Apple's latest iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are faster, sport significantly better cameras, expand system-wide haptics in iOS 10 with a new solid state Home button and Taptic Engine, introduce Wide Color and other major Retina HD technology improvements without changing their display resolutions, add new water resistance and include updates to system components ranging from RAM to storage to wireless capabilities.
Daniel Eran Dilger |
Logitech's Create Backlit Keyboard Case, made specifically for the smaller 9.7-inch iPad Pro, leverages the tablet's Smart Connector port for both data and power, negating the need for a separate battery or pairing process with virtually no key lag.
Atlas' first Wristband was an ambitious but ultimately failed attempt to build a fitness tracker geared toward strength training, instead of just cardio-oriented activities like running and cycling. The second-generation model makes some modest improvements, but doesn't solve some of the fundamental complaints we had.
Garmin's highest-end smartwatch in some ways sets a gold standard for fitness trackers, but for the layman, it can be simultaneously overwhelming and lacking in creature comforts.
With summer in full swing, scorching temperatures can wreak havoc on even the greenest of lawns. Rachio's second generation Smart Sprinkler Controller is designed to save you time and money by automating your existing sprinkler system with support for up to 16 zones.
Right out of the box, you can tell that DJI's Phantom 4 is a complete reimagining of the entry-level lineup. From the sleek chassis to advanced automated controls, DJI has set a new standard, leaving competitors and its own legacy models in the dust.
Philips' latest entry into the Hue smartbulb line should strike a good balance between cost and features for most people, even if there are some rough edges the company could stand to polish.
Though the Apple Pencil is expertly designed to not roll away on a table, there's still not an ideal place to put it when it's not in use, especially when being used on your lap or while standing. Moxiware's new Apple Pencil Magnet aims to fix that with a simple and affordable accessory, though its aesthetics may not be for everyone.
MagSafe has long been a defining feature of Apple's market leading notebooks. Thanks to the Smart Connector charging capabilities first introduced by the new Logi Base dock for iPad Pro, Apple's iDevices now have their own convenient MagSafe equivalent.
Apple's second-generation ultraportable 12-inch MacBook features some noteworthy internal improvements, including an extra hour of battery life and Intel's latest Skylake processors, that make it a worthwhile update. But all of the major concessions of the 2015 model remain, making it unlikely this refresh will change anyone's opinion on the divisive-yet-impressive notebook.
Polar's first smartscale is a polished and perfectly serviceable product, but a few peculiar design decisions keep it from maximizing its potential, making it mostly of interest to people already in the Polar ecosystem.
Elgato's Eve Energy smartplug is a perfectly serviceable home automation product, but in some ways it proves that Apple's HomeKit platform still has a ways to go before it becomes mainstream.
After being neglected in 2015, Apple's 9.7-inch iPad has received a much-needed professional makeover, gaining key features from the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and even outperforming it in a few ways. It's a substantial upgrade, and one we find absolutely worthy of the "Pro" moniker, though the $599 starting price may deter some buyers.
With a decidedly classic design just like the iPhone 5 series, the new iPhone SE has been completely revamped inside in a huge way. For fans of smaller phones, the iPhone SE is just what you've been waiting for — a capable, modern smartphone in a compact, ultraportable, proven chassis.
The Atlas Wristband is a noble first effort at something no other fitness tracker does, but there are too many rough edges to recommend it to anyone but a small subset of fitness enthusiasts.
The market for personal drones has grown exponentially over the last several years, led by consumer-oriented products from companies like Parrot. We got the chance to play with the firm's entry-level model, the Bebop Drone, designed for casual hobbyists looking to get their feet wet in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles.
The first two Smart Connector accessories for iPad Pro offer very different keyboard style experiences, each addressing two different types of tablet users. But which keyboard is best, Apple's Smart Keyboard or Logitech's Create? AppleInsider breaks down which accessory is best for you.
Polar's A360 is one of the most user-friendly fitness trackers you can buy, and arguably one of the best on the market period, even if it lacks some of the features advanced athletes might want.
Delivering both Lightning and USB connectivity, and covering all the basic needs for a podcaster or musician, we're impressed by the IK Multimedia Studio microphone. But with a $139 price tag, and the inability to support in-call audio from Apple in iOS, we feel like it's a good product that's let down by iOS for one common podcasting use.
With a clever Lightning-connected design and solid construction, we're mostly impressed by the Gamevice gaming controller for iPhone. But with a $100 price tag, a risk of not fitting future iPhone models, and broken controller forwarding support from Apple in iOS, we feel it's an extremely niche device.
Nyrius' Bluetooth-connected lightbulb might get the job done, but there's nothing that really sets it apart from rivals, and there are several things that set it back.
Developed by niche French audio firm Devialet, the Phantom has achieved wide acclaim from industry acolytes for impossibly low-distortion sound reproduction rivaling that of speakers ten times the cost and many times the size. It's also the latest chic accessory to be featured in Apple's retail stores.
Apple's Smart Battery Case will certainly get the job done, but it includes some baffling design decisions, and just isn't a great value compared to third-party products.
Apple Pencil is the most talked about accessory to come out of Cupertino in recent memory, and rightfully so. Its classic design, packed with cutting edge technology, makes it an enticing product for digital artists and, more importantly, speaks to the future of Apple's tablet lineup.
Apple dipped a toe into the world of fashion with Apple Watch and Apple Watch accoutrements, including a tie-up with Hermes, but we think the company's latest accessory is also one of its most elegant. And it's a dock.
Battery maker Mophie's latest portable charging accessories are compact, convenient and durable, making them an easy recommendation for anyone looking to keep their iPhone juiced on the go.
