New Apple Pencil reviewed: 👍 👍 👍

USB-C version might be better than premium model.

Presented by

Have you ever tried to write something with your finger on an iPad?

Yeah, it’s impossible. To capture handwriting, you absolutely need a stylus. I know, Steve Jobs is spinning, but it’s true.

Luckily, Apple just launched a new budget stylus that has USB-C charging, and it can be used with just about any iPad.

It’s a lot cheaper than Apple’s premium Pencil, and in our hands-on testing, we found there’s a lot to like. In fact, in a lot of ways it might be even better than Apple's premium iPad stylus.

Also in today’s newsletter:

  • If you’ve ever misplaced your Apple Watch and couldn’t find it anywhere, your iPhone now makes it easier than ever to locate.

  • This unique magnetic power bank with a built-in Apple Watch charger looks great for traveling and only costs $35 — I’m gonna get one to review.

  • My goodness, I can’t stand Taylor Swift’s music. Looks like I’m alone.

  • If you’re interested in investing in up-and-coming tech companies, check out Ryse, a leader in the smart shade category. Details below.

  • This is a nice computer setup for streaming console gameplay through a Mac mini. It only took two years to set up.

  • Yesterday’s poll showed you guys would never buy a new car without CarPlay — by a very large margin. See results below. And take today’s poll: Do you use an Apple Pencil?

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

A message from Ryse

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Hopefully, you were invested in those promising startups. But for those that missed out, the next groundbreaking Smart Home innovation has arrived 一 RYSE.

Their automated window shade tech is now launching in Best Buy stores, and is poised to dominate the fast-growing Smart Shades market. They’ve also just launched a new investment round and their share price has already grown 25% from their last round!

The Smart Shades race is on, and RYSE is in pole position due to their:

Unmatched Features: RYSE has the only retrofit design to motorize existing window shades, and can be seamlessly controlled by voice, smartphone, or schedule.

Smart Price: Priced at $169 vs. competitors’ pricing of up to $1,000 per window, RYSE is uniquely positioned to bring luxury window shades to every home and business.

Tweetz o’ the day

One more thing ...

Heathkits came with all the boards and parts color-coded, but the manual also explained the theory of how it operated. It made you realize you could build and understand anything. Once you built a couple of radios, you’d see a TV in the catalog and say, “I can build that as well,” even if you didn’t. I was very lucky, because when I was a kid both my dad and the Heathkits made me believe I could build anything.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

Do you use an Apple Pencil or other stylus?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Results from yesterday’s poll: Would you buy a new car without Apple's CarPlay?

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WEd —Ryse ad

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