The second-gen AirPods are like an "S" upgrade. Photo: Apple
Will you buy Apple’s new AirPods? They look fantastic. They offer longer battery life, quicker connections, “Hey Siri” support, and there’s even an optional wireless charging case. But are all those extras enough to make you upgrade if you already own first-gen AirPods?
A gorgeous leather case armors your new AirPods against theft, damage and debris. Photo: Twelve South
Yesterday, Apple launched the long-awaited second-gen AirPods, and its online stores are already having trouble keeping the updated wireless headphones in stock. You’ll likely be waiting a little longer while Apple races to keep up with orders. With impressive new features like the Wireless Charging Case, H1 chip, “Hey Siri” support and up to 50 percent more talk time, you’ll also be needing durable protection to keep these new accessories pristine and safe.
Enter AirSnap, the perfect way to keep your brand-new (and pricey) AirPods safe from damage, debris and theft. Snag this ultra-stylish and compact leather travel case while you wait for your new AirPods to ship.
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.
The new iPad Air sounds like a winner. Photo: Apple
The new iPad Air might not be quite as beautiful or cutting edge as its Pro counterpart, but it’s still a gorgeous piece of tech — and a potential “Back to School” winner.
That’s according to the first reviews of the new tablet published. We’ll update this meta review with other opinions as they become available, but here are the first impressions so far.
Updated iMacs, AirPods, and iPads have all debuted this week. What’s next? Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple isn’t following its usual strategy for product launches. Rather than holding a press event during which a collection of devices gets shown off, it spread the news out across multiple days this week.
This bold new approach brought plenty of attention to products that might otherwise have gotten lost in the furor around bigger announcements. And it’s also creating excitement about what’s coming next.
Did you ever update a bunch of apps over a slow connection? Maybe you’re on vacation, saving your cellular data, and you’re running your app updates on the free Wi-Fi in a cool beachside bar? Can you cancel that huge update you don’t need?
Or maybe you just restored your iCloud backup to a brand-new iPhone, and now you’re waiting for all the apps to re-download. Isn’t there a way to make your favorite apps jump to the beginning of the queue?
Well, the answer is yes to both! You just need 3D Touch.
Apple is cracking down on fake news. By helping fight the scourge of disinformation, Apple is taking a pre-emptive step to protect itself as it prepares to launch a new subscription news service.
In other words, Apple’s battle against fake news comes at the perfect time.
It’s not so easy to fill up that storage space on your iPad. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
One of iOS’s most ridiculous omissions is the lack of any way to create a local folder in the Files app. You can add as many folders as you like to your iCloud Drive, but if you just want to create a folder that lives on your iPad, tough.
Luckily, there are workarounds. Here are a couple.
The star-studded Apple TV+ lineup is starting to look like it could become a legitimate contender to Netflix and HBO. After going on a Hollywood spending spree in the last eight months, Apple appears poised to make a huge push into original content.
Thanks to its new worldwide video executive team, many of the Apple TV series in development actually look really promising and diverse. From Steven Spielberg’s Amazing Stories to mysterious new sci-fi series See, Apple’s working on some shows everyone could enjoy.
Check out the full list of Apple TV+ series and movies currently in the pipeline.
Update: We’ve added all the shows we know about heading into Apple’s big March 25 event, where the company expected to finally unveil its TV streaming service.
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.
Apple Watch bands aren’t the only thing now available in new colors for spring. Apple is also offering its official iPhone and iPad accessories, including the Smart Battery Case, in fresh finishes.
Make a daily habit of staying healthy with an app that offers daily workouts and nutrition plans. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
These days, gym memberships are like a synonym for wasted money. We sign up at the beginning of every year, only to let weeks go by before we’re ever motivated to go. So why not get motivation from a device you always have with you?
A new lineup of Apple Watch bands is here in time for spring.
Whether you prefer the Sport Band, Sport Loop, or luxurious leather, there are new color options to choose from. All are available to order today, with prices starting at $49.
The new Wireless Charging Case is also available. Photo: Apple
The wait for new AirPods is finally over.
Apple’s newest wireless buds are here with a brand new H1 chip that allows for hands-free “Hey Siri.” They also promise better battery life in between charges, and even faster connectivity.
An optional Wireless Charging Case is also available, but it’s not cheap.
Imagine stuffing a packaged sofa and armchairs in here. That’s MailDrop. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
Problem: You want to send a bunch of photos, or maybe a couple of big PDFs, to a client/friend/family member. The trouble is that the files are too big. Say your photos total 50MB. That’s way too much for email.
