Apple’s 12-Inch Retina MacBook Air Shown in Artist’s Renditions

In a set of artist renditions, 9to5Mac offers a look at Apple’s long-rumored 12-inch Retina MacBook Air. The renditions and details shared in the report are consistent with previous reports on the machine, although plans do sometimes change during the development process.

As previously described in rumors, the next MacBook Air will have roughly the same footprint as the current 11-inch model, but include a 12-inch display nestled inside narrower bezels. The machine’s keyboard will also extend from edge to edge while the speakers move to a set of grilles above the keyboard.

Comparison of 12-inch Retina MacBook Air (left) with current 11-inch MacBook Air (right)
As part of Apple’s effort to reduce the thickness of the MacBook Air, the new 12-inch model will do away with nearly all of the ports currently found on the machine, including the usual USB and MagSafe ports. Instead, the machine’s sides will include only a headphone jack, a pair of microphones, and a USB Type-C port that appears set to handle both connectivity and charging.

Apple’s new Retina MacBook Air is expected to run on new Broadwell Core M to allow for the thin, fanless design and perhaps come in multiple color options similar to the company’s iPhone and iPad lineups. The machine has been rumored to be entering production as soon as this month, although it is unclear whether Apple may wait until its Worldwide Developers Conference in June to launch the device or introduce it earlier in the year.

CES 2015: Kenwood and Pioneer Announce Aftermarket Receivers With CarPlay Integration [iOS Blog]

Apple’s CarPlay technology continues its expansion with both Kenwood and Pioneer announcing new CarPlay receivers at CES 2015. Kenwood and Pioneer’s releases follow earlier CarPlay announcements from automobile manufacturer Volkswagen and car audio accessory maker Parrot.

Following statements from early last year that it was “looking at” CarPlay, Kenwood today announced its first car audio receiver that includes Apple’s CarPlay technology. For iOS owners, the DDX9902S features Siri integration that allows the driver to respond to messages, control music playback, and access Apple Maps for navigation.

Other receiver features include the ability to add an optional rear view camera, support for a SiriusXM tuner, and compatibility with factory steering wheel audio controls. In order to appeal to a wide range of smartphone owners, the touchscreen-enabled DDX9902S also offers support for Android Auto. Pricing and availability for the DDX9902S are not yet available.

While Kenwood is preparing its first CarPlay receiver, early adopter Pioneer today announced its second-generation Networked Entertainment eXperience (NEX) in-dash receivers with CarPlay support. All five models feature Bluetooth connectivity and are Sirius XM-Ready, with the top of the line model carrying a capacitive WXGA display while the remaining member of the family offer resistive displays.

The new receivers will be available starting in March with list pricing starting at $700 for the AVH-4100NEX. Other models include the AVIC-8100NEX ($1,400 SRP), AVIC-7100NEX ($1,200 SRP), AVIC-6100NEX ($900 SRP), and AVIC-5100NEX ($750 SRP).

Apple Targeting March for Apple Watch Launch, Retail Training Begins Next Month

While Apple has yet to publicly announce a specific launch date for the Apple Watch beyond “Early 2015″, sources speaking to 9to5Mac say the company is currently planning for a March debut in the initial wave of countries. Sources in the retail segment indicate that select store employees will undergo centralized Apple Watch training the week of February 9, with those employees in turn training others at their individual stores in the days leading up to the device’s launch.

One or two representatives from many Apple Stores in the United States, depending on store and market size, will be sent to Apple offices in either Cupertino, California or Austin, Texas to learn first-hand about the Watch. These training programs will take place between February 9th and February 16th.

The report indicates Apple has been continuing to refine various aspects of the Apple Watch since its September unveiling, focusing mostly on software but also tweaking such components as the inductive charging mechanism.

Developers are currently working with Apple’s WatchKit tools and iOS 8.2 betas to build apps for Apple Watch, starting with lightweight Glances, actionable notifications, and iPhone-based apps that project portions of their interfaces to the watch. More powerful apps running directly on the Apple Watch will be possible later this year.

Mophie and Incipio Announce Battery Cases for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus [iOS Blog]

Following on the heels of popular protective smartphone case manufacturer Otterbox announcing its new battery power case for the iPhone 6, both Mophie and Incipio have revealed new iterations of their popular cases for Apple’s newest smartphones as well.

Starting with Mophie, the company announced the Juice Pack Air and Juice Pack Plus for the iPhone 6 and the Juice Pack for the iPhone 6 Plus. Building on Mophie’s history of battery cases, the new Juice Pack line provides thinner, more advanced protection in all versions, with the iPhone 6 Plus seeing more than 60 percent extra battery life using the Juice Pack, and the iPhone 6 receiving 100 percent extra for the Juice Pack Air or 120 percent extra for the Juice Pack Plus.

Mophie says the new batteries yield up to an extra 17 hours of talk time, 12 hours of web browsing, 13 hours of video, and 60 hours of music.

“Our journey to bring the juice pack to consumers for every generation of iPhone continues with our latest solutions for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus,” said Daniel Huang, mophie CEO and Co-Founder. “Since release of the original juice pack for the first iPhone, mophie battery cases have become a necessity to legions of smartphone users. Because we understand how vital these solutions are, our team remains intensely focused on quality and the level of innovative design needed to drive the direction of this industry.”

