Developer Giulio Zompetti, who often shows off prototype versions of Apple devices, today highlighted a prototype version of the iPhone 12 Pro.
The iPhone 12 Pro is running an operating system called SwitchBoard, a nonUI version of the iOS 14 update that Apple uses internally. We've seen SwitchBoard on prototype devices before, as Apple uses it to test new features.
Zompetti's prototype iPhone is in Pacific Blue, which was one of the most popular iPhone 12 Pro colors. Given the lighting in the photo, the color looks particularly dark, but it's likely the same shade as the final version that released.
The phone also appears to have no visible engravings, which is likely not a surprise as an earlier test version, but it otherwise appears to be similar to the iPhone 12 Pro that launched in October.
CES 2021 is taking place digitally this year, and it hasn't been as exciting as in past years because many vendors have opted out. That said, some companies are still showing off some interesting Apple-related accessories that are coming out this year and that will be of interest to Mac, iPad, and iPhone users.
Wireless CarPlay is catching on, and Pioneer debuted its new DMH-WC5700NEX receiver with support for both wired and wireless CarPlay. The updated receiver features a 6.8-inch touchscreen and a hideaway control unit for installation flexibility. It's coming this summer, and pricing hasn't yet been detailed.
LG showed off a new UltraFine Display OLED Pro with a 31.5-inch display, more than 8 million pixels, and HDR individual pixel dimming. It's the first OLED monitor from LG, and like other UltraFine displays, it will be compatible with Apple's Macs. LG also showed off a new 39.7-inch 5K2K UltraWide monitor. Pricing and availability have yet to be announced.
Satechi's Dock5 is a simple charging station that can accommodate up to five devices at one time with two 20W USB-C ports, two 12W USB-A ports, and a Qi-based wireless charger that supports up to 10W. It's priced affordably at $60, and can be purchased from the Satechi website.
The StudioDock is an iPad Pro docking station that includes built-in iPhone and AirPods wireless charging, along with an optional Apple Watch charger for charging up a multitude of Apple devices all at once. It has three USB-A ports, one USB-C port, an HDMI 2.0 port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, an SD card reader, and a Gigabit Ethernet port. Kensington has not yet shared pricing or a release date.
Dell showed off the UltraSharp 40 Curved WUHD Monitor, which features a 40-inch curved display with a 5120x2160 resolution. It has a 21:9 aspect ratio and built-in Thunderbolt 3 connectivity so it's able to work with Apple's Macs. The UltraSharp 40 will be available on January 28 at pricing starting at $2,100.
JBL debuted the JBL Bar 5.0 Multibeam, a soundbar with AirPlay 2 that makes it ideal for Apple users. With AirPlay 2 support, sound can be streamed wirelessly right to the sound bar from the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. JBL is releasing the sound bar in the Spring of 2021 and it will be priced at $400.
Belkin debuted another MagSafe charging option, the Boost Charge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand with MagSafe, which works with Apple's iPhone 12 lineup. It can charge an iPhone 12 and another device through its wireless charging base, and it's more affordably priced than the 3-in-1 version at $99.95. It will be available in March or April.
Belkin's wire-free Freedom True Wireless Earbuds under its Soundform brand are the first third-party earbuds to offer integration with the Find My app. These headphones can be tracked right alongside your Apple devices, plus they offer eight hours of play time, environmental noise cancellation, and Qi-based wireless charging. Pricing is unknown, but Belkin plans to release the earbuds in March or April.
Do you have other favorite Apple-related accessories that were announced at CES 2021? Let us know in the comments.
A manufacturing defect with the power supply unit can cause the charger to malfunction and overheat, leading to a fire risk. Belkin says that no injuries or property damage have been reported, and no other wireless chargers are affected by the recall.
Belkin is offering a full refund to all customers who purchased the charger, and recommends that customers who own the charger stop using it immediately and contact the company for further instructions.
The Boost Charge Portable Wireless Charger + Stand Special Edition was sold by Apple and Belkin from July 2020 through October 2020, and it was priced at $80. It features a removable 10,000mAh power bank that can be charged at the same time as an iPhone.
Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the new betas coming a month after Apple released the first betas.
iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4 can be downloaded through the Apple Developer Center or over the air after the proper profile has been installed on an iPhone or iPad.
Paired with the HomePod 14.4 beta that is only available to a limited number of testers, iOS 14.4 adds new HomePod mini functionality that takes advantage of the mini's U1 chip.
