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All the products that the 9to5Mac team has reviewed.

AirPods health

All the products that the 9to5Mac team has reviewed.

Review: FamilyCharger by ElevationLab offers power for five devices with Lightning, USB-C

ElevationLab FamilyCharger review Lightning USB-C microUSB

Keeping track of your own chargers can be enough of a task but when you throw a family into the mix, there’s bound to be issues like borrowing stealing each others’ cables, not enough chargers where and when you need them, and more. Enter ElevationLab’s Family Charger that can power up to five devices at once with one robust integrated cable. Read on for our full review of this fantastic MFi family (or business) charging solution that offers power for Lightning, USB-C, and microUSB devices.


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Review: iPhone 11 Pro Smart Battery Case camera shortcut brings its purpose into focus

Earlier this week Apple quietly released its latest version of the Smart Battery Case for its newest iPhones. The Smart Battery Case for iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max helps to extend your iPhone’s battery life just like previous versions.

But unlike previous versions of the Smart Battery Case, this year’s edition comes with a brand new physical camera shortcut feature that helps to further differentiate itself from third-party iPhone 11 battery case offerings. Watch our hands-on iPhone 11 Pro Smart Battery Case video review for the details.
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Review: Mujjo’s leather iPhone 11 cases remain my personal favorite

Mujjo leather wallet case for iPhone 11

I started looking for leather iPhone 11 cases even before my iPhone 11 Pro arrived. I tried a few options, but my firm favorite remains the latest version of the case I first used on my iPhone 6: the Mujjo wallet case.

Since Apple Pay, I’ve stopped routinely carrying my wallet. I can rely on using my Apple Watch for the vast majority of purchases, but do carry a couple of physical cards just in case…


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Review: Mophie’s juice pack access for iPhone 11 Pro Max is a must-have for frequent travelers

The iPhone 11 Pro Max battery has been fantastic since the day I purchased it. Apple touts up to 80 hours of audio playback and 20 hours of video playback. Apple’s technical specs page says that it lasts up to five hours longer than the iPhone XS Max. With this increase in battery life, is a battery case still needed? I’ve been using the Mophie juice pack access for the past few weeks (which included my trip to JNUC 2019), so I wanted to share my thoughts.
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Bandly Apple Watch band review

Mini-review: Bandly is an Apple Watch band made from real wood

You woodn’t have thought it possible, but yes, you can actually have an Apple Watch band – something flexible that needs to wrap around your wrist – made from real wood!

Bandly is the creation of Philadelphia-based designer Lorenzo Buffa, who previously used a patented technique to create the bands for analog watches. These have been sold in major museum stores like MoMA & Guggenheim, and he’s now created versions for the Apple Watch…


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Hands-on: Netatmo Weather Station combines indoor and outside sensors with excellent HomeKit integration

The Netatmo Weather Station has existed as a product for a while, but only recently added HomeKit support, which is what piqued my interest. I’ve been testing the Netatmo Weather Station for about a week, and I think it is really great. Any drawbacks originate from weaknesses in the HomeKit standard; these are Apple’s problems to fix.


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AirPods Pro review – within earshot of perfection [Video]

AirPods-pro-2

I’ve been using the AirPods Pro for the last several days, and one thing is immediately clear: these are easily the best headphones that Apple sells, and as you’ll see in our AirPods Pro review, some of the best headphones that you can buy today.

AirPods Pro present an incredible mix of convenience, comfort, and features, making them well worth considering, even if you already own regular AirPods. Watch our hands-on AirPods Pro review for the details.
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iPhone 11 Pro review – is it worth the significant price difference? [Video]

iPhone 11 Pro Review

After initially using the baseline iPhone 11 as my daily driver, I transitioned over to the iPhone 11 Pro Max in order to see if Apple’s top-of-the-line hardware was good enough to justify its price premium. As you’ll see in this hands-on iPhone 11 Pro review, I came away with a conclusion that largely mirrors last year’s efforts.

Like last year, I think it’s wise for the majority of users to opt for the entry-level iPhone, as that device will more than meet the needs of most customers who are looking to upgrade. However, there are a few use cases that warrant splurging for the iPhone 11 Pro or 11 Pro Max over the baseline model. Have a look at the full video review for the details.
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Review: Beats Solo Pro on-ear headphones blend AirPods features with Studio noise cancellation

Beats Solo Pro is the the biggest upgrade to the Solo line of on-ear headphones since Apple bought Beats five years ago. While the evolved $299 ‘Pro’ version carries a $100 premium over Solo3 Wireless, Solo Pro includes active noise cancellation found in Beats Studio3 Wireless for $50 less.

Other new features include Transparency for hearing ambient noise through the headphones, controlling power by folding each side, and Apple’s new H1 wireless chip that first debuted with second-gen AirPods.

The new Beats Solo Pro on-ear headphones look better on paper than Studio in terms of features and value, but one size may not fit all sonically and physically. If you’re in the market for either model, the feature differences are worth a closer look.

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Review: Apple Watch Series 5 always-on display is a big improvement, but it comes at a cost [Video]

It’s been over a month of Apple Watch Series 5 ownership, which has given me plenty of time to assess its value in our Apple Watch Series 5 video review.

Series 5 is very much an iterative upgrade over its predecessor, perhaps more so than any other Apple Watch upgrade thus far. In fact, it shares so much in common with the Apple Watch Series 4 that they could easily be confused for the same device outside of a few obvious differences.

Although Apple Watch Series 5 is ultimately a big step in the right direction for the hardware, such growth isn’t totally devoid of growing pains. Should you upgrade from a previous generation Apple Watch? Our hands-on Apple Watch Series 5 video review provides the details.
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Review: Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus are my new favorite in-ear wireless headphones

MW07 Plus review

Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus are the latest iteration of my much-loved MW07 true wireless in-ear headphones. The new model adds active noise cancellation, and dramatically better battery-life – a pretty impressive trick to pull off.

