As the Thanksgiving turkey and wine buzz starts to wear off and we head into the pinnacle of American consumerism known as Black Friday, we here at 9to5mac have some tips which should make the shopping experience pleasant, efficient and productive. Over the next 24 hours, everything Apple related will be at the lowest prices of the year. We’re going to guide you to getting in, saving a bunch of cash and getting on your way.

First some don’ts:

• Don’t for any reason actually go to a physical store. The 2-3 $150 50″ Best Buy TVs per store isn’t worth being in the vicinity of Black Friday shoppers and the “Door Busting”. It’s a nightmare out there. Go to a park. Play with your kids. Spend a few minutes with us and we’ll knock out that gifting.
• Don’t actually buy anything online tonight. Prices keep dropping in the runup to Black Friday. Wait. Enjoy the time with your family, watch some football. If you must, grab some small ticket items and get those out of the way. IF you miss something, it will likely be around again on “Cyber Monday”
• Don’t buy anything at an Apple Store or Apple.com. Apple has outsourced Black Friday to their retail partners and have normal prices across the board. The stuff you buy at Target/Best Buy/ Walmart/etc. is the exact same product and warranty you get at Apple. Pro-Tip: Apple Stores are for showrooming and repairs.
• Don’t touch that dial. Stick with us here at 9to5Mac, 9to5Google and most importantly 9to5Toys for all of the best deals. Heck, now’s the time to subscribe to 9to5Toys Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications. We’ve got a team of 20 people scouring the web for the best deals out there and tomorrow it is going to come fast and furious.

As for Apple products, we’ve distilled the absolute best deals out there into just a few options. Important considerations include state tax at time of purchase, gift cards vs. actual savings, shipping and rewards. Also, AppleCare discounts. Here’s the quick rundown:

Apple Watch

Target, B&H and Best Buy in the US have the biggest discounts we’ve seen this year. Best Buy will knock off $50 on Sport and $100 on Stainless. Target gives you a $100 gift card on both models which is of course good for an additional 5% cash back using their RedCard. Both sites charge tax in a 50 states but offer free shipping.

However, the best option might be B&H Photo which offers the Apple Watch in fewer varieties than Best Buy but for the same $50 off Sport/$100 off Stainless. In addition, B&H throws in a $50 gift card, B&H only charges Tax in New York State which may save you big money.

B&H Photo:

• Sport 38mm: starts at $299 (Reg. $349) +$50 gift card
• Sport 42mm: starts at $349 (Reg. $399) +$50 gift card
• Stainless Steel 38mm: starts at $449 (Reg. $549) +$50 gift card
• Stainless Steel 42mm: starts at $499 (Reg. $599) +$50 gift card

Best Buy:

• Sport 38mm: starts at $299 (Reg. $349)
• Sport 42mm: starts at $349 (Reg. $399)
• Stainless Steel 38mm: starts at $449 (Reg. $549)
• Stainless Steel 42mm: starts at $499 (Reg. $599)

Target:

Apple Watch Sport starts at $349 and comes with a free $100 Target Gift Card. Use your REDcard to save an additional 5% and your effective net cost is just $231.55. That’s the lowest price we’ve seen on new Apple Watches. Target will throw in the free gift card on any in-stock Apple Watch.

Apple TV

Target has the New Apple TV for ~$50 off in store but those prices will likely hit retailers like Walmart ($112) tomorrow. HHGregg also is expected to have some availability on Black Friday at reduced cost. Staples has $25 off if you checkout with Visa Checkout. The 3rd Gen Apple TV is $50 in a number of places and $40 Geek squad refurb at Best Buy. Stay tuned

iPods

For those of us that still love the iPod Touch, there are a few nice deals around. Best Buy cuts $50 across the board, Target cuts $40-$60 and Walmart cuts $35.

iPhone

iPhones with plans from the major US carriers are marked down significantly in a number of retail outlets

• Boost Mobile No Contract iPhone 6s for $549 | Boost
• All iPhones $100 off + $100 Black Friday Gift Card | Walmart
• iPhone 6s/Plus $200 Gift Card w/ iPhone 5 (or newer) trade | Best Buy
• iPhone 6s/Plus, get a free $250 Gift Card (installment plan) | Target
• iPhone 6s/Plus 16GB/64GB $50 off (2-yr contract) | Target
• iPhone 6S 64GB (all colors): $719 (Reg. $749) | eBay
• iPhone 6S Plus 64GB (all colors): $819 (Reg. $849) | eBay

iPad

iPad Air/2

• Any iPad Air 2, get a free $150 Gift Card | Target
• iPad Air 2 16GB/64GB $100 off, 128GB $125 off | Best Buy
• iPad Air 2 16GB WI-Fi (Gold): $399 (Reg. $499) | Walmart
• iPad Air 2 16GB Wi-Fi: $374 (Reg. $499) | Staples
• iPad Air 2 64GB Wi-Fi: $449 (Reg. $599) | Staples
• iPad Air 2 64GB/128GB Wi-Fi + Cellular $175 off | Sam’s Club
• iPad Air 2 64GB/128GB Wi-Fi $150 off | Sam’s Club
• Any iPad Air, get a free $100 Gift Card | Target
• iPad Air 16GB Wi-Fi: $349.99 (Reg. $399) | HHGregg

iPad mini 2/3/4

• iPad mini 2 16GB Wi-Fi: $199 (Reg. $269) | Walmart
• Any iPad mini 4, get a free $100 Gift Card | Target
• iPad mini 4 16GB Wi-Fi: $299 (Reg. $399) | Staples
• iPad mini 4 64GB/128GB $100 off | Best Buy
• iPad mini 4 64GB Wi-Fi: $450 (Reg. $499) | eBay
• Any iPad mini 2, get a free $80 Gift Card | Target

iPad Pro

• All iPad Pros $12 off at MacMall, Tax in only a handful of states
• 32GB iPad Pro: $749.99 ($50 off)| Buy.com tax in a few states

Macs

Mac prices and inventory will fluctuate wildly on Black Friday. Best Buy gives an extra $50 off to students on iMacs and MacBooks

Retina 12-inch MacBooks are now widely available in Gold, Silver and Space Gray. The best prices as of this writing are:

• $150 off the 1.1GHz/8GB/256GB at Amazon, Best Buy
• $170 off the 1.2GHz/8GB/512GB without tax at B&H and Ebay
• $100+ off configured at MacMall including 1.3GZ models.

MacBook Airs: B&H are running the table as of this writing with $120 off across the board, Tax only in New York and 6 months of Parallels Access but things will likely change- stay tuned.

• $120 off at Best Buy: 11.6-inch 1.6GHz/4GB/128GB: $779, B&H (Tax in NY Only) $100 off: $799
• 11-inch 4GB/256GB: $979 ($120 off at B&H)
• 13-inch 1.6GHz/4GB/128GB: $879 ($120 off at B&H)
• 13-inch 1.6GHz/4GB256GB: $1,079 ($120 off at B&H)

MacBook Pro

B&H is leading the way with $150-$500 off 13-inch MacBook Pros and $200-$500 off 15.4-inch MacBook Pros. We expect to see some lower prices at eBay and other locations through the day.

iMacs

The entry level iMac is a whopping $200 off at Best Buy ($899) and with the .EDU  credit drops down to $850 shipped. After that B&H is leading the way with at least $100-$300 off on standard models and MacMall leads the way on custom configs. We’ve heard whispers that a retailler is going to do some serious price drops so we’ll post those when they happen.

Mac Mini:

B&H takes $50 off the base model which now starts at $449 and $70 and $100 off the higher models.

Mac Pros:

Again, B&H has the lowest base model price and most of the configurations along with MacMall.

These prices and inventory will likely be all over the place so we’ll be updating frequently.

We’re rounding up the best deals on Apple accessories here (tomorrow)

Filed under:
How-To, Buying Guides, iOS Devices, Tips and Tricks Tagged: App Store (iOS), Apple, AppleCare, best prices, Black Friday, discounts, iPhone, Retail and Wholesalers, save

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The best iPad deals (so far): Air 2 from $374 (Reg. $499), free gift card offers, more

Apple Watch Deals: Save up to $100 at Best Buy – Sport from $299, $100 Target gift card with purchase

iTunes Gift Cards: Buy One, Get One 40% off — 2x $50 cards for $80 shipped, 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.