There are now visual, audio, and haptic effects when songs are transferred from a HomePod mini to a U1-enabled iPhone 11 or iPhone 12. When an iPhone is near the HomePod mini it begins a soft haptic touch rhythm that gets faster and faster as the iPhone gets closer until the interface to transfer a song between the HomePod mini and the iPhone opens.
This functionality will make handoff quicker and more reliable on a HomePod mini and an iPhone 11 or iPhone 12, all of which are equipped with U1 chips that let the devices better understand where they are in relation to one another.
In the Workout section of the Apple Watch app on iPhone there's a new "Time to Walk" feature that includes a toggle to "Add Newest Workouts to Watch." This suggests that Apple could be planning to add guided walking workouts in the watchOS 7.3 beta. "Time to Walk Workouts are downloaded when Apple Watch is connected to power and near your iPhone. Completed workouts are deleted automatically," reads the setting. This is not functional in the first beta of watchOS 7.3 and iOS 14.4, but could be activated later.
No other new features or changes were discovered in the first beta. The update likely focuses on performance improvements and bug fixes that weren't able to be addressed in the iOS 14.3 update, but it's also possible there are additional features that will be unlocked at a later date.
Update: iOS 14.4 includes a new setting to specify a device type for third-party Bluetooth-connected audio devices so that Headphone Audio Level measurements can be taken correctly. Apple tracks headphone audio levels to send alerts if music is playing at a level that has the potential to damage hearing health over time.
Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming macOS Big Sur 11.2 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new beta coming a month after the first beta and two months after the initial macOS Big Sur release.
Developers can download the macOS Big Sur 11.2 beta using the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences after installing the proper profile from the Apple Developer Center.
It's not yet clear what's included in macOS Big Sur 11.2, and no new features were discovered in the first beta. It likely includes performance improvements, security updates, and fixes for bugs that weren't able to be addressed in the release version of macOS Big Sur.
Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming watchOS 7.3 beta to developers for testing purposes, with the beta available a month after the release of the first beta and over a month after the launch of watchOS 7.2 with support for Fitness+, cardio fitness notifications, ECG updates, and more.
To install the watchOS 7.3 beta, developers need to download the proper configuration profile from the Apple Developer Center. Once the profile is in place, the watchOS 7.3 beta can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software Update.
To update to the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life, it must be placed on the charger, and it must be in range of the iPhone.
There's a new Apple Watch setting labeled "Time to Walk," which suggests that Apple could be planning to add guided walking workouts in the watchOS 7.3 beta. The feature is not functional at this time, but it could be introduced in a later beta. "Time to Walk Workouts are downloaded when Apple Watch is connected to power and near your iPhone. Completed workouts are deleted automatically," reads the setting.
There's no word yet on what else might be new in watchOS 7.3, but it likely includes bug fixes for issues that weren't able to be addressed in the watchOS 7.2 update.
Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming tvOS 14.4 update to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming a month after the release of the first beta.
Designed for the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV models, the tvOS 14.4 developer beta can be downloaded onto the Apple TV via a profile that's installed using Xcode.
Apple's tvOS updates are often minor in scale, focusing on under-the-hood bug fixes and improvements rather than major outward-facing changes. There's no word yet on what's included in tvOS 14.4 update, and there was nothing new discovered in the first beta.
Though we don't often know what's new in tvOS during the beta testing process, we let MacRumors readers know when new updates are available so those who are developers can download it upon release.
The main tvOS 14 update released in September brought expanded Picture in Picture support, new HomeKit integration with HomeKit Secure video cameras, support for multiple Apple Arcade profiles, and more, with details available in our tvOS 14 roundup.
Samsung is set to unveil its newest flagship smartphones at a Galaxy Unpacked event that's taking place tomorrow, and ahead of the launch, leaker Evan Blass has shared Samsung marketing materials for the new devices.
As has been rumored several times, the launch information confirms that Samsung plans to follow Apple and ship the new Galaxy smartphones without chargers.
"Galaxy S21+ 5G comes packaged with just what you need - USB Type-C data and charging cable, ejection pin, and Quick Start Guide," is what Samsung will say on its website. "Just another way of being good to the environment."
After Apple unveiled new iPhone 12 models without chargers in the box back in October, Samsung mocked Apple for removing the power adapter. "Included with your Galaxy," read Samsung's ad, which featured a picture of a Samsung power adapter.
