You probably have a large TV as big as 80 inches in your front room. But have you considered a projector that can deliver video as big as 200 inches? This is where the NEBULA Cosmos 4K SE Projector comes in.

Priced at $1299 / £1299, Nebula's latest product wants to redefine what it means to use a projector, which brought me back to a time when I was back in school. Back then, projectors were used to showcase Microsoft PowerPoint presentations to large classrooms, but the image would be so dark and grainy that it would be hard to decipher what the slides displayed.

Fast forward to 2024, and projectors have come a long way. Compact projectors can generate gigantic images with no degradation with very high brightness. The Cosmos 4K SE Projector takes this to the next level, with the ability to project your videos and photos in crisp 4K Dolby Vision, with a brightness technology called HybridBeam that can display content at 1,800 lumens. There's even a handle, perfect to bring along for family vacations, especially for when the kids might want to watch some shows on the Cosmos 4K SE.

Lights, Projector, Action

Since testing the Cosmos 4K SE for a few days, we've found it to be a fantastic option for your front room or when traveling. Being able to use it almost anywhere with a flat surface, as well as maintaining picture quality for watching movies and playing games is second to none. In fact, I'm considering replacing my LG C2 TV and using the Cosmos 4K SE full-time instead. The convenience of moving it around my home when needed is hard to resist.

Granted, this projector may be a bit steep price-wise, but for what the Cosmos 4K SE offers, you could argue that the £1299 is justified, especially if you like to live the full van life.

When you combine the brightness levels that the Cosmos 4K SE is capable of, as well as the ability to watch the best Apple TV Plus shows, as well as use apps like Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube thanks to Google TV, you've got a fantastic projector that you can take anywhere, bringing the full cinema experience with you.

If you’re about to upgrade to a new iPhone 16 or Apple Watch Series 10, you're going to need a power bank to keep them charged, especially in the run-up to Christmas.

Earlier this month, Anker launched several accessories for its new MagGo range. This is the company’s effort to offer products that quickly charge multiple devices at once, wherever you are. These include:

• Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1, Foldable Pad)
• Anker MagGo Wireless Charger (Stand)
• Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, 35W, For Apple Watch)
• Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) out October 5
• Anker MagGo Magnetic Case with Stand (360° Ring Stand, For iPhone)

A Foldable Winner

While the power banks explain themselves, the 3-in-1 Wireless Foldable Charging Station looks to be the highlight of the new MagGo range. When folded, the 3-in-1 is the size of an Apple Watch — but when unfolded, three Qi chargers appear, each with a respective label to help you tell which device to place on them.

I've been able to try out the 3-in-1 foldable, and I've already found it to be incredibly useful and compact. I've had it in the back pocket of my jeans when I was on a commute at the weekend that required me to be on multiple trains. Plugging the foldable into the mains with its USB-C port, followed by placing my iPhone and AirPods Pro 2 on them for a quick charge was very useful.

However, while the 3-in-1 foldable has already helped me on my travels, there are some other products in the new MagGo range that are also worth mentioning, available now:

More from iMore

• Best stands to charge both iPhone and Apple Watch
• Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station Review
• Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe review

With the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro arriving on September 20, I've been looking at the accessories I've used over the past 12 months and decided it's time for a few upgrades to mark my 16 Pro purchase.

I usually carry a backpack around with me, filled with accessories to help me in any situation for my iPhone, Mac, and Nintendo Switch. This includes power banks, spare USB-C wires, and a cloth for when my Mac's screen gets too dirty.

Granted, these accessories still work perfectly with the best iPhones such as the iPhone 15 and iPhone SE — but why not mark a new upgrade with a new power bank, game controller, and more? With that in mind, I've listed seven accessories below that I'll be buying for my iPhone 16 Pro. Some could give you an idea of how they could help you as well, especially if you're considering an iPhone upgrade too.

Seven accessories I'm buying for my iPhone 16 Pro

There you have it: seven accessories I'll have ready to use for my iPhone 16 Pro. Granted, some of these may not fit everyone's needs, such as the Thermal Camera, but if you're starting to play a lot of games thanks to emulators like Delta and Gamma, the GameSir G8+ Controller is a solid choice. Are you thinking of refreshing your accessories in the lead-up to the iPhone 16 line? If so, what's on your list? Let us know in the iMore forums.

After owning an M1 Pro MacBook Pro for several years, I decided it was time to look at some new accessories to mark the arrival of macOS Sequoia, the latest software update for compatible Macs.

Having tested the public beta during the Summer, I found Sequoia to be a solid update, featuring great improvements when running games through its Game Porting Toolkit 2 framework via Whisky, and iPhone Mirroring Mode, which lets me use the best iPhones directly on my Mac.

After exploring these new features, I began to consider some new accessories to complement the arrival of Sequoia, released on September 16. Since I use my Mac everywhere, I wanted to see if there were some peripherals to help my workflow and gaming sessions.

With this in mind, I've found four great options — all at an affordable price.

Four accessories I've bought for my Mac

There you have it — four accessories that are already helping me use macOS Sequoia. Granted, some or all of these may not suit how you use your Mac. Are there any accessories you're thinking of buying? Let us know in the iMore Forums.

We pretty much got what we expected from Apple's Glowtime event today, with the reveals of the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, AirPods 4, AirPods Max and Apple Watch Series 10. One thing we didn't expect, however, was FineWoven.

While last year's iPhone models were a hit, Apple took no small amount of criticism for its FineWoven accessories. The material, intended to replace leather on the company's case lineup, didn't feel particularly premium and would quite often fray.

In fact, for the first time in my life, I bought an Apple case, only to have to request a refund. And yet, from the ashes, Apple has brought back FineWoven a year later - sort of.

Apple has resurrected FineWoven

If you were hoping for a FineWoven case for your new iPhone 16 model, you'll be disappointed - Apple has deemed that experiment a failed one it seems.

Still, you can grab a FineWoven MagSafe wallet in one of four new color options on the Apple Store; Dark Green, Black, Dark Blue, or Blackberry.

Even more surprising are a range of new FineWoven Key Ring options for your AirTags at $35 each and in the same color options as above, with the added addition of Chartreuse.

Is this Apple testing the waters for a FineWoven comeback? That remains to be seen, but it appears there's life in it yet.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 10, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

With just days to go before Apple is expected to announce its iPhone 16 lineup, a popular accessory maker has announced a new line of charging devices.

UGREEN is launching a new charging lineup called Uno, designed specifically for iPhone users. This collection stands out by telling users when their devices are charged through a friendly robot aesthetic. Some of the products can be bought right now, while some will be available to buy later this month. This new lineup includes the following:

• Uno Charger 100W
• Uno Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 10000mAh 15W
• Uno 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger 15W
• Uno Power Bank 10000mAh 30W
• Uno 6-in-1 USB-C Hub
• Uno USB-C to USB-C Cable 100W

While many of the above are self-explanatory, the one that intrigues us the most is the Uno Charger 100W. Together with the 6-in-1 USB-C Hub, they adapt a mini-robot that can show off different emojis.

UGREEN calls this 'The Groovy', showcasing different expressions to tell you when it's charging your iPhone. "The Groovy, unique robot appearance can be both cool and cute, serving as an attractive figurine on the desk even when not charging. During the charging process, as the charging status changes, the TFT Screen could support the display of more cute emojis."

The Uno Charger 100W will be available from September 16 priced at $59.99 — which puts it just before the rumored release date of September 20, when the iPhone 16 lineup is expected to launch.

Getting ready for the next vacation — iMore's take

You've likely returned from a vacation and you're about to get ready for the Back to School season, which means plenty of moments involving battery packs and wires to keep you and your family's devices charged up. I found myself in a similar situation a few weeks ago, grateful to keep my iPhone 15 Pro Max and Nintendo Switch powered on thanks to some accessories.

Much like Anker, I've always been a fan of UGREEN and its innovative products, especially how the company makes a concerted effort to make it fun to charge up your devices. I'm intrigued by the Uno Charger 100W with its 'Groovy' emoji. So much so, that I'm considering it as a Christmas present for my niece. UGREEN proves with its new Uno series that charging doesn't have to be a chore.

More from iMore

• iPhone 16's new button leaks again ahead of September 9 event
• FineWoven cases have been selling so poorly that it looks like Apple will discontinue them
• This gaming case could be the perfect accessory for your iPhone 16

The Beats Studio3 headphones might be a few years old now, but they're still a great set of cans. In fact, they're among our top picks of the best Apple headphones. And they're even better when you can get them for less – which is exactly what this deal offers.

Over on Amazon UK, you can score a pair of Beats Studio3 for just £140 — that's 60% off the price you'd pay for them directly at Apple and well below their all-time low price set during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. The deal applies to various colorways, and this deal will only last for today.

The cheapest Apple over-ear headphones

The biggest selling point of the Beats Studio3 wireless headphones is the active noise cancellation, which lets you tune everything else out while focusing entirely on your tunes. Enjoy music, podcasts, movies, TV shows, or a game without having to crank the volume to drown out your surroundings.

How long can you enjoy all of that content before needing to charge your headphones? A long time, actually. The headphones feature 22 hours of battery life when using active noise cancellation and a whopping 40 hours of battery life when the feature is turned off. If things get dire, plugging them in for just 10 minutes will kick in Fast Fuel and get you another 3 hours of listening time.

All of these features, while great on their own, are made even better by the fact that these headphones pack in the W1 chip. The processor makes it easy to pair your headphones, and switch the connection between, all of your Apple devices. This also enables them to support Audio Sharing, which lets you share audio from your iPhone or iPad between two sets of headphones.

Our review gave the Beats Studio3 four stars, praising their easy connectivity and lengthy battery life. The headphones come with a RemoteTalk cable, a USB charging cable, and a hard shell carrying case that the headphones fold neatly into when not in use.

If you're not sold on the Beats Studio3 cans, check out our list of the best wireless noise-cancelling headphones for some other choice picks with varying features and price points.

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• Beats Studio Pro review: Nuthin' but a "USB-C" thang
• Revealed: Dr. Dre leaking the Apple Beats deal early cost $200 million
• Beats Flex review: $50 Apple headphones ... 'nuf said

Sandisk has announced a groundbreaking 8-terabyte SD card that raises the ceiling for portable external storage, though the release date and pricing are yet to be determined.

Western Digital, the parent company of Sandisk, revealed this high-capacity SD card in a press release but didn’t share details on its price or release date. It’s worth mentioning that Sandisk previously announced the first 4TB SD cards in April, with an expected release date of next year. It’s possible the 8TB version may arrive around the same time. For context, 8TB of storage can hold up to 2,000 hours of high-definition video or 2 million high-resolution photos — making it unlikely that you’ll run out of storage anytime soon.

However, it’s important to note that any SD card that’s over 2TB has an SDUC (Secure Digital Ultra Capacity) tag. This means that devices need to support SDUC otherwise these cards won’t work, which currently excludes every Apple device available. We may have to wait for the rumored M4 Macs to add support for these SDUC SD cards. In the meantime, if you need something with a lot of storage right now, you can buy a 1TB SD card on Amazon right now, which works with the best Macs, iPads, and iPhones.

Don’t wait for an 8TB SD card

Yes, an 8TB SD card sounds great in terms of both storage and size, but you can currently buy some of the best external hard drives that roughly offer the same amount of storage.

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• I installed Windows XP on my iPad just to play Pinball and Mario 64 at the same time, and the internet went mad
• iPad Air and iPad mini next on the list for OLED screen upgrade

Logitech is one of the biggest players in the world of accessories, and not just for Mac, iPad, and iPhone owners. It makes some of the most popular keyboards and mice around, and it's a company that's always on the lookout for what comes next. But that desire to find a way to continually find new ways to make money has found it in hot water, and it's all because of a mouse.

In a recent podcast interview Logitech CEO Hanneke Faber was heard saying that he believed that the company should look towards building the "forever mouse," a product that would allow people to buy a single mouse and then have it last considerably longer than traditional input devices. Faber likened it to a watch that would last a lifetime, but there obvious question soon came up — how would such a thing be monetized.

So how would a company like Logitech monetize a mouse that lasts forever, in a world where people wouldn't need to give it money every couple of years to buy a new one? Well, it'd offer some sort of subscription model, of course. And that suggestion was as well received as you might imagine. But was it really such a bad idea?

Your forever mouse, for a price

The comments came in an episode of The Verge's Decoder podcast and have since been backtracked by the company.

“The forever mouse, I think, is one of the things that we’d like to get to,” Faber said when discussing the idea on the podcast. The discussion went on, with the CEO admitting that "the business model obviously is the challenge," adding later that selling high-end hardware that is then supported by a subscription is how the company's video conferencing business currently works. When pushed on whether Faber was suggesting that people buy a mouse and then pay a subscription, the response was simple. "Yeah, and you never have to worry about it again, which is not unlike our video conferencing services today," the CEO answered.

Faber recently admitted that none of this was actually going to happen, arguing that “the mouse mentioned is not an actual or planned product but a peek into provocative internal thinking on future possibilities for more sustainable consumer electronics.”

But the concept he suggested isn't all that crazy, especially in a world where subscriptions are becoming the norm. During the original podcast, Faber said that throwing away a used mouse just to buy a new one isn't the way we should be doing things. Likening such a mouse to a watch that he has no intention of ever throwing away, he pondered whether a mouse could be the same. "So why would I be throwing my mouse or my keyboard away if it’s a fantastic-quality, well-designed, software-enabled mouse," he wondered.

The elephant in the room is subscription fatigue, of course. Many people miss the days where they would pay a flat fee for a piece of software and then use it until they upgraded to another, paid version further down the line. But these days the App Store has conditioned people to expect free updates forever, making that model impossible to maintain.

The hardware market is slightly different, but Faber appears to be suggesting that there are only so many different ways a mouse can be made. It's a device with x number of buttons and a scroll wheel — but it's the software that matters. It's software that controls what the mouse can do, so why not pay a monthly subscription for that software and gain new features over the course of that mouse's lifetime?

This isn't the first time that a hardware company has thought about this, either. Car manufacturers have already dipped their toes into subscription services for their software features. Some even lock hardware features behind a paywall, too.

Ignoring the "forever mouse" concept for now, could we one day see a mouse require a subscription to make all of its buttons work? That would be a terrible idea. But a world where new features are added via software updates that we pay for via a monthly fee?

Would that really be so bad?

More from iMore

• Logitech's Slim Combo for iPad Pro tries to do too much
• Logitech Create for iPad Pro is clunky and heavy — but I love it
• Calling all Mac users! Logitech has five new accessories you need to see

If you’re about to go on vacation like I am, or getting ready to go back to school, you’ll be pleased to know that premium accessory maker Anker has announced a bunch of updated accessories to help keep your Apple devices charged.

Today (August 7), Anker is launching several new accessories to its Prime series. This is the company’s high-end range of accessories designed to quickly charge multiple devices at once. All of the updated products can be bought right now, which are:

• Anker Prime 250W GaNPrime Charging Station
• Anker Prime 200W GaN Charging Station
• Anker Prime 160W Charging Docking Station
• Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger
• Anker Prime USB-C Charging Cable

While the 100W GaN Wall Charger and the Charging Cable are self-explanatory, the charging stations have seen some big improvements over their previous models. In particular, the 250W GaNPrime Charging Station includes extra controls to monitor voltage for connected devices, as well as a clearer LCD display to check this information at a glance. I’ve been using these charging docking stations for the past couple of weeks and I’ve come away impressed. I’ve been using the 250W GaNPrime Charging Station for my desk specifically, which lets me cycle through different bits of information to see how much power is being sent to certain devices, such as my iPhone.

