CES 2015: iDevices Announces HomeKit-Enabled ‘Switch’ Smart Plug

iDevices today announced its upcoming Switch smart plug, a HomeKit-enabled device that allows users to remotely control a variety of devices around the home. The system takes advantage of the existing iDevices Connected app to give users control over the plug, which plugs into a standard electrical outlet and connects to the home’s Wi-Fi network to provide control over a device plugged into Switch.

With HomeKit integration for Switch, users will be able to take advantage of a number of iOS features in the system, including the ability to use Siri to control their devices. Switch requires no dedicated hub device or subscription services, making it simple to set up.

– Siri – Switch’s HomeKit integration provides an easy, secure way to control Switch using Siri on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. You can even create your own commands to control multiple home settings. For example, you can automatically turn off lamps connected to your iDevices Switch, lock your doors, close the garage door and set the thermostat to the desired temperature, all with one command.

– Remote Access – iDevices designed a custom IoT cloud for Switch so that users can access their home from wherever they are with no additional hub required.

– Create Custom Events and Schedules – Through the iDevices Connected app, users are able to design custom events (or schedules) that fit their lifestyle. The iDevices Switch has the unique ability to remember events and make sure they happen even when the user is away.

Switch also includes several personalization options including the ability to upload photos from around the home to personalize the control app and make it easier to identify devices, as well as a built-in highlight on the Switch itself with customizable color choices.

Switch launches later in the first half of 2015, and The Verge says the device will cost $49.99.

iHome is also announcing a similar iSP5 SmartPlug smart plug that will launch later this year, but details remain scant at this time. Like iDevices’ Switch, iHome’s SmartPlug supports HomeKit and is a Wi-Fi enabled plug that allows users to control individual devices without the need for a hub. iHome does tout that multiple SmartPlugs can be grouped together into “scenes” to control various devices together. Pricing and an exact launch timeframe for SmartPlug have yet to be announced.

Supply Chain Sources Claim Rumors of New 4-Inch iPhone Are False

Just over a month after sparking discussion of a possible new 4-inch iPhone in 2015 based on supply chain sources speaking to Taiwanese media, Chinese site Feng.com now claims [Google Translate, via G for Games] its own sources are seeing no indication of such a device.

Feng.com‘s sources claim the Cupertino company has not placed any orders with its supply chain related to a new 4-inch version of the iPhone for release in 2015. While the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have sold well in the few months they’ve been released to the public, some users continue to prefer the smaller 4-inch display seen on models of the past few years.

Wei Feng network today through Apple’s supply chain has learned about the 4-inch screen iPhone 6s argument is just a hype.

Supply chain sources said that Apple has not made ​​any new production tasks iPhone 4 inches to parts of the supply chain, and therefore will be launched on 4-inch screen Apple iPhone 6s argument is not true – at least so far.

Since the original report by Taiwanese media last month, rumors of a new 4-inch iPhone have been picked up by a few other sources including analysts in the region, but it is unclear how independent those follow-up reports truly are. As such, there is so far very little to support the existence of such a device.

Apple of course continues to sell 4-inch iPhones in the form of the iPhone 5s and 5c, and if the company holds true to form the iPhone 5s will continue to be sold as an entry-level option even following the expected late 2015 iPhone update. Without direct support for technologies such as NFC for direct Apple Pay usage, however, the device is missing some key features and if Apple does want to continue offering a smaller device beyond the 2015 lineup, it will need to develop an updated model.

CES 2015: Belkin and Elgato Announce New Home Automation Sensors for Windows, Doors, and More [Mac Blog]

Belkin and Elgato today used CES as a platform to expand their home automation lineup of products. Belkin is showing off five new WeMo products at CES, while Elgato is presenting two products from its previously announced line of “Eve” connected home sensors.

Belkin today announced an expansion to its WeMo line with the new WeMo Door and Window Sensor, the Keychain sensor, and an Alarm sensor to notify users when an existing home alarm goes off. It also introduced an improved motion detector with a new infrared option to detect heat signatures for even more precise motion detection. All four sensors will debut in the second half of 2015 at yet-to-be-determined prices.

Belkin also is working on a Water sensor with “Echo Technology” that will monitor household water usage. The new WeMo Water sensor will attach to the home’s plumbing system and analyze pressure changes caused by faucets and the flushing of toilets. The sensor can calculate consumption duration and even detect damaging water leaks. The WeMo Water is still in the field trial stage with no set availability date at this time.

Elgato is also at CES, presenting its previously announced Eve Energy and Eve Door & Window sensors along with the Eve app. The HomeKit-compliant products allow you monitor the energy usage and control connected appliances with the tap of the screen. The Eve Energy and Eve Door & Window sensors will debut in Q1 2015, and the company is also working on sensors for air quality, temperature, humidity, and water consumption.

