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Grab these 8 great stocking stuffers for techies before it’s too late

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What's small, not-too-pricey and perfect for geeks? The ideal stocking stuffer.
What's small, not-too-pricey and perfect for geeks over the holidays? The ideal stocking stuffer.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The holiday season is fast-unfolding, and Christmas will be here before Hermey the elf from the classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer can say “Well, sir, someday I’d like to be a dentist.”

So it’s time to act fast if you want to get a gadget-y gift for the techie or geek in your life in time for deliveries by December 25. Check out some cool ideas below.

They’re all small enough to fit in a stocking; prices range from a cheap $20 to a few hundred bucks (for those very special stockings). And there’s plenty more good stuff in the Cult of Mac Store.

Eve beams Matter support to an array of smart home devices

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The Eve Motion sensor is one of the devices to receive the new firmware update with Matter support.
The Eve Motion sensor is one of the devices to receive the new firmware update with Matter support.
Photo: Eve Systems

A number of devices across Eve Systems’ product lineup are receiving support for the home automation networking standard Matter with a new, optional firmware update, the company said Monday.

Matter support — which lets devices from different makers work together over the same network — will come to Thread-enabled devices in the company’s Eve Door and Window, Eve Motion and Eve Energy lineups.

Formidable Mac trio drives pro streaming rig [Setups]

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This setup generates a 2-hour streaming show twice a week.
This setup generates a 2-hour streaming show twice a week.
Photo: [email protected]

Ahoy there, would-be video streamers — today’s featured computer setup comes from an airtight and seaworthy pro streaming operation you might want to emulate.

The folks behind Sailing Illustrated streams shared their rig, based on a Mac Studio, an M1 Mac mini, an M1 MacBook Pro, a Rode RodeCaster Pro production studio and a slew of related gear and software.

Apple dramatically increases iPhone assembly in India

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iPhone 14 Pro in India
Your next iPhone could be assembled in India rather than China.
Photo: Cult of Mac

After recent problems in China, Apple is ramping up iPhone assembly in India. The number of iOS handsets assembled in that country will reportedly triple in the coming years.

Previous reports have also indicated that Apple is putting a much greater emphasis on making iPhones in India.

Get a private second iPhone number for just $19

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The best app for adding an anonymous number to your phone is on sale for less than $25 today.
Use a second number on your phone with this top-rated app, less than $25 today.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you’re still using one phone number for everything, it’s time to upgrade your cell. Forget giving out your personal number to companies, private sellers and strangers. With a private phone line, you can keep different callers totally separate from your personal life.

For one week only, you can get a second phone number with Hushed for just $19 (regularly $150) with coupon code HUSHED.

Boost your mobile productivity with more than $400 off this portable touchscreen monitor

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Take production to another level by saving more than 50% on this portable touchscreen monitor.
Enhance your personal computer setup by taking advantage of a major discount on this advanced monitor.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Considering the shift toward work-from-home models and online academic options, there’s never been a greater need to maximize your home office. An external monitor from Desklab can help you accomplish more, and it’s on sale for less than half of its standard cost.

For a limited time, you can pick one up for only $289.99 (regularly $700) — the best price you’ll find online.

Spies drop like flies as Slow Horses raises the stakes [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★☆

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Slow Horses recap Apple TV+: Spy games have deadly consequences on Slow Horses.★★★★☆
Spy games have deadly consequences on Slow Horses.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewThere’s a man down this week on Slow Horses, the Apple TV+ show about underdog British spies and their disheveled bureau chief. The horses say goodbye to one of their own, but they don’t get much time to grieve.

Peter Judd’s giving everyone grief again, the Russians are in town doing damage, Lamb’s off the radar conducting his own investigation, and River’s in deep cover … though not that deep.

The episode, entitled “Drinking Games,” is a rough and engaging chapter of the saga. Everyone plays their part beautifully, and the stakes continue to climb.

Build any toy you can imagine with this Shark Tank-featured 3D printer

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The Toybox 3D Printer is our December Deal of the Day.
Put infinite toys on your desktop with our December Deal of the Day.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Our toys may become more complex as we grow up, but nobody ever quite lets their preadolescent fantasies go. And now, you can relive that childlike fascination with your own young ones with the Toybox, a kid-friendly 3D printer.

And thanks to our December Deal of the Day event, you can purchase the Toybox 3D Printer Deluxe Bundle for $299.99 (regularly $349.99) until December 13, with guaranteed delivery by Christmas.

Shantaram sets up its final shadowy showdowns [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★

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Shantaram recap Apple TV+: Karla (played by Antonia Desplat) will seemingly stop at nothing to save Lin (Charlie Hunnam).★★★
Karla (played by Antonia Desplat, left) will seemingly stop at nothing to save Lin (Charlie Hunnam).
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewOur outlaw hero Lin is running out of road this week on Shantaram, and everyone wants him dead or simply out of the way. Karla is neck-deep in a desperate attempt to clear Lin’s name — and makes Bombay a war zone in the process.

