David Snow - page 39

Get up to 46% off iMacs and MacBooks this week

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You can get a good deal on a 2021 24-inch 4.5K iMac, plus other iMacs and MacBooks.
You can get a good deal on a 2021 24-inch 4.5K iMac, plus other iMacs and MacBooks.
Photo: Apple

Amazon bargain site Woot! is pushing M1 Macs at low prices through April 3. You can get up to 46% off some machines, which include MacBook Pro, MacBook Air and iMac from 2020 and 2021, plus a handful of Intel-powered Macs.

Get 15% off when you pair magnetic iPad case with stand

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The sturdy magnetic stand is a perfect iPad companion.
The sturdy magnetic stand is a perfect iPad companion.
Photo: Elago

If you have an iPad, you should protect it with a case and put the device on a stand for perfect, hands-free use, whether you’re typing away on a keyboard, drawing with Pencil or just watching a video. And right now you get Elago’s Magnetic Folio case and the company’s magnetic stand for 15% off when you buy them both.

You can find Elago Magnetic Folio cases for all models plus the Magnetic Stand for iPads in the Cult of Mac Store.

Major workstation makeover covers all bases [Setups]

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The nearly maxed-out M1 MacBook Pro is on a shelf out of frame.
The nearly maxed-out M1 MacBook Pro is on a shelf out of frame.
Photo: nicknotes@Reddit.com

We often see big upgrades to setups we’ve covered here in the past. But they’re not usually comprehensive, where everything from the daily-driver Mac to the input devices to the audio gear gets made over (and in some cases greatly expanded).

Let’s just say today’s featured MacBook Pro setup looked a lot different 2 years ago. It’s more evidence that a setup is never, ever “done.”

You can’t go wrong with AirBox Go while traveling [Review] ★★★★

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A product shot of Momax AirBox Go, a portable MagSafe power bank for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods, on a an orangish-red microfiber cloth.★★★★
Momax AirBox Go is a portable MagSafe power bank for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

The beauty of a portable power bank becomes apparent when it gets you out of jams as your gadgets run out of power without an electrical outlet in sight. And if the bank can juice up a few devices at once, all the better. That’s what makes the Momax AirBox Go so great.

Momax recently sent me the three-in-one portable MagSafe charger to test. I took it on a weekend trip and found it performed well, keeping my iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods Pro going.

Add 2 external displays and zippy charging with new 9-in-1 dock

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Get two big external displays going with your M1 MacBook.
Get two big external displays going with your M1 MacBook.
Photo: Ugreen

Ugreen’s latest multiport docking station — sporting nine ports for most workstation connectivity needs — is helpful in several ways, including if you want to extend an M1 MacBook’s external-display capacity from one to two.

The device also offers 100 watts fast charging plus fast file transfer via USB-A and USB-C ports.

BenQ’s 3 sharp new 4K monitors swivel on Ergo arms

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The PD2706UA is the newest of the three 4K monitors that come with the Ergo Arm.
The PD2706UA is the newest of the three 4K monitors that come with the Ergo Arm.
Photo: BenQ

BenQ recently added its 27-inch PD2706UA Design Monitor for home productivity to its lineup of screens that ship with the Ergo Arm. It follows the 27-inch PD2705UA and the 32-inch PD3205UA, both aimed more specifically at designers for their color accuracy.

All three displays offer customizable ergonomic design with plenty of options for movement on the Ergo Arm.

Disgraced tennis star Boris Becker vows ‘new chapter’ in Apple TV+ trailer

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Becker's powerhouse tennis career segued to a trainwreck of a life.
Becker's powerhouse tennis career segued to a trainwreck of a life.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ served up a new trailer Thursday for Boom! Boom! The World vs. Boris Becker. It’s a two-part documentary exploring the life of the German tennis legend. He triumphed at Wimbledon at age 17 and won 49 career titles, including six Grand Slams plus an Olympic gold medal. And then he went off the rails, life-wise.

Following an ugly divorce involving infidelity, the troubled celebrity ended up in prison for concealing assets to avoid paying debts. But in the trailer, filled with other tennis stars, Becker says a new chapter in his life is coming. The documentary debuts April 7.

A MacBook Pro makes a questionable monitor stand [Setups]

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It might take a moment to locate the MacBook Pro in this photo, even with the help of that nice Anglepoise desk lamp.
It might take a moment to locate the MacBook Pro in this photo, even with the help of that nice Anglepoise desk lamp.
Photo: FEmbrey@Reddit.com

Today’s featured setup carries a strong vibe of minimalism — so much so it appeared to lack even a computer, at least at a glance at the photograph. But then we realized the laptop was stashed away in unusual (and questionable) fashion.

We recently featured a setup with the MacBook Pro and iPad hidden on a little shelf mounted under the desk. This time the laptop is stashed in a case sitting directly under the monitor stand’s base (not recommended).

