9to5Mac Reviews

It’s been two years since the pocket-sized Lumen metabolic analyzer launched with a thoughtful iOS app and Apple Health integration. Over the last month, I’ve been using the device again to test out updates like a new food/macro log and Apple Watch app, along with a desire to be more intentional with my nutrition and exercise.

Last month, Hidrate launched the HidrateSpark PRO STEEL with 32 oz (around 900 ml). This water bottle features a premium look and Apple Health integration and I must admit, I got a bit too excited about a water bottle that reminds me to drink water.

With that in mind, I decided to buy the HidrateSpark Steel water bottle with 21 oz (620 ml) a few weeks ago to understand whether it would improve my daily routine of drinking water to have a pretty nice bottle to carry around. Discover how it’s going below.

Disclaimer: HidrateSpark Steel and HidrateSpark PRO are the same water bottles, the company just rebranded the first with the latter.

Wristcam is an Apple Watch band unlike any other. This band gives the Apple Watch some new life with the addition of a front- and back-facing camera for picture and video. Created by a team of former Apple Watch designers and app developers, this $299 watch band is certified for Apple Watch.

Transcend first launched its JetDrive Lite 330 expansion card specifically made for the latest MacBook Pro earlier this year, and last month debuted its largest option with a 1TB capacity. Read along for our hands-on look at this MacBook Pro flush SD card.

May is Blood Pressure Education Month with May 17 serving as World Hypertension Day to raise awareness and help detect, prevent, and control the health issue. This month we’ve been trying out the most portable blood pressure monitor medically cleared by the FDA, the Withings BPM Connect. Read along for a detailed look at this blood pressure monitor with Apple Health integration plus how far Withings has come in recent years.

In November, Apple launched the 2021 MacBook Pro. Available in two sizes (14- and 16-inch), the company also introduced two new chips, the M1 Pro and the M1 Max. While I thought this new Mac would be overkill to me – I didn’t need the ports, ProMotion, miniLED, or the processor – I recently broke my 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro and needed a replacement.

Between buying the entry-level 2020 M1 MacBook Air and the new 14-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro, I decided to go with the latter. Here’s my review of this computer from a heavy but non-pro user perspective.

Following up on the Base One premium MagSafe charger, Nomad debuted its Base One Max recently with the same high-end glass and aluminum design plus an integrated Apple Watch charger. Follow along for a detailed look at how this official MagSafe dual charger for iPhone and Apple Watch stands apart from the competition.

It’s been nearly 15 years since the first iPhone was launched and almost as long since the creation of Apple’s App Store. In that time, millions of apps have found their way onto Apple devices – each with its own distinctive icon. As a relatively new form of art, The iOS App Icon Book is unlike most other art books you will come across.

When it comes to speakers, there are laws of physics and rules of economics which are hard to defy. A pocketable speaker that costs $60 simply isn’t going to be any good. Yet the Tribit StormBox Micro 2 somehow is.

The laws of speaker physics say that you need a decent-sized driver and housing to sound good, especially when it comes to bass. The rules of economics say that good sound costs money. But audio companies are increasingly sticking their thumbs up to both …

Launched alongside its fantastic 3-in-1 travel charger, the mophie magnetic portable stand is made for MagSafe and fully foldable making it convenient to use almost anywhere. Follow along for a detailed look at this handy dual-hinged iPhone stand.

Designed with Apple users in mind, the Satechi Slim X3 Backlit Keyboard is a cost-effective alternative to Apple’s Magic Keyboard. It has some of the same features of the Magic Keyboard as well as some additional ones.

I’ll be comparing the Satechi keyboard to Apple’s Magic Keyboards (without Touch ID, with Touch ID, numerical with Touch ID). Here’s how Satechi stands against Apple.

DockCase is back with its latest product, a USB-C M.2 SSD enclosure. The device packs some great SSD protection and monitoring features into a sleek metal and glass enclosure with a small screen to keep you updated on your SSD’s health. But are these features worth the $99 price (only $69 on Kickstarter), or are you better off looking elsewhere?

While the latest MacBook Pro notebooks bring back a range of I/O, they’re still missing Ethernet and USB-A ports. Satechi’s Pro Hub Mini delivers those and more in a compact design without sacrificing access to MagSafe or your USB-C ports.

Chipolo announced its CARD Spot at CES 2022 in January. It’s a tracker made to fit into wallets, but it can track many other items if you prefer. With its slim and credit card-shaped design, it’s the best device on the market to track your wallet. I’ve been using the Chipolo CARD Spot for a while now. Here is some notable information on the device and some of my thoughts.

I reviewed Duolingo last month and said then that the signs were encouraging, but the real test would come when I visited Buenos Aires.

I’d been impressed overall, but did have one concern …

Last month we saw mophie unveil a sharp-looking 3-in-1 official MagSafe travel charger that seemed like the perfect solution for powering up iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods on the go. Spoiler alert, after testing it out for the last few weeks, it’s as fantastic as we hoped. Read on for all the details about why the mophie 3-in-1 is the best iPhone travel charger out there.

The Waterfield Tuck Backpack is described as a streamlined version of a European military rucksack, and I’d describe it as a mini-Tardis. It’s a compact bag when you’re just using it to carry your Apple devices and one or two other items, but is surprisingly spacious when you need to carry more.

It also has some neat features like self-locating magnetic buckles and a strap to slot over a roller case, making it suitable as a ‘laptop bag’ to travel into the cabin with you as your second bag when flying…

Duolingo is one of the world’s most popular apps, consistently ranking in the top two or three educational apps, and a hugely popular way to learn a language.

All of which had, until very recently, been completely irrelevant to me. I’m generally a fast learner, and have picked up a diverse range of skills over the years, but have always been completely hopeless when it comes to learning languages …

There are plenty of MagSafe-compatible battery packs for iPhone available that offer power but most don’t go beyond that. Mophie’s Snap+ Powerstation Stand, however, is multifunctional with handy features like a tripod socket and built-in kickstand, paired with a larger than average battery. Read on for our full review.

The Tula Mic is a portable USB microphone with dual capsules and a built-in standalone recorder. It features a collapsable stand, noise cancellation, and 8GB of storage for up to 12 hours of continuous recording. Most importantly, it sounds good. Watch our Tula Mic review as I discuss why it’s a good portable microphone option that’s ideal for mobile recording workflows with iPad or Mac.