Heads up! During Black Friday/Cyber Monday you’re going to have to follow us on Twitter to get the best deals since many sell out too quickly to post.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

iOS/Mac apps: Infinity Blade free, Threes! $1, Fantastical 2 from $3, Transistor $3, freebies, many more

B&H Photo’s Black Friday Mac Deals live! 5K iMac: $1579, Mac Pro: $500 off, Retina MacBook: $170 off (Tax in NY only)

Amazon Black Friday: Fire TV Stick $25 (Reg. $40), Fire tablet $35 (Reg. $50), echo $149 (Reg. $180)

Save 30% on any book from Amazon — Iconic: A Photographic Tribute to Apple Innovation $39, more

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

DJI Phantom 3 Standard Quadcopter w/ 2.7k Camera: $499 shipped (Reg. $699)

• Pencil by FiftyThree smart iPad stylus from $30 Prime shipped (Orig. $50), more
• $100 Google Play gift card for under $80 shipped (20% off)
• Samsung 850 EVO 500GB 2.5-inch Internal SSD: $140 shipped (Reg. $160+)
• Black Friday game deals: Bloodborne $20, Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze $30, more
• GoPro HERO4 Cameras: Session $229 (Reg. $300), Black 4K $349 (Reg. $500)
• Nomad Black Friday Sale: Apple Watch Stand $40 (Reg. $60), more
• Daily Deals: Anker 20,000mAh Power Bank $28, ChugPlug for MacBook $25, more
• Black Friday console deals: Xbox One Gears of War + $60 gift card $300, Playstation 4
• Amazon 30% off Fashion Black Friday Sale
• Roku: Special Edition $25 (Reg. $50), 3 w/ voice search $70 (Reg. $100)
• Yamaha 7.2-channel 4K Wi-Fi Network AV Receiver: $300 shipped (Reg. $400)
• Crucial & Lexar Storage up to 75% off: 256GB Flash Drive $55, 500GB SSD $120
• Two Chromecast Streaming Media Players (newest version): $50 shipped (Reg. $70)
• Take 50% off any album purchase from Google Play
• ecobee3 HomeKit Thermostat w/ 3 Remote Sensors: $249 shipped ($328 value)
• Nest Thermostat (3rd Gen) w/ free $50 Amazon Gift Card: $249 ($299 value), more

BLACK FRIDAY AD LEAKS & NEWS:

Best of Black Friday – Streaming Media Players: Apple TV 64GB $180, Roku SE $20, 2-Pack Chromecast (2nd gen) $50, more

Best of Black Friday – Smart Home: Nest Thermostat $250 + $50 GC, Philips Hue kit $130

Best of Black Friday – HDTVs: 40-inch from $149, Samsung 55-inch Smart $580 (Reg. $1,200), more

Best of Black Friday – iPads, Tablets and e-readers: iPad Air 2 from $360, Amazon Fire $35 (Reg. $50), more

Best of Black Friday – Games: Xbox One/PS4 console bundles, deep discounts on games, more

Best of Black Friday – wearables: Fitbit Flex $59/Charge $90/more, $100 off Apple Watch, Android smartwatches, more

Best of Black Friday — Apple: deals on iPad Air 2, iPhone 6s/Plus, Apple Watch, Macs, more!

Top 5 ways to score the year’s best online Black Friday deals

10 can’t-miss deals for the holiday season: HDTVs, iPad Air 2, iPhone 6s, more

Best Buy’s Black Friday ad brings deals on Apple Watch, Macs, HDTVs, games & more!

• MacMall’s Black Friday 2015 Ad leaks, we have all 50+ pages
• Walmart’s Black Friday ad leak hits with 4K UHDTV deals, iPad Air 2 $100 off, more
• Target previews its top Black Friday deals, launches surprise one-day sale
• Staples Black Friday Ad Revealed: iPad Air 2 from $374, mini 4 $300, more
• eBay’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday will deliver deals on MacBooks, iPhone, iPad Air 2
• GameStop Black Friday ad leak: PS4/Xbox One bundles $300, new Nintendo 3DS XL $180
• Costco’s Black Friday ad includes deals on Chromecast (2nd gen), Fitbit Flex, more
• Microsoft launches its Black Friday promo early for Xbox Live Gold Members
• Toys R Us Black Friday ad leak: Xbox One/PS4 bundles $300, more
• Sam’s Club Black Friday ad leak: iPad Air 2 Cellular $175 off, Google Play $100 GC $80
• Sam’s Club One-Day Sale: iPhone 6s/Plus $100 off, iPad Air 2 64GB/128GB $150 off
• HHGregg Black Friday: Beats Powerbeats2 Wireless Headphones $100, more
• Sports Authority Black Friday Ad: Free gift cards w/ footwear, FitBit Charge HR $120
• BJ’s Warehouse Black Friday ad hits with Samsung 4K UHDTV deals, fitness trackers

Cyber Monday Ad Roundup: What to expect from Target, Best Buy, Walmart and others

Amazon releases its Cyber Monday strategy with rotating deals every five minute

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

HyperDrive Macbook Storage Expander adds up to 200GB with no extra bulk: $20 Shipped (Orig. $30, CA Tax only)

Parallels $79.99 Black Friday Bundle: Free 1Password, Evernote, Camtasia, Pocket, PDFPen, Snagit, more

• Pixelmator for Mac gets a 50% discount today: $15 (Reg. $30)
• Apple AirPort Extreme 802.11ac Wireless Router (refurbished): $100 shipped (Orig. $199)
• iTunes HD Movies: Godfather Trilogy $10, Rocky Collection $30, more
• Apple iPod touch (6th gen) in multiple colors: 16GB $159, 32GB $199, 64GB $239
• Garmin Dash Cam 20 HD Driving Recorder with GPS: $150 shipped (Orig. $250)
• Panasonic Sound Rush Plus On-Ear Headphones $15 shipped (Reg. $60)
• Save on the 3rd Gen 1080p Apple TV with this refurb deal: $40 shipped (Orig. $69)
• Brother HL-L2300D Monochrome Duplex Laser Printer: $50 shipped (Reg. $80)
• View-Master Virtual Reality Starter Pack for iPhone/Android: $20 (Reg. $30)
• Displays: ASUS 24-inch Gaming Monitor $185, more
• Cowboom 20% off: Apple Watch 38mm Milanese Loop Stainless (pre-owned) $359, more
• Herman Miller takes rare 15% off world’s best office chairs + desks
• Canon Pre-Black Friday Sale: T5 w/ 18-55mm lens kit (refurb) $200 (Orig. $549), more
• Early Black Friday Fashion: Save 50% at Gap – Polar Fleece Jacket $30, others
• Car Tech: iOttie Easy One Touch iPhone 6s/Plus Car Mount $10 (Reg. $17+), more
• Maker Architect 3D Printer $400 shipped (Orig. $600)
• Media: Mad Men Complete Seasons $5/ea on DVD, more
• The Black Friday Mac Bundle offers 10 productivity-boosting apps for $34.99 (Orig. $533)
• Save 25% on Nike Gear: FlyKnit Lunar 3 Men’s Shoes $90 (Orig. $150), more
• Samsung SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit: $199 shipped (Reg. $249)
• USB roundup: Anker MFi 3ft Lightning cable $4 Prime shipped, Power Banks from $6, more
• Seagate Backup Plus External Desktop Hard Drive: 5TB $120, 8TB $200
• Portable Solid-State Drives: SanDisk 120GB $60, 240GB $80 + more
• Samsung Chromebook 2 2.16GHz/2GB/16GB SSD: $149 shipped (Reg. $190+)
• Twelve South BookBook for iPhone 5/5s: $20 Prime shipped (Reg. $60)
• NETGEAR DOCSIS 3.0 High Speed Cable Modem: $80 shipped (Reg. $100)
• Amazon Kindle e-Reader deals from $50 shipped, Paperwhite $100 (Reg. $120)
• MacPhun offers up to 85% off Creative Kit 2016 for Black Friday: $89 (Reg. $630)
• Pebble Time iOS/Android Smartwatch: $130 shipped (Reg. $200)
• Home Theater: Samsung 55-inch Smart 4K LED UHDTV $900 (Reg. $1,200), more
• Verizon launches freebies promotion: 1GB of data, $5 iTunes credit, more
• Implosion – Never Lose Hope for iOS goes free for the first time ($10 value)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

Unboxing and Review: Star Wars Battlefront limited edition PS4 is out of this galaxy [Video]

Mohu launches a “high-end” speaker with built-in Android display, save 10%

• Leica introduces a new low-cost M series camera, but don’t expect bargain pricing
• D-Link takes all the smart things and puts them together in one Komfy light switch
• Curate With Me, Win A Prize: 2015’s Most Coveted Holiday Tech Gifts List!
• The ultimate 4K set-top box battle [Video]
• GENII’s CAST streaming box skirts copyright rules to beam your content to friends

Filed under: Tips and Tricks Tagged: 9to5Toys, Amazon, Amazon Black friday, Amazon Prime, apple deals, Apple watch, Apps, Best Buy, Black Friday, coupon codes, Cyber Monday, Deals, free, free apps, free shipping, iPad Air 2, itunes deals, itunes gift cards, Mac deals, New Toy of the Day

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If you’re buying gifts for music lovers in your life, there has never been a better time to do it: there’s a vast range of products to choose from at every price level. But here I’m focusing on the premium end of the market – a main gift for someone who you love as much as they love music!

