MacRumors

Aiming to compete with waterproof but usable iPhone cases like the Lifeproof, Otterbox has announced its Armor Series of cases. The case is designed to protect the phone from submersion for up to 30 minutes as well as 10 foot drops.

Innovative design elements make the OtterBox Armor Series best in class when it comes to protection. Watertight latches, an o-ring seal, port covers and mesh coverings keep water out and allow the Armor Series to tolerate submersions for 30 minutes in up to 6.6 ft. of water. Vents and port covers are made of a non-permeable membrane and protective mesh layer that allows sound to move through while keeping harmful elements out.

The interior and exterior of the case features advanced materials that protect the device from 10 ft. drops. Over-molded bumpers in each corner of the case absorb shock and the high-strength reinforced plastic of the Armor Series can withstand up to two tons of force. Soft interior foam provides a cushioned, custom fit for the device, while the built-in screen protector prevents scratches and damage to the glass display.

The case will ship on February 22 for the iPhone 4/4S and "soon" for the iPhone 5. Otterbox is taking sign-ups for customers who wish to be notified when the case goes on sale.

We've closely covered the emerging class of Bluetooth Smart (4.0) low energy devices that have been slowly coming to market.

Hippih was showing off Hipkey at CES 2013. Hipkey is their version of the digital leash application that allows you to keep your iPhone from getting left behind. The device was already put on sale in the European Online Apple Store in December and quickly sold out. The device will make its debut in the U.S. Apple Online store on January 15th.

Hipkey comes as a small aluminum device that you are meant to attach to your keychain or other personal item. The device will pair up with your iPhone and then provide a digital leash for your device. You can set it to detect between small (2-5m), medium (15-20m) and long (30-50m) distances between the devices and then trigger a sound and vibration alarm. The primary intent is to avoid leaving your iPhone behind. The free to download software seems very well designed and also offers other related functionality.

- Alarm Mode: Warns you if you forget your iPhone or iPad or if someone attempts to steal it.
- Child mode: Alerts you if your child wanders too far away from you.
- Motion Mode: Put hipKey in your bag and you are alerted if someone moves it.
- Find Me Mode: Quickly find your iPhone, iPad or your keys at any time.

Additionally, a "Safe Zone" can be established at any location which prevents the device from triggering automatically at any of the shorter proximities. The device will still trigger if you exceed the longest range. Hipkey incorporates a rechargeable battery that lasts 2-4 weeks and recharges in 4 hours. It will be available on the Online Apple Store on January 15th for $89.99.

Scosche today unveiled its weatherproof boomBOTTLE, an omnidirectional outdoor speaker that is designed to fit in standard bicycle bottle cages, providing streaming music while biking, hiking, camping, and participating in other outdoor activities.

The boomBOTTLE incorporates 40mm drivers along with a passive subwoofer, and a built-in lithium-ion battery offers 10 hours of playback per charge.

Scosche's speaker has a durable TPU exterior that is designed to withstand vibrations from rough terrain riding and a splash proof casing makes it usable even when exposed to rain and sweat. Charging and audio ports remain accessible through a top flap.

With its built-in microphone, the boomBOTTLE can be used as a speakerphone, and it features Bluetooth connectivity with a range of 33 feet.

Scosche has also debuted RH1060 Reference Grade Bluetooth Headphones, a new wireless option for its line of reference grade headphones. The over-ear headphones use 40mm neodymium magnet drivers and feature ear cups made from viscoelastic memory foam.

The boomBOTTLE and the RH1060 Headphones are currently on display at CES, which lasts from January 8 to January 11. Pricing and release date have yet to be announced.

iPhone5mod continues to launch both unofficial Lightning accessories and other interesting products for iPhone owners, and the company today has announced its Translucent Mod Kit for the iPhone 5.