As I’m going on vacation in a few weeks, I’m highlighting how these updated Prime accessories could be useful if you’re also planning on being away from home for several days.

Charge them up!

If, like me, you travel with a lot of devices, you likely pack in multiple chargers and power banks to make sure everything stays charged. Fortunately, the hotel I’m going to for my vacation later this month has plenty of wall sockets, so I’m planning on packing fewer power banks and more of these Anker Prime accessories.

As mentioned earlier, the 250W GaNPrime Charging Station is perfect for my desk, but for vacation, I’m going to be bringing the compact 200W GaNPrime Charging Station instead. With four USB-C ports and two USB-A ports, this smaller station means that my MacBook, Nintendo Switch, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and a backup power bank will all be charged as I sleep or have breakfast.

I’ve always been a fan of Anker’s products. They’ve always felt high-quality, and what I’ve bought, such as power banks and chargers, have never let me down. So, I’m not surprised that I’m impressed by these latest offerings in its Prime series.

If you’re starting your vacation soon, or even planning for the Christmas holidays, take a look below at what’s now available.

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• Best stands to charge both iPhone and Apple Watch
• Best iPhone chargers
• Best iPhone car chargers

A solid charger is a dime a dozen nowadays so, for one to stand out, it either needs to have some central gimmick or needs to do everything you need just a bit better than its competition. With the Anker MagGo 3 Wireless Charging Station, Anker has gone for the second choice and mostly pulled it off. 

If you’re sick of picking up cheap options that break in less than a year, or want to start out with something with real quality, the device I’ve been testing for the past few weeks is the perfect answer. 

Anker MagGo 3 in 1: Price and availability

The Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Stand is currently available for $99.99 on Amazon and the Anker site, though you can get a 25% off coupon if you buy through Amazon, and you can get super fast delivery with Amazon Prime so this is how I’d recommend picking it up. 

In my time using the charging stand, I haven’t seen any stock issues and it always seems to suggest a fast delivery window so you should have no problem getting your hands on it.  We’re a big fan of Anker here at iMore and have never had any problems when it comes to shipping.

Anker MagGo 3 in 1: What I love

The first thing I noticed when I plugged this in was how sturdy it was. On an office desk setup, there’s never too much worry of it falling and smashing but the strength and quality of its design means I can throw it in my backpack and ensure it won’t snap off easily. With its Qi2-certified 15W wireless charger, my iPhone 15 Pro Max, the best iPhone right now, charges almost as quickly as a traditional cable charger, and the magnetic pull is super strong, ensuring it never falls off. This means it is a great choice for both watching videos in the background or accessing StandBy Mode to constantly display the time. 

Being a 3-in-1 charger at a decent price, with its own plug and cable, it is a super versatile choice for any room that can charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at the same time. Despite being my main charger for a few weeks, I never noticed an inordinate amount of heat from charging any of my devices. 

As well as all of this, with a clean black and white aesthetic, it is noticeable on the desk but doesn’t draw the eye away from the entire setup. It’s neutral enough to fit in and striking enough to look quite nice. 

Anker MagGo 3 in 1: What I don't love

The biggest thing I wished for when using this over the last few weeks was a little more versatility with the specific angle my iPhone sits at. Thanks to the sturdiness of the device, it has very little wiggle room and this means having to sit at a certain angle or not using a standing desk if I want to keep an eye on the charging devices. A little bit of a swivel on just the top wireless charger could make this a nicer device to use. 

As well as this, the Anker foldable MagGo wireless charger does almost everything this does, except it can also be folded away for easy use on the go. This charger is very rigid and sturdy, which is great, but is a little less easy to use in a pinch. It can still travel with you but it requires a bit more effort to set up, and takes up more room when you do. 

Anker MagGo 3 in 1: Competition

As mentioned above, the foldable Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station is an excellent choice that’s just $10 more and comes with the same charging speed. The MagGo 3 is a better dedicated charging stand thanks to its stability but less good on the go. The Nomad Stand One Max is also a very nice charger but, at $80, the Anker is a much better choice. 

The Anker 3-in-1 Cube was one of our favorite chargers and, at almost $50 more, it’s worth considering for its excellent design and retractable Apple Watch charger. 

Should you buy the Anker MagGo 3 in 1 charging stand?

You should buy this if…

• You want a sturdy charger
• You need to charge multiple devices
• You’re looking for the perfect office setup

You shouldn’t buy this if…

• You use a standing desk
• You plan on traveling a lot

Anker MagGo 3 in 1: Verdict

The Anker Mag Go 3 in 1 wireless charging stand looks great on a desk, charges devices super quickly, and feels super sturdy. Though a little bit of rigidity in the position of the wireless charger lets it down on standing desks, it makes up for it in use. 

The humble Apple AirTag has been used to help relocate people with anything from lost luggage at an airport to a stolen vehicle and everything in between. But Apple's item trackers have unfortunately also been used to stalk people, as is the case after a Lancaster County constable was charged with such an offense.

After weeks of receiving alerts that an unknown AirTag was traveling with them, a man went to the local police station to make a report and ask for help finding the tracker. The AirTag was later discovered to be underneath the passenger seat.

Upon further investigation, it was found that the AirTag belonged to a constable who was then charged as a result of the discovery.

Three weeks of notifications

Local reports explain that the car's owner had received AirTag alerts for three weeks but was unable to locate the tracker before asking for help from the police. Once it was found, a search warrant was issued to Apple with the company confirming who the AirTag was owned by.

That information led police to charge constable Shaun Sponagle with both stalking, a first-degree misdemeanor, and harassment, a summary offense.

It's unknown why the AirTag had been placed in the vehicle and none of the involved parties were willing to comment when contacted by Lancaster Online.

Apple's AirTags are designed to help people locate lost wallets and similar items but have, on occasion, been used in ways similar to this. Their accuracy and relatively cheap $29 asking price make them well-suited to just tasks, unfortunately. However, features such as the warning system encountered in this instance have been implemented to help warn people if an unknown AirTag is moving with them so they can take action.

More from iMore

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• New AirTag battery doesn't work? Here's why
• How to precisely find an AirTag with your iPhone

When I travel, one of the first things I pack is a set of chargers. You never know when you’re going to need one to charge your iPhone, gaming handheld, or anything else.

This all stems back to a time I was traveling on a plane that lasted for nine hours. Three hours in, my iPhone’s battery dropped to 20%, so I went to get my battery pack. Turns out it was empty — I had forgotten to charge the battery pack the day before!

Since then, I’ve always made sure to pack at least three different types of chargers, but the setup has changed slightly in the past few years. When I upgraded to an iPhone 13 Pro from an iPhone X in 2021, it meant I could look at MagSafe accessories — the awesome magnetic charging capabilities found in all iPhones since. I spoke about this in 2023 when my wife and I went to New York and I used a MagSafe battery pack at the time.

Not only have I replaced that battery pack since, but I’ve also added two more charging accessories. Recently, I went to a gaming exhibition called the Nottingham Video Games Expo (NVGE). I had a fantastic time at the event playing all of the retro consoles available, as well as some guest talks featuring prolific veterans from the gaming industry. Throughout the day, however, I needed my charging accessories on numerous occasions to make sure my tech didn’t die along the way.

UGREEN 20,000 mWh Power Bank

I have to admit — I’ve got a few massive power banks and some chargers alongside the UGREEN power bank. One charger is the Chargeasap 280W ZEUS USB-C GaN Charger, which is a monster but overkill for where I was going for the day. In addition, I wasn't sure where I'd be able to plug this in. The UGREEN 20,000 mWh Power Bank on the other hand was perfect for this outing to the Game Expo, thanks to its smaller size.

This power bank features two USB-C ports, with one that can charge up to 100W, ideal for my MacBook Pro. There’s also a lone USB-A port in case you need to charge anything that still features the trusty old connection.

The UGreen power bank also has a helpful screen that can tell you how much juice is left, though it’s hard to see in direct sunlight due to the low-res and dim display.

I used UGREEN’s power bank to charge my MacBook and Nintendo Switch when I was grabbing a coffee in between events at the expo. I also like the feel of the power bank — it’s got a nice curved, smooth design that matches up well with the iPhone 15 Pro’s titanium design. If you want something with a lot of juice and a bunch of ports, you can’t go wrong with UGREEN’s power bank.

Anker MagGo 10,000mAh Power Bank

As I mentioned above, I brought a MagSafe power bank on my trip to New York. However, after a few months, it suddenly stopped working, and the adjustable stand snapped off.

Fortunately, it was good timing as Anker announced in January that it was releasing a new line of chargers that featured Qi2, which means they can charge at 15W, which my iPhone 15 Pro Max supports. One that stood out, which Anker subsequently sent me, was its MagGo 10,000mAh Power Bank. This can charge my 15 Pro Max up to 1.5 times and also works as a stand allowing me to watch videos as the MagGo holds the smartphone up.

First of all, using the power bank during the train ride was a big help. I attached it to my 15 Pro Max, stood it up on a table, and swiped through TikTok videos with one finger, without having to hold the phone with my other hand. Another useful moment was when I was walking around the Expo and had it attached to my iPhone while its battery drained due to the poor 5G signal in the area. Having the power bank attached also really helped when taking photos in landscape mode, because it gave my hand an extra grip while I recorded some video of someone playing gaming classic Lemmings on a Macintosh Plus computer. The MagGo also has a small display on its side, which lets me know how much charge was left, and includes a timer for how long it may take for my 15 Pro Max to be fully charged.

Overall, I was very impressed as I used the power bank throughout the day. If you want something reliable but can also help keep your iPhone secure at certain angles, Anker’s MagGo is the one to get.

Anker Prime Plug Wall Charger

Yes, it’s a plug, but a very good one! Before power banks were a common thing, you’d usually pack a suitcase or backpack with a bunch of wall chargers to ensure all your devices could charge as soon as you saw a power socket. These days, I make sure I have a wall charger with me that features a lot of USB-C ports as well as a significant amount of wattage so it can charge all my devices quickly.

Anker’s Prime 67W Wall Charger is something that’s always in my backpack, and I used it several times before and after visiting the NVGE. One of the things I like about Anker Prime is that the prongs are foldable, similar to Apple’s plugs. This way, it’s easier to place the wall charger into a smaller pocket in my backpack.

I used my MacBook Pro and Nintendo Switch on both train journeys. After owning the laptop for three years, its battery is starting to wane. So much so, I need to make sure I have a charger with me. As the one that came with the Mac failed a few months ago, using Anker’s Wall Charger has been a great replacement to juice up the laptop when needed, thanks to its two USB-C ports. The multiple ports allowed me to charge both my Mac and my Switch at the same time. When I got the train home later on Sunday evening, I used a USB-C wire, connected it to my Switch and Anker Prime, and the battery went back to 100% before I got off the train.

A charger for every scenario

Going to the Nottingham Video Games Expo (NVGE) was a fantastic experience, made even better by the three charging accessories. They helped me in every scenario, ensuring that I didn’t have to worry about my iPhone, Mac, and Nintendo Switch losing charge.

You may think that having three charging methods is overkill, but you never know when you may find yourself in a situation where your power bank has run out of charge and there are no wall sockets available.

These three chargers can now solve that problem for me, and they were invaluable throughout the day at NVGE. Without them, my tech products wouldn’t have made it to the end of the day, which would have made the train home a very quiet and boring journey for 90 minutes.

As we enter the final stretch of Amazon Prime Day, there will be plenty of quick-fire deals to keep an eye on. One great example is Elgato’s Wave:3 Microphone, which is currently $50 off!

I’ve been listening to podcasts ever since Apple introduced them with iTunes 4.9 way back in 2005. Downloading them onto my iPod was fantastic, and to this day, I’m subscribed to so many shows that I listen to every week, such as Back Page and Comfort Zone.

In 2017 I decided to create my own podcast called The Outpost Show, where I interviewed guests about how they used the best iPads. A couple of years later, I started another podcast called PAL KEYS, focusing on guests’ gaming histories. Throughout all this, I used a Yeti microphone, which I’m still using for guesting on other shows. But I can’t help but feel I’m ready for an upgrade.

This is where Elgato’s Wave:3 Microphone comes in. Featuring a USB-C port, a fantastic Proprietary Clipguard to help with distortion, and many other features, buying this microphone for $99.99 is a very tempting prospect.

If you’re thinking about creating your own podcast or perhaps starting a Twitch stream, you’re going to need a decent microphone. You can’t go wrong with Elgato’s microphone to make sure your listeners can hear you with the best audio quality.

If you want to bag yourself one of the best Prime Day Apple deals going and transform your iPhone into the ultimate portable gaming companion in the process, than allow me to introduce you to the second-generation Backbone One, now just $69.99 on Amazon. 

In our Backbone One review this year we lauded the controller for its fantastic lightweight design that can now accommodate cases and comes with USB-C passthrough. The controller is incredibly fun and easy to use and turns your iPhone into a glorified Nintendo Switch, replete with adjustable brackets to suit any size of device. 

The Backbone One's not perfect, but it scored a valiant 4.5 stars in our review. It excels at pretty much any type of game thanks to its nifty Xbox stick design, D-pad, and triggers. There's even a white PlayStation version if that's more your style. A solid bit of kit at $99, the Backbone One is ridiculous value at $69.99. 

The Backbone One is ideal if you want to game on your iPhone without the hassle of carrying a separate controller. It might be a little less intuitive than using a full-sized controller, but it's much more convenient. The Backbone One will offer natively support to almost any iPhone game you can think of including controller-supported Apple Arcade titles, and of course Xbox Cloud Gaming titles. There's even a dedicated Backbone One app for taking screenshots and recordings, and for managing all your controller-powered titles in one place. 

This is honestly one of my favorite iPhone accessories ever and a huge steal this Prime Day. 

Have you ever sat on a train with your MacBook or iPad, wishing for another display to help you work through a report or something else? If so, we've just spotted a fantastic deal on a portable monitor.

As Amazon Prime Day wraps up for another year, it's a great time to discover some products that you might not have considered before. KYY's 15.6-inch portable monitor is a great example of this, currently priced at $79.99 on Amazon, down from $135.

Weighing just 1.7 lbs, this portable monitor is perfect for keeping in your backpack. It's an ideal solution to have for your iPad or Mac whenever you need a second screen, whether you're on a train commute or when you're at the office.

Use one of the USB-C ports or the mini-HDMI port located on the right of the portable monitor in order to connect it to your Mac or iPad. There's also a headphone jack alongside the volume controls, making sure that you're not being a nuisance to those around you on a train commute if you want to watch one of the best shows on Apple TV Plus.

At $79.00 on Amazon, this portable monitor is a steal. Buying two of them would only cost $158, which still feels like a bargain. So why not buy two to place side by side with your iPad or Mac?

