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Avatar for Dom Esposito

Dom Esposito

@macmixing

Writer at 9to5Mac and 9to5Google. Mostly handling reviews of smartphones, tablets, and accessories.

Email: dom@9to5Mac.com | YouTube Channel: youtube.com/dom

Connect with Dom Esposito

Happy Hour Podcast 012 | Apple Watch first impressions

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Apple Watch is finally here (well for some of us) and this week Zac, Benjamin, and Michael talk about their first impressions and experience with it. Has it been living up to the hype so far? Feel free to drop us a line about your Apple Watch experience at listenermail@9to5mac.com. The Happy Hour podcast is available for download on iTunes and through our dedicated RSS feed…

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Apple Watch sapphire rivals those of classic sapphire watches (Video)

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There’s certainly a benefit to Apple’s use of sapphire crystal on Apple Watch. It’s extremely scratch resistant (even though stainless steel may not be) and will hold up over time, but how does it compare to sapphire crystal used in traditional watches? In a new video published by Unbox Therapy, Apple Watch was put up against a Tissot watch to see if Apple’s standards for sapphire crystal match up with traditional watchmakers….


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Users discover stainless steel Apple Watch scratches easily, the $5 fix is even easier (Video)

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Now that the stainless steel Apple Watch is becoming widely available, owners are beginning to post photos showing their shiny steel Watches have already developed scratches on the casing. Since Apple’s videos touted its steel as specially cold-forged to achieve superior hardness, people have been surprised to discover that the finish is easily scratched – many comparing it to the back of an iPod. While this isn’t shocking for 316L stainless steel, it is concerning to customers who just spent $549 or more on the mid-range Apple Watch. But don’t panic! As I’ll explain below, you can easily fix the scratches yourself for around $5…


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Apple Watch vs Apple Watch Sport: Unboxing and full comparison (Video)

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If you’re still debating on which Apple Watch model to order, we may have a bit of help/advice to offer. Apple Watch Sport is the cheapest option to go for, but what exactly will you be missing over one that’s more expensive? Well, we took the plunge, picked up a few of them, and put together a helpful comparison video between these models…


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Apple Watch Sport unboxing and size comparison (Video)

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Apple Watch has undoubtedly been a long time in the making, but it’s finally here. Today we’re taking a look at the Sport models to see exactly what you get for between $349 to $399. Apple’s strategy for rolling out this product line hasn’t been favored by everyone, but if you were one of the lucky people to place a preorder two weeks ago, here’s what you can expect…


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Happy Hour Podcast 011 | Living with the new 12-inch MacBook

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What exactly is it like to live (and work) with Apple’s new 12-inch MacBook? We’ve been using it for the last week or so and have some initial impressions to share. Along with that, it looks like Scott Forstall has surfaced, but you’ll never guess what he’s doing now. We also get into new Apple Watch availability details. The Happy Hour podcast is available for download on iTunes and through our dedicated RSS feed…

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Review: Dyconn’s i6 Power Case packs a 3,200 mAh battery and features wireless charging (Video)

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There are absolutely no shortage of battery case offerings for iPhone 6. Even though we’ve covered the best iPhone battery cases here, it’s sometimes overwhelming sorting through them all. The real winners are the ones with maximum battery capacity and some extra features to spice things up. Recently, I came across Dyconn’s i6 Power Case and was pleasantly surprised to find that it fits most of what I was looking for, but is it enough? Well, not only does this case pack a 3,200 mAh battery inside, it also features wireless charging. It’s not a must-have feature, but I sure do appreciate the convenience…


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Apple Watch Sport’s ‘Ion-X’ glass gets put through scratch test (Video)

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If you’re still having trouble deciding between the Apple Watch and Apple Watch Sport, there’s a new video that may make it a bit easier. Not too long ago, a video was released that tested the scratch resistance of the Apple Watch’s sapphire glass panel, but today the Ion-X glass found on the Sport model gets put through the same treatment. Will it hold up against the torture?


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Happy Hour Podcast 010 | WWDC 2015 details, new iOS 8.4 Music app, and Apple Watch try-on experiences

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WWDC 2015 has been announced at last, but what can you expect to be unveiled this year? Apple has released iOS 8.4 beta to developers and it comes along with a compete revamp of a critical app. Along with that, we get into Apple Watch try-on appointments and our hands-on experience at the Apple Store. The Happy Hour podcast is available for download on iTunes and through our dedicated RSS feed…

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Click here to subscribe on iTunes or listen to the episode embedded above.


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Apple Watch hands-on and first impressions (Video)

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Apple Watch is finally available to preorder, but if you missed the mark at 12:01 a.m. you might be waiting quite a while to get your hands on one. Luckily, Apple is providing try-on appointments that will allow you to get a taste of the experience and feel one out for yourself. Recently, we took that opportunity to get our hands on a few and offer some initial impressions on the hardware and software…


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Happy Hour Podcast 009 | Apple Watch preorder plans, new Apple TV talk. Is 4K important?

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Apple Watch preorders are approaching quickly, but will it be difficult to get your hands on one? Also, it looks like the upcoming Apple TV may lack an important future-proofing feature. The Happy Hour podcast is available for download on iTunes and through our dedicated RSS feed…

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Click here to subscribe on iTunes or listen to the episode embedded above.


