9to5Mac Reviews

While I try to live a paperless life, it’s not quite possible to get away from the stuff entirely. For example, returning packages mostly means printing a label (though there are some exceptions now), and there are still a few companies that insist on etickets being presented in paper form.

But when you only print a handful of pages a month, it doesn’t make sense to have a large printer – nor one that draws attention to itself. So I was curious to try the HP Tango X, a compact AirPrint-compatible printer which does its best to disguise itself as a book when not in use …

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A second monitor is one of the best productivity boosts you can get when using a MacBook Pro, but most monitors are not exactly portable. The Taihe Gemini is.

There are apps you can get to use an iPad as an external monitor, but a crowd-funded campaign has gone one better, offering a 15-inch portable monitor to match the size of the largest MacBook Pro screen. Unlike most existing portable monitors, it’s battery-powered, making for a truly mobile setup …

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When Ecovacs saw how much I loved the Neato D7 Connected robot vacuum cleaner, it seemed an obvious pitch to try to sell me on a review of the Winbot X window-cleaning robot.

I’m not exactly a hard sell on smart home tech, given two principles to which I subscribe. First: if something can be automated, it should be automated. Second: any excuse to use a gadget …

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Clean cable management with smart speakers can be challenging, especially with small speakers that you might place in space-constrained areas. The new Echo Dot makes this harder than the first two generations due to the power supply switching to an all-in-one brick and cable solution from the old Micro USB cable and run-of-the-mill USB brick combination. The solution? Mounting the Echo Dot.

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Ugreen makes a range of great Apple accessories, and I recently came across one of my favorite ones to date. The 10000mAh Power Bank offers wireless charging for iPhone as well as USB-C PD for input and output and a standard USB-A port for fast charging. Read on for our full look at this useful, flexible, and affordable power bank for iPhone and iPad.

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Apple has yet to release its wireless charging AirPods case or AirPower itself, but that isn’t stopping third-party accessory makers from releasing their own take on the idea. The latest attempt to bring wireless charging to AirPods comes from East Brooklyn Labs, a small accessory maker based in New York.

Dubbed SliQ, this AirPods wireless charging case is available in white, black, pink, and blue. The case costs $25 and is available now. Read on for our full review.

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I love my 12.9-inch iPad Pro, but there were two things that disappointed me: Apple doesn’t offer a Smart Cover for it, and its Smart Folio case isn’t available in leather.

No third-party company yet offers an equivalent product, but if you’re looking for a high-quality leather case or sleeve for your iPad, there are options out there – and I tried two of them …

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Belkin’s Boost Up Special Edition Wireless Charging Dock for iPhone + Apple Watch (plus an extra USB port) is exclusively available through Apple or direct from the manufacturer. We’ve been testing out this charging solution and even if AirPower was available, it would give it a run for its money. Considering that AirPower’s future is still a mystery, follow along for why those holding out for Apple’s charging solution should consider Belkin’s take on a three-device charging station.

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Apple made its Magic Keyboard available in space gray as a standalone purchase this past March after first coming exclusively with the iMac Pro. However, the space gray Magic Keyboard saw a price bump above the already pricey silver version.

Satechi’s Aluminum Bluetooth Keyboard is a space gray alternative at $70 less than Apple’s Magic Keyboard and we’ve been testing it out over the last few weeks. Follow along for why this is a great Magic Keyboard alternative, especially for those who prefer a softer keyboard feel.

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OtterBox was quick to bring versions of its Symmetry Series 360 cases for new iPad Pros to market. OtterBox Symmetry Series 360 combines a protective clear case with a leather-like Smart Cover-style jacket that protects the iPad Pro while offering a stand for typing or watching videos.

iPad Pro gets protection not offered by Apple’s Smart Cover Folio — without adding bulk — and Symmetry Series 360 even accommodates the new Apple Pencil charging and storage method.

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iOttie launched its new lineup of iTap 2 magnetic iPhone car mounts last month and we’ve spent the last couple of weeks with the Air vent and Dashboard/Windshield versions. With strong rare-earth magnets and great designs, these mounts offer a solid in-car iPhone experience for any vehicle.