The kit includes an entire set of parts to turn an iPhone 5 translucent on the rear and sides, offering users willing to disassemble their devices a rather unique look. Due to high cost and complexities involving the LCD on the iPhone 5 display, the mod kit does not change the front of the device.

The set includes a translucent rear body panel, as well as translucent micro-SIM card slot, mute/power buttons and a translucent Lightning port. The rear body panel is available in seven different translucent colors: white, black, blue, green, yellow, red, and pink.

The kit also includes color-matched top and bottom antenna windows on the rear of the device. For the first 48 hours of availability, customers will receive all seven sets of top and bottom windows in the various colors, allowing users to mix and match as they see fit. After the limited time offer, users will have to select one color of top and bottom window panels for their orders.

Pricing is set at $39.90 for the entire kit, although customers interested in purchasing all seven color variations of the main back body panel can do so for a kit price of $169.

Panasonic yesterday announced a new line of Smart Viera plasma HDTVs at CES. The company's 2013 lineup ranges from 42 to 65 inches and includes 16 models in five separate series of TVs. The TVs are compatible with iOS devices that let users share content between their iPhones or iPads and their TVs.

Swipe & Share 2.0 – a  connectivity enhancement that transforms the TV into a hub for streaming and sharing photo and video content seamlessly with Smartphone and Tablet devices.  Through Panasonic's proprietary VIERA Connect platform, users can transfer personal photos and videos from their Android or iOS devices directly to the large screen with a simple swipe of the finger and transfer them back to their smart devices the same way.  Swipe & Share also enables sharing of user-generated photos and videos that are on the large screen with other Android or iOS devices. (2013 VIERA ZT60, VT60, and ST60 Series)

The features resemble Apple TV and AirPlay, but NBC notes that Panasonic's TV allows users to share an image to the TV, edit it using an option Electronic Touch Pen accessory, and swipe it back to their iOS device.

Panasonic's lineup starts with the full HD 3D ZT60 with what Panasonic calls a "Beyond the Reference" level of picture quality, then moves to the lower-end VT60 and ST60 series and ends with the non-3D S60 and X60 series. There doesn't seem to be pricing information as of yet, but the line is planned to launch in February 2013.

Canopy's Sensus iPhone case (via Engadget) is touch-enabled, with 10 different touch input points across the back and the right side of the case. The touch input allows for users to interact with apps without blocking the screen with a finger, a useful function for iOS gaming. It is similar in design to the rear trackpad of Sony's PlayStation Vita.

The Sensus, which resembles a slightly thicker than average iPhone case, has integrated apps that are designed for the visually impaired, along with Braille entry on its touch panels. The company is working on additional apps and has released a software development kit for developers.

It is constructed from durable polycarbonate with rubber corners to protect the iPhone from bumps and falls. It comes equipped with a built-in processor that monitors touch input, and it is powered through the charging port of the iPhone.

At this point in time there is only a version for the iPhone 4/4S on display at CES, but the company is working on a version for Apple's iPhone 5.

Canopy's Sensus case will be available during the Summer of 2013, at a cost between $59 and $99.

Health monitoring products have recently seen a huge surge in popularity, with offerings like the Jawbone UP and the Nike Fuelband bringing consumer awareness to the connected devices.

Several different companies debuted new wearable fitness tracking devices at CES this year, including Fitbit, Fitbug, Withings, and BodyMedia.

Fitbit Flex

Fitbit, known for its tiny clip-on Fitbit One, announced the Fitbit Flex, which is a wristband that is similar in design to the Jawbone UP.

Like the Fitbit One, The waterproof Flex automatically counts calories burned, distance walked, and steps taken. It can also be used to record food intake and sleep quality, via an app.

Data is sent to a personalized website using Bluetooth Smart, and the band lasts between five and seven days on a single charge. The Flex will be available in Spring 2013 for $100.

Fitbug Orb

Fitbug (via Engadget) is a UK-based company that just debuted its new Fitbug Orb, a small, button-sized activity monitor.

