Monthly Archives: October 2016

Halloween is here. It’s the best time of the year for free candy, scary movies and spooky costumes. But what’s one thing scarier than Freddy, Jason or Michael combined? Losing or breaking your iPhone. It’s happened to the best of us. You’re out walking about, going from house to house with your kids or at the company costume party. You reach for some Vampire blood-orange punch and your phone slips out of your reach.

It’s been close to two years since the last MacBook Pro came out. Or any MacBook beyond that. Two years ago we were still ok with Frozen. We lived blissfully in the comfort of headphone jacks and had just been graced with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. How the times have changed.

It’s been awhile since we had any new computers and Apple was due. They delivered not one but three. They've killed off the MacBook Air in favor of the Pro line. Why? The MacBook Pro line is thinner and smaller than the Airs... so yay?  We’ve rounded up all the facts you need to know, here. But first, a brief narration by the always wonderful, Jony Ive.

MacBook Pros and Airs

Jony Ive’s smooth narration introduced Apple users to the glossiest iPhone on the market. Apple merged science and art with the innovative design of the Jet Black color option for iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Yet, with it, came the news that the jet black edition attracted scratches far quicker than the other options. With that in mind, we've curated products, tips, and tricks to protect the glossy shine of your jet black iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus and keep it clean.

[caption id="attachment_3252" align="aligncenter" width="1640"] An image from Apple's keynote introducing Portrait mode for iPhone 7+.[/caption]

Ever wondered how to get that beautiful bokeh effect with your iPhone 7 Plus? Ever wondered what exactly "bokeh" is? For all of us out there who aren't professional photographers, join this journalist as she dives into the wonderful world of iPhone 7 Plus photography, the science and art of Bokeh, and learns how to take great iPhone 7 Plus pictures using Portrait mode.

We found a perfect way to represent our Midwest pride with the Leather Lowry Cuff for Apple Watch Series 1 & 2. With rugged but soft leather, it easily forms to the wearer’s wrist while offering a modern callback to traditional watches and it’s hand finished rugged stitching creates a relaxed strap that can easily be worn from the office to a night out with ease. In addition to being amazingly cool, this is a leather Apple Watch band that has some interesting origins too...

Here at Pad & Quill, we definitely have a soft spot for our home city of Minneapolis. It's called the "mini apple" for good reason, with a huge theatre scene, obsession with food on a stick and green space stretching for literal miles, it's the New York of the Midwest with a whole lot more 'you betcha'. Enter a line of leather Apple watch bands, made in the heart of Minnesota.  While the Lowry Cuff for Apple Watch offers a sturdy full-bodied strap, the Lowry Leather Band for Apple Watch Series 1 & 2 comes with a slimmer feel and clean finish. With its classic look and traditional leather techniques, you’ll forget it’s holding a micro-computer and not a Timex.

Here at Pad & Quill, we consistently strive to be Terminator of  Apple watch bands in terms of toughness and durability (not in terms of causing an evil apocalypse, though). With the introduction of the Apple Watch Series 2 and it’s ability to spit out water, there was some general excitement. However, most people were waiting for something bigger and reacted like this:

Yes Tim Cook we know there's an Apple Watch, but we need those iPhone deets... #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/TmyJIU7GQO

— Nerdist (@nerdist) September 7, 2016

We here at Pad & Quill, however, were relieved and excited about this new tougher Apple Watch because it gave us a chance to design a tougher watch band that can handle  anything, from world travels to grocery store runs for more Halloween candy. Enter the Field Band for Apple Watch Series 1&2 .