I’ve suffered from wrist pains for years, and they’ve caused me issues with the way I interact with my tech and even sometimes do my job. I’m very vocal about ergonomics in technology, which is why I moaned for so long about the 14 Pro’s sharp edges and the way it made my hands hurt. As for my wrists, there’s one product that has genuinely changed my life, and I’ve used it every day for the last two years, even after it survived a calamitous coffee spillage.

That product is a vertical mouse, and it has saved not only my wrist pain but probably my career, as the carpal tunnel pains I was getting from my previous mice were just too much to endure. 

A vertical mouse changes how you think about interacting with your Mac, and while there’s a slight learning curve, it’s well worth persevering to have a far more comfortable mouse experience. Instead of using a mouse with your hand flat, a vertical one makes you hold the mouse in a more natural handshake position. The different ergonomics means you move your arm instead of your wrist to move the mouse, eradicating any wrist pain within a few days of transitioning.

The mouse I use daily, the Logitech MX Vertical, is on offer for Prime Day, and I’ve been so passionate about this product since I bought it for $100 that I’ve championed the concept of a vertical mouse with my family members, friends, and even my tech-enthusiast colleagues.

• Laptop deals: Dell | Best Buy | Walmart | Lenovo | HP | Newegg 
• MacBook deals: Amazon | B&H Photo | Best Buy
• iPad deals: Amazon | B&H Photo | Best Buy | Walmart

I genuinely believe that the best technology purchases are the ones that improve your life long-term, and there is no other product that has had such a life-changing impact than this one here.

If you don’t want to spend $88 on the Logitech MX Vertical, there are other vertical mouse options I own that are more affordable and will allow you to test the waters before you fully commit to the vertical life.

The Anker Vertical Mouse comes in a wired option for $15 and a wireless version for $18 in Amazon’s Prime Day sale. I own the wireless version, and despite taking batteries, the battery life is excellent and the comfort is on par with Logitech’s more expensive offering. The Anker Vertical is the ideal budget option to see if a vertical mouse will help your RSI (repetitive strain injury). I bought this one as a travel option, and the only reason I use my Logitech MX Vertical more often is because of the customizable buttons in Logitech’s Options software.

A final option if you want all the bells and whistles of Logitech’s more premium MX Vertical without spending close to $100 is the Logitech Lift. I haven’t used this one personally as it is made for smaller hands, but if you want color options and a more aesthetically pleasing look, then this could be the vertical mouse for you. Currently, there’s a small discount on the Logitech Lift in Amazon’s Prime Day sale, but quite honestly, these products are worth it even at full price.

So if you’ve got any pain at all from using your computer, this is the one product you should buy this Prime Day. If my experience is anything to go by a vertical mouse will change your life. You've only got a few more hours until the end of Prime Day 2024, what are you waiting for?

Amazon Prime Day hasn't yielded any major savings on Apple's AirTag, but it has thrown up a couple of great discounted alternatives from Tile. Maker of some of the best AirTag alternatives on the market, Tile's trackers work with both iPhone and Android. They can be used to track a variety of items, relaying a signal back to your handset in the event you misplace something. 

They might not have the Precision Finding tools of AirTag, but they're much cheaper and arguably a little more discreet. So if you're in the market for a great item tracker this Prime Day, here are a couple of great alternatives to AirTag. 

Track down these Prime Day savings

I test out a lot of battery packs, but none come close to the style and swagger of this Cyberpunk 2077-inspired Shargeek power bank. Not only is the Shargeek Storm 2 one of the coolest products I’ve ever seen, but it’s also 30% off in Amazon’s Prime Day sale.

So what makes the Storm 2 that cool? Well, the 25,600mAh battery pack will appeal to anyone who likes a futuristic sci-fi aesthetic, transparent retro tech, or even just the color yellow.

I’ve been using the Shargeek Storm 2 for a few months now, and I love the way it can charge all of my Apple products, like my iPhone 15 Pro Max, M1 MacBook Air, and iPad Pro 11-inch, with absolute ease.

The battery pack is so cool that whenever I bring it out to charge something in front of iMore’s News Editor, Stephen Warwick, his eyes go green with envy — Stephen, this deal is for you; save $70 right now!

The coolest battery pack you’ve ever seen

• iPad deals: Amazon | B&H Photo | Best Buy | Walmart
• iPhone deals: Verizon | AT&T | Mint Mobile

Prime Day is a fantastic time to buy accessories like the Shargeek Storm 2, as the discounts are some of the best you'll see all year. This power bank would make for a fantastic gift for a loved one who is always on the go and loves the idea of being half-cyborg roaming the streets of Night City.

The Shargeek Storm 2 is one of the best power banks I've ever used although I do wish that glossy outer plastic wouldn't scratch so easily!

There’s a good chance you carry a portable power bank to help keep your iPhone or MacBook charged. But what if you had a portable power station to keep almost all of your devices and household appliances running without relying on the power grid at certain times?

This is where the ECOFLOW 4000Wh Portable Power Station comes in, now $4,999 at Amazon. Featuring 14 ports, including power sockets and USB-C ports, this power station is a perfect investment for situations where you might find yourself without power for long periods.

With less than 24 hours to go until Amazon Prime Day ends for another year, a deal like this won’t last long. As August approaches with plenty of vacations about to be taken, why not take this Portable Power Station along with you for those just-in-case scenarios?

Use your Mac Pro while you set up camp

Yes, the price may cause you to gasp, but it’s the type of product that can be very beneficial if you live the full van life and need some extra power or if you’re at risk from constant power cuts. For $4,999, it’s a great buy for those situations. However, with less than 24 hours to go until Prime Day ends, you don’t have long to consider it!

When Samsung revealed the Galaxy Ring last week I couldn't help but feel envious of Android users who now have access to a cool-looking smart ring. You see, I've wanted a smart ring for a while but the price always puts me off — that is until now as the Oura Ring Gen 3 (the best smart ring for iPhone) is available with $70 off for Prime Day. 

These gorgeous smart rings can be yours for $282 but you've only got a few more hours to buy one as Prime Day draws to a close. Available in multiple finishes, including black, silver, gold, and rose gold, you'll find up to $95 off the Oura Ring Gen 3 depending on your taste.

The Oura Ring can track your resting heart rate, blood oxygen, daily steps, and even your sleep so it's perfect for anyone who wants a discrete way to track their vitals without owning an Apple Watch. 

Put a ring on it

• Fitness tracker deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Amazon | Dell

I've been interested in smart rings for a while now but yet to try one out. This Prime Day deal is seriously tempting, especially considering us iPhone users can't use the Samsung Galaxy Ring with iOS. 

For Apple fans, the Oura Ring Gen 3 is the best smart ring around, so why not pick one up today and give the world of discrete and gorgeous health trackers a go.

While a MacBook’s speakers aren’t awful at replicating sound, you will want to move on to something more professional if you really care about music or plan on creating your own. A solid pair of headphones can help you catch intricacies in music and Sennheiser is one of the best brands around for top-quality audio gear. Luckily, Amazon Prime Day is in full flow, so you can get a pair of HD 560S over-ear headphones for just $141.99, 38% cheaper than it was last week. 

Though the best Prime Day Apple deals should intrigue any Apple fan, these pair of headphones are well worth considering for any audiophile, thanks to a very natural sound and super wide soundstage. They are even compatible with tonnes of different audio jack styles, making them great for almost any setup. Whether you are looking to get a bedroom music producer set up this Prime Day, or you're just a consumer who likes high-quality audio, these are a great pair of headphones that can fit into many budgets. 

Hear more

As they have open-back earcups, these headphones are more suited for use at home, as that sound leak allows for a more spacious and wide sound. They're the type of headphones that you crank loud and really get lost in. 

Paying homage to the very light chassis of the HD 599 range, the 560S is also super comfortable around the ears, making it an excellent choice for any music lover. 

At iMore we love noise-canceling headphones, so much so that we conducted the "Noise-canceling headphones battle royale" last year. In that brilliant article, one pair of headphones came out on top above AirPods Max, Sony XM5s, and everything else competing for the crown.

This Prime Day, those noise-canceling headphones in question, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 are $249, that's a $130 saving on their RRP and more than half the price of Apple's offering.

With first-class noise-canceling, incredible sound, and a sleek but comfortable design, why not pick up the Sennheiser Momentum 4 today?

Best in class with $130 off

• AirPods deals: Amazon | B&H Photo | Best Buy | Walmart

When testing the Sennheiser Momentum 4, iMore's resident audio expert, Tammy Rodgers, found that the headphones were incredibly comfortable to wear and sounded excellent. In the noise-canceling showdown, she said, "They’re $250 less than the AirPods Max, and they feel and sound great. Apparently, the noise canceling is also great. Did I mention they last up to 60 hours on a single charge? With that noise canceling on? Madness. The winner here is the Momentum 4 from Sennheiser."

For under $250, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better pair of noise-canceling headphones but act quickly because Prime Day 2024 ends in less than 24 hours. 

When my girlfriend gifted me the Ember Mug 2 for Christmas I had no idea how much of a life-changing product it was. Fast forward seven months and I’ve been waiting patiently until Prime Day 2024 to share my passion for Ember’s smart mug. Seriously — the other iMore editors are sick of me talking about. This is my moment!

You see, I’m super forgetful, like ridiculously forgetful to the point where I lose things multiple times a day and always forget to drink my tea or coffee. Not only am I scatterbrained but I have a coffee addiction that I rely on to get through each and every morning. Now, imagine a forgetful brain that needs coffee to function properly: For months I was spiraling in a vicious circle where I couldn’t function until my daily caffeine hit reached my bloodstream, but I’d forget to drink it and not bother with a cold elixir — 

That was until Ember entered my life. And I'm happy to report that it's on sale today at a penny shy of $120 — 20% off its usual £149.95 asking price.

The Ember Mug 2 connects to your iPhone via Bluetooth and keeps liquid hot to your desired temperature for up to 2 hours thanks to its built in heater and battery. If you use the included charging coaster, you can keep liquid hot indefinitely, which is pretty gross, to be honest, but my word is it game-changing. 

I’ve not missed a morning coffee since owning the Ember and I often find myself remembering to drink my caffeine long into the early afternoon when it would otherwise be stone cold. I can neither confirm nor deny how long I’ve tried to keep liquid hot... but it may or may not be past the 72-hour mark...

Just buy an Ember, trust me

For Prime Day, some of Ember’s best products are heavily discounted and I genuinely can’t recommend them enough. There’s the 14oz mug I use every day alongside a smaller 10oz option and a Travel Mug for taking your hot drinks on the go. With 20% off, the Ember Mug 2 can be snagged this Prime Day for $119 and while that may sound like a lot it could very well be the best $119 you ever spend.

From one forgetful coffee and tech lover to another, just buy an Ember. It could seriously change your life.

"Where is the 20000-word post explaining in exquisite prose and exhaustive detail the complete lineage of all the design features that go into the Logitech mouse? This has to be someone's on-spectrum special interest. This thing is the Sistine Chapel of consumer hardware, probably responsible for $80b in increased GDP. Where is the HBS study? Where is the LW sequence? Where is the loving YouTube disassembly and hand fabrication of all components?!"

You might be forgiven for thinking those were the opening lines of Homer's Odyssey, a Charles Dickens novel, or perhaps some Dostoevsky.  They are in fact the musings of an incredible viral tribute to one of the most iconic PC peripherals of all time, the Logitech MX Master 3S. A recent phenomenon that garnered some 1.3 million views on a single X post.

Renowned for its immense ergonomics, buttery smooth scrolling, gentle clicks, and more, the MX Master 3S is the ultimate mouse for PC, Mac, and iPad. Right now during the Amazon Prime Day sale, you can score one for 16% off, now just $83.99 instead of $99.99. Better yet, it's the Mac-specific version replete with USB-C charging and a free Adobe Creative Cloud subscription. 

Why do so many people like this mouse? Logitech seems to have nailed the ergonomics, the buttons, and the scrolling, it's the complete package. "This mouse is behind the majority of mechanical engineering in the developed nations," enthusiastic commenters cheered in the replies to the aforementioned viral post. There's a reason we've dubbed it the best wireless mouse for Mac in 2024. 

Score one now on Amazon before Prime Day ends and score a free 1-month creative cloud subscription. Perfect for use with up to three Mac computers, or across multiple devices including iPad. 

When I reviewed the Anker Cube last year, I said it “takes the crown for me as the ultimate MagSafe iPhone and Apple Watch charging stand.” Now you can pick up the best MagSafe product I’ve ever reviewed and the iMore Awards 2023 iPhone Accessory of the Year for just $112. That’s a whopping 25% discount off its usual $149.99 asking price. 

The Anker Cube is the best 3-in-1 MagSafe charging stand on the market thanks to its premium construction, tilting charging angles, and compact design that makes it perfect for at home or on the go. 

I use this charging stand every day and can’t recommend it enough to any iPhone user with a MagSafe-compatible device. Not only can you charge your iPhone on the small cuboid but you can also charge the best Apple Watches and the best AirPods — it’s truly a jack of all trades and well worth your hard-earned cash.

As good as MagSafe chargers get

• iPhone deals: Verizon | AT&T | Mint Mobile
• AirPods deals: Amazon | B&H Photo | Best Buy | Walmart
• Apple Watch deals: Amazon | B&H Photo | Best Buy | Walmart 

Anker makes some of the best charging accessories on the market and you can charge your devices overnight without any fear of overheating or damaging the lithium-ion batteries. While $112 may sound like a lot for an iPhone charger it’s actually a really good deal. Think about it, a MagSafe cable, an Apple Watch cable, and a wireless charger would set you back nearly as much as this accessory without any of the foldable perks.

I don’t say the Anker Cube is the best MagSafe product I’ve ever reviewed lightly and I truly believe that anyone who buys it will be incredibly happy with their purchase. Whether you travel a lot and want a compact solution or have a small bedside table that needs an elegant design, the Anker Cube is a unique product that’s well worth its full price let alone at this discounted Prime Day price tag. 

An OLED monitor takes your Mac setup to a whole new level by adding gorgeous blacks and bright colors to all of your computing tasks. Whether you want to watch a stunning 4K movie or edit photos with brighter highlights and clarity, an OLED monitor is well worth the investment.

This Prime Day there are some fantastic OLED panels on offer with huge discounts like the 49-inch Samsung Odyssey G93SC which can be found for $979, instead of the usual $1599 price tag.

The OLED monitor deals are not limited to Amazon either, we've scoured the web and found some of the best monitors going like the ASUS PG34WCDM which has $200 off at Newegg.

Here are four of the best Prime Day OLED monitor deals we've found so far, perfect to spruce up your Mac desktop or MacBook setup.

Prime Day OLED monitor deals

• Monitor deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Dell | Lenovo | HP | Amazon | Newegg

Teamforce makes a ton of great computing products, and its SSDs are quite popular. While the company is known for its internal SSDs and RAM sticks for PCs, it has a few external SSDs, which are excellent and provide great value for money. 

One of its popular offerings is the T-Force M200 SSD, a well-built compact external SSD that supports USB 3.2 Gen2x2. I tested the 2TB version for a month, and here’s how it performed. 

Teamgroup T-Force M200 SSD: Price and Availability

The T-Force M200 SSD is available worldwide in capacities ranging from 250GB to 8TB, although the smallest capacity version isn’t widely available. The M200 costs $69.99 for the 500GB version, $99.99 for the 1TB version, $199.99 for the 2TB version, $399.99 for 4TB, and $799.99 for 8TB. It’s available at Amazon and Newegg, among other major retailers. 