The Orb measures steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, and sleep quality. Like other offerings, the Orb allows for food recording. The Orb is designed to be worn in different accessories, like a belt clip, lanyard, fitness band, or sleep pouch.

Though the Orb has no display, it does use Bluetooth Smart to connect to the iPhone or the iPad. Fitbug's Orb will be available in Spring 2013 for $50.

Withings Smart Activity Tracker

Withings Smart Activity Tracker is a small, clip-on health monitor that is similar in design to the Fitbit One. It measures sleep quality, food intake, movement, and pulse rate, with a touch-sensitive front and a heart rate sensor in the back.

The Activity Tracker also uses Bluetooth Smart to connect to Withings' Health Mate app, and it comes with an estimated two week battery life. Withings Smart Activity Tracker is due before the end of March, and while no retail price has been announced, Withings says that the pricing will be in line with competing products.

BodyMedia CORE 2

BodyMedia CORE 2 is the second iteration of BodyMedia's popular health and fitness tracking band. Like the prior version, the Core 2 captures 5,000 data points per minute, measuring calories burned, exercise intensity, and sleep patterns. It has a three-axis accelerometer in addition to heat flux and galvanic skin response sensors.

The quarter-sized device is designed to fit into a range of fashion-oriented interchangeable straps and cuffs, and connects to BodyMedia's existing apps and web portal using Bluetooth Smart.

The BodyMedia CORE 2 will launch in August of 2013, with additional faceplates, straps, and cuffs coming at a later date. Pricing information is not yet available.

Griffin and ShopKeep POS have partnered up on a new iPad stand with integrated credit card reader, designed to be a physical point of sale terminal for retail stores.

The stand will be available only to ShopKeep POS customers beginning this quarter.

Durability and secure credit card transactions are often the main concerns merchants have for their POS system. Griffin's Kiosk Retail addresses these pain points with an integrated magnetic card reader and impact-resistant housing for the iPad. For secure transactions, the built-in magnetic card reader is TDES encrypted and has DUKPT key management, similar to the current MagTek® swiper that ShopKeep POS offers.

[…]

"We researched many POS companies before selecting ShopKeep POS as an exclusive launch partner for the Kiosk Retail in the United States," said Dean Shortland , Director of Business Development at Griffin Technology. "We are devoted to creating intuitively designed solutions that enhance user experience and the simple and powerful solutions that ShopKeep POS offers to small businesses fit well with our company focus. Plus, with over 3,500 merchants across the country, they are the leading iPad POS company in the US, and we are looking to scale our solution quickly."

The press release does not share details about pricing or how the stand actually connects to the iPad, whether through Lightning/30-Pin ports, or via the headphone jack like Square's more portable card reader does.

Griffin yesterday announced (via Engadget) the forthcoming launch of its PowerDock 5, a $99.99 charging station that organizes up to five iOS devices in the space otherwise taken up by one iPad laid flat.

PowerDock 5 is the ultimate space-saving, countertop charging and storage solution for up to 5 iPads. Designed for convenience and efficiency, PowerDock 5 contains five charging bays large enough to accommodate an iPad encased in even the largest of cases, including Griffin's own Survivor case. When not in use, PowerDock 5 keeps all the users' device cables tucked away and organized, ready for use at any time.

The PowerDock 5 will launch later this spring.

Griffin is also introducing several other charging accessories at CES, including the PowerBlock wall charger ($29.99) and PowerJolt car charger ($24.99). Both devices include Griffin's new "ChargeSensor" technology that automatically senses a device's power profile and charges the device accordingly.

All mobile devices have specific charging profiles that dictate how much, and how quickly, they can charge. Most chargers are designed with a one-size-fits-all approach which typically does not support the requirements of each individual device. Griffin's new ChargeSensor technology senses the requirements of any device plugged into it, providing optimal charging for all USB-chargeable devices.

Both the PowerBlock and PowerJolt will also be launching in the spring.