I’ve mentioned the BentoStack before, but this version takes it to a whole new level. The BentoStack PowerHub 5000 takes the stacked storage concept and adds a battery pack and a USB-C hub, making it the ultimate in versatile mobile accessories.
Into Every Apple Beta Some Bugs Must Fall
If you’ve ever run an iOS, iPadOS or watchOS beta on a device that you carry day-to-day, then you’ve probably been burned by some unexpected bugs at some point. This is especially true of the Developer Betas, which are the leading edge of Apple’s updates, and even more so early on in the beta process. It’s part of the deal. This is the price you pay to kick the tires on the cool, new toys.
I say unexpected bugs only because they sometimes just come out of left field and catch you off guard. You should always expect to encounter bumps in the road when running a beta, especially early on in the process. However, no one is immune to being lulled into a sense of complacency with relatively stable operation only to have some random stuff suddenly wreck a device. That was my predicament yesterday.
Apple’s New Widgets Are a Good First Step, But Not a Final Destination
iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 certainly weren’t as ambitious as some of the software updates we have seen in years past. That was probably due to a combination of the impact of COVID-19 and the focus required to get macOS 11 and the beginnings of the Mac on Apple’s own processors out the door for developers.
However, Apple’s new Widget features on iOS did shake things up a bit and grab some headlines. I’ve been playing with the iOS and iPadOS betas and I have enjoyed a few aspects of these new capabilities. That said, while I think this is a good start in a different direction for Apple’s Home Screens, I am still left wanting more.
Apple’s New Scribble for iPadOS 14 is Niche, But Also Pretty Nice
If you thought the iPad had come full circle with the release of the original Apple Pencil in 2016, Monday saw the last dot truly get filled in. The announcement of Scribble and new AI-fueled digital ink search and recognition features for the iPad bring system-level handwriting recognition and manipulation back to Apple hardware for the first time since Steve Jobs’ return to Apple in the late 90s.
Considering his comments on the stylus when the iPhone was announced, it felt for a time like these features would never find their way to Apple’s mobile devices again. However, while the Pencil’s inclusion as a non-essential accessory geared toward design and notetaking made sense, Apple’s new handwriting features elevate digital ink to a much more useful level on the iPad.
One of the Best Features of iPadOS 14- It Runs On 6 Year Old Devices
While we didn’t get a ton of new features in iPadOS 14, it does have a few headline features like enhanced Apple Pencil support for working with digital ink and a new unified search UI. However, there is one feature that Apple only mentions in passing on stage, but is very beneficial to all of it’s tablet users. That feature is longevity.
Looks Like Optimized Battery Charging for AirPods is Part of Apple’s iOS 14 Beta 1
I finally pulled the trigger yesterday and upgraded to the beta version of iOS 14. I heard from enough people that the sometimes buggy first developer beta was pretty stable this year. I can say the same so far based on one day of use.. It feels much more like iOS 12 than 13 so far. It didn’t even take that much of a toll on my battery life today, which is definitely rare for a first dev beta.
There is a New Firmware For AirPods Pro, But it Wasn’t a Fix For Me
Apple released a new firmware version for AirPods Pro this week. They are now at 2D27, up from version 2D15. The new features for AirPods and AirPods Pro, which I covered yesterday, don’t seem to be a part of this new firmware, so it is likely another attempt to fix issues with Active Noise Cancelling and popping noises.
Deals: USB 8-Port Type-C Valet Hub
Thanks to the addition of USB-C to the iPad Pro a couple of years ago, we now have so many more input options. All you need is a good USB-C Hub and you’re in business.
Apple’s Unexpected AirPods Pro Upgrades Point to Bigger and Better Things
I have to hand it to Apple sometimes. People, myself included, get down on them for being greedy, which is occasionally deserved. Some even go as far as accusing them of handicapping devices and taking out batteries just to generate new sales. However, the new upgrades for the AirPods Pro that were revealed yesterday show a different side of the company.
Some of the Ups and Down of Apple’s WWDC Keynote
While I was very impressed with the quality and presentation of Apple’s WWDC presentation today, the actual content was a bit up and down. While the Mac was up big and iOS got it’s share of love, I have to say that iPadOS was unfortunately down. That’s the way it goes sometimes. Let’s take a look at some of the highs and lows in detail.
