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Apple FineWoven Wallet review: Cheaper shell with the same limitations
The revised model features an inferior build and the same constraints present on its leather-made predecessor
With the launch of 2023's iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple discontinued its leather products in favor of FineWoven accessories. One of the popular products that has adopted this eco-friendly alternative is Apple's FineWoven Wallet. While some customers have adapted to and love the new material, many others are concerned about its quality and price. To find out whether the new equivalent is actually a match for its leather predecessor, I decided to try it out. Unfortunately, there are much better options with the same features and price, and they don't look like they just escaped from prison.
Apple Journal review: Better for developers than users
It's all about the new Journaling Suggestions API that powers this app
Journaling is a form of meditation that typically involves introspection and self-reflection. When a person expresses their thoughts and writes them down, it helps them better analyze the life events and emotions they're going through. Apple's Journal app is one of the biggest features of iOS 17, and it's a decent option for documenting one's everyday life. Following a few weeks of daily use on an iPhone 15 Pro Max, I came to some conclusions regarding its practicality.
Apple Pencil (USB-C) review: Sneakily the best stylus for most iPad users
I had serious doubts about the Apple Pencil (USB-C), especially considering it lacked pressure sensitivity. Then it became my favorite Apple Pencil.
Like many other tech enthusiasts and reporters who noticed that the Apple Pencil (USB-C) lacked pressure sensitivity, I thought it would doom the stylus. Surely a feature such as that would make the Apple Pencil (USB-C) pale in comparison to both the first- and second-generation Apple Pencils, which include pressure sensitivity. In fact, I was so certain of this that I wrote an entire editorial about it. But I'll admit when I'm wrong, and boy was I wrong. Within minutes of starting to use the Apple Pencil (USB-C), I discovered that a stylus without pressure sensitivity is actually quite good for some use cases.
I don't consider the Apple Watch Ultra 2 to objectively be the best Apple Watch, but it is my new favorite. I don't think anyone would disagree that the Apple Watch is the best smartwatch for iPhones; there are several tiers, from the entry-level Apple Watch SE and up. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is for fitness lovers, who will make use of the larger, more rugged design.
iPhone 15 review: A major yet sneaky upgrade from its predecessor
Apple's iPhone 15 might look like last year's iPhone 14, and the iPhone 13 before that. But it's an upgrade that impresses nonetheless.
Apple has faced a litany of criticism over the past few years for failing to considerably improve its base-model iPhones, and for good reason. Last year's iPhone 14 was the worst example of this, which was so similar to the previous iPhone 13 that the two phones shared the same system-on-a-chip. For perspective, that was the first time a flagship iPhone was released without a chip upgrade, notably excluding budget-oriented releases like the iPhone SE. At first glance, you might think that Apple's new iPhone 15 — just released Sept. 22 in most regions — follows this same disappointing trend. From the outside, it looks the same as the past few generations of iPhone. But fear not, the iPhone 15 isn't just an upgrade over last year's iPhone 14; it represents the biggest upgrade of any iPhone model released this year.
iPhone 15 Pro Max review: Apple is slowly winning over this Android diehard
The iPhone 15 Pro Max may not look much different from the iPhone 14 Pro Max, but it brings much improved cameras and ergonomics
The iPhone 15 Pro Max could to some eyes seem like yet another iterative update out of Cupertino. My "black titanium" model, in particular, looks almost identical to my "space black" iPhone 14 Pro Max at first glance. But after using the phone nonstop across three countries for the past week, I can say this is the most impressed I've been with an iPhone since the iPhone X; I like it significantly more than I did the last few Pro Max iPhones; and while I can never be a "full time" iPhone user because I test so many Android phones, I may finally do what most of my media peers do and make the iPhone my default phone when I'm not reviewing a new phone. This is coming from someone who's been very vocally and publicly criticized the iPhone and championed Android over the years. But Apple is slowly winning this Android diehard over.
iOS 17 review: The bubble is now greener on the other side
Apple is embracing its tight ecosystem with this release, further alienating Android users in the process.
Along with macOS Sonoma, iPadOS 17, and watchOS 10, Apple previewed iOS 17 during WWDC23. Since then, we've thoroughly tested every beta build of this release and observed it as it matured. And now that the stable version is available on the latest iPhones, it's time to share our experience.
iPadOS 17 review: Playing catch-up with iOS
iPadOS 17 doesn't contribute much to the operating system's unique direction.
Since iPadOS 13, the iPad's operating system has diverted away from iOS, offering more exclusive features, tools, and changes. That's partially due to Apple trying to market its excellent tablets as laptop replacements. Now that I've been using iPadOS 17 for over three months, however, it has become evident that the Cupertino firm may just be running out of ideas. iPadOS 17 focuses on porting features introduced with iOS 17 and 16 rather than evolving the iPad's so-called unique identity.
Apple Watch Series 9 & Ultra 2 hands-on: all about the double tap
These two watches are minor upgrades, but the new double tap gesture seems genuinely clever and useful.
Yesterday at Apple's September launch event the tech giant introduced four new iPhones and a pair of Apple Watches. Unlike the iPhones, which gained new cameras, charging ports and slightly redesigned bodies, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 look practically identical to the previous generations, and there aren't really major outer hardware updates, other than a screen that can get a bit brighter and dimmer.
watchOS 10 review: Revealing Apple Watch's true colors
Apple Watch autonomy is a single step away now.
