CES 2016

Apple has blocked German car maker Volkswagen from showcasing wireless CarPlay connectivity at CES in Las Vegas this year, according to a report from Car and Driver. Apple introduced the ability to connect an iPhone wirelessly to CarPlay in iOS 9, but there has yet to be a commercial release for an infotainment system that supports the function. “We wanted to demonstrate wireless CarPlay...

In addition to Pioneer and JBL, Kenwood and JVC have announced new aftermarket CarPlay systems at CES 2016. Kenwood's new CarPlay receivers build upon its existing eXcelon lineup, while JVC's flagship KW-V820BT model is the brand's first CarPlay-enabled multimedia unit. Kenwood's lineup of 15 new multimedia receivers feature upgraded processors for improved stability and faster startup, a new...

First Alert's first HomeKit-enabled product, the Onelink Smoke Alarm, was released in November. At this year's Consumer Electronics Show, First Alert is showing off several additional HomeKit-connected products, including an environment monitor, a thermostat, and the first HomeKit safe. The OneLink by First Alert Wi-Fi Safe is a small in-home safe meant to house small valuables. It connects to ...

Today at CES accessory manufacturer Satechi announced a newly updated Type-C Hub for Apple's Retina MacBook lineup, which replaces one of the traditional USB 3.0 ports with a new USB-C alternative to allow users to charge the MacBook while using the dongle. Otherwise, the hub still includes an SD card slot and Micro SD card slot in addition to two USB 3.0 ports. In terms of new products, the ...

Lutron Electronics today at CES 2016 announced that its Serena and Sivoia QS Triathlon motorized window shades now support the HomeKit-enabled Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge. The home automation system enables users to remotely control their Lutron shades using Siri on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Apple Watch. Homeowners can say commands such as "Hey Siri, turn on the lights" or "Siri, open the...

Pelican Products, known for its range of rugged, highly protective cases, today announced the launch of its first waterproof smartphone case. The Pelican Marine, designed for the iPhone 6, 6s, 6 Plus, and 6s Plus, provides complete drop protection for Apple's iOS devices and protects it from water, snow, dirt, and dust. Available in black, the Marine case includes five layers of military-grade ...

Zagg is debuting several products at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this year, including a Mobile Charging Station designed as an at home and on-the-go solution for charging an Apple Watch and an iPhone. The Mobile Charging Station is designed to accommodate and charge an iPhone and an Apple Watch at the same time while also wrangling the necessary cables. It includes a pop-up base ...

Olloclip's line of Studio accessories designed to improve mobile photography on Apple's iPhones debuted in mid-2015 on Kickstarter, where the project was successfully funded. At this year's Consumer Electronics Show, Olloclip is ready to show off its completed Studio mobile photography system and has announced a January launch date for the product. Created to work alongside Olloclip's line of...

Misfit today unveiled the new products that it is planning to show off at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, announcing both the Ray activity tracker and the Specter "Smart Hearable" in-ear wireless headphones. Like most of Misfit's products, both are designed to track activity and sleep. Misfit's Ray Fitness and Sleep Monitor is its latest wrist or neck-worn wearable device,...

LifeProof today announced the expansion of its FRĒ Power case line to the iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6s Plus, marking the debut of the company's first waterproof battery case for Apple's larger-screened iPhones. The IP-68 rated FRĒ Power is a fully waterproof iPhone case that's submersible to 2 meters for up to an hour. In addition to being waterproof, it's able to keep the iPhone safe from...

Speck has announced (via PhoneArena) a new accessory called the Pocket VR, which is a collapsible virtual reality headset that's compatible with the company's Candyshell Grip cases. The headset can be used to display content created for Google's Cardboard VR headsets, allowing iPhone users who use Speck cases another avenue to experience virtual reality on their devices. The Pocket VR...

Withings today unveiled the Withings Go, an affordable, versatile activity tracker that's equipped with an always-on E Ink display. Available in five bright colors, the Withings Go is a clip-on or wrist-worn tracker that's able to monitor steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, and sleep quality, along with automatically tracking activities like running and swimming. The circle-shaped ...

SanDisk today announced that its Connect Wireless line of flash drives is getting a capacity boost to 200GB, giving users who want portable wireless storage even more space for their files. “With the explosion of content, people need more advanced storage solutions to keep up with the volume and quality of the photos, videos and files they’re creating on their mobile devices,” said...

Braven has announced a pair of new Bluetooth speakers and a portable backup battery for iPhone and iPad at CES 2016. The trio of rugged accessories are designed to withstand drops, sand, snow, dirt, dust and water, making them ideal for outdoor activities ranging from camping and hiking to rafting and rock climbing. The Braven BRV-BLADE LE is a rugged portable Bluetooth speaker that features...

Kwikset, the company behind the Kevo Smart Lock, today announced the launch of its first HomeKit-compatible product, the Kwikset Premis. Joining the Schlage Sense, the Premis is one of two smart locks available that work with Apple's HomeKit platform. With HomeKit compatibility, the Premis can be used in Scenes and Triggers alongside other HomeKit products, and it's able to respond to Siri...

iHome was one of the first companies to come out with a HomeKit-compatible product, debuting its iSP5 SmartPlug in the summer of 2015. At this year's Consumer Electronics Show, iHome is announcing the successor to the iSP5 SmartPlug, the iSP8 SmartPlug. While the Wi-Fi-connected iSP5 simply turned a dumb appliance into a smart appliance and allowed it to be turned on and off with Siri, the...

At this year's Consumer Electronics Show, Grid Connect is debuting two HomeKit-enabled products, the ConnectSense Temperature & Humidity Sensor and the ConnectSense Smart Water Sensor. The two new products join Grid Connect's existing ConnectSense Smart Outlet, which came out in late 2015. The ConnectSense Temperature & Humidity Sensor can be placed anywhere in the home to deliver accurate...

A wide range of notebooks and two-in-one laptops have been announced at CES 2016, including new Lenovo, LG and HP models that closely resemble the look, feel and size of Apple's 12-inch Retina MacBook, which starts at $1,299. Lenovo's 12-inch Yoga 900S convertible laptop Lenovo's new 12-inch YOGA 900S, for example, which it claims is the world's thinnest convertible laptop, has an ultra-thin...

ASUS today announced the first single-cable USB display that comes equipped with a USB Type-C port, allowing it to work with Apple's Retina MacBook and other USB-C machines. The MB196C+ portable display includes a 15.6-inch screen with a 1080p resolution. The new monitor is the successor to the USB-powered ASUS' MB168B+, which came out two years ago. It features the same metallic finish and...

Incipio today announced several new ClamCase keyboard cases designed for the iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, and iPad mini 4. All of the cases use ClamCase's signature clamshell design paired with a 360-degree hinge, turning an iPad into a MacBook-style device. First up is the ClamCase+, the first ClamCase keyboard available for the iPad Pro. The ClamCase+, which is also available for the iPad Air 2,...