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M1 MacBook Pro conducts ‘ultra-minimalist’ home audio ensemble [Setups]

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Does this computer setup look
Does this computer setup look "ultra-minimalist" to you?
Photo: [email protected]

Some computer setups are simply music to our ears — almost literally, in some cases. Today’s featured setup sees (and hears) an M1 MacBook Pro playing frontman to a band that includes a few pieces of key audio hardware and software as well as dual curved ultra-wide external displays.

And whether or not it’s “ultra-minimalist,” as stated by the user — it’s not, by almost any definition of computing minimalism — it appears relatively spare and effective.

New BenQ display offers powerful blue-light protection

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BenQ will showcase a new display it calls the market leader for blue-light protection.
BenQ will showcase a new display it calls the market leader for blue-light protection.
Photo: BenQ

BenQ and Eyesafe said Tuesday they’ll showcase a new display with “the world’s most advanced blue light technology” at CES 2023.

The companies said the new BenQ Eyesafe DTX monitor features a Radiance Protection Factor (RPF) of 70, the highest protection against blue light on the market. And it doesn’t compromise display performance.

Powerful new Thunderbolt 4 dock packs an amazing 16 ports

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Powerful new Thunderbolt 4 dock packs a stunning 16 ports
Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Quad Docking Station has more ports than you can shake a stick at.
Photo: Plugable

Plugable just launched a dock with an eye-popping number of ports. The 16-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Quad Dock offers nearly every type of port a Mac can access, like HDMI, DisplayPort, six USB-A ports, Ethernet and many more. It can be part of a really tricked-out setup.

Plus, the accessory-maker also introduced the Plugable USB-C 11-in-1 Hub at CES 2023.

How low can it go? Apple market cap dips below $2 trillion.

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Tim Cook makes the case for Apple during Congress' antitrust hearing.
Apple CEO Tim Cook says that share price is "not the most important measure of our success" but he can't be happy about the recent slide in value.
Photo: C-SPAN

The months-long slide in the value of Apple shares reached the point on Tuesday that the company is now worth less than $2 trillion.

In an ironic twist, this happened exactly one year to the day after it surpassed the $3 trillion mark.

Apple’s MagSafe fuels new Qi2 wireless charging standard

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Apple’s MagSafe fuels new Qi2 wireless charging standard
Qi2 is MagSafe for iPhone and Android.
Photo: WPC/Cult of Mac

MagSafe is headed for non-Apple handsets. The Wireless Power Consortium is making Apple’s innovative wireless charging system for iPhone into an industry standard dubbed “Qi2.”

The first Qi2 devices are expected to hit the market by the end of 2023.

Nab the best deals on iPhone 11, 12 and 13 cases in this flash sale

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Find a new case for your (moderately) old iPhone in the SwitchEasy Flash Sale.
Find a new case for your (moderately) old iPhone in the SwitchEasy Flash Sale.

If you’re among the millions of people who didn’t upgrade to iPhone 14, here’s your reward. If you have an iPhone 11, 12 or 13 series handset, you can now get 40% off all SwitchEasy cases for those lineups in the Cult of Mac Store.

So, if your iPhone 11, 12 or 13 case is getting old and worn — or if you just want a fresh look — don’t miss the SwitchEasy Flash Sale. We’ve extended this end-of-season sale for a limited time. Dress up your old iPhone for the new year!

Apple headset uses waist-mounted battery pack — new details emerge

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A virtual reality headset (not Apple's).
New details emerge about Apple's long-rumored AR/VR headset and how it will differ from competitors.
Photo: James Yarema/Unsplash License

After testing a version of Apple’s upcoming AR/VR headset with an internal battery, the company’s engineers have resorted to using a separate battery pack connected by a wire, according to a new report about the secret project.

Other technical details emerged Tuesday about the long-rumored headset as well. The cutting-edge device reportedly delivers a surprisingly short two-hour battery life. And it reportedly comes with an H2 chip to pair with AirPods Pro, a dual-chip architecture that supports more than a dozen built-in cameras, and an adjustable dial to turn VR on and off.

