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New all-in-one charging stand powers up iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch

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Zens 4-in-1 Charging Station
Get rid of that tangle of Apple charging cables with the Zens 4-in-1 Charging Station.
Photo: Zens

There are plenty of stands that can handle an iPhone and Apple Watch, but the Zens 4-in-1 Charging Station tops that by adding a stand for an iPad, too. There’s even a AirPods charger and an Apple Pencil holder.
Zens also used CES 2023 to unveil other power products for Apple devices.

This app identifies thousands of plants with ease (and gives you tips to help them thrive)

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This app allows you to identify thousands of plans with ease.
Grow your garden smarter with savings on the NatureID app.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Are you sick of your terrible reputation as a plant assassin? Are you tired of pining over that one co-worker’s amazingly lush Zoom background? If you want to get back in touch with nature this year or improve your gardening skills, here’s a great deal on NatureID, an iPhone app that serves up crucial information about plant care.

Normally priced at $59, this popular app helps users quickly identify thousands of plants and access important information. During our Same You, New Hobby special, we’re celebrating fresh endeavors with major savings. And we’re dropping the cost of a NatureID Premium Plan to just $14.99 — the best price you’ll find online.

Trio of new Kensington docks pack in the ports

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Kensington SD5780T Thunderbolt 4 Dual 4K Docking Station
Add very high-speed ports to your Mac with Kensington's latest Thunderbolt 4 dock.
Photo: Kensington

Kensington used CES 2023 to take the wraps off a Thunderbolt 4 docking station that adds eleven ports to Mac or PC.

The accessory-maker also announced at the trade show a smaller, portable USB4 hub with six ports, plus a portable USB-C hub with six ports and a built-in wireless charger.

Break through the international language barrier with these award-winning translation earbuds

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Travel the world in 2023 and understand other languages with more than half off these award-winning translation earbuds.
Get more than half off these award-winning earbuds, which translate languages on the fly.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Imagine being able to see the world and speak the local language, wherever you are. It may sound like a superpower, but actually, all you need are a pair of cutting-edge translation headphones. These Mymanu Clik S earbuds come with built-in language translation, and though they are usually $220, you can grab them for just $99 through January 9.

Having these Bluetooth headphones completely changes how you travel, enhancing your experience like never before, thanks to the Clik S allowing you to communicate with more than 2 billion people.

You can control JBL’s new ANC earbuds with their touchscreen case

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If you bring the charging case with you, you can control the buds without having to use the app on your smartphone.
If you bring the charging case with you, you can control the buds without having to use the app on your smartphone.
Photo: JBL

JBL revealed several new wireless earbud models Wednesday, including the new flagship Tour Pro 2 with a touchscreen for additional control via the “smart case.”

“The world’s first smart charging case,” as the company called it, features a 1.45-inch LED touchscreen that lets you control music, noise cancellation, calls and notifications. That gets you out of turning to an app on your smartphone — as long as you keep the case at hand.

Belkin commits to making iPhone chargers from post-consumer recycled plastics

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Belkin commits to making accessories from post-consumer recycled plastics
One of these chargers is made from post-consumer recycled plastics and one isn't. Can you tell the difference?
Photo: Belkin

Belkin is switching to make its top-selling mobile power products out of 73% to 75% post-consumer recycled plastics. The change will make no difference to the appearance or price of the accessories, but will significantly reduce the company’s carbon emissions.

PCR versions of the poplar chargers will launch throughout 2023.

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.

Raise your MacBook to its proper level with this nifty foldable stand [Review] ★★★★

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Lululook Foldable Laptop Stand review★★★★
Lululook Foldable Laptop Stand could be the MacBook stand you've been looking for.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The new Lululook Foldable Laptop Stand props up your MacBook at a range of angles, and can also lift the computer to a variety of heights. As a bonus, it also rotates so the notebook can be easily spun around.

I tested Lululook’s latest stand in my home office, and it’s an outstanding addition to a MacBook-centered setup.

Dark Sky is gone, but you can re-create its weather magic

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Get The Best Weather App Back
Ceci n'est pas une Dark Sky.
Image: jerry van mouseling/Wikimedia Commons and D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

After Apple killed Dark Sky on January 1, many fans found themselves lamenting the loss of the groundbreaking weather app that offered hyperlocal forecasts. Luckily, you can re-create Dark Sky’s main features using a competing app called Carrot Weather. Alternatively, you can quickly tweak Apple’s built-in Weather app so it acts more like Dark Sky.

Let me show you how to enjoy Dark Sky’s beautiful user interface, and its uncannily accurate weather alerts, using other weather apps.

Enjoy a major discount on this cutting-edge documentary streaming service

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Enjoy a major discount on this cutting-edge documentary streaming service.
Children will love the blend of education and entertainment on this streaming app, while parents will love the price.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Even with a growing list of streaming services to explore, things can get stale in a hurry, leaving adults and kids alike with unfulfilling experiences or rewatches. If you’re searching for some fresh perspective, try 42% savings on a lifetime subscription to a streaming service for the most curious among us.

Normally priced at $250, you can get unlimited access to Curiosity Stream’s massive library of documentaries for only $144.99 — the best price on the web — through January 9.

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.

Find money-making properties in minutes with this $29 service that real estate pros love

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Same you, new city! Find money-making properties in minutes with this service loved by realtors, less than $30 today.
Start your Airbnb empire in 2023 by identifying prime investment properties with Mashvisor.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Have you wanted to invest in real estate or move to a new city, but found it all just too time-consuming or complicated to start? Make 2023 the year you finally do it with the super-smart Mashvisor property finder app.

Usually $1,499, right now you can grab a lifetime subscription to the service on sale for just $29. This wild price drop will only last through January 9, so grab it while you can.

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.

Get organized with advanced new features in Notes and Reminders

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Get yourself organized in there!
Get yourselves organized in Notes and Reminders using these advanced features.
Image: Fredericknoronha/Wikimedia Commons and D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Notes and Reminders, two stock apps that come with every iPhone, iPad and Mac, can do so much more than write shopping lists and apologies on Twitter.

With tagging, you can quickly filter and search through a big folder of notes or a long to-do list. You can easily put together a bunch of filters by date, location and tag to create a smart list of everything that needs your attention in Reminders. You can even set up template Reminders lists that you can copy at any time.

Let me show you how to set it all up.