It’s been a while since I’ve written a blog post. This post is inspired by my listening to the AppStories + and Unwind +. Federico and John have been engaged in some really cool experiments. Each has motivated me, in my Year of Work on my overall health, to try something Federico did to his iPad Pro. I purchased the Edge Pro MagSafe holder from Rolling Square. I wanted to see what I’d do with it. Would it serve as a secondary screen? If so, how?

First Impressions

Putting the Edge Pro MagSafe holder on the back of my 11 inch iPad Pro’s Magic Keyboard was simple enough; though I did have my wife watch the set up video with me just to make sure I didn’t mess things up. Here is a picture of the Edge Pro MagSafe holder on the left side of my iPad Pro.

The first thing I noticed was how strong the magnet is. I was not sure if the added weight of my iPhone 14, on the side of my ipad pro’s Magic Keyboard would affect the balance of the keyboard but it does not. It’s very stable. I say that with the keyboard sitting on a flat surface like my dining room table or the island in our kitchen. I’ll have to try to use this set up on my lap. Another thing that I’m impressed with is how the iPhone responds when I tap the screen to open or use an app; not a lot of vibration on the iPhone or the iPad’s screen. Now, let’s talk about the apps I’m using. Here’s another picture of my iPhone “floating” via the holder.

Apps I’m using via the Edge Pro MagSafe Holder

After setting up the holder on the left side of my Magic Keyboard I wondered, what apps would l use with the iPhone, “floating” on the Edge Pro Magsafe holder, while writing on the iPad Pro?

Most of my iPad Pro use comes when I am writing. I have a specific Shortcut I’ve created that puts my iPad Pro and iPhone in a Writing Focus Mode so I won’t need to ever have Timery open on the iPhone as it is a part of that Shortcut. That said, right now, as I write, I have Discord running as I am very interested in what people are saying about the Vision Pro, on its first weekend being available for purchase. I’ve also dabbled with using You Tube TV on my iPhone, listening to NFL Live. I say listening because I was writing during this time and did not need to watch the live stream like I would if I were sitting down to watch an NFL game. Being able to “pin” an app like You Tube TV to the iPhone screen and have NFL Live streaming on the iPhone while being able to solely concentrate on writing in full screen mode with the Obsidian app on my iPad Pro is really nice. I’ve also experimented with running the Postmates app on the iPhone while writing in full screen on the iPad Pro. It was really cool being able to glance at the iPhone now and then to keep track of my order, while continuing to focus on my writing.

The convenience of being able to do these sort of things with the support of the Edge Pro MagSafe holder got me thinking, how cool it would be if I could use the iPad Pro’s Magic Keyboard to also write on the iPhone. My iPhone switches to a different Home Screen when I’m in my Writing Focus Mode, giving me access to apps such as Notes, Drafts, and Freeform. Each of these apps, in theory, could be used, on the iPhone while I continue to use Obsidian in full screen, on the iPad Pro. After looking into this it doesn’t appear possible. I could use dictation though. Might have to test that out.

Writing with the iPad Pro on my lap

The last thing I tried was writing with my iPad Pro on my lap with the iphone on the Edge Pro MagSafe holder. This required my hands to stay on the keyboard in order for it to remain stable and safe as the weight of both the phone and iPad Pro is just too much. I’m not surprised.

Final Thoughts

All told, I’m glad I bought the Edge Pro MagSafe holder. It only cost me $29. I’ve had it for a week and I’m still using it. It’s not a world changing purchase just; convenient.