With anything audio-related, there is always a trade-off to be made between sound quality and cost. But there’s also a sliding scale with best audio quality at one end and mobile convenience at the other end.

MW07 were the product that had me change my position on that scale, and the MW07 Plus has made that shift even more practical…


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iPhone 11 Review — a camera-centric follow-up to the iPhone XR [Video]

Last year I stated that the iPhone XR was the phone that most iPhone users should buy, so it should come as no surprise that the follow-up to the XR comes with a similar recommendation in our iPhone 11 review.

The iPhone 11 is, for all intents and purposes, a more powerful and more feature-filled iPhone XR. Its flagship feature, a second camera with an ultra-wide focal length, is a noteworthy upgrade for camera enthusiasts, and its $699 starting price, which is $50 cheaper than its predecessor, is a refreshing change trend of more expensive tech year-over-year.

Yet, outside of some substantial camera upgrades, the remainder of the enhancements that come with the iPhone 11 don’t necessarily warrant an upgrade if you already own the iPhone XR. Watch our hands-on video review for the details.
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Review: RapidX MyPort is a neat all-in-one desk and portable wireless charger

RapidX MyPort review

Back in August, we saw the OtterSpot, a wireless charging pad system that offered both tabletop and portable charging. The RapidX MyPort is the same idea, but with a charging stand design rather than a flat pad.

Both devices aim to be the only wireless charger you’ll ever need, providing outlet-powered charging at home and power-bank charging on the move…


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Review: Waterfield Muzetto is a gorgeous practical bag for an iPad or MacBook

Waterfield Muzetto review

The Waterfield Muzetto is a gorgeous and practical bag that was originally made specifically for the iPad, and later adapted for different models, as well as for MacBooks.

I absolutely love my 12.9-inch iPad Pro. To me, it’s the perfect compromise between screen size and portability. But a larger iPad did require a larger shoulder bag — and that, and absolutely not the fact that I’m a bagaholic, was the reason for trying this one.

Waterfield is a San Francisco-based company that hand-makes the Muzetto in three different sizes, and helps you choose with a website feature absolutely all bag manufacturers should immediately copy…


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Review: Naucrates, the robotic carry-on luggage that follows you around the airport

Naucrates review

If you wanted to craft the perfect PR pitch to me, you couldn’t do much better than Naucrates. I’m a bagaholic who loves gadgets, so when it offered me the chance to try its new carry-on luggage which follows you around the airport, it was impossible to resist.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention: you can also ride on it if you prefer…


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Best noise cancelling headphones you’ve never heard of: Broski Lety at $100

I’ve been a happy Bose QC35 Noise cancelling headphone user since the day they came out. These were the first “consumer priced” ANC headset combos and have since been matched by excellent products from Sony and Apple’s Beats brand. But Active Noise Cancellation has always come at a price. In the case of the QC35s and Sony’s, prices start at $350 retail unless you find deals.

Broski Lety sent me a pair of their new active noise cancelling headphones which are on Indiegogo now for $99 and will soon be on Amazon for 50% more. You wouldn’t be reading this if I wasn’t super-impressed…
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Review: Peloton Digital for iPhone and iPad + using Tread and Bike with Apple Watch

Peloton is a fitness firm best known for its stationary bikes equipped with touchscreens for live and on-demand video workout classes. The seven-year-old American company, which launched its IPO in September, doesn’t just serve cyclists though.

Peloton Tread serves walkers and runners alike, and Peloton Digital for iPhone and iPad lets you experience even more workout courses — even if you don’t have stationary bike or treadmill from Peloton. My whole family has been testing the full Peloton system over the last six weeks. Read on for our experience starting with Peloton Digital for iPhone and iPad.


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Review: The Invoxia GPS bike tracker provides peace of mind… in some places

Invoxia GPS bike-tracker review

Any self-respecting bicycle owner with a gadget habit will have at least considered a GPS bike tracker. But the options to date haven’t been overly practical.

GPS signals are weak, and battery life is limited, meaning that it’s not practical to hide them inside a bicycle frame. So the first problem is where to put one so that it can receive fixes and is easy to charge.

A second problem is that, by time most alert you, they are on the move and it will be too late to prevent the theft, only allowing you to track it after the event…


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Review: Sonos Move portable speaker with Bluetooth delivers great design, functionality, and adaptive sound for any environment

Review Sonos Move Bluetooth portable speaker

Sonos announced its first portable speaker with Bluetooth, the Sonos Move, earlier this month and opened up preorders, with the product shipping out to customers on September 24. I was able to test out the Sonos Move over the last week and have been really impressed with everything from the speaker’s design and functionality to automatic Trueplay equalizer and sound quality. Read on for our full Sonos Move review.


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Hands-on with Logitech’s new MX Master 3 and Keys: Premium upgrades to a beloved device

Logitech MX Master 3

Logitech has now officially unveiled the latest generation of its popular MX lineup. Today’s announcement delivers the new MX Master 3 wireless mouse and MX Keys wireless keyboard. Building on its strong tradition of customization and ergonomic design, Logitech’s third-generation goes heavy on premium materials and software upgrades. That includes button-specific actions on a per-app basis, which is sure to excite loyal customers looking to take productivity to a whole new level and full-on adoption of USB-C.

I have been able to try out both the new MX Master 3 and MX Keys for nearly a week now. Initial returns are positive for this long-time Logitech user, but small tweaks on the surface may leave some hesitant to upgrade.


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