CES 2019

Apple met with AR startups at CES 2019

By

ARkit
Apple is rumored to be developing AR glasses.
Photo: Dent Reality

Apple may not have had an official presence at CES 2019, but a new report claims that key personnel were present at the event to meet with leading AR companies.

More than half a dozen company representatives supposedly met with AR waveguide suppliers, including DigiLens, Lumus, Vuzix and WaveOptics. Waveguide is one of the most widely used structures in see-through AR displays, seen in products such as the Microsoft Hololens and Magic Leap One.

Powerful MacBook dock lets you escape ‘dongle hell’

By

Linedock
LineDock has ports, power and plenty of storage.
Photo: Linedock

CES 2019 bugLinedock is a device designed to deliver power and salvation from what its creators refer to as “dongle hell.”

It’s a massive messiah at two pounds with nine ports, a 20,000mAH battery with 100 W pass-through charging and an onboard SSD with up to 1 TB of storage.

Concept iPhone case makes true wireless charging a reality

By

Ossia
Ossia's iPhone cases will be a total game changer.
Photo: Ossia

CES 2019 bug: Concept iPhone case makes true wireless charging a reality The era of using cables to charge your iPhone may finally be coming to an end.

During CES 2019, Ossia, a company that specializes in creating truly wireless charging solutions, debuted its first case for iPhone that can take radio waves out of the air and convert them into useable electricity.

Popular VLC video player is getting AirPlay support

By

VLC AirPlay
VLC will make it easy to stream to Apple TV from anywhere.
Photo: VideoLAN

CES 2019 bugPopular open-source video player VLC is getting AirPlay support “in about a month.” VideoLan, the team behind it, also plans to make it easier for users to switch to VLC from iTunes.

The confirmation comes just as VLC celebrated a staggering 3 billion downloads — around a quarter of which came from mobile devices.

Finally! Apple’s bringing HomeKit to your favorite TVs and gadgets, this week on The CultCast

By

CultCast 370 Lisa
You'll soon be able to control your favorite TVs and gadgets right from your iPhone.
Photo: @YSR50

This week on The CultCast: Smart window blinds, smart plugs, smart lights, smart locks and now … the best televisions on the market. Apple just revealed big moves to bring HomeKit to all your favorite gadgets, and Cupertino is just getting started. In 2019, the smart HomeKit devices we’ve always wanted finally arrive. Plus: Tim Cook just let it slip — Apple’s got new services lined up for release this year, but what could they be? We think we might just know.

Our thanks to LinkedIn for supporting this episode. A business is only as strong as its people, and every hire matters. Head to LinkedIn.com/cultcast and get a $50 credit toward your first job post.

Welt smart belt is like an Apple Watch for your waist

By

Welt2
This belt will monitor your increasingly girth.
Photo: Welt

CES 2019 bug Forget your wrist. The new location for wearable devices is clearly your waist, at least according to Korean wearables company Welt. At CES 2019, the startup unveiled its smart belt, which promises to track physical activity, measure your expanding waistline, and even perform Apple Watch-style fall detection.

The Welt smart belt does this using a bevy of sensors and a Bluetooth connection. The data gathered is sent to a connected mobile device such as an iPhone.

Pioneer transforms your iPhone into an in-dash car display

By

Pioneer
Have no in-car display in your vehicle? This will help.
Photo: Pioneer

CES 2019 bug While a growing number of cars come with iPad-style in-dash displays, there are plenty of older or cheaper models that don’t. To allow these customers to take advantage of Pioneer’s in-car infotainment system, it has launched its SPH-10BT Smart Sync in-dash receiver in the U.S.

The device allows you to dock your smartphone in a receiver. This then transforms your handset into a high-resolution, touchscreen LCD display for using Pioneer Smart Sync Driving features while you’re on the road.

Grovemade’s sleek dock charges Apple Watch in style

By

Apple Watch
Grovemade has a knack for making beautiful accessories.
Photo: Grovemade

CES 2019 bug Grovemade, makers of some of our favorite wooden accessories for Apple devices, have finally come out with a dock for Apple Watch. And per usual, it’s absolutely gorgeous and subtle at the same time.

