CES 2020

CES 2020 trends: AirPower alternatives, rise of 5G, tasty TVs

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CES-2020-trends
It's shaping up to be an exciting year for tech.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

CES 2020The post-holiday tech fest that is CES shutters its doors today for another year. This week’s event has been as weird and as wonderful as any other, giving us a glimpse of all kinds of innovative gadgets on the way in 2020.

Better AirPods alternatives. Wireless chargers that achieve what Apple couldn’t. iPhone cases you can throw on the compost heap when they’re no longer needed. Here are the biggest trends from CES 2020.

Wemo WiFi Smart Plug with HomeKit is Belkin’s smallest yet

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The Wemo WiFi Smart Plug both support HomeKit
The Wemo WiFi Smart Plug and Wemo Stage were both unveiled at CES 2020.
Photo: Belkin

CES 2020Belkin’s latest version of its Wemo smart plug with HomeKit support is significantly smaller than its predecessor, making it less obtrusive on wall sockets.

The company also unveiled at CES 2020 the Wemo Stage, a remote than can be used to launch HomeKit scenes with the punch of a button.

iPhone photographers get more than a button with ShutterGrip2

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ShutterGrip2 for smartphone photography
Get a better grip on your iPhone photography.
Photo: Just Mobile

CES 2020The iPhone is the best camera because it is already with you – that is until it slips out of your hands while taking a picture and it is damaged on impact.

Just Mobile solved this ergonomic shortcoming last year with a Bluetooth grip topped with a proper shutter button right where the index finger naturally rests on a camera.

But Just Mobile decided to attack additional mobile photography challenges with ShutterGrip2, which is currently being demoed at CES 2020 in Las Vegas.

Samsung secures latest pocket-sized SSD with built-in fingerprint scanner

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Samsung T7 Touch holds up to 2TB
The Samsung T7 Touch comes in black or silver, and holds up to 2TB. Biometric security sets it apart from the pack.
Photo: Samsung

CES 2020The Samsung T7 Touch goes the extra mile in security. This portable Solid State Drive (SSD) is available in sizes up to 2TB, but its signature feature is an integrated fingerprint scanner, so it can be unlocked with the press of a finger.

It was unveiled this morning at CES 2020.

Linedock 2TB multi-port hub grows to match larger MacBook Pros

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13-inch Linedock has plenty of ports
The original 13-inch Linedock will soon be joined by 15- and 16-inch versions.
Photo: Linedock

CES 2020Larger versions of the Linedock multi-port USB-C adapter are in development. This hub that boasts up to 2TB of storage sits under a MacBook, so increasing the size for the 15- and 16-inch MacBook Pro makes sense — and makes room for additional features.

Power up all your gear at once with these multi-device chargers

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Satechi Trio Wireless Charging Pad
Satechi’s Trio Wireless Charging Pad is one of the multi-device chargers unveiled at CES 2020.
Photo: Satechi

CES 2020The number of Apple products with wireless charging support keeps growing. Accessory makers responded by unveiling multi-device chargers at CES 2020 that can send power to iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch and other accessories all at once, with no wires needed.

Both Satechi and Pitaka unveiled wireless multi-device chargers at this trade show, going on now in Las Vegas.

Apple exec takes the stage at CES to talk about the importance of privacy

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Apple exec turned up at CES to talk about the importance of privacy
Apple is big into privacy.
Photo: Apple

CES-2020-bug-2Apple has made its return to CES for the first time in 28 years, as a representative of the world’s biggest tech company appeared on-stage at the world’s biggest tech conference.

Apple wasn’t showing off new products, however. Instead, Jane Horvath, Apple’s senior director of global privacy, participated in a panel Tuesday titled “Chief Privacy Officer Roundtable: What Do Consumers Want?” The panel also included representatives from Facebook, Procter & Gamble, and the FTC.

Keep your PopGrip on with this wireless charger

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PopPower
PopPower Home Charger in Cosmic Cloud
Photo: PopSockets

CES 2020PopSockets was a wildly successful brand that was in danger of losing its grip.

Wireless charging is becoming a standard feature in smartphones and the stick-on PopGrip it created for reducing drops suddenly looked like an unintended battery barrier.

But the company finally figured out a way forward in the emerging wireless world with a round wireless charging pad with a hole in the middle.

Razer’s new Kishi controller makes iPhone a better handheld console

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Razer-Kishi-controller-iPhone
For iPhone gamers on the go.
Photo: Razer

CES 2020Razer wants to make your mobile gaming experience even better with its brand-new Kishi controller for iPhone, revealed today at CES.

The device puts controls on either side of your handset, making it look a little like a Nintendo Switch, and it offers everything you would want in a modern iPhone controller — including clickable analog sticks.

