Ed Hardy - page 2

Take Espresso’s compact 4K touchscreen monitor to go

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espresso 15 Pro
A 4K 15-inch portable touchscreen monitor is coming from espresso Displays
Photo: espresso Displays

The espresso 15 Pro checks all the boxes for Apple users looking for a high-end portable monitor. 4K? Check. Touchscreen? Check. USB-C? Check.

The 15-inch screen — a smaller version of the espresso 17 Pro — is on display at CES 2025. It even scored espresso Displays a CES Innovation Award.

mophie charger/battery combo packs everything needed to power iPhone or Mac [Review] ★★★★☆

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mophie Powerstation Plus Ultra review★★★★☆
With the mophie Powerstation Plus Ultra in your bag, you’re always ready to charge your iPhone anywhere you go.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The mophie Powerstation Plus Ultra plugs directly into a wall, and built-in cables let it plug straight into your iPhone or Mac. But it’s no simple wall adapter — it’s also a 10,000mAh power bank.

I put the all-in-one device to the test. It’s a bit of a brick, but delivers when it counts.

New SanDisk SSD clings to iPhone to store terabytes of high-res video recordings

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SanDisk Creator Phone SSD
Add terabytes of ProRes video storage to your iPhone with SanDisk Creator Phone SSD.
Photo: SanDisk

The SanDisk Creator Phone SSD sets itself apart from rival portable drives with MagSafe. This means the drive magnetically clings to an iPhone where it’s available to hold up to 2 TB of ProRes video as it’s recorded.

SanDisk unveiled the SSD at CES 2025, along with other new storage options.

MagSafe goes cross-platform as Samsung finally commits to Qi2

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Samsung Qi2
The Qi2 charger in iPhone just got a boost from Apple’s biggest rival.
Photo: Samsung/Wireless Power Consortium

Samsung committed itself on Monday to integrating Qi2 wireless charging into its Galaxy line of Android-based smartphones. It’s been dragging its feet for years, while the last four generations of iPhone models all support the standard.

Samsung’s just-announced adoption of Qi2 should benefit iPhone users, who until now have been the only ones able to take advantage of the new standard. More handsets using the magnetically enhanced wireless charging capability should lead to more accessories that employ it. More cross-platform accessories are a win for everyone.

Upgrade your M4 Mac mini with clever multiport hub/stand

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Satechi Mac mini M4 Stand & Hub with SSD Enclosure
Max out your Mac mini with this hub.
Photo: Satechi

The Satechi Mac mini M4 Stand & Hub with SSD Enclosure expands the capabilities of Apple’s tiny new desktop with additional front-facing ports and more storage. It even makes pressing the computer’s hidden power button easier.

Satechi gave a sneak peek of the product in November, but on Monday revealed the full specifications, including a price and release date.

Apple goes on a bug hunt with iOS 18.2.1

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iOS 18.2.1
Your iPhone needs iOS 18.2.1. And there’s an iPadOS version, too.
Photo: Cult of Mac

iOS 18.2.1 went out Monday with the intent of removing bugs that snuck into the earlier version of the iPhone operating system. Apple also released an iPadOS equivalent.

Apple recommends both to anyone who installed the previous versions.

OWC Thunderbolt 5 hub offers 120Gbps transfers [Updated]

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OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub in use
The OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub could be the center of a professional setup.
Photo: OWC

The OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub includes three ports that move data up to twice as fast as Thunderbolt 4 and USB4. That’s professional-level connectivity, opening the possibility of portable SSDs running at 6000MBps or up to three 8K displays at 60Hz .

After an announcement in autumn 2024, the hub is now ready to buy.

Belkin Stage PowerGrip makes iPhone into a better camera

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Belkin Stage PowerGrip
Make your iPhone easier to hold while taking pictures with Belkin Stage PowerGrip.
Photo: Belkin

The Belkin Stage PowerGrip adds the grip DSLR camera users are familiar with to an iPhone. Built into the grip is a battery which sends power to the handset via the MagSafe magnetic charging mat integrated into the device.

