Razer today announced a new dual-sided game controller that attaches to the top and bottom of an iPhone.
Created in partnership with Gamevice, the controller plugs into the Lightning connector, allowing it to be powered by the iPhone rather than a battery. The controller itself has a built-in Lightning connector for pass-through charging of the iPhone. The direct connection also allows for ultra-low latency.
Building on the compact design of its Junglecat controller for Android, Razer's new Kishi controller features a directional pad, two thumbsticks, A-B-X-Y buttons, and shoulder bumpers. The controller is certified by Apple.
Razer says the Kishi controller will be available in early 2020 for the iPhone 6 or newer and select Android smartphones. Pricing has not been disclosed.
PopSockets today announced the PopPower Home Charger at CES, which is a wireless charging mat that has an indentation to fit a PopGrip. This way, PopSocket users can wirelessly charge their iPhone without having to remove the PopGrip from the back of their smartphone.
The PopPower Home Charger comes in Matte White, Mountainscape, and Cosmic Cloud, and it is Qi certified. The accessory provides up to 15 watt charging, and its LED dims in low light. The company noted that it is compatible with most PopSockets PopGrips, except any metal PopGrips or PopGrips Lips.
In a letter sent late Monday to Apple's general counsel Katherine Adams, the FBI has asked Apple to help unlock two iPhones that investigators believe were owned by Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, who carried out a mass shooting at a Naval Air Station in Florida last month, according to NBC News.
The report claims the iPhones are passcode protected, and one of them appears to be damaged by gunfire. In a statement to NBC News, Apple said it has already provided all of the data in its possession to the FBI:
We have the greatest respect for law enforcement and have always worked cooperatively to help in their investigations. When the FBI requested information from us relating to this case a month ago, we gave them all of the data in our possession and we will continue to support them with the data we have available.
Apple faced a similar situation in 2016, when a U.S. federal judge ordered the company to help the FBI unlock an iPhone owned by Syed Farook, one of the shooters in the December 2015 attacks in San Bernardino, California. Apple opposed the order, noting that it would set a "dangerous precedent" with security risks.
Apple's dispute with the FBI ended in just weeks after the U.S. government found an alternate way to access the data on the iPhone and withdrew the lawsuit.
Based on its statement, it appears that Apple will continue to take a hard line on refusing to unlock iPhones for the FBI.
Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that Israeli firm Cellebrite assisted the FBI with unlocking the iPhone used by San Bernardino shooter Syed Farook, but Cellebrite has previously denied this claim.
Anker has kicked off one of its first sales of 2020, discounting wireless chargers, wall chargers, portable batteries, Bluetooth speakers, and more. Prices in the sale start as low as $8.49 for the company's PowerWave wireless charging mat.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
You can also save on Anker's PowerPort Strip 6 ($25.99), PowerPort Speed 2 Wall Charger ($17.98), and PowerCore+ 26,800 mAh portable battery ($72.99). Only two of these deals require coupon codes, which you can find below, otherwise the deals have been applied automatically.
Anker Accessory Sale
PowerWave Pad - $8.49 with code AKA25313, down from $9.99 (exp. 1/31)
PowerWave Stand - $11.99 with code AKA25241, down from $18.99 (exp. 1/31)
OnLeaks, a well-known leaker who shared accurate renders of the iPhone 11 Pro over nine months before the device was unveiled, has returned with new concept art for the so-called "iPhone 9" or "iPhone SE 2" by way of iGeeksBlog.
In line with earlier predictions from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, OnLeaks expects the iPhone 9 to resemble the iPhone 8, including a 4.7-inch LCD display with thick bezels, Touch ID home button, and single-lens rear camera. And unlike the original iPhone SE, the device would not have a headphone jack.
A key upgrade to the iPhone 9 would be a faster A13 Bionic chip, and the device is expected to lack hardware-based 3D Touch.
Where things get less certain is materials. While the renders depict the iPhone 9 with a polished metal frame and a frosted glass back like the iPhone 11 Pro, OnLeaks tells us that these design aspects are purely his assumptions. With the iPhone 9 predicted to start around $399, it is possible that Apple will stick with some cheaper materials like the matte aluminum frame on the iPhone 8.