Expand your creativity with this big new drawing display

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Now that's a canvas fit for an artist.
Now that's a canvas fit for an artist.
Photo: Xencelabs

We’ve all heard of tablets you can draw on — looking at you, iPad lineup — but how about a 24-inch drawing display?

Xencelabs Technologies unveiled its new Pen Display 24 Studio Series at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, which ends Friday.

If you’re serious about your art, it could be for you.

Missing someone? Pair iPhone with this creepy new kissing machine.

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These lips will warm up, make sounds and kiss you back ... if you let them.
These lips will warm up, make sounds and kiss you back ... if you let them.
Image: Reuters/The Guardian video

COVID-19 lockdowns in China didn’t just mess up iPhone production, they inspired the invention of a bizarre new machine with fake lips you can use with your smartphone to “kiss” someone far away.

Chinese startup Siweifushe launched the MUA — named after kissing sounds — a couple of weeks ago, selling more than 3,000 of them and receiving orders for 20,000 more, a new report said.

Bluetti’s tiny new solar generator looks perfect for outdoor adventures

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You can travel as light as you like with the AC60 solar generator and B80 batteries.
You can travel as light as you like with the AC60 solar generator and B80 batteries.
Photo: Bluetti

Bluetti noticed a gap in the portable power market. There are many solar power stations, but small ones offer questionable capacity. And the high-capacity power banks tend to be big and heavy.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Bluetti.
What about a power station that combines flexibility and extensible capacity to meet different needs in different scenarios? Enter the Bluetti AC60 and B80. The AC60 — Bluetti’s smallest solar generator yet — arrives at the end of April with a highly portable design you can take anywhere. And you can expand its capacity as necessary with B80 batteries for your camping trips and other uses.

Aqara brings HomeKit Secure Video to battery-powered doorbell

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You can set it to recognize someone at your door and play them a special message.
You can set it to recognize someone at your door and play them a special message.
Photo: Aqara

Aqara unveiled its new Video Doorbell G4 in January. It’s the first battery-powered, easy-install doorbell to integrate HomeKit Secure Video. And now it’s available to buy.

This is good news for HomeKit users who don’t like to mess with wiring but would love to have a artificially intelligent video doorbell that triggers automations.

Nothing’s new earbuds gun for AirPods Pro 2

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The earbuds are partially transparent and the charging case is fully so.
The earbuds are partially transparent and the charging case is fully so.
Photo: Nothing

The Nothing company followed up its Ear (1) noise-canceling earbuds with the new Ear (2) version Wednesday, offering hip, hi-tech earbuds comparable to Apple’s AirPods Pro — but at a lower price of $149.

The new Nothing earbuds feature active noise cancellation, Hi-Res Audio certification, partially transparent casings for a cool look, and more personalization options than the originals.

Gorgeous, all-wood mechanical keyboard costs more than a Mac mini

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Talk about a luxurious keyboard (with a price to match).
Talk about a luxurious keyboard (with a price to match).
Photo: Hacoa

People go nuts for solid wood on everything from guitars to flooring. But how about an all-solid-wood mechanical keyboard?

Japanese outfit Hacoa has one decked out in wood from the keycaps down through the housing, in either walnut or cherry. It’s called the Hacoa Full Ki-Board Wireless.

And it can be yours for the stout price of 99,000Yen ($745) plus shipping costs. That’s more than a base Mac mini.

Siri can command this robot to clear the air

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The little bot will tell you how clean the air in your space is, and clean it for you.
The little bot will tell you how clean the air in your space is, and clean it for you.
Photo: nara Pro

When you start to worry the air in your home could make you sick, an air purifier can help. And they’re getting smarter (but hopefully not “rise of the machines” smart a la Terminator).

The nara Pro, which the company bills as “the versatile air purifier robot,” runs a two-stage system via artificial intelligence that works with Siri and HomeKit, as well as other smart-home systems.

And you can get a good deal on it on the Indiegogo crowdfunding platform.

Mac Studio stacked on Mac mini looks like a Pixar robot [Setups]

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One commenter thought the Mac Studio stacked on the old Mac mini looked like a Pixar robot character.
One commenter thought the Mac Studio stacked on the old Mac mini looked like a Pixar robot character.
Photo: Stefansangreal@Reddit.com

This just in from the Things That Look Like Other Things Department: a Mac Studio desktop computer sitting on top of a Mac mini “looks like a small robot from Wall-E or one of the [other] Pixar films.”

Today’s featured setup sports the unintentional character in the form of an old Mac mini acting as a server and a stand for the much-newer Mac Studio. It’s pretty cute. You can imagine it rolling around, beeping and maybe firing off a laser blast.

