Review: Razer Mechanical Keyboard Case for 12.9″ iPad Pro – a great typing experience with a few compromises [Video]

When Razer first announced its Mechanical Keyboard Case for the 12.9″ iPad Pro, I had mixed feelings about the idea. On one hand, the thought of using a true mechanical keyboard with decent key travel, real actuation, and reset points sounded glorious. On the other hand, just how good could a mechanical keyboard case for an iPad possibly be?  more…

Filed under: Apple

Casetify offering Olympics-inspired Apple Watch bands in various national colors

Last week we saw watch accessory maker Clockwork Synergy release a Pride version of its NATO Apple Watch band, inspired by the limited-edition band Apple gave to employees in the San Francisco Pride Parade. Now, accessory company Casetify has released a collection of Apple Watch bands that sport the respective flags of two countries competing in the Olympics. Casetify’s offering comes as Apple is selling national color-inspired bands itself, but only in Brazil.

more…

Filed under: Apple

9to5Toys Lunch Break: iPad Air 2 $300, High-end 15” Retina MacBook Pro $1,930, Leather Apple Watch Band $17, more

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

ipad-air-2-all-colors

Get your hands on an iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi 16GB in all colors for only $300 shipped

Save 30% on any Belkin Bluetooth Keyboard Case: QODE Ultimate Lite for iPad Air 2 from $56 (Reg. $100), more

apple_mjlt2ll_a_15_4_macbook_pro

Save big on Apple’s high-end 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro 2.5GHz/16GB/512GB: $1,930 shipped (Reg. $2,499)

meke-apple-watch-band-deal

Add some serious style to your Apple Watch w/ this $17 Prime shipped Leather Band (20% savings)

9to5-acadamy-launch

Introducing the 9to5Mac Academy: Tech, business, and software improvement courses at great prices

hocus-sale-03

You can now grab a free copy of Brushstroke for iOS inside the Apple Store app ($5 value)

App Store Free App of the Week:Hocus puzzler goes free for the first time (Reg. $1)

Fantastical 2 Calendar and Reminders just hit its all-time low on Mac + up to 50% off iOS versions from $3

deus-ex-mankind-divided-new

Best Console Releases for August: Deus Ex, No Man’s Sky, Metroid, Madden, and more

The best headphone stands & hangers to keep your desk/office nice and tidy

Here are our top-picks for your backpack this school year to stay organized and powered up

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

amazon-echo-fire-tv-stick-sale-01

Deep deals on Amazon products: Fire TV Stick $25, Echo $130, tablets from $34, more

sandisk-32gb-lightning-flash-drive

SanDisk’s 32GB iXpand USB 3.0 Flash Drive also has an iPhone/iPad Lightning connector: $40 (Reg. $60)

MORE DEALS STILL LIVE:

dji-phantom-4-9to5toys

DJI Phantom 4 Quadcopter gets its first real discount ($200+) pick it up for under $1200 w/SD card + Tax only in NY

anker-iphone-protection

more…

Filed under: Apple

Poll: With device convergence, has the time now come to make a touchscreen MacBook Pro?

Asked why Apple had never made a touchscreen Mac, Steve Jobs said back in 2010 that it would be a usability fail.

We’ve done tons of user testing on this, and it turns out it doesn’t work. Touch surfaces don’t want to be vertical. It gives great demo, but after a short period of time you start to fatigue, and after an extended period of time, your arm wants to fall off.

There’s no doubt that he was right – if you’re talking about a primary form of input. For computers, a trackpad or mouse is just a better solution.

But the distinction between a computer and a tablet today is much fuzzier, with even Apple touting the iPad Pro with keyboard a full PC replacement. And it appears we’ll be seeing a new touch interface on future MacBook Pros, in the form of a touch-sensitive OLED function-key panel and Touch ID power button.

So has the time come to look again at a touchscreen MacBook … ?

more…

Filed under: Apple