These are products consistent with my philosophy of buying the right thing once. Gifts that will be appreciated as much a few years down the line as they will when first unwrapped.

Let’s start with headphones … 

B&W P5 wired or wireless headphones

My trusty Bowers & Wilkins P5 on-ear headphones go with me anytime I’m using public transit – music, audiobooks or podcasts helping the time fly by. The sound quality is fantastic, they are really comfy to wear, let in just enough background sound to hear announcements and fold flat when you want to tuck them away into a bag. I’m not the only fan here.

The P5s are available in both wired and wireless versions. While I do generally hate wires, they do make it slightly easier for my typical mobile usage, which involves switching between iPhone, iPad and MacBook Air as my audio source. For most people, though, I’d say the wireless model would be the one to get them.

B&W doesn’t offer much in the way of discounts, but that’s because it doesn’t have to. The P5 Wireless are currently $10 off at $389.99, while the wired version are $30 off at $269.99.

B&O BeoPlay H8 Wireless ANC headphones

A great alternative to the P5 for someone who wants full noise-cancelling wireless headphones with equally great audio quality is the Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay H8 ANC (for Active Noise Cancellation).

Usually noise-cancelling headphones carry a weight penalty, but at 255g, B&O has somehow kept these extremely light.

I’ve so far only had a brief play (with a full review to follow), but that was enough to reassure me that you’re getting the audio quality you’d expect from B&O. The RRP is rather steeper at $499, but you can currently get $50 off at $449.

Beats by Dr. Dre Solo 2 Wireless Active Collection

I hesitate to include these in a premium audio guide, as I’m definitely no fan of the audio quality, but there’s no denying the market appeal. Chances are, if you’re buying for a teenager in your family, they are going to be more excited about getting a pair of Beats headphones than either B&W or B&O.

Forget wired for the teenage market – that’s obsolete in their eyes. The latest and greatest model here is the lengthily-named Beats by Dr. Dre Solo 2 Wireless Active Collection. These retail at $299.95, but you can get them for $224.99, saving $75.

There’s a wide range of colors, so take a good look at their clothes and other kit to get a sense of which one they might prefer.

B&W MM-1 computer speakers

B&W offers what I consider the best wired computer speakers around: the MM-1s. Suitable for both Mac and PC, they don’t rely on the digital to analog converter (DAC) built into the computer – they instead use a high quality B&W DAC built into the speakers. They connect via USB so that you’re feeding in a digital signal.

They look great, the sound quality is amazing and the volume they pump out is truly incredible – it’s really hard to believe that they can deliver so much sound from such compact units.

Again, you’re unfortunately going to need to pay next to full price for them, at $494.49 – but they are totally worth it. Any music lover will be delighted with these.

Harman Kardon computer speakers

I’ve always adored the gorgeous and retro-looking Harman Kardon Soundsticks (left), with their glass casings. The sound quality isn’t quite up there with the MM-1s, but they still offer very acceptable quality and plenty of volume at a more affordable price.

The originals are still available at an absolute bargain $152.95 (saving $57), while there’s now also a Bluetooth version, currently $68 off at $206.95.

But if you’re an AirPlay fan (as I mostly am), the company has also introduced a single-unit AirPlay speaker that borrows heavily from the original design while giving it a cleaner look, the Aura. Despite being a single unit, it is still a stereo speaker, and offers Bluetooth support in addition to AirPlay. RRP is $480, but you can save $120 at $359.96.

B&W A7 & A5 AirPlay speakers

Speaking of AirPlay, if you’re looking for a single-unit speaker system for a medium-sized room, the B&W A7 is an excellent choice, with remarkable capacity to fill the room with sound. There’s zero distortion no matter how high you crank up the volume, thanks to a 6-inch subwoofer alongside the 1-inch and 3-inch speakers.

There’s no shortage of input options, with AirPlay supplemented by USB, 3.5mm socket and mini Toslink.

At an RRP of $799.99, and a tiny $20 discount bringing it to $779.49, this is an expensive gift by anyone’s standards – but to call it a speaker system really doesn’t do it justice: this is a hifi in a box.

The smaller A5 variant retails for $499.99, and while not in quite the same league volume-wise, it is more than enough for a smaller room. Also worth checking out is the Zeppelin, though the design is quirkier.

Sonos PLAY 5

If you have a Sonos owner in your life, the latest addition to the range is the new PLAY 5 – a single unit that incorporates six speakers, each of which has its own dedicated amplifier. Not to be confused with the older 1st-generation model.

Sonos does rather lock you into its own audio ecosystem, so it wouldn’t be the best choice as a standalone gift, but for anyone already invested in Sonos, this is a fantastic way to bring another room online. Both sound quality and volume are excellent, and it’s available in a choice of black or white casing. It’s a delightfully understated design that makes a fairly chunky unit blend into its surroundings remarkably well.

The unit contains some impressive tech. Once you’ve positioned it, the setup process prompts you to walk around the room with your iPhone, and the app uses audio from the speaker and the iPhone’s microphone to measure the acoustic properties of the room in which it’s placed and automatically adjust the speaker output to suit. I also love the flush touch-sensitive controls on the top of the unit.

As a new product, don’t expect any discount on the $499 price tag.

Spotted any new premium audio products you think I should take a look at? Let me know in the comments.

Filed under: Buying Guides Tagged: B&O, B&O BeoPlay H8 Wireless ANC, B&W, B&W A5, B&W A7, B&W MM-1, B&W P5, B&W P5 Wireless, Bang & Olufsen, Beats, Beats by Dr. Dre Solo 2, Beats by Dr. Dre Solo 2 Wireless Active Collection, Bowers & Wilkins, Harman Kardon Aura, Harman Kardon Soundsticks, Sonos, Sonos PLAY 5

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Welcome to 9to5Mac’s official Mac Holiday Gift Guide! This has been an exciting year for Mac lovers, thanks to the cool new 12″ Retina MacBook and 21″ Retina iMac, as well as great accessories from Apple and others. I’ve been canvassing all things Mac throughout the year, so what you’ll find inside are some great options at various price levels — everything from stocking stuffers and apps to “best gift I’ve ever received” material. Also included: the best (limited time only) prices I’ve found anywhere on new Mac computers.

Before you go further, I’d recommend that you bookmark and/or send this page to your favorite people, because either you or someone you care about is going to get a great gift from this guide. Beyond great Macs, apps, and accessories, some of my picks are designed to help an old Mac run better than new…

Small Stocking Stuffers: USB Hubs, Card Readers + Cables

It’s always handy to have extra USB ports — particularly powered ones that can recharge your iPad or iPhone even if the Mac is turned off. Moshi’s iLynx 3 ($60) is the hub I use, adding multiple ports to the front (rather than the inconvenient back) of your Mac. Most Macs have SD Card readers built in, but none of them has a CompactFlash reader — the card type used by many high-end DSLR cameras. If you only need CompactFlash support, Lexar’s Professional Workflow CFR1 ($17, shown) is a high-speed USB 3 card reader at a great price — the one I purchased for myself, and have found to be very reliable. Lexar’s Professional USB 3.0 Dual-Slot Reader ($34) includes both SD and CompactFlash slots, handy for 11″ MacBook Air users. And if you need Lightning cables for your Mac or iOS gadgets, Anker’s 3-foot Lightning to USB Cables are only $6 each, a great deal for authorized cables.

If you want something more deluxe than a USB hub and are willing to go beyond stocking stuffer pricing, Thunderbolt 2 docks let you connect high-speed hard drives, audio devices, and monitors to your Mac all at once with a single Thunderbolt cable — ideal for turning a small MacBook Air or Pro into a full-fledged desktop machine, or radically expanding the connector options for any Mac. My guide to the best Thunderbolt 2 docks picks OWC’s Thunderbolt 2 Dock ($224, shown at center) as the top overall choice for features and pricing, but there are other alternatives.

