Incipio and Incase Offering 15% Off Sitewide Sales on iPhone X Cases, Qi Mats, MacBook Sleeves, and More

Accessory makers Incipio and Incase are offering 15 percent off sales across each of their respective online storefronts, so if you’re still on the hunt for holiday tech gifts this could be the right time to make a purchase. Incipio and Incase offer a variety of items, including iPhone X and iPhone 8 cases, wireless chargers, battery packs, MacBook bags and sleeves, Apple Watch bands, and more.

On both sites, enter the promo code AFF151 during checkout to apply the discount to your order. Incipio is offering free USPS shipping on all orders placed within the United States, and Incase has a similar holiday offer with free shipping and returns on all U.S. orders.

We’ve listed a few ideas below, all of which represent the best prices for each accessory when compared to retailers like Amazon. For many other accessories, Incipio’s and Incase’s Amazon stores typically have solid deals that could beat out the 15 percent off discount price, depending on the product.

Incipio

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

iPhone X Cases

• Slim Case, Esquire Series – $21.24, down from $24.99
• Octane Lux – $38.24, down from $44.99
• Carnaby Folio – $42.49, down from $49.99

Accessories

• Ghost 110 Qi Wireless Charging Base – $33.99, down from $39.99

Incase

iPhone X Cases

• Protective Lattice Cover – $21.21, down from $24.95
• Lite Case – $25.46, down from $29.95
• Pop Case – $29.70, down from $34.95
• Textured Snap Case – $33.96, down from $39.95

Accessories

• ICON Sleeve with Diamond Ripstop for 13-inch MacBook Pro – $59.46, down from $69.95
• ICON Lite Pack – $84.96, down from $99.95

If you’re planning on spending a lot on Apple accessories for the holidays, Pad & Quill has a deal going on through December 17 where you can get gift codes to use on the site after you first make a purchase of over $125. Specifically, purchases over $125 get a $25 special gift code; purchases over $250 get a $50 code; and purchases over $400 get a $100 code. Pad & Quill will automatically email a code to you if your order qualifies for the promotion, and all codes must be redeemed before January 31, 2018.

For those keeping track of ongoing iTunes gift card discounts, the latest is a $50 card for $42.50 over at Amazon. One card is available per customer, and they will be delivered via email — simply enter the promo code ITUNES during the checkout process. Amazon had a similar deal yesterday, but that one was for the physical version of Apple’s App Store & iTunes gift card.

For more on the latest sales, be sure to visit our Deals Roundup.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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MacRumors Giveaway: Win a Slate Color or Pilot LapDesk for Your MacBook From iSkelter

For this week’s giveaway, we’ve teamed up with iSkelter to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win either a Pilot LapDesk or a Slate Color LapDesk, both of which are designed to be mobile workspaces that can hold an iPad, MacBook, iPhone, and more.

Priced at $100, the Pilot LapDesk is made from either a light bamboo or a darker walnut bamboo, and it’s roomy enough to hold up to a 15-inch MacBook Pro while also providing additional workspace.

On one side of the Pilot LapDesk, there’s a whiteboard and a cutout that can hold an iPhone or an iPad as big as the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, while the middle area features a cutout for ventilation along with a grip to keep your MacBook secured on the surface. The other side of the Pilot has a built-in mousepad and a second slot to hold another iOS device.

The Pilot LapDesk, which can be configured with the whiteboard and mousepad on whichever side you prefer, is able to rest hands-free on the arm of a chair, on a lap, or on a bed.

iSkelter’s Slate Color LapDesk, also priced at $100, is more compact than the Pilot LapDesk, but it’s still able to hold a MacBook Pro up to 15 inches in size and a 12.9-inch iPad Pro or smaller.

Most of the Slate Color, which is made from a light wood with a colored accent area, features a series of ventilation holes to dissipate heat from your laptop. At the right side, there’s a flat workspace for writing or using a mouse, which can be customized in walnut, blue, green, orange, or pink. The cutout across the top holds your iOS devices.

The Slate Color and Pilot LapDesks can be purchased from the iSkelter website, but we also have four to give away to MacRumors readers. To enter to win, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

a Rafflecopter giveawayThe contest will run from today (December 8) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on December 15. The winners will be chosen randomly on December 15 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.