Also in this week’s episode, entitled “Banquet of Consequences“: Lisa and Modena’s great escape turns into no such thing. Prabhu makes a promise he can’t keep. Wally Nightingale closes in on his prey. And Ravi decides he’d rather not change after all.

It’s a thrilling penultimate episode, as the Apple TV+ limited series finds all its bloody pieces falling into place.

Echo 3 wallows in its warped, G.I. Joe worldview [Apple TV+ recap] ★☆☆☆☆

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Echo 3 recap Apple TV+: Amber alert! Echo 3 goes completely off the rails this week.★☆☆☆☆
Amber alert! Echo 3 goes completely off the rails this week.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewThis week on Echo 3, showrunner, writer and director Mark Boal — known for The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty — gets lost upriver trying to graft some semblance of a worldview onto his hollow, sadistic Apple TV+ jungle adventure.

The kidnapped Amber’s captivity is explored, as is her captors’ thin psychology and political motivation. She tries to escape and everyone else suffers for it. It’s a boring and grim edition of Boal’s G.I. Joe fantasy.

Everybody’s miserable and/or in love on Acapulco [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★☆☆

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Acapulco recap Apple TV+: The Las Colinas crew is in total disarray.★★★☆☆
The Las Colinas crew is in total disarray.
Photo: Acapulco recap Apple TV+: The Los

TV+ ReviewBilingual Apple TV+ comedy Acapulco goes to the edge of misfortune this week before pulling back. Maximo should be happy with his new life with Isabelle, but can’t help but feel like he’s missing out on something. And Julia and Chad must think about their futures now that they know neither of them will be a part of the other’s.

Meanwhile, Memo misses Maximo, Hector’s confused, Chad is lost, and Diane needs Don Pablo back in a hurry. All told, “The Power of Love” is a very convenient episode of the lightweight series.

Let AI do your voiceovers in 600 lifelike voices and 129 languages

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Do voiceover in 600+ voices with an AI tool that's 50% off.
This AI voiceover program can speak 129 languages, and we've got the best price online.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Writing a script is a ton of work, and that doesn’t even account for reading it live. If you want to avoid spending hours recording voiceovers for your podcasts, YouTube videos or training materials, you may want to give Micmonster a try.

This AI-based voiceover tool provides hundreds of lifelike voices, in 129 languages, to create custom voiceovers. And lifetime subscriptions are on sale now for $59 — the best price on the web.

Big trouble’s brewing on The Mosquito Coast [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★☆

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The Mosquito Coast recap Apple TV+: The sudden appearance of old nemesis Richard (played by Ariyon Bakare) means trouble on The Mosquito Coast.★★★★☆
The sudden appearance of old nemesis Richard (played by Ariyon Bakare) means trouble on The Mosquito Coast.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewApple TV+ thriller The Mosquito Coast picks up its cliffhanger and heads into ever darker territory this week. Allie is caught between a rock and a harder place than usual. Dina takes her anger out on Margot, but Charlie would rather take it out on Richard.

Margot’s stuck between trying to win back her family’s approval and not caring enough to get it back. The Foxes may still be in hot water with the U.S. government after all, which means there’s a clock ticking faster than they imagined.

It all adds up to a white-knuckle episode of the drama about a family of terrorists on the lam in Central America.

Apple and Ericsson end iPhone patent dispute

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iPhone uses cellular-wireless tech patented by Ericsson
Apple and Ericsson buried the hatchet in their latest patent fight.
Photo: Cult of Mac

After a muti-year argument, Apple and Ericsson agreed to cross license each others patents on cellular standard-essential technologies. And they’ll drop their lawsuits, too.

What’s really happening though is that the two companies have negotiated how much money Apple will pay to license Ericsson patents for use in the iPhone.

Ian and Poppy try to un-scrooge Christmas on Mythic Quest [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★

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Mythic Quest recap Apple TV+: Would you trust Christmas to this guy?★★★★
Would you entrust Christmas to this guy? Nope.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewApple TV+ comedy Mythic Quest rings in the holiday season with a very special Christmas episode this week. The Mythic Quest offices are full of misery as David makes everyone stay and work through Christmas Eve. His attempts to cheer them up come to naught. And when Poppy and Ian try to salvage things at their old company, they go too far.

Meanwhile, Poppy and Rachel must learn what Jo’s definition of friendship is, and Rachel has her first brush with success. All in all, “The 12 Hours of Christmas” stands tall as a stellar episode of Apple TV+’s funniest show.