Incipio also revealed new versions of its offGRID battery case line at the Consumer Electronics Show yesterday. The company introduced four charging cases for the iPhone 6 from the offGRID line, but the announcement did not include any versions for the iPhone 6 Plus.

Incipio’s offGRID Express
The first was the offGRID Express with a 3,000 mAh battery available only in black and the only case available for purchase today. The offGRID, offGRID SHINE, and offGRID EXO were also announced, sporting more detailed protective “co-mold design” for sudden drops, varying color options, and external charging pins that allow compatibility with the also-announced offGRID Dock. The company says that “2015 marks the year of the offGRID,” said Andy Fathollahi, Chief Executive of Incipio, hoping the dramatic range of product options will satiate old fans and bring in new users.

The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus versions of the Mophie Juice Pack line are all available for pre-order from the company’s official website with prices starting at $99.95 and shipping in 3-4 weeks. Incipio’s offGRID Express case is available for purchase today for $79.99 at the company’s online store. The three other announced Incipit battery cases, along with the offGRID Dock, will be available in the first quarter of 2015 with prices ranging from $89.99 to $109.99 for the cases and $39.99 for the dock.

CES 2015: Misfit Introduces Connected, Color-Changing ‘Bolt’ Light Bulb [iOS Blog]

As a followup to its Swarovski Shine fitness tracker, Misfit today announced its new Bolt wirelessly-connected light bulb. Similar to Philips Hue, the $50 Bolt light bulb allows users adjust the light intensity and color of the bulb using an iOS device.

The Bolt light bulb is powered by CREE LED technology, providing the equivalent of a standard 60-watt light bulb. It connects directly to a smartphone via the Misfit and Misfit Home app or even a Misfit Flash activity tracker without the need for a hub or additional configuration. It also integrates with the Shine fitness wearable and Beddit sleep tracker to provide a simulated sunrise automatically during the morning wake-up hours.

The Bolt connected light bulb is available for pre-order from Misfit’s website, with pricing set at $50 for a single bulb or $130 for a three-pack. Shipping is expected in mid-February.

CES 2015: ‘Schlage Sense’ Smart Lock Allows Siri Voice Commands to Unlock Doors

Schlage, a division of technology-focused safety and security company Allegion, has announced at CES this year the Schlage Sense, a touch-pad enabled smart lock for homeowners that most notably allows users to command Siri to unlock their doors thanks to integration with Apple’s HomeKit.

The company’s first Bluetooth-enabled lock, the Schlage Sense allows users to simply enter a code to gain access to their house using the back-lit touchpad or a smartphone with a free-to-download app. HomeKit integration also brings added security and end-to-end encryption and authentication when the Schlage Sense lock interacts with a user’s smartphone via the app.

The Schlage Sense system has the ability to manage and schedule up to 30 codes at the same time through a dedicated, easy-to-use app, which offers an additional layer of key-free convenience. The Schlage Sense app allows individuals to create and delete access codes, check on lock status and view activity, as well as update settings and check battery life without requiring residents to connect to an existing home automation system or pay a monthly subscription charge.

The company also promises that, thanks to Built-in-Alarm Technology that sends out alerts any time it senses potential door attacks, the new lock provides the highest rating of security certified by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association.

Schlage Sense will become the latest in the brand’s growing portfolio of keyless door locks, which also includes the Schlage Touch and Schlage Connect. The new lock will come in two styles – Camelot and Century – and a variety of finishes – Matte Black, Satin Nickel and Aged Bronze – that the company claims will match any home’s aesthetic. Schlage Sense will be made available nationwide in select stores and online retailers “later in 2015.”

Fitbit Now Shipping Charge HR and Surge Fitness Bands [iOS Blog]

Fitbit today announced it has started selling the Surge and Charge HR, the company’s latest activity trackers. Unveiled in October, the two wearables join the Charge and Flex in Fitbit’s popular fitness band lineup.

Fitbit Surge
Advertised as a Fitness “Super Watch”, the Surge includes a continuous heart rate monitor and an onboard GPS module for distance, route, and elevation tracking. Similar to other Fitbit wearables, the Surge also offers sleep monitoring, silent alarms, and all-day multi-sport activity tracking. Besides activity tracking, the Surge displays iOS notifications and provides music playback control via the touchscreen LCD display.

Fitbit Charge HR
Alongside the Surge, Fitbit is also shipping the Charge HR, a version of the Charge fitness band that adds a continuous heart rate monitor. The Charge HR supports the standard all-day activity and sleep tracking available in Fitbit’s line of fitness bands. It also supports Caller ID on its monochrome OLED display.

Both the Surge and the Charge HR are available to order today on Fitbit’s online storefront for $249 and $149, respectively. Fitbit has so far opted not to support Apple’s Health ecosystem introduced with iOS 8, but there are several intermediary solutions to allow users to move Fitbit data into the Health app.