Tags: iSkelter, giveaway
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Apple’s Phil Schiller: Facial Recognition Techniques in Competing Smartphones ‘All Stink’

Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller recently sat down with Dutch website Bright.nl, where he covered topics like Face ID and augmented reality, which he’s discussed several times in interviews over the past few months.

According to Schiller, one of Apple’s goals with Face ID is to make security easy enough “that we all want to do it.” Apple believes its implementation of Face ID is superior to the facial recognition techniques available in Android phones, which Schiller says “all stink.”

“They don’t work in all the ways we need Face ID to work. We’re very aware that through the years the simple thing, this Home button, that started as the way you click to get to the Home screen, grew into doing so many things for us. We added Touch ID, it took you to the multitasking screen, paged Siri, activated Apple Pay. All through this one mechanical button.

So for Face ID we needed the best way we know of to enable us to easily unlock our device with our face, in a protected way with the Secure Enclave, and support all these other things. We had to solve all of that. Other things that people have tried with face haven’t been anything like that. Face ID is a very unique implementation.”

Schiller reiterated Apple’s Face ID privacy policies, pointing out that developers have no third-party access to Face ID data. As with Touch ID, the facial scan and data points used to unlock your iPhone are stored in the Secure Enclave on the iPhone X. Developers do have access to facial map data through the TrueDepth camera for AR effects, but Schiller says “that’s different than Face ID.”

According to Schiller, Apple spent a lot of time studying augmented and virtual reality and the ultimate benefit to users. Schiller, like Apple CEO Tim Cook, says VR is a “great solution for specific use cases” while AR has “incredible broad mainstream applications.”

Schiller also had a little bit to say about the HomePod delay. HomePod was originally set to launch in December, but in November, Apple said it would be delayed until 2018. “We feel bad we aren’t able to deliver HomePod for the holidays,” said Schiller. “We’re going to take the time to do it right and make sure it’s great when it comes out.”

Bright.nl asked Schiller if Apple’s “Think Different” motto still applies to Apple today, and Schiller took the opportunity to highlight the AirPods, which are a product that have been lauded as one of Apple’s best.

They’re really two separate computers that you put in your ear. That’s quintessential Apple. We tapped into an eternal truth for Apple. It’s about as core to the DNA of Apple as you can get. Think Different should stay very close to true for a long time.”

Phil Schiller’s interview, which goes into more detail on Face ID and HomePod and delves deeper into Apple’s core philosophies, can be read in its entirety over at Bright.nl.
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Apple Design Chief Jony Ive Retaking Direct Control of Design Team [Updated]

Apple Chief Design Officer Jony Ive is once again taking over management of the design team at Apple according to changes made to Apple’s official “Apple Leadership” website.

The site was updated this morning to remove the profiles of Richard Howarth and Alan Dye, who were managing the day-to-day operations at Apple while Ive oversaw all of Apple’s design projects, and Bloomberg has confirmed that Ive is once again in direct control of the team as shared by Mark Gurman.

Ive first stepped back from day-to-day management of Apple’s design teams in 2015, when he took on the role of “Chief Design Officer.” Alan Dye and Richard Howarth were elevated to vice president positions at that time, with Howarth responsible for industrial design and Dye responsible for user interface design.

For the last several years, Ive has been overseeing the design work at Apple Park and at Apple retail stores around the world, which have undergone a transformation under the leadership of Angela Ahrendts. With Apple Park now complete and the retail store design largely established, Ive now has the time to return to his original managerial duties.

Update: An Apple spokesperson has confirmed to Bloomberg that Jony Ive has returned to his management role following the completion of Apple Park: “With the completion of Apple Park, Apple’s design leaders and teams are again reporting directly to Jony Ive, who remains focused purely on design.”

Tags: Jonathan Ive, Alan Dye, Richard Howarth
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Apple May Acquire Music Recognition Service Shazam

Apple may be planning to acquire music recognition service Shazam, reports TechCrunch, which would be one of the most high-profile acquisitions Apple has made since it purchased Beats in 2014.

Shazam is a well-known music service that uses machine learning techniques to identify short audio clips from songs, television shows, and more. Shazam operates a standalone app for iOS, macOS, and watchOS, but also has a close relationship with Apple.

Since iOS 8, Shazam has been integrated into Siri, and it’s what powers the feature that lets Siri identify songs that are playing aloud. If, for example, there’s a specific song on television and you ask Siri “What song is this?” Siri uses Shazam to identify it.