The M200 is a couple of years old, which means that it’s nearly almost always on sale at a discount. The 2TB version we tested is available for as little as $104, making it an excellent value. The 8TB capacity variant is the only one that doesn’t seem to be on discount at the moment. The price goes even lower during shopping holidays, making this one of the more affordable external SSDs you can get for your Mac.

Teamgroup T-Force M200 SSD: Specs and Features

The T-Force M200 is a part of the modern crop of SSDs. You get a military-inspired design with a long lanyard hole, and Teamgroup says the M200 sniper rifle inspires the design. There’s not much you can do to port over a sniper rifle’s design to an external SSD, but I see the vision. The ridged design looks great, and it’s functional in terms of grip as well as cooling. You also get a 2-meter drop resistance, but there's no mention of an IP rating.

In terms of the hardware, you’re getting support for the USB 3.2 Gen2x2 interface via USB-C. This means there isn’t Thunderbolt support, but it works just fine with Macs and has good enough speeds to a point where you won’t feel like you’re missing out — especially at this price point. What that means is there isn’t Thunderbolt support here. Teamforce promises speeds of up to 2000MB/s read and write because of the USB 3.2 Gen2x2 interface. 

Although not as portable as the Crucial X9 Pro or Crucial X10 Pro that I've tested, the M200 is still quite portable. It has a smaller footprint than an iPhone 13 Mini, making for an easily pocketable drive. You get five years of warranty.

Teamgroup T-Force M200 SSD: Performance

Performance evaluation for this drive was a bit tricky. It’s a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 drive, and that interface supports up to 20Gbps of speeds. However, due to some technical limitations, USB 3.2 Gen2x2 isn’t supported on Apple Silicon devices. Despite Macs getting USB4 ports, the standards itself are designed as such that the faster USB4 port cannot support USB 3.2 Gen2x2. As such, this drive will run on the slower 10Gbps USB 3.2 on a Mac.

You get slower speeds as a result, and our speed tests reflected that. I did get better peak speeds when I tested this drive on a Windows system with a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 port.

I’ve included the performance figures as tested on a M3 Pro MacBook Pro. The slower speeds still are pretty fast. The overall speed tests we ran showed the M200 to be a very quick drive. The drive also supports macOS’ Time Machine feature if you format it with the APFS format using Disk Utility.

What that means is that despite the bottleneck on Macs, the drive is still one of the best value-for-money SSDs you can get today to use with a Mac. 

The thermal performance of the drive is also quite impressive, and I didn’t find the drive getting warm to the touch even during heavier file copy workloads I put it through. Overall, this drive will not disappoint on the performance front, and is an incredible value for money today.

Teamgroup T-Force M200 SSD: Competition

There are a few drives that compete with the T-Force M200. The top alternative is the Crucial X9 Pro, which offers decent speeds, and is more portable. However, it costs quite a bit more than the M200. The ADATA SE880 is another great option with similar performance figures but costs a bit more. The Crucial X8 is also a great alternative, with a current price closer to the M200. 

Should You Buy The Teamgroup T-Force M200 SSD?

You should buy this if...

• You want a portable drive
• You want performance on a budget
• You want a stylish design

You shouldn't buy this if...

• You need the fastest speeds
• You have a high budget

Teamgroup T-Force M200 SSD: Verdict

The Teamgroup T-Force M200 is the best budget external SSD you can get right now. At launch, it wasn’t a great value, but as the prices have dropped, the drive has become a great value-for-money SSD option. You get a nice design, and the drive is very portable. The reduced speeds on Macs are a bit disappointing, but it’s hard to fault Teamgroup for it since it’s largely a problem with USB standards in general. Regardless of that, the M200 is the external SSD to get on a budget.

We've seen the Apple AirTag used in a variety of different ways since the item tracker launched, including helping people locate lost luggage and other items. Now, the latest news is an AirTag being used to help locate a stolen vehicle in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The story goes that a car was left at the valet service at the KLCC shopping center at the city's iconic Petronas Towers before it was stolen from that same location. Thankfully, the vehicle was later recovered after it was located by its owner thanks to the help of an AirTag.

The car's owner was able to find his Honda HRV after following its location in another vehicle before police were able to recover it and apprehend a suspect.

This is of course not what Apple intended when it launched the AirTag — it was designed for finding keys, wallets, and other small items — but if you're at all worried about having your vehicle stolen, an AirTag might be worth checking out. It'll even come in handy when you forget where you parked, too.

Gone but not forgotten

Soyacincau.com reports that the car was stolen despite the owner still having its key, which is interesting enough on its own. But matters improved when the shopping center reported via a statement that the "car's GPS system" had made it possible for it to be located. In reality, it was a simple AirTag that came to the rescue.

Notably, the car's owner was told not to disclose that there was an AirTag in the vehicle immediately following its recovery, hence the confusion over the use of the "GPS tracker".

More from iMore

• Someone used an AirTag to track their stolen wallet but there was no happy ending
• I lost my luggage, so now I'm buying an AirTag
• New AirTag battery doesn't work? Here's why

There are few things more irritating than getting ready to leave your home and then realizing you don't know where your keys are. We've all been there, and it's positively infuriating. But you can bring an end to all of that by putting an AirTag on your keychain – and now you can do it while saving a ton, too.

Buying a pack of four AirTags is always the most cost-effective way of keeping tabs on all of your stuff, but right now Amazon is offering a discount that makes it an even better deal. Four AirTags would normally retail for $99 but if you order yours now you'll pay just $74.98 which works out to just $18.75 each.

With four AirTags you'll be able to track your keys, your bag, and both of your kids with ease. What more could you possibly need?

Tag, you're it!

Admittedly, Apple says you shouldn't use AirTags to track your kids or your pets, but the technology will work in a pinch.

That technology uses Apple's Find My network to locate each AirTag using the magic of ultra wideband technology and the huge number of Apple devices that are in use around the globe. You can also put an AirTag in Lost Mode should the need arise so you receive an alert the moment it appears on the Find My network once again.

Other features of note include a built-in speaker so you can have your AirTag make a noise for easier identification and a battery that lasts for around a year before it needs to be replaced.

Note that this deal might not hang around for long so ordering your AirTags now is the best way to make sure you don't wind up paying more later.

More from iMore

• Someone used an AirTag to track their stolen wallet but there was no happy ending
• I lost my luggage, so now I'm buying an AirTag
• New AirTag battery doesn't work? Here's why

I have a habit of calling my mom and telling her about the tech I’m testing out. Given we live in different countries, this is more an excuse to chat than anything else. Yet, when I held up the UGreen 300W 48,000mAh power bank, the rest of our conversation revolved around it. 

My mom isn’t a particularly techy person but, when something is that right combination of flashy and practical, she suddenly becomes very techy. My mom regularly goes camping with my family and she’s an overpacker — someone who will bring an extension cord just in case all phones go dead at the same time. With this power bank, UGreen offers a large charge and convenience in the form of many ports, fast charging, and even a light on the side for power outages and camping. It’s a mighty bit of tech and one that, if my mother’s jealous looks are anything to go by, I may struggle to keep my hands on. 

UGreen portable charger: Price and availability

Priced at $199.99, you can pick up this power bank at Amazon with next-day delivery or via UGreen’s own site for the same price. In my time monitoring the device, it has not gone on sale or out of stock. However, curiously, you can buy the charger with a 3.3ft USB A to USB C cable for just $144.99, making it much cheaper in a bundle. If you want this charger, this is the best way of getting it. 

There are no unique color schemes for this charger on either site so there’s no major difference between the two, though Amazon is likely the better choice thanks to the bundle deal and next-day delivery. 

UGreen portable charger: What I love

UGreen’s 300W portable charger is super sturdy, and I’m never worried about it getting damaged in my backpack. It also comes with a light on the side which means it can be great in a power outage or while camping. That light on the side comes with three modes: low light, high light, and an SOS mode, which flashes on and off. The light uses very little of the battery, taking less than a single percent of the total battery over two hours of use. 

At 48,000mAh of battery, this power bank can fully charge an iPhone 15 Pro, the best iPhone right now, over 10 times. However, with three USB-C ports and two USB-A ports, you can fully charge your iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch, MacBook, and have an extra port for something else. It also has a pretty nifty display that not only gives you a reading of how much charge you have but your input and output in wattage, to more accurately predict how long your charge will last. 

Doing away with one of the only problems I run into with other portable chargers, UGreen’s power bank is capable of 300W charging, making it more than capable of keeping computers and even handheld devices topped up with their huge power consumption wasting quicker than the charger can work. As well as all of this, Lifepo4 batteries in the device mean that the device will last much longer than traditional devices. In five years time, this will keep more of its max charge than most of its competitors. 

UGreen portable charger: What I don't love

This charger is huge, not just in size but in weight as well. I can comfortably get it into my backpack but even popping it out on a table at a cafe to charge my MacBook can be tedious and cumbersome. This is the type of device you use when you’re camping or when you don’t mind the odd glance from a stranger. 

In addition, despite coming with two USB-A slots and three USB-C ports, the UGreen 300W 48,000mAh portable charger only comes with a single USB-C cable and doesn’t include a plug to charge it from a wall outlet. You will need your own to get it working. 

UGreen portable charger: Competition

You don’t tend to find the same watt output and charge from devices without going for actual camping equipment. The Powdeom 300W power station, for instance, is about $20 more and has just under double the charge but it is significantly heavier and more clunky. It also doesn’t come with a display that is as smart. This is a better choice if you want a power bank specifically for camping but UGreen has it beat as more of a versatile power bank for most situations. 

You can also get power banks with as big a charge, like the 50,000mAh found in Enerwow’s 30W charger but UGreen’s two-way charging, host of safety features, and long-lasting batteries ensure you can use it for a much longer time. You’re paying a premium for something to last long and it will charge your devices quicker too. 

Should you buy the UGreen Portable Charger?

You should buy this if...

• You need a lot of charge in your power bank
• You want to go on day trips, city breaks, or camping
• You want to charge your devices quickly

You shouldn't buy this if...

• You only need to charge your iPhone once
• You’re on a budget
• You don’t care about fast charging

UGreen Portable Charger: Verdict

I’ve tested a lot of power banks and UGreen’s 300W 48,000 mAh power bank sits near the top of the pile for me, thanks to fast charging, a high-capacity battery, and some very good safety features. It’s light enough for me to justify bringing with me to a cafe in the off chance they don’t have plugs yet versatile enough to work on a camping trip too. 

If you own Apple Vision Pro or you're thinking of buying one, Amazon has a bunch of accessories you can score for the headset right now.

Perfect timing too, as Apple Vision Pro has finally been made available in countries outside of the U.S., such as China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore. Pre-orders have also gone live for users in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the UK with a July 12 launch.

Currently, Apple’s spatial computing headset can only be bought directly from its website or at Apple Stores in certain countries. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find great accessories on other vendors like Amazon. While some are best avoided, there are plenty to choose from that will enhance how you use Vision Pro.

With this in mind, we’ve gone through the accessories currently available on Amazon and compiled the best ones to help complement your future Apple Vision Pro purchase. With the Prime Day Apple deals already kicking off, here are some savings we've found so far.

Best Apple Vision Pro accessories

While Apple’s AirTag might be the household name in tracking for the Apple-enthused, its singular, circular nature precludes it from use in places where you might otherwise really benefit from tracking, notably in your wallet. 

Nomad has tried to solve this problem once before, with its very own Card for AirTag adapter that turns it into a (thick) credit card shape. Now, however, it’s back — albeit this time a more subtle and elegant solution, its new Tracking Card. But what does it do? How does it work? And, crucially,  is it any good? Here’s our rundown of a brilliant AirTag alternative. 

Nomad Tracking Card: Price and availability

The Nomad Tracking Card is available from Nomad for £40 / $40 from Nomad’s online store, Nomadgoods.com. Nomad does have a presence on Amazon but doesn’t have the Tracking Card listed there yet. As it stands, the Tracking Card is incredibly popular, so is currently on backorder of around one month.  

Nomad Tracking Card: Design and features

The basic design and the functionality of the Nomad Tracking Card is incredibly simple. It’s a 2mm thick polycarbonate card, no thicker than two regular credit cards, and broadly the same shape. The material feels really nice in hand, and it’s suitably grippy enough that I have no concerns about it sliding out of my wallet without my knowledge. It’s IPX7 waterproof and dustproof, so it can take a beating should you drop your wallet or purse outdoors, too. I love the black color and the subtle branding on the front, and the rear pattern design that reflects the card’s internals is particularly snazzy. 

Fully charged, the Tracking Card comes with a battery good for five months of life. That means you can depend on it for even the longest trips abroad, or simply slide it into your wallet and forget about it (for five months). When you do need to charge it, it works with MagSafe! Simply slap the Card onto whatever MagSafe charger you happen to have handy, and a small red light will illuminate to indicate it’s charging, turning green once full. Don’t worry, the Card itself isn’t magnetic but contains enough metal that it securely sticks to a MagSafe charger, albeit at some quirky angles. 

Nomad Tracking Card: Ease of use and reliability

The Nomad Tracking Card is very easy to use. There’s only one button, that serves one function, pairing the device with your iPhone. I must admit this didn’t work the first time, but it’s possible this is because I selected the wrong option in Find My. You simply open up the Find My app on your iPhone, select Items, tap the + icon, and then hold down the button on the Card. It’ll make a melodic beeping sound before pairing up to your iPhone, and Find My does the rest. All you have to do is give the Tracking Card a name and an emoji icon and voila!

The Tracking Card is certified to work with Apple’s Find My network, which means that it can bounce signals from a multitude of different iOS devices, including those belonging to other people, to give you an accurate location. It doesn’t feature the Precision Finding tools of the AirTag or Apple’s best iPhones, but that’s not the purpose of the Card, so not a reason to avoid it. The Tracking Card gives you an accurate location of maybe 40-50 feet, based on what I found when using it. As such, it’s a helpful tool that can tell you whether you’ve left your wallet or purse at home, in the office, on a bus, or anywhere else for that matter.

However, it’s not going to be useful in guiding you to the correct room in your house or in helping you dig it out of the back of your sofa. That’s where the Play Sound function comes in. Tapping this option in the Find My app will yield the same melodic tone as the aforementioned pairing process. The Play Sound function is key to finding your Tracking Card at close range, and when you hit the button the Card will play a tune that will help you locate it in any large room. From the Find My app, you can also track the Card’s battery, set Directions (if you need to travel to find it), and enable Lost Mode, which will notify a user who finds it that you’re looking for it. You can also turn on or off the Notify When Left Behind feature, so if you move out of range of your Card, you’ll get an alert on your iPhone. 

The technology behind the Card is quite basic, so if you run into any problems, your recourse is limited. In my first few minutes of use, I had a couple of connection issues, as well as my aforementioned pairing quirk. With no menus and only one button, tech of this kind requires more patience and trial and error to smooth things over. Generally, connecting the Nomad to an iPhone is straightforward, and Play Sound works on request. However, there were a couple of occasions during my use when the Play Sound feature didn’t fire, but this is more a drawback of the tech in general rather than a weakness with Nomad’s product.  