OnLeaks expects the iPhone 9 to be 7.8mm thick, which would be 0.5mm thicker than the iPhone 8, while the height and width of the device will supposedly be virtually identical to the iPhone 8 at around 138.5mm x 67.4mm. Unlike the materials shown in the renders, OnLeaks tells us that these dimensions are not assumptions.
Ming-Chi Kuo previously said the iPhone 9 will be released by the end of March. He expects the device to have 64GB and 128GB storage options, with Space Gray, Silver, and (PRODUCT)RED color options.
Apple has confirmed that the iPhone XR is not working as it should on the O2 network in the U.K., reports BBC News.
"We are aware of an issue causing intermittent network connectivity effecting [sic] some O2 customers, and we will have a fix in an upcoming software release," the company said.
The statement from Apple comes after reports emerged yesterday of multiple iPhone XR users who have O2 as a mobile provider and are unable to maintain a reliable signal.
Customers have been unable to make and receive calls and send and receive text messages, as well as get a reliable 4G internet connection for using apps on the go.
O2 has declined to say exactly how many users are affected by the issue, but said turning the phone off and on again will temporarily fix the problem.
One O2 customer told BBC News he had first noticed a network issue on December 16.
"I've had virtually no signal at all since," he said. "It may come with a weak signal for a few minutes once or twice a day then go again."
The customer said O2 had told him Apple had introduced the issue with a recent update to the iPhone's iOS software, but this has yet to have been publicly confirmed by either company. The last software update Apple released was iOS 13.3 on December 10, 2019.
According to the report, O2 and Apple are telling customers seeking answers on Twitter to direct message them for help.
NURVV today debuted the NURVV Run, a set of iPhone-connected insoles worn inside the shoes that are designed to analyze running habits and deliver the information to the accompanying NURVV iPhone app.
There are 32 sensors embedded in the insoles that capture data from the feet at 1,000 times per second per sensor, offering running metrics like cadence, step length, footstrike, pronation, and balance, for a complete picture of each user's running technique.
The data is set to the NURVV Run app for analysis, with the app delivering "actionable insights and personalized coaching" for improvements that can be made before, during, and after a run.
There's also an in-run coaching feature that's designed to help users run at a target pace, achieve a chosen time, or beat a personal record with in-run audio and haptic feedback.
A personalized Running Health score is meant to help users determine how sustainable their running is based on training load, pronation, cadence, and balance so runners can reduce injury risk and avoid training too hard.
According to NURVV, NURVV Run is able to fit in all running shoes and is rain, mud, and puddle proof. It features a five hour active battery life.
More information on NURVV Run can be found on the NURVV website, and pre-orders are set to go live today. NURVV Run is available in multiple sizes and is priced at $300.
Belkin today announced the upcoming launch of a new Wemo WiFi Smart Plug, which will be joining the company's line of Wemo smart home products.
The Wemo WiFi Smart Plug is the smallest yet in the Wemo lineup, and it is designed to integrate with Apple's HomeKit as well as Alexa and Google Assistant.
Using the Wemo app, Siri commands, or the Home app, those in the Apple ecosystem can wirelessly control lamps, heaters, fans, or more with the smart plug. Belkin plans to launch the new Wemo WiFi Smart Plug in the spring of 2020, and it will be priced at $24.99.
Also new to Wemo is the Wemo Stage, a control accessory that can be programmed with up to six scenes or settings activated using short presses or long presses.
The Wemo Stage works with HomeKit, so it can be set to activate Siri scenes created in the Home app with multiple HomeKit products. The Wemo Stage is set to launch in the summer of 2020 and it will be priced at $50.
With 5G set to take off in 2020, Linksys is unveiling new 5G hardware options at CES, which will be releasing to the public starting in the spring of 2020 and continuing throughout the year.
Linksys is launching a 5G Mobile Hotspot, a 5G Modem, a Linksys Velop 5G Mesh Gateway, and a 5G Outdoor Router, all of which will work with various 5G networks both at home and on the go.
Along with its 5G hardware, Linksys is also embracing WiFi 6, the newest WiFi specification that’s faster than 802.11.ac or WiFi 5.
