Hands-on with Akitio’s new Thunderbolt 3 storage enclosures [Video]
I’ve been testing two new Thunderbolt 3-enabled storage enclosures from the fine folks at Akitio. The Thunder3 Duo Pro is a hardware RAID-enabled enclosure that can accommodate two 2.5- or 3.5-inch drives. The Thunder3 Quad is an enclosure that supports up to four 2.5- or 3.5-inch drives. The Quad lacks a hardware RAID controller, but you can use utilize software RAID at the OS level.
Both enclosures feature dual Thunderbolt 3 ports, which allow the devices to be daisy-chained, and both feature DisplayPort connectivity for supporting external 4K displays at 60Hz without needlessly occupying the adjacent Thunderbolt 3 port.
In this hands-on video, we unbox both enclosures, and mate them with 550MB/s SATA-III solid state drives. What we found was impressive speed when paired with the latest MacBook Pro. more…
Filed under: Apple Tagged: MacBook Pro
Buyer’s Guide: 10 apps to buy with that iTunes gift card you were just given
One of most common holiday gifts every year is an iTunes gift card. It seems that when people don’t know what to buy for a tech enthusiastic or a teenager, the go-to fallback is an iTunes gift card.
If you’re one of those people who received an iTunes gift card (or more than one) this holiday season, read on as I break down some of my favorite iOS apps to spend that budget on. If apps aren’t your thing, check out Apple’s “Best of” lists for some of the top music, movies, and tv…
Filed under: Apple
This week’s top stories: Hands-on with AirPods, iPhone 8 OLED reports, Tim Cook on future of Mac desktops, holiday app sales & more
Apple working with Consumer Reports to understand MacBook Pro battery results and 1st ‘do not recommend’ rating
Consumer Reports yesterday dropped a bombshell on Apple, making the new MacBook Pro the first MacBook ever to not receive the publication’s recommendation. As for its reasoning, Consumer Reports explained that the inconsistent, yet sometimes impressive, battery life was too big of an issue to overlook.
Now, Apple executive Phil Schiller says that the company is working with Consumer Reports to “understand” the tests.
Filed under: Apple
Like Bose, Apple pulls Nokia’s Withings health product line from stores in wake of patent dispute
Apple has pulled the Withings line of health care products from its online stores following the recent patent dispute with Nokia. Nokia purchased the Withings line of smart devices earlier this year for around $192 million and has since integrated the company into its smart line of products… more…
Filed under: Apple
Comment: Apple’s AirPods show just how badly Siri needs an offline mode [Poll]
A few days after having received my AirPods order, I’ve quickly come to realize how the lack of accessible audio playback controls can hinder the overall experience. In my previous reviews of true wireless earbuds, I’ve consistently brought up on-device controls as a positive or a negative. When you remove the wire and the controls so many […]
Apple launches iTunes Boxing Day sales w/ discounted albums in Canada & UK
Pokémon Go details two new in-game events for the holidays starting December 25
Pokémon Go recently introduced second-generation characters to the mobile game through egg hatching, and now an in-game event starting Christmas morning will make acquiring those new Pokémon much easier. Pokémon Go is also doing an in-game event starting on New Year’s Eve to increase your chances of catching starter Pokémon…
Filed under: Apple
9to5Toys Lunch Break: Sharp 55-inch Roku 1080p HDTV $350, Sennheiser Headphones $100, Drop Flip for iOS free, 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: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.
TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:
Daily Deals: Jensen Bluetooth Stereo Speaker $18, Sharp 55-inch LED 1080p Roku HDTV $350, more
Sennheiser’s HD598 CS Closed Back Headphone returns to its Black Friday price: $100 shipped (Reg. $130+)
Go wireless this Christmas! Sony Extra Bass Bluetooth Headphones in three colors for $88 shipped (Reg. $130)
Sony’s h.ear Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones: $200 shipped (Reg. $350)
App Store Free App of the Week: the colorful physics-based Drop Flip puzzler goes free for the holidays (Reg. $2)
Apple’s latest 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros w/ Touch Bar are up to $200 off at B&H, free next day delivery (Tax NY only)
Save $100 on iPad mini 4 Wi-Fi at Best Buy: prices start at $300 for 32GB, more
FREE MONEY: Gift the Apple fan in your life (including yourself) a $100 iTunes Gift Card for $85 with email delivery
Big year-end iTunes movie sale is now live w/ tons of great $5 titles, $0.99 rentals, bundle discounts & more
iOS/Mac Holiday App Sale Roundup: GO Trilogy, Tweetbot, Oceanhorn, Bastion, many more
- Tweetbot 4 for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac is now 50% off on the App Store: $5 (Reg. $10)
- Duet Display is 50% off! Turn your iPad into a secondary screen for your Mac: $10 (Reg. $20)
- You can now grab Hitman, Lara Croft and Deus Ex GO Trilogy on iOS for just $2 (up to $6 value)
- XCOM Enemy Within hits its lowest price ever on the App Store: $3 (Reg. $10+)
- Here’s how to get 3 free months of 1Password Teams ($8 value ea.)
9to5Toys Gift Guide: Last Minute Ideas – Battery/Lightning Cable, USB-C Drives, Multi-Tools, Controllers and more
9to5Toys Gift Guide: The best tech accessories for any car or truck – Bluetooth adapter, USB Jump Starter, Dash Cam & more!
9to5Toys Gift Guide: Trevor’s Top 5 Tech Picks under $50 – smart home gear, drones, and more!
9to5Toys Gift Guide: Justin’s Top 5 Picks for Gamers – accessories, vintage Nintendo, art/coffee table books and more!
9to5Toys Gift Guide: ideas for Music Makers – pocket synths, headphone accessories, DIY kits and more
9to5Toys Gift Guide: ideas for the Techie Traveler – best messenger bags, Bluetooth gear, accessories and more
MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:
Watch any movie from Amazon Video or Google Play this holiday weekend for only $0.99
- Target is taking 20% off nearly every book, movie and CD today only – use in-store pickup for gift
- Smartphone Accessories: Aukey 8-outlet Surge Protector Power Strip with 6 USB ports $22, more
- Games/Apps: Xbox One S + 1yr. Live & controller from $250, Samurai II Vengeance $1, more
- Add this best-selling and top-rated LED Desk Lamp w/ USB charger to your setup for $23
- It’s time get a high-end stainless steel/glass Cuisinart steamer while its down at $133
- This Pyrex Prepware 3-Piece Glass Mixing Bowl Set just hit its Amazon all-time low: $7.50
- DEWALT 100 Bucket Tool Organizer w/ Clear Lid $28 Prime shipped (Reg. up to $40), more
MORE DEALS STILL LIVE:
Cut the cord w/ the help of 1byone HDTV Antennas up to 58% off, from $10 Prime shipped
eero’s mesh Wi-Fi systems just dropped to all-time lows: 2-Pack $289, 3-Pack $372
Answer your door even when you’re not home with the Ring Video Doorbell Pro for $200 shipped (Reg. $250)
Massive list of discounted Gift Cards up to 20% off: JCPenney, Domino’s, Old Navy, Foot Locker + many more
Filed under: Apple
Majority of readers say ‘no big deal’ adapting to USB-C world of new MacBook Pro
A 9to5Mac poll of 2016 MacBook Pro owners revealed that the majority found it no big deal to adapt to the brave new USB-C-only world. More than 5,000 readers took part, with 56% describing it as ‘a small deal/painless.’
Filed under: Apple