Nomad Tracking Card: Competition

The best AirTag alternatives on the market include some great tracking cards. We’ve tried and loved the Chipolo CARD Spot, and there’s also the Tile Slim in this bracket. All of these can be found at broadly the same price, and do roughly the same thing. The Tile Slim requires a $3 monthly subscription to get the most out of it though, so the Nomad stands out here. As mentioned, Nomad also makes a $20 card for AirTag, if you want to combine Apple's trackers with an adapter that's a bit thicker. 

Nomad Tracking Card: Should you buy it?

Nomad Tracking Card: Verdict

Ultimately, the Nomad Tracking Card is a solid tracker I’ll gladly be adding to my passport wallet in short order. It might not have the Precision Finding of the AirTag or the cheap price, but it’s more discreet and suits the one purpose it serves incredibly well. 

Accessory maker Anker, best known for its line of mobile power banks and chargers, has recently released its newest power bank on a budget.

The Nano Power Bank is small in size but comes packed with many useful features. Released back in May, it’s part of a refresh by Anker to improve upon its power banks in regards to its environmentally-friendly design, as well as implementing the faster Qi2 charging standard.

With this Power Bank, you can shout “It’s over 9000mAh!” just like Vegeta from the Dragon Ball anime. As well as being at a great price point, the Nano Power Bank is a great fit for any backpack if you need to charge your iPhone quickly. With this in mind, I put it through its paces over the past couple of weeks to see how it held up when charging my iPhone 15 Pro Max when required.

Anker Nano Power Bank: Price and availability

Anker’s Nano Power Bank costs $39.99 / £39.99, which is great value for the amount of charge it offers. For example, if you have an iPhone 15, you can charge the phone up to 1.8 times.

You can buy the Nano Power Bank directly from Anker right now, but you can also buy it from Amazon and Walmart for the same price.

Anker Nano Power Bank: What I like

Anker’s Nano Power Bank is a great example of how big things can come in a small package. Featuring 10,000mAh of power, it can charge an iPhone 15 almost twice. With the power bank’s 30W Bi-Directional Charging, built-in USB-C cable, and additional USB-A and USB-C ports at the front, you can recharge the power bank to 50% in just 45 minutes or charge an iPhone 14 to 50% within 30 minutes. The PowerBank can also charge three devices at once, but be careful — 10,000mAh only charges your devices so much in this situation!

Using the Nano Power Bank over several weeks, I’ve found it to be very useful because of these features. I’ve been taking it out of my bag to quickly charge my iPhone 15 Pro Max while I’ve been out, as well as plugging it into my MacBook Pro to give it a small power boost.

I’m also a big fan of the Nano Power Bank’s design — it’s a curved rectangle weighing a light 7.58 oz. There’s a small screen to let you know how much charge there is left too, so you know exactly how much you have before you leave for a work commute. Its external case is also made from 80% recycled plastic, showcasing Anker’s effort to make sure the Nano Power Bank is environmentally friendly. Overall, the Power Bank feels well-made every time I hold it. It’s perfectly designed for portability, so if you’re looking for something small yet mighty, Anker’s Nano Power Bank is it.

Anker Nano Power Bank: What I don't like

There’s not a lot to dislike about the Nano PowerBank. It does exactly as promised, although there’s only one improvement I’d like to see in a future revision.

The lack of MagSafe, Apple’s method of magnetically attaching its products to accessories, feels like an obvious miss here. This addition would have allowed four devices to be charged at once — meaning an AirPods Pro case could attach through MagSafe. The size of the Power Bank allows for MagSafe, but it seems like this is something Anker purposely left out — perhaps due to pricing reasons.

Anker Nano Power Bank: Competition

There are countless power banks that you can buy right now — some are cheaper and some have a larger capacity You only need to look at our best portable battery bank guide to see the huge amount of varied products available in the category.

For example, take the UGreen 145W, 25,000mAh power bank. As this one is slightly longer than Anker’s Nano Power Bank in design, it means that there’s 15,000mAh more here to charge your devices with. It’s important to mention, however, that the price of UGreen’s power bank is $90 / £84, making it significantly more expensive compared to Anker’s power bank at $39.99 / £39.99.

For something that fits well in a bag, with a great design and enough ports to charge your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch all at once, we strongly recommend Anker’s Nano PowerBank if you’re looking for something easy to use to keep your devices charged.

Should you buy it?

You should buy this if…

• You crave a power bank with portability
• You need to charge more than two USB-C devices
• You’re on a budget

You shouldn't buy this if…

• You want a power bank with MagSafe
• You need a power bank that can charge your MacBook repeatedly in one charge

Verdict

The Nano PowerBank is a fantastic accessory. Despite its small design it offers a lot of useful features to keep your nearby devices charged when needed. At $39.99 / £39.99, it’s at a great price point for those who want a backup to keep in their back for those just-in-case scenarios. Granted, there’s no MagSafe, but it’s a small price to pay for what this power bank offers.

I’ve spent the last few weeks getting to grips with Mokibo’s Fusion Keyboard 2.0, an innovative iPad case that features a folio keyboard design. What’s innovative about another iPad keyboard? Well, the Fusion Keyboard 2.0 features a built-in touchpad integrated into keys. This means that, in theory, you can get all of the benefits of a Magic Keyboard for iPad without compromising on size and space. 

This all-in-one solution sounds good on paper, but does it actually work?

Mokibo Fusion Keyboard 2.0: Price and availability

Currently, the Fusion Keyboard 2.0 exists as a Kickstarter project, however it has absolutely smashed its funding goal. As such, I’d expect it to be made available on both Amazon and Mokibo’s own website in the near future, just like the first iteration is now. The reward price set for the Fusion Keyboard 2.0 starts at $89, with larger models for the iPad Pro 11-inch (pictured here) and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro also available for slightly more. We don’t have official pricing yet but the current model is around $120 on Amazon. 

Mokibo Fusion Keyboard 2.0: What I Like

There’s a lot to like, initially, about the Fusion Keyboard 2.0. The outer shell casing feels premium and sturdy, for one. The material is smooth and rubbery and there’s no sense that it's fragile in any way. Despite only being held in place by magnets, my iPad Pro rests snugly in place and doesn’t shift around at all. When closed, it forms a neat, reassuringly weighty package that I’d happily throw in a rucksack or bag for commuting. 

Likewise, the method to deploy the keyboard into its upright configuration is very smooth. You simply open up the case and rest your iPad in the slot along the top of the keyboard. There are no gaps or play in the mechanism, and your iPad sits at the perfect angle for viewing and typing. 

Beyond the pleasantly robust design, the Fusion Keyboard 2.0 has a couple of really nifty features. For starters, it works with almost any operating system. There’s iPadOS, of course, but it also works with macOS, Windows, Android, Linux, your Steam Deck, and even some smart TVs. You can connect it to up to three devices, switching between them using a shortcut on the function key. This is perfect if you’re working across multiple devices at once, but only want to use one keyboard. For instance, if you’re typing away at a document on your iPad and receive a message on your iPhone, you can simply switch inputs and keep typing on your iPhone. The same applies to Mac, and so on. 

The Fusion Keyboard 2.0 also boasts a battery life of 60 hours of continuous use. That’s enough for a week's worth of productivity in most spheres. But how good is it to type on?

It’s a thin, low-profile keyboard for an iPad Pro 11-inch. As such, there are some inevitable drawbacks, the keys are very close together, and there’s not much travel/satisfaction in the key presses. However, for a small on-the-go keyboard it's pretty good, especially after a little bit of adjustment time. Everything’s just about where you’d expect it to be, save the space bar, which is two separate keys set on either side of a click button for the trackpad, which confusingly also works as a space bar.

Mokibo Fusion Keyboard 2.0: What I don’t like

The Fusion Keyboard 2.0’s party piece is that baked-in trackpad, and sadly, what should be its greatest strength is in fact its downfall. While the idea of using the whole keyboard as a trackpad sounds fun, in practice it's messy, irritating, and a drawback on what could have otherwise been a solid iPad accessory.

The trackpad comes with OS settings for various different use cases including Mac and iPad. I used it predominantly on iPad, and once I’d set to my chosen input mode to suit my tablet, I set about trying to use the trackpad just as I would a normal Magic Keyboard for iPad. 

Unfortunately, the overall experience is too inconsistent and erratic for this feature to be considered anything other than a gimmick at this stage, and actually detracts from the overall experience. Single-finger tracking for moving around the iPadOS mouse cursor is fine, natural almost, but it’s imperfect, and landing the cursor exactly where you want to each time can get very frustrating. When it comes to scrolling, vertical movement with two fingers works broadly as expected (it goes up and down when you move your fingers up and down), but it’s quite jumpy, and very imprecise, even when you turn down the scrolling speed in the iPadOS settings. 

While the vertical work is clumsy, horizontal movements are generally unusable. Most notably, the two-finger gesture you might use to navigate between different pages on your iPadOS Home Screen is incredibly frustrating and lacks consistency. The same goes for the three-finger swipe gesture that should let you swipe between apps, up to the App Switcher, or down to the Home Screen. 

I really tried with the Fusion Keyboard 2.0, but after a ton of time trying to get to grips with its trackpad, it's impossible to recommend in its current state. My worry is that these are limitations of the hardware overall rather than its specific implementation here, as such I don’t think a trackpad experience built into the keys is ever going to triumph over a dedicated trackpad. 

There are times when the trackpad has pleasantly surprised me, or even been helpful, but those instances have been precious few and far between. More often, trying to use it has been infuriating and disruptive to my workflow, to the point that I’d rather it wasn’t included at all. Given this is a Kickstarter project, there’s still time for Mokibo to get this right, and I really hope it does, but right now I have more questions than answers. 

A final cautionary word on what I don’t like about the Fusion 2.0. The key placement is noticeably uneven and looks ever-so-slightly slapdash. It’s not obvious, but once you spot it you can’t unsee it. Where multiple keys meet at one point, such as where the B, N, and spacebar keys converge, the discrepancy in the manufacturing is obvious. Again, this is something that could get ironed out in the production phase once the Kickstarter is over, but as it currently stands the keyboard doesn’t scream premium.

Mokibo Fusion Keyboard 2.0: Competition

The Mokibo Fusion Keyboard 2.0 is a unique proposition. It’s the only keyboard on the market I know of that offers a trackpad baked into the keys of the keyboard itself, so in that sense, you won’t find any competition. 

The best conventional trackpad experience for iPad is Apple’s own Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, but it’s a lot more expensive. There’s also the Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard case and the ESR Ascend, all of which feature in our best iPad case picks right now. Given the drawbacks of the trackpad in its current form, I’d recommend a dedicated keyboard/trackpad offering over the Fusion.

Mokibo Fusion Keyboard 2.0: Verdict

The Mokibo Fusion Keyboard 2.0 is very innovative and ambitious in its design, but there are serious drawbacks to using the trackpad in its current form. If Mokibo can improve that then it might be onto a winner, but right now the Fusion Keyboard 2.0 is really just a keyboard case with a dud party trick, and there are better options on the market in that field. 

Ugreen already makes what we consider to be the best portable battery pack for iPhone in 2024, the Ugreen 145W power bank, so when we heard the news about its brand new MagSafe battery packs for iPhone, we were all ears. Ugreen now offers its Magnetic Power Bank in two different capacities, providing on-the-go emergency power and MagSafe compatibility for your iPhone. But are either worth your hard-earned cash? Let’s find out.  

Ugreen Magnetic Power Bank: Price and availability

Ugreen offers its Magnetic Power bank in two sizes, 5,000mAh and 10,000mAh. That figure simply refers to the amount of charge the battery can hold, the performance of which we’ll get to later. As you might expect, the heftier version costs more, but neither is truly expensive. The former is $29.99 from Ugreen or Amazon, while the latter is $49.99, also available at Ugreen and Amazon. They come in two colors a stealthy black, and white, pictured here. 

Ugreen Magnetic Power Bank: Specs and features

Both of Ugreen’s Magnetic Power Banks are incredibly self-explanatory in terms of their specs and features, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t impressive. Each one features a two-way USB-C port that can be used to charge up the device from any wall socket. Once loaded with charge, you can use them to power up any of Apple’s best iPhones. That can be done magnetically using the power of MagSafe and wireless charging or via a cable and the aforementioned USB-C port. The 5000mAh offers 15W of wired charging or 7.5W via magnetic, wireless charging, while the 10000mAh option offers 20W of wired charging and up to 15W of wireless charging.

In my testing, the 5000mAh version was able to charge up my iPhone 15 Pro Max from zero to 34% in just one hour, using up about 75% of its available charge. Using a fairly regular wall charger, you can probably charge up the 5000mAh version in less than 90 minutes. The charge level is indicated by a series of four LED dots next to the charging port, which shows whether you’re at 0-25%, 25-50%, 50-75%, or 75-100%. There’s a fifth blue light that indicates whether magnetic charging is being used. Otherwise, the Magnetic Power Bank has one button, which you can use to turn the pack on and off or to toggle the low current/trickle charging mode. This nifty feature lets you charge smaller devices such as headphones without overdoing the power delivery. 

The 10000mAh version improves on all of those figures but is much larger as a result. You’ll get even faster wireless charging (15W not 7.5W), double the capacity, and greater power delivery over cable too (20W instead of 15W). All in all, both the 5000 and 10000mAh versions of the Magnetic Power Bank are incredibly simple and useful, and very effective when it comes to charging up your iPhone. 

Ugreen Magnetic Power Bank: Build and looks

The white modeled here is more of an off-white and I have to say I love the shade. I also love the overall texture of the Magnetic Power Bank, the matte plastic is smooth, but also very grippy so you can keep using your iPhone with one attached, no issue. Likewise, the “rear” of the pack (the bit that faces your iPhone) is a very stylish rubber that shows no sign of wear and tear in my few weeks of use. 

I do, however, have two gripes with the design of the Ugreen Magnetic Power Bank. Firstly, each one is adorned with a plethora of technical information about the battery including its voltages, ingredients, and more. I imagine these are a legal requirement in terms of battery packs, especially when it comes to air travel — even Apple’s old MagSafe Battery Pack featured them — however, where Apple’s were hidden on the inside of the pack, Ugreen’s are plastered over the outer shell, making the design a tad unsightly. 

More apparent, however, the Ugreen Magnetic Power Bank is too big to use with a 6.1-inch iPhone. Both are perfectly sized for the iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPhone 15 Plus. However, when aligned with the magnets, both packs stick out over the edge of the regular-sized iPhone 15. It’s not enough of an incursion so as to make it unusable, but it’s very noticeable and might put off some users, especially those with smaller phones. Of course, you can always charge your iPhone using a cable instead, but for a pack that is advertised primarily as a magnetic charger, I’d have expected it to fit all sizes of Apple’s current iPhone lineup. 

I’ll end on a positive, both banks come with incredibly strong magnets. Sometimes MagSafe accessories don’t inspire much confidence when it comes to stability, but Ugreen says its magnets could hold the weight of five iPhones, let alone one, and honestly, I believe them. There’s no play or wiggle in the magnets at all, and I’ve no doubt they’ll never let you down when it comes to staying attached to your iPhone. 