CES 2015: Bandstand Dock Leads Accessory Makers’ Apple Watch Push

The Apple Watch may not be launching for a few more months, but that hasn’t stopped accessory makers from showing off their ideas at CES this week. iOS device stand and accessory maker Standzout is one of the early entrants, announcing its upcoming Bandstand docking station and showing off prototypes of the accessory at CES. The new Bandstand dock was designed from the ground up for Apple’s upcoming Watch, offering both a watch stand and charging functionality in a single dock.

The new Bandstand dock features a pivoting platform that will securely hold the Watch and allow users to adjust the angle of the display for optimal viewing. More than just a holder, the Bandstand will support induction charging of the Apple Watch using Apple’s upcoming cable while also providing a pair of USB ports for charging additional devices. Though the device is on display at CES, pricing and availability details are not yet available as the company will need to finalize the design to ensure compatibility as more information on Apple Watch becomes available.

The Bandstand claims to be the “first great Apple Watch accessory”, but it certainly won’t be the last. With Apple Watch’s launch approaching, other vendors are no doubt preparing their offerings and will be making announcements in the coming weeks and months.

Intel Launches New Broadwell Chips Appropriate for MacBook Air and 13-Inch MacBook Pro

Intel today announced the launch of a full set of “Broadwell-U” processors, opening the door for updated versions of Apple’s MacBook Air and 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro. The chip launch is essentially in line with a leaked timeline from last July that also pegs the release of more powerful Broadwell chips appropriate for the 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro as late as July or August of this year.

As outlined by AnandTech, the new Broadwell-U chips include a set of four 28-watt chips ranging from 2.5 GHz to 3.1 GHz in base frequency and featuring new Iris 6100 integrated graphics. The Core i5-5257U, Core i5-5287U, and Core i7-5557U chips appear to allow for direct upgrades from the Haswell-U chips currently used in the 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro. While the new chips include only a 100 MHz CPU speed increase over their Haswell counterparts, a number of other improvements, especially with regard to graphics, should make for significantly improved performance.

Broadwell-U chips appropriate for 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro (top) and MacBook Air (bottom)
(Source: AnandTech)
On the MacBook Air front, Intel is offering four different 15-watt Broadwell-U chips that would be appropriate for the lineup, with all of the new chips carrying improved HD 6000 graphics. Base clock speeds range from 1.6 GHz to 2.2 GHz compared to the 1.4 GHz and 1.7 GHz options available in the current MacBook Air, and associated upgrades in Broadwell should yield significant performance improvements for the new chips.

Looking at potential release dates for Apple’s Broadwell systems, Intel tells AnandTech that the new Broadwell-U chips are already shipping to vendors, with the first systems based on the new chips expected by the end of the month. Systems based on chips using Iris graphics may be more toward the end of the current quarter.

CES 2015: Toshiba Announces TransferJet Wireless File Transfer Dongle for iOS Devices [iOS Blog]

Toshiba today at CES 2015 announced the launch of the company’s first TransferJet file transfer dongle with support for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The new TJM35420LT dongle includes a Lightning adapter for iOS devices and allows for the transfer of files between compatible devices using Sony’s TransferJet close proximity wireless transfer technology.

The low-power TransferJet dongle works over very short distances (3 cm or less) and supports data transfer speed of up 375 Mbps, which is fast enough to send a 100 MB file in just three seconds.

Users only need to attach the 24 millimeter-square adapter to their iOS devices and open the TranferJet iOS app in order to initiate file transfers. Files can be transferred via the TransferJet dongle to another iOS device or other TransferJet-compatible devices such as CyberShot digital cameras, VAIO computers, and more.

Toshiba’s new TransferJet for iOS with Lightning adapter will be available this spring starting first in Japan and followed by Europe, the Americas, and Asia. A Toshiba spokesman tells Macworld the dongle is planned to retail for the equivalent of $33-$41.

CES 2015: Griffin Introduces New Cable Organizers for Home, Office and Car [iOS Blog]

In addition to its new charging accessories, Griffin at CES 2015 also introduced a new line of cable organizers for the home, office or in-car use. The launch lineup includes the Guide, Sleeve, Hanger and Clip with additional products planned for 2015.

Designed for desktop usage, the Guide features three magnetic cable holders that attach to a steel base. The three cable holders allow you to organize different sized cables in orientations suitable for your desktop needs. The $29.99 Guide will be available in a variety of material options starting in Q2 2015.

The Sleeve is another desktop accessory designed to hide the clutter of multiple cables and prevent them from tangling. As its name implies, the Sleeve is a braided, abrasion resistant sleeve that fits over your cables and self-closes to keep them together. The Sleeve will be available starting in February 2015 in three length options, including 1-foot, 1.5-foot and 2-foot lengths. Pricing starts at $7.99.

For the car, Griffin is pairing its Premium Flat AUX Cable and PowerJolt SE charger with its new Clip holder. The Clip is a flexible silicone holder with slot for both a Lightning connector charge cable and an AUX audio cable. The Clip is designed to hold the pair in an orientation that allows you to plug both cables into your iPhone simultaneously. Compatible with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, the new Car Connections Pack featuring Clip ($39.99) will be available in February 2015.

