PSA: USB-C on Apple’s new MacBook is a circus
Shopping for USB-C accessories for your new MacBook? Beware that the USB-C landscape as far as accessories and compatibility with your Mac is an absolute mess.
The best accessories for the new Apple TV: Bluetooth Keyboards, MFi game controllers, cables, more
From 9to5Toys.com:
Update (1/11 2:00pm): With the release of tvOS 9.2, Apple has officially added support for Bluetooth Keyboards on Apple TV. You’ll find our top-picks below.
The new Apple TV is now available for pre-orders with the first units set to ship on Friday. Apple has introduced a number of features to its new streaming device, including an App Store, a fresh remote with Siri built-in, universal search and support for MFi gaming controllers. However, the fourth generation Apple TV is pretty light on included accessories. It doesn’t even come with an HDMI cable.
Head below for all the must-have controllers, add-ons and accessories to take full advantage of Apple’s latest release.
Dodocase announces charging dock/cable organizer combo for Apple Watch & iPhone
Accessory maker Dodocase just announced this Dual Charging Dock Organizer that accommodates both an iPhone and Apple Watch for charging. It all fits into a book-like design that will also hold your cables and headphones and make for easier traveling.
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Belkin and Google debut USB-C cables, including low-priced Ethernet, DisplayPort, HDMI and micro-USB adapters
Coinciding with today’s announcement of the dual USB-C port-equipped Chromebook Pixel 2 laptop, Google and Belkin today announced separate collections of new USB-C cables and adapters. These new options go well beyond Apple’s upcoming USB-C accessory lineup for the 12″ MacBook, while also including some familiar options at lower-than-Apple prices. They’re amongst the first USB-C accessories to be announced by major manufacturers, as inexpensive USB-C cables from smaller companies are beginning to make their way onto Amazon for pre-order…
Apple’s 12″ MacBook gets new USB-C power, VGA, USB, and HDMI adapters
Alongside the newly-announced 12″ MacBook, Apple today announced its first collection of USB-C accessories designed to expand the abilities of the ultra-thin laptop’s single data and power port. The smallest is a USB-C to USB Adapter ($19), which converts the MacBook’s USB-C port to standard USB “to connect devices such as your flash drive or camera” or “a “USB cable for syncing and charging your iPhone, iPad, or iPod.” It supports USB 3.1 Gen 1 for data…
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9to5’s Last Minute Apple Gift Guide
Christmas and the end of Hanukkah are only a week away. You’re looking for a last-minute gift that’s guaranteed to arrive in time for the holidays. We’re here to help with a collection of top picks for Apple fans, all at great prices.
Welcome to 9to5’s Last Minute Apple Gift Guide!
Hyper offers up to 50% off battery packs, Wi-Fi USB drives & more for your MacBook, iPhone & iPad
There are a ton of great Black Friday deals this year, but if you’re looking for an external battery pack for your MacBook, there aren’t many options other than Hyper. We’ve reviewed various models of the HyperJuice Battery Packs in the past, and today the company let us know it’s offering everything in its online store up for up to 50% off.
That includes its colorful dual USB HyperJuice Battery Packs, its WiFi connected iUSBport camera accessories and hard drives, and much more. Some of the notables (pictured above) include: $50 off HyperJuice MacBook batteries, $60 off USB battery packs, $100 off the iUSBportCAMERA, and $60 off the HyperJuice Battery + iPad stand. iUSBportCAMERA will let you wirelessly tether from most DSLRs to iOS devices, while the iUSBport mini will allow you to wirelessly connect to your MicroSDXC or use it as a USB flash drive.
Hyper has long been just about the only company on the market offering portable external battery packs for MacBooks. Apple doesn’t let third-party accessory makers use the MagSafe adapter, so Hyper’s DIY kit for modding your cable is the reason it’s still the only one with portable MacBook batteries. Good news: There is also an option to order a premodified MagSafe cable directly from Hyper. You can of course use the batteries for many other devices too thanks to built-in USB ports. Read about our experience with it here.
