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Charge 4 Apple devices at once with this combo charging stand/lamp

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Do more with less space thanks to this 5-in-1 charging stand.
This 5-in-1 MagSafe charging stand offers premium flexibility.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

If you find your desk or nightstand cluttered with cords and chargers, you probably don’t own a charging solution that can keep up with all your devices. This 5-in-1 MagSafe Wireless & Wired Charging Station can charge up to four devices at the same time. And it even doubles as a dimmable lamp, making it the ultimate multi-solution device.

If you’re looking for a way to streamline the number of cords and chargers you need plugged in at any one time, you’ve found the solution in this sleek charging stand.

Apple TV+ renews award-winning The Morning Show for third season

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Apple TV+ renewed the show for a third season.
Apple TV+ renewed the show for a third season.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ renewed the hit series The Morning Show, starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, for a third season, the company said Monday. The streaming service also signed a multiyear deal with WGA Award winner Charlotte Stoudt to be the third season’s showrunner and executive producer, and to produce other scripted series.

In addition to Stoudt (whose credits include Fosse/Verdon, Homeland and House of Cards), Aniston and Witherspoon serve as executive producers on The Morning Show, which has won Emmy, SAG and Critics Choice awards. It is directed by Mimi Leder and produced by the studio Media Res, Hello Sunshine and Echo Films.

iPhone 14 Pro concept shows possibilities of pill-shaped camera hole

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iPhone 14 Pro concept shows possibilities of pill-shaped camera hole
If a recent rumor is on the mark, the device on the right is exactly what the iPhone 14 Pro will look like.
Concept:

Rumor has it the iPhone 14 Pro will dump the screen notch for a pill-shaped camera hole. A concept artist turned the unconfirmed report into a possible design for Apple’s 2022 flagship phone.

He even put the additional screen space to good use.

‘Death Star’ Mac Pro and ‘worst’ MacBook power global IT ops [Setups]

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Another trash can Mac Pro is still doing its thing.
Another trash can Mac Pro is still doing its thing. Here you see it elevated to help with cooling.
Photo: Andrew-UK

Reader and technologist Andrew (last name redacted, so to speak) runs a “boutique AV, IT [and] cyber systems integration company from a home office” in London — though he supports sites worldwide. Clearly, he has a lot to do.

And he does it using a late-2013 Mac Pro he fondly said should be on the Death Star from Star Wars, plus a 2017 MacBook Pro he described to Cult of Mac as “perhaps the worst-constructed laptop I have ever owned.”

Jason Sudeikis wins second Golden Globe in a row for Ted Lasso

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For the second year in a row, Jason Sudeikis won a best actor Golden Globe for his title role in Ted Lasso on Apple TV+.
For the second year in a row, Jason Sudeikis won a best actor Golden Globe for his title role in Ted Lasso on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

In 2021, Jason Sudeikis won the first-ever Golden Globe for Apple TV+. On Sunday night he repeated, again winning the Best Television Actor in a musical or comedy award for his leading role in the streaming service’s comedy hit Ted Lasso.

And just like in 2021, Sudeikis’ win was the only one for Apple TV+, despite a handful of other nominations.

Apple VR headset won’t create a full metaverse

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Don’t expect the Apple VR headset to be the first step in re-creating Ready Player One by delivering a full metaverse.
Don’t expect the Apple VR headset to be the first step in re-creating Ready Player One.
Photo: Warner Bros. Entertainment

While Apple is creating a VR headset, it’s reportedly not developing a complete virtual world for users. It plans on virtual reality games, video and other experiences. But these supposedly won‘t be connected into a single VR metaverse.

That sets it apart from Meta (formerly Facebook), which does hope to create a virtual world it controls.

Learn new languages with this premium language app (but don’t stop there)

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This premium language app is under $200.
Learn a valuable new skill, and master new languages, with this premium app bundle.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Looking for a valuable new skill to learn in the new year that will boost your problem-solving skills and open new career doors? Consider a subscription to The Unlimited Lifetime Learning Subscription Bundle featuring Rosetta Stone.

Yes, you get well-known premium language-learning app Rosetta Stone. But you also gain access to StackSkills, a learning library with more than 1,000 courses spanning topics from coding and design to marketing and tech. With this bundle, your learning potential is unlimited!

