The Braven BRV-105 is as active as you are. It’s up for biking, sailing... you name it. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Braven BRV-105 can go anywhere and survive whatever you can. This palm-size speaker is waterproof and rugged without being too bulky. Attach it to your bike or belt and listen to music wherever you go without headphones.
We fully tested this Bluetooth accessory, so don’t miss our review.
The sun finally came out, so I took this photo outside. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
Ever since I got a 2018 iPad Pro last year, I’ve gone through a drawerful of USB-C hubs. And finally, I’ve found one that works. Or rather, one that works without any odd, annoying or inexplicable behavior. It’s the Kingston Nucleum, it doesn’t have quite enough ports, and it’s just great.
Apple's market share climbed 4% last quarter. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Amidst calls for a touchscreen MacBook, Logitech introduced the next best thing: a keyboard case that converts the 2018 iPad Pro into a laptop. The Slim Folio Pro has a backlit keyboard and a design that protects the tablet and the attached Apple Pencil.
We fully tested this just-released accessory for businesspeople and students, so don’t miss our review. Or our comparison of Logitech’s latest with the similar Apple Smart Keyboard Folio.
Wireless chargers are easy to use and look stylish in any room. Photo: Mophie
Owners of late-model iPhones (starting with iPhone 8) can stash all their old Lightning cables in a desk drawer and start charging their phone more easily with a wireless charger. Instead of sticking a wire into your phone and attaching it to a power adapter, you just place the phone on a small charger pad — or on a stand-up charging pad — and you’re good to go.
AirPods Pro could be more affordable thank you think. Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac
Back in December 2016, I was ecstatic to receive my AirPods. In the first few days after they arrived, I had them in my ears almost every moment I wasn’t sleeping or in conversations with others.
Since then, I’ve worn my AirPods, on average, something like four hours every day. When they aren’t in my ears, they are in their case, in my front left pocket. They are as much a part of me as the iPhone they’re typically paired to.
With the second-generation AirPods (can we agree to call them AirPods 2?), Apple took the product I’ve loved dearly for the last 800-plus days, and made it just a little better.
OtterBox Symmetry Series 360 has a clear back so your iPad Pro can be seen. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The OtterBox Symmetry Series 360 has everything you’d expect from a folio case designed for Apple’s latest iPad Pro, but it also includes a feature that might surprise you: the back is clear, allowing you to show off your 2018 iPad Pro while still protecting it.
We used this slim case for several weeks, so read on to learn how it did in out testing.
The iPad mini got its first refresh in more than three years this week. The newest, fifth-generation model ships with Apple’s latest A12 Bionic processor, more RAM, and a True Tone display with more pixels than any other iPad.
But is the new iPad mini worth your hard-earned cash? Here’s what the early reviews have to say about it.
You can have wireless AirPods charging right now, if you must. Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac
Dying to charge your AirPods wirelessly but hesitant to plunk down $79 for Apple’s new wireless charging case? If so, you might consider dropping $25 on a SliQ silicone cover for your AirPods case.
It’s a relatively inexpensive way to add Qi wireless charging capability to your AirPods right now. But a variety of drawbacks should make you think twice.
The Mophie Juice Pack Access helps the most recent iPhone models spend longer away from electrical sockets. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Mophie Juice Pack Access is designed to extend the already long battery lives of the 2018 iPhone models. And charging can be done wirelessly, so the handset’s Lightning port is always available.
We put this new battery pack to the test. And we also compare it to the features of Apple’s similar Smart Battery Case.
Gallium nitride technology allows these chargers to be much smaller than more traditional alternatives. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Chargers are transitioning from silicon transistors to gallium nitride (GaN), enablingthese irritatingly bulky accessories to shrink in size. Anker and RavPower both make power adapters that put out more current than you’d expect for their svelte dimensions thanks to the magic of GaN.
We tested out both chargers that can be used to power up your MacBook, iPad or iPhone. Read on to see how they performed.
No, not that kind of wave. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
If you ever wanted to do any of the following …
Chop up music.
Remove the start or end of an audio track.
Extract the audio from a video.
Convert an MP3 (or any other music file) to some other music file format.
Pretty much anything else.
… then you should grab TwistedWave this second. It’s an essential app for working with audio on the iPhone and iPad. And it’s also really, really quick and easy to use.
