Last year Astropad launched its impressive Rock Paper Pencil kit for iPad that delivers a reusable/removable matte screen protector plus a ballpoint-style Apple Pencil tip for a real pen-on-paper experience. This year the company delivered Rock Paper Pencil v2 with a NanoCling border, flat profile, improved Apple Pencil tip, and more. Here’s what I think after testing out the improved version.
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Michael is an editor for 9to5Mac. Since joining in 2016 he has written more than 5,000 articles including breaking news, reviews, detailed comparisons and tutorials.
Michael has also appeared on the 9to5Mac Watch Time podcast with Zac Hall and TWiT’s Tech News Weekly.
Reach out to Michael with tips, deliberations, typos, or feedback at potuck@9to5mac.com
How to turn off iPhone WiFi auto-join for public and carrier networks
Have you noticed your iPhone jump onto a WiFi network when you’re away from home without asking first? Or maybe you want to check what networks your iPhone is auto-joining? Follow along for how to turn off iPhone WiFi auto-join for public and carrier networks.
Expand Expanding CloseTransform your iPhone into a Game Boy with these life-like wallpapers
Is the arrival of game emulators on iOS making you nostalgic? Check out these fun Game Boy wallpapers for iPhone as a neat way to relive your handheld gaming memories or get close to the Game Boy you always wanted but never had.
Expand Expanding CloseComcast launches ‘NOW’ affordable home internet, mobile plans, and more
Comcast is out with some new prepaid connectivity offerings today. The new internet plans are simple and affordable with speeds up to 200 Mbps for home internet and unlimited 5G data for the mobile plans. Meanwhile, NOW TV includes access to 40+ networks for live and on-demand content.
Expand Expanding CloseBest USB-C and Thunderbolt displays for Mac [April]
USB-C/Thunderbolt display options have really expanded over the last couple of years. While Apple’s Pro Display XDR isn’t the best fit for most Mac users at $5,000+, it also offers the more affordable Studio Display. But there are also lots of solid choices from LG, Samsung, BenQ, and more. Here are the best USB-C/Thunderbolt displays with many available in the $400-$1,600 range.
Update 4/16/24: Samsung’s 5K ViewFinity S9 Thunderbolt monitor is currently 44% off at just $899 for a limited time (normally $1,599). Find more about this monitor below.
Expand Expanding CloseiPhone 15 slower than Samsung Galaxy S24 for 5G performance in most countries, says report
Ookla is out with its latest report on 5G smartphone performance with the latest data including the new Samsung Galaxy S24 lineup. As it turns out, Samsung’s new smartphones saw faster median 5G performance than the iPhone 15 lineup in the majority of countries tested.
Expand Expanding CloseDo’s and don’ts for cleaning your titanium iPhone 15 Pro
Apple is using titanium on iPhone for the first time, but what’s safe or best to use for cleaning iPhone 15 Pro? Whether you just got your new phone or it’s been dirty for a while, let’s look at how to clean iPhone with step-by-step do’s and don’ts.
Expand Expanding CloseNanoleaf wants to upgrade your deck with its Matter LED Outdoor String Lights
After announcing its Matter LED Outdoor String Lights at CES, smart light pioneer Nanoleaf has officially launched the product. Here are all the details on these slick outdoor lights that offer IP65 weather resistance, color control, support across smart home platforms, and more.
Expand Expanding CloseHow to see iPhone battery health and when is it time for a replacement?
Whether you’re just curious how your iPhone battery health is holding up or you’re having issues with battery life or unexpected shutdowns, it’s easy to check in iOS Settings. Below we’ll cover how to see iPhone battery health, tips on when to get a replacement, charge cycle expectations, and more.
Expand Expanding CloseApple Arcade Guide: 5 upcoming releases and everything available [U]
Apple Arcade launched with close to 100 titles and the service is seeing new games added almost every week with over 200 games now in the library. Follow along with our guide on all the available Apple Arcade games plus the latest releases.
