MacRumors

Kohler at CES 2018 this week has introduced a collection of new smart kitchen and bath products based on its new Kohler Konnect platform, which itself is based on Microsoft's Azure internet-of-things cloud solutions.

A spokeswoman for Kohler told MacRumors that its Sensate touchless kitchen faucet and DTV+ shower system will be the first of the Kohler Konnect products to support Apple's HomeKit platform for smart home accessories.

Kohler's Sensate faucet allows you to turn the water on and off or dispense water to a measured volume, such as an eight-ounce cup or a large pot, with simple voice commands or touch-free motion-based interactions.

The faucet also monitors your water usage and lets you track the consumption using an upcoming Kohler Konnect companion app.

Meanwhile, the DTV+ showering system enables homeowners to create and automate personalized showering experiences. The Kohler Konnect app allows you to, for example, create and manage presets for sound, water, steam, and lighting.

With an optional bridge, you can use voice commands to access those presets, or use the system's wall-mounted interface, to adjust water temperature, and control shower heads, music, lighting, steam, and shower duration.

HomeKit compatibility should enable both products to be controllable with Siri or Apple's Home app for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.

Kohler's other new smart home products integrated with its Kohler Konnect platform include its Verdera mirror with built-in Amazon Alexa, Numi intelligent toilet, PureWarmth toilet seat, and PerfectFill technology for bathtubs.

Kohler said the Verdera mirror with Amazon Alexa will be available for purchase from March 2018 in the United States. The other new Kohler Konnect products are planned for release later this year. Pricing has not been disclosed.

The Home Depot sells Kohler's existing Sensate faucet and DTV+ shower system sans Konnect for $523 and $794 respectively in the United States.

Abode Systems today announced the iota, an all-in-one security camera that's designed to offer security and integration with other smart home products.

The iota features a 1080p camera that can be used for home monitoring purposes, along with a built-in gateway that supports Z-Wave, ZigBee, and abode RF for connecting to hundreds of other devices. Native app support is included for many major smart home brands like Nest, ecobee, Philips Hue, and LIFX.

Included HomeKit compatibility also allows the iota to interface with HomeKit devices, and it's also been designed to work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Through the accompanying Abode app, users can get detailed alerts and notifications when notable events are recorded by the camera.

Live video streaming is available through the Abode app or through the Home app, and while saving recorded footage beyond three days requires an Abode subscription, in the event of an alarm, clips are automatically uploaded to the Abode timeline regardless of plan. Plans are offered on an on-demand basis and can be purchased in three or seven day increments, with longer monthly and annual plans also available.

Design wise, the iota is cylindrical in shape and features a black and white fabric-covered design that allows it to blend with most decor. It connects to a home using Wi-Fi or Ethernet, and a built-in battery keeps it powered on for 10 hours even when the power goes out. There's also an option for backup LTE connectivity to make sure that the iota is always connected.

Abode plans to begin selling the iota during the first quarter of 2018 for $329. Existing Abode customers will be able to upgrade to the new iota gateway, with Abode to provide instructions and pricing for doing so at a later date.

Google today announced it has merged Android Pay and Google Wallet into one consolidated payments service called Google Pay.

Over the coming weeks, Google said users will be able to use Google Pay online, in stores, and across Google products, and Google Wallet's existing peer-to-peer payment functionality will continue to be supported.

Google Pay is already available in select first-party apps such as YouTube and Chrome, and in Airbnb, Dice, Fandango, HungryHouse, Instacart, and select other third-party apps and websites on Android and in Chrome.

Google Pay branding will be rolled out in apps, websites, and next to payment terminals in stores as Android Pay branding and decals are retired.

Google Pay along with Samsung Pay are Apple Pay's biggest rivals among mobile payment services. Google Pay also competes with Apple's recently launched peer-to-peer payment service Apple Pay Cash in the United States.

Ring, the company behind the well-known Ring video doorbell, today announced the launch of a full home security ecosystem that includes a range of new products like indoor/outdoor security cameras and connected outdoor lights.

The new battery-powered Stick Up Cam, which is compatible with the Ring Solar Panel Charger, is a weatherproof security camera that's designed to work both indoors and outdoors. It supports 1080p HD video, two-way audio, and a built-in passive infrared motion sensors with zone detection.

The WiFi-enabled Stick Up Cam Elite also works indoors and outdoors, but rather than a battery, it's powered via standard wall outlet or Ethernet connection. It features the same 1080p video and two-way audio, along with advanced motion sensors with zone detection.

Ring Beams are new smart lights that came from a recent Ring acquisition of Mr Beams, an LED lighting company. Ring Beams, which are lights that are designed to be used outdoors, include a nightlight, a motion sensor, a light designed for a pathway, a and spotlight. Ring Beams integrate with the Ring app and all of Ring's security cameras and doorbells.