AirPods Lite could add key new feature: Affordability

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AirPods Lite could add key new feature: Affordability
Can't afford AirPods? AirPods Lite might be just what you're hoping for.
Graphic: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple is working on AirPods Lite, a cheaper version of its wireless earbuds, according to an industry analyst.

This would appeal to those who find even the lowest-cost AirPods out of their reach. And would help buoy interest in Apple’s product when sales are expected to slow in 2023.

Future Apple Pencil may include built-in color sensors

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Future Apple Pencil may include built-in color sensors
Apple patented a stylus that can be used to easily match any color.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Someday, you might be able to pull a color out of the real world just by touching your Apple Pencil to it. Apple patented a version of its iPad stylus with color sensors in the tip.

The device would be a real boon to artists who paint on an iPad.

New year brings ‘great display for a Mac’ to M2 MacBook Pro rig [Setups]

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Under-desk lighting helps make it a pleasant workspace even with no windows.
Under-desk lighting helps make it a pleasant workspace even with no windows.
Photo: [email protected]

There’s nothing like starting over in a brand new year. One of the best ways to do it is to freshen things up in the place where you spend so much of your waking life — your workspace. But rather than just rewarding yourself with a thrilling new mouse pad, why not roll out a whole new computer setup?

That’s the case with today’s featured M2 MacBook Pro setup. The brawny laptop drives a spacious “4K+” display with the help of some choice input devices. And it all basks in the glow of simple but highly effective lighting.

Here’s proof that a MacBook with built-in 5G is way overdue

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MacBook with built-in 5G is way overdue
There's no reason for Apple to drag its heels on a 5G MacBook
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

If you want a MacBook with 5G cellular wireless built into it, new data suggests you’re not alone. A surprising number of iPads are sold with integrated cellular connectivity. More than half, in fact.

Like tablets, today’s slim and lightweight MacBooks are ready to go anywhere. There’s no reason to force them to depend on Wi-Fi or an iPhone hotspot.

Game on! Fortnite is apparently returning to iPhone.

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Epic Games v. Apple gets serious next spring.
Epic Games CEO is optimistic that Fortnite will once again be available for iPhone by the end of the year.
Graphic: Cult of Mac

The CEO of Epic Games teased Fortnite fans that the game will once again be playable on iPhone in 2023.

That would be quite a turnaround, as Apple blocked Epic from the App Store back in 2020 during a lengthy court battle. But new EU regulations likely will allow the game developer to do an end run around the block.

Apple’s classical music app misses its 2022 deadline

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Apple buys Primephonic: Apple Music's classical catalog will get a big boost from Primephonic.
Apple's dedicated classical music app is still waiting in the wings.
Photo: Samuel Sianipar/Unsplash

It’s 2023 and the standalone classical music app that Apple promised for 2022 is nowhere to be seen. It’s not clear whether it’s late or has been quietly killed off.

The company said its offering will include high-quality audio, expert recommendations and playlists, exclusive audio content, “extensive contextual details on repertoire and recordings” and other advanced features for classical music aficionados.

What to expect from Apple in 2023, plus our best of 2022 picks [The CultCast]

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This year was good for Apple, but 2023 looks even better!
This year was good for Apple, but 2023 looks even better!
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: We’re talking about all the Apple gear we’re certain will arrive in 2023 — and some we just hope will materialize.

Also on The CultCast:

  • An Apple Watch Ultra clone for less than $50?!?
  • More on Apple’s penny-penching strategy of skimping on cloud storage by serving up lower-resolution files.
  • Our picks for best of 2022 — part two!

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

Our sponsor: Rocket Money

Rocket Money shows you all your subscriptions all in one place, and then cancels whatever you don’t want with a single click!  Cancel your unnecessary subscriptions right now at rocketmoney.com/cultcast.

Surprise! Apple is 2022’s ‘biggest stock-market loser.’