Expand Expanding CloseDo’s and don’ts for cleaning your dirty AirPods Pro and charging case
With an in-ear design, AirPods Pro can become dirty more quickly than AirPods. But cleaning them is easy enough when you know what to avoid and what tools are best. Read on for how to clean AirPods Pro and the charging case with step-by-step do’s and don’ts.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s how to find your System Report in macOS Sonoma
Like macOS Ventura, Sonoma comes with System Settings as the replacement for System Preferences. With that, the Mac System Report isn’t where it used to be. Here’s how to find it to get all the fine details of your Mac.
Expand Expanding CloseApple to expand presence in Florida with new Miami office
Following moves of other tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft, Apple is reportedly set to open a new office space in a Miami suburb. This won’t be the first corporate space for Apple in the city, but it will be larger than the existing office.
Expand Expanding Close7 ways to check and improve heart health with Apple Watch
Want to go further with your Apple Watch health features or revisit important metrics you haven’t tracked in a while? Follow along for a look at 7 valuable ways you can check and improve heart health with Apple Watch.
Expand Expanding CloseMacs lead global PC growth as shipments return to pre-pandemic levels
IDC is out with a fresh report today on global PC shipments for Q1 2024. While Apple still doesn’t lead for volume, it did come in number one for YoY growth. Here’s how Mac shipments, market share, and growth stacked up against Dell, HP, Lenovo, and more.
Expand Expanding CloseApple Watch Series 9 vs 8 and earlier: What’s different?
Apple Watch Series 9 is the latest version of the world’s most popular wearable. While much remains the same between Series 9 and its predecessors, there are a number of upgrades. Whether you’re thinking about upgrading your own watch or trying to figure out a gift, follow along for Apple Watch Series 9 vs 8.
Expand Expanding CloseiPhone: How to change your 5G settings for better battery life or faster speeds
5G cellular service expanded significantly across the US carriers in the last couple of years and works with iPhone 12-15, and SE 3. Apple uses a “5G Auto” setting as the default that aims to give users a balance between network speed and battery life. But you can also manage the settings manually to optimize for what you need in a given moment. Follow along for how to turn 5G on/off on iPhone.
Expand Expanding CloseWill Apple’s personal robot investment pay off or end just like its car? [Poll]
We learned this week that Apple is pointing some attention at personal robotics following the shutdown of its Apple Car efforts. It’s early for the skunkworks robotics project but what’s your gut reaction, could the investment pay off? Or is it more likely to end like the Apple Car dreams?
Expand Expanding CloseApple Watch Series 7 vs 9: Worth upgrading?
Apple Watch Series 9 is the latest version of the world’s most popular wearable. Two years separate Series 7 and 9 and while there are a number of changes, there’s quite a bit that’s remained the same. Read along for Apple Watch Series 7 vs 9 as we look at everything new.
Expand Expanding CloseiOS System Data bug stealing your iPhone storage? Here are 5 solutions
There’s been an iOS bug for years that gobbles up a big percentage of an iPhone’s available storage. The issue persists in iOS 17.4 and 17.5 but fortunately, there are solutions that don’t involve wiping your iPhone. Here’s how to fix the iPhone System Data storage bug.
Expand Expanding CloseHow to install iOS 17.5 beta to check out the latest changes and features
Interested to check out the latest iOS features early? The iOS 17.5 beta is available for free and comes with some design changes, possible anti-stalking features, an update for EU users, and more. Here’s how to install iOS 17.5 beta on your iPhone.
Expand Expanding CloseiPhone 13 vs 15: Time to upgrade?
iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are Apple’s latest non-pro smartphones that come with a number of new features. But are they worth the upgrade if you have an iPhone 13? Follow along for an in-depth look at the iPhone 13 vs 15 for everything that’s changed plus a buyer’s guide.
Expand Expanding CloseiPhone: How to check what apps are using precise location tracking and how to turn it off
Many iOS apps ask for precise location tracking permission by default the first time you open them. But it can be easy to forget how many or which apps you’ve given that permission. Here’s how to turn off precise iPhone location tracking.
Expand Expanding CloseiPhone 13 Pro vs 15 Pro: Enough changes to upgrade?
iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are Apple’s latest high-end smartphones that come with a range of new capabilities. But are they worth the upgrade if you already have an iPhone 13 Pro? Read along for an in-depth look at the iPhone 13 Pro vs 15 Pro for everything new and different.
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