Ring also announced that its professionally monitored customizable home security system, will start shipping out to customers in the spring of 2018. The Ring security system, priced at $199, includes accessories like a Base Station, Keypad, Contact Sensor, Passive Infrared Sensor, and Z-Wave Extender. It also includes 24/7 professional monitoring and cloud video storage for a $10 per month fee.

Additional information about all of Ring's new products debuting at the Consumer Electronics Show can be found on the Ring website. Ring's new accessories will be launching later in 2018.

Nanoleaf, the company behind the popular HomeKit-enabled Nanoleaf Light Panels (formerly called the Aurora), today announced the upcoming launch of the Nanoleaf Remote.

The Nanoleaf Remote, priced at $49.99, is a neat-looking dodecahedron-shaped device that's designed to let you change your HomeKit scenes and dim the lights just by manipulating the remote.

There are 12 sides to the Nanoleaf Remote, each of which can be set to a different HomeKit scene. You can choose lighting scenes that are for the Nanoleaf Light Panels, or more complex scenes that incorporate multiple HomeKit products.

While designed to work with the Nanoleaf Light Panels, the Bluetooth-enabled Remote is a standalone device that works with any HomeKit setup so long as you have a Home Hub, aka a Nanoleaf Rhythm module, an Apple TV, or an iPad. Android users will need the Rhythm module for the Remote to work.

Nanoleaf plans to launch the Remote in the spring of 2018, but it will be shown off at CES. Nanoleaf will also be demonstrating Light Panels in new shapes at CES, prior to a launch later in 2018.

Nanoleaf's existing Light Panels with Rhythm module can be purchased from the Nanoleaf website for $230.

Canary today at CES announced a new indoor security camera called the "Canary View," which comes with a cheaper $99 price tag thanks to the removal of certain features from the original Canary device (via The Verge).

Specifically, the Canary View lacks the company's "HomeHealth" technology, which monitors a home's temperature, humidity, and overall air quality in the $169 Canary All-in-One camera. Otherwise, Canary View will perform all of the basic security camera functions, including iPhone compatibility, 1080p video capture, two-way Canary Talk, intelligent motion alerts, and more.

The device has a 147-degree wide-angle lens to capture footage, and can automatically transition to night vision when motion alerts appear in the dark. Some features on the Canary View -- including Canary Talk -- are limited to paying Canary Membership subscribers. The membership costs $9.99/month and updated last October when the company began charging for previously free features for its security cameras, citing "significant" cloud expenses.

The Canary View camera is available to purchase today on the company's website for $99.

Whirlpool today at CES 2018 announced that some of its washers, dryers, and ovens will be controllable with an Apple Watch in the near future.

The home appliance maker said it will be releasing a watchOS app in early 2018 that will enable Apple Watch users to remotely control select functions on more than 20 of its latest Wi-Fi-connected washers, dryers, and ovens.

Here are a few examples:

• Washer: Control the wash options of an active cycle. Whether it be a normal wash, delicates, or brights, users can adjust an active cycle via their Apple Watch.
  

• Dryer: Control and detect if a cycle has started, understanding how much time remains before the cycle is complete.
  

• Oven: View the current oven status and control commands during an active cycle.

Whirlpool said the collaboration marks the first time a major home appliance maker has connected its products with the Apple Watch.

Tile today announced a few new partnerships with companies that will integrate its Bluetooth item-tracking technology into consumer products, including Bose's existing line of SoundSport Wireless and QuietControl 30 headphones. In addition to Bose, partnerships for the new "Tile Platform" also include Samsonite luggage, Boosted Boards, and Propeller Health's inhalers.

The Bose partnership will begin in late spring 2018, when the SoundSport Wireless and QuietControl 30 will be sold with Tile's technology embedded inside. Users who already own these devices will be able to add Tile support through a firmware update so purchasing an entirely new pair of headphones won't be required (via TechCrunch).

“With the Tile Platform, we’re extending the finding power of Tile and its global community to leading brands spanning audio, travel, transportation and even digital health management,” said Mike Farley, CEO and Co-Founder of Tile. “Whether it’s a pair of wireless headphones, a suitcase filled with precious memories, or a life-saving connected inhaler, we want to make sure consumers can find their items no matter where they are, whether under the couch or halfway around the world.”

The headphone tracking feature will work just like Tile's previous Bluetooth trackers, so if you ever misplace the small wireless headphones you can "ring" them if they're nearby through Tile's iOS app. If they become truly lost, Tile's community of trackers will anonymously crowdsource location data of other Tile users to pinpoint the location of the last time the headphones were seen, and show the location on a map within the app. The update brings Bose's headphones in line with the similar "Find my AirPods" feature by Apple.

The same idea will go for Samsonite's luggage, Propeller Health's connected inhalers, Boosted Boards, and Hershel's wallets, all of which confirmed Tile integration this week. Tile also announced an expansion to its technology ecosystem with access point partnerships that "increases the likelihood of finding lost items while reducing the time required to do so." Partners include Comcast, Ruckus Networks, and San Jose International Airport.

Besides Bose, Samsonite will be the other launch partner to integrate with Tile beginning this spring, and others will launch later in the year.