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By one important measure, Apple is this year's biggest stock-market loser.
By one important measure, Apple is this year's biggest stock-market loser.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

It’s no secret 2022 has been a volatile year for tech stocks, even as Apple has stayed locked in its familiar role of stock market juggernaut, somehow always beating earnings expectations.

So you might be surprised to hear “Apple is this year’s biggest stock-market loser,” according to a report.

As 3nm processors go into production, Apple’s chipmaker looks ahead to 2nm

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TSMC 7nm processor
Apple chips keep shrinking, which makes them more efficient.
Photo: TSMC

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company began cranking out chips using its new 3nm process Thursday at its Tainan plant. But, never one to rest on its laurels, TSMC is already laying the groundwork for 2nm processors.

Apple is expected to be among the first companies to benefit from the cutting-edge chips, which will be faster while requiring less power.

‘Tiny beast’ M1 Mac mini drives well-lit workstation [Setups]

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The lighting's not for everyone, but some people think it's pretty cool.
The lighting's not for everyone, but some people think it's pretty cool.
Photo: [email protected]

If you want a healthy computer setup, don’t just check off the “ergonomics” box and leave it at that. In addition to good posture, straight wrists and so on, you’re going to need good lighting to reduce eye strain. And to look good on video, too, of course.

Today’s featured M1 Mac mini setup throws the switch on a couple of lighting products we rarely see.

Apple unveils special ‘Year of the Rabbit’ AirPods Pro for Chinese New Year

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Special-edition AirPods Pro with the Year of the Rabbit graphics.
Apple is selling a special edition AirPods Pro to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Photo: Apple

Ahead of the Chinese New Year on January 22, 2023, Apple has released a limited-edition AirPods Pro in the country. The charging case of the earbuds features a Year of the Rabbit engraving.

Besides the engraving, the special edition AirPods Pro retail box features the Year of the Rabbit graphics.

Next iPad Pros could boast larger OLED displays

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Here's more proof iPad will get gorgeous OLED screens
The first OLED iPad Pro will not just be better looking, it'll be a bit larger.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple plans a modest increase the screen sizes in the next generation of iPad Pro models, according to a reliable source. Numerous earlier leaks indicted these will also be the first Apple tablets with OLED displays.

That will make the upcoming iPad Pro significant a improvement over the 2022 version.

Last chance: Get 20% off 96 different Laut accessories for Apple devices

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The protective Laut Holo AirPods 3 case catches the light and dazzles.
The protective Laut Holo AirPods 3 case catches the light and dazzles.
Photo: Laut

Year-end sales can be a bonanza for anyone seeking Apple accessories — and the Laut sale in the Cult of Mac Store is no exception. You can slash 20% off the price of 96 different accessories for Apple products.

So whether you need a stand, charger or case for any number of devices — not to mention a plethora of stylish Apple Watch bands — the Laut sale on all accessories has you covered. Check out some highlights below. The sale ends at 11:59 p.m. PST on December 30.

5 most exciting Apple products coming in 2023

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Apple logo with red background.
These are the Apple products to get excited about in 2023.
Image: Rajesh

Every year, Apple launches a handful of products that stand out from the competition. 2023 is going to be no different, but next year will be special for Apple in many ways.

The company could enter a new product category with its AR/VR headset, and the iPhone could get some major hardware upgrades. Below is a roundup of five Apple product launches to look forward to in 2023.

An Apple Watch Ultra for $48? No, but you can get this obvious knockoff.

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It sure looks the part, but does it do all the rough stuff?
It sure looks the part, but does it do all the rough stuff?
Photo: Pebble

Some rugged, outdoorsy types might hesitate over the Apple Watch Ultra’s $800 price tag. But what if they could get a lookalike watch for less than $50?

The Indian company Pebble — no relation to the Pebble smartwatch outfit acquired by Fitbit — said it will ship just such an option soon. And the Pebble Cosmos Engage looks just like the real thing. But it probably doesn’t function like a real Apple Watch Ultra.