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The Mosquito Coast leaves a trail of bodies in explosive season two finale [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★☆

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Melissa George and Justin Theroux in ★★★★☆
Will we get another season of The Mosquito Coast?
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewApple TV+ thriller The Mosquito Coast kisses its second season — and a number of its characters — goodbye in this week’s show. The season two finale skids into a violent confrontation that leaves many dead, but answers a lot of important questions in the process.

The Fox family — Dina, Charlie, Margot and Allie — is still on the run. And they all know they want different things out of life. Can they work it out in time to escape the repercussions of the sundry terrorist events that have been escalating all season? This frankly shocking episode of The Mosquito Coast looks at all that and more.

Apple’s AR/VR headset now rumored to debut in spring 2023

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Apple AR VR headset
Another delay in Apple's AR/VR headset launch.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple’s AR/VR headset development has reportedly hit another setback. As a result, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo now predicts Apple will unveil the headset at a spring media event or at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference.

Rumors so far indicated Apple could hold an event in January 2023 to unveil the long-rumored headset.

Eliminate spam calls and texts with this discounted subscription

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This discounted subscription is your key to cutting down spam calls and texts.
Regain control of your iPhone with this low-cost, spam-killing subscription.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

With scammers increasingly desperate to take advantage of people, random calls and texts have become a primary tool for fraudsters. Robocalls are an unfortunate trend you’ve likely experienced in your own life. And they can quickly get out of control, exposing phone owners of all ages to vulnerable situations.

As we ring in 2023, we’ve got a limited-time offer on a subscription to RoboKiller spam call and text blocker. It’s a proven solution to a modern problem. A three-year subscription to RoboKiller typically costs $119, but is available for just $49.99 during this New Year’s special.

Mac Pro and M2 Mac mini pegged for launch at huge Apple event in March

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A closeup shot of the current Mac Pro:
A Mac Pro with Apple silicon could at last arrive for professionals at a March event.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

The long-awaited Mac Pro desktop will finally debut at a big March event, according to a tipster. As will a Mac mini powered by Apple’s M2 chip.

Plus, Apple is apparently getting ready to knock people’s socks off, as three MacBooks are also supposedly on the agenda for the event — including a 15-inch MacBook Air.

Aqara previews video doorbell and other new HomeKit gadgets

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With AI onboard, the new Aqara G4 Video Doorbell can recognize people.
With AI onboard, the new Aqara G4 Video Doorbell can recognize people.
Photo: Aqara

Smart-home specialist Aqara said Thursday it will expand its product line in the coming months with a new video doorbell, LED light strips, a sensor with artificial intelligence and a smart door lock that works with Home Key. All of the new devices will work with HomeKit and other smart-home systems.

Rather than showcasing new products at CES 2023 in Las Vegas, however, the company put out a video showing off the four items below as if it were at the show.

Apple Fitness+ rings in new year with kickboxing, Beyoncé and more

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Maybe it's time to get out some frustrations via the new Kickboxing workouts.
Maybe it's time to get out some frustrations via the new Kickboxing workouts.
Photo: Apple

For those still a little hungover from New Year’s Eve, Apple Fitness+ said Thursday it will roll out new offerings starting Monday to help perk you up — or help you sleep, if need be.

The fresh items on offer include a Kickboxing workout type, a sleep theme for meditations, a Beyoncé Artist Spotlight, new Time to Walk guests and three new trainers.

Drop’s affordable new desktop speakers claim audiophile sound

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Drop's new desktop speakers are designed to sound great from just 2 or 3 feet away.
Drop's new desktop speakers are designed to sound great from just 2 or 3 feet away.
Photo: Drop

Drop, known for mechanical keyboards as well as headphones and other audiophile gear, unveiled its first set of desktop speakers Wednesday at CES 2023. The small Drop BMR1 Nearfield Monitors promise big, clear sound in a small footprint for just $129.

If you noticed that’s not an audiophile price tag, you’re right. So if you want more sound than your computer provides, you can preorder the new monitors on January 31.

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.

Withings’ new toilet-based scanner tells you about your pee on iPhone

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Flushing cleans the device, by the way.
Flushing cleans the device, by the way.
Photo: Withings

Calling it the “first hands-free connected home urine lab,” Withings raised the lid Wednesday on U-Scan at CES 2023.

You stick the device — which, frankly, looks a bit like a urinal cake — in the toilet. Then you get urine-scan results for many health factors via Withings’ app on your iPhone.

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.