These are just some of the most notable deals available through Hyper for Black Friday:
HyperJuice Battery Packs
HyperJuice2 Battery Pack for MacBook (100Wh) – Now $249.95 ($50 off MSRP $299.95)
HyperJuice1.5 Battery Pack for MacBook (60Wh) – Now $139.95 ($30 off MSRP $169.95)
HyperJuice1.5 Battery Pack for MacBook (100Wh) – Now $199.95 ($50 off MSRP $249.95)
HyperJuice1.5 Battery Pack for MacBook (150Wh) – Now $299.95 ($50 off MSRP $349.95)
HyperJuice1.5 Battery Pack for MacBook (222Wh) – Now $399.95 ($50 off MSRP $449.95)
HyperJuice Micro 3600mAh Dual USB Battery Pack – Now $39.95 ($30 off MSRP $69.95)
HyperJuice Mini 7200mAh Dual USB Battery Pack – Now $59.95 ($40 off MSRP $99.95)
HyperJuice Stand 11000mAh USB Battery Pack – Now $69.95 ($60 off MSRP $129.95)
HyperJuice Plug 10400mAh Dual USB Battery Pack – Now $79.95 ($50 off MSRP $129.95)
HyperJuice Plug 15600mAh Dual USB Battery Pack – Now $99.95 ($60 off MSRP $159.95)
HyperDrive Storage Products
iUSBportCAMERA DSLR Wireless Tether to iDevice – Now $199.95 ($100 off MSRP $299.95)
iUSBport Mini Wireless USB Flash Drive for iDevice – Now $79.95 ($10 off MSRP $89.95)
iUSBport Wireless USB Hub for iPad, iPhone, Android – Now $89.95 ($10 off MSRP $99.95)
HyperDrive UDMA2 Memory Card Backup Device & Photo Viewer – Now 10% off all models
HyperDrive Hard Drive for iPad – Now 10% off all models
HyperShield Apple Accessories
HyperShield Back Covers for iPad (various styles and colors) – $4.99 (Usual $19.95-$39.95)
HyperShield Stylus (various styles and colors) – $4.99-$7.99 (Usual $9.95-$19.95)
ThinShield World’s Thinnest & Lightest iPhone 5/5s Case – $9.95 (50% off MSRP $19.95)
HyperThin World Thinnest HDMI Cables
0.8m – $14.95 ($5 off MSRP $19.95)
2.5m – $29.95 ($10 off MSRP $39.95)
ZAGG announces huge Memorial Day sale: 20% – 50% off site wide including invisibleSHIELD, iPad keyboards & more
From 9to5Toys.com:
Anyone familiar with Zagg, and with 9to5, knows the company offers more than a few high quality Apple accessories worth taking a look at. Not only will you get some of the best gear for iOS devices on the market, starting today you’ll also be able to get up to 50% off on select items as well as additional savings for other highly recommended accessories.
We’ve reviewed and enjoyed a number of Zagg products that remain high on our list of recommended iPad keyboards, charging accessories, and protective covers. Below are just a few of our reviews for Zagg products that you simply can’t go wrong with:
Micro-review: Cord Taco cable-tidy
Every now and again, someone comes up with an idea which is deliciously simple yet rather useful. Meet Cord Tacos: a folded piece of leather with a rivet through it.
Yep, that’s it. The rivet acts as a kind of button, so you can unfold the leather, insert your cable and then clip it in place. No more cables getting tangled at the bottom of your bag, and much more elegant than the rubber bands we OCD types use to keep things tidy.
The review bit: they work. The cables are held securely, and the rivets don’t come undone.
My only complaint is that the standard 5-pack comprises two large (suitable for USB leads and the like) and three small. The small ones are really only useful for earphones, and who carries more than one set around? Which gets you three usable Tacos for $30 with shipping. A little steep, but a lot prettier than an elastic band. Available on Etsy.