What makes the Kishi really special is its ultra-low latency technology that makes it ideal for game streaming.

Moshi announces 10-year warranty, chargers

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Moshi SnapTo wireless charger
The SnapTo charger does a stand-up job on iPhones.
Photo: Moshi

CES 2020Moshi, maker of stylish tech accessories, rolled out new products at CES Monday night along with a new warranty program that seems to discourage upgrades.

It sounds counterintuitive for a tech company. But Moshi, in announcing a 10-year global warranty program on all new products, says it wants to avoid producing cheap gadgets that add to mounting piles of tech garbage.

JBL takes on AirPods with cheaper, more colorful wireless buds

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JBL earbuds
These AirPods rivals are cheaper and, with their range of colors, more cheerful than Apple's.
Photo: JBL

CES-2020-bug-2Given what a ridiculously massive hit the AirPods have been for Apple, it’s no shocker that other companies are keen to jump aboard the wireless earbuds train with their own rival versions. This one, from America audio company JBL, looks highly reminiscent of Apple’s AirPods.

The main differences? It comes in a range of colors, and costs just $99.95. That makes it a cheap and cheerful alternative to Apple’s premium version.

Zagg loads up 10.2-inch iPad with keyboards and cases

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Zagg Slim Book Go and Zagg Messenger Folio
Versions of the Zagg Slim Book Go and Zagg Messenger Folio for the 2019 iPad were unveiled at CES 2020.
Photo: Zagg

CES 2020Those with the 10.2-inch iPad launched last year will soon have significantly more case options, thanks to announcements made today at CES 2020. Zagg unveiled a collection of three keyboard cases, while its Gear4 subsidiary added two protective cases.

Sengled smart bulbs get even smarter with Apple’s HomeKit automation system

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Sengled Smart Hub now has HomeKit support
With HomeKit support, give Siri commands to the Sengled Smart Hub to pass on to smart bulbs.
Photo: Sengled

CES 2020Accessory maker Sengled added support for Apple’s HomeKit to its smart home hub. This enables iPhone users to control Sengled’s smart bulbs through Siri commands.

The company also added to its lineup of smart home products with new lights and a smart plug.

Incipio’s plant-based iPhone cases are ready for your composting pile

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incipio
Incipio's Organicore cases decompose within 6 months.
Photo: Incipio

CES 2020 It’s finally possible to protect your iPhone from drops without adding extra plastic to our overflowing landfills.

Incipio, one of the largest smartphone case makers on the planet, is backing the plant-based plastics with its slim new iPhone 11 cases made out of Organicore, a 100% compostable material that can decompose in a compost pile in just six months.

Nuheara assistive earbuds get active noise cancellation, lower cost

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Nuheara IQBuds2 Max are hearables more than just headphones.
Nuheara IQBuds2 Max help you hear conversations in noisy environments.
Photo: Nuheara

CES 2020 Nuheara’s Bluetooth earbuds help users better hear what’s going on around them, as well as play music and podcasts. The latest version adds active noise cancellation, and comes at a considerable price drop.

The new IQBuds2 Max garnered innovation awards in three categories at CES 2020.

Watch Apple TV on LG’s new 8K, 88-inch television. That will be $30,000

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LG's 88-inch 8K, OLED smart tv
Picture this, your Apple TV+ shows in 8K on an 88-inch OLED smart TV from LG.
Photo: LG Electronics

CES 2020LG Electronics used the CES 2020 stage this morning to flaunt a 2020 lineup of more than a dozen new televisions with 4K and 8K displays along with a new Apple TV app.

Imagine watching your Apple TV+ shows on an 88-inch 8K OLED smart TV that is just a penny shy of $30,000.

Colgate and Oral-B smart toothbrushes talk to your iPhone for better brushing

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Oral-B iO smart toothbrush has a redesigned brush head.
A redesigned brush head on the Oral-B iO is just one of its improvements.
Photo: Proctor & Gamble

CES 2020It’s easy to mock smart toothbrushes, but most people don’t have very good dental hygiene. High-tech solutions like Colgate’s Plaqless Pro or Oral-B iO might be able to help by giving users feedback with an iPhone application.

Both toothbrushes were honored at CES 2020, with Colgate’s even earning the Best of Innovation award for Health and Beauty.

Apple to make CES comeback in 2020

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Applebillboard
Apple's billboard outside the CES 2019 venue.
Photo: Chris Velazco/Twitter

Apple is finally making a comeback to the biggest tech trade show in the world after being a no show at the event for nearly three decades.

CES posted its speaker agenda this morning which revealed Apple will have an official presence at the event. The company won’t have a product booth and isn’t expected to announce anything major at the event this coming January. Instead, Apple will be there to discuss one of its favorite topics: privacy.