Shazam is integrated with Apple Music, and Apple Music subscribers who Shazam a song can then tap to play it directly in Apple Music and can add it to a Shazam playlist. Shazam also has an augmented reality feature that allows you to find content based on pictures captured with the Shazam app.

One of TechCrunch’s sources said the deal could be worth nine figures, while another says Apple may shell out somewhere around $401 million. Both numbers are lower than the $1.02 billion valuation Shazam received during its last funding round in 2015.

Apple and Shazam could sign a deal as soon as this week, with an announcement planned for Monday.

Tags: techcrunch.com, Shazam
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The best Xperia XZ1 Compact cases to safeguard your small smartphone

If you prefer a small smartphone that’s easy to manage one-handed, then Sony has you covered. In our Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact review we praised the performance and battery life of this pocket-sized powerhouse. It is also water resistant, and because it’s small, you’re less likely to lose your grip and drop it, but the smart move is still to snag yourself some protection. Here are some of the best Xperia XZ1 Compact cases you can buy.

If you’re wondering how the Compact compares to its bigger sibling, the Sony Xperia XZ1, then check out our spec comparison.

Stilgut Folio Cover with Clasp ($36)

We think this folio case, made from genuine cow leather, is one of the best looking Xperia XZ1 Compact cases you’ll find. It’s minimalist, with big openings providing easy access to your buttons and ports. The camera and flash cut-outs are a little tight, but you should find performance is unhindered. You can get it in black or brown, with or without the clasp. The non-clasp version also has cut-outs in the cover for the speakers. Drop protection is going to be limited, but it will ward off scratches, and it looks elegant and classy.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Roxfit Precision Slim Book Case ($28)

If you’re a fan of Sony smartphones, then you’ve probably come across Roxfit before, as it makes some of the best certified “Made for Xperia” cases. This stylish folio case is a perfect fit with generous openings for access to all your buttons, ports, and the camera. The cover conceals a single pocket for an ID or credit card and it also has cut-outs for the speakers. The soft touch finish makes it comfortable to hold and the brushed metal design on the cover provides a nice contrast. For falls it’s probably not the most protective case, but it’s certainly one of the most stylish.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Terrapin Wallet Case ($11)

Another case manufacturer that produces a decent range of options for Sony smartphones is Terrapin. This wallet case combines a red, faux leather exterior with a floral interior. The cover opens to reveal three pockets for cards and ID and a money pouch at the back. It can be folded back to act as a stand and there’s a magnetic closure to prevent it from flapping open uninvited. The XZ1 Compact is secured in a TPU shell with accurate openings for easy access to everything. You also get a detachable wrist strap with this case. It’s a good mix of protection, style, and practicality.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Kugi TPU Case ($8.50)

This affordable case has some smart design features. It’s made from flexible TPU and there are textured sides to aid your grip. The button covers are raised, so they’re easy to find and press without looking. There’s a large cut-out for the power button and fingerprint sensor, and for the camera, but the headphone and USB-C port openings are a bit too tight for some accessories. The bezel round the screen helps to protect it. We don’t love the fake leather panel stitched onto the back, but you can get this case in navy, black, gray, or red and it’s certainly cheap.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Feitenn Wallet Case ($11)

Here’s an interesting alternative to the classic wallet look. There’s a malleable, clear TPU shell inside to hold your Xperia XZ1 Compact in place and it’s wrapped in a durable, polyurethane cover that comes in a range of colors. You can fold the cover back to use it as a landscape stand and it also has a pocket providing room for a single credit card or ID. All the cut-outs and button covers you need are present and correct. It’s not the greatest quality, but that’s reflected in the price.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Ringke Fusion Case ($10)

For reasonably priced, transparent cases, Ringke usually hits the mark. Its Xperia XZ1 Compact case has the usual protective blend of TPU around the frame and a polycarbonate panel on the back. The button covers work well and there are port covers to keep out dust and lint. The opening for the camera and flash works well, but you may find the fingerprint sensor access a little awkward. It’s a bit bulky, but the flipside of that is decent military grade drop protection. The raised edges also prevent your screen from touching down.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Editors’ Recommendations

• Protect your iPhone 6 from spills, splashes with the best waterproof cases
• The best Galaxy S7 Edge cases
• The best Nintendo Switch accessories to pick up this holiday season
• These Raspberry Pi 3 bundles will cover everyone, from coders to gamers
• Here are the 9 best Moto G5S Plus cases for the king of budget smartphones

Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time

Everyone likes Apple apps, but sometimes the best ones are a bit expensive. Now and then, developers put paid apps on sale for free for a limited time, but you have to snatch them up while you have the chance. Here are the latest and greatest iOS app deals available from the iOS App Store.

