Author: Nick Guy

Apple’s new Stickers commercial for the MacBook Air is one of our favorite ads out of Cupertino in a long time. Featuring quick shots of dozens of different Airs decorated with stickers, it shows how people actually personalize their Macs; not everyone keeps them pristine. We’ve found Etsy to be the best source for these stickers, with literally tens of thousands available to choose from at various price points.
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There are only a handful of companies making cases and bags for the current-generation Mac Pro, including Tenba with its Air Case for Mac Pro ($440). It’s definitely not cheap, but then again, it’s a protective carrier for a machine that costs a minimum of $3,000—it may be worth it to spend a few bucks. While most people will leave their towers at their desks, pros on the go could very well need something like this, whether for carrying…

iLounge has received a new case from Minisuit, designed to fit the still-unannounced iPhone 6. Frost is a TPU case with transparent edges and a cloudy back. While it’s significantly taller and wider than the iPhone 5/5s, it notably matches the thickness of the fifth-generation iPod touch. While it’s unclear whether the next-generation iPhone will indeed fit properly inside, it matches the most prevalent rumors, including enough room…

Lenmar’s ChugPlug ($160) was one of a handful of Best of Show Award-winners at the 2014 International CES, and the only solely Mac-focused product of the bunch. Up until now, the only real option for providing portable power to a MacBook has come in the form of Sanho’s HyperJuice, an accessory that requires physical hacking of the power supply. ChugPlug offers up to four extra hours of use without having to tear apart a wall adapter. Originally…

Focal splits down its vertical axis into one small and one large piece. both made of plastic, the former is designed to look like brushed metal on the back, while the latter has a slightly rough texture. It’s augmented by a faux leather-covered hand grip, which adds about 0.15” to the overall thickness. Hidden underneath, and accessible from the inside of the case, is a coin cell battery. This bump makes it very comfortable to hold the…

Uncharacteristically early, Apple has announced on its website that it will stream the keynote event of its 2014 Worldwide Developers Conference live to iOS devices, Apple TV, and computers.

The event starts at 10:00 AM PST on Monday, June 2 and is…

A more protective sequel to last year’s DualTek Extreme Shock Case + Shield, PureGear’s new DualTek XT Extreme Terrain for iPhone 5/5s ($50) is weatherproof and military drop-tested. The two-piece case includes a front panel with a built-in screen protector, including Touch ID-compatible Home Button coverage, and a rubber and plastic rear. Together, they form an airtight seal. Each of the buttons and ports is covered, with a flip-open protector…

Hard drive manufacturers are no longer content to simply throw a spinning disk in a box with a USB port—they continue to add features and functionality, making external hard drives more than just simple storage devices. Take My Cloud Mirror ($350-$550), the newest drive from Western Digital. Like some other competitors, it incorporates network functionality, and can make its data accessible anywhere at any time. That’s why it’s billed…

The smaller sibling to Incase’s flagship backpack, Icon Slim Pack ($150) is still an impressive carrier in its own right. Available in black, red, or gray nylon, it’s a classic design that works in many different settings. For professionals, students, or anyone else needing a protective backpack for their Mac and more, it seems like a very nice option—particularly if you really value slender design.
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Not the first company to make iOS-compatible cooking thermometers, Super Mechanical is bringing something different to the table when compared to iDevices, the main competitor in the category. Range ($70) is available in two different versions: with a 3″ sharp tip, or a 6″ round tip. Both work the same way: they plug into an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch’s headphone port, communicating data over a wired connection to a free app. This means Range doesn’t…

We’ve never been as keen on metal iPhone cases as some accessory makers seem to be, but they do keep coming. The latest is Rokform’s Fuzion+ for iPhone 5/5s ($89), which combines a polyurethane inner skin with a machined aluminum backplate, and throws a sheet of carbon fiber in the middle. Not surprisingly, the result is a somewhat bulky case, although it’s not as big as some others. Right in the center is an embedded magnet, which can be used…

Look past the box, and there’s nothing that stands out about this cable. That’s not a bad thing, there’s just not a lot that a cable can do. The plugs both rise out of glossy white plastic, and the sheath below the Lightning connector is small enough to be compatible with almost any case. Thankfully, it’s MFi-certified, which means there won’t be any compatibility issues with future iOS updates. So why the box? It’s…

After multiple iterations over the past four and a half years, Twelve South has just introduced the biggest update to its BookArc lineup yet: wood. BookArc möd for MacBook ($80) takes the tried and true design and renders it out in one of three natural wood finishes. Twelve South, much like Apple, is all about evolution when it is successful in a product category. While a new material may not seem like a big deal, it’s a clear departure from…

Although it appears to borrow heavily from other OEM-designed iPad cases we’ve seen over the years, Kujali’s Classic for iPad mini (£30/~$50) is noteworthy for the company’s charity aspect; we won’t offer a full review, but want to mention the option. A “leather styled” folio — it seems to be faux leather — the case is lined with suede on the inside, and has an elastic handle on the interior of the front cover, along with two viewing angle…

The big problem with most MacBook stands, as well-designed and functional as they may be, is they’re not portable. They fit perfectly on a desk or table, but not in a bag. The Roost Stand ($75-$80) from The Roost is different. Funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign, it was uniquely designed to fold up, making it perfect for working on the go. …

We’re not convinced that traveling with or shipping an iMac is something most people will ever consider, but then again, for certain professional reasons, it makes a lot of sense. That explains why Tenba is one of a handful of companies making travel cases for the all-in-one machines, including its Transport Air Case with Wheels ($655). This edition is for the newest 27” iMacs, but you’ll actually find more than 30 sizes on the company’s…