Mobile menu toggle

Reviews - page 37

DockCase USB-C dock with display smartens up connectivity [Review] ★★★

By

The display isn't life-changing, but it can be useful and it's kind of cool.★★★
The display isn't life-changing, but it can be useful and it's kind of cool.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

After trending toward fewer and fewer ports for a while, Macs have added some back lately, offering better connectivity for the latest laptops and desktops. But it never hurts to have a dock to connect additional devices, share files and distribute power — and now you can get one with an informative display.

DockCase has shaken up the fairly boring world of USB-C docks with its new series. The company sent me its 7-in-1 USB-C Smart HD Display Dock Pro to take for a spin. DockCase said it’s the first to offer such a dock with an HD display.

Hands-on: All iPads get these great new iPadOS 16 features

By

Hands-on: All iPads get these great new iPadOS 16 features
Improved Files and Mail apps are just a couple of the great new iPadOS 16 features coming to non-M1 iPads.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

There’s more to iPadOS 16 than floating app windows. The Files app gets some significant improvements in the upcoming upgrade. There’s a Weather app and great new features in the Mail and Messages apps. Plus, you can hand off a FaceTime call between your Apple computers.

These enhancements are available to every iPad that supports iPadOS 16, which is currently in developer beta. So don’t think there’s nothing coming this fall for tablets without an Apple M1 processor. That’s just not true.

3 great apps to make your life a little bit easier [Awesome Apps]

By

Planta, Plex, and Pretzel app icons
Awesome apps to try All starting with letter P This haiku ends here
Image: Ian Fuchs

Another week has passed, and even more of you have come through with your app recommendations and suggestions! This week, a bit of a grab bag of new apps, new features, and new discoveries. From a shopping app to simplify your life to an excellent replacement to Apple’s infuriating TV app, we’ve got some awesome apps for you. And as always, if you have an awesome app to share, email your suggestion or tweet them to me!

Connect iPhone to wired speakers via AirPlay with this digital amp [Review] ★★★★☆

By

Arylic A50+ Wireless Multiroom Stereo Amplifier review★★★★☆
The Arylic A50+ is a solid way to connect your passive speakers to your Apple devices. No wires needed.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Arylic A50+ Wireless Multiroom Stereo Amplifier lets you wirelessly send music to wired speakers from computers and phones. It uses Apple’s AirPlay, which has multiple advantages over Bluetooth, though it offers that too. And DLNA, Spotify Connect and more.

It pumps out 50W*2 with 4Ω passive speakers at 24V, with Sub Out for powered subwoofers.

I tested the capabilities of this digital stereo amp with the help of a friend who’s a bit of an audiophile. Here’s what we found out.

The Essex Serpent comes to its all-too-tidy conclusion [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★☆☆

By

The Essex Serpent recap: The Apple TV+ period drama comes to a tidy conclusion.★★★☆☆
A convenient ending seems out of place, but that's only because the whole miniseries was so satisfying.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ period drama The Essex Serpent draws to an orderly close this week after five episodes of disorderly conduct, serpents (both metaphorical and real ones), love, death, betrayal, discovery and friendship.

The miniseries ends on a note that’s a bit of a letdown for how nicely it treats its pack of sinners, but I guess sometimes you have to give “the people” what they want. Ultimately, a great old-school tale of adventure and lust settles for neatness. Though that’s a hair upsetting to me, it was well worth the time it took to get here.

Now and Then’s scheming friends descend into desperation [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★

By

Now and Then recap: Rosie Perez gets to strut herself as the young version of Detective Flora Neruda this week.★★★★
Rosie Perez gets to strut herself as the young version of Detective Flora Neruda this week.
Photo: Apple TV+

Now and Then, the delightfully trashy Apple TV+ series about guilty friends committing new crimes to cover up old ones, heads straight into the gutter of desperation this week.

Sofia’s loan is due. Marcos’ wife is leaving him. Pedro’s lover is in jail, and he wants to throw the campaign. Ana is watching her future slip away. Hugo’s still in a coma. And Flora is off the case.

No one’s coming to these poor sinners’ rescue.

15 amazing Apple Watch accessories at insanely low prices

By

Apple Watch accessories at low prices
Each will cost you $40 or less.
Photo: Elago, Laut, Elkson, SwitchEasy

Bored of looking at the same old Apple Watch on your wrist? Give yours a makeover by adding a brand-new band or bumper case. There are a wide range of awesome Apple Watch accessories available at surprisingly affordable prices.

We’ve rounded up some of the best that are currently priced at $40 or less to help you out. Check out all 15 right here!

Physical just can’t make aerobics look interesting [Apple TV+ recap] ★★☆☆☆

By

Physical recap: An aerobics demo goes wrong for Sheila (played by Rose Byrne) this week.★★☆☆☆
An aerobics demo goes wrong for Sheila (played by Rose Byrne) this week.
Photo: Apple TV+

Physical, Apple TV+’s series about a fitness pioneer and the collection of damaged people in her orbit, hits the fairgrounds for a protest, a demonstration and a cat fight this week. Dramatic stasis and some awkward meetings fill a rootless episode of the enervating drama.

