MacRumors

Sphero's iPhone-connected robotic BB-8 droid was one of the hottest gifts this holiday season, and Sphero is hoping to maintain that momentum with the introduction of the Force Band, a wearable wristband that will allow BB-8 owners to control the droid using gestures.

For those unfamiliar with Sphero's BB-8, it's a small replica of the BB-8 droid that starred in the recently released Star Wars: The Force Awakens movie. BB-8 is based on years of past iPhone-connected ball-shaped robotic toys that Sphero has released, and in our review, we called it Sphero's best toy yet.

The Force Band isn't going to ship out until later in 2016, but Sphero has a prototype available at this year's Consumer Electronics Show. The Verge was able to go hands-on with the Force Band and gave some insight into how it works. BB-8's speed is controlled by hand elevation and direction is controlled by the orientation of the hand.

Resting your hand to your side enters driving mode. With your palm down, Sphero looks away from you; with your palm up it looks toward you. Spin in place, and BB-8 spins with you. The direction also dictates where it drives, and the rolling speed is at least somewhat affected by your hand's elevation. Waving your hand in place will enter a gesture mode -- the only one that worked for me was a nod "yes" when we did a quick right jab -- and then putting your hand back down re-engages driving mode.

Sphero's Force Band is an interesting solution because it will turn the BB-8 into Sphero's first product that won't exclusively require a smartphone for control. With the Force Band, Sphero will be able to be used sans iPhone.

Pricing has not yet been announced for the Force Band, and Sphero expects to release the device in the fall of 2016. The pictures shared above are of an early prototype version and the design of the final band will change.

Sphero has also unveiled plans to release another version of the BB-8 with a worn-out battle-scarred look.

Netatmo, the company behind products like the Welcome Smart Home camera and the Personal Weather Station, today announced its latest product, a smart outdoor security camera it's calling Presence. Presence is able to detect and distinguish between cars, people, and animals using a deep learning algorithm.

When installed outside, the camera can let home owners know if there's a pet in the yard, a car in the driveway, or a person loitering outside the house. It is smart enough to be able to tell the difference between objects, alerting users with smart notifications if something unusual is detected. Most security cameras are not quite as sophisticated and are only able to detect motion.

Presence includes infra-red night vision for monitoring in low-light conditions, and it has an integrated smart floodlight that comes on when needed to capture bright color videos even in the middle of the night. The light can also be used as a motion-activated light to deter unwanted visitors. It has a 100 degree field of view, a 20 meter detection range, and it is weatherproof.

Like many security cameras, Presence uses smart zones to filter out common movements. Users can select specific areas for monitoring, such as the front door or a backyard gate. Whenever motion is detected within a smart zone, Presence will send an optional notification. Presence stores data locally on an internal Micro SD card and is able to transfer recorded footage to a personal FTP server.

Netatmo's aim is to make Presence easy to install, so it is able to connect to an existing outdoor light socket. Once installed, it connects to a user's home Wi-Fi network and is able to stream live footage over an encrypted connection to an iOS device using the accompanying app.

Netatmo plans to begin selling Presence in the third quarter of 2016. Pricing has not yet been announced.

Withings today announced its latest health-oriented product, introducing the Withings Thermo, a Wi-Fi connected temporal artery thermometer the company says is able to provide one of the fastest, most accurate temperature readings available.

The Withings Thermo uses 16 independent infrared sensors to non-invasively measure a person's temperature using the temporal artery at the side of the head. According to Withings, this "HotSpot Sensor Technology" can quickly measure IR signature and emitted heat, capturing 4,000 measurements in two seconds. A specially-designed algorithm corrects for biases like heat loss and ambient temperature, and then the hottest point is determined for an accurate single temperature reading.

Temperature is detected when the Thermo is placed on the forehead. A click of a button on the device will measure the current temperature, and a vibration will notify users when a temperature reading has been completed. The LED on the device will provide a temperature along with color-coded feedback that glows green for normal, orange for moderated, and red for elevated temperature levels.

Temperature readings captured by the Thermo are also automatically synced to an iOS device over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and are stored in the accompanying app alongside information from other Withings products like the Smart Body Analyzer. With app connectivity, parents are able to keep track of their children's temperature trends over time and all data collected can be shared with a physician.

Thermo uses two AAA batteries and can last for up to two years on a single set of batteries. It is labeled as a Class IIa medical device with the appropriate clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The Withings Thermo will be available during the first quarter of 2016 for $99.95.

Ahead of the kickoff of the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, Belkin today introduced its latest product for the Apple Watch, the Watch Valet Charge Dock. The Valet is Belkin's second dock to feature an integrated magnetic charger, meaning customers do not need to supply their own Apple Watch charging cable.

The Valet Charge Dock features a weighted base with a sleek white finish and a solid chrome arm that holds the Apple Watch at an ideal viewing angle. With an included wrist band support, the Valet is able to work with all Apple Watch models. Because it works in portrait mode, the Valet cannot be used with watchOS 2's Nightstand mode.