These apps normally cost money and this sale lasts for a limited time only. If you go to the App Store and it says the app costs money, that means the deal has expired and you will be charged. 

Storm It

Storm It is a simple app that allows you to add or collect your ideas and share them as a Tweetstorm on Twitter. Storm It is perfect for Twitteratti’s who at times feel Twitter’s 140-character limit (or even #Twitter280) to be limiting.

Available on:

iOS

Calming Meditation Oasis

Meditate easily with this simple yet elegant app. Be stress-free and worry-free. Enjoy calmness, peace of mind, joy, vibrant health, greater energy, and more.

Available on:

iOS

Rainbow

Bored of the classic grayish iPhone keyboard? Now is the time to add some rainbow color strokes to your keys with the new Rainbow keyboard, exclusive for iPhone and iPad.

Available on:

iOS

Resume Builder

Resume Builder transforms your iPhone and iPad into a portable CV designer. It allows you to create unique resumes in minutes.

Available on:

iOS

dB Decible Meter

This app promises to provide you with a sound level meter with exclusive accuracy of measurements. It’s calibrated with a professional high-precision decibel meter.

Available on:

iOS

Shoppylist Pro

With Shoppylist you can create your grocery shopping list easily and quickly directly from your iPhone. Quickly add items to your grocery list using the built-in catalog that suggests items as you tap letters.

Available on:

iOS

Editors’ Recommendations

• Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time
• Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time
• Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time
• Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time
• Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time

High fashion meets high tech in this 3D-printed store

Who says construction can’t be fashionable and fashion can’t be sustainable?

A new project by 3D-printing company Ai Build and luxury fashion brand Bottletop has recently launched in London, where the brand’s flagship brick and mortar store was finished using robotic fabrication and recycled materials. The interior of the 3D-printed store was created using filament from Reflow, an “ink” provider whose filament is entirely upcycled from plastic waste. The project serves as an example for how construction and fashion can combine in sustainable ways, without turning their backs on beautiful design.

“What is so special about 3D printing is that it opens up the possibility to control precisely where every single drop of material will be placed to form a physical object,” Daghan Cam, Ai Build’s co-founder and CEO, told Digital Trends. “That basically means that the material is deposited only where it needs to be, [in contrast] to conventional subtractive manufacturing methods which can be extremely wasteful.”

Ai Build has made waves in the past with its construction of sophisticated structures, meticulously built using Kuka robots and machine vision algorithms. Last year, the London-based startup revealed its “Daedalus Pavilion” at a conference in Amsterdam. The 350-pound structure consisted of 48 individual parts, yet took a surprisingly brief fifteen days to print.

Now Cam and his team have taken their penchant for design to the fashion industry by partnering with Bottletop, a fashion company that crafts their goods out of upcycled materials — yes, including bottletops — instilling sustainable values into a traditionally unsustainable industry.

“Fashion and construction industries are two of the biggest contributors of environmental pollution today,” Cam said. “This project demonstrates how cutting-edge technology can become the solution for such a fundamental problem of humanity as the environmental pollution.”

To be sure, the Bottletop store wasn’t completely 3D printed, like the proposed office space in Dubai, but by using recycled materials the project manages to make an impact in its own right.

“By turning waste plastic from India and Africa into a luxurious construction with our partners, we are questioning the status quo,” Cam added. “We believe that supporting the circular economy and zero-waste design philosophy through projects like this is the key for achieving a sustainable future of our built environment.”

Editors’ Recommendations

• Don’t print with crappy plastic. Here’s the best 3D-printing filament you can buy
• How do 3D printers work? Here’s a super simple breakdown
• Hinckley’s all-electric Dasher yacht demos its floating high tech
• The Netherlands is home to the world’s first 3D-printed concrete bridge
• MacOS High Sierra Review

Apple claims it can gather data without violating the privacy of its users

Data is the currency of the new age, and while you might not think knowing your preference on washing powder is of any particular importance, it’s exceptionally valuable to the right companies.