Ring Out With Joy: Great Mac Speakers + Headphones

Having spent years loving various affordable speakers from JBL and parent brand Harman, notably including the iconic clear Soundsticks ($170, also available in a $188 Bluetooth wireless version), I’ve shifted over to more contemporary Mac-matching audio accessories in recent years. Bowers & Wilkins’ MM-1 ($499, center) places more powerful, higher-quality audio drivers inside two black and silver housings that can straddle the sides of any Mac screen, while its similar-looking A7 ($800 new, $640 recertified) is even more powerful, an all-in-one enclosure with a booming subwoofer and AirPlay streaming capabilities. The company’s P5 Headphones ($300 wired, $400 wireless, reviewed here) have similarly Mac-matching looks and excellent sound quality; their leather earpads are the most comfortable I’ve ever felt in a pair of on-ear headphones. Pair them with a $20 BlueLounge Posto headphone stand to declutter your desk.

The Ultimate Mac Upgrade: A Solid State Drive (SSD) 

Unless you’re willing to buy a brand new Mac, the single best way to make your old Mac run crazy fast (and quiet) is to install a Solid State Drive, also known as an SSD. The SSD replaces either your Mac’s traditional hard drive, which is a little trickier but yields massive speed improvements, or the SuperDrive CD/DVD drive, which is easier but generally not as fast. Adding an SSD made my older iMac five times faster for loading apps and files, basically instantaneous, and enabled it to wake and sleep in seconds. To do this, you’ll need an SSD (go with Samsung’s awesome 850 EVO for desktop Macs, or model-specific alternatives for MacBooks), this special screwdriver kit to open any Mac, and for certain Macs, a thermal sensor cable.

Here are my full SSD guides for iMac hard drives, MacBook Air/Pro SSD capacity/speed bumps, and MacBook, Mac mini, and Mac Pro hard drives. Alternately, here’s my guide to swapping out the SuperDrives in iMacs, Mac minis, and MacBooks for SSDs. Readers have sent me so many “thank you!” emails that I know they’ve been thrilled with their SSDs. Your old hard drive or SuperDrive can go in an affordable external USB enclosure as a spare.

Magical Holidays: Apple’s Magic Keyboard + Trackpad 2, or Logitech Rivals

The mouse — a part of Macs since 1984 — is on the way out, as multi-touch gestures continue to become more integral parts of the Mac and iOS experience. Rechargeable keyboards are also becoming more popular. Earlier this year, I wrote 9to5Mac’s guide to the best Mac keyboards, anticipating that Apple was working on better sequels to its aging Wireless Keyboard and Magic Trackpad. Lo and behold, Apple released the $99 Magic Keyboard and $129 Magic Trackpad 2 (both reviewed here), and they’re perfect gifts — the sorts of items any Mac user would love, but perhaps not buy on their own. Each comes with a Lightning cable to recharge an integrated rechargeable battery. By comparison, Logitech’s $95 K811 Easy-Switch Keyboard adds backlit keys and 3-device simultaneous pairing for the same price, while its $75 Rechargeable Trackpad is an alternative with multi-touch support at a much lower price. If you’re OK with AA batteries, Apple’s older Magic Trackpad is available for $70.

Office Decor, Desk Declutterers + Stands

To help you sort through the many Mac-matching lamps, posters, desks, shelves and chairs out there, my guide to the best Mac office decor provides a look at great options across various materials and styles. A rare sale on Herman Miller’s famous Aeron chairs and Embody desks makes them ideal high-end gifts for the holidays; BlueLounge’s $25 Portiko power strips and $10 Pixi cable managers are nice entry-level options.

I’ve written a guide to the best Mac stands and mounts, ranging from portable flip-out stands to stationary desktop stands with storage inside. For closed MacBooks, Twelve South’s new BookArc ($50) is a good pick; the same company’s HiRise ($70) is a better pick for open MacBooks. My iMac sits on Just Mobile’s Drawer ($58, right), which matches the silver and black looks of Macs while storing peripherals, spare change, cables, and other desktop clutter.

Virtual Gifts: A Few Great Apps

It’s hard to give apps as gifts, but I have three Mac app recommendations that are top picks of 9to5’s editors. Pixelmator ($15) is a far more affordable alternative to Adobe’s Photoshop, including photo editing and painting tools that are optimized for each new version of OS X, with full iOS Pixelmator compatibility. Macphun’s Creative Kit 2016 ($150, currently on sale for $90) is an incredible bundle of photo processing tools; my review explains how they can be used to make even boring photos awesome. Tweetbot ($5) is the Twitter client your Mac deserves, featuring full OS X El Capitan compatibility and numerous customizations, including single- or multi-column modes.

Store Photos, Videos, Music + Backups: Great External Hard Drives

As photo, video, and music collections grow, most Macs strain to hold everything without running out of space. That’s why external hard drives have become so popular — they store whatever your Mac can’t manage on its own. If you have an iMac, Mac mini, or Mac Pro, the external drive I’d recommend is G-Technology’s affordable G-Drive USB (left). Starting at $150 for a 2TB model, you can double its capacity for only $40 more, a great investment in a fast, professional-grade drive that will last for years. For MacBook Air and Pro use, portable drives such as OWC’s thumbdrive-sized Envoy Pro mini (center), Seagate’s slim Seven and LaCie’s stylish Mirror (both at right) offer tradeoffs in size, capacity, and pricing. My article discusses the benefits and tradeoffs you’ll get from cheaper, higher-capacity drives versus more expensive, longer-lasting ones, so you can choose what’s best for your needs.

Free Your Mac: The Cheaper iTunes Server

Years ago, the only way to run a small, quiet iTunes media server was to buy a Mac mini — a $450 solution I went with and liked. But this year, I wanted to free my Mac from server duty, so I researched less expensive options. For $113, the iview Cyber PC gives you the ability to run the PC version of iTunes off a computer the size of a thumb drive, plugged directly into any HDTV’s HDMI port. Pair it with a tiny $38 SanDisk 128GB USB flash drive and you’ll have space to share movies and music across your Apple TVs, iOS devices, and other computers with ease.

Give The Gift Of Multitasking: Extra RAM

Installing more RAM is easy for older Macs. My guide to choosing and installing quality Mac RAM ($90-$180) explains which Macs are capable of being upgraded, which will help them run multiple apps without slowdowns. You’ll generally need a small Phillips head screwdriver (found alongside many others in this screwdriver kit) to open your Mac; very little skill is required for RAM installation.

Power-Up: Keep Your MacBook Running For Days

Keeping a MacBook running for days without access to a wall outlet isn’t easy. ChargeTech’s ChargeAll battery packs (shown above, reviewed here) work as portable wall outlets, ranging from $86 to $225 depending on the power you need. The $150 version shown above adds 5-7 hours of additional Mac run time. Users of the USB-C-powered 12″ Retina MacBook have an easier alternative: Anker’s PowerCore+ 20100 ($70) is a USB-C charger with more than enough power to fully refuel the super-thin Mac.

The Best Gift Of All: A New Mac

A new Mac is the sort of gift most people dream about — the best computers Apple makes today for work or school. My personal recommendations would be the following Macs for the following situations:

• A Retina iMac for desktop office and/or serious photography/videography use.
• A Retina MacBook Pro for portable productivity with Apple’s best overall combination of power, pricing, and screen quality.
• An 11″ MacBook Air or 12″ Retina MacBook for portable work or school use when power is less important than pricing and physical size. Go with the Air for a lower price and more power, the Retina MacBook for a better screen and less power at a higher price.
• A Mac mini to replace your aging Windows PC, or serve as a Mac media center/server for your home.

Regardless of the Mac you choose, the best prices I’ve seen anywhere are at B&H Photo Video. If you’re in any state other than New York, you’ll save a lot on sales tax with B&H, too.

More From This Author

Check out more of my reviews, How-To guides and editorials for 9to5Mac here! I’ve published a lot of different topics of interest to Mac, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Apple TV, and Apple Watch users, as well as a great holiday gift guide for iPhone users, and a separate holiday gift guide for Apple photographers.

