MacRumors iPhone and iPad Blog: Apps, News, and Rumors

Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming watchOS 5.1.3 update to developers, three weeks after seeding the second beta and a month after releasing watchOS 5.1.2. Once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Apple Developer Center, the new watchOS beta can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General --> Software update. ...

Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming tvOS 12.1.2 update to developers for testing purposes, three weeks after seeding the second tvOS 12.1.2 beta and a month after releasing tvOS 12.1.1. Designed for the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV models, the new tvOS 12.1.2 developer beta can be downloaded onto the Apple TV via a profile that's installed using Xcode. tvOS updates...

Ring, which was purchased by Amazon last year, today debuted its latest line of home security products. The Ring Door View Cam, its newest doorbell option, is the most notable. The Door View Cam is designed to replace the viewfinder or peephole built into a front door, and while it doesn't require drilling or permanent door modifications, it does require the removal of the existing peephole. ...

Apple-certified accessory maker Griffin today at CES 2019 announced that it will be releasing a collection of new wireless charging solutions under its PowerBlock and Reserve brands for the iPhone and Apple Watch later this year. PowerBlock wireless fast charging mat • Supports Apple and Samsung fast wireless charging • Rubberized surface secures phone while charging •...

Apple-certified accessory maker Griffin today at CES 2019 announced that it will be releasing a collection of USB-C to Lightning cables and power adapters for the latest Apple devices in the second quarter of 2019. Griffin will offer basic USB-C to Lightning Cables in four-foot and six-foot sizes for $19.99 and $29.99 respectively in the United States, along with a five-foot option with a...

Lutron Electronics today announced a new addition to its Caseta smart lighting system, this one focused on making most ceiling fans into "smart" ceiling fans with a new fan speed control switch. Lutron doesn't specifically mention HomeKit compatibility for the new fan controls, but the existing Caseta system does support HomeKit through a smart bridge. Like it did for regular bulbs, the...

Harman Kardon has announced its latest series of smart home speakers, the "Citation Series," which combine various hardware designs with Google Assistant, an LCD touch screen, and Chromecast. Sometime in early 2019, the speakers will be updated with AirPlay 2 support, allowing users to wirelessly stream music from an iOS device, Apple TV, or HomePod by asking Siri. Each speaker in the...

First Alert today announced that it will be previewing a new model of its Safe & Sound smoke and carbon monoxide detector, which doubles as a speaker, at CES 2019 in Las Vegas. The new model will remain compatible with HomeKit, allowing it to be controlled in the Home app on iOS and macOS and with Siri voice commands. The second-generation Safe & Sound features mesh Wi-Fi technology,...

TP-Link today announced that it plans to make its Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini compatible with HomeKit in early 2019. HomeKit support will allow for the smart plug to be controlled in the Home app on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac and with Siri voice commands. It will also be possible to add the smart plug to a HomeKit scene, which lets users control multiple accessories at the same time,...

Sphero, the company behind the now-discountinued Star Wars droid toys, has launched a device called "Specdrums," a wearable ring that plays different music based on the color you tap it against. The Colorado-based startup Specdrums had previously debuted the music-enabled rings a few years ago, but the rings will now be sold under the Sphero brand following an acquisition by Sphero last summer. ...

Tile, known for its range of Bluetooth trackers for finding lost items, today announced partnerships with several major Bluetooth companies that will see the integration of Tile technology onto Bluetooth chips. Product manufacturers who are interested in using Tile's tracking functionality for various Bluetooth-enabled products will be able to integrate it during production. "Through BLE...

Arlo Technologies today announced its new Arlo Ultra 4K wire-free HDR security camera and Arlo Security System, the latter of which is being billed as a comprehensive security solution for the home or business. The HomeKit-compatible Arlo Ultra 4K HDR video camera features both color and black and white night vision via an LED integrated spotlight, a 180-degree panoramic field-of-view lens, ...

Smart home tech company Brilliant will be adding HomeKit support to its Brilliant Home Control light switch in spring 2019, Brilliant told MacRumors today. Introduced in September 2018, Brilliant Control is designed to replace any existing light switch in your home, adding touch and voice control capabilities for a number of smart home platforms. At launch, Brilliant supported smart home...

Following its recent acquisition by Legrand, French company Netatmo has announced an Apple HomeKit compatible smart doorbell at CES 2019. The Smart Video Doorbell features a typical design that includes a 1080p camera at the top with 160-degree lens and built-in motion sensor, two-way communication via built-in speaker and microphone, and a button at the bottom for visitors to ring. The...

French consumer electronics company Withings has announced a trio of new wearable products at CES, including a three-in-one health monitor and two smartwatches, one with electrocardiogram (ECG) capability. The health monitor is an upper arm cuff called the BPM Core that can take blood pressure, valvular health, and ECG readings, the latter of which can identify atrial fibrillation or...

At this year's Consumer Electronics Show, which takes place this week, popular iPhone accessory maker Belkin is introducing a number of new products, including new cables, chargers, and power banks. Cables Belkin is introducing several new Boost Charge cables in various lengths including 4ft, 6ft, and 10ft. All of the cables come equipped with a leather strap for organization purposes,...

Belkin is adding to its lineup of HomeKit-compatible Wemo-branded smart devices with the upcoming launch of two new Wemo Light Switches that are set to come out in 2019. The Light Switches will work with HomeKit, joining the Wemo Mini Smart Plug and the Wemo Dimmer, devices that offer full HomeKit compatibility without the need for the Wemo Smart Bridge. Other Wemo products, such as the...

Moen today announced that its U by Moen smart shower system is receiving several upgrades for compatibility with voice assistants, making it easy to turn on and adjust your shower simply by speaking. The most notable addition for Apple users is HomeKit support, which will reportedly come to U by Moen this quarter, to be followed by Google Assistant integration. U by Moen is already...