Designed to be a dock that doesn’t stick out like an ugly gadget stand, the Grovemade Apple Watch Dock will enhance your desk space with its clean style and seamless functionality.

Take a closer look:

Elgato’s new Thunderbolt 3 Pro Dock packs all the ports

By

Elgato Thunderbolt Pro Dock
Bring ports back to your MacBook.
Photo: Elgato

CES 2019 bugIf you just upgraded to a new MacBook, you’re probably finding it hard to live without all your favorite ports. But if you pick up Elgato’s new Thunderbolt 3 Pro Dock, you won’t have to.

The Pro Dock packs the most popular ports you’ll need — including Gigabit Ethernet, DisplayPort, and two card readers — eliminating the need for a bunch of different dongles.

These iPhone cases don’t make you choose between style and protection

By

Altigo
Three layers of protection in five colors.
Photo: Altigo

Start-up companies often introduce themselves to the market with a single product. Accessories brand Altigo launched in November with a colorful line of sleek headphones and iPhone cases.

Now two months later at its first CES, Altigo debuts more mobile lifestyle accessories to its growing product line.

Samsung’s first foldable phone is coming early this year

By

This early prototype Samsung foldable phone suggests how the Galaxy X might look.
The so-called Galaxy Flex be Samsung’s first foldable phone.
Screenshot: Samsung

CES 2019 bugIf you’ve been waiting to splash your cash on a foldable smartphone, you’ll be pleased to know that the wait for Samsung’s first is almost over.

The so-called Galaxy Flex will go on sale during the first quarter of this year. It will feature the Infinity Flex display that Samsung showcased at a recent developers conference, and it could cost as much as $2,550 in the U.S.

There are 5 different ways to open this secure smart lock

By

Lockly 2
The most secure smart lock yet?
Photo: Lockly

CES 2019 bug In the same way that Apple has given us Face ID, Touch ID and good old-fashioned passcodes, so too does Lockly’s new Secure Pro smart lock offer a multitude of ways for users to unlock it.

In addition to a keypad, there’s also a fingerprint scanner, voice assistant integration, and connected mobile app. Oh, and a regular key, of course — just in case you’re one of those people.

Aura band makes your Apple Watch even smarter

By

Aura Band
Everything that makes the Aura Band great is coming to Apple Watch.
Photo: Aura

CES 2019 bugThere aren’t many health and fitness statistics Apple Watch can’t track, but to make up for some of those that are missing, there’s the impressive new Smart Strap from Aura.

By sending electricity through your body (without hurting you), the Smart Strap can measure your weight, fat, muscle mass, and more. It won’t cost you much more than a regular Apple Watch band, either.

Retro mic turns your iOS device into a portable studio

By

Samson Satellite mic
The Samson Satellite USB/iOS Broadcast Microphone brings the studio into the field.
Photo: Samson Technologies

CES 2019 bugFor musicians, podcasters and streamers, “the studio” is an iOS device in a living room, coffee shop or some crazy live event.

Samson Technologies rolled out a new microphone at CES this week that promises to gather studio-quality audio no matter the location.

AR art kit and iPad will have you painting masterpieces

By

Cupixel
Cupixel is like having an AR Bob Ross with your iPad.
Photo: Cupixel

CES 2019 bugOf all the things visitors expect to do at the Consumer Electronics Show, creating a stunning work of art isn’t on the list.

But that’s exactly what could happen if you stop by the Cupixel booth. The creators know the proof is in the painting.

With an iPad, an app and Cupixel’s art box, a fabulous painting is just at the tip of the brush of anyone willing to pick it up.

This power pack lets you charge your iPhone in the bath

By

LifeProof 2
Don't get us wrong: You can use it on dry land, too.
Photo: LifeProof

CES 2019 bug If you’re looking for a mobile charging solution to power everything from your iPhone to your MacBook, LifeProof’s new LIFEACTÍV Power Pack 20 may be the product you’re looking for.

