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Reviews - page 2

3 reasons to watch Down Cemetery Road on Apple TV

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Down Cemetery Road review
New Apple TV thriller Down Cemetery Road is a compelling whodunnit (and who did what, exactly?).
Photo: Apple TV

New Apple TV crime thriller Down Cemetery Road, based on British author Mick Herron’s debut novel, might not always match the fast-and-dirty fun of Slow Horses, the hit stablemate also derived from Herron’s work.

However, it offers enough intrigue, stellar performances (especially from star Emma Thompson) and dark humor to deserve your attention. 

Here’s why you should stream the eight-episode conspiracy thriller.

EarFun’s top budget earbuds punch way above their weight [Review] ★★★★

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EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus with closed case★★★★
For under $100, EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus are killer.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

The budget wireless earbuds market has become increasingly competitive, but this EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus earbuds review finds they manage to stand out with a compelling combination great sound, premium features and aggressively good value. Priced at $100 — with a launch discount coupon on Amazon bringing it down to about $80 —  these earbuds challenge what we’ve come to expect from the sub-$100 category. And they do so while going toe-to-toe with Apple’s $249 AirPods Pro 3.

Slim wall charger blows away anything from Apple [Review] ★★★★

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Satechi OntheGo 67W Slim Wall Charger review★★★★
The Satechi On-the-Go 67W Slim Wall Charger packs outsized power.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Satechi OntheGo 67W Slim Wall Charger lives up to its name. It’s sleek and very portable, but can pump out enough power to juice up a MacBook. It makes anything from Apple seem bulky, slow and limited.

I tested out its capabilities for this hands-on review.

Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 dock blazes through data transfers and brings big laptop power [Review] ★★★★☆

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Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 dock★★★★☆
Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 dock
Photo:

The Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station (WL-UTD58) heralds the company’s ambitious entry into next-generation connectivity. It offers users impressive charging power and access to remarkable data-transfer speeds in complex computer setups. I tried it in my dual 5K-display M4 MacBook Pro workstation — and found it excellent. Not perfect, but excellent. 

The M5 Vision Pro is still the ultimate entertainment device [Review] ★★★★☆

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M5 Vision Pro sitting on its box on a pine table★★★★☆
The box makes for a good display stand.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The new M5 Vision Pro brings a huge leap in compute power and graphics performance to Apple’s novel mixed-reality platform. The tweaks to the formula deliver better graphics and passthrough video, and longer battery life — plus a more comfortable head band in the box. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include more storage or a lower price.

Apple doesn’t appear to be pushing M2 Vision Pro owners to upgrade. I wouldn’t, either. Rather, if you’re still Vision Pro-curious — and you’ve been pinching your pennies for the past year and a half — the Vision Pro you buy today will be a bit better.

I quickly fell in love with the original Vision Pro. Here’s what I think of the new one.

M5 iPad Pro review: What’s actually new — and worth your attention ★★★★★

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An image of an M5 iPad Pro floating above grass, used to illustrate a hands-on review of Apple's new tablet.★★★★★
The M5 chip is only one of seven major ways that Apple improved the latest iPad Pro.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The 2025 iPad Pro is the best high-end tablet Apple’s ever made. Don’t make the mistake of dismissing it as a “chip and ship” upgrade because the major change is the new M5 processor. Plenty of other enhancements make the tablet better than the M4 model. It moves files much faster, charges more quickly, offers better Wi-Fi and more.

If you’re still using an older model like the M1 iPad Pro, you’ll see really huge changes for the better if you upgrade to Apple’s latest tablet.

Based on my time with the M5 iPad Pro, here are seven new features that make the tablet really stand out.

Don’t call it boring. M5 MacBook Pro gets a lot right. [Review] ★★★★

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M5 MacBook Pro review★★★★
It's a lot like M4 MacBook Pro -- but under-the-hood upgrades make it much better.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

After spending some time with Apple’s new base-model 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro, I’ve come to a clear conclusion: It’s an excellent laptop that represents the absolute best iteration of a formula Apple perfected years ago. But whether you should buy one depends entirely on what you’re upgrading from and what you actually do with your computer.

This brilliant Bluetooth travel keyboard/stand works with any iPad [Review] ★★★★

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Satechi OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand★★★★
The Satechi OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand works with any current or future iPad.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Satechi OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand is an ideal option for those who need to add a travel keyboard to their iPad and don’t want to limit the accessory to only one tablet. Or want to add a portable keyboard to their iPad without giving up the case they like.

It can switch between computers with a simple push of a button. Plus, it’s not limited to tablets.

I’ve tested the multi-device input device with my iPad and iPhone, and came away quite pleased.

First reviews call M5 MacBook Pro a beast — but M4 owners can skip this upgrade

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M5 MacBook Pro reviews see modest but meaningful upgrades
Reviewers find the incremental update impressive for performance upgrades, but not necessary for M4 or M4 Pro users.
Photo: Apple

The first reviews for Apple’s new M5 MacBook Pro just landed, and the consensus among tech reviewers is clear: The incremental update improves an already excellent laptop. The 14-inch machine’s design remains unchanged from last year’s M4 model. However, improvements to processing power, storage speed and AI capabilities make it a compelling option for those upgrading from older machines. Still, current M4 MacBook Pro owners have little reason to feel envious.