The old solutions: Split the photos up and send smaller emails. That’s a real pain for you and for the recipient. What about Dropbox? Sure, but then you have to copy the files to Dropbox, and get a link. Do you even have the Dropbox app on your iPhone?
What about WeTransfer? Sure. Just try to enjoy waiting for the upload.
The fix: MailDrop. Just compose your too-big email as usual, and let MailDrop take care of it.
In some ways, the iPad Air is better than the Pro. Photo: Apple
The new iPad Air is a monster. It’s practically as powerful as the top-of-the-range iPad Pro, but costs around $300 less. You lose a few features — the magnetic Apple Pencil 2, ProMotion, etc. — but for most people that probably doesn’t matter.
In fact, the new iPad Air is so good that it’s probably good enough for most people. And for some folks — professional musicians, for example, or people who hate headphone dongles — it’s even better.
This week’s rollout of updated Apple hardware may not be over yet. A refreshed iPod touch could be the next device to hit the Online Store. It has been almost four years since Apple introduced the most recent model.
Apple's new iPads underline its problem with product naming. Photo: Lucille Pine/Flickr CC
As thrilling as new Apple devices are, this week’s surprise hardware updates really screwed the pooch on one important front: product naming.
The “new” iPad Air and iPad mini join a lineup of tablets with a variety of features and price points that will boggle the minds of even the most ardent Apple fanatics.
How did Apple’s naming strategy go so far off the rails? For the sake of the average customer, Cupertino’s once-brilliant branding needs to kick into gear. Because right now, the toxic hellstew of Apple product names is utterly confusing.
Wally takes style and functionality to the next level. Photo: Kristal Chan/Cult of Mac
You’re grabbing a drink with friends or heading out to the bars for a night of fun, and the last thing you want is to worry about your cards and cash all night. Plus, there’s nothing worse than having your phone, keys and wallet jingling and jumbling around your pockets while you’re trying to bust a move on the dance floor (yikes).
Whether you’re bar hopping or just needing to travel light and worry-free, carry your valuables safely and compactly with Ullu’s premium leather Wallet Cases for iPhone.
Three attached pockets allow you to carry credit cards, cash and ID with ease. Choose from nine gorgeous Italian leather options. These cases are practical and powerful, well worthy of your stunning iPhone.
The pricey iMac Pro didn’t quite get a refresh like the standard iMac today, but Apple has added some new upgrade options.
Those with a need for speed can now equip the all-in-one with AMD Radeon Pro Vega 64X graphics and up to 256GB of RAM for the first time. But be prepared to break the bank (or maybe rob a bank?) for the most impressive model.
The modern iMac is a stunner... and last on our list. Photo: Apple
The standard iMac is faster than ever thanks to a surprise refresh that delivers Intel’s ninth-generation processors and powerful Vega graphics.
Apple says its refreshed all-in-one offers a “dramatic increase” in both compute and graphics performance, making this “the world’s best desktop.” You can order yours today from the Apple Online Store.
A real Call of Duty game is finally coming to mobile. The popular first-person shooter will bring classic maps and weapons from popular titles like Modern Warfare and Black Ops to Android and iOS.
You can register your interest in the game today for a chance to join the beta when it goes live this summer.
Apple today added two new iPads to its lineup while dropping the 10.5-inch iPad Pro released in 2017. It now offers five different tablets, each of which has its own advantages. So how do you choose the right one?
Which iPad is best for unparalleled performance? Which one offers more bang for your buck? Which is starting to look a little long in the tooth?
Our in-depth comparison shows you exactly how all five of Apple’s current iPads stack up — and helps you decide which one is worth your hard-earned cash.
There’s strong evidence that an iPod touch is coming, even if it wasn’t announced today. Photo: Apple
Apple surprised everyone by launching two iPad models this morning. But there’s has been plenty of evidence that the company is about to release three more products that haven’t yet seen the light of day.
This includes an updated iPod touch, improved AirPods and the AirPower charging mat.
Update (March 20): Apple introduced the much-anticipated AirPods 2 with “Hey Siri” and better battery life. There’s still no sign of AirPower.
A new iPad Air with a larger 10.5-inch display and a fifth-generation iPad mini are available to order now from Apple.com.
Both feature a blazing-fast A12 Bionic chip, improved displays with True Tone, and Apple Pencil support. Prices start at $399 for the new iPad mini, and $499 for the new iPad Air.