After unveiling the new iPhones, Apple said that the power adapters (and earbuds) were removed for environmental reasons, but there was speculation that Apple removed the accessories to cut costs due to the high price of the 5G modems in the iPhone 12 devices.
Samsung also plans to say that it is aiming to improve the environment by ditching power adapters.
Samsung has in the past mocked Apple's design and product decisions before copying Apple and doing the exact same thing. When Apple removed the headphone jack from the iPhone 7 in 2016, for example, Samsung made fun of the iPhone and then went on to nix the headphone jack from the Galaxy A8.
Samsung is expected to debut the S21, S21+, and S21+ Ultra in 6.2 to 6.8-inch size options. The S21 and S21+ will have a flat display with a centered hole punch front camera, while the S21+ Ultra is expected to feature a larger curved screen.
The two lower-end smartphones will have triple-lens camera setups, but the high-end model will have a four-camera setup with a 10MP 10x super-telephoto zoom, a 108MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra wide lens, a 10MP 3x telephoto camera, and a laser autofocus system.
CalDigit today unveiled a new Thunderbolt 4 dock with a wide selection of connectivity options, including three USB-A ports, one USB-C port, two HDMI 2.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, an SD card slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
The dock also has a Thunderbolt 4 port that allows it to be connected to a Mac with a single cable, with up to 94W of pass-through charging for the latest MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models. The dock can be used with up to two 4K displays at 60Hz, but keep in mind that the new M1 Macs officially only support one external display.
Given that Thunderbolt 4 shares the USB-C port design, the dock is also compatible with the latest iPad Pro models and other USB-C devices.
The dock is priced at $219.99 in the United States and listed as in stock on CalDigit's website, where UK customers can also buy it. For customers in the rest of Europe, CalDigit says the dock will be available to purchase on Amazon starting later this month.
CalDigit has also introduced a new Thunderbolt 4 cable that works with any USB-C device, including Macs, providing up to 40Gb/s data speeds and up to 100W of power delivery. A 0.8-meter version of the cable is available now for $29.99 on CalDigit's website, and a two-meter version is slated to begin shipping in February.
Update: CalDigit has clarified that this is officially a Thunderbolt 3 dock with Thunderbolt 4 compatibility, although the specifications are virtually identical for Macs.
Qualcomm has reached an agreement to acquire Nuvia, a chip startup company founded by former Apple chip designers, for $1.4 billion, in an effort to compete with Apple and Intel (via Reuters).
Nuvia was founded by three former Apple chip designers that worked on the A-series chips for the iPhone. Among Nuvia's key projects is a custom CPU core design set to be used in servers, but Qualcomm is reportedly planning a broad use of Nuvia's processors in flagship smartphones and laptops, as well as vehicle infotainment and driver-assistance systems.
Qualcomm hopes to re-establish a leading position in chip performance after years of well-publicized patent licensing litigation with Apple and disputes with regulatory authorities. The deal is expected to help Qualcomm reduce its reliance on Arm, which is being purchased by rival company Nvidia for $40 billion.
Most of Qualcomm's current chip designs are licensed directly from Arm. While Nuvia's chips use Arm's underlying architecture, they are custom designs. This could help to lower licensing costs to Arm in the short term and aid the move to a rival architecture in the long term.
Both Qualcomm and Nuvia have had significant disputes with Apple in recent years. In 2017, Apple sued Qualcomm for charging unfair royalties for "technologies they have nothing to do with." One of Nuvia's founders, Gerard Williams III, was sued by Apple for breach of contract. Apple accused Williams of recruiting Apple employees to Nuvia while he was still employed at the company, but it did not bring charges against Nuvia itself.
Intel CEO Bob Swan is to step down as of February 15, according to CNBC. CEO of VMWare, Pat Gelsinger, is expected to take over the position.
During Swan's tenure, Intel has faced a range of considerable setbacks. In the summer of 2020, Apple announced that it was severing its partnership with Intel to favor its own custom silicon instead. Microsoft, another major Intel client, is expected to follow suit in the near future. Intel also reported last year that its latest 7nm processors would be significantly delayed, while its main competitor, AMD, proceeded to capture valuable market share.
In December, a major hedge fund with a one-billion-dollar stake in Intel, Third Point, issued a letter to urge Intel to take "immediate action" and shake up its business model to combat the mounting threats to the company.