And his is just one of multiple new accessories Belkin unveiled in time for CES 2025.

Apple TV+ shows we can’t wait to watch in 2025

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Drawing of two excited people watching a TV screen, with the words
We're psyched for these Apple TV+ shows and movies coming this year.
AI image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac

There are so many Apple TV+ shows to look forward to in 2025! There are new seasons of some of the streamer’s best shows coming, along with new series and even a cool-looking film or two. Get ready for dramas, comedies and lots of sci-fi.

Cult of Mac writers picked the Apple TV+ shows we’re most excited about in the coming year. Keep reading or watch our video to fill out your Up Next queue early.

Cancel unwanted subscriptions and save money

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Apple is raising some subscription services costs for the first time.
Start the year off saving cash by canceling any App Store subscriptions you don't want.
Photo: David Švihovec/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac

It’s a new year, and it’s a fine time to clear out some of the mistakes of the past. That includes no longer paying for apps or services you don’t use anymore. Luckily, it’s easy — if you know how to cancel subscriptions on your Apple devices.

Here’s how to find everything you’ve signed up for through the App Store, see what it’s costing you, and cancel it if you’ve lost interest. Or perhaps save a bit of money by changing how often you’re billed.

Ring in the new year by changing bad old passwords

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Password change how to
Ring in the new year with new passwords that haven’t been stolen by hackers.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

It’s a brand-new year, and that’s a good opportunity to do something you’ve probably been procrastinating on: Replace your website passwords that hackers stole because of some company’s lax security. Fortunately, Apple’s new Passwords app makes it easy to find out which of your passwords leaked so you can change them.

Start the year off right by fixing a potentially serious problem now, before something bad happens.

Save big on terabytes of storage in Samsung SSD sale

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Samsung T9 portable SSD review
The Samsung T9 puts terabytes of storage in your pocket.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

A Samsung SSD can help you reach your New Year’s resolution to get organized. The T9 offers up to 4 terabytes of capacity, is blazing fast, so you can easily gather the files you have scattered all over the place onto a single drive. And you can grab the SSD now at up to $200 below the usual cost.

For an even more affordable option, the older Samsung T7 is available for as much as 41% off.

Why smart glasses need to be on Apple’s 2025 agenda

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Apple Glasses
Apple needs smart glasses or it risks getting left behind.
Concept: Taeyeon Kim

It’s time for Apple to get into smart glasses. This is an emerging product category that combines AI, cameras and audio… three components that the iPhone-maker is either already expert at or is working hard to improve.

Apple Glasses could be critical for the company long term because it would be an important step toward someday making the Vision Pro AR headset into a viable product.

Why iPhone 14 and iPhone SE were banned in the EU

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iPhone SE banned in the EU
The iPhone SE is among the Apple products pulled from Apple stores in the EU.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

It’s no longer possible to buy an iPhone 14 or iPhone SE 3 from Apple in the EU. And many of Apple’s older accessories also disappeared from the company’s shelves in the European Union, too.

It’s all a result of a EU law that, as of Saturday, banned the sale of handsets with proprietary charging ports. Apple was a primary focus of the legislation.

Best cases for your new iPad

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Best iPad cases
Here are my picks for the best iPad cases available now.
Image: Cult of Mac

You unwrapped a shiny new iPad for Christmas or Hanukkah — congratulations! — and now you need a case for it. I’ve tested a bunch of these and have recommendations for the best iPad cases.

These protect your computer from life’s little mishaps. But you can also get an iPad case with a built-in keyboard and trackpad to upgrade your table to a ultralight laptop.

What to expect from iPad, iPad Pro and iPad Air in 2025

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iPads in 2025: Product shot of two iPads with yellow tint to illustrate story about iPad 11th generation and other upcoming new models.
The 11th-generation iPad is just a few months away. And new iPad Pro and iPad Air models are on the way, too.
Photo: Cult of Mac

2025 will finally bring the much-anticipated 11th-generation iPad, a version of the budget tablet with a faster processor capable of accessing the latest Apple Intelligence features.