Tiny new drone shoots 4K HDR video

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The DJI Mini 3 can transmit video from up to 10 kilometers away.
The DJI Mini 3 can transmit video from up to 10 kilometers away.
Photo: DJI

Just in time for the holidays, DJI released a tiny, more affordable version of its DJI Mini 3 Pro drone. Just subtract the world “Pro” from the name.

The new DJI Mini 3 weighs in at a svelte 249 grams (8.78 ounces) or less and shoots detail-rich, 4K HDR video, the company said.

In Little America season 2, hard luck always yields happy endings [Apple TV+ review] ★★★

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Little America review Apple TV+ season two: First you struggle, then everything works out. Right?★★★
First you struggle, then everything works out. Right?
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewLittle America, the easygoing Apple TV+ series about the immigrant experience in America, returns this week for a second season of predictably uplifting storytelling.

This parade of hard-luck stories features happy endings that range from gentle to ecstatic. Just like last season, the show is largely successful — if frequently too well-behaved for its own good.

M1 MacBook Air knows how to have fun [Setups]

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Lots of toys live in this MacBook Air and gaming PC rig.
Lots of toys live in this MacBook Air and gaming PC rig.
Photo: [email protected]

Some setups are no-nonsense, just the facts, ma’am — strictly utilitarian. Others are fanciful and full of toys. Today’s featured setup leans toward the latter, with its burgeoning population of Transformer figures crowding the shelf above the display and even related wall art.

And there’s plenty of gaming going on there, too, via a custom gaming PC and Nintendo Switch OLED in addition to an M1 MacBook Air and 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

Oh, and it has one of the coolest speaker systems ever made, too.

Glitter band turns your Apple Watch into a Christmas ornament

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Ready to get your bling on?
Ready to get your bling on?
Photo: Casetify

“Get your bling on with the Casetify Glitter Apple Watch Band!” says Casetify in its listing for the distinctive band. And at this time of year, the festive bands — available in four fun colors — seem especially merry.

But you can rock the sparkling band any time of year for whatever festivities you’re into. Just head to the Cult of Mac Store.

CDKeylord Christmas Sale: Lifetime Windows 10 only $13, Office just $26

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Be sure to use promo code CULT when shopping for software deals at CDKeylord.com to get the lowest possible price.
Be sure to use promo code CULT when shopping for software deals at CDKeylord.com to get the lowest possible price.
Image: CDKeylord.com

‘Tis the season to save on crucial Microsoft software. Just shop the Christmas Sale at software activation keys provider CDKeylord.com to save on Word, Office and more. Even better, Cult of Mac readers can click on the links below and get even more savings on Windows 10 and other Microsoft software.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by CDKeylord.

In order to maximize the deals, enter promo code CULT at CDKeylord.com. That will take an extra 30% off the site’s already-low prices on keys for Windows 10 Pro Global, Microsoft Office 2021 Pro and more.

Puppy Place teaches kids all the right lessons [Apple TV+ review] ★★★☆☆

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Puppy Place season 2 review: Puppy Place can't stop being adorable.★★★☆☆
Puppy Place can't stop being adorable.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewPuppy Place returns to Apple TV+ this week with a second batch of adorable, low-stress hijinks centered on a family that fosters cute pooches.

The Petersons and their four-legged charges once again set out to teach us to love dogs — and ourselves in the process. The puppies are cute and plentiful, the lessons come hard and fast, and no problem is so difficult that it might stress out a child.

The show remains a pretty good afternoon time-waster for kids under 10.

Gift this top-rated AI résumé writer for $40, no shipping necessary

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Let AI write the perfect resumé with this top-rated app, less than $40 today.
This top-rated AI résumé writer is the perfect gift for anyone who wants to boost their career in 2023.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Is there a better gift you can give this holiday season than a career level-up? An app for constructing the perfect  résumé is a great gift idea for doing that. And you can also get lifetime access to Resoume, an AI-based résumé writing assistant, for just $39.99 (regularly $600). ´

Emancipation looks the horrors of slavery dead in the eye [Apple TV+ review] ★★★★☆

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Emancipation review: This action-packed look at the brutality of slavery should make you forget The Slap.★★★★☆
Emancipation is an action-packed look at the brutality of slavery that should make you forget The Slap.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewBased on a true story about a slave’s quest for freedom during the Civil War, Apple TV+’s oddly positioned Oscar contender Emancipation pairs action with an unflinching look at slavery’s brutality.

It stars Will Smith, whose bizarre post-Slap apology tour makes for strange bedfellows with Emancipation’s stark subject matter and the film’s action-oriented director, Antoine Fuqua. But this cautiously made movie is probably the best possible film this team could have produced. And indeed, it’s quite a bit better than an Oscar-ready slavery drama made in today’s Hollywood has any right to be.