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Apple iPhone 6 vs Samsung Galaxy S6 — Ultimate Comparison (Video)

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It’s always a difficult task when comparing iOS and Android devices, but this year it may be more important than ever. Samsung has finally stepped up its game with the Galaxy S6, and now we have something that is truly comparable to Apple’s iPhone lineup. Today we’re getting into the ultimate comparison between Samsung’s Galaxy S6 and Apple’s iPhone 6…


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Happy Hour Podcast 008 | iPhone 6c rumors, Jay-Z’s Beats Music killer, and more exclusive Apple Watch details

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New iPhone 6c rumors have begun as an alleged plastic housing surfaces, but is there room for a new model? Also, Jay-Z is coming after Beats Music with some hi-fi competition. Along with that, we discuss exclusive Apple Watch details that you don’t want to miss out on. The Happy Hour podcast is available for download on iTunes and through our dedicated RSS feed…

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Click here to subscribe on iTunes or listen to the episode embedded above.


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Review: August Smart Lock provides smart home security features for your front door (Video)

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I’m always in the market for new smart home stuff. Just about every room in my house has some gadget or accessory to make things a bit easier. Recently, I moved this smart home mission outside with the addition of Ring Video Doorbell, but now I’m tackling the front door with the August Smart Lock


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Happy Hour Podcast 007 | New Apple TV hardware on the way, subscription service coming soon?

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There’s new Apple TV hardware right around the corner and Apple might have plans to launch a new Web TV subscription service later this year, but will it allow you to finally cut the cord with cable companies? We’ll get into that and also discuss new details on the retail plans for Apple Watch and what what you should expect in stores on April 10. The Happy Hour podcast is available for download on iTunes and through our dedicated RSS feed…

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Click here to subscribe on iTunes or listen to the episode embedded above.


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Happy Hour Podcast 006 | New Apple Watch details, a controversial Steve Jobs flick, and the future of USB-C with Apple

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Welcome to Happy Hour 006. In this episode Zac, Seth, and Benjamin discuss new Apple Watch details and wrap up the need-to-know information, a new controversial Steve Jobs documentary, and the future of USB-C. How will it affect future iOS devices and Macs? The Happy Hour podcast is available for download on iTunes and through our dedicated RSS feed…

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Click here to subscribe on iTunes or listen to the episode embedded above.


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Apple’s 2015 MacBook Pro and Air models now at US retailers Amazon, Best Buy, MacMall, B&H and others

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Refreshed 2015 MacBook Air and Pro models are now available at major US retailers following their announcement at Apple’s Spring Forward event on March 9th.

Currently, Amazon has all of the new MacBook Air models in stock and ready to ship, from $899. The new MacBook Pro models are also listed on Amazon as well, although supply is currently more limited. 2014 versions are discounted.

B&H offers $5 off and no tax at the time of purchase outside of New York on the new MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros as well as a free copy of Parallels. 2014 versions are discounted.

MacMall also offers $5 off the new MacBook Airs and Pros and tax only in a few states. 2014 models discounted.

Meanwhile if you want to get your hands on one today, Best Buy offers free site to store on the new MacBook Pro/Airs which will have stock varied by location. 2014 models discounted.

If you want to save some real money, 2014 models are seeing deep discounts at 9to5toys. At the Apple Refurb store you can pick up some heavy discounts on previous models while extraordinary savings are available at B&H and Best Buy on 2014 models including a student deal that chops the 2014 models down to $750 .


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Top 15 hidden Force Click features on the new 2015 MacBook (Video)

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Apple’s 2015 MacBook and 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro are both equipped with a new Force Touch trackpad that adds new features within certain apps on OS X. If you’re not familiar with Apple’s new Force Touch trackpad, it’s completely pressure sensitive and can detect a hard press from a soft press. With this, you now have the ability to Force Click (a click with a continued press) on specific items to perform different actions.

We’ve spent the last 24 hours searching through OS X on Apple’s new 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display to find all of the hidden Force Click features that Apple has yet to mention. There are a good amount of uses for Force Click, but these 15 happen to be our favorite…


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Happy Hour Podcast 005 | Discussing Apple’s 12-inch MacBook, Apple Watch, and other ‘Spring Forward’ announcements

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Happy Hour is back and this week we’re discussing all of Apple’s latest announcements. The Spring Forward event brought along a few new Apple Watch details, slight MacBook Pro/Air updates, and the anticipated 12-inch MacBook with Retina Display. In this episode, we’re breaking down the announcements and serving up all of the need-to-know information about Apple’s latest and greatest for 2015. The Happy Hour podcast is available for download on iTunes and through our dedicated RSS feed…

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Click here to subscribe on iTunes or listen to the episode embedded above.


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Happy Hour Podcast 004 | Predictions and expectations for Apple’s March 9th ‘Spring Forward’ event

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Episode 004 of Happy Hour is finally here and Apple’s March 9th “Spring Forward” event is right around the corner. It’s safe to say, we’re all pretty excited. What can you expect to be announced on stage at the event? Well, today we’re discussing the entire thing and getting into all of the details along with our expectations and predictions. The Happy Hour podcast is available for download on iTunes and through our dedicated RSS feed…

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Click here to subscribe on iTunes or listen to the episode embedded above.


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