In addition, expect faster iPad Pro and iPad Air models in 2025 — one sooner than might be expected.

How to track Santa from your Mac, iPhone or iPad

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Santa Tracker
NORAD’s Santa tracker app is available for iPhone and iPad. And there’s a website for Macs.
Photo: NORAD

It’s Christmas Eve, and Santa Claus is on his way. You can find out exactly where he is with the help of the NORAD Santa tracker and your Mac or iPhone. You can even track Jolly Old Saint Nick’s progress in real time.

Here’s how to keep an eye on Kris Kringle‘s progress.

How to share an AirTag with other people

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A New York Times reporter found that AirTag tracking and privacy alerts can work better than other trackers.
You can share an Apple AirTag with up to five people. Here’s how.
Photo: Apple

When Apple launched the AirTag, you could link the tracking tags to only one person. Luckily, Apple expanded that. Now you can share an AirTag with up to five other people, so each one can see where it is.

Here’s how to share an AirTag with family members or friends.

Apple M5 processor might put in an early appearance

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M5, M5 Pro, M5 Max
Expect the M5, M5 Pro and M5 Max processors in 2025.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

It’s a safe bet that the Apple M5 processor will start replacing the current M4 in 2025, and it might even happen in the first half of the year.

That’s according to a roadmap of when the various versions of the chip will go into production leaked Monday by a reliable source of insider Apple information.

EU could force Apple to open AirDrop and AirPlay to Android

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AirDrop and AirPlay logos
AirDrop and AirPlay are now in the EU’s sights.
Image: Apple

AirDrop and AirPlay are the latest Apple technologies the European Union wants to make more interoperable. This would give third-party developers, including rival handset makers, access to the tech.

But Apple is pushing back hard. Apple has made the jaw-dropping claim that opening up AirDrop and AirPlay would allow companies like Meta (which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp) to read all your emails, messages, photos and even passwords!

Apple kills plan to offer iPhone as a subscription

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iPhone 16 Plus packaging
Buying an iPhone is going to be unchanged so … yay.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly dropped a plan to offer the iPhone to customers as a monthly subscription. It would have allowed customers to pay for handsets as though they were a magazine or software, and upgrade annually.

Those feeling disappointed by the news likely aren‘t aware that Apple already offers a very similar payment plan.

Why AirPods Pro 2 can make a life-changing gift

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AirPods Pro 2 gift
AirPods Pro 2 are more than entertaining, they can be life changing for someone with hearing loss.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

There’s an important new reason you might put AirPods Pro 2 on your gift list this year. If you know someone who resists getting the hearing assistance they need, Apple’s wireless earbuds can change their life.

It’s not hype — AirPods Pro 2 really can help people with mild to moderate hearing loss thanks to a software update released this autumn.

iPhone 17 Pro Max renders give early glimpse of next Apple flagship

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iPhone 17 Pro Max renders: Front and rear
iPhone 17 Pro Max renders show it might not look just like its predecessors.
Photo: Wylsacom

With purported details of the iPhone 17 Pro Max appearing online many months before the device’s launch, a Russian YouTube channel prepared renders that reveal what Apple’s next top-tier handset could look like.

Don’t expect last year’s model with a just few tweaks. According to rumors reflected in the new renders, 2025 will bring a substantial redesign.

How to figure out if your iPhone charger sucks

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Slow iPhone charger: How to figure out if yours is rubbish
You can do better than these. Quite a bit better, in fact.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

There are plenty of old iPhone wall chargers still out there very slowly powering up handsets. Fortunately, iOS 18.2 made it quick and easy to tell if it’s time to trash your old, slow iPhone charger.

The best iPhone chargers give your handset a big boost in as little as half an hour. Older ones take all sodding day. You don’t have to put up with slow charges if you don’t want to.