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Users have complained about the limitations of the Siri “intelligent” assistant for years, but now that OpenAI’s ChatGPT is showing the world that artificial intelligence can do amazing things, it’s never been more obvious that Apple’s version is as dumb as a bag of hammers.

Not only does this make Apple look bad, it makes HomePod less useful. Really, it makes all the company’s products less useful than they could be.

Apple needs to step up its AI game or it risks being left out of an important new wave of computing.

Traveling abroad is exciting, but sticking to the touristy parts might not get you the full authentic experience. If you want to connect with people around the world — and truly experience everything a new place has to offer — you could start by becoming conversationally fluent in the 30-plus languages used by the bulk of the world’s population.

If you don’t have time for that, you can get a pair of earbuds that do it for you. The Mymanu Clik S were featured at CES 2023 and can almost instantly translate 37 languages. And, they’re now on sale for $119.99.

A lot of healthcare providers have terrible websites. Apple’s Health app, on the other hand, is very well organized and intuitive to use. You can add your medical records to the Apple Health app for easy access to all your health history, medications, test results and data. If your healthcare provider supports this feature, it’s incredibly convenient having all your information in one place. Once it’s in the Health app, you can easily add medication reminders and share your information with doctors, close family members and friends.

I’ve juggled between a few healthcare providers and I’ve never found one with a comprehensible, user-friendly website. If you have the right healthcare provider, and the stars are in the right place too, you should be able to connect them.

Price of eggs got you down? You might not have to scramble to make your budget last the month if you start your own side hustle. Amazon drop shippers reportedly average $1,000 to $50,000 a month, and that extra cash can be especially useful with the prices of most goods rising.

Study up on how you can make a buck (or two) with this Amazon drop shipping course bundle. It includes 11 courses and is now on sale for just $39.99.

Best-known for its smartphones, OnePlus broadened its horizons Tuesday by rolling out the new OnePlus Featuring Keyboard 81 Pro wireless mechanical keyboard, among other products.

The keeb’s name may be off-kilter, but its design and functionality, co-engineered by well-known keyboard maker Keychron, look right on target for Mac users.

Calling it “perfect for use anywhere in the world,” accessories maker Ugreen unveiled its new 65W Nexode GaN USB-C three-port wall charger Wednesday.

Not sure about “anywhere,” but the new gallium nitride (GaN) charger comes with US, UK and EU plugs that you can easily swap in or out for use in many countries. And its two USB-C ports and one USB-A port make it handy for charging up to three devices at once.

The Cult of Mac Store has another sale going — through Saturday you can take 15% off a variety of cool accessories from Mifa and Elkson. This one’s especially good for Apple Watch fans.

Mifa is known for its assortment of high-quality Apple Watch bands. Elkson does great bands too, but also rugged cases for Apple Watch, AirPods Pro and AirTags.

The guy who made headlines in 2021 for replacing an iPhone X’s Lighting port with a USB-C port — and then selling the handset for big bucks on eBay — is back. This time he’s modding AirPods Pro cases with USB-C instead of Lightning ports, and he’s selling them as well as 3D-printed parts.

Engineering consultant Ken Pillonel said he’s doing it to highlight Apple products’ repairability issues and the unfortunate fact that items like AirPods are meant to be discarded rather than fixed.

A room is what you make of it, and today’s featured computer setup finds a home in a room only a computer science student could make. He may have to live in a windowless attic, but he brings a lot of computing power and light to it, making it look and feel larger than it is.

Check out all the gear in the M1 Max MacBook, custom PC and triple-display outfit below.

You can instantly translate text anywhere on your iPhone and Mac. You don’t need to futz around retyping or copying text into a Google Translate tab — you can select text and get translations from 11 languages wherever you are.

It’s extremely fast and it works everywhere: not just text on the web, in email and in apps; but also inside pictures, videos and directly from the camera, too. Let me show you how it works.

Any modern lifestyle is reliant upon connectivity, whether it’s for personal or professional purposes. Rapid advancements in technology allow us to access information and communicate anywhere in the world — as long as we have the right gear.

Like, for instance, the versatile mbeat docking station. Able to simultaneously power up several devices and designed with 14 ports, it’s primed to provide a breakthrough in efficiency and make connectivity easier than ever.

For a limited time, you can score a 20% discount on the mbeat dock, dropping the price to only $199.99.

Learning new software can earn you extra money or maximize your productivity — but it can be a major challenge. Add in that you might already be spending your time and energy at school or work, and things get even harder.

If you want to start cultivating useful, marketable skills in a simpler setting, then you might want to check out Stream Skill. With a lifetime membership to StreamSkill.com, you can get unlimited access to more than 110 software courses for all your needs. And even better, it’s now on sale for only $59.