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While no one has managed to match the magic of AirPods in the almost two-year period since they hit the market, there is one Apple-endorsed pair of wireless earbuds that arguably fits the slot where theoretical AirPods Pro could exist.

Bose SoundSport Free Wireless are truly wireless, offer 5-hour battery, and include a protective charging case like Apple AirPods. SoundSport Free Wireless also adds water resistance with an IPX4 rating, in-ear sport tips for delivering louder sound and natural noise cancellation, and a higher retail price.

Bose hasn’t quite captured the wireless-without-compromise balance that Apple struck two years ago, but SoundSport Free Wireless includes a few significant features that may be worth the trade-off with AirPods in some situations.

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The Twelve South Journal for MacBook Air and Pro was launched earlier this week as a kind of updated version of the company’s much-loved BookBook case. Both models are designed for the current MacBook range with USB-C ports. The 13-inch is suitable for the MacBook Air or Pro, while the 15-inch is designed for the larger MacBook Pro.

We first looked at the BookBook case back in 2011. The one we looked at then was for the MacBook, but Twelve South offered them for all MacBook models – I even had one for my 17-inch MacBook Pro – before adding iPad and iPhone versions.

The BookBook combined three features …

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AmpliFi announced its new mesh WiFi solution last month with the headline feature of a two-minute set up process. AmpliFi Instant also comes with a built-in touchscreen display like its popular predecessor, the AmpliFi HD. Read on for our full review of this great mesh router option.

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Started by three former Mophie executives, Nimble is a new company taking a fresh approach on making accessories like power banks and wireless chargers. With the mantra, “Tech for Good” Nimble thinks users should know where products come from, how they are made, and the impact they have on the environment.

We recently got to test out Nimble’s full lineup of thoughtful new accessories, read on for our full review.

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We’ve previously taken a look at iOttie’s iON wireless charging lineup, and now we’ve gotten a chance to test out the latest offering in the iON series. The iON Wireless Stand Charger comes with the same sharp design as its siblings and features support for wirelessly charging in both portrait and landscape mode. It’s also compatible with everything from iPhone 8 up to iPhone XS Max.

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If you’re looking for a sleeve to protect your MacBook Pro inside a bag, or just when carrying it around on its own, you have plenty of options, starting from around ten bucks.

Materials include felt, neoprene and polyurethane. But if you want a real luxury look and feel, there’s no substitute for leather.

If money’s no object, you could opt for Apple’s own Leather Sleeve. But despite its $199 price-tag for the 15-inch version, our review found that it’s still not a perfect option, with two problems …

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As you’d expect of an Apple-focused tech writer, I do have one or two pieces of Apple kit. The current tally comprises my 15-inch MacBook Pro, Apple Thunderbolt Display, 11-inch MacBook Air (only really kept as an emergency backup these days), 10.5-inch iPad Pro, iPhone X, Apple Watch Series 4 (as of later today) and three HomePods.

But there’s one Apple product I dismissed as soon as I tried it: AirPods. That’s not to say I hate them. I love the idea of something that portable. I adore the pairing system. The battery-life is great. There’s a lot to love about them. But not, to my ears, the audio quality …

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Most MacBook stands on the market fall into one of the few aluminum-based styles that have become commonplace. That’s why we jumped at the chance to go hands-on with Yohann’s MacBook and MacBook Pro Stand that breaks the mold with both its material choice and striking design. Follow along for a closer look at this beautiful way to elevate your MacBook.

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Standing desks are rapidly gaining in popularity as concern grows about the health impacts of spending long periods sitting down. Apple CEO Tim Cook has even described sitting as ‘the new cancer,’ with all Apple Park employees getting height-adjustable sit-stand desks.

We’ve reviewed a few different products, from full-on sit-stand desks to a simple conversion option for laptop users. Flexispot has gone one step further with a couple of its products, however, combining a desk with an exercise cycle …

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