Across M5 MacBook Pro reviews from The Verge, Wired, Tom’s Guide and Engadget, the laptop earns praise for its performance while raising questions about who should actually buy it.

M5 iPad Pro reviews roundup: Closer to Mac than ever

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M5 iPad Pro with Apple Pencil
The Apple M5 chip boosts the performance of the 2025 iPad Pro, but not as much as iPadOS 26 does.
Image: Apple

Many early reviews of the 2025 iPad Pro with Apple’s new M5 processor share a general theme. The new chip makes the device faster, and paired with the major redesign of iPadOS 26, the tablet might just rival a MacBook.

Read on for M5 iPad Pro reviewers’ comments.

5 best Sennheiser earbuds for iPhone users

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Best Sennheiser earbuds for iPhone
When it comes to the best Sennheiser earbuds for iPhone, users are spoiled for choice.
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Pairing your iPhone with the right earbuds shouldn’t be a compromise. While Apple’s ecosystem makes AirPods the obvious choice, Sennheiser’s German-engineered earbuds deliver superior sound quality that transforms how you experience music, podcasts and calls. We ranked the five best Sennheiser earbuds for iPhone users, with picks for various price points and uses.

From flagship audiophile options to budget-conscious picks, here’s everything you need to know about finding your perfect Sennheiser earbuds for iPhone.

Ugreen MagFlow Qi2.2 charger tops up iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch fast [Review] ★★★★☆

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Ugreen MagFlow 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger review★★★★☆
When not unfolded for use like this, the charger folds flat.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

In the evolving landscape of wireless charging, Ugreen has positioned itself at the forefront with the MagFlow 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger — one of the first products to receive official Qi2.2 certification from the Wireless Power Consortium. With that boost from 15 watts (Qi2) to 25W (Qi2.2) for late-model iPhones, it’s great — but not without some minor problems.

Logitech MX Keys Mini vs. Apple Magic Keyboard: Which to choose?

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Logitech MX Keys Mini vs Apple Magic Keyboard
See which of these highly productive keeb suits you best.
Photo: chatGPT/Cult of Mac

It’s the ultimate battle of the small Mac keyboards: Logitech MX Keys Mini vs. Apple Magic Keyboard. Choosing between these two premium compact keyboards is tough, and the decisions you make can significantly impact your daily typing experience and productivity.

They’ve both become top contenders for professionals and tech enthusiasts alike. And while they’re similar, they’re not the same.

Find out which is better for you in our head-to-head comparison. 

This tiny external SSD plugs into new and old computers [Review] ★★★★

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PNY Duo Link V3 review★★★★
PNY Duo Link V3 is a portable SSD for your new computers and your old ones, too.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The PNY Duo Link V3 external SSD includes both a USB-C and a USB-A connector. That means the flash drive can plug into a recent Mac, iPad or iPhone, but can also go into a smart TV or other accessory that lacks a USB-C port — no adapter needed.

And it’s quick, with data transfers at up to 800MB/s. Capacities go up to 2 terabytes.

I put the affordable SSD through a series of real-world tests. Here’s what I found.

8 best Sony headphones for iPhone users

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Best Sony headphones for iPhone
Choose the best Sony headphones to use with iPhone.
AI image: Grok

Finding the perfect Sony headphones for iPhone might seem challenging when Apple pushes its own audio ecosystem so heavily. This comprehensive guide examines each model’s features, pros, cons and pricing to help you find the perfect match for your specific needs and budget. Let’s dive into what makes these Sony headphones exceptional companions for your iPhone.

How Backbone enhances mobile gaming for iPhone users

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Photo of a person using a Backbone gaming controller to enhance mobile gaming on iPhone
A Backbone game controller makes iPhone gaming much more like using a console.
Image: Gemini

Nothing makes playing advanced games on an iPhone better than a Backbone game controller. Clip one to your phone, and it basically turns the handset into a mobile gaming console, ready to play wherever you go.

There are many top-quality first-person shooters and RPGs available for iPhone. Don’t waste your time playing these great games with just a touchscreen. Get a Backbone One or a Backbone Pro controller and snap it onto your iPhone. You’ll be glad you did.

Live Translation with AirPods: A hands-on test

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Two people, one wearing AirPods, smiling at each other, with an image of AirPods in the middle
AirPods can now connect you to talk to people who speak other languages.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

I put AirPods’ new Live Translation feature to the test and came away impressed with the results. 

I tested the feature with the help of Niléane, a native French speaker and fellow tech blogger. While we hit a few stumbling blocks in our conversation, we were able to have a perfectly good chat for a solid 10 minutes.

I cut it down to a seven-minute video, where you can see it for yourself. Keep reading for my full thoughts and analysis of the fantastic new feature. 