Comfortable, competitively priced and featuring a Lightning port for recharging, the SteelSeries Nimbus is the best iOS-compatible gaming controller we've ever tested, and it's the best option to pair with your new fourth-generation Apple TV. But without a clamp to hold an iPhone, it should be the go-to choice for Apple TV and iPad gamers only.
The iPad Pro is Apple's most fully realized example yet of the future of computing, with a workhorse of a processor and a beautiful 12.9-inch Retina display packed inside a svelte, ultraportable design. Current limitations with iOS apps prevent it from being a PC replacement for the most demanding tasks, and at $799 it won't appeal to casual users, but we are confident the iPad Pro will carve out a niche in the high-end market.
A 27-inch 5K iMac is no longer a novelty, but 2015's model is an upgrade bound to satisfy most Mac users — though Apple did, strangely, decide to hold back on certain key advancements.
Apple's marketing team didn't need to dig deep to dream up a campaign for the new 21.5‑inch iMac with Retina 4K display — its best feature is in the name. The stellar ultra high-resolution screen mates well with Apple's chosen internals, but it would have been best if the company didn't cheap out with the slow base HDD model.
Polar's first smartscale is a polished and perfectly serviceable product, but a few peculiar design decisions keep it from maximizing its potential, making it mostly of interest to people already in the Polar ecosystem.
Elgato's Eve Energy smartplug is a perfectly serviceable home automation product, but in some ways it proves that Apple's HomeKit platform still has a ways to go before it becomes mainstream.
After being neglected in 2015, Apple's 9.7-inch iPad has received a much-needed professional makeover, gaining key features from the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and even outperforming it in a few ways. It's a substantial upgrade, and one we find absolutely worthy of the "Pro" moniker, though the $599 starting price may deter some buyers.
With a decidedly classic design just like the iPhone 5 series, the new iPhone SE has been completely revamped inside in a huge way. For fans of smaller phones, the iPhone SE is just what you've been waiting for — a capable, modern smartphone in a compact, ultraportable, proven chassis.
The Atlas Wristband is a noble first effort at something no other fitness tracker does, but there are too many rough edges to recommend it to anyone but a small subset of fitness enthusiasts.
The market for personal drones has grown exponentially over the last several years, led by consumer-oriented products from companies like Parrot. We got the chance to play with the firm's entry-level model, the Bebop Drone, designed for casual hobbyists looking to get their feet wet in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles.
The first two Smart Connector accessories for iPad Pro offer very different keyboard style experiences, each addressing two different types of tablet users. But which keyboard is best, Apple's Smart Keyboard or Logitech's Create? AppleInsider breaks down which accessory is best for you.
Polar's A360 is one of the most user-friendly fitness trackers you can buy, and arguably one of the best on the market period, even if it lacks some of the features advanced athletes might want.
Delivering both Lightning and USB connectivity, and covering all the basic needs for a podcaster or musician, we're impressed by the IK Multimedia Studio microphone. But with a $139 price tag, and the inability to support in-call audio from Apple in iOS, we feel like it's a good product that's let down by iOS for one common podcasting use.
With a clever Lightning-connected design and solid construction, we're mostly impressed by the Gamevice gaming controller for iPhone. But with a $100 price tag, a risk of not fitting future iPhone models, and broken controller forwarding support from Apple in iOS, we feel it's an extremely niche device.
Nyrius' Bluetooth-connected lightbulb might get the job done, but there's nothing that really sets it apart from rivals, and there are several things that set it back.
Developed by niche French audio firm Devialet, the Phantom has achieved wide acclaim from industry acolytes for impossibly low-distortion sound reproduction rivaling that of speakers ten times the cost and many times the size. It's also the latest chic accessory to be featured in Apple's retail stores.
Apple's Smart Battery Case will certainly get the job done, but it includes some baffling design decisions, and just isn't a great value compared to third-party products.
Apple Pencil is the most talked about accessory to come out of Cupertino in recent memory, and rightfully so. Its classic design, packed with cutting edge technology, makes it an enticing product for digital artists and, more importantly, speaks to the future of Apple's tablet lineup.
Apple dipped a toe into the world of fashion with Apple Watch and Apple Watch accoutrements, including a tie-up with Hermes, but we think the company's latest accessory is also one of its most elegant. And it's a dock.
Battery maker Mophie's latest portable charging accessories are compact, convenient and durable, making them an easy recommendation for anyone looking to keep their iPhone juiced on the go.
Comfortable, competitively priced and featuring a Lightning port for recharging, the SteelSeries Nimbus is the best iOS-compatible gaming controller we've ever tested, and it's the best option to pair with your new fourth-generation Apple TV. But without a clamp to hold an iPhone, it should be the go-to choice for Apple TV and iPad gamers only.
The iPad Pro is Apple's most fully realized example yet of the future of computing, with a workhorse of a processor and a beautiful 12.9-inch Retina display packed inside a svelte, ultraportable design. Current limitations with iOS apps prevent it from being a PC replacement for the most demanding tasks, and at $799 it won't appeal to casual users, but we are confident the iPad Pro will carve out a niche in the high-end market.
A 27-inch 5K iMac is no longer a novelty, but 2015's model is an upgrade bound to satisfy most Mac users — though Apple did, strangely, decide to hold back on certain key advancements.
Apple's marketing team didn't need to dig deep to dream up a campaign for the new 21.5‑inch iMac with Retina 4K display — its best feature is in the name. The stellar ultra high-resolution screen mates well with Apple's chosen internals, but it would have been best if the company didn't cheap out with the slow base HDD model.
{{ summary }}
Max Yuryev
Roger Fingas
Christine McKee
Evan Oder
Neil Hughes
Neil Hughes & Mikey Campbell
Blair MacGregor
Victor Marks
Mikey Campbell
