Opinion

Mountie: a simple way to mount your iOS device side-by-side with your MacBook

Whether you're looking to make multitasking easier by having your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad right next to your computer, or you're using some kind of screen-extension software like Duet Display, the Mountie by Ten 1 Design is a great way to use your iOS device side-by-side with your Mac or PC.

The Mountie, which can be had in either Blue or Green flavors on Amazon for just under $25, is an affordable way to keep your iOS device right where you want it – in front of your face – without needing to shell out big bucks on fancy desk stands.

In this review, we'll show you how the Mountie works and give you our general opinion on why you should or shouldn't consider it for your Apple accessory wish list.

Quick thoughts on the new 9.7-inch iPad Pro

Successfully transitioning from a Mac or PC to an iPad depends largely on what you need it for, and how far you're willing to go out of your way to make it work. Personally, I've always doubted the iPad can be a replacement for a Mac, at least for what I do, as I'm sure some people have successfully made the switch without looking back.

This said, I'm not really looking at the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement. To me, it's still a tablet that I will mostly use to read and reply to emails, browse the web, check Twitter, and catch up with my RSS feed. However, I have started to get out of my comfort zone and try to do simple work-related tasks on it, just to put the Pro moniker to the test.

It's in this state of mind that I will share my first impressions of this new iPad with you. It's not a review per say. There are dozens of these reviews online, many of them very detailed. Instead, I will share some quick thoughts and remarks about my first few days with this new iPad.

Poll: have you updated to iOS 9.3?

After closing its 'Let us loop you in' special event on Monday, Apple released iOS 9.3 to the public, along with OS X El Capitan 10.11.4, tvOS 9.2, and watchOS 2.2.

iOS 9.3 is a big update for iPhones, iPod touches, and iPads, and as a result, we're interested in learning whether or not the update was big enough for you to download on your daily drivers.

My 5 favorite accessories to use with my MacBook Pro

Whenever I'm using my MacBook Pro, there are a number of third-party accessories I like to use to glorify my user experience based on what I may be using it for. In this piece, I'll share with you my five favorite accessories that I use with my 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display regularly.

A look at the Incipio Asher MacBook Pro carry sleeve

As I'm always on the go, I needed a way to safely take my 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display all around with me without fearing that it could get damaged from drops or scuffs, and I turned to Incipio for those needs.

The Incipio Asher sleeve, which can be had off of Amazon for $30, is perfect for the on-the-go MacBook Pro user, as it provides excellent padding protection and additional stowaway room for the AC adapter and some small MacBook accessories.

In this review, we'll talk about some of the features of the Incipio Asher sleeve, as well as its pros and cons.

Why making a support account on Twitter was a great move by Apple

Within just a single day of launching a support account on Twitter, Apple has well over 130,000 followers and is answering over 100 people with questions about Apple products and services per hour.

Although it's taken Apple quite a while to finally use Twitter as a support medium for its main products, depsite having Twitter accounts for Apple Music, Beats 1, and iTunes for quite some time, it's still great to see Apple is using another method of communication to reach its users.

In this piece, we'll talk about why we think creating the support account on Twitter was a great move for Apple.

Add some protection to your MacBook Pro with the Incipio Feather case

If you travel abroad with your MacBook Pro and don't want to scuff up the factory aluminum finish as you go through every day wear and tear, you should consider adding some protection to it.

Although the slimness of modern MacBook Pro models is one of the nicest features of the notebook, Incipio's Feather cases are beautifully crafted to not only give it a splash of color, but also to protect all of its most sensitive edges from friction and shock that might occur when a notebook is stored in a laptop bag or backpack.

In this review, we'll be taking you through the case's features and show you how it looks on a 15-inch MacBook Pro with retina display from every angle.

5 third-party Mac apps I use every day

Although there are plenty of great apps already built into OS X, I use a lot of third-party apps on my Mac to give it more functionality tailored to my needs, as I'm sure many other Mac users do too. In this piece, I'll be sharing what my five favorite third-party apps to use on my Mac on a daily basis are, and I'll also share why I love using them.

Private Internet Access review: a great VPN at a great price

The quest for internet privacy and security is no game these days; hackers with malicious intent are really out there and they want your valuable personal information.

One way to protect yourself is with a virtual private network (VPN), but there are lots of VPN options out there to choose from – both free and paid. Picking a VPN that's right for you can be tough, and many people are concerned about their privacy while online.

In this piece, we'll be giving you our opinion on the Private Internet Access VPN; a paid VPN service that holds a solid reputation among its many users.

A closer look at some of Speck’s most popular iPhone cases

Speck makes some awesome cases for the iPhone lineup, and if you've been itching for a new one, don't count these guys out.

You've probably seen plenty of people using Speck cases on their iPhones, and for the most part, the cases have retained the same design over the years, generation after generation – it's a tried and true design so simplistic that there isn't much that needs to be changed.

In this roundup, we'll show you the pros and cons of some of Speck's most popular iPhone cases, such as the CandyShell, CandyShell Grip, CandyShell Clear, and the MighyShell.

OtterBox iPhone cases shootout: which one should you get?

OtterBox is one of the most renowned case-makers in the smartphone industry, having a reputation for making cases that can withstand even the greatest of abuse from various kinds of treatment.

Among two of their most popular cases on the market are the OtterBox Defender Series and the OtterBox Commuter Series, and in this piece, we'll talk about the ups and downs of each. As a bonus, we'll even give you a look at OtterBox's new Statement Series case.