Cult of Mac Today
Posts
The best keyboards ever?

The best keyboards ever?

Why you might be interested in a Hall effect keyboard.

Leander Kahney
September 18, 2024

Given Apple’s love of magnets, I’m surprised the company never made a Hall effect keyboard.

These electromagnetic input devices ditch mechanical keys and rubbery membranes in favor of tiny magnets under each key.

When a key is pressed, its magnet induces a voltage difference across a tiny sensor that registers the keystroke. The interesting keyboards are named after Edwin Hall — an American physicist who discovered the magnetic effect in 1879.

Hall effect keyboards are relatively new in computing. But because they are extremely reliable and nigh-indestructible — even after millions of key presses — they’re gaining a following among gamers, who prize their responsiveness, predictability and durability.

Here’s why you might be interested in one.

Also in today’s newsletter:

The early reviews for the new iPhones are in, and, in general, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineups are garnering favorable assessments.
I have been using a 12.9-inch iPad Pro as a daily driver since I bought it in 2020. It doesn’t pack an M-series processor, but it does come with a ton of high-end features like a Liquid Retina display with ProMotion, True Tone and P3 wide color. For $599, I’d say this is a pretty good deal on an iPad Pro like that.
Wanna feel smug? If you use a Mac, you’re likely much happier than any Windows user, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index.
Try to spot the webcam in today’s featured setup.
Today’s the day in Apple history that Cupertino unleashed iOS 7, a major Jony Ive-led redesign that blew up the internet.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Hall effect magnetic keyboards: The next big thing for Mac gamers?

Hall effect keyboards just might give Mac gamers an edge over traditional mechanical keyboard users.

iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max review roundup: A bit bigger, a bit better

Early reviewers get excited about camera upgrades while waiting for Apple Intelligence.

iPhone 16 and 16 Plus review roundup: Updates worthy of upgrading

There’s a lot to love, as the base iPhone and Plus version see the biggest upgrades in years.

^{A message from the}^{Cult of Mac Deals team}

Giant screen, small price -- this 12.9-inch iPad Pro is on sale for $599.99

Whether you’re a creative, a multitasking pro or a casual user who craves performance, this refurbished 12.9-inch iPad Pro is a great deal.

Encrypted RCS texting between iPhone and Android coming soon

RCS texting on iPhone does not currently support end-to-end encryption, but the GSM Association and Google are working to fix this.

Super-loud AirNotch Pro tracker works with Apple's Find My network

Rolling Square's sturdy AirNotch Pro tracking tag takes on AirTag with a very loud alarm. Plus, the AirCard Pro tracker slides into wallets.

Grab an official Apple case for iPhone 16 at a sweet discount

Don't pay full price for Apple's own iPhone 16 case. You can already get one on sale, even before the handset itself launches.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

Elevate your setup with a Casa Hub Stand Ultra with USB-C, HDMI and more

Say goodbye to neck strain with the Casa Hub Stand Ultra, a laptop (or iPad) stand with a built-in USB-C hub and magnetic iPhone holder.

Macs make people happier than any PC

American consumers gain more satisfaction from Apple computers than they do from Windows machines.

Apple Card could get JPMorgan Chase as new banking partner

Apple reportedly talks with JPMorgan Chase to replace Goldman Sachs.

Don't let the radical new Photos app in iOS 18 throw you for a loop

The new Photos app in iOS 18 is the biggest change ever to how you browse your pictures, videos and memories. Here’s how to use it without losing your mind.

Price drop: Score a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac (just $70)

Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac (Home & Business edition), with essential productivity apps Word, Excel and more.

Today in Apple history: iOS 7's major redesign divides fans

On September 18, 2013, the iOS 7 redesign killed off skeuomorphism at Apple. The iPhone's controversial new OS divided the tech world.

Weird webcam placement works with stacked displays [Setups]

Today's dual-display MacBook Pro setup finds an unusual place to stick the external webcam. Would it work for you?

Tweets of the day

The dock corner radius doesn't conform to the more rounded 16 Pro corners 🫠
— Shea (@concept_central)
2:26 PM • Sep 18, 2024

September 18, 2013: Apple released iOS 7.
— Basic Apple Guy (@BasicAppleGuy)
1:59 PM • Sep 18, 2024

We recorded an iPhone’s front facing TrueDepth camera doing Face ID with an infrared-senstive camera:
— Halide + Kino (@halidecamera)
12:05 AM • Sep 18, 2024

I made Earspeakers
— Philip Kaplan (@pud)
8:37 PM • Sep 17, 2024

Wallpaper of the day

If you’ve ordered a desert titanium iPhone 16 Pro, this wallpaper might be just what you’re looking for. It’s meticulously crafted with subtle intricate micro detail. 🤩
— Sean Kelly (@SeanKly)
10:00 PM • Sep 17, 2024

One more thing ...

❝

(After dropping acid in a field just outside Sunnyvale, California) It was great. I had been listening to a lot of Bach. All of a sudden the whole field was playing Bach. It was the most wonderful feeling of my life up to that point. I felt like the conductor of this symphony with Bach coming through the wheat.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

How much money would you spend on a keyboard?

Results from yesterday’s poll: What's Apple's most impressive recent innovation?

Best reader comments

Subscribe to The Weekender — Get the week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.

Reply

or to participate.