The Dual-Band Mesh WiFi 6 Router offers 4x faster speeds, better WiFi range, and increased capacity. It uses the Linksys Intelligent Mesh technology to offer seamless WiFi coverage with Velop nodes or Velop mesh routers.
The router offers 8-stream WiFi 6 technology with speeds up to 6000Mb/s, and it will be available in the spring of 2020 for $400.
Linksys also has a more affordable Velop WiFi 6 system coming this year, which offers speeds of up to 4200Mb/s and coverage of up to 3,000 square feet per node.
The Velop WiFi 6 system will be available in the summer of 2020 and it will cost $300 for a one-pack and $500 for a two-pack.
Linksys has one other product that it’s debuting at CES, the Linksys Wellness Pods, designed in collaboration with Origin Wireless. The Linksys Wellness Pods are designed to offer “detailed insight into consumer well-being” by monitoring daily routines, and tracking breathing patterns, sleep quality, and offering fall detection without the use of wearables or cameras.
Little detail is available on the Wellness Pods at this time, but Linksys will be showing them off at CES. Pricing and launch date are not available at this time.
Belkin has a whole slew of new products that it's showing off at CES, including a range of USB-C GaN wall chargers and a wide selection of updating charging docks and pads for Apple devices.
Below is a quick overview of the notable new accessories that Belkin will be launching throughout the year.
Boost Charge USB-C GaN Wall Chargers
Belkin's USB-C wall chargers come in 30W, 60W, and 68W options, and all use GaN technology which allows for smaller, more compact power adapter designs.
The 30W model is designed for charging the MacBook Air and can be used for the iPad Pro and fast charging the iPhone, while the 60W model is ideal for the 13-inch MacBook Pro, though it can also be used for the 15 and 16-inch models.
The 68W model features two USB-C ports with Intelligent Power Sharing and a foldable plug, ideal for travel. Pricing ranges from $34.99 to $59.99, and the chargers are set to launch in April 2020.
Boost Charge 3-in-1 Wireless Charger
The Boost Charge 3-in-1 Wireless Charger is designed to charge the iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch all at once. It features an upright wireless charging puck for the Apple Watch, a shallow docking space for the AirPods and AirPods Pro, and an upright charging option for an iPhone with Qi-based wireless charging.
It will be priced at $109.99 and it will launch in April 2020.
Boost Charge Wireless Charging Stand and Speaker
The Boost Charge Wireless Charging Stand and Speaker is designed to allow users to listen to music, watch videos, and take phone calls while charging their iPhone.
The charger features a compact design that is similar to Belkin's original Boost Charge, but with the addition of. a rear speaker that connects to the iPhone over Bluetooth. The Boost Charge Wireless Charging Stand and Speaker will be priced at $49.99 and it will launch in April 2020.
Boost Charge Dual Wireless Charging Pads
Belkin's Dual Wireless Charging Pads offer 10W charging for two iPhones at once through a single charging pad with a dual device design. The Dual Wireless Charging Pads will launch in March 2020 and will be priced at $49.99.
Boost Charge Wireless Car Charger
The Boost Charge Wireless Car Charger offers a vent mount that installs easily in any vehicle. It comes equipped with two USB-A ports, one for charging the vent mount with a USB-A to USB-C connection and a second port for charging an additional device.
Boost Charge Portable Wireless Charger and Stand Special Edition
The Boost Charge Wireless Charger and Stand Special Edition is a two-in-one charging solution that includes a wireless charging stand and a 10,000mAh power bank that can be wirelessly charged and wirelessly charges the iPhone on the go.
The Boost Charge Wireless Charger and Stand Special Edition will launch in March 2020 and it will be priced at $79.99.
SanDisk today announced a new high-capacity SSD prototype that offers a total of 8TB of storage space, which is the biggest SSD that's been made so far.
At 8TB of storage space, the pocket-sized drive offers double the capacity of the 4TB super slim prototype drive that was shown off last year. SanDisk isn't selling the new 8TB SSD as of yet, but it does offer transfer speeds up to 20Gb/s.