Unfortunately, there’s just no getting around the hollow center of this show: Aerobics don’t make good TV.

Tehran races ahead with more death and betrayals [Apple TV+ recap] ★★☆☆☆

By

Tehran recap: We're off to the races this week.★★☆☆☆
Nobody can put the brakes on this spy thriller's never-ending deceptions.
Photo: Apple TV+

This week on Tehran, the Apple TV+ spy thriller narrows its options until there’s only one thing remaining: Mossad agent Tamar and Revolutionary Guard leader Faraz, face to face, heading to a party to carry out an assassination.

If she fails, dozens of people will die. If she succeeds, her target will be dead — but so will Faraz (and probably his wife).

The season’s penultimate episode rests on a climactic car race, with Tamar’s boyfriend Milad making life-or-death decisions and her hands tied. This slightly dodgy second season still time to straighten itself out.

For All Mankind season 3 premiere embraces schlock and awe [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★☆☆

By

For All Mankind recap: A space wedding goes wrong in the season three opener.★★★☆☆
A space wedding goes wrong in the For All Mankind season three opener.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ alt-history space saga For All Mankind splashes down in the go-go ’90s in its not-really-merited third season. After another decadal jump, Nirvana is king, Bill Clinton is running for office, and we’re apparently going to Mars.

This show’s absurd single-mindedness has not been softened by its premature renewal for a fourth season, by which point presumably we’ll be traveling to the sixth dimension on a rocket sled while Avril Lavigne runs for Congress. Anyway … let’s rip off this Band-Aid.

Hands on: 5 best new features of iOS 16

By

A highlight of iOS 16 is a new Lock Screen
The new Lock Screen is just one of the best new features in iOS 16.
Image: Apple

There’s a lot to like in iOS 16, so I couldn’t resist installing the first beta to test the best new features. Here’s my hands-on experience with the new Lock Screen, improvements in the Messages and Mail apps, and more. These are just my favorites from the couple of days I’ve had to test the initial beta.

Plus, the next version of iOS adds other features that might be great — when Apple gets them working right.

Hands on: Stage Manager in iPadOS 16 brings the floating app windows we asked for

By

Hands on: Stage Manager in iPadOS 16 brings the floating app windows we asked for
iPad gets a lot more Mac-like in iPaOS 16. Here's what it's like to use the new multitasking features.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

One of the most-requested iPad features is here. Stage Manager in iPadOS 16 puts applications in resizable, floating windows. I’ve tested the first beta of the new system for several days now, and there’s a lot to like. And there’s plenty of frustration too. But some of that comes from this being an early beta.

Here’s my hands-on experience with the iPad’s new multitasking system, and why I think it’s going to change the way many of us use our tablets.

Why Mela is top chef of recipe apps [Awesome Apps]

By

Mela is the perfect culinary sidekick.
Mela is the perfect culinary sidekick.
Photo: cottonbro/Pexels

Forget your whisk, chef’s knife or food-mixer. Apple’s iPhone should be your go-to device when it comes to preparing delicious meals in the kitchen. While it’s incredibly handy having Siri nearby to set multiple cooking timers, our iPhones, iPads and Macs can also double as digital recipe-books. And when it comes to recipe apps, trust me: The best out there is Mela.

A great new game, camera controls and a better budget app [Awesome Apps of the Week]

By

Awesome Apps of the Week with iPhone in middle of desk
Whether you're interested in a fun iPhone game, a better way to budget, or want to master your camera controls, this week's Awesome Apps has something for you.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

The last time we published an Awesome Apps of the Week roundup, I asked for you (or your friends) to email me or tweet at me with new apps (or app updates) worth checking out. And, as evidenced here, some of you came through. Also, it seems like there have actually been some cool/interesting new apps coming out lately. Thanks to the combination of those two things, we’re back with a great camera app, a super-fun new game, and an app that’s helping me budget better!

Tehran’s poisonous choices just keep coming [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★☆☆

By

Tehran recap: This is far from an ordinary, friendly meal.★★★☆☆
This is far from an ordinary, friendly meal.
Photo: Apple TV+

Iranian spy chief Faraz loses everything as Mossad agent Tamar plans to do just the same thing in this week’s high-strung episode of Tehran. Having had two attempts to kill Mohammadi thwarted by circumstance, Tamar is ready to risk everything to kill him if she must.

Meanwhile, Milad finds himself at the end of his tether, Marjan must flee the country, and absolutely nobody’s cover is safe.

As the second season of the Apple TV+ spy thriller winds down, the show sticks to its best tricks: simply showing the nuts and bolts of spycraft and broken allegiances.

Everyone’s searching for something in The Essex Serpent [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★☆☆

By

The Essex Serpent episode 5 recap: Search parties are never fun.★★★☆☆
Search parties are never fun.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ period drama The Essex Serpent is in sullen repose this week as Stella gets bad news, Cora is in mourning for a relationship that never was, Martha has to decide who or what she really wants, and Will denies himself the pleasures of the flesh.

After last week’s wild party, the miniseries stumbles a little for the first time. Still, The Essex Serpent — based on the bestselling novel by Sarah Perry — manages to be a graceful and bewitching thing, as usual.