First Alert at CES 2018 has introduced the Onelink Safe & Sound, its latest smoke and carbon monoxide detector for smart homes.

iPhone and iPad users can control the Safe & Sound with Siri or Apple's Home app thanks to HomeKit compatibility. The two-in-one detector can also be controlled with First Alert's own Onelink Home companion app.

What makes the Safe & Sound interesting is that it doubles as a ceiling-mounted virtual assistant, with built-in speakers and noice-canceling microphones and support for both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

First Alert said the speakers will support Apple's upcoming AirPlay 2 protocol when available, enabling multi-room audio and Siri control for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch users, all through Apple's Home app.

AirPlay 2 support means that a homeowner could install a few Safe & Sound smoke detectors around the house and eventually use Siri to play or pause Apple Music or other audio on a room-by-room basis.

The smoke detector is designed to be hardwired with existing receptacles, with no battery-powered version set to be available.

First Alert did not reveal pricing and availability information in its press release, but AppleInsider says the Safe & Sound is expected to ship in April for a suggested retail price of $249 in the United States.

One year after being announced during CES 2017, faucet brand Moen is back at CES this year with a new announcement for its "U by Moen" cloud-based, Wi-Fi enabled shower system (via CNET). The company this week revealed that the smart shower will add support for Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa AI assistants in the first half of 2018, letting you control water temperature and more with voice commands on connected smartphones and speakers.

For the HomeKit integration, you'll be able to speak to your iOS devices and begin your shower ahead of time, like saying, "Hey Siri, start my shower." If you have saved water temperature presets within the Moen app, the shower will then begin to reach your desired temperature and notify you when it's ready. Siri will only work with Moen's next-generation smart shower controllers, so anyone who purchased last year's device will have to buy the new system if they want Siri controls.

This is because the new U by Moen includes a specific MFi chip for HomeKit compatibility, despite Apple last summer updating its HomeKit specifications so that compatible smart products no longer have to include a hardware authentication chip. A Moen representative told CNET: "We are launching with the Apple Authentication Coprocessor (MFI chip) in the controller to meet the current Apple HomeKit protocol that still requires the chip."

Besides Siri voice control, U by Moen's new system is visually similar to the first and connects to an iPhone app so you can set up to 12 customized settings for a shower. The in-shower "digital valve" includes a five-inch LCD screen and various buttons for manual temperature control, and still requires professional installation.

There are two different versions of the next-generation U by Moen shower system, including a two-outlet model for $1,160 and a four-outlet model for $2,200.

Camera and drone maker DJI today announced two new camera stabilizers ahead of the first official day of CES 2018, which begins tomorrow, January 9. DJI's reveal centered upon the Osmo Mobile 2 and Ronin-S, a pair of stabilizers made for smartphones and DSLRs, respectively, that allow users to take videos without having to worry about shaky cam disrupting the footage.

The Osmo Mobile 2 is the newest model in DJI's line of camera stabilizers for smartphones, introducing simpler controls with cinematic zoom and a longer battery life. Like the previous device, the Osmo Mobile 2 is compatible with iPhone and includes three-axis gimbal technology to cancel out movement in three directions, allowing footage to remain steady even when the user's hands shake.

The gimbal technology combines with DJI's SmoothTrack technology to detect and compensate for the user's movement of the camera and "ensure a smooth cinematic shot every time." Users can shoot in both landscape and portrait orientation, and a 1/4" universal screw mount makes the Osmo Mobile 2 compatible with most photography accessories.

"With the introduction of these two stabilizers, DJI now offers gimbal technology to help unlock the creative storyteller in everyone no matter what camera they're using," said Paul Pan, Senior Product Manager at DJI. "Osmo Mobile 2 offers the best in smartphone stabilization at an affordable price, and Ronin-S brings the quality of DJI's professional gimbal technology to a new form factor that is perfect for run-and-gun filming using your favorite DSLR or mirrorless camera system."

In terms of the major new additions, DJI said the new device's battery system is "more powerful" than its predecessor and allows for filming for up to 15 hours, which is three times longer than the original. There's also a new USB port to enable smartphone charging while the Osmo Mobile 2 is being used, and even lets the Osmo act as a power bank for charging other devices when not in use.

DJI said the "simpler controls" include ways for users to use their smartphone's camera similar to a professional camera, thanks to integrated settings for ISO, shutter speed, and more. A new button for a zoom slider on the Osmo Mobile 2's handle lets users operate their smartphone camera without needing to touch the screen, and the controls also allow for the production of a dolly zoom, which DJI said is "a visual effect usually created only on professional film sets."

The Osmo Mobile 2 will cost $209 AUD (about $163 USD) and will launch exclusively on Apple.com, with pre-orders beginning January 23. In early February, the new Osmo will then debut on DJI's own website, as well as in DJI stores and authorized resellers. Later in February the device will be available to purchase in Apple's retail stores too. The Ronin-S will launch in Q2 2018.