro case can prevent your Apple Pencil from charging.
They won't last long at this price!
Photo: Apple

The redesigned Apple Pencil magnetically clips to the side of the 2018 iPad Pro, and even wireless charges when its held there. This is a feature many people have been hoping for, but it comes with a significant drawback. This new pressure-sensitive stylus won’t be able to charge through some protective cases.

Case-maker Speck has confirmed that its first offering for the latest iPad will interfere with charging the Pencil, and says many of its rivals will as well.

Fortnite 6.22 adds Heavy AR and Team Terror LTM

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Fortnite Heavy AR
Get your hands on Fortnite's new Heavy AR today.
Photo: Epic Games

Fortnite’s weekly update has arrived with the long-awaited Heavy Assault Rifle. It deals more damage that any other AR but has a smaller magazine size so you’ll have to keep an eye on your ammo.

The version 6.22 patch also brings the Team Terror and Blitz limited-time game modes and a number of tweaks and improvements.

Apple Watch gets 7 new complications in watchOS 5.1.1

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Apple Watch Series 4 Infogram Watch Face
Don't get too excited just yet!
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple rolled out a watchOS 5.1.1 update this week to address an issue that caused some Series 4 devices to enter a boot loop when upgrading to watchOS 5.1. And that’s not all the update delivered; there are also seven new complications to enjoy.

But there is a catch that a lot of Apple Watch owners won’t be happy with.