Power is supplied to the Valet Charge Dock through an included 4-foot USB cable, which plugs into the back of the product. At 75 x 85.6 x 100.6mm, the Valet Dock is small enough to fit neatly on a desk or bedside table.

Belkin's first integrated Apple Watch dock, the Charge Dock, was introduced in October. The Charge Dock, which also includes an integrated Lightning cable for charging an iPhone, is priced at $129.99 and is already available for purchase from the Belkin website.

"Following the success of the first Belkin integrated charging solution with support for the iPhone and Apple Watch, the Belkin Valet Charge Dock for iPhone and Apple Watch, we are excited to offer a second charging solution that also provides a seamless charging experience for Apple Watch users, Watch ValetTM," said Melody Tecson, Director of Product Management at Belkin. "The new Watch ValetTM Charge Dock is the perfect accessory for customers who are looking for a standalone solution for their Apple Watch."

Belkin's new Valet Charge Dock is priced at $89.99 and is available from Belkin starting today.

Griffin today announced several accessories for the Apple Watch as part of its CES 2016 offerings, including an assortment of Apple Watch bands and the Travel Power Bank, a new compact Apple Watch charger designed for on-the-go charging while traveling.

The Travel Power Bank is an all-in-one travel solution with a built-in Apple Watch charger. Unlike most Apple Watch charging solutions, it's small enough to be attached to a keychain, and with its built-in 800 mAh battery, it can charge the Apple Watch when away from a power source. According to Griffin, the Travel Power Bank is able to deliver up to 4 full charges to an Apple Watch before needing to be recharged via an included micro-USB cable.

Though portable, the Travel Power Bank isn't cheap. When it becomes available for purchase in the second quarter of 2016, it will retail for $69.99.

Griffin has also announced two new sets of bands designed for the Apple Watch, both of which will be debuting in several months during the third quarter of 2016. The Uptown Leather Band features a design similar to the Hermés Double Tour, with a double-wrap band that winds around the wrist twice.

Available in toffee, black, ecru, or seafoam, each band will come with a metal buckle to match one of the Apple Watch Stainless Steel or Apple Watch Sport colors. Toffee pairs with yellow gold, black and seafoam pair with silver, and ecru pairs with rose gold. Each band uses silver lugs.

The Uptown Leather Band is available exclusively for the smaller 38mm Apple Watch and it adjusts to fit wrists between 5.1 and 7 inches. Griffin plans to sell the Uptown Leather Band for $59.99.

Griffin's Trainer Watch Band, priced at $39.99, is made from a sweat-proof ridged silicone that's ideal for working out. Available in red, blue, black, and white, the Trainer Watch Band is designed to fit the 42mm Apple Watch and wrists sized from 5.9 to 8.6 inches.

The Trainer Watch Band uses silver lugs and it includes a brushed stainless steel buckle to match the Stainless Steel apple Watch. According to Griffin, a notched post at the end of the band secures extra length and offers security during vigorous activity like runs and hikes.

Specific launch dates for the Travel Power Bank and the two sets of watch bands will become available from Griffin later in 2016.

Toyota announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Ford and Livio to deploy SmartDeviceLink, an open source infotainment platform for in-car smartphone connectivity.

For now, this means the world's largest automaker, continues to pass over CarPlay, which has seen wider adoption in 2016, despite being listed as a committed CarPlay partner on Apple's website.

"Developing a safer and more secure in-car smartphone connectivity service which better matches individual vehicle features is exactly the value and advantage an automaker can offer customers," said Shigeki Terashi, Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Corporation. "We expect that many companies share our view and will participate in the industry SDL collaboration."

SmartDeviceLink, which can be customized to match each carmaker's in-car system characteristics and interface, was originally developed by Ford, which uses its own version of the software called AppLink as part of its larger SYNC platform. Toyota will be the first carmaker to adopt SDL, while QNX and UIEvolution announced on Monday they will support the software in their future products.

In August 2011, Toyota and Ford entered a collaboration agreement for next generation in-car telematics system standardization. In June 2015, Toyota entered into an agreement with Ford and Livio to explore SDL introduction to its vehicles. Toyota’s investigation and consideration of SDL has been completed successfully, and the company found SDL suitable for its in-car app connectivity.

Ford and Fiat Chrysler both announced today that CarPlay and Android Auto support will be added to select 2016 and 2017 vehicles, singling out Toyota as the only top five automaker to hold out on Apple's and Google's software. Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai also announced specific CarPlay plans in recent weeks.

CarPlay is or will be available in a wide range of 2016 and 2017 vehicles from Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ferrari, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Volkswagen and Volvo. The feature is included stock or as an upgrade by itself or as part of a larger entertainment package.

