iPad Pro

Apple launches Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader to support USB 3.0 transfer speeds on iPad Pro

Jeff Benjamin ∙ December 8, 2015

If you're looking to quickly transfer photos and videos from your camera's SD Card to the iPad Pro, then look no further than Apple's own Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader ($29.00) to handle the job. Apple explicitly states on its store page that the peripheral supports USB 3.0 transfer speeds on the iPad Pro.

Interestingly, the same cannot be said for Apple's Lightning to USB Camera Adapter, as that still only supports USB 2.0 transfer speeds. The Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader, which just launched and is available to ship in 3-5 business days from Apple's online store, appears to be the only accessory to support USB 3.0 transfer speeds on the iPad Pro at this time.

How to install Kodi on iOS 9 without jailbreaking

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

Kodi is one of those apps that I love using on my jailbroken devices, but did you know that it can also be easily installed and used on a non-jailbroken device? I just finished installing Kodi on my iPad Pro in a matter of minutes. Although it's not as straightforward as installing it from Cydia, it can still easily be done with a bit of patience.

I use Kodi to stream live local channels to my iOS devices via an HDHomeRun box, but I also use it to stream video from an external drive hooked up to my AirPort extreme. Needless to say, it's a great app that's not just limited to jailbroken device thanks to Xcode 7.

Five must-try apps for the iPad Pro

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

During my hands-on time with the iPad Pro, I’ve been able to identify several apps that I believe all iPad Pro owners should have in their stable of apps. Inside, you’ll find details about a popular email client, an awesome text editor, a podcast recording studio, a visual drawing, sketching and painting app, and an awesome iPad Pro-optimized Twitter client. Have you tried them all?

Review: the Shure MV5 is a versatile Lightning-enabled microphone for the iPad, iPhone and Mac

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

Since the iPad Pro debuted, I’ve been a little obsessed with trying to find the right microphone for recording on the go. I’ve tried a handful of microphones thus far in an effort to find a good balance of portability, ease of use, and sound quality.

The Blue Spark Digital is a very good microphone for general purpose use, but when it comes to portability and versatility, there are other microphones that I wish to check out.

The Shure MV5 ($99 on Amazon) is a super-portable digital condenser microphone with a low profile, lots of options, and sound quality that’s good enough. It’s a much smaller package and setup when compared with the Blue Spark Digital, and a good choice for podcasting, Skype calls, and more.

How to access iOS 9’s Picture in Picture mode for YouTube videos

Jeff Benjamin ∙ December 1, 2015

Google is seriously lagging when it comes to updating its YouTube app with all the latest iOS 9 and iPad Pro features. For example, there's no support for Split View side by side multitasking, and the app lacks optimization for the iPad Pro's extra large screen. But what I find to be most egregious, is the lack of support for Picture in Picture mode.

For an app like YouTube, which is solely centered around watching videos, it's frustrating that the app doesn't yet have support for the handy multitasking feature.

But there is a way to get Picture in Picture mode for YouTube videos, if you're willing to use a third-party app. Once such app, entitled YouPlayer, does a very good job of presenting YouTube videos with many of the popular iOS 9 and iPad Pro niceties.

A9X teardown showcases Apple’s impressive strides in chip design

Jeff Benjamin ∙ November 28, 2015

The fine folks over at Chipworks have provided the first up close and personal look at the A9X processor found inside of the recently launched iPad Pro. What it uncovered was yet another impressive design job, one that should, again, make Intel take notice.

Not only is the A9X extremely powerful, besting some laptop machines powered by Intel chips, but it's also much bigger than the A9 processors supplied by both Samsung and TSMC that are found in the iPhone 6s.

The Motley Fool recently contacted Chipworks for insight into Apple's newest SoC. What it found was a technical achievement that Apple's designers should be more than proud of.

These hacks enable custom Apple Watch faces and 3D Touch gestures on iPad Pro via Apple Pencil

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 24, 2015

watchOS 2, the operating system powering Apple's wearable gizmo, includes support for third-party complications on select watch faces designed to support them.

But as far as watch faces themselves go, users are limited to a handful of built-in styles as Apple's software development kit (SDK) doesn't allow for downloadable watch faces yet.

As it turns out, a quick hack that prolific iOS developer Hamza Sood posted on Twitter back in August (no, it didn't fly under our radar) gets around Apple's limitations and permits unofficial development and installation of custom faces for Apple's wearable device.

And earlier this morning, Sood also posted another hack which brings 3D Touch Peek and Pop gestures to the iPad Pro via the Apple Pencil's pressure sensing technology.

iFixit gives Apple’s Smart Keyboard the lowest repairability score possible

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 24, 2015

Repair experts over at iFixit today pried open Apple's new $169 Smart Keyboard case for the iPad Pro.

As you know, the Smart Keyboard is covered in Apple's mysterious conductive fabric that actually connects the keyboard to the iPad Pro's Smart Connector and allows for a “two‑way flow of power and data.”

But more important than that, the accessory is completely glued together, which makes servicing next to impossible. In fact, the Smart Keyboard files as one of the least repairable devices iFixit has ever analyzed so small wonder they gave it a repairability score of zero out of ten, ten being the easiest to repair.

10 reasons why the iPad Pro might be a better computer than your Mac

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

In my review of the iPad Pro, I made sure to establish that it wasn’t necessarily a replacement for your Mac. At the same time, that doesn’t mean that it can’t replace your Mac, or that it doesn’t do some things better than a Mac can.

To be honest, the iPad Pro does quite a few things better than my MacBook Pro with Retina display. In this post, I’ll consider 10 reasons why the iPad Pro might be the better computer of the two for your workflow.

Watch the iPad Pro go toe-to-toe with a MacBook Pro when exporting 4K video

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

If you haven't guessed by now, I'm extremely excited about the iPad Pro and what it brings to the table. It features a super-powerful A9X system on a chip, 4GB of RAM, and improved memory architecture. It's a beast of a machine, no doubt.

But is the iPad Pro beastly enough to go toe-to-toe with an 2.3 Ghz Intel i7 equipped MacBook Pro with 16GB of RAM? Surely that's crazy talk, no? Watch my video to find out...

Review: the $10 iPad Pro Smart Case

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

Earlier today, I got my hands on the JETech Smart Case for iPad Pro. The JETech is an uber-cheap iPad Pro case offering that's currently available for purchase on Amazon.

As you're probably aware of, Apple hasn't produced an all-in-one Smart Case solution for the iPad Pro. Instead, users wanting full 360° coverage will need to opt for both a Smart Cover and a Silicone Case. That combination, while certainly premium feeling, also comes with a premium price at around $140 before tax. In contrast, I was able to pick up the JETech case for a hair under $10.

The JETech isn't perfect, but its exceptionally low price will tempt more than a few iPad Pro adopters. Of course, you do tend to get what you pay for, so should you even bother?

Sidefari review: A clever app that lets you use two Safari windows with Split View

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

Sidefari, an App Store app first brought to my attention by MacStories, is a release that allows you to view two Safari windows side by side by means of some clever use of iOS 9's Safari View Controller.

The app, which is available for purchase for only $0.99, comes courtesy of developer Franscico Cantu. Just made available today, Sidefari can come in handy for any user with an iPad that's capable of Split View, but will be something that is most appreciated by iPad Pro owners.