CES 2015: Cerevo Debuts XON SNOW-1 Smart Snowboard Bindings, Providing Real-Time Data Analysis [iOS Blog]

2015’s Consumer Electronics Show has seen the unveiling of Cerevo‘s XON SNOW-1, a “smart” snowboard binding system that syncs via Bluetooth with a downloadable iOS or Android app to provide a slew of real-time analysis on a user’s current run and a detailed overview of everything once at the bottom of the mountain.

The snowboard system tracks movement, speed, and technique, and can even monitor weight distribution on the fly. Thanks to four load sensors at the bottom of each foot, riders can visualize their balance and adjust their weight accordingly. Among other things, the app shows off: weight balance of each foot, center of gravity, board bend of the top and tail-side, and acceleration.

The data accrues for each run, allowing its users to delve deep into the app’s functionality at the end of each run or while waiting on the ski lift for the next one. The board also has four bright LED lights installed in each toe and heel side, simultaneously allowing an easy riding position check and providing a safety feature for dusk and nighttime riders.

Customers interested in the XON SNOW-1 can go to the official website and sign up to receive the latest information on the bindings. Little else is known at this time, but Cerevo states the bindings will be available “within year 2015″ and will cost around $500.

TapSense Announces Platform to Bring Contextual Ads to Apple Watch

Amidst the new and upcoming product launches at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, mobile marketing firm TapSense today unveiled its plans for a “programmatic ad platform” targeting Apple’s upcoming wearable, the Apple Watch.

The platform is promised to provide a full suite of programming solutions, including an SDK for app developers and programmatic APIs for brands, to get them started on making advertisements for the new Apple Watch. Though the platform not yet released, TapSense hopes the service provides businesses with a proof-of-concept demonstration on how ads can be delivered to customers using the new technology.

“Wearables and Internet of Things (IoT) are the next frontiers in the mobile revolution. We are excited to announce industry’s first programmatic ad platform for Apple Watch developers and brands. ” said Ash Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO of TapSense. “While most of our competitors are focused on banner ads and legacy platforms, we are focused on innovation and next generation platforms. Apple Watch has the potential to be a category disruptor similar to iPod or iPhone and we believe that it provides great opportunities for brands and developers to deliver engaging experiences to consumers.”

With no official comment by Apple on how ads will officially integrate with the new technology, third-party developers using the WatchKit SDK will be left to fill in the blank spaces.

As highlighted by Reuters, brands and ad firms are mainly looking at delivering ad content through interactive wallpapers found on the Watch dial. TapSense chief executive Ash Kumar is well aware of toeing the line between informative and annoying, however, noting that businesses could use the customizable face of the Apple Watch to notify customers of special deals, but only ever within an already-open app.

[M]oderation is key. Push notifications and banner ads on smartphones can be turn-offs. Some marketers advise avoiding showing ads to users who typically click out of them or delivering the same ad too many times to any one user.

“If it feels like your smartwatch is turning into a spam box, you will take it off,” said Padden Guy Murphy, who heads business development and public policy at car-sharing service Getaround.

TapSense points to “hyper-local targeting” and Apple Pay integration as allowing for consumer-friendly versions of ads on the Apple Watch. The former suggests that because the Watch is far more accessible on a user’s wrist than a phone is in a pocket and that it uses a tethered iPhone’s GPS, this makes it a more ideal device to deliver location-based coupons and ads in more meaningful ways, such as an ad for a car service while a customer browses transit delays.

The latter perspective argues that most coupons and offers simply aren’t redeemed due to hassle, and thinks that Apple’s one-two punch of the Watch and Apple Pay could result in more ease of use in coupon-redeeming on the consumer side, and higher profits on the business side.

Still a few months out from release of the Apple Watch, TapSense’s visions of a well-received ad platform, by consumers and businesses alike, is a ways off from fruition. As Jeff Malmad, North American mobile director at media agency Mindshare, pointed out to Reuters, the new platform will also need to cover some similar ground that smartphones have tread over the past few years, particularly in regards to allowing users to opt in to the ads they care about, and block the ones they don’t.

Unlocked, SIM-Free iPhone 6 and 6 Plus Models Now Available in U.S. with 3-5 Day Shipping

As indicated yesterday, Apple has begun selling unlocked, SIM-free versions of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus on its U.S. online store.

Pricing for the SIM-free versions of both phones are the same as the other unsubsidized models. The 16, 64, and 128 GB versions of the iPhone 6 are sold for $649, $749, and $849 respectively, while the 16, 64, and 128GB configurations of the iPhone 6 Plus run $100 higher than the aforementioned iPhone 6 models.

The SIM-free versions of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are the same as the full-priced, carrier-specific models that have been sold by Apple since the launch of both phones. For example, the iPhone 6 models offered by T-Mobile have been unlocked since launch, although it is unknown why Apple chooses to advertise both. The SIM-free and T-Mobile versions of the iPhone 6 can be used with a number of GSM carriers around the world, as a user only needs to provide a compatible Nano SIM for cellular connectivity.

All storage capacities and colors of the SIM-free iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are shown as ready to ship within 3-5 business days. The phones are also expected to be offered at Apple’s retail locations starting today.