Back in June, Apple previewed watchOS 10, along with iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma. This time around, the biggest visual changes revolve around the Apple Watch, as the Cupertino firm completely overhauled the operating system. It also introduced some other handy features that further supercharge the company's wearables. And now that we've had our hands on the watchOS 10 beta for around three months, it's time to reveal what this update is all about through our dedicated review. In a nutshell, watchOS 10 makes using the Apple Watch day-to-day less mundane, thanks to a slew of colorful interfaces that make the OS and its apps more engaging.
Beats Studio Pro review: Giving the AirPods Max a run for their money
Beats' latest over-ear headphones, Studio Pro, offer a lot of premium features at a very digestible price point.
Beats has been on a comeback tour in the years since it was purchased by Apple, recently culminating in the impressive Beats Studio Buds+ we reviewed last month. That model was a refresh of the original Beats Studio Buds, which were first released in 2021. Now, the company is giving the product that started it all the same treatment.
Adonit Note-M review: Apple Pencil's less sophisticated sibling
Feature-packed, but not super reliable.
When a user buys one of the latest tablets, such as the iPad Air 5, they often consider pairing it with a stylus. After all, an iPad is a wide canvas that you can easily rely on for drawings or handwritten content. However, picking the right stylus can be challenging, especially now that there are all sorts of different models, with each offering a unique set of capabilities and price tag.
iPadOS 17 beta 1 hands-on: Apple is failing to evolve the iPad's 'unique' identity
iPadOS 17 beta 1 doesn't offer many exclusives in the iPad department. It's mostly catching up with what's available on iOS.
With the release of version 13.0, Apple rebranded iOS on iPad to iPadOS. The move aims to distinguish between the latest iPhones and iPads by offering the latter product category a unique, independent identity. Since then, iPadOS has gained a few exclusive features that bring the tablet closer to becoming a PC replacement, such as Stage Manager. Does iPadOS 17 beta 1 actually contribute to this evolution? Not significantly. The experience remains largely familiar and unchanged.
iOS 17 beta 1 hands-on: A buggy delight that further alienates Android users
iOS 17 is a somewhat major update, but only if your social circle relies on Apple products.
We had been anticipating the official previews of iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma, and watchOS 10 for months. And, finally, following the main WWDC23 keynote, we got to try out these operating systems for the very first time. While the public, stable releases are still around three months away, registered developers can now give the beta versions a spin on their compatible machines.
Spigen Tough Armor case review: The first case I purchase for my iPhone
No matter what iPhone model I buy, without hesitation, the first protective case I always order to protect it is the Spigen Tough Armour.
Through the years, I have had many smartphones, not to mention many non-smartphones, before those became a “thing.” Whenever I buy a new iPhone, I always take my own advice and invest in a protective case for it immediately. In fact, I’ll often order a case right after I buy the phone, so it arrives just in time to protect it right out of the box. This quick-buy case doesn’t always remain on my device for the duration of time that I own it, but the case I trust to protect my new investment is always the same: the Spigen Tough Armor.
The HANDLstick is my favorite iPhone accessory
It certainly is an accessory that I use more than I anticipated I might.
Years ago, I met with a little company called Handl New York at a trade show. The company, which makes mobile accessories, was marketing a nifty phone case for many of the best iPhones with an ingenious concept: an elastic strap on the back that can be used as both a phone grip and a kickstand. Of course, this design is commonplace nowadays, arguably reaching new heights of popularity when the Popsockets became all the rage. But back then, it was a relatively new concept. Even with a flood of copycats, the design of the Handl remains my favorite.
ESR Power Bank Wallet review: The best MagSafe portable charger around
ESR's Power Bank Wallet is like Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack and MagSafe Wallet all rolled into one, and unsurprisingly, it's great.
Ever since Apple introduced MagSafe as a new way to connect with accessories alongside the iPhone 12, accessory-makers have been trying to find the perfect product to complement it. Apple itself tried a few different options, like the MagSafe Battery Pack and the MagSafe Wallet, but those accessories were flawed, with poor battery capacity, design, price, and build quality making them hard to recommend.
Apple Polishing Cloth review: Burnishes displays, tarnishes reputations
Apple has an underrated product that few people have the courage to discuss or try. Let's examine Apple's Polishing Cloth.
When someone talks about Apple many thoughts cross our minds: its excellent iPhones, ecosystem, walled garden, unrivaled Macs, overpriced, versatile iPads, and more. However, beyond the company's popular devices lies an often neglected product, one that very few people will talk about out loud, let alone get anywhere near. Shielded by a $19 price tag, this item is rarely noticed or purchased by anyone with a sane mind.
Apple Watch Ultra review: The best Apple Watch ever, but most won't need it
The Apple Watch Ultra is aimed at athletes and adventurers, but there's still a lot here for casual users.
Apple's new Watch Ultra is a maximal wearable with new features designed to make life easier for mountaineers, deep sea divers, endurance sports athletes, and people who don't spend their days in front of a laptop screen in general. I am none of these things, but even as a merely semi-active urbanite, I can see the appeal of the Apple Watch Ultra -- it's got a bigger, brighter screen that's easier to read even from a distance or under the most intense sunlight; it's built like a tank, so I don't stress when I accidentally clang my wrist against table edges and car doors; and battery life is much, much better -- enough that I can take it on a weekend trip without needing to bring a charger.
iPhone 14 Pro review: More of the same with just enough change
The iPhone 14 Pro feels pretty familiar, but it packs just enough changes to the design to help it stand on its own.
Whether you're a first-time iPhone buyer or a seasoned iOS veteran, the Apple iPhone 14 Pro is a smartphone that you can count on for practically all situations. It is the best iOS smartphone you can purchase, but it isn't the one that offers the most value, so the recommendation leans on you being a power user.