Ugreen Magnetic Power Bank: Competition

With Apple’s MagSafe Battery pack no longer sold by Apple, and existing stock elsewhere still sporting the aged Lightning connector, it’s no wonder there are so many chargers on the market. There are plenty of alternatives to Ugreen’s Magnetic Power Bank. We’ve already mentioned its own Ugreen 145W power bank, which isn’t magnetic but does deliver a mammoth amount of charge thanks to its capacity. Other options include our recently acclaimed Native Union (Re)Classic Power Bank and the TORRAS MagSafe Power Bank. If you don’t mind (or perhaps prefer) Apple’s Lightning connector, you can still pick up Apple’s MagSafe Battery pack beyond Apple’s walls, but it’ll cost a lot more than the equivalent $29 option reviewed here. 

Ugreen Magnetic Power Bank: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if ...

• You want a practical and useful magnetic power bank
• You have a MagSafe iPhone
• You want a secure magnetic charger that won’t fall off your iPhone

You shouldn't buy this if ...

• You have a smaller iPhone and can’t live with the design flaw
• You don’t have a MagSafe iPhone

Ugreen Magnetic Power Bank: Verdict

So there you have it, despite the overlapping design flaw caused by the Ugreen Magnetic Power Bank’s size, I’m thoroughly impressed by its excellent stats, power delivery, and incredible utility. It’s not the most refined option on the market, but it’s definitely one of the most solid. 

Logitech has long been the go-to accessory maker for a lot of Apple device users, including those who need to be able to get things done away from home. Those people need portability, but that's no good if the rest of the experience is sub-par.

Logitech's new Keys-to-Go 2 is its latest option for road warriors who need a thin, light, and above all, small keyboard that they can throw into a bag and then use with anything that has a Bluetooth connection when they arrive at their destination. For most people reading this, that means an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. And the Keys-to-Go 2 comes in a version that's designed specifically for those with Apple devices, too.

Whether you're carrying an M4 iPad Pro to get things done on the road or an iPad mini for note-taking in class, Logitech's latest keyboard could well be the answer, and it even comes in a handful of colors for you to choose from, too.

Tap, tap, away

Starting with those colors buyers can pick from Lilac, Pale Gray, and Graphite but they all come with the same scissor keys and support for connecting to up to three different devices via Bluetooth. They all come with a built-in cover to protect the keyboard from damage en route as well — perfect for those with full bags.

There will be two versions of the keyboard, one of which has an Apple layout. The other is a universal solution with a layout that will work with Android, ChromeOS, Windows, iPadOS, iOS, and MacOS, should the need arise.

In terms of availability, Logitech says the Keys-to-Go 2 will be available this month via the company's website and all the usual retailers.

More from iMore

• The M4 iPad Pro is a gaming beast
• I've used iPadOS 18 for 24 hours and it emphasizes more than ever just how unloved the iPad is
• M4 iPad Pro's new Magic Keyboard has a 'fatal' flaw

I’m a sucker for the old days. I do my best to keep my rose-tinted glasses off as much as possible, but give me a vinyl deck over an MP3 any day, a GameBoy cartridge over a digital download every time. As a result, the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard is pressing all the right buttons for me.

Not only is it a very good mechanical keyboard in its own right, with many of the modern conveniences you’d expect of a keyboard in 2024, but it aesthetically harks back to some classic gaming systems that will appeal to many people of a certain vintage. If you’re a gamer who turns their nose up at the modern obsession with RGB-everything  — or just on the market for a well-priced keyboard with a bit of personality, the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard should be high on your list. It joins the ranks of our top picks among the best mechanical keyboards for Mac.

And of course, this entire review is written using the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard.

Price and availability

The 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard is available now, and comes in four different styles — Fami, N, C64 and M. Fami is modelled after the Japanese 8-bit Famicom computers with beige shell and a selection of red buttons. It’s the one we’re testing out today, though they’re all functionally identical. N is modelled after the grey and red stylings of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) which dominated living rooms in the 80s. C64 looks very similar to the Commodore 64 computers, while the M takes its cues from Amiga systems.

They’re priced at $99.99 — though the company has regularly been knocking $10 bucks off that price with limited time sales. The exception is the C64 edition, which has a $109.99 price tag. And all include a separate set of oversized, programmable ‘Super Buttons’ in the box too — a fun and quirky extra.

Whichever model you go for, that’s a great price for a really solid mechanical keyboard, even before you throw in those additional macro buttons. You can easily pay double that price to get a mechanical keyboard with this feature set, so it’s a great value offering from 8BitDo here.

What I love

Just look at this thing! Though I grew up with the NES styled 8-bit Nintendo system rather than the Japanese Famicom that this particular version is aesthetically aping, you can’t help but overload whatever gland is responsible for retro nostalgia whenever you look at the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard. It’s just a gorgeous item, with its mixture of red and cream colorings, golden details and kanji characters alongside the Roman alphabet on the keys. 

There are a ton of cool details here, from the NES-like arrow keys to the customizable B and A buttons that sit beneath the right Shift button, to the old-school bulb-like power indicator to the top right. I like the little nods to analog physicality here too — there’s a dial for jumping between Bluetooth LE, 2.4GHz wireless (over a Mario-block style dongle USB-A dongle that neatly stores away into a recess), and OFF / wired modes, and another dial for cranking up your system’s volume. Next to these is a trio of round buttons for connecting to devices wirelessly, setting up macros, and switching between custom key profiles. USB charging is on the rear edge, as well as four expansion ports for add-on accessories 8BitDo sells — as well as the included Super Buttons, you can get individual giant buttons, an arcade-style joystick, and a four-key SNES-style key add-on, each sold separately.

Those Super Buttons are dumb fun too. You can program them to do any function of your choosing. Are they that useful? Probably… not? But there’s something fun about switching between apps, for instance, with a push of a big mushy controller button. It’s fun, and hasn’t seemed to have added a giant extra expense to the overall cost, so I’m here for them.

It’s overall a good typing experience too  — a bit noisier and clicky than I’d like, but it’s a good feel. There’s 3.6mm travel to the keys, with a hot-swappable circuit board and N-Key rollover support (letting you press however many buttons as you like simultaneously without the keyboard freaking out and misinterpreting your inputs). 8BitDo kits the keyboard out with Kalih Box White Switches (V2), and the keycaps are dye-sub PBT, which should protect the icons from wearing off over time.

Though tenkeyless, it’s a chunky keyboard for the format (87 keys total), in part thanks to its full-size function row keys and separated sets for the likes of Print screen, Insert, Delete, PGUP, PGDN, and so on. It measures 377 x 170 x 47mm, and weighs in at 1050g. The weight works in its favor — this guy won’t slide around when you’re furiously typing away.

Though I’ve not had the time to test the 200 hour usage claim yet, that seems in-line with what I’d expect from the internal 2,000mAh rechargeable battery onboard here. 4 hours of charging time over the included USB-C cable will bring the battery to 100%, and the keyboard can still be used with zero power with that cable plugged into your computer and the connectivity dial switched to ‘OFF’.

What I don’t love

The first thing here will be obvious to anyone looking at those photos above closely — this is not a Mac-layout keyboard, and 8BitDo does not offer the option. By default you’re stuck with Windows and ALT keys rather than Option and CMD, and while they all map intuitively, you might be a stickler for a keyboard that matches your primary platform. Seeing as the keys are swappable, it’d be great if 8BitDo could offer a sold-separately Mac-pack in the future, but this looks unlikely. I don’t think I’d want to ruin the aesthetic with non-matching third-party Mac keycaps either.

Perhaps more frustrating is the accompanying keyboard software. On Windows, it’s actually great — you’re able to remap keys to any function you desire, program those big Super Buttons to macros, and scroll through different profile configurations. It’s great for building out custom shortcuts, or game-specific key mappings. It’s a shame then that there’s no Mac support for the software — and potentially troubling for the long-term health of the keyboard when paired exclusively with a Mac, as the software suite is the only current way to update the keyboard’s firmware.

Competition

There are so many different mechanical keyboards with different features to fit your needs. And with endless customization, there’s not necessarily a one-size-fits-all when determining the best.

The NuPhy Halo 75 is slightly more expensive than the 8BitDo coming in at $130 but it offers a fantastic typing experience with every connection option you could hope for. With lots of switches to choose from, the Halo 75 is the best mechanical keyboard under $150.

If you’re looking for something more custom and want to get your hands dirty with a DIY project, look no further than the Meletriz Zoom75. This gorgeous keyboard has exceptional build quality and is ideal for anyone who wants to make mechanical keyboards their hobby.

For something a little more low profile we suggest the Lofree Flow 100 which gives you a great sounding keyboard and build quality that feels like Apple could’ve made it.

Should You Buy It?

Buy the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard if…

• You love the retro aesthetic
• You enjoy the feel of a good mechanical keyboard
• You want a keyboard with a bit of heft to it

Don't buy the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard if…

• You want a more sedate-looking keyboard
• You prefer low-profile or chiclet keyboards
• Desk space is at a premium

Verdict

I’m smitten with the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard. It’s so good looking with such fun little features that it’s easy to fall in love with — and that’s despite its lack of real Mac support, and me being a Mac user primarily, and my usual preference for low-profile keyboards. Sometimes though, you just want to look down at something you spend so much time of your day in front of, and have it raise a smile. The 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard does that,  and at a great price too. If 8BitDo ever gets its software over to the Mac, this would get top ‘excellent’ top marks. For now it’ll have to make do with ‘very, very good’ instead.

WWDC 2024 this year is expected to showcase some new AI-focused features across Apple's platforms, but this could be the start of a path that leads to the company's own robots helping you around the house.

That comes by way of Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in the latest issue of the Power On newsletter, where he reports "Apple has been working to build an Amazon Astro-style robot that can follow a user around the home and help handle chores."

"Executives at the company have even discussed the prospect of humanoid robots," he adds, suggesting that as with the cancelled Apple Car project, these robots would need an AI engine.

Apple could be working on humanoid and tabletop robots

Gurman also notes that the Siri revamp that's underway "could be at the core of Apple’s future table-top robot, which is essentially a large iPad display that can move around to mimic the head motions of a human."

"That device will be primarily controlled by voice — and having a more precise and sophisticated version of Siri will be invaluable. "

Sounds like the HomePod with a screen concept may have grown more ambitious than anticipated, and the AI inside "could help pave the way for AR glasses or camera-equipped AirPods" to help deliver environmental information to users.

Still, don't expect these products soon. As Gurman says, Apple's work on LLMs is far behind rivals like Google or OpenAI, so it'll need to push the development of it faster to avoid falling further behind.

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I love a good MagSafe power bank. Conveniently topping up your iPhone battery with a magnetic snap, the technology is one of my favorite features of the iPhone line in general. And though I’ve tested some of the best portable power banks on the market, they all tend to be temporary, utilitarian additions to my iPhone arsenal, even with MagSafe included. Either a bit ugly or a bit chunky, they’re only ever gainfully employed when my iPhone’s battery is about to breathe its last.

That’s not the case with the new Native Union (Re)Classic Power Bank though. It’s so slim and chic, I’m thinking about leaving it attached to my iPhone 15 Pro permanently.

Available now and costing $69.99 / £59.99, the (Re)Classic Power Bank is about as good-looking as they come. 

Slim style

Despite being a mere 86mm thick and 123g in weight, it squeezes in a 5,000mAh capacity — that’s enough for a full charge of an iPhone 15 Pro, without the heft and weight that similar power banks add to your device. With a textured finish made of Yatay (a plant-based material that feels somewhere between leather and plastic), it adds little bulk to my iPhone, but does add some much-needed grip to proceedings.

Four LEDs indicate remaining power in the bank, with a 15cm USB-C to USB-C braided cable included in the box. With passthrough charging available through the bank’s USB-C port, you can keep both phone and battery topped up with juice when plugged into a wall socket. In terms of charging speed, it’ll max out at 15W when wirelessly charging your handset, but jumps to 20W if you use a cable from the battery pack to your phone’s charging port.

I’ve been using the black version, but a ‘kraft’ (cheese) yellow, and slate green options are also available.

One thing worth noting is that this isn’t a Qi2 charger — it’s not taking advantage of the faster charging times that newer Qi standard offers. A Native Union representative explained that, when temperature management comes into play (particularly pertinent in a charger this slim) charging speed boosts end up in play only temporarily. So for the sake of a cheaper, slimmer charger that doesn’t lose out on too much charging speed, the trade-off of the older tech in this instance has been worth it.

And I wouldn’t argue with that — the design here allows me to comfortably leave the power bank on my phone at length and it never gets unduly hot. So with the (Re)Classic an almost permanent companion to my phone, I rarely see the difference.

I’ve gotten so used to it sitting on the back of my phone that I sometimes forget it’s even there now after a few weeks of use. And, seeing how many MagSafe power banks I’ve got stashed in drawers around the house, that’s about the highest praise I think I can give. Go grab one.

The Dockcase Studio Smart USB-C Hub is the apex predator of USB-C hubs. Smaller than a bar of soap but packing in a useful touchscreen and a wide array of ports, despite its utilitarian nature it’ll turn heads when people see its display fire up, plugged into your Mac, iPhone, or iPad.

However, it does also come with a big price tag to match its premium finish and features, and you may find yourself looking for similar functionality at a less expensive price point. But if you’re looking for the very best in portable connectivity, look no further.

Price and availability

The Dockcase Studio Smart USB-C hub is currently available via a Kickstarter campaign, with an RRP price of $199, and a ‘Super Early Bird’ price of $139 for the first 200 backers.

Even with the discount, that makes it far more expensive than our current top picks for the best USB-C hubs for MacBook Pro, and more expensive than the Dockcase Smart USB-C 10-in-1 hub that precedes it. You’re paying a premium here for the touchscreen, and a steep one at that.

What I Love

The Dockcase Studio Smart sets itself apart from other USB-C docks thanks to its 1.9-inch (diagonal) touchscreen. An LCD display behind tempered glass with a resolution of 320 x 170, it’s a surprisingly useful addition to a port expansion dock, letting you swipe and tap through the various devices attached, providing information on their respective specs. From transfer rates to temperatures, display refresh rates to power draws, and storage card health, there’s loads of valuable information, particularly for anyone looking to debug their devices or push for their optimum performance.

There are lots of ports to take advantage of here. As well as the host device USB-C connection, you’ve got a USB-C slot for up to 100W power delivery for charging up connected devices alongside another USB-C 3.2 gen 2 port (10Gbps), a full-size USB-A 3.2 gen 2 port (10Gbps), and an HDMI 2.1 port (up to 4K @120Hz or 8K @ 30Hz). But it’s the card readers that are pushing the boat out here, making this a particularly good dock for photographers and videographers. As well as full-size and microSD / TF cards (UHS-II for reading cards up to 2TB in capacity), you’ve also got card slots for CFExpress Type A (up to 800MB/s) and CFexpress Type B (up to 1,000MB/s). 

That complete selection should have most scenarios covered for content creators, and the advertised speeds were accurate in testing, too. The dock can get a little hot, but nothing eyebrow-raising, and the onboard display lets you monitor if things are going higher than you’re comfortable with.

It’s a good size too; shaped like a stack of credit cards, and weighing 118g, it measures roughly 98mm x 55mm x 18mm, letting it pop unassumingly in a bag. Matte black, a corrugated metal plate on the underside helps disperse heat. A short USB-C cable, capable of carrying the USB 3.2 gen 2 10Gbps high speeds is included in the box too.