Google: Apple shouldn’t ‘benefit from bullying’ over iMessage bubbles

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iMessage bullying
Apple could fix the iMessage problem. It just won't.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Google is once again calling on Apple to adopt a more open text messaging standard after accusing Cupertino of benefitting from bullying.

It comes after a report highlighted the struggle some teens face when using an Android device, which results in broken group chats and green bubbles — as opposed to blue ones — when texting peers who own an iPhone.

A former iMessage manager explained the reasoning behind the differences in Apple’s defense. But some might (rightly) say the arguments hold no value today, with text messaging in a better place than it was when iMessage landed.

European carriers team up to block iCloud Private Relay on iPhone and iPad

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iCloud Private Relay
The feature undermines "European digital sovereignty," they say.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

European are joining forces in a bid to block iCloud Private Relay — a feature Apple introduced in iOS and iPadOS 15 to bolster its privacy protections. It seems some have already begun disabling it on cellular plans.

A group, which include Vodafone and T-Mobile, has signed an open letter that says Private Relay prevents them from obtaining “vital network data,” and will impact their ability to “efficiently manage telecommunication networks.”

These puzzles give you a chance to win $1 million dollars

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This puzzle gives you a chance to win a million dollars.
Put this puzzle together and you could win big!
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Probably one of the only ways to make puzzles better is to have a chance to win a million dollars once you solve one. That’s exactly what you get from The One Million Dollar Puzzle by Mschf.

Just solve the puzzle, scan the code, and you’ll be entered to win cash prizes. For a limited time, you can get one, two, three, six or 10 Million Dollar Puzzles on sale!

Secretly record audio and video with 10% off these stealthy spy pens

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iSpyPen Pro: Grab 10% off this two-pack of camera pens and live out your super-spy dreams.
Grab 10% off this two-pack of camera pens and live out your super-spy dreams.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

It’s OK to admit it: Our love of the latest tech is essentially spurred by our desire to have a cabinet full of James Bond-worthy spy gadgets. But did you know that those awesome super-spy inventions aren’t just the stuff of fiction?

You can grab a two-pack of these iSpyPen Pros — which look like a normal writing implement but give you 007-style capabilities on sale for just $114.99. That’s a 10% discount off the regular price of $129.

It’s your last chance to win a Lambo from MrBeast

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January 10th is the deadline to win a lambo.
Say hello to a chance at a new Lamborghini.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

In regular daily life, there aren’t that many opportunities to spend $35 and have a $250,000 Lamborghini delivered to you. But the MrBeast + Mschf Everyone Gets a Car promotion gives you the chance to do exactly that. And it would only cost $35 for one chance, $99 for three, $158 for five or $289.99 for 10 chances at the big prize. This promotion ends January 10, so act fast or miss your chance.

Apple’s hardware plans for 2022 sound positively intoxicating [The CultCast]

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Apple's hardware plans for 2022 sound intoxicating [The CultCast]
This year's looking good!
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Even more details surface about Apple’s hardware plans for 2022. If last year was “modest” (LOL), this year looks jam-packed with major updates. We’re talking redesigned AirPods Pro, a new Apple monitor, even-more-impressive MacBook Airs and … an iPhone? You gotta be kidding us.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Apple hits $3 trillion market cap, albeit briefly.
  • A giveaway that features a great-looking charger from Journey.
  • The most interesting products out of this year’s big CES trade show in Las Vegas.

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 livestream, embedded below.

HomeKit shakes things up at CES 2022

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HomeKit was a stand-out star at CES 2022
CES 2022 brought daily announcements of new devices with Apple’s HomeKit home-automation system.
Photo: Cult of Mac

There is a lot to get HomeKit fans excited at this year’s CES tech showcase in Las Vegas. Quite a few companies announced products that will support Apple’s home-automation system, including lights, door cameras and more.

Glitzy projects like concept cars get more attention, but HomeKit accessories are more likely to make people’s lives better.

Stream El Deafo and take a sensory journey to empathyville [Apple TV+ review]

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Enter the magically ordinary world of El Deafo
Enter the magically ordinary world of El Deafo.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+’s newest animated kids show is all about accessibility. El Deafo, based on the book by Cece Bell, focuses on a little girl who loses her hearing just before the start of school. She goes on misadventures as she learns to navigate the world with the help of her imaginary superhero alter ego. And she learns to love herself in the process.

