Mobile menu toggle

Reviews - page 46

Truth Be Told season finale mostly satisfies [Apple TV+ review]

By

Truth Be Told review: We finally get to the bottom of this season's crimes.
We finally get to the bottom of this season's crimes.
Photo: Apple TV+

The second season of Apple TV+’s first crime series ends with a series of reveals, reversals, betrayals and murders. Truth Be Told fully hit its stride this time out, and it’s been a pleasure spending time with podcaster Poppy Parnell’s family, real and adopted.

The season finale mostly satisfies — and leaves me hoping for more.

Invasion puts humanity to the test even before the aliens arrive [Apple TV+ review]

By

Invasion review: New Apple TV+ sci-fi series goes big and broad.
The new Apple TV+ sci-fi series about an alien invasion goes big and broad.
Image: Apple TV+

Right after Foundation took the world by storm and For All Mankind raked in a third season, Apple TV+ is rolling the dice that viewers will get excited about yet another space show. This one’s called Invasion, and it debuts Friday.

The new sci-fi series follows a half-dozen people as an alien invasion force wreaks havoc all over the planet. Can these people get over their foibles and weaknesses to survive? Can this show extend its predecessors’ winning streak on Apple TV+?

Cancel countertop clutter with this on-the-wall phone and tablet charger [Review]

By

RapidX MyCharging Station review
RapidX MyCharging Station can wirelessly charge your iPhone in a vertical tray. And power four other devices at the same time.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Mount the RapidX MyCharging Station on a wall socket and it can juice up all your gear without taking up counter space.

I added the accessory to my office and have been using it to keep my phone and tablet going. Here’s what it’s like to use the MyCharging Station in real life.

6 awesome MagSafe accessories for your new AirPods

By

Best MagSafe accessories for AirPods
Prices start at just $12.99.
Photos: Elago, SwitchEasy, Anker, Limited77, myCharge

Apple’s third-generation AirPods and slightly refreshed AirPods Pro ship with Charging Cases that are fully compatible with MagSafe. And there are whole host of third-party accessories that make MagSafe charging even better.

Choose from a wide variety of docks and trays, in-car mounts and more. We’ve rounded up some of the best MagSafe accessories for AirPods to help you ensure that you’re hard-earned cash is well-spent.

iPad mini 6 is the perfect tablet for casual use [Review]

By

iPad mini on table
iPad mini 6 is great to look at, and delightful to use, without the pressure of getting work done.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

I’ve always had an iPad mini around the house, ever since the first generation. And I’ve always treated it very differently than any other iPad.

With the all-new sixth-gen iPad mini, Apple modernized and pushed the tiny tablet forward in a number of ways. But even in following the design trend of the iPad Pro and iPad Air before it, that doesn’t make it any less niche. And that’s part of what makes it so great.

Foundation flourishes with battles big and small [Apple TV+ review]

By

Foundation review: Lou Llobell faces some major flashback action this week.
Gaal (Lou Llobell) faces some major flashback action this week.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+’s big, shiny space show hits its first set-piece battle this week, but more exciting things are happening in solitude. Foundation hits its stride — and the direction its drama takes proves confident and exciting.

Can the sci-fi show based on Isaac Asimov’s classic continue its upward trajectory toward greatness?

Puppy Place is a big hug from a slobbery pooch [Apple TV+ review]

By

Puppy Place
Ready for puppy overload?
Photo: Apple TV+

Puppy Place, the latest kids show to land on Apple TV+, is a parade of adorable dogs and teachable moments, designed to deliver lessons about personal responsibility and social issues.

Will it become a hit with either kids or the parents looking over their shoulders? In case Instagram goes down again and you need dogs in a hurry, here’s your show.

The Velvet Underground pays tribute to the ’60s coolest band [Apple TV+ review]

By

The Velvet Underground
Bands didn't get much artier than The Velvet Underground, and this new documentary does the group proud.
Photo: Apple TV+

In The Velvet Underground, the coolest band of the ’60s finally gets the biodoc treatment from a director who engaged with the group’s legacy throughout his career. Todd Haynes and Apple TV+ finally bring you the story of The Velvet Underground, the band that created punk rock and broke rock ‘n’ roll.

Everyone’s falling apart on The Morning Show [Apple TV+ review]

By

The Morning Show review: The presidential debate prep in this week's episode feels fresh as last year's news.
The presidential debate prep in this week's episode feels fresh as last year's news.
Photo: Apple TV+

This week on The Morning Show, Maggie Brener’s book is about to come out. Alex is having a panic attack. Chip is having a crisis of confidence. Cory’s on the attack. And Bradley’s having the time of her life.