Filed under: Buying Guides, Mac Tagged: gift guide, iMac, Mac, Mac Mini, Mac Pro, MacBook

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V-MODA makes some of the best earphones available. While sports stars and celebrities are normally seen wearing Beats, you’re more likely to find a pair of V-MODA cans wrapped around the necks of DJs. And if I’m going to trust someone’s judgement on an audio product, I’ll choose a music professional over a sportsperson any day.

In the past, I’ve owned the Crossfade M100 and now, the award-winning earphones are back with an added feature: wireless connectivity. I’ve been using the Crossfade Wireless for the past week or so, and they’re rather fantastic…

If you’ve used V-MODA M100 Crossfade earphones before, the Crossfade Wireless will be immediately recognizable. They feature the same overall design; the tough polycarbonate hexagonal cans, with the removable decorative shield on the outside, the same bendable and unbreakable steel headband which sits really close to your head when worn, even the same vegan leather covering and padding. But there are a couple of differences.

Firstly, although extendable, the forks which hold the earphones in place are no longer foldable, so you can’t collapse the earphones.  The newly design exoskeleton case design makes that clear. Instead of being relatively small and portable, the new case is pretty big and will take up a lot of space in most bags. There are also four buttons placed on the right earphone. One is for switching on/off the Bluetooth, there are two volume buttons near the top of the right can, and a button in the middle which is used to play, pause or skip tracks. Which action it performs depends on how many times, or for how long, you press it.

Overall build quality — as you’d expect from the Italian company — is superb. Everything, from the cable and steel headband to the earphones themselves is built to last. And they look really classy too. I chose the Gunmetal base color, which subtly combines black and metallic gray to great effect. Other choices include ‘Rouge’ which is black and red, ‘Phantom Chrome’ which is white chrome and black or the ‘White Silver’ version.

Which ever base color you choose, you can change the look by ordering custom shields to decorate them with. There are a number of 3D printed materials and colors you can choose from. They range from the cheap, brightly colored plastics, through $150 3D printed metals to $9000 precious metals. You can add monograms, V-Moda designed patterns or upload your own design to customize the shields further.

As you’d assume from the name, the V-Moda Crossfade Wireless use a Bluetooth connection to connect to your smartphone, tablet or computer. But if you’d rather stick with the trusty, long-lasting 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable instead, you can do. Either way, you’ll get fantastic sound.

Audio-wise, it’s one of those sets of headphones where you hear little elements within a track you maybe didn’t notice before. It could be a subtle shake of a tambourine in the background, or actually hearing a bassists fingers brushing over the strings as he plays. Even at high volumes they don’t tend to distort much, and they can get pretty loud. But even then, audio is clear albeit slightly bass-heavy. Even with the loud bass, none of the other frequencies tend to get muddied over. Middles and highs are still really clear and distinct.

Wearing them is a joy too. The earphones are really well padded, so they’re comfortable to wear for extended periods of time and they don’t leak out noise for other people to hear (and hate you for). They’re relatively lightweight, and the steel headband fits so snugly that there’s no rattling, or shaking. They hold incredibly well to my head, regardless of whether I’m sitting still, spinning in my office chair or walking. Going wireless adds to that feeling of security and freedom. I’m not worried that a sudden movement is going to pull a cable from my ear, or cause the earphones to fall off my head.

The one downside is one you’ll experience with pretty much any over-ear headphone: Your ears get pretty warm after 20-30 mins of constant listening. V-Moda claims you can get 12 hours of music playback, which you probably can if you use it at low-ish volume. I listened to music through them for a solid 3-5 hours throughout this week, and they’re still going strong. I just wish there was a more accurate way to check battery life that didn’t leave me needing to rely on one single light warning me of low battery when it’s already too late. Still, even if the battery did run out, I could plug in the audio cable and get unlimited use until I reached a charger.

Charging is done the usual way: A Micro USB cable. While a necessary addition, it does mean that only the right can has a 3.5mm jack. It doesn’t have one in each side like the M100.

As an overall package the V-MODA Crossfade Wireless ticks all the boxes for me. It’s a durable and attractive pair of headphones that delivers great audio quality, and does so without wires. Exactly the reason they made it on to my list of great gift ideas for this holiday season.

You can pick up all four standard color combinations with Prime delivery on Amazon for $299 or — if you want to customize them before ordering — through V-MODA’s online store, delivery will take a little longer with custom shields and coloring. If you happen to own an existing pair of V-Moda headphones, you can trade them in for up to 50% off the Crossfade Wireless through V-MODA’s Immortal Life Program.

Filed under: Reviews Tagged: Accessories, headphones, reviews, unboxing, V-MODA, V-MODA Crossfade Wireless, videos

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The average Apple Watch owner interacts with their Watch 60-80 times a day, but most of that usage doesn’t involve anything more than looking at the watch face, checking the time and information displayed in the complications. The least common thing people do on the Watch is read emails.

These are among the findings of two very different studies noted by Fortune. Wristly’s latest update provides a whole raft of data about what people do with their watches, based on a large panel of 1450 owners, but relying on users to estimate their usage. A Stockholm University study took the exact opposite approach, studying a mere dozen owners, but analysing video from wearable cameras to measure what people actually did rather than what they reported … 

In the Wristly study, 96% of panel members said that their most common interaction with the Watch was simply looking at the watchface. Other popular uses were checking Activity progress, responding to a text message, using Siri and checking their heart-rate. The least common activities among those Wristly asked about were using it as a remote and playing a game.

Wristly’s panel also confirmed something I’ve found, having now worn my own Apple Watch in three different seasons: a fifth of owners said that they expected to use their Watch less frequently (or even stop wearing it altogether) when cold and wet weather would mean wearing more layers of clothing, losing the convenience of simply glancing at their wrist.

The Stockholm study broadly supported Wristly’s usage reports, finding that half of all interactions were simply glancing at the watchface (for an average of 3.8 seconds), with checking notifications accounting for a further 23%. Activity-related activities (Activity rings, Workout app, Workout timer) came next, at 11%, with Siri in a fairly distant fourth place, at just 2% of interactions. Reading email came bottom at 0.1%.

The longest interactions were for Maps, where the average time using the app was 46 seconds, followed by the main Apps screen, at 33 seconds – suggesting Apple has some work to do in making it easier to find the desired one.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to buy an Apple Watch, you can pick one up now from $232 effective price after gift card.

Filed under: Apple Watch Tagged: Apple watch, Apple Watch apps, Apple Watch features, Apple Watch statistics, Apple Watch stats, Apple Watch usage, Siri

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Facebook today has unveiled its own SDK for the new Apple TV’s tvOS. In a blog post on its Developers site, Facebook says that using the Facebook SDK on tvOS will allow developers to build “immersive” social experiences on the platform including tools like login, sharing, and analytics.

One area in which many believe the new Apple TV has fallen short is text input, especially when logging into services and applications. Facebook’s SDK for tvOS, however, will users to quickly login using their Facebook credentials. If a user were to choose the Facebook method, they would be presented with a unique 8 digit code that they could then enter into their smartphone or tablet to authorize the application. There would be no need to use the on-screen Apple TV keyboard to enter full log-in information.

Facebook SDK on tvOS will also allow developers to implement the ability for users to share content from the Apple TV to their Facebook accounts. This could include content like videos, photos, gaming high scores, and more. Think of how apps on iOS allow Facebook sharing now.

Finally, Facebook’s tvOS SDK will allow developers to more easily track their audience and audience engagement. Developers who implement the SDK will be able to see what type of users are viewing their apps and use that data to make more poignant decisions.

Developers interested in building with Facebook SDK for tvOS can check out the company’s developmental guide for more details.

Filed under: Apple TV Tagged: Apple TV, Facebook, SDK, tvOS

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Satechi’s new Type-C USB Hub announced in October at first glance looks like the perfect solution for using single-port Retina MacBooks with wired accessories and SD cards. It adds three traditional USB 3.0 ports like MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros so you can plug in flash drives, Lightning cables, and most other USB accessories. It also reads SD cards and Micro SD Cards, just not at the same time. And the sleek hub is offered in Mac-matching colors that look almost official…

Satechi’s Type-C USB Hub doesn’t completely solve the single-port limitation of Retina MacBooks however. When Satechi announced Type-C USB Hub a few weeks ago, I mentioned that as a daily MacBook user, the lack of a USB-C port for power passthrough could potentially be an issue. In testing, that was indeed the case and no adapter would pass power off to the MacBook.

It works great for quick tasks especially when your MacBook is properly charged, but don’t expect to use Type-C USB Hub for several hours without monitoring your Mac’s battery. Apple’s pricey USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter adds a single USB 3.0 port and HDMI with USB-C passthrough for power, but for $79.