Users, however, are increasingly becoming aware of the value of their privacy, and so it’s become important for companies to be able to gather data, while still retaining the anonymity — and trust — of their user base.

Back at the launch of iOS 10, Apple revealed it was trialing a system of gathering user data known as “differential privacy”. This system, when done correctly, allows for a company to gather large amounts of user data, without identifying the specific user that sent the data in the first place.

Simply put, it’s a method that allows Apple to study the forest, without being able to see the trees. Another way of explaining it would be like viewing a city from high above; you can study the lay of the land and the way the city blocks are laid out, but you can’t see the individual people, or know who owns which property. For extra security, Apple has the encryption of the data occur at a local level — on the device it’s sent from, rather than being encrypted at Apple’s central servers.

Back in 2016, Apple was only using the method to gather data from the iOS 10 keyboard, Spotlight searches, and Notes. Now, after a successful trial on iOS 10, the company has expanded the remit to gather data from more of iOS, including from Safari. As before, the system is opt-in, so users will have to enable the setting themselves in their system preferences.

Why does Apple need this data, and what does it use it for? The data allows Apple to respond quickly to user trends and deliver a better experience on their platform wherever possible. For instance, data on emoji use in various languages, or information on the latest trends inspiring use of foreign language words such as “Despacito” can be used to optimize iOS Keyboard to show more relevant suggestions. Other results include identifying which websites require the most resources for Safari, and allow Apple to make changes to optimize around those sites.

If you’re technically minded, you can read all about this through Apple’s full paper on the subject. Otherwise, check out our guide on differential privacy.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Lawsuit aims to win British iPhone users $1.35 billion from Google
• Save data, save money: How to reduce your data usage on Android or iOS
• Worried about your online privacy? We tested the best VPN services
• Popular VPN provider TunnelBear jumps into password management with RememBear
• A simple guide on how to burn a CD to store your data or music

The pen is mightier than the finger: The best stylus for all your needs

Whether you’re the sort of person who doodles in class, diagrams lectures, or just jots down old-fashioned notes, you’ve probably considered buying a stylus or a tablet that’s already equipped with one. In recent years, styli have become more popular and more varied, meaning they’re not just for art majors anymore. The release of the Apple Pencil also helped push the once ill-fated peripheral back into the spotlight, helping to reinvigorate a market that is now bursting with viable options. To help you make sense of them all, we’ve put together a list of the best stylus pens for every occasion, not to mention the top tablets that come bundled with them. Read on for more details.

Are you looking for a great tablet? Check out our review of the iPad Pro and our picks for the best Android tablets you can buy.

Best styli for artists

No artist is exactly the same, and depending on your medium of choice, you may want a specific kind of stylus. Some artistic styli come with interchangeable tips, so you can vary the quality of stylus input, while others are a one-size fits all option or specifically designed to mimic a certain medium.

Apple Pencil ($99)

The Apple Pencil may have debuted towards the end of 2015, but it has already set the standard for styli. Before jumping to specifics, note that the Pencil only works with the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and the latest 9.7-inch version. The Pencil itself is one of the fastest, and most responsive styli we have used, with essentially no latency (if there is some, we didn’t notice).

Thanks to the pressure-sensitive screen in the iPad Pro, the Pencil can produce incredibly fine lines with variations in gradient as you increase pressure. The side of the tip creates wider strokes, which is great for shading, and the tip can also offer a fine point when you need it. It can be slippery at times, but it generally sits pretty well in the hand.

Unfortunately, the Pencil’s other end only features a charging cap that’s easy to lose, rather than an eraser.

Buy one now from:

Apple Amazon B&H

Adobe Ink & Slide ($22)

If you’re really invested in Adobe apps and the Creative Cloud, Adobe’s Ink & Slide stylus and ruler combo may just be the perfect tools for you. The Ink & Slide connect to any iPad 4 or later, iPad Air, or iPad Mini via Bluetooth LE. It’s also synced up with the Creative Cloud, so every drawing you make or preference you set will be stored in the cloud for you to access on your computer or other devices later. The Ink & Slide also work with Adobe’s Illustrator Line and Photoshop Sketch apps.