Apple TV+’s showbiz show juggles tones and sympathies — and drops several of the balls along the way. Things gets good, and then bad, and then good again. It’s time for The Morning Show writers to make some hard choices about which direction to head. Well … it was time weeks ago, but now will do just fine.

Truth Be Told builds toward shocking season finale [Apple TV+ review]

By

Truth Be Told review: Actor Mekhi Phifer steals another scene this week!
Actor Mekhi Phifer, right, steals another scene this week.
Photo: Apple TV+

The second season of Apple TV+’s first crime series is drawing to a gripping close. This week Truth Be Told, podcaster Poppy Parnell’s cause grows in righteousness even as the noose tightens around her childhood friend Micah Keith.

The little show that could soldiers on, propelled by the searing charisma of one of the best casts on TV.

Wood MagSafe Charger is prettier, more affordable than Apple’s [Review]

By

Limited77 Wood MagSafe Charger for iPhone
It's just as practical, but much more interesting.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

MagSafe is a huge step forward in wireless charging for iPhone. But Apple’s own MagSafe Charger is somewhat boring and pretty overpriced. The Wood Charger from Limited77 is a great alternative.

It works just like a MagSafe Charger, magnetically attaching itself to the back of iPhone 12, and it charges just as quickly. It’s also much more affordable. Want to know more? Here’s our full review.

Kingston DataTraveler Max will make you toss your old flash drives [Review]

By

Kingston DataTraveler Max review
The Kingston DataTraveler Max is so fast it leaves old USB-A flash drives in the dust.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Kingston DataTraveler Max is blazing fast. It supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 so the new flash drive can transfer data at up to 1,000MBps. And it uses USB-C so can be plugged into any Mac and most iPads.

I tested Kingston’s speed claims under real-world conditions. And data transfers are so quick it made me want to pitch out all my old flash drives.

EarFun Air Pro 2 ANC earbuds deliver quality sound at a low price [Review]

By

EarFun Air Pro 2 ANC Wireless Earbuds offer good sound for the price.
EarFun Air Pro 2 ANC Wireless Earbuds offer good sound for the price.
Photo: David Snow

If you’re looking to save a few bucks on true wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation, you could certainly do worse than the recently released EarFun Air Pro 2 ANC Wireless Earbuds. They deliver quality sound and a solid feature set for $79.99 — much cheaper than a lot of premium buds. And sometimes you can get them at an even lower price (see below).

Woodgrain iPhone 12 case takes you back to simpler times [Review]

By

Wooden Bumper for iPhone 12 review
Wood are you looking at? This sweet iPhone case?
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

If you have fond memories of the ’70s tech that was generously steeped in woodgrain panels, you’ll love this sweet iPhone 12 case from Limited77.

It combines a flexible, shock-absorbing shell with a wooden finish that gives your smartphone plenty of protection and a little extra character. It’s also fully compatible with MagSafe accessories.

Check out our full review right here — and bag yours at 17% off the usual price.

Octavia Spencer stuns as things spiral out of control in Truth Be Told [Apple TV+ review]

By

Truth Be Told review: Octavia Spencer will remind you just how good she is this week.
Octavia Spencer will remind you just how good she is this week.
Photo: Apple TV+

The Apple TV+ series about a true crime podcaster and her circle of friends is closing in on the truth, but will it be too late for it to matter? In this week’s episode of Truth Be Told, Poppy Parnell is reaping what she’s sown. But her one-time friend Micah Keith is right behind her.

Neither will be the same when this case is closed.

The Morning Show can’t shake its obsession with Mitch the sex pest [Apple TV+ review]

By

The Morning Show review: We know Mitch (played by Steve Carell, left) is a creep. Why can't this show let him go?
We know Mitch (played by Steve Carell, left) is a creep. Why can't this show let him go?
Photo: Apple TV+

Alex is back on The Morning Show and the ratings are up, but is everyone happy? Her presence has everyone scrambling to prove that they’re on the right side of things. Meanwhile, disgraced former anchor Mitch just won’t go away.

Apple TV+’s inside look at the world of TV broadcast journalism stands at a precipice — and just below are mountains of crisis.