A rather trivial issue that caught my attention is that Type-C USB Hub slants down unevenly from the back toward the front to match the wedge shape of the MacBook (see top photo). It doesn’t change how it works and you don’t notice when you’re using your MacBook, but the hub is big enough that it looks a little odd up close. Otherwise the hub looks and feels quite nice with it’s almost-official look. The top side’s clean with nothing but an LED status indicator interrupting the surface.

Since USB-C is reversible like Lightning ports, you can connect Type-C USB Hub facing outward like an antenna or inward like an extension. Satechi branding is visible when facing outward, but connecting USB cables feels more stable and SD cards face up. When connected with the LED status indicator light visible, which seems like the correct way, connecting and disconnecting USB cables tends to rock the USB-C connection loose as well. If you’re in the middle of a photo import and transferring data over another USB port, you’ll want to keep this in mind. There’s also what feels like two levels of clicks to securely connect the hub, although the first level dimly lights the LED.

Execution issues aside, Satechi’s Type-C USB Hub does work just as advertised. I connected and charged an iPhone 6s, iPad Pro, and Magic Keyboard with Lightning cables through Type-C USB Hub, which is one more than the MacBook Air I owned before my MacBook could do. That’s also more connections than I’ll likely ever need with my MacBook. Just don’t expect to be able to use USB accessories like Apple’s SuperDrive, which demands more power.

The SD Card slot is perhaps the most useful part of the hub for me as I’m able to snap photos on my Nikon camera and easily import them to my MacBook. Having that ability in a sleek hub that also has three USB 3 ports means I’m more likely to have it handy when I need it. I would gladly trade the third USB 3.0 port for a USB-C port with power pass through though.

If you’re only looking to turn your single USB-C port into a single USB 3.0 port, Satechi also offers small, color-matched adapters to do just that. I briefly tried one when testing Type-C USB Hub, and generally the same rules apply. There’s an LED status indicator and you can connect to iOS devices, flash drives, and other common USB accessories and devices, but no powering SuperDrives.

Satechi’s Type-C USB Hub is sold in three finishes: gold, silver, and gunmetal (which matches space gray) for $34.99 (reg. $39.99). Satechi’s smaller USB-C to USB adapter is also available in gold, silver, and gunmetal and goes for $9.99 (reg. $14.99). For the MacBook matching design and SD Card slot, I recommend Type-C USB Hub as long as you can manage not charging your MacBook while using the added ports.

Note: Gold hubs are currently out of stock (silver and gunmetal are available), but you can sign up here to be alerted when they’re back.

Filed under: Mac, Reviews Tagged: MacBook, Retina MacBook, Satechi, USB-C

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Feature Request is a new regular 9to5Mac series where authors offer their opinion on how to improve popular hardware or software products.

With the introduction of iPad Pro, now is the time for Apple to finally bring Logic Pro to its tablet. Apple has long had Garageband available for iOS devices, offering what is essentially a feature for feature companion for the desktop Mac app, albeit with a user interface tweaked for the smaller touch display. But it’s not much help to pros that have their workflow in Apple’s professional audio editing suite for Mac, Logic Pro.

Apple does have an iPad app for Logic, Logic Pro Remote, which I wrote about when it launched alongside Apple’s major redesign of Logic Pro a couple of years back. It offers the ability to control your Logic projects on Mac, and it does it fairly well, but with improvements to iPads in recent years— the new larger display on the iPad Pro, multitasking, and a new cross-platform audio plugin version that works across Mac and iOS— I think it’s finally time Apple brings a full version of Logic Pro to the iPad.

Especially with the iPad Pro aimed at a pro market and most app makers targeting pros, a Logic Pro suite for iPad would make the device much more attractive to audio pros like myself and a real valuable tool for in the studio and on the go.

Portable studio recording features:

At the minimum, what the app really needs to make it a useful standalone audio suite rather than just the remote for Logic on the Mac, is recording features.

Being able to record something quickly on an iPad, for example when out of the studio or on the road, and then have it synced to a session on the Mac via iCloud, is something that is currently a clunky experience at best using other audio recording apps on iOS. To make it a great experience, we need Apple to build Logic Pro for iPad (and or build APIs for iOS devs) with full cross-platform file support for syncing sessions and or tracks from within sessions between devices easily.

The ability to record some ideas when mobile and quickly transfer or sync to Mac is something we only currently have workarounds for. For now, we’re unfortunately stuck with bouncing tracks to audio out of third-party audio suites on iOS, and that’s far from ideal to say the least.

iPad Pro, Plugins and Split-screen apps:

And beyond just basic recording features, now that Apple has support for real audio plugins on iOS, split-screen apps, and the larger, faster iPad Pro, there’s even more potential for a full Logic Pro experience on the iPad.

With the iPad Pro’s larger display now in MacBook-size territory, audio plugins make a lot more sense— you can now have a plug-in open large enough to manipulate its controls while still having a full view of your session timeline or, for example, two or more plug-ins side-by-side. With all that extra real estate, fitting in a user interface with the complexity of Logic Pro and the plug-ins others make for it in general starts to become a reality.

It’s also likely going to make it easier to attract the popular plug-in makers from Logic on the Mac, many of which don’t have offerings on iOS, to build versions of their plugins that work on iOS too.

Controllers, customizable interfaces, touchscreen possibilities:

And likewise, the larger display iPad means lots of new possibilities for using the iPad as a virtual controller. The more screen real estate means the more potential for MIDI controllers with inventive and or customizable user interfaces. We could get a lot closer to a knob-per-function user interface for our favorite synth apps.

But perhaps Apple has more in store for us with the iPad Pro. A lot of developers haven’t updated their apps yet to take advantage of the larger display and new UI possibilities. Even Apple’s own Garageband hasn’t received the iPad Pro treatment, for example, despite the company confirming an optimized UI is on the way with images on its website and elsewhere. But with the larger display, it’s time for Apple to offer apps truly aimed at professionals on a device that carries the “Pro” tag.

Filed under: Feature Request, iOS Tagged: Apple, Feature Request, iPad Pro, Logic Pro, recording, remote, sharing, transferring

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Apple Watch benefits from deeper blacks and greater energy efficiency thanks to OLED technology

Apple is expected to begin shifting iPhones from LCD displays to improved OLED screens starting in 2018, according to Nikkei Asian Review. Currently the display technology is only used by Apple to produce Apple Watch displays while iPhones and iPads use older LCD technology. OLED benefits from greater contrast levels and much deeper blacks as the display only illuminates to present color. This offers energy efficiency that leads to improved battery life compared lighting up the entire display each time.

Nikkei claims that Apple has notified its suppliers that it wants to move to OLED iPhones in 2018, but adds that a mix of LCD and OLED iPhones are expected initially due to iPhone demand and OLED production limitations. The report also says Apple is weighing how well OLED displays hold up over time versus LCD displays before committing to the switch. Both Samsung and LG, which currently produce OLED panels, are expected to be primary suppliers of OLEDs for iPhones, which would negatively impact current LDC display partners Sharp and Japan Display.

The report follows a recent research note from reliable supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI, which similarly concluded that Apple will not be switching from LCD to OLED displays in iPhones in 2016 or 2017. KGI noted that iPhone manufacturer Foxconn has invested $4 billion into a new LCD display plant, and low yield rates currently prevent Apple from making the jump any time soon.

Given Apple’s tick-tock behavior of introducing redesigned iPhone models one year, then improving on that design with advanced hardware the following year, the two reports suggest LCD screens will stick around for the next couple of iPhone 7 models, then possibly be replaced by OLED screens for the iPhone 8 or possibly iPhone 8s at the earliest. It’s also worth keeping in mind that OLED rumors have been brewing for a while now, and plans could change over the next several years based on a number of factors.

The iOS interface would also likely need to shift from a mostly white to a black-based version design similar to Apple Watch for iPhones to benefit from the energy efficiency gains. We know Apple’s Design chief Jony Ive would like to make the switch, however, based on comments comparing the “old” iPhone display on current models to that of the Apple Watch in an interview earlier this year.

Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: Algebra 1, Apple watch, iPhone, iPhone 7, iPhone 8, iPhones, japan display, KGI, LDC, lg, Nikkei, Nikkei Asian Review, OLED, Samsung

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This week, we’re discussing all things Apple Pencil. Should you buy one? Who is it for? Today, we’ll get to the bottom of Apple Pencil along with our impressions and opinions. The Happy Hour podcast is available for download on iTunes and through our dedicated RSS feed.