Folder Quick Look fixes an all-time Mac grievance for free [Awesome Apps]

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Folder Quick Look on the Mac App Store
A simple app that solves a big problem.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Awesome Apps

Folder Quick Look is a totally free Mac app that scratches an irritating itch the Mac has had for a long time. It lets you preview the contents of a folder when using Quick Look.

It’s a great utility that does one thing, does it perfectly, and doesn’t cost you a dime — it’s free and collects no data! There’s no reason not to try out Folder Quick Look. Find out why it’s an instant must-have Mac utility in our Awesome Apps review below (or watch our video demo of the app).

Halo Collar 5 is simply the best GPS dog tracker [Review] ★★★★★

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Halo Collar 5 review★★★★★
Stop worrying about losing your furry friend — get Halo Collar 5.
Photo: Halo

You won’t find a better way to track your dog than the new Halo Collar 5. It uses GPS to accurately locate your pup anywhere on Earth and can show you the location on your iPhone (or Android). Plus, it offers two days of battery life.

As a bonus feature, you can set up a “fence” so the collar warns your pet to stay in its yard. And you can place virtual fences anywhere you go.

I did real-world testing of the GPS dog tracker and came away very impressed.

This great-looking 4K portable monitor is pleasantly affordable [Review] ★★★★

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QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor review★★★★
The QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor looks beautiful showing video… just not perfect.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor shows that there’s no reason to get a 1080P screen for travel when a 4K one is so affordable. The 15.6-inch screen can make you more productive on business trips, or let you enjoy movies and games on a high-resolution display. All without straining your budget.

Don’t be concerned if you haven’t heard of QQH before. I hadn’t, so I went into this review with a skeptical eye. I tested the 4K portable monitor for weeks with my iPad Pro, and it also supports MacBook and even my iPhone. Here’s why I’m pleased with it.

Especially as there’s a deal that knocks 29% off the cost of the QQH Z12-4.

These 6 apps will change how you use your Mac

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Photo of an M4 MacBook Air sitting on a desk with lights glinting off it, used to illustrate a guide to best Mac utilities.
I can't use my Mac without these utilities.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The best Mac utilities can make a great computer even better. From smarter window management to easier automation and cleaner navigation, a few well-chosen tools can dramatically improve your workflow.

I’m a longtime Mac user, and I can’t do my job without these six essential Mac utilities. In this guide, I’ll show you how they can make everyday tasks faster and simpler.

Anker’s Nano Power Bank is the iPhone battery pack Apple should have made [Review] ★★★★★

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Photo showing Anker Nano Power Bank on back of iPhone 16 Pro in bright yellow silicone case★★★★★
Anker's slender new power bank can give your iPhone the battery boost it needs.
Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac

With the Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, MagGo, Slim), thin is definitely in. Measuring just 0.34 inches deep, the Qi2 power bank attaches magnetically to MagSafe iPhones and delivers enough juice to get you through a frantic afternoon on the go.

At just 5,000 mAh, it won’t take modern iPhone batteries all the way to 100%. But it will power up a dead iPhone from zero to 20% in a little over 20 minutes. And it does so while attached comfortably to the phone, without the excessive heat generated by some competing power banks.

Top 10 power banks for Apple users in 2025

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Ugreen MagFlow Qi2.2 power bank
With fast Qi2.2 (25W) wireless charging, faster wired charging and an informative display, this is our top choice.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Ever been stranded with a dead iPhone in a crucial moment? Finding the best power banks for Apple devices can be the difference between staying connected and watching your screen go black. Thankfully, the market is loaded with great portable power banks that can keep your iPhone and other Apple devices powered up on the go. We rounded up the top 10 power banks for Apple users, including two of the fastest Qi2.2 models available so far. 

Apple Watch SE 3 is all the smartwatch you need [Review] ★★★★★

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Apple Watch SE 3 review★★★★★
The Apple Watch SE 3 can probably save you $150.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple Watch SE 3 is a huge upgrade, packing an always-on display, a new processor, fast charging, gesture support and many more improvements. It’s so good that it presents a problem for Apple Watch buyers: is there a reason to pay more to get a Series 11?

After a week with the SE 3, I’m blown away at how much I got for $249. Here’s why.

Why AirPods Pro 3 are my new favorite headphones [Review] ★★★★★

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AirPods Pro 3 and their charging case on a silver aluminum background★★★★★
They look familiar at first glance.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

In testing the latest AirPods Pro 3 for this review, I found Apple’s high-end earbuds deliver remarkable audio quality and practically unbelievable active noise cancellation. Add to that a heart rate monitor that’s on par with the Apple Watch’s sensor, and Apple has made the best earbuds around even better.

The biggest upgrade is the AirPods Pro 3’s new foam-infused ear tips. They help increase the earbuds’ noise cancellation to uncanny levels. Plus, somehow, the audio quality sounds punchier than ever. I get better sound out of Apple’s tiny earbuds than from some over-ear headphones.

Here’s how the AirPods Pro 3 stack up to their predecessors.