What pulled Apple away from Intel? In a new interview, Apple executives Tim Millet and Bob Borchers reveal why the company shifted to making its own Mac chips.

Plus, they shed light on what they’re doing to make the Mac a gaming platform once again, how the Apple silicon architecture can make it happen, and when the best time is to buy a new Mac.

Aqara began rolling out beta firmware designed to bring many of its devices already in smart homes in line with the new Matter connectivity protocol. Matter makes it easier for devices from different makers to work together.

The update works via Aqara’s M2 Hub with more than 40 of the company’s Zigbee-controlled devices. But it might not roll out to all users until March, however, and the company cautioned HomeKit users about it.

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Keyboard and mouse maker Logitech, whose Logitech G brand has made gaming headsets for the past couple of years, launched its first set of wireless gaming earbuds last week.

Logitech G Fits True Wireless Gaming Earbuds are not only the first buds to use Lightspeed technology for strong, low-latency connectivity, they add Lightform technology for a custom fit that isolates sound and cancels external noise, the company said.

If there’s one thing you can tell from the trailer Apple TV+ dropped Tuesday for its first French- and English-language series — the thriller Liaison — it’s that a shadowy Frenchman (Vincent Cassel) and an English operative (Eva Green) have a thing for each other.

Almost every time you see the international stars onscreen, both of whom are actually French, they’re staring into each other’s eyes. Meanwhile, London endures assault after assault, and it’s only getting worse.

How do you use BeReal, one of the top new social media apps? It’s simple: You and your friends get one (and only one) opportunity to post a picture a day, all at the same time. You can see what everyone’s up to in this small slice of the day.

It’s a social media app like no other. Let me walk you through what it’s like to create an account and use BeReal.

With a wireless charging stand, you can juice up your iPhone while simultaneously using it as a second screen. That makes a wireless charger the ultimate multitasking accessory. And you can score two Qi-compatible charging stands from Polaroid now for one low price — $19.99.

Shopping for a new computer on a budget is hard. If you’re looking for a versatile laptop for work and relaxation that won’t break the bank, then check out this refurbished MacBook Pro that’s now on sale for $335.99.

Amazon-owned discount site Woot! is back with another Apple bargain-fest. We spotted it Monday. It’ll let you grab a variety of iPhones and Apple Watches at discounted prices through February 11.

A bunch of items are already sold out, like Apple Watch 7 and most of the iPhone series 12 handsets, unfortunately. But you can still find some great deals.

Among the everlasting truths about computer setups, first comes “a setup is never finished.” And the second might be, “A setup can always be improved.” The user behind today’s featured setup certainly found out about No. 2  when he asked for advice on how to improve his M1 Max MacBook Pro and dual-Studio Display workstation.

Find all the advice below — jokes ‘n’ all — as well as all of the setup’s excellent gear.

February has arrived, which means Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Don’t become one of the unfortunate folks who approach this holiday unprepared — and overspend at the last minute out of desperation.

Roses are a time-tested winner when considering what to get for your Valentine, but the florist can become ridiculously pricey this time of year. Guarantee your special person receives a stunning bouquet this Valentine’s Day without breaking the bank. Send them two dozen roses and a vase from Rose Farmers for only $49.99 — today only!

“Be wise, decant the wine,” said Horace. Who are we to argue with the preeminent Roman poet from the age of Augustus? Even back in the first century B.C., the Romans knew the power of wine. Though their Valentine’s Day might’ve looked a little different from ours, it’s a good bet that a couple glasses of vino would’ve been involved.

While we’re dispensing wisdom, here’s another nugget: Never be afraid to try something new. When it comes to Valentine’s Day, Wine Insiders has a deal that makes that easy. In honor of every lover’s favorite holiday, you can get a treasure trove of 15 wines shipped to your special someone’s doorstep for $79.99.

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The first reviews of the 2023 HomePod make Apple’s updated smart speaker sound pretty formidable. We can’t wait to hear for ourselves. (Unfortunately, if you didn’t already place your HomePod order, you’re probably looking at a substantial hang time.)

Also on The CultCast:

• An iPad with a folding screen might be just around the corner.
• Retina alert: Apple Watch Ultra might get an even bigger, brighter screen next year.
• Former Apple design chief Jony Ive’s latest creation is … a bright red nose!

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 live stream, embedded below.

Our sponsor: CultCloth

Get the only cleaning cloth you need: CultCloth!

If you haven’t dined out in a while, you might be counting the minutes until Valentine’s Day gives you the perfect excuse for a date night. Here’s the problem: You may not have noticed, but that swanky eatery you and your partner love has probably gotten more expensive this year.

Luckily, Cupid is coming to the rescue just in time. As a special Valentine’s Day promo, you can now get $200 worth of electronic gift certificates to Restaurant.com for only $20.