New episodes of Happy Hour are available every Wednesday. As mentioned, you can download this podcast via iTunes or plug in our RSS feed link into your favorite podcasting app. Send an email to listenermail@9to5mac.com (or click here) and your question/comment may be featured in an upcoming episode of Happy Hour.

Note: iTunes (web interface and app) may still be propagating the new episode which could take up to 24 hours. Subscribing to the podcast feed will guarantee the latest episode is downloaded.

Hosts:

• Zac Hall
• Benjamin Mayo

Here’s what we discussed in this episode:

• Review: Apple Pencil is the best iPad writing tool yet … if you can handle the Pro’s size

Also, check out our iPad Pro unboxing and impressions video:

If you missed our 41st episode last week, you can subscribe and find every episode or start off from the previous episode here.

Remember: Subscribe on iTunes to catch all of the episodes as they go live and send in your questions/comments to listenermail@9to5mac.com.

Filed under: Happy Hour Tagged: Apple, Apple Pencil, Happy Hour, iPad Pro, Podcast, Technology

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Two weeks into using the iPad Pro, I’m even more convinced of something I believed during week one: the 12.9″ iPad is good on its own, but if an accessory adds enough bulk to make it feel like a poor man’s laptop, it starts to stink. I suspect that’s why Apple let another company release the first iPad Pro keyboard case; once you’ve tried something as big as Logitech’s Create, you’ll start searching for a “smarter” solution.

From where I stand, Urban Armor Gear’s new Composite Case for iPad Pro ($80) is a much better alternative to both Logitech’s and Apple’s solutions — so well thought-out and polished that it’s bound to inspire copycats. It begins by offering a ruggedized case and two highly distinctive features — a three-angle metal kickstand, and an integrated Apple Pencil holder — that would in and of themselves fully justify the price tag. But UAG went further, including optional Apple Smart Keyboard compatibility, and offering MIL-STD-810G anti-drop protection. While there will eventually be slimmer and simpler iPad Pro cases, Composite Case currently offers every feature an iPad Pro owner could want…

I’ve long favored iPad cases with integrated stands; ZeroChroma’s Folio Slides and earlier Vario-SC cases literally transformed the way my standless iPads get used every day. But even though I love their adjustability, ZeroChroma’s plastic stands tend to wear down over time, requiring replacement. Based on a design previously introduced for Microsoft’s Surface Pro tablets, UAG’s Composite Case instead includes a stand made from silver aluminum, with an internal hard plastic hinge mechanism that supports three different angles. It’s an excellent stand, and the single best feature of the case.

The strongest recline is a deep lean that works well for typing on an external keyboard, akin to Logitech’s Create, while the shallowest angle is around 10 to 15 degrees behind a fully upright 90-degree angle. Between them is a third angle that’s a gentle, Apple-like recline. I love the versatility these angles permit; by comparison with Apple’s iPad Pro Smart Covers, the only thing missing is an angle to support on-screen virtual typing.

The rest of the case is also made from sturdier materials. Like ZeroChroma’s cases, it’s made mostly from a slightly flexible plastic that mostly preserves its shape, but in typical UAG style, it sports rear panels with “Frogskin” accents that give it a “near-future military” look. In the jet black version (called “Scout”), the Frogskin accents merely add textured grips, but blue (“Cobalt”) and red (“Rogue”) Composite Cases pop with spots of color. I’d personally favor the all-black Composite for an iPad Pro, but to each their own.

Between the grips and the MIL-STD-810G anti-drop protection, your chances of accidentally dropping the Pro radically decrease, while the Pro’s chances of safely surviving a drop radically increase. Composite Case’s deliberately (and thankfully) basic front has a 2mm-thick bezel, which can keep your Pro’s screen from touching whatever flat surface the case comes to rest on. The more complex back is the reason Composite roughly doubles the Pro’s natural thickness at some points, most notably at the center and long edges.

My second favorite feature in Composite Case juts out from the front right edge: an Apple Pencil holder. While it’s a risky move for UAG to include a place to hold an optional, $100 accessory, the omission of an Apple Pencil storage solution has been conspicuous in other iPad Pro accessories, so it’s welcome here. Made from the same slightly pliable plastic as the rest of the case, it adds 6mm of width and 3-4mm of thickness to a 30mm box on Composite’s edge. As an Apple Pencil user, I consider it a major selling point of an iPad Pro case.

Another nice touch is Composite Case’s optional Smart Keyboard compatibility — the first practical solution I’ve seen to address the needs of both Smart Keyboard users and the many people who won’t spend $170 on the optional accessory. If you want to attach a keyboard, a hard plastic bracket detaches from Composite Case’s long edge to permit both magnetic and Smart Connector attachment. Should you prefer not use the feature, five pegs and latches keep the bracket in place. I love that UAG included the bracket, but have no desire to use it.

Why? Composite Case frees iPad Pro users to adopt what will — in the absence of a better Apple solution — become the dominant “large tablet” paradigm going forward: as-needed access to a wireless keyboard such as Logitech’s K811 or Apple’s Magic Keyboard rather than a bulky, always-connected wired keyboard. Up until now, the key missing piece to enable this for the iPad Pro was an integrated stand, but Composite Case fixes that while adding drop protection and an Apple Pencil holder to the tablet. Apple’s $140 alternative — pairing an $80 iPad Pro Silicone Case with a $60 iPad Pro Smart Cover — is more expensive, less drop-safe, and has no Apple Pencil solution.

Having actually used Composite Case with my iPad Pro, I can tell you that it’s impressive enough to keep on the tablet at all times: polished, sturdy, and practical. It adds only a little weight and size to the already large tablet, while radically expanding its utility. The only way the iPad Pro fits into my life is when it has an ever-present stand to support it on flat surfaces, and preferably both protection and easy access to the Apple Pencil. I’m genuinely thankful that Composite Case is here already to deliver on all these fronts; it’s worthy of my highest recommendation.

More From This Author

Check out more of my editorials, How-To guides and reviews for 9to5Mac here! I’ve published a lot of different topics of interest to Mac, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Apple TV, and Apple Watch users, as well as a great holiday gift guide for iPhone users, and a separate holiday gift guide for Apple photographers.

Filed under: iOS Devices, Reviews Tagged: Apple Pencil, Composite Case, iPad Pro, iPad Pro case, Urban Armor Gear

Continue reading more about iOS Devices, Reviews, and iPad Pro at 9to5Mac.

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Black Friday Target: Apple Watch effective prices start at $232 thanks to free Gift Cards and REDcard savings, more:

• iPad mini 2 w/ free $80 Target Gift Card from $269
• iPad Air w/ free $100 target Gift Card from $399
• iPad Air 2 w/ free $100 target Gift Card from $499

The rest of the most notable early Black Friday sales can be found below:

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.

Heads up! During Black Friday/Cyber Monday you’re going to have to follow us on Twitter to get the best deals since many sell out too quickly to post.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Pixelmator – our favorite photo editing app for Mac gets a 50% discount today: $15 (Reg. $30)

B&H Photo’s Black Friday Mac Deals live! 5K iMac: $1579, Mac Pro: $500 off, Retina MacBook: $170 off (Tax in NY only)

• 27-inch iMac w/ 5K Display 3.2GHz/8GB/1TB HDD (newest version): $1,629 (Reg. $1,799)

• 12-inch MacBook w/ Retina Display 1.2Ghz/8GB/512GB (newest version): $1,429 (Reg. $1,599)

• Mac Pro 3.7GHz/12GB/256GB (newest version): $2,699 (Reg. $2,99)

HyperDrive Macbook Storage Expander adds up to 200GB with no extra bulk: $20 Shipped (Orig. $30, CA Tax only)

Parallels $79.99 Black Friday Bundle: Free 1Password, Evernote, Camtasia, Pocket, PDFPen, Snagit, more

Cyber Monday Ad Roundup: What to expect from Target, Best Buy, Walmart and others

Amazon releases its Cyber Monday strategy with rotating deals every five minutes

Best of Black Friday — Apple: deals on iPad Air 2, iPhone 6s/Plus, Apple Watch, Macs, more!

