It’s always nice to hear from professionals relying on Apple gear and finding it meets or even exceeds their expectations. That’s a good indicator that Cupertino is going in the right direction.

Today’s featured computer setup shows that enthusiasm. A mobile app developer offers high praise for his M1 MacBook Pro. And his stacked displays and raft of AV gear aren’t bad, either. Let’s take a look.

Now that 2023 has arrived, you can score wonderful new bargains on Microsoft software. Just visit the Happy New Year Sale at software activation keys provider CdkeySales.com to save on Windows, Office and more.

Any Cult of Mac readers who want a great deal on Windows 10 (and more) can click on the links below. As a bonus, Windows 10 comes with a free upgrade to Windows 11. CdkeySales offers big savings on plenty of other Microsoft software, too. To get the most savings, enter promo code CULT at CdkeySales.com. That will slash an extra 30% off the site’s already-low prices on keys for Windows 10 Pro Global, Microsoft Office 2021 Pro and more.

As more and more organizations of every kind move online, one of the most valuable and in-demand skills you can have is cybersecurity expertise. A great way to learn the latest is with the Infosec4TC Platinum Membership for Cybersecurity Training.

And through January 9, you can grab lifetime access for just $54.99 — that’s a staggering $950 off the regular price of $999.

Apple 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

The OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock offers eleven ports in a range useful types, and is designed for portability. That sets it apart from typical Thunderbolt docks that are too bulky for travel.

The device was announced at CES 2023, going on now in Las Vegas.

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, 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.

The Satechi Thunderbolt Slim Hub brings a trio of very high-speed ports to a Mac, plus it has a USB-A port for other accessories. It’s good enough to earn a CES Innovation Award.

Satechi also used the Consumer Electronics Show to announce a 6-port charger and a USB4 NVMe SSD enclosure.

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.

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.

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.

Apple’s latest catalog of books uses artificial intelligence as a narrator instead of a human voice. This is the first time the Cupertino giant has used AI for audiobook narration.

The move could have a wide-reaching effect in the audiobook space and mark the beginning of the end of human narrators.

The Scosche BaseLynx 2.0 Modular Charging System lets users mix and match the units they need to power up iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad or other devices.

The accessory-maker also used CES 2023 to unveil a variety of other chargers.

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.

Apple TV+ is set to premiere Shape Island, a stop-motion animation series for children and families that illustrates friendship can take many shapes.

The show debuts on Apple’s streaming service in mid-January.

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.

The SKFP Combo Keyboard includes a trackpad that flips under to save room when on the go. Plus, its case folds to become a stand for an iPad.

The accessory is for anyone who wants a portable wireless keyboard that can be shared with multiple iPads.

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.

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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.

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.

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.