New 16-in-1 dock lets M1 and M2 Macs drive trio of 4K displays

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Go ahead and hook up three 4K external displays to your M1 or M2 Mac with this new dock.
Go ahead and hook up three 4K external displays to your M1 or M2 Mac with this new dock.
Photo: NewQ

NewQ debuted its 16-in-1 USB-C Docking Station Wednesday with triple-4K-monitor support for Windows and macOS. It expands opportunity for M1 and M2 Macs with limited native external display support (one for MacBooks, two for Mac mini).

Plus, the 16-in-1 dock offers a port for practically any need and powers your laptop.

Last chance: Want the selfie stick that does it all? It’s 20% off right now.

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EasieSelfe is a versatile selfie stick, tripod and camera remote.
EasieSelfe is a versatile selfie stick, tripod and camera remote.
Photo: SwitchEasy

There are some photographs you just can’t get — or get well — without a selfie stick. And if that selfie stick is also a portable tripod and a camera remote, all the better, right? That’s the SwitchEasy EasySelfie Selfie Stick. It does it all.

If you hurry, you can get it in the Cult of Mac Store for just $36 (20% off, a savings of $9). However, this sale ends tonight!

New Anker MagGo fast-charges iPhone plus AirPods and Apple Watch

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The Anker 737 MagGo MagSafe charger comes with a USB-C adapter and cable.
The Anker 737 MagGo MagSafe charger comes with a USB-C adapter and cable.
Photo: Anker

Anker rolled out its latest 15W MagSafe charging stand Tuesday, introducing the 3-in-1 Anker 737 MagGo Charger. It adopts a triangular shape, juicing up iPhones at a full 15W and AirPods and Apple Watch at 5W apiece.

This follows the company’s first 3-in-1 MagSafe fast-charging stand, the Anker Cube, released in October 2022.

New Jabra Elite noise-canceling earbuds cut the cost

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The new Jabra Elite 4 buds cost just $99.
The new Jabra Elite 4 buds cost just $99.
Photo: Jabra

Jabra unveiled its new Elite 4 wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation Tuesday, offering various premium sound and comfort features for a modest price of $99 — $20 less than the previous version.

“The modern earbud user is looking for tech that’s ready for work and play at their fingertips, while not compromising on key features,” said Calum MacDougall, SVP at Jabra. “The Elite 4 offers a solution to this and is the perfect well-rounded design to help users to concentrate, connect and call without distractions.”

Keep iPhone connected abroad with Holafly’s eSIM unlimited data plans

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A man sits in an airport terminal with his feet resting on his suitcase and an iPhone with eSIM for international data in his hand. A plane is taking off outside the window.
Traveling to another country? With an eSIM, you can rest assured your iPhone can get online.
Photo: Jeshoots.com/Unsplash License

You may already know about SIM cards for cellular data, those little microchips that slide on trays in or out of smartphones. But the future of connectivity is eSIM cards, and that future is now.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Holafly.
iPhones and other smart gadgets already come with eSIM built in. And one of the best ways to use this convenient new technology is to enjoy international travel with unlimited eSIM data from Holafly.

Holafly’s eSIM unlimited data plans cover you when you travel. They’re tailored to your destinations. And they keep your iPhone connected in many countries, hassle-free, while also keeping costs down.

How fast can you spot the MacBook Pro in this super-clean rig? [Setups]

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It's an exceptionally clean setup. Even
It's an exceptionally clean setup. Even "absurdly" so, as one admirer said.
Photo: MarsMaher@Reddit.com

If there’s one thing computer-setup fans on social media value above all else, it’s a “clean” workstation. The best ones — neither messy nor cluttered with cables — place everything just so. Today’s featured MacBook Pro setup does a nice job with that.

And it even hides the laptop as well as an iPad. See how fast you can spot them. One commenter noted it took longer than it should have.

Easily manage Apple accessories with Desk Mat Pro

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Other desk mats simply aren't as qualified as this one for certain jobs.
Other desk mats simply aren't as qualified as this one for certain jobs.
Photo: Function101

We know what you’re thinking: a “Pro” desk mat? Well, yes, actually. The Function101 Desk Mat Pro is rather capable. Not only does it help protect your desk, it’s a serious tool for often-neglected cable management in and around the computer setup.

And the professional-level desk mat is now available in the Cult of Mac Store for $39.95. Other desk mats just aren’t qualified.

‘Mac setup in a box’ is a dual-Mac Studio powerhouse [Setups]

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The cabinet on the right holds the computers and more.
The cabinet on the right holds the computers and more.
Photo: XTJ7@Reddit.com

We enjoy a lot of variety in our computer setups coverage, from the ultra-minimalist to the mega-maximalist. Today’s featured rig sports two pumped-up Mac Studios, two old Mac Pro “trash cans,” a gaming PC, dual displays and a tremendous array of audio gear.

It falls in the latter category, obviously (“mega”). The lengthy gear list below doesn’t even cover everything in the powerhouse workstation, but it covers all the key elements.