Along with the prototype drive, SanDisk also debuted its new 1TB SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB-C, a dual connector drive that can transfer content between USB-C and USB-A devices.
The Dual Drive Luxe USB-C is tiny enough that it fits on a keychain, and it is set to launch later in the first quarter of 2020 for $250.
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) today announced the upcoming launch of LE Audio, which is the next-generation of Bluetooth audio. LE Audio will bring enhanced Bluetooth audio performance, it will add support for Audio Sharing, and it will add support for hearing aids.
LE Audio features a new high-quality, low-power audio codec that will bring improved performance and better power consumption by offering high-quality audio even at low data rates. Developers will be able to create audio products that offer longer battery life or are smaller thanks to the need for less battery capacity.
With support for multi-stream audio, Bluetooth LE will allow for the transmission of multiple, independent, synchronized audio streams between an audio source device like a smartphone and one or more audio sink devices like earbuds. This will improve performance of wireless earbuds, offering a better stereo imaging experience, plus it will make it easier to use voice assistant services and swap between multiple audio sources.
LE Audio includes support for hearing aids, and it will allow for the development of hearing aids that also include the benefits of Bluetooth audio.
Broadcast Audio, another LE Audio feature, allows an audio source to broadcast one or more audio streams to an unlimited number of devices, officially enabling audio sharing capabilities.
Bluetooth Audio Sharing will allow people to share their Bluetooth audio experience with others around them (i.e, listening to music from the same smartphone), and there's also a location-based feature that will let public venues like airports, bars, gyms, and cinemas share Bluetooth audio that "augments the visitor experience."
"Location-based Audio Sharing holds the potential to change the way we experience the world around us," said Peter Liu of Bose Corporation and member of the Bluetooth SIG Board of Directors. "For example, people will be able to select the audio being broadcast by silent TVs in public venues, and places like theaters and lecture halls will be able to share audio to assist visitors with hearing loss as well as provide audio in multiple languages."
Apple, a Bluetooth SIG member, has already enabled audio sharing functionality with its AirPods and Powerbeats Pro headphones, but that functionality is specific to iOS devices and a limited number of earbuds. LE Audio will bring those capabilities to all headphones that have LE Audio support.
When LE Audio launches, Bluetooth audio will support two operation modes. The LE Audio will operate on the Bluetooth Low Energy radio, while classic Audio will operate on the Bluetooth Classic radio. LE Audio will be a replacement for Classic Audio, as it supports the same audio products and use cases while also adding new features.
The Bluetooth specifications defining LE Audio will see a release throughout the second half of 2020. More information about LE Audio is available on the Bluetooth SIG website.
Aura at CES 2019introduced an Apple Watch "Smart Strap" designed to measure weight, water, fat, and muscle via electrodes built into the band. The strap didn't end up launching in 2019, but Aura says that it's set to launch in March 2020, with pre-orders available now.
The Aura Strap, which is priced at $99, claims to allow users to measure their body composition and track their hydration levels and fitness progress. Aura says the band uses bioimpedance to analyze the upper body, tracking lung performance and changes in breathing, comparing that information with pulse data.
The band is able to assess the risk of heart failure and notify the user, though this is something that newer Apple Watch models can do on their own without the need for an additional strap. Measuring body composition and hydration is not something the Apple Watch can do on its own, though testing will need to be done to see how accurate the Aura strap is in practice.
The Aura Strap is available in four color options, including black, green, red, and gray, and it attaches to the Apple Watch using the standard Apple Watch lugs. According to Aura, the strap transfers results to the watch "via an ultrasound interface" and it works for up to six months on a single battery. It has the same waterproof specifications as the watch and is able to sync with HealthKit.
Aura is taking pre-orders for the watch as of today, with the device set to begin shipping out to customers starting in March 2020.
Patricia Arquette will take on a starring role in upcoming Apple thriller series "Severance," reports Variety.
Arquette will star alongside Adam Scott, who has taken on the lead role in the series. "Severance" has been described as a workplace thriller set at a company called Lumen Industries that's aiming to take work-life balance to a new level. Scott will play Mark, an employee with a dark past, while Arquette will play Mark's boss.