The Gamevice is good, but not great. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Mobile gaming has never been better, but you’re missing out if you’re playing the latest titles with touch controls. A good controller is a worthwhile purchase, but should you spend $75 on the Gamevice?
It looks great, boasts the best design of any iPhone controller, and never needs charging. It also works with almost any iPhone. The only problem? It disappoints where it matters most.
Pensato goes deep with scales and modes. Photo: Cult of Mac
Pensato is a universal app for exploring chords and scales in music. And it has a unique purpose. Instead of just helping you with creating chord progressions, it helps you come up with interesting scale progressions. What?
This is an iPad Pro, believe it or not. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Apple Smart Keyboard Folio for the 2018 iPad Pro is slim, lightweight and very useful. It’s also ugly as a mud fence. Slickwraps makes an array of “skins” designed to improve the appearance with bright colors, simulated wood grain or other options.
We tested this device cover to see whether it really enhances this iPad Pro add-on. Read on to find out how it did.
Carry your iPad Pro and its keyboard in this attractive leather sleeve. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Picaso Lab hand makes a professional-looking leather sleeve that goes around both the latest 12.9-inch iPad Pro and the Smart Folio Keyboard. It offers much more protection to the tablet than just Apple’s keyboard case. And this sleeve looks far better than Apple’s folio.
Read on for our full review of this great-looking protective cover.
Imagine this moving, and you might start to get seasick. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
Hyperspektiv is a contradiction. Photo-editing apps are designed to make your photos look better by making them look nicer. Hyperspektiv is designed to make your photos look better by making them look worse.
Not only that, it’s one of a handful of photo apps that don’t try to mimic the limitations of film photography, like grain and light leaks. Instead, it ditches the nostalgia and uses truly digital means to glitch up your images, turning them into stills and videos that would look fantastic in a music video.
Triqtraq is almost too much fun. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
A week or so back, I took a long trip, and I figured I’d make some music on the journey. I wanted an app that would be simple to use, but powerful enough to get some real expression into these musical sketches. Plus, I wanted something called parameter locks, which I’ll explain below.
I quickly narrowed in on Triqtraq. It’s not a new app, but it’s so good you should check it out ASAP.
EasyAcc’s Ultra Slim Folio Case is very inexpensive but functional. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Anyone who choked at the $99 pricetag on the Apple Smart Folio cover for the latest iPad Pro should consider EasyAcc’s rival. This is slim and light, and costs less than half what Apple’s does.
We put this budget folio case through weeks of daily use and bring you our findings.
Trainiac connects you with a real personal trainer to maximize your fitness Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac
Have you ever felt sick and thought to yourself, “I should diagnose myself based on a web search,” later wishing you’d sought a professional instead? How about taking on an extensive home-improvement project, only to call in a contractor after struggling to make any real progress?
Getting in shape or losing weight shouldn’t be something you are stuck doing on your own, either. That’s where a personal trainer comes in.
There’s no reason to get Apple’s Lightning-to-USB-C cable when Anker’s is at least as good for less money. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Anker is taking pre-orders for a Lightning-to-USB-C cable that costs much less than Apple’s version. We tested this new accessory to see how quickly it can charge an iPhone to be sure it’s a reasonable copy and not just a cheap knockoff.
Read on to see how well the Anker Powerline II USB-C cable stood up to our tests.
Gifts that are guaranteed to bring a smile. Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Valentine’s Day is fast-approaching, which means it’s time to start shopping for that special someone in your life. If they’re a fan of Apple products and awesome gadgets to go with them, Cult of Mac is here to help.
Our Valentine’s Day gift guide is full of great gift ideas that are guaranteed to put a smile on their face. We have beautiful books about Apple’s most iconic devices, the coolest cushions and T-shirts, and must-have accessories.
No matter what your budget, you’ll find something they’ll love almost as much as you. (Maybe even more?)
The Urban Armor Gear Metropolis is both a protective case and an iPad Pro stand. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The latest rugged folio case from Urban Armor Gear protects the 2018 iPad Pro models without adding too much bulk. The Metropolis also adds some industrial style, and it includes an Apple Pencil holder.
Don’t miss our review of this rugged folio that starts at $59.95.