Amazon’s Black Friday deals go live later this week w/ mobile shoppers getting extra perks

Top 5 ways to score the year’s best online Black Friday deals

10 can’t-miss deals for the holiday season: HDTVs, iPad Air 2, iPhone 6s, more

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Free downloads via Amazon: dozens of songs, movies, TV episodes, apps and eBooks

• Blue Microphones over 35% off: Yeti $85, Snowball $34 Prime shipped
• Fitbit Charge HR Activity Monitor: $114 shipped (Reg. $150)
• Early Black Friday Fashion: Save 50% at Gap – Polar Fleece Jacket $30, others
• Daily Deals: Samsung 50-inch LED 4K HDTV $755, iPad mini 3 $300, more
• Games/Apps: Zelda Skyward Sword & Kirby’s Dream Collection (pre-owned) $20 each
• Car Tech: iOttie Easy One Touch iPhone 6s/Plus Car Mount $10 (Reg. $17+), more
• Soundfreaq Sound Rise: $70 Shipped (Orig $80, CA Tax only)
• Pay what you want for the Learn to Code Bundle(Orig. $1,539)

BLACK FRIDAY AD LEAKS & NEWS:

Best of Black Friday – Streaming Media Players: Apple TV 64GB $180, Roku SE $20, 2-Pack Chromecast (2nd gen) $50, more

Best of Black Friday – Smart Home: Nest Thermostat $250 + $50 GC, Philips Hue kit $130

Best of Black Friday – HDTVs: 40-inch from $149, Samsung 55-inch Smart $580 (Reg. $1,200), more

Best of Black Friday – iPads, Tablets and e-readers: iPad Air 2 from $360, Amazon Fire $35 (Reg. $50), more

Best of Black Friday – Games: Xbox One/PS4 console bundles, deep discounts on games, more

Best of Black Friday – wearables: Fitbit Flex $59/Charge $90/more, $100 off Apple Watch, Android smartwatches, more

Best Buy’s Black Friday ad brings deals on Apple Watch, Macs, HDTVs, games & more!

• MacMall’s Black Friday 2015 Ad leaks, we have all 50+ pages
• Walmart’s Black Friday ad leak hits with 4K UHDTV deals, iPad Air 2 $100 off, more
• Target previews its top Black Friday deals, launches surprise one-day sale
• Staples Black Friday Ad Revealed: iPad Air 2 from $374, mini 4 $300, more
• Amazon plans dramatic Black Friday discounts for its Kindle, Fire TV Stick & Fire tablet
• Amazon’s Black Friday Deals store is now open for business
• ShopRunner’s 2-day shipping service may be your best friend this Black Friday
• eBay’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday will deliver deals on MacBooks, iPhone, iPad Air 2
• GameStop Black Friday ad leak: PS4/Xbox One bundles $300, new Nintendo 3DS XL $180
• Costco’s Black Friday ad includes deals on Chromecast (2nd gen), Fitbit Flex, more
• Microsoft launches its Black Friday promo early for Xbox Live Gold Members
• Toys R Us Black Friday ad leak: Xbox One/PS4 bundles $300, more
• Sam’s Club Black Friday ad leak: iPad Air 2 Cellular $175 off, Google Play $100 GC $80
• Kohl’s Black Friday ad leak: more PS4/Xbox One $300 bundles, home goods, clothing
• Sam’s Club One-Day Sale: iPhone 6s/Plus $100 off, iPad Air 2 64GB/128GB $150 off
• HHGregg Black Friday: Beats Powerbeats2 Wireless Headphones $100, more
• Sports Authority Black Friday Ad: Free gift cards w/ footwear, FitBit Charge HR $120
• McDonald’s offer nets you a free Big Mac or Egg McMuffin per week for 1 year
• eBay calls on Black Friday shoppers to decide which products will get discounted this year
• BJ’s Warehouse Black Friday ad hits with Samsung 4K UHDTV deals, fitness trackers
• Sears Black Friday Ad: deals on Samsung 4K UHDTV’s, more
• Black Friday ad leaks drop for Lowe’s, Menards, Cabela’s, and more
• Grab 2 free ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ tickets during Black Friday at Kohl’s
• The Office Depot & OfficeMax Black Friday ad doesn’t bring much to the table

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Spigen’s aluminum Apple Watch Stand is down to just $8 shipped (Reg. $16)

Apple AirPort Extreme 802.11ac Wireless Router (refurbished): $100 shipped (Orig. $199)

Apple iPod touch (6th gen) in multiple colors: 16GB $159, 32GB $199, 64GB $239 + free shipping

Save on the 3rd Gen 1080p Apple TV with this refurb deal: $40 shipped (Orig. $69)

• iTunes HD Movies: Godfather Trilogy $10, Rocky Collection $30, more
• AirPrint All-in-One Printers: Brother Laser $85 (Reg. $99+), more
• Garmin Dash Cam 20 HD Driving Recorder with GPS: $150 shipped (Orig. $250)
• Jawbone Mini Jambox Wireless Bluetooth Speaker $47 shipped
• Panasonic Sound Rush Plus On-Ear Headphones $15 shipped (Reg. $60)
• Herman Miller takes rare 15% off world’s best office chairs + desks
• App Store Free App of the Week: Stackables ($3 value)
• Canon Pre-Black Friday Sale: T5 w/ 18-55mm lens kit (refurb) $200 (Orig. $549), more
• Home Theater: Sony 300W soundbar w/ wireless subwoofer $198 (Reg. $350), more
• ASUS Chromebox 1.7GHz/4GB/16GB: $199 or $175 w/ Visa Checkout (Reg. $230)
• Maker Architect 3D Printer $400 shipped (Orig. $600)
• Media: Mad Men Complete Seasons $5/ea on DVD, more
• The Black Friday Mac Bundle offers 10 productivity-boosting apps for $34.99 (Orig. $533)
• Save 25% on Nike Gear: FlyKnit Lunar 3 Men’s Shoes $90 (Orig. $150), more
• Samsung SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit: $199 shipped (Reg. $249)
• USB roundup: Anker MFi 3ft Lightning cable $4 Prime shipped, Power Banks from $6, more
• Seagate Backup Plus External Desktop Hard Drive: 5TB $120, 8TB $200
• Portable Solid-State Drives: SanDisk 120GB $60, 240GB $80 + more
• Samsung Chromebook 2 2.16GHz/2GB/16GB SSD: $149 shipped (Reg. $190+)
• Twelve South BookBook for iPhone 5/5s: $20 Prime shipped (Reg. $60)
• NETGEAR DOCSIS 3.0 High Speed Cable Modem: $80 shipped (Reg. $100)
• Toys 20% off – NERF, Melissa & Doug, more + Buy 2 Get 1 free Board Games
• Amazon Kindle e-Reader deals from $50 shipped, Paperwhite $100 (Reg. $120)
• APC Back-UPS 450VA Network 8-Outlet UPS $28 shipped (Reg. $55)
• MacPhun offers up to 85% off Creative Kit 2016 for Black Friday: $89 (Reg. $630)
• Pebble Time iOS/Android Smartwatch: $130 shipped (Reg. $200)
• Home Theater: Samsung 55-inch Smart 4K LED UHDTV $900 (Reg. $1,200), more
• Verizon launches freebies promotion: 1GB of data, $5 iTunes credit, more
• Samsung Bluetooth Soundbar w/ Wireless Subwoofer: $148 (Reg. $228)
• Japanese interactive dictionary app goes free for the first time in years (Reg. $7)
• Download Michael Jackson’s Thriller album for free (Reg. $10)
• Networking: TP-LINK Archer C5 802.11ac Router + Wi-Fi Extender $105 ($135 value), more
• Implosion – Never Lose Hope for iOS goes free for the first time ($10 value)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

Unboxing and Review: Star Wars Battlefront limited edition PS4 is out of this galaxy [Video]

Mohu launches a “high-end” speaker with built-in Android display, save 10%

• Leica introduces a new low-cost M series camera, but don’t expect bargain pricing
• D-Link takes all the smart things and puts them together in one Komfy light switch
• Curate With Me, Win A Prize: 2015’s Most Coveted Holiday Tech Gifts List!
• The ultimate 4K set-top box battle [Video]
• GENII’s CAST streaming box skirts copyright rules to beam your content to friends

Filed under: Tips and Tricks Tagged: Amazon, Apple Black Friday, apple deals, Apple watch, Black Friday, Black Friday ad leak, coupon codes, Cyber Monday, Daily Deals, Deals, free, free shipping, Freebies, iMac, iPad Air 2, ipad mini 2, Pixelmator, playstation 4, target, xbox one

Check out 9to5Mac for more breaking coverage of Tips and Tricks, Apple watch, and Daily Deals.

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