The Ink stylus has a fine-tip, pressure-sensitive point and feels like a normal pen in your hand. The Ink uses Pixelpoint technology from Adonit for greater accuracy. A status LED on the stylus even shows you what color you chose, so you don’t make any mistakes. The Slide ruler can be used to make perfectly straight lines, circles, and other shapes. Even though it’s a pricier stylus, the Ink & Slide does come with a USB charger and carrying case, and it’s the ideal stylus for serious creatives who are deeply invested in Adobe’s products already.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

FiftyThree Pencil, digital stylus for iPad ($50)

Pencil is one of the best all-around artistic styli when used in conjunction with the company’s app Paper. Using the preset tools available in the app — available for iOS — you can produce remarkable watercolor paintings, fine line drawings, pen and ink sketches, as well as dynamic comic-book like images with the marker function.

FiftyThree specifically designed Pencil to feel solid and comfortable in your hand. It’s shaped like a carpenter’s pencil and even comes in real walnut wood. Pencil even touts a built-in eraser on the end, so you can just flip it around when you want to erase. You can also use Pencil to smudge lines and create a nice blurred effect.

Although Pencil works best with Paper, it is also fully compatible with popular drawing and painting app Procreate, as well as Noteshelf and Squiggle. It connects to your iPad via Bluetooth, and once you’ve paired it, you’ll never have to do so again. When it runs out of battery, you can just remove the tip and pop the USB into any standard USB port.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Sensu Artist Brush & Stylus ($40)

Sensu’s Artist Brush and Stylus combo offer the best of both worlds with its real paintbrush tip and built-in stylus tip. The brush tip acts just like a real paintbrush, which makes it perfect for painting, but it certainly won’t work if you want to execute a fine line drawing. Luckily, once you switch over to the rubber stylus tip, you’ll be able to draw more precise lines. However, the Sensu isn’t pressure-sensitive and it may suffer from delayed reaction times now and then.

It comes in an aluminum finish and looks just like a normal paintbrush. The brush bristles are actually made of synthetic brush hair that was developed in Japan. The stylus tip is made of rubber. Luckily, it works on most Android, Windows, and iOS tablets, so you won’t be limited in your choice of tablet.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Studio Neat Cosmonaut ($25)

The Cosmonaut stylus may look huge a bulky, but it’s actually the ultimate stylus for white board and marker artists. This stylus won’t give you the thinnest line you’ve ever seen, but it will give you a nice, solid line. The Cosmonaut is easy to grip and it certainly isn’t delicate, so it can take a knocking in your bag without suffering any ill effects.

It’s a short, squat, round rubber stylus with no other defining features. It really looks like a fat, black crayon. The Cosmonaut seems like the perfect stylus for those of you who like to diagram lectures and take notes in a visual style. It works with both Android, iOS, and presumably Windows tablets. The Cosmonauts’ creators say it should also work on any touchscreen.

Buy one now from:

Studio Neat

Adonit Mark ($8)

Adonit has been offering affordable, but well-built styli for quite a while and the Mark is no different. At $8, it lets anyone with a smartphone, tablet, or laptop have access to a solid, all-purpose stylus. The best thing about the Mark is how the stylus feels in the hand — it’s made of anodized aluminum and is smooth, but has a good grip. It’s also has a triangular shape, so it doesn’t roll, which also feels natural.

It’s a decent, cheap alternative for drawing, but we wouldn’t recommend it for note-taking as it’s not precise, being that it is tipped with a mesh. Even when drawing, don’t expect to get accurate strokes while you’re working on the finer details.

Buy one now from: 

Amazon B&H

Nomad Flex ($30)

If you’re looking for a paintbrush instead of just a stylus, then the Nomad Flex may be the tool you need for your iPad. The brush is made of aluminum and has synthetic bristles, which make it feel more akin to a real paintbrush. The Flex will work perfectly with apps such as Paper or Procreate, but in an app like Penultimate, a traditional stylus would be more appropriate. Nomad’s offering includes a plastic carrying case inside the box, too, so you can safeguard the brush from unwanted abuse.

How does it compare to the Sensu brush? Well, the bristles on the Sensu are a bit stiffer than the ones on the Flex — the bristles on the former are also more round. The Flex is going to feel thinner and lighter than the Sensu, and the Flex’s bristles will feel mushier by comparison. Another great thing about the Flex is that it is compatible with iPads, as well as Android tablets and Microsoft’s Surface lineup. The brush also comes in a variety of colors, including charcoal, pink, silver, blue, and red.

Buy one now from:

Amazon  Nomadbrush