Swan was Intel's CFO before he was promoted to CEO in January 2019, having served as interim CEO for seven months. Unlike Swan, Gelsinger comes from a technical background. Having previously worked at Intel before VMWare, Gelsinger became the company's first Chief Technology Officer.
An official announcement of Swan's departure is expected later today. Intel's stock has risen by around ten percent following the news, while VMWare's fell slightly.
Navigo cards for travelling on the Paris metro and bus network are now supported on iPhone, with the ability to "recharge" passes using Apple Pay (via iGeneration).
Last week, it was rumored that Apple had reached an agreement for Navigo cards to work with NFC on iPhone, and now the feature has arrived with the latest update to the Navigo app from Paris's transport authority, Ile-de-France Mobilités.
Users can now buy a ticket within the app using Apple Pay and then add it to their physical Navigo card by scanning it on the back of the iPhone. Contrary to previous reports, Navigo is still unable to be added to Wallet or used digitally.
The implementation is considerably more onerous than Apple Pay-based solutions in other cities. For example, in London, commuters are able to pass through gates with Apple Pay directly, without the need to purchase a ticket ahead of time or recharge a physical card. Nevertheless, the update to Navigo allows users to buy digital tickets to roam Parisian public transport with Apple Pay, avoiding the need to recharge at a dedicated machine.
Navigo, the city's digital mobile transit card, was launched in September 2019, but its success was mired by the need for direct secure authentication with reader gates. This is also why Apple Pay cannot currently be implemented to pay for travel directly on gate readers, since it would skirt the Navigo system.
There have been reports that the need for secure authentication with Navigo will be eliminated at some point in 2021, allowing Apple Pay to be used directly to traverse the public transport network as it does other cities such as New York, which recently completed its rollout of Apple Pay support.
Navigo on iPhone is supported on iPhone 7 and newer, but it does not yet work with iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.
MacRumors reader David Chu today alerted us that the hidden "Items" tab in the Find My app can be enabled on an iPhone or iPad by typing in the link findmy://items in Safari on devices running iOS 14.3 or iPadOS 14.3 or later. After entering the URL, a prompt appears that directs users to the hidden tab in the Find My app.
Users can also enter the URL in Safari on macOS 11.1 and view the hidden "Items" text in the Find My app on a Mac.
While the URL is more convenient and works for anyone, registered Apple developers can also enable the "Items" tab on an iPhone under Settings > Developer > Display Items Tab. This toggle appears on iOS 14.3 and later.
Similar to Tile, AirTags are expected to help users keep track of their personal belongings, such as their keys, wallets, and backpacks, with users receiving a push notification on their Apple devices when they are separated from a tagged item. AirTags are expected to support Ultra Wideband for improved location accuracy, with helpful augmented reality functionality through the Find My app for locating misplaced items.
Apple accidentally referenced AirTags in a YouTube video last April, so we know this accessory is the real deal, but an exact release date still remains up in the air. Apple typically holds its first event of a year in March, but with in-person events not being hosted any time soon, a virtual event or press release is possible at any time.
Apple today announced a set of new projects as part of its $100 million Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI) to help dismantle systemic barriers to opportunity and combat injustices faced by communities of color.
Rendering of the Propel Center
The projects include the Propel Center, a global innovation and learning hub for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), an Apple Developer Academy to support coding and tech education for students in Detroit, and venture capital funding for Black and Brown entrepreneurs.
"We are all accountable to the urgent work of building a more just, more equitable world — and these new projects send a clear signal of Apple’s enduring commitment," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. "We're launching REJI's latest initiatives with partners across a broad range of industries and backgrounds — from students to teachers, developers to entrepreneurs, and community organizers to justice advocates — working together to empower communities that have borne the brunt of racism and discrimination for far too long. We are honored to help bring this vision to bear, and to match our words and actions to the values of equity and inclusion we have always prized at Apple."
The initiative builds on Apple's work to advance racial equity in education, the economy, and the criminal justice system, and is led by Apple's vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, Lisa Jackson.
"Every individual deserves equal access to opportunity regardless of skin color or zip code," said Jackson. "For too long, communities of color have faced gross injustices and institutional barriers to their pursuit of the American dream, and we are proud to lend our voices and resources to build new engines of opportunity that empower, inspire, and create meaningful change."