The show is, if anything, a little too effective at making you feel for this young girl’s struggles. El Deafo is at times too affecting and sad for words — much to the credit of the writer, performers and animators. But it’s an open question whether kids are ready to feel so much on top of everything they’re already dealing with.

Anker’s new video bar webcam lights you up on calls

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AnkerWork's B600 video bar is a webcam with mics that lights you up on calls.
AnkerWork's B600 video bar is a webcam with mics that lights you up on calls.
Photo: AnkerWork

Like a lot of companies showing their wares at CES 2022 in Las Vegas, Anker is addressing today’s hybrid WFH culture with new gear. Through its AnkerWork division, it rolled out a video bar webcam with sound to help improve your video calls. Through its Nebula brand come a couple of crowd-funded premium laser projectors. And the company had a few other items, as well.

What it will take to push Apple to $4 trillion

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Apple MacBook cash dollars money
Apple will be at a $4 trillion marker capitalization before you know it. Here’s why.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Two monumental events happened this week. Apple became the first U.S. company to be worth an astonishing $3 trillion. And a day later came the official end of BlackBerry — a series of phones that once dominated the market.

The collapse of BlackBerry is proof that today’s winners aren‘t inevitably tomorrow’s. While in the coming years Apple could become the first company to reach $4 trillion, it also could start down a path that ends in failure.

Here’s some of what Apple will do so it doesn’t end up like BlackBerry.

See all the craziest concept cars from CES 2022

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Cadillac's InnerSpace looks truly intergalactic.
Cadillac's InnerSpace looks truly intergalactic.
Photo: Cadillac

In recent years, CES, the world’s largest consumer electronics confab, has become quite the major auto show. After all, consumer tech and automotive tech keep blending more and more. For CES 2022, automakers like BMW, Cadillac, Hyundai, Mercedes and Sony — wait, who? — really put some crazy futuristic concepts into high gear.

Overall, the mix of ideas ranged from mildly interesting to jaw-dropping. You had the prosaic news, like Amazon Fire TV integrating with Ford and Lincoln vehicles and YouTube video appearing in Volvos. But you also had the wild stories, like some concept cars that look like they belong elsewhere in the galaxy and others that change colors by themselves.

Meanwhile, the projected year when Apple might release an autonomous car through Project Titan keeps getting pushed back despite keen interest in the project.

New Year Software Sale’s best tech deals include Windows 10 for $14

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Keysbuff offers great deals on Microsoft software activation keys.
Keysbuff offers great deals on Microsoft software activation keys.
Image: Keysbuff

This software activation key sale post is presented by Keysbuff.

Cult of Mac readers always get great deals from software activation keys provider Keysbuff. You can save up to 91% off the full price on Windows 10 and get great savings on many other Microsoft software titles in the Keysbuff New Year Software Sale. Just use promo code COM at Keysbuff.com to get an extra 30% off the site’s already-low prices on keys for Windows 10 Pro Global, Microsoft Office 2021 Pro and others in the list below. You can purchase many products with lifetime licenses.

iPhone SE fans could be waiting until 2024 for a big redesign

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2020-iPhone-SE-lineup-hero
But you can look forward to 5G.
Image: Apple

iPhone SE could go without a significant design upgrade until 2024, according to one tipster. This year’s refresh is expected to add 5G connectivity and beefier internals, but it probably won’t look any different to the last iPhone SE.

When Apple does finally get around to giving its most affordable smartphone a lick of paint, it is expected to look a lot like iPhone XR or iPhone 11, but with “a slightly smaller screen.”

Apple Fitness+ gets new workout Collections and Time to Run feature

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Apple Fitness+ Collections
A new way to reach your goals.
Image: Apple

Apple Fitness+ is getting a number of upgrades that will help users who have vowed to get fitter and healthier in 2022. Starting next week, new Collections and Time to Run features will roll out for the first time, with more to come later.

Collections is a curated series of workouts and meditations designed to help users reach a certain goal — like running their first 5K or improving their sleep. Apple describes Time to Run as a new “audio running experience.”

Apple suppliers gear up to deliver AirPods Pro 2 in 2022

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Next-gen AirPods Pro concept
They could look a little like this.
Concept: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple suppliers have began preparing shipments of second-generation AirPods Pro ahead of their introduction later this year, according to a new report.

AirPods Pro 2 are expected to come with a revised design that does away with stems, as well as improved audio quality — including support for lossless Apple Music tracks. They could also be a lot easier to find when they go missing.