What I Don’t Love

There’s no questioning the Dockcase Studio Smart USB-C Hub is a great device, but at $199 for a hub, you’re at the extreme end of what you’d ever want to pay for something like this. 

It has a good port array, and having the ability to see what each of your connected devices is doing is great. But you could argue that it is a tad over-engineered — it's a premium hub with a premium price tag, and you certainly get what you pay for. But think long and hard if you even need a touchscreen on your USB-C hub — the price tag here puts you into dozen-port desktop dock territory, and I’d be a little worried about casually tossing this into a rucksack in the same way I treat my other USB hubs, what with the glass touchscreen in play here.

I personally would have liked another USB-C input in addition to the host connection and PD 100W slot, too.

Competition

Though it doesn’t have a touchscreen, and is a bit larger with a candy bar shape, I still really like Dockcase’s earlier Smart USB-C Hub 10-in-1 Explorer Edition. It’s got more ports and a cool transparent design, and still provides some info on what’s plugged in. It’s cheaper at an RRP of $159.99 too — though, as stated above, some of the best USB-C hubs for Mac can be picked up much cheaper.

Should you buy the Dockcase Studio Smart USB-C 8-in-1 Hub?

Buy it if…

• You need detailed stats on the devices you use
• You want a wide selection of card readers
• You want to take full advantage of high-speed transfers via a hub

Don’t buy it if…

• You’re on a budget
• You don’t need intricate info on the devices you’re connecting
• You want to a hub you can carelessly throw in a bag

Verdict

It’s easy to love the Dockcase Studio Smart USB-C hub. It’s got a great port selection, is really portable, and offers genuinely insightful information on all manner of stats relating to your connected devices. But it doesn’t come cheaply, and that touchscreen makes it a little more delicate than less advanced hubs, meaning it's only really for the most demanding — and careful — of users.

Apple's AirTags are over three years old now. Despite this, they're still fantastic options for anyone who finds their keys mysteriously disappearing. But if you're yet to be convinced by the Bluetooth trackers, this recent police story might just help you change your mind. AirTags manage to recover $5 million worth of stolen items thanks to the location data they share.

As explained to The Washington Post, a carpenter from Northern Virginia, weary of constant overnight thefts, took matters into his own hands by planting AirTags on his tools. The thieves struck again on January 22, making off with a fresh batch of the carpenter's tools, including a few seeded with AirTags. Armed with his iPhone, he began tracking the items, leading him through the DC metro suburbs and ultimately to a storage facility in Howard County.

Instead of going full vigilante, the carpenter wisely called in the police. The authorities, armed with a search warrant, raided the storage unit and uncovered not just the carpenter's tools but the tip of a much larger iceberg. Further investigation led to a total of 12 storage facilities packed with over 15,000 stolen tools, collectively valued at around $5 million. The loot appeared to have been pilfered from retail stores, businesses, vehicles, residential properties, and construction sites across Northern Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Howard County Police Chief Gregory Der acknowledged the enormity of the investigation, revealing that they were still hot on the trail of several suspects, with charges expected soon. Despite the complexity of the case, the carpenter has already reclaimed about half a dozen of his stolen tools. In a bid to return the remaining stolen items, the police have launched a website where victims can log their stolen property in hopes of reclaiming it. So far, they've identified around 80 victims of this grand theft spree.

Another reason to buy AirTags

Apple's AirTags have been central to many theft and recovery stories, often involving stolen cars and luggage. However, their utility comes with a cautionary tale, as they've also been misused for stalking. To counteract this, Apple has updated the AirTag firmware to alert users when an AirTag has been planted without their knowledge. The company has also made the AirTag detection software available on both iPhone and Android, ensuring broader protection against unwanted tracking.

And they're only set to get better, with a new generation reportedly on the way next year. Top Apple analyst Mark Gurman says the new model, codenamed B589, is slated to arrive "around the middle" of next year, and that "Apple is already doing test runs with manufacturing partners in Asia" in anticipation of launch. 

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Ah, the EarPods — they sounded rubbish, but there was something reassuring knowing that you’d get a pair of serviceable EarPods earphones with your iPhone or iPod purchases in days gone by. The death of the headphone jack in most mobile devices seemed to sign the death warrant for affordable, wired in-ear earphones, but the emergence of USB-C as a dominant, more-or-less device-agnostic connector has meant they’ve been able to make a niche comeback at the budget and high-end, high-res ends of the spectrum.

The SoundMagic E80D in-ear earphones are definitely priced at the budget end of the earphone spectrum, but have a pleasing sound and lightweight design that will make these a great backup pair — maybe even primary pair — or earphones for anyone tired of charging even the best AirPods out there.

Price and availability

Available now, the SoundMagic E80D are a steal at $45 / £40. You’d be hard-pressed to find a decent set of true wireless earbuds at that price, what with their added connectivity and battery costs. But all of the price here goes on comfort and sound quality, and as such, they represent great value.

What I Love

There are some obvious, simple things to love about going back to a pair of wired headphones. First, they obviously don’t need charging — plug-and-play simplicity is the order of the day here. They don’t need pairing either — provided your device has a USB-C port, you can be more or less certain it’ll be able to channel its audio through to the SoundMagic E80D earphones without faffing with settings menus. And with no batteries to house, they’re lightweight and comfortable to use over long periods of time, too — the SoundMagic E80D weighs just 16g, including its 1.2m cable.

SoundMagic made some smart design decisions with the E80D too. The cable and buds look very nice — there’s a transparent look to the cabling that lets you see the copper innards of the earphones, while the aluminum buds have a refined brushed-silver finish. The USB-C end is smartly stopped at a right angle too, making it a little less likely to catch or stick out of your pocket. A simple, slimline three-button remote (volume up, volume down, and a central play/pause button that can skip tracks with a double press), sits a few inches down the left bud’s cable.

You’ve got a selection of silicone ear tips to choose from across three sizes, and a single pair of double flanged tips too. The latter do a great job of passively blocking environmental noise (if not quite a match for active noise cancelation on, say, the AirPods Pro 2). A small, hard-shell carry case is provided too, good for stopping that cable tangling up in a rucksack.

Audio quality is of course the most important factor with any earphones though, and the E80D punch well above their weight in this respect. The E80D are making use of 10mm dynamic drivers, with a DAC cable of 24-bit/96Hz playback, good enough for hi-resolution tracks and better than you’re usually likely to get from Bluetooth buds in this price range. Bass has a presence, but these are relatively close to neutral in sound — there’s bottom-end when needed, but not such as to overwhelm the presentation. It’s a detailed and pleasant sound overall, well-balanced against any genre I threw at it. 

The distorted symphony of The Flaming Lips ‘Race for the Prize’, with its synth and harp layers doing battle against over-driven drums sounded sublime, picking out details and keeping a busy track’s instrumentation well separated.

But the low-end kick of Billie Eilish’s ‘bad guy’ landed with force, the walking bassline keeping its shape while Eilish’s whispered vocals sat comfortably and clearly at the fore.

For something a little more raucous, it’s over to Minneapolis’s The Replacements and ‘Favorite Thing’, charging through with trebly guitars and two-many-cigarettes vocals. There’s great presence to the drums, and the scattergun ending, with its blistering guitar runs, is given surprising room to breathe with the more-neutral tuning offered up by the E80D.

Rounding things off with Marika Hackman’s plaintive ‘Claude’s Girl’, the E80D keep vocals from becoming too sibilant, while displaying good dynamic clarity between quieter moments and those where harmonies fill the soundstage.  

What I Don’t Love

There are a few things I’d tweak, should the SoundMagic E80D ever get another revision.

There’s a fixed cable at play here — you can’t pop the buds off the end should you need to clean or replace them. It’s not a hugely common feature, but appreciated when present, if a little beyond the realm of budget earphones like these. More annoying is the placement of the remote — at just a few inches from the left bud they’re not placed in a natural spot for flicking through tracks or tweaking audio, causing you to raise your hand higher than you may be used to for remotes.

That remote itself is a bit fiddly. It’s very thin and small, and there isn’t a great deal of differentiation between its flush buttons, which can lead to unintended button presses.

You’ll only find one set of dual flange tips in the box too — the ones that offer the best passive noise cancelation. If they’re not a great size for your ears, you’re left with standard ear tips, which aren’t quite as good at blocking out external sound.

Finally, they’re a little quiet for my liking, no matter what device is driving them. That’s probably a good thing really in terms of hearing health. But sometimes you just want to crank up your angry playlist and rage at the world, right?

Should you buy the SoundMagic E80D?

Buy them if…

• You long for the simplicity of wired headphones
• You’re on a budget
• You have a USB-C compatible iPhone, iPad, Mac or games console

Don’t buy them if…

• Wires annoy you
• You’re on an older non-USB-C device
• You need active noise cancelling headphones for a noisy environment

Verdict

Even if you’ve got a pair of AirPods handy, the SoundMagic E80D should have a place in your rucksack. They sound great, despite not breaking the bank, and should be compatible with many generations of devices to come, such is the popularity of USB-C. I’ll be recommending them to any pals after an affordable pair of wired headphones, happily joining the ranks of the best wired earphones.

There are an awful lot of MacBook docks out there, but Satechi has been putting out some of the finest for years.

The company has been packing plenty of ports into small packages for years, but it may just have outdone itself with the Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station that's geared toward 'Pro' level users.

It doesn't come cheap at $299.99 but has everything you could need for your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, including support for up to 8K displays.

Any port in a storm

The new dock has a Thunderbolt 4 upstream port, three Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports (USB-C), and a pair of USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports.

There are then two HDMI ports, ethernet, an SD card slot, audio jack, and power. In fact, you can hook up your iPhone, Apple Watch, and Mac at the same time and charge them simultaneously.

The Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Dock will also let you drive an 8K display at 60Hz with your MacBook, or up to 4K at 60Hz on four separate displays.

Will it be overkill for most people? Potentially, yes, but it's still impressive to have so much included in such a small footprint. Don't forget, though, that your mileage may vary based on which MacBook you use since some can only run additional monitors while in clamshell (closed) mode.

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The gadget travel checklist seems to get bigger with every trip. Which cables should I bring? Which international adapters? Do I have space for a powerbank? It’s easy to turn up to a flight with the head-slapping realisation you’ve left an important piece of the charging puzzle in a drawer back home.

The Journey AXIE 3-in-1 charger is designed to take that stress away, acting as the only power-providing device you need to take away with you. Acting as a powerbank, wall charger and MagSafe charger all-in-one, it’s a great package that anyone looking to streamline their travel packing should consider.

Price and availability

The Journey AXIE 10,000mAh global charger and power bank is available now, priced at $139.99. That puts it towards the top end of what you could expect to pay for one of the best wireless chargers for multiple devices — but comes with the flexibility of doubling up as a very capable battery pack, too. Throw in the multiple global power adapters and a suitcase-friendly travel case, and it helps justify the price tag.

What I love

The smart 3-in-1 design is what makes the Journey AXIE so easy to recommend. Not only is it a travel-friendly wall charger package, complete with multiple global wall adapters, but the AXIE also features a MagSafe wireless charging element, and can be used on the go as a mobile battery pack. With a 10,000mAh capacity, that's a good size in terms of portable power too — good for about two charges of an iPhone 15 Pro.

Made of a white matte plastic, the Journey AXIE actually looks a lot like a standard wall charger for MacBook Pro in terms of its shape, and is a similar size at 91mm x 91mm x 35mm, with a 366g weight. It has a US-style two-pin power prong that can flip down in its default configuration, but in the box come slide-on adapters for the UK, EU and AU. 

These are all kept neatly in a grey faux-leather carry case, which also has room for the charger itself. The AXIE also comes with a short USB-C power cable of its own, with one end ending in a right-angle connector. A simple cable tie and catch for the other end of the cable lets it double up as a carry handle for the charger too — a neat touch.

You’ve two charging options with the Journey AXIE — directly from a wall, or via the 10,000mAh battery built in. Via the wall, you get access to two USB-C ports, sharing 35W. When in power bank mode you get access to the raised MagSafe-compatible wireless charging element on the left hand side of the charger — 10W goes to the wireless charging element, with 20W shared between the USB-C ports. If you’re just using the wireless charging spot alone, it’ll pump 15W to your device, enough to be considered a fast-charger with Apple’s iPhone. If you don’t have a MagSafe device, an adhesive magnetic ring is included in the box that can be stuck on the back of other handsets, to allow for non-slip wireless charging.

A five-point power indicator sits on the side where the USB-C ports live, next to a power button — you’ll have to switch the charger on before it’ll start to give its juice up in powerbank mode. You can also pass through charge a device while the powerbank refills its own reserves.

It’s a well-thought-out design across the board — portable, flexible and easy to use.

What I don’t love

There’s not much criticism to level at the Journey AXIE. It’s well thought out for the most part, and priced fairly for the design ingenuity on show.

My one criticism would be that, though it’s portable given its multiple use cases, it is quite big for a wall charger. I’d imagine that using its US two-pin default plug in particular (I’m based in the UK and use the three-pin outlet style) would see its weight and shape lean a little out of the wall. Perhaps an AXIE mini that reduced the internal battery capacity for a more pocketable and wall-friendly size will alleviate this sometime down the road, but even today it’s just a minor gripe with an otherwise rock-solid item.

Should You Buy It?

Buy it if...

• You’re a regular traveller with MagSafe devices
• You’re looking to charge multiple devices at once
• You want to save space on carrying both wall adapters and battery packs

Don't buy it if...

• You want a pocketable battery pack
• You have older devices that don’t use MagSafe
• You don’t travel with multiple gadgets

Verdict

There’s great attention to detail with the Journey AXIE. From the holding recess for the included cable to the magnetic cable tie that turns the lead into a carrying handle, you can see that a lot of thought has gone into elevating it above your usual travel gadget. It’s well-realized and well-executed, with the slight exception being its weighty nature when used in a wall socket. It’s otherwise great though, and I know which charger I’ll now be reaching for when I go on my own travels later this year.

Top iPhone and Apple accessory maker Nomad has today unveiled its brand-new Tracking Card, a slim and rechargeable tracker for your wallet or purse. 

Priced at just $40, Nomad’s new Tracking Card is a credit card-shaped tracker you can place amongst your valuables to keep track of where they are. The card is rechargeable and can be located using Apple’s Find My app on all of its best iPhones, iPads, or Macs. As such, if you lose it, you can track it down using the Apple Find My network. While it might not have the precision finding of Apple’s AirTag, its convenient shape and size make it perfect as a slim AirTag alternative for keeping extra tabs on your valuables. 

The body is made from polycarbonate, and it's IPX7 waterproof and dustproof, so it’s pretty rugged. The battery on board will last for 5 months on a full charge, and you can top it up using any Qi or MagSafe charger.

Nomad’s Tracking Card is here 

Despite working with MagSafe, Nomad says the card itself doesn’t feature any magnets and won’t demagnetize or interfere with any of your other cards. Rather, it simply contains enough metal to attach to a MagSafe charger and receive a charge. 

Many of the best alternatives to Apple’s AirTag offer a bit more variety in form over Apple’s small tracking puck. The Nomad Tracking Card joins the Tile Slim as a credit card-shaped tracker, however, the former boasts a rechargeable battery that the Tile does not. 