With ‘Barbarians at the Gate,’ Foundation picks up the pace [Apple TV+ review]

By

Foundation review: Salvor Hardin (Leah Harvey) has the only key to the Vault, a powerful mystery on the edge of the galaxy.
Salvor Hardin (played by Leah Harvey) has the only key to the Vault, a powerful mystery on the edge of the galaxy.
Photo: Apple TV+

Foundation, Apple TV+’s big Isaac Asimov adaptation, wades into the murky waters of intergalactic politics this week. Brother Day hears of a potential rebellion, Salvor Hardin plays a pawn in a game of genocidal chess, and Hari Seldon’s words haunt all and sundry.

Can any side keep it together long enough to enact their decades-old agendas? Foundation, growing stronger by the minute, serves up more questions than answers.

Add convenient media controls and 6 ports to iPad with one USB-C hub [Review] ★★★★★

By

HyperDrive 6-in-1 USB-C Media Hub review★★★★★
Kit out your iPad with physical media controls as well as six commonly used ports.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The popular Apple Magic Keyboard turns an iPad into a laptop, but unlike some rivals, it doesn’t include physical media controls. However, the HyperDrive 6-in-1 USB-C Media Hub adds these advanced options. And that’s only the start, as it also includes ports for connecting a monitor, headphones and a range of useful USB-A accessories.

I love it. Here’s why.

This MagSafe battery clone can triple your iPhone’s charge [Review]

By

MyCharge Mag-Lock review
The MyCharge Mag-Lock series comes in a range of colors and storage capacities, but all easily charge your iPhone.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Power banks in the new MyCharge Mag-Lock series use the magnets from Apple’s MagSafe system to attach to an iPhone. They come in 3000mAh, 6000mAh and 9000mAh capacities, with the largest able to triple the length of time a handset can go between charges. No power cable is needed and you can use your iPhone while it’s charging.

I put all three sizes of the power bank to the test. Read on to find out how they stood up.

Turn your iPhone into a Switch with GameSir X2 Lightning controller [Review]

By

GameSir X2 Lightning Mobile Gaming Controller review
Slide your iPhone into the GameSir X2 Lightning Mobile Gaming Controller and you’re ready to play.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

If you’ve ever wished you could merge your iPhone and Nintendo Switch, I have great news. The GameSir X2 Lightning wraps around your handset and adds physical buttons and joysticks in a design reminiscent of the Switch Lite. And it includes a Lightning connector so it plugs directly into your iPhone.

I spent many hours playing games with this accessory — probably more than were necessary for testing. Here’s why I love it.

The truth proves dangerous this week on Truth Be Told [Apple TV+ review]

By

Truth Be Told review: Mekhi Phifer and Octavia Spencer get closer to the truth in this week's episode.
Mekhi Phifer and Octavia Spencer get closer to the truth this week.
Photo: Apple TV+

The arrests and accusations fly this week on Apple TV+’s shocking crime drama, Truth Be Told. Podcaster Poppy Parnell needs to get a grip on her situation because her father’s in need, her partners in crime need space, and she’s starting to look too self-obsessed for her own good. Can she pump the brakes in time, or will Micah stop her first?

Cute animated sci-fi short Blush orbits planet Pixar [Apple TV+ review]

By

Apple TV+ wants to make you Blush
Apple TV+ wants to make you Blush.
Photo: Apple TV+

Animated sci-fi short Blush is small, cute and full of heart. And it’s also a gauntlet thrown down to let the competition know Apple TV+ is getting serious about winning awards.

The long-in-the-making story debuted Friday on Apple’s streaming service, and it definitely swerves into Pixar territory — for better or worse.

Foundation takes big, beautiful risks … and we’re hooked! [Apple TV+ review]

By

Foundation review: Lee Pace is the swaggering spine of Foundation.
Lee Pace, who plays Brother Day, is the swaggering spine of Foundation.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+’s space opera ramps up this week to show us the goods. But can Foundation get to the business of exciting drama now that the world has been thoroughly built, the characters are in play, and the clock is ticking?

The show has been confident but not quite exciting yet. Let’s see if it can avoid the pitfalls that ruin a lot of Apple TV+’s original programming.

The Morning Show throws a welcome sapphic curveball [Apple TV+ review]

By

Reese Witherspoon and Julianna Margulies take each other for a ride on The Morning Show this week.
Reese Witherspoon and Julianna Margulies take each other for a ride on The Morning Show this week.
Photo: Apple TV+

This week on The Morning Show, COVID-19 is here and the newsroom is in shambles ahead of its rebranding. Bradley is jealous, claustrophobic and scheming. Alex is nervous. And everyone’s on the verge of a meltdown, and making very interesting choices indeed.

Can the Apple TV+ drama get out of its own way long enough to become as interesting as it threatens to be?