Apple is contributing $25 million to the Propel Center, which is designed to support the next generation of diverse leaders, providing innovative curricula, technology support, career opportunities, and fellowship programs. The Propel Center will offer a wide range of educational tracks, including AI and machine learning, agricultural technologies, social justice, entertainment arts, app development, augmented reality, design and creative arts, career preparation, and entrepreneurship. Experts from Apple will help develop curricula and provide ongoing mentorship and learning support, along with offering internship opportunities.
Later this year, Apple will also open an Apple Developer Academy in Detroit. The academy is designed to empower young Black entrepreneurs, creators, and coders, helping them cultivate the skills necessary for jobs in the rapidly growing iOS app economy. Launched in collaboration with Michigan State University, Apple Developer Academy courses will be open to all learners across Detroit, regardless of their academic background or whether they have any previous coding experience.
In addition, Apple is today announcing two new investments in the venture capital and banking spaces, with both projects designed to provide capital to minority-owned businesses. The company will invest $10 million with Harlem Capital — an early-stage venture capital firm based in New York — to support its investments in 1,000 companies with diverse founders over the next 20 years. In addition to providing capital to entrepreneurs of color, Harlem Capital will also lend its expertise to Apple's broader efforts to advance access to economic opportunity. The firm will offer guidance and mentorship to students at the Detroit Developer Academy and participants in Apple's Entrepreneur Camp for Black Founders and Developers. Apple will also support Harlem Capital's internship program, focused on opening doors for aspiring women and minority investors.
The company will also invest $25 million in Siebert Williams Shank's Clear Vision Impact Fund, which provides capital to small and medium-size businesses, with an emphasis on minority-owned companies. The fund looks to support businesses that operate in or serve underserved markets, and that foster inclusive growth initiatives.
Lastly, Apple is making a contribution to The King Center, a living memorial to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to share his teachings and inspire new generations to carry forward his unfinished work. Next week, Dr. King’s daughter and the CEO of The King Center, Dr. Bernice A. King, will issue a call to action encouraging young people to give back to their communities as part of Apple’s "Challenge for Change" series — a set of conversation guides and learning-based challenges on issues related to race and inequality.
The announcements follow news on Tuesday that Apple planned a non-product related announcement today. Apple CEO Tim Cook has given an interview with CBS This Morning that focuses on the initiatives and should air sometime today.
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Apple bucked a trend as falling global smartphone shipments in 2020 by increasing its shipment rate by over 10% compared to the previous year, claims a new report.
According to DigiTimes Research, global smartphone shipments suffered an overall 8.8% decline to 1.24 billion units last year, due in part to the crippling effects of the health crisis.
Despite that, however, worldwide shipments of 5G-enabled smartphones reached as high as 280-300 million units in 2020, up from the 20 million units shipped a year earlier, indicating a surge in demand for the faster data speed.
In the first quarter of 2020, global shipments "dove over 20% on year in the first quarter of 2020, fell by a double-digit rate in the second, and narrowed the decline to a single digit in the third, before staging a single-digit rebound in the fourth," according to the DigiTimes' figures.
Samsung and Huawei felt the impact worst over the course of the year, both seeing their shipments dip by a double-digit rate. Out of the top six smartphone brands in 2020, only Apple and Xiaomi managed to ramp up their shipments compared to 2019.
According to research conducted by Omdia, Apple's iPhone 11 was the most-shipped smartphone in the first half of 2020 and was the single most popular handset last year. Apple shipped an estimated 37.7 million iPhone 11 units in 2020 – 10.8 million more units than last year's top-selling model, the iPhone XR.
Apple held talks with electric vehicle company Canoo in early 2020, according to a new report from The Verge. Apple and Canoo discussed several options from an investment to an acquisition as part of Apple's efforts to further its electric vehicle project.
Canoo has developed a scalable, modular electric vehicle platform that drew Apple's interest. It is designed to support a range of vehicle applications for consumers and businesses, and as described by The Verge, it integrates more of the car's electronics for more flexibility in cabin design.
Canoo was hoping to secure an investment from Apple, but the talks deteriorated and ultimately, Canoo merged with Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp. IV, raising $300 million to finance the production of the Canoo minivan. Canoo plans to create commercial electric vehicles like delivery vans, plus a consumer-focused van.
In a statement, Canoo said that it does not "openly comment on strategic discussions, relationships, or partnerships, unless deemed appropriate," and Apple also declined to comment on The Verge's story.