Lastly, Griffin also introduced the new Hanger, a car mount designed to hold audio and charging cables that are not in use, keeping them off the floor and making them easily accessible. The mount attaches to the car’s heating vent and features three molded slots for cables. The $4.99 Hanger will be available starting February 2015.

CES 2015: iSketchnote Transfers Pen and Paper Sketches and Notes to iPad Instantly [iOS Blog]

iSketchnote demonstrated its iPad note digitization product at CES 2015, showing users a way to automatically transfer notes and sketches created with a real pen into digital files that can be edited and shared on the iPad.
The note digitization is mainly handled by the Slate, which is a Bluetooth-enabled writing platform that allows users to place their favorite notebook or a piece of paper on top and draw or write as they normally would with real-time conversion. The Slate’s writing surface contains a coating that holds the paper in place and is scratch-resistant, and weighs less than 14 ounces while providing up to 10 hours of battery life in stand-alone mode. The surface also features ports for a micro SD card and micro USB for charging.

Once digitized, users can access their sketches, drawings and notes on their iPad with the free iSketchnote app, which allows for color and pen tip customization along with layer creation for more complex drawing. Users may also share digitized creations with their friends, and can even send them back and forth with enhancements and enable a video replay to share the process of a piece of work.

iSketchnote is also offering pens optimized for the Slate and paper, which naturally glide on paper and contains a permanent magnet ring that is embedded within the base. The pens contain refillable cartridges with high quality ink and are offered in blue, black, and red.

iSketchnote is offering the Slate, two pens, and a premium kickstand-enabled cover for $179.99 in an iSketchnote Pack, which is available for the iPad 3 and newer and all versions of the iPad mini. The company also says the first iSketchnote Pack orders will ship later this year.

CES 2015: Griffin Unveils Line of New Charging Accessories Optimized for iOS Devices [iOS Blog]

Accessory maker Griffin Technology today unveiled four new products at CES 2015, including its five-slot PowerDock Pro charging station, its three-port PowerBlock 3 wall charger, its PowerBlock Wall Dock for holding a device up on the wall during charging, and its 12-volt PowerJolt Premium car charger.

Griffin’s PowerBlock 3 wall charger allows users to charge up to three devices at one time with 10 watt ports, and features a space-saving design with ChargeSensor technology that can detect and optimize charging for smartphones, tablets, e-readers, and more. The PowerBlock 3 will be available in Summer 2015 for $39.99.

The PowerDock Pro charging station contains five slots and ports for users to store and charge their devices from one power source, and offers 12 watts of charging power with ChargeSensor circuitry that optimizes charging for every device. Each charging bay is designed to accommodate devices without having to remove them from a case, and the PowerDock Pro contains a built-in cord management system and a hidden compartment for cable storage. The PowerDock Pro will be available in Fall 2015 for $129.99.

Next up, Griffin’s PowerBlock Wall Dock is a charging accessory for propping up and holding a device when it’s charging on a wall, leaving the touchscreen fully visible for information. The dock features 12 watts of charging power and a four foot long Lightning cable that detaches. The PowerBlock Wall Dock will be available in Fall 2015 for $34.99.

Finally, Griffin’s PowerJolt Premium is a 12 volt car charger that features a four foot long cable covered in a braided nylon jacket to prevent tangles. The Lightning connector itself is also reinforced with a durable aluminum housing to ensure durability, and the PowerJolt Premium also comes in a detachable power cable version. Both versions of the PowerJolt Premium will be $34.99 when they are released in Fall 2015.

CES 2015: Netatmo Debuts ‘Welcome’ Smart Home Camera with Family Face Recognition Technology [iOS Blog]

Connected products manufacturer Netatmo showed off its new Welcome HD smart home camera at CES 2015, which features the ability to recognize individual members of a family and inform other users as to who is home. The camera, which features a 130 degree field of view, also offers a live video feed with audio that is accessible through an iOS app to monitor a current home situation without the need for cloud storage or subscription fees.

Netatmo’s Welcome smart home camera
Netatmo has also included a number of privacy settings with its Welcome camera including the ability to not receive notifications or store footage when specific people are recognized. Recorded videos and identification data are also kept entirely on the camera’s included SD card, as the camera itself cannot access any data of its own. The Welcome app for the iPhone contains other options for privacy and displays every person recognized as being home, and lists past events and people on the timeline screen.

The Welcome (left) and a Welcome Tag (right) which extends range
Aside from facial recognition and privacy features, the camera offers night vision thanks to a powerful infrared LED and features an exterior comprised of anodized aluminum. Netatmo’s Welcome camera will be available in the second quarter of 2015, and the company also says it will be releasing an accessory known as Welcome Tags that extend that camera’s reach.