"Severance" is being directed and produced by Ben Stiller, and was created by Dan Erickson. It comes from Endeavor Content, a company also producing current Apple TV+ shows "See" and "Truth Be Told."
There's no launch date for "Severance" at this time, but Apple gave a straight-to-series order for 10 episodes in late 2019.
Sony today announced the upcoming launch of several new 2020 4K and 8K sets TV, including the 8H 8K LED, A8H and MASTER Series A9S OLED, and X950H and X900H 4K LED televisions.
All of the new TVs offer support for AirPlay 2 and HomeKit. With AirPlay 2 support, the new TVs will be able to interact with other AirPlay 2 devices such as the HomePod or AirPlay 2-enabled speakers for multi-device whole home audio.
HomeKit support allows the Sony TVs to show up in the Home app and respond to Siri voice commands for doing things like changing volume and turning the TV on and off.
Sony started rolling out HomeKit and AirPlay 2 support to some of its existing 2018 and 2019 TVs in December, but the 2020 models will support it out of the box. While the 2020 TVs will support AirPlay 2 and HomeKit, there is no mention of Sony introducing the Apple TV app on Sony TVs.
According to Sony, the 2020 TV lineup will include features that have previously been limited to the MASTER series models, with the company aiming to deliver a more immersive viewing experience. Features will include Sony's Picture Processor X1, Triluminos Display, Sound-from-Picture Reality, Netflix Calibrated Mode, and IMAX Enhanced for an IMAX experience at home.
A new feature called Ambient Optimization is also included for optimizing picture and sound quality in any environment, and all of the new TVs will use Sony's new Immersive Edge design concept with a minimalist stand.
TV sizes will range from 48 inches to 85 inches, with full details on each TV available via Sony's press release. Sony plans to introduce these TVs in the spring of 2020, and pricing will be available at that time.
Samsung this weekend announced that its next event will take place on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, with the South Korean company set to unveil new smartphones that will compete with Apple's iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max.
Samsung is expected to launch a trio of Galaxy S11 smartphones, which will be the company's new flagship devices when they debut, plus there's been talk of a new foldable smartphone that will rival the Motorola Razr.
Rumors suggest the new smartphones will feature a design similar to the Galaxy Note 10 with a hole-punch cutout at the top of the display. Screen sizes are rumored to be 6.4, 6.7, and 6.9 inches.
Features are said to include 5G connectivity, a four camera array with a 108-megapixel camera, 5x optical zoom, a 5,000mAh battery, a 120Hz display, and facial recognition capabilities.
Samsung's event will take place at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, with Samsung planning to offer a live stream on the Samsung website.
We'll have coverage of the event as it is interesting to take a look at what new features Apple's competitors are unveiling to compete with the iPhone.
Speck today announced the launch of a new Presidio2 line of cases, which Speck says are the most protective, durable, and slimmest dual-layer cases that it has ever created.
The Presidio2 cases use new "Cloud Armor" technology, which involves creating individual air capsules along the perimeter of the case. On impact, the air capsules flex and suspend the device on a cushion of air, similar to an airbag.
According to Speck, all of the cases will the able to withstand drops of up to 13 feet, and each case will also offer antimicrobial protection to prevent stain and odor causing bacteria.
When it launches in the spring of 2020, the Presidio 2 line will include the Presidio2 Armor Cloud, Presidio2 Grip, and Presidio2 Pro cases. More information is available on the Speck website.
Incipio today announced the launch of a new line of iPhone cases, which are made from plant-based materials and are designed to be compostable.
According to Incipio, its new "Organicore" cases are designed to reduce landfill waste and are made from a 100 percent compostable material. They will break down in as early as six months in industrial compost facilities.
The Organicore cases offer drop protection against drops up to six feet, while also providing protection against bumps, drops, and wear and tear. The cases are designed to be slim, and have a raised bezel to protect the display.
All of the cases feature a flexible shell with a smooth exterior, and are compatible with wireless charging.
Incipio's Organicore cases are available starting today for the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max in black, green, gray, and beige. The cases are priced at $40
Incipio plans to introduce Organicore cases for additional devices like the AirPods and AirPods Pro "in the coming months."
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