Apple moved on to discussions with other manufacturers, and in January, news broke that Apple has entered into negotiations with Hyundai that would see the two companies partnering on electric vehicle manufacturing for Apple's self-driving car. Apple and Hyundai could reach an agreement as soon as March.
Apple is aiming to develop a self-driving car that would be available to consumers, but a recent report from Bloomberg has suggested that the car project is in the early stages and it will be at least half a decade before Apple is ready to launch an electric vehicle.
Coincidentally, Canoo in February 2020 signed a deal with Hyundai Motors and Kia Motors for the development of a new electric vehicle platform, but that appears to be separate from Apple's prospective agreement with Hyundai.
We've compared the AirPods Max to several other competing sets of headphones from companies like Bose, Sennheiser, and Sony, but recently, the Drop + THX Panda Wireless Headphones have been getting some attention, so we thought we'd see how they measure up to Apple's over-ear headphones.
Priced at $400, the Drop + THX Panda Wireless headphones are the first headphones that offer THX AAA Amplification, for what Drop says is the "world's lowest possible levels of distortion." They're also equipped with "planer-ribbon drivers" for additional distortion resistance and more realistic sounding audio, and they're supposedly super comfortable with plush foam earpads wrapped in leather.
These weren't on our radar until we started hearing from the YouTube community, so they're not as familiar as other, more popular brands, but they have some impressive features. That said, these are not better than the AirPods Max, which is not unexpected given the disparity in price points.
When it comes to sound, MacRumors videographer Dan, who tested the headphones, said the Drop + THX Pandas are "dead even" with the AirPods Max in terms of sound quality, and perhaps even a little bit better.
The AirPods Max are more comfortable than the Drop + THX Panda headphones, with the latter exerting more pressure on the temples and the cheeks while the AirPods Max are able to better distribute weight. The mesh ear cups of the AirPods Max are also more comfortable than leather ear cups, as leather along with the tight seal can get hot.
Compared to the AirPods Max, the Drop + THX Panda headphones are lacking Active Noise Cancellation, but there is enough of a seal around the head that it drowns out most outside noises.
The Drop + THX Panda headphones come with a hardshell case that fits the headphones plus additional cables, and they come with a USB-C cable for charging and a 3.5mm audio cable if you want to use them in a wired capacity. Comparatively, the AirPods Max have the Smart Case, which is not particularly protective.
When it comes to battery life, the Drop + THX Panda headphones can last for up to 30 hours, which is 10 hours more than the AirPods Max. As for controls, the Drop x THX Pandas have a little joystick that can be used to skip tracks and control playback.
All in all, the Drop + THX Panda headphones may be ideal for those who want good sound quality and don't mind the lack of Active Noise Cancellation, but the AirPods Max win out in comfort, ANC capabilities, Spatial Audio, head detection, and ease of use with Apple devices thanks to the H1 chip that allows for fast pairing and fast device switching.
Home security company Arlo highlighted two upcoming products at CES this year, both of which received Smart Home awards at the event. The Essential Indoor camera and the Touchless Video Doorbell are both new product offerings that will be released in the coming months.
The Essential Indoor camera is designed to let families choose when the camera monitors and records video through a "disarm mode." In disarm mode, recording, motion, and audio detection is disabled and won't be re-enabled until manually done through the Arlo app. Video recording resumes when the camera is placed into arm mode.
The Touchless Video Doorbell is a new entry in Arlo's camera-equipped doorbell lineup. It uses Proximity Sensing Technology to gauge a visitor's distance, and when it sees someone approaching, it gives off an audible chime and lights up to let guests know that the doorbell has been virtually "pressed" and that the homeowner has been alerted.
Arlo says that it designed the Touchless Video Doorbell to allow for interaction with limited communal contact, while also keeping the homeowner's front entry secured. Additional details on the Essential Indoor Camera and Touchless Video Doorbell will be provided closer to their launch date, which has yet to be shared.
Along with these announcements, Arlo today appears to have quietly added HomeKit support to the Essential Video Doorbell Wired, based on an updated support document.
The support page lists the Essential Video Doorbell Wired as a HomeKit-compatible device alongside the Arlo Ultra, Pro 3, Pro 3 Floodlight Camera, Pro 2, and more. Enabling HomeKit compatibility requires an Arlo SmartHub or base station with the latest firmware, with Arlo providing instructions on adding HomeKit connectivity.
