Hands-on: EditorsKeys Final Cut Pro X backlit keyboard [Video]

I’ve been using Final Cut Pro X on a regular basis since it debuted back in June of 2011. With five years under my belt, I feel pretty comfortable navigating around the interface, utilizing custom keyboard shortcuts, and all of the other benefits that come with being intimately familiar with a piece of software.

If you’ve read any of my previous posts about Final Cut Pro X, you’ve probably concluded that I have a strong affinity for the app, despite some of the hate that it receives.

I’m also someone who likes to recommend Final Cut Pro X to new editors. I think that it’s easier to grasp and much more friendlier to work with on a Mac than competing apps like Adobe Premiere Pro.

So when EditorsKeys, a company that produces a keyboard specifically designed for Final Cut Pro X, asked me to do a review, I was intrigued. more…

Filed under: Apple

Comment: Pokémon Go — I just don’t get it (but everyone else does)

Take a quick look at the landscape of the Internet since last week and it’s quite apparent that Pokémon Go has taken over the planet. Nintendo’s market cap jumped $9 billion since last Wednesday, at least five of the top Techmeme stories right now are about Pokémon, and my mother-in-law (!) is knows where to find all the Pokéstops and gyms around town. Seriously.

The phenomenon is really impressive, but I really don’t understand it. If I were reviewing Pokémon Go in a bubble and hadn’t seen the Internet’s reaction to the game, I’d have written that Niantic/The Pokémon Company should probably scrap the whole game and start over. But people really love Pokémon Go…

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Filed under: Apple

Review: SanDisk’s iXpand Memory Case adds up to 128GB storage & extra battery life to iPhone 6/6s

SanDisk’s latest iXpand product is a Lightning flash drive in the form of an iPhone case, allowing you to easily have extra storage for your iPhone at all times. And the  iXpand Memory Case has an optional battery pack that attaches magnetically, turning the case into a single solution for both extra storage and battery life. more…

Filed under: Apple

9to5Toys Lunch Break: JayBird X2 Bluetooth Earbuds $80 (or less), Anker Accessory Sale, Thermal iPhone Camera $179, 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:

jaybird-x2-earbuds

Jaybird’s X2 Sports Bluetooth headphones are some of the best on the market, now down to just $66 shipped (Reg. $100+)

anker-iphone-sale

Anker surprises w/ new discounts on iPhone cases, USB chargers & more in advance of Prime Day

flir-ir-ios-accessory

Get Predator vision for your iPhone/Android w/FLIR Thermal Imager for iPhone: $179

loopimal-05

App Store Free App of the Week: LOOPIMAL music making app goes free for the first time (Reg. $3)

Grab the best Mac app from 2015 Affinity Photo for $40 (Reg. $50)

Apple offering free download of sketching app Procreate via Apple Store app

One of the best sniper titles on the App Store just went 50% off: Hitman Sniper $1 (Reg. $2)

apogee-mic-96k-professional-for-ipad-iphone-and-mac

Choosing the best mic for your Mac, iPad and iPhone without breaking the bank

bluelounge-cable-drops

Cable management can be frustrating, here’s a few simple (and inexpensive) products I use to keep it under control

Short Lightning cables are more useful than you’d think, here are the best MFi options

Apple’s Thunderbolt Display is dead: These are the best 4K & 5K displays for Mac

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

ue-megaboom-black

UE MEGABOOM waterproof, 20-hr Bluetooth Speaker refurb black: $169 shipped (Orig. $300)

timbuk2-messenger-bag-sale

Timbuk2 is having a massive End of Season Sale that takes up to 40% off all kinds of bags, luggage, and more

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

dragon-mac-dictation

Dragon Dictation for Mac V5: $90 w/ code DRAGON (Orig. $200)

Parallels Desktop 11: Run Windows/Android/Linux/anything seamlessly on your Mac: $40 (50% off) shipped or less

oittm-stainless-watch-band-deal

Here’s a stainless steel Apple Watch band in Silver or Space Gray for $20 Prime shipped (Reg. $26)

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Filed under: Apple

iPhone Essential Accessories: Favorite Lightning cable, dock, case, and headphones

While I upgrade my iPhone every year, I’ve found that I stick to the same basic set of accessories thanks to their reliability, style or functionality. What to buy in terms of cables and docks is a common question for iPhone users, new and old. These are my recommendations based on what I have bought, used and kept over the years. Are these the only good choices? Of course not. They do have the potential for universal appeal, however. In general, the things I use are relatively inexpensive and focus on practicality, not style, so keep that in mind…

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Filed under: Apple

Download iOS 10’s HomeKit Home app wallpapers for iPhone and iPad

We’ve already shared the new default wallpapers currently in iOS 10 and macOS Sierra, but there are also two additional new wallpapers that ship with iOS 10. Apple’s new HomeKit app called Home includes two house-themed images that you can set as wallpapers inside the app. 9to5Mac reader Mark Malstrom has extracted and shared both Home app wallpapers from iOS 10 for iPhone and iPad so you can use them as your Home screen and Lock screen wallpaper too.

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Filed under: Apple

Pokemon Go to launch in UK and Europe in ‘a few days’ as Nintendo stock soars

Pokemon Go has become a smash hit (available for free on the App Store), rallying hundreds of millions of players in just a few short days. Widespread media coverage of the game (and its consequences) has made the Nintendo freemium title somewhat of a phenomenon, continuing to top App Store charts.

This success — likely propelled by pent-up demand for a ‘real’ Pokemon game available on iOS  — comes despite the game only launching three regions; the United States, New Zealand Australia. A new report from the Wall Street Journal indicates fans from other countries will not have to wait long for an official launch of Pokemon Go in the UK, Europe and more.

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Filed under: Apple

Latest iPhone 7 photo leak provides best look yet at new antenna lines design and larger protruding camera

About six weeks away from the next iPhone debut, widely dubbed the iPhone 7, it seems like we have a pretty clear idea about what to expect: similar design to iPhone 6s, revamped cameras, upgraded internals, removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack. Although it doesn’t show anything we haven’t seen before (via NowhereElse.FR), a new high-quality photo of the iPhone 7 has surfaced that gives us the clearest image yet of what the back device will look like …

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Filed under: Apple