Toyota will demonstrate an SDL integration in the Livio exhibit (LVCC) at CES 2016.

Brydge today officially unveiled its latest keyboard, debuting the BrydgeMini designed for Apple’s iPad mini 4. Brydge’s first BrydgeMini keyboard came out earlier this year for older iPad mini models, but at the time, a version for Apple’s latest iPad mini wasn’t available.

Like all Brydge keyboards, the BrydgeMini is constructed from aluminum and attaches to the iPad mini using a set of tabs. It’s not a full case, so while it’s heavy at 0.66 pounds, it doesn’t add an excessive amount of bulk. The BrydgeMini is 0.29 inches thick and it comes in Silver, Gold, and Space Gray to match all of Apple’s iPad colors.

It also includes the same features that are found in all Brydge keyboards, including backlit keys, a rechargeable battery, and 180 degree viewing angles. As it’s designed for the iPad mini, the BrydgeMini does not have a full-sized keyboard, but it uses the same keys as other Brydge keyboards.

The BrydgeMini retails for $99 and is available for pre-order from the Brydge website starting today. The $99 price point is a special pre-order price, and prices will go up after the pre-order period.

Brydge has also shared new pricing details on the BrydgePro keyboard for the iPad Pro, which it announced in December. Designed for Apple’s largest iPad, the BrydgePro weighs in at a hefty 1.6 pounds and offers the same features as the rest of the Brydge lineup – a full-sized keyboard, Bluetooth 4 connectivity, a multi-angle hinge, and backlit keys.

The BrydgePro is priced at $189 and available for pre-order from the Brydge website.

Popular fitness company Polar today announced its latest product set to debut at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, the Polar Balance. Polar Balance is an iPhone-connected Bluetooth-enabled smart scale that works alongside the Polar activity tracker and the Polar Flow app as a complete weight loss service.

The Polar Balance scale connects to an iPhone via the Polar Flow app, which allows users to set a target weight. Weight measurements are then aggregated in the iOS app for tracking purposes, which also includes activity information from connected Polar activity tracking devices.

Using weigh measurements and activity information, the Polar Balance scale is able to provide motivational feedback to keep users on track and it offers user-specific weight loss advice such as increasing daily activity by a set amount or decreasing calorie intake.

According to Polar, its system is designed to make sure users are getting the right types of exercise and eating healthy with personalized daily activity goals to help users reach goal weight and then maintain that weight. Within the Polar Flow app, users can see how quickly they're losing or gaining weight and whether they should eat less or be more active to further their weight loss goals. Rather than asking users to maintain a food diary, it uses activity measurements and weight trends to make recommendations.

Measuring body functions comes naturally to Polar, so tapping into weight management is a natural next step for us," explains Jukka Jaatinen, Director, New Business Areas from Polar. "We've combined our existing technology and know-how with the weight management concept to come up with a unique solution. Polar Balance is motivating and easy to use - for losing and maintaining weight. We want to give our users the best possible tools to help them achieve and maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle."

Polar Balance works best with a connected Polar activity tracker, such as the Polar Loop, Loop 2, Loop Crystal, A360, M400, or V800, but it also works as a stand-alone scale that supports up to 10 separate users.

The Polar Balance scale, available in black or white, can be purchased today from the Polar website for $99.95.

High performance storage solutions company Promise Technology today announced its first foray into the consumer electronics market with the Apollo storage bank. The new device lets users, and a personal circle of private members, store and share data collected in the Apollo with the help of a companion app available to download from the iOS and Google Play App Stores.

With the Apollo app, the 4 TB storage bank lets anyone granted access to the device browse and save photos, videos, and other data from wherever an internet connection is available. Each member of the private group can also be designated private space on the bank's storage, allowing users their own designated storage area for personal content, for which they can then enable or disable more complex privacy restrictions.

“Apollo marks a significant milestone for our company, and we are very excited to tap into the consumer market with a personal cloud device that makes it easy to store and share digital media,” said James Lee, CEO of PROMISE Technology. “Although bankers’ boxes and filing cabinets are no longer required to store treasured photos, many people find that their desktop, mobile devices and stacks of USB drives no longer do the trick either. With Apollo, however, PROMISE has delivered a personal cloud storage device that’s affordable, secure, robust and—most importantly—easy to use.”

The Apollo also ensures customers that all of their private data will be effectively secure on the device due to encrypted transactions between the bank and its companion app, along with the data's storage location off of the Web. Within the confines of that security, the device will also let group members comment on and discuss data within the Apollo -- like pictures and videos from a vacation -- with complete privacy.

Promise Technology has yet to reveal the price or launch window for the Apollo, but the Q&A tab on the company's site does confirm the contents of the device's retail box: an Apollo unit, DC Power adapter with power cord, International plugs kit, Ethernet cable, and quick start guide. The Apollo will be available to purchase exclusively in Apple Retail stores when it launches.