As noted, the Nomad Tracking Card doesn’t feature precision finding (you need Apple’s fancy U1 chip for that), but it does use the Find My Network. As such, if you lose your wallet on a night out, the Nomad Tracking Card would be very handy in trying to work out which club you left your wallet in, but it won’t be able to take you to the exact spot on the dance floor. 

The new Nomad Tracking Card is available now from Nomadgoods.com.

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If you’re going to put a specific purpose directly in the name of your product, you better hope it’s better than everything else at that use case — particularly in a saturated market that sees new iPhone charging options crop up almost daily.

The Zens Office Charger Pro 3 wants to be THE wireless charging stand on your office desk. But does it do enough to take center stage in your office space?

Zens Office Charger Pro 3: Price and availability

The Zens Office Charger Pro 3 is available directly from the Zens website for $129.99 / £129.99 with free worldwide shipping. The charger is only available in black and is currently on backorder at a reduced price of $103.99 / £103.99. Zens also sells products on Amazon, but the Office Charger Pro 3 is currently unavailable on the world’s largest online retailer.

Purchasing the Office Charger Pro 3 directly from Zens gets you a 3-year warranty and is made from high-grade zinc alloy.

Zens Office Charger Pro 3: What’s good?

I’ve reviewed my fair share of wireless charging stands in the past, many of which are the best stands to charge both iPhone and Apple Watch. The Zens Office Charger Pro 3 has everything you’d want on paper, from a desk-centric charging stand including the ability to charge 3 devices wirelessly at once (iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods), the brand new Qi2 wireless charging technology that can output 15W of power to the best iPhones, a 45W power adapter with multiple plugs for different regions, and premium materials that make the stand feel sturdy and nice to look at when working all day.

In reality, it matches all of those expectations, the “Dutch design” as Zens calls it, is attractive and the charging speeds are exactly what you’d expect for a $100+ iPhone charging accessory. I found that StandBy mode on iOS 17 worked a treat while sitting at my desk and all charging elements were easy to access at all times. Alongside the aforementioned 15W Qi2 charger that’s compatible with the iPhone 12 and newer, the Office Charger Pro 3 has a 5W Apple Watch charger and a wireless charging pad for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 3.

I really like the minimalist industrial design and the charger is sturdy enough with rubber pads on its base so that it doesn’t move around or wobble when you interact with your devices on it. It does exactly what you’d expect a product called the Office Charger Pro 3 to do: it charges your devices and looks good on your desk while doing it. But is that really enough?

Zens Office Charger Pro 3: What’s not so good?

Before I get into the features I feel the Zens Office Charger Pro 3 lacks, I want to reiterate that it’s a well-made charger that does everything you’d expect a 3-in-1 charger looking to rival the best MagSafe charging stands to do. That said, a product that wants to take that prime real estate on your desk needs specific things that I feel are missing from Zens’ solution.

Firstly, none of the charging elements are adjustable so the viewing angle always stays the same. At first, I didn’t think this would be too much of an issue as the angles on show are pretty reasonable for daily use, but as I used the charging stand more I couldn’t help but want more versatility. I found this a particular problem when using my standing desk as I’d have liked to tilt the Qi2 charger slightly to have a better viewing angle from above. I’m also not a big fan of the aesthetic when using an iPhone in StandBy mode as it covers the Apple Watch charging element making the Watch’s more streamlined clock view out of sight. 

Another big omission, and something that plays into the name of the product, is the lack of external ports like a USB-C or USB-A to charge extra devices. I don’t usually expect this from any iPhone charging stands I review, but if you’re going to target the name of your product at an office worker then extra ports would make sense. 

Finally, the lack of a USB-C port for powering the device is frustrating as anyone who works from home and at the office will need to lug around the power brick rather than use any USB-C charging brick they find lying around. This brings the lack of flexibility in the product into question as it definitely doesn’t fit into a bag easily with its awkward size and shape — a true office product in this day and age needs to be easy to transport around.

Zens Office Charger Pro 3: Competition

The Anker Cube is iMore’s best iPhone accessory 2023 with adjustable angles, an Apple Watch charger that’s retractable, and a beautifully compact design. It’s slightly more expensive than the Zens Office Charger Pro 3 coming in at $149,99/£139.99.

Belkin offers the BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1, one of the best iPhone and Apple Watch chargers. Although, it’s $150/£149.95 and doesn’t look quite as stylish, in my opinion.

And, of course, you could buy a MagSafe cable, an Apple Watch cable, and a wireless charger alongside a power brick, but that will set you back closer to the price tag of the Anker Cube than you realize, and it’ll look ugly doing so.

Zens Office Charger Pro 3: Should you buy it?

Buy the Zens Office Charger Pro 3 if…

• You want a sturdy 3-in-1 charger
• You want Qi2
• You want to charge an iPhone, an Apple Watch, and AirPods at your desk

Don't buy the Zens Office Charger Pro 3 if…

• You work from home and in an office
• You want different viewing angles
• You don’t own an Apple Watch

Zens Office Charger Pro 3: Verdict

The Zens Office Charger Pro 3 looks and feels premium. With an industrial design that stands out on any desk, it does everything you expect a 3-in-1 charger to do but ultimately it’s hindered by its name and lack of standout features.

Anyone who buys the Zens Office Charger Pro 3 won’t be disappointed, but the lack of adjustable viewing angles and no extra features for your desk make it a decent product in an ocean of competition. For this price, I can think of many other solutions that I’d rather have in my office and on my desk.

Apple's AirTags are over three years old now, and while they're still fantastic options for anyone who finds their keys mysteriously disappearing, they are going to be receiving an updated model.

That comes from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in his Power On newsletter, where he suggests a new model is coming in 2025.

Gurman says the new model, codenamed B589, is slated to arrive "around the middle" of next year, and that "Apple is already doing test runs with manufacturing partners in Asia" in anticipation of launch. 

That lines up with a prior report from Gurman that people buying AirTags don't need any additional features, so we shouldn't expect a 2024 model.

What's new in AirTags 2?

So what could a revised AirTag offer? Gurman's newsletter suggests we can "expect a better chip with improved location tracking".

That sounds like more of the same but a little better, but Gurman also notes he's hoping for a "louder speaker, better battery life and a version optimized for wallets" - I'd certainly agree on that latter point.

What Gurman wants and what Apple is working on are naturally two different things, but given similar trackers have arrived in card-like form factors, it'll be interesting to see if Apple rolls out any new versions of AirTags that drop the disc-like shape of the current ones.

More from iMore

• Don't expect an AirTag 2 announcement any time soon with Apple Stores 'full to the brim' with the current model
• Montreal criminals reportedly using AirTags to steal cars
• Apple 'accidentally' updates every AirTag in the world at the same time - here's why
  

Ever found yourself needing more storage for your Mac or MacBook — but like way more? Western Digital has just unveiled a drive that holds the “world’s highest storage capacity in a 2.5” portable HDD” — and that’s not all. 

Western Digital's My Passport line of hard drives is super popular and this is partially thanks to their iconic sleek looks, high capacity, built-in password protection, and the ability to use them on Mac without any special reformatting. This means that, if you are someone with workloads on both Mac and Windows, you can use it on both devices without having to worry about compatibility or reformatting. 

Announced today, the 6TB My Passport is $184.99 and works with USB-C, something traditionally only available on the My Passport Ultra line. The My Passport drive made specifically for Mac is $15 more at $199.99 and, while it doesn't come with a USB-C cable, it is compatible. 

That’s not all

As well as the My Passport range being available in a 6TB model, the My Passport Ultra line is getting a 6TB bump, which offers a different look and a USB-C cable option. Both the standard 6TB My Passport Ultra and Mac version are available to buy for $199. Curiously, though both models are the same price in dollars, anyone living in the UK will pay £5 extra for the Mac version. 

If you’re a gamer, Western Digital’s WD_BLACK P10 game drive is also getting a 6TB model. Though this offers the same 5Gb/s transfer rate as the previous drives, it has a sequential read rate of up to 130MB/s, which means you can play the best Mac games directly from it, without having to install them to your Mac’s internal storage. If you want to plug it into a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X as well, it will be able to run PlayStation 4 and Xbox One games respectively, but not their current-gen counterparts. You can pick this up for $184.99.

Finally, the G-Drive ArmorATD is also getting a 6TB model. Designed to be portable, the G-Drive has a super protective outer shell, which should help protect it from drops, rain, dust, and more. Being the most expensive out of the new range, this can be purchased for $229.99. If you’re looking for a storage upgrade, there are plenty of great choices here.

More from iMore

• How to use Photos for Mac with an external hard drive
• How to move your iPhone or iPad backups to an external hard drive
• Best USB-C hard drives for Mac: more storage with that simple connection

I love when a gadget just does what it says on the tin. I really love when a gadget does that, and then does it while looking good. I really, really love when a gadget does both of those things, and then does it at a great price point, too.

That’s exactly what the Acefast Z4 218 GaN charging hub manages to do. Chargers aren’t exactly the sexiest or most exciting products out there, but Acefast has managed to make one that’s not only highly functional, but pretty good-looking too. That it does so at an affordable price point is just the icing on the cake.

Offering four charging ports, a monitoring screen, and the ability to fast charge two devices up to 100W simultaneously, it’ll make a great addition to any gadget hoarder’s desk.

Price and availability

The Acefast Z4 218W GaN charger is available to buy now, direct from Acefast and retailers like Amazon. It has a listing price of $99.99, but has been up for sale with a price tag as low as $89.

That’s a great price for a really solid charger. And though there are a few competitors that offer more ports in a similar form factor, they can be as much as double the price for not all that much more useful functionality. This feels like a great sweet spot.

What I love

Versatility is the name of the game with the Acefast Z4 218W GaN. With three USB-C ports and a USB-A port up front, it offers four different charging modes. These are cycled through with a button on the front of the device, and explained via a colorful and bright 1.3-inch LCD screen. This details which port will charge at which speed across the various modes, and updates in real-time, ensuring you’re always able to maximize your charging efficiency across devices.

The headline charging stat will be that 2x 100W charging speed option across two USB-C ports — enough to keep two 16-inch MacBook Pros going simultaneously. But here’s a full rundown of all those different charging modes according to Acefast, and what each is capable of:

Mode A (213W Total): 

• USB-C1 (100W) + C2 (65W) + C3 (30W) + USB-A (18W)
• USB-C1 (100W Max): 3.3-21V/5A (PPS, 100W Max), 5V/3A (15W), 9V/3A (27W), 12V/3A (36W), 15V/3A (45W), 20V/5A (100W)
• USB-C2 (65W Max): 3.3-11V/5A (PPS, 55W Max), 5V/3A (15W), 9V/3A (27W), 12V/3A (36W), 15V/3A (45W), 20V/3.25A (65W)
• USB-C3 (30W Max): 3.3-11V/3A (PPS, 30W Max), 5V/3A (15W), 9V/3A (27W), 12V/2.5A (30W), 15V/2A (30W), 20V/1.5A (30W)
• USB-A (18W Max): 5V/3A (15W), 9V/2A (18W), 12V/1.5A (18W)

Mode B (213W Total): 

• USB-C1 (65W) + C2 (65W) + C3 (65W) + USB-A (18W)
• USB-C1/C2 (65W Max): 3.3-11V/5A (PPS, 55W Max), 5V/3A (15W), 9V/3A (27W), 12V/3A (36W), 15V/3A (45W), 20V/3.25A (65W)
• USB-C3 (65W Max): 3.3-21V/3A (PPS, 30W Max), 5V/3A (15W), 9V/3A (27W), 12V/3A (36W), 15V/3A (345W), 20V/3.25A (65W)
• USB-A (18W Max): 5V/3A (15W), 9V/2A (18W), 12V/1.5A (18W)

Mode C (218W Total): 

• USB-C1 (100W) + C2 (100W) + USB-A (18W)
• USB-C1/C2 (100W Max): 3.3-21V/5A (PPS, 100W Max), 5V/3A (15W), 9V/3A (27W), 12V/3A (36W), 15V/3A (45W), 20V/5A (100W)
• USB-A (18W Max): 5V/3A (15W), 9V/2A (18W), 12V/1.5A (18W)

Mode D (218W Total): 

• USB-C1 (100W) + C2 (100W) + C3 (18W)
• USB-C1/C2 (100W Max): 3.3-21V/5A (PPS, 100W Max), 5V/3A (15W), 9V/3A (27W), 12V/3A (36W), 15V/3A (45W), 20V/5A (100W)
• USB-C3 (18W Max): 3.3-11V/2A (PPS, 18W Max), 5V/3A (15W), 9V/2A (18W), 12V/1.5A (18W)

There’s admittedly a lot to take in there, but it demonstrates the flexibility on offer across the charger’s ports. I personally tended to leave it in Mode A most of the time — with that, I could fast-charge my M2 MacBook Air over USB-C port 1, speedily charge the new 2024 iPad Pro on USB-C port 2, with my iPhone 15 Pro still getting lots of juice over USB-C port 3, which left the USB-A port to top up things that weren’t as much of a charging priority, such as game controllers. It never got worryingly hot when under load, either.

And, as far as chargers go, it looks great. Acefast has a thing for transparent designs, and while it’s only the front piece that gives you a view inside the inner workings of the charger, it’s still always cool to see the circuitry behind your gadgetry. Matte grey plastic is used around the rest of the shell, with an Acefast logo embossed on top, while rubber feet on the bottom side stop things slipping around. It’s weighty — good for pulling cables out and plugging them in without yanking the whole charging unit around, though not quite as useful if you’re looking to take it on the go. In the box, you’ll find a detachable 1.5m plug cable for hooking up to a wall, too.

What I don’t love

There’s really not much fault that can be thrown at the Acefast Z4 218W GaN charger. It might possibly be charging overkill for some more casual gadget users, who may find themselves slightly confused by all the charging speed options that can be cycled through. But then, that kind of user probably doesn’t need the flexibility offered by a multi-charger anyway.

In an ideal world, the Acefast Z4 218W GaN charger might include some ports around more sides than just its front — that’d let it act like a central hub for any traveling work forces gathered around a table, perhaps. But that's a niche use case, and not a real mark against what’s on offer here.

Competition

There are tons of charger options out there, and we regularly update our list of the best chargers for iPhone to keep you abreast of what’s available. But multi-chargers like this, capable of powering everything from the best MacBooks to your Apple Watch aren’t quite so common.

If you can stump up the cash, Ugreen has a great six-port 200W charger, the Nexode 200W — but it has a price tag of $199. If you need more watts across four ports, the new Anker Prime 240W GaN charger hits higher heights, but at a pricier $159, and without the cool design of the Acefast.

Should You Buy It?

Buy it if…

• You need to fast-charge lots of devices simultaneously
• You dig being able to monitor charging speeds
• You want complete control over how to distribute power to your gadgets

Don’t buy it if…

• You need a portable charger
• You’re only looking to power a couple of devices at once
• The thought of deciding what device gets what power supply sounds complicated to you

Verdict

Powerful, versatile, and good-looking, the Acefast Z4 218W GaN charging hub is a great center point for all your device-power needs. Well-priced and with a cool external design, it’s a nerdy bit of kit, but expertly ensures all your devices get the juice they need, at speed.