Accessories

AirPods could launch next week, according to this Apple reseller

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 10, 2016

AirPods, Apple's Bluetooth earphones featuring the company's in-house designed W1 wireless chip, may be launching next week. That's the gist of a new report Thursday from German blog Apfelpage.de. The publication cited Apple's European reseller Conrad as confirming that it'll receive stock of the delayed earphones on November 17.

Conrad will reportedly make the AirPods sellable by November 18-19. The AirPods were originally advertised with a “late October” launch date until Apple said it needed more time to work out the issues. Apple.com currently lists them tentatively as “coming soon”.

Google’s Daydream VR headset goes on sale with YouTube VR as its killer app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 19, 2018

Daydream, Google's new Android-powered virtual reality platform, was announced at the company's annual developer pilgrimage in May. Daydream View, Google's first virtual reality headset, is now available for purchase from a number of retailers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany and Australia for $79 apiece.

7 USB-C cables you might need for your new MacBook Pro

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

There's a lot to love about Apple's new MacBook Pros. They're sleeker, smaller, have a larger trackpad and better speakers, and feature all-new USB-C ports. Unfortunately, these new ports also mean you're probably going to need to purchase some new cables.

Want to plug in your iPhone? You'll need a new cable. Connect your MacBook Pro to a non-Thunderbolt display? Yep, cable. You get the idea. So with this in mind, we decided to put together a list of some of the common cables you're probably going to need.

Anker’s power banks and solar chargers keep your devices juiced up while on the go

Anthony Bouchard ∙ November 8, 2016

If you do a lot of traveling and like to stay connected with your friends and family via your smartphone or tablet, then you probably need as much battery life as you can get. Out and about, you won’t always have access to a plug in the wall, so it’s a good idea to have a backup plan for keeping your devices charged.

Anker makes some great solutions, including the PowerCore 20000 and PowerCore+ 26800 power banks, and a 21W PowerPort Solar charger so you can harness the power of the Sun. Any of these can help make mobile charging easier.

Apple offers discount on USB-C adapters and peripherals

Cody Lee ∙ November 4, 2016

Apple on Friday announced that it would be temporarily cutting the prices on USB-C adapters and peripherals it sells in its stores. In a statement sent to several publications, the company said that it recognizes many users still rely on legacy connectors to get work done, and it wants to help them move to the latest technology.

OWC’s new Thunderbolt 3 Dock adds 13 additional ports to your MacBook Pro

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

Other World Computing (OWC), a U.S.-based company and online store for Mac upgrades and accessories located at MacSales.com, today announced the ultimate docking station for your brand spanking new MacBook Pro.

With the new Pro the Cupertino firm is (rightly) betting on USB-C, effectively putting us in a dongle hell for now. Enter the new $279 Thunderbolt 3 Dock, a successor to OWC's Thunderbolt 2 Dock and USB-C Dock.

Billed as the best expansion solution they've ever made, it offers the speed of Thunderbolt 3 technology coupled with a whopping thirteen expansion ports to help get the most out of the new late-2016 MacBook Pro.

Cut down on desktop clutter with Twelve South’s new Fermata headphone charging stand

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 2, 2016

Premium accessory maker Twelve South today unveiled a brand new accessory, the Fermata.

It's aimed at reducing desktop clutter by providing a minimal charging stand for on-ear headphones like the Beats Solo2 and their over-ear counterparts such as the Beats Solo3 wireless.

The $79.99 aluminum-clad accessory is available starting today in Black or Silver from Twelve South's webstore for customers in the United States and Japan, with an international edition coming soon.

Apple Stores start selling Will.i.am’s i.am+ Buttons wireless headphones

Steffen Reich ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Opening their doors this Wednesday morning, Apple Stores across the US will be stocking a new pair of wireless earphones named i.am+ Buttons, conceived by musician and part-time tech enthusiast Will.i.am. The full product name of the earphones is i.am+ Buttons and they will reportedly be offered in four colors, matching Apple's black, silver, gold and rose gold iPhone range.

While the timing of the i.am+ launch could not have been more savory with the AirPods suffering heavy delays, it remains to be seen if will.i.am's product will be able to capitalize on the door left wide open by Apple. Until now, most i.am+ products have largely been frowned upon for putting fashion center stage. They also come at a hefty $229 price point.

AirPods may not ship until January 2017

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 1, 2016

After Apple shared disappointing news that the much vaunted AirPods aren’t quite ready yet and won't meet its self-imposed late-October deadline, a new report from Chinese-language Economic Daily News re-published Tuesday by Taiwanese trade publication DigiTimes suggests that Apple's first-ever wireless earphones may not actually go on sale before January of next year.

Speck’s Presidio Grip iPhone 7 cases handle everyday clumsiness with ease

Anthony Bouchard ∙ November 1, 2016

Anyone who knows me personally knows I’m a huge fan of Speck’s cases because they keep a slim form factor, and yet they pack a lot of drop protection and a superior anti-slip feel in your hand into that compact package.

Starting with the iPhone 7 & 7 Plus, Speck has re-worked their case lineup into what’s being dubbed the Presidio series, which features an all new drop protection technology they’re calling Impactium.

Apple’s officially out of standalone display business

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 17, 2018

Nilay Patel, Editor-in-chief of The Verge, has confirmed with Apple that the company has officially exited the standalone display business, dashing any hope that we might see a standalone Apple-branded 5K Thunderbolt Display. If you own a Thunderbolt Display, don't hope for a Retina-enabled upgrade.

Responding to Jason Snell's notes on the new MacBook Pro over at Six Colors, Patel wrote on Twitter that “Apple told me it's out of standalone display biz.”

15″ MacBook Pro can drive four external 4K displays in addition to built-in Retina screen

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 27, 2016

If you're a creative type and need a laptop that transforms into a powerful desktop, the new MacBook Pro is for you. Having read Tech Specs page for the 15-inch MacBook Pro, one thing stood out for me—the machine can drive not one, not two, not three, but four high-resolution external displays.

Or, you could run two 5K external displays. What's more, the new notebooks support a smooth refresh rate of 60 Hz across all 4K/5K external displays connected to them.