Panic and lies fuel a tense episode of Now and Then [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★

By

Now and Then recap: Everyone's got something to hide.★★★
Everyone's got something to hide.
Photo: Apple TV+

Panic is the name of the game on this week’s sexy and tragic installment of Now and Then on Apple TV.

Flora’s losing her grip on the investigation — and her own moral authority. Hugo’s in a coma, Marcos is being bugged, Pedro and Ana are looking down the barrel of an audit and jail time (and that’s not even for the killing).

The show’s balance of murder, mayhem, bedroom-hopping and politics has been at a low boil all season, and it looks like it may be ready to blow its top and spill all over the kitchen floor.

Shining Girls draws to a cathartic close [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★☆☆

By

Shining Girls season 1 finale recap: Kirby (played by Elisabeth Moss) clears a few things up in the season finale.★★★☆☆
Kirby (played by Elisabeth Moss) clears a few things up in the season finale.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ thriller Shining Girls draws to a shocking close Friday as time is pulled out from under Jin-Sook and Kirby like a rug. Time-bending serial killer Harper’s on a mission to change history, and Kirby realizes she has only hours to stop him, no matter how.

The show, which spends too little time on the consequences of having your world changed from a humanist point of view, nevertheless gets credit for doing such a great job handling the plot points.

Physical serves up a second season of bouncy self-loathing [Apple TV+ recap]

By

Physical recap on Apple TV+: Sheila (played by Rose Byrne) is up to her same old tricks in season two.
Sheila (played by Rose Byrne) is up to her same old tricks in season two of Physical.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ just fired up another season of Physical, its antisocial character study about a would-be aerobics instructor/grifter/star. Let’s see if the show learned anything from season one’s imbalances and split-personality disorder.

Sheila Rubin, the wannabe workout queen played by Rose Byrne, is still talking to herself about the filth that is humanity, and everyone’s outfits are still ugly. Let’s do this thing!

Price is right for potent, 3-port Ugreen GaN Fast Charger [Review] ★★★★☆

By

UGreen's 65W GaN charger can top off three devices at once.★★★★☆
UGreen's 65W GaN charger can top off three devices at once.
Photo: DAVID SNOW/Cult of Mac

Strange to think that until quite recently, people carried around separate chargers for each device. And some people still do. But if you’re on the go for work or leisure, wouldn’t it be much better to bring one compact charging device and a few cables?

With compact and potent gallium nitride (GaN) chargers, you can — if yours has the requisite power and ports.

The Ugreen 65W GaN Fast Charger seems like a Goldilocks type, in that regard. At 65W of power output, it’s strong, but not as big as even more-potent chargers. And it has three ports to cover your basic charging needs.

Why Noir is my all-time favorite Safari extension [Awesome Apps]

By

Meet my favorite Safari extension.
Meet my favorite Safari extension.
Screenshot: Joe White/Cult of Mac

There are loads of Safari web extensions in the App Store, all of which pimp out Apple’s mobile browser in interesting and exciting ways. But the very best Safari web extension is called Noir. This must-have extension brings Dark Mode support to every website you visit.

Here’s why you should download it immediately.

The tension ratchets up in Tehran [Apple TV+ recap] ★★☆☆☆

By

Mossad agent Tamar from Apple TV+ show Tehran★★☆☆☆
Mossad agent Tamar must spring her boyfriend from an Iranian jail.
Photo: Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+’s Tehran goes to jail this week as everybody’s best-laid plans come crashing down. As the tension on the show ratchets up approaching the season finale, the obvious imbalance in the two groups of opposing Mossad and Iranian agents shrinks.

That makes watching the show for fun a little easier, but always there’s a lingering uneasiness about who Tehran’s heroes and villains really are.

Shining Girls edges toward answers to unspeakable questions [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★☆☆

By

Shining Girls recap: Shining Girls star Elisabeth Moss directs this week's fast-paced episode.★★★☆☆
Shining Girls star Elisabeth Moss directs this week's fast-paced episode.
Photo: Apple TV+

Shining Girls enters its endgame this week in a thrilling episode that’s heavy on plot and light on psychological depth. Just as Kirby (played by Elisabeth Moss) thinks she finally understands the next step in serial killer Harper’s game plan, reporter Dan runs off to chase leads. And her bewildered husband Marcus betrays them both without meaning to.

Can anyone hold onto their reality long enough to come out on top? This terrifically directed episode has the answers.

Everybody’s playing dirty this week on Now and Then [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★

By

Now and Then recap Apple TV+: Things get increasingly complicated this week.★★★★
The five teens of Now and Then are under suspicion.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+’s Now and Then, a Miami-based murder mystery, starts to play dirty this week.

New roommates Marcos, Isabel and Sofia are primed to turn on each other. Political couple Ana and Pedro have a huge, expensive mess on their hands. Mother and son Daniela and Hugo might have more secrets than anyone. And Detective Neruda finally opens up about the reasons she’s so committed to catching and convicting all of them.

This sleek little show has as much confidence as it does wonderfully seedy plot threads. The excellent first season continues apace.