Offering a travel-friendly battery pack designed for phones, tablets, laptops, and hand-held gaming systems, it’s a rugged hunk of portable (waterproof) power that’s perfect for a weekend away.

Your iPhone could soon tell you when to change your kid’s diaper

By

Monit2
It's your lucky day!
Photo: Monit

CES 2019 bug Ever wanted to receive an iPhone push notification telling you that your kid has just pooped themselves? Probably not, but that’s not stopped Korean startup Monit from using CES 2019 to debut its new smart diaper monitor.

Aiming to replace the “sniff test” for good, this (reusable) wearable sensor attaches to the outside of a baby’s diaper. Once there, it promises to accurately detect the presence of urine or poop in the diaper, and send an alert to parents or caregivers. Ah, technology: you’ve done it again!

Zagg’s new iPad Pro keyboard cases beautifully hold Apple Pencil

By

Zagg Slim Book Go
A Zagg Slim Book Go keyboard case for the 12.9- and 11-inch iPad Pro is in the offing.
Photo: Zagg

CES 2019 bugZagg is using the Consumer Electronics Show to unveil a trio of clip-on keyboards for the newest iPad Pro and iPad models: the Slim Book Go, Rugged Book Go, and Messenger Folio. These range from lightweight to more rugged options.

In addition, Zagg subsidiary InvisibleShield launched advanced screen protectors for the 2018 iPads that won a CES award.

Apple trolls Google with giant billboard at CES 2019

By

Apple
Apple is serious about keeping your personal data safe.
Photo: Apple

CES 2019 bugApple’s not letting CES 2019 pass without making its presence felt.

The biggest companies in tech have descended on Las Vegas this week for CES 2019. Apple is one of the few holdouts not in attendance but that hasn’t stopped the company from sending a huge message to its competitors and customers by posting a giant billboard above the city of Las Vegas.

Lume Cube Air VC brings pro lighting to FaceTime calls

By

Lume cube
Lume Cube Air VC packs a ton of lumens in a small package.
Photo: Lume Cube

CES 2019 bug Lume Cube, makers of some of the world’s brightest tiny lights, wants to put an end to poorly-lit FaceTime calls with its clever new lighting attachment.

The Lume Cube Air VC lighting kit made its debut at CES 2019 today, offering smartphone and laptop users a single solution to brighten up any setting where you might want to have a quick video call.

Apple’s TV service just scored a huge win at CES 2019

By

TV makers like Vizio are suddenly BFFs with Apple.
Did you get an early invite?
Photo: Vizio

CES 2019 bugThe biggest TV makers in the business are finally ready to play nice with Apple.

Apple’s long-rumored TV streaming service isn’t expected to launch until later this year, but in the meantime, Vizio and LG revealed that they’re adding AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support to their 2019 TVs. And it could be a crucial win for Apple’s growing ambition to take on Netflix.

Withings Move offers ECGs anytime for a lot less than Apple Watch

By

CES 2019 bugApple Watch Series 4 isn’t the only wearable that offers on-demand electrocardiograms (ECGs) anymore.

Withings’ new Move ECG is the first analog watch that delivers the same functionality — and for a lot less. It takes less than 30 seconds, can help detect atrial fibrillation (AFib), and syncs all the data to your phone so that you can share it with your doctor.

Colorful tray charges iPhone, Apple Watch and Air Pods in style

By

Gaze Tray
It looks decorative, but it does the heavy lifting when it comes to charging all of your devices.
Photo: Gaze Lab

CES 2019 bugA tray is a stylish way to serve coffee or tea. Now there’s one able to charge your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time.

Gaze Lab didn’t neglect style as it set out to create the Gaze Tray, a one-stop charging solution that looks good on any table or dresser. It also lends space to jewelry or the items you take out of your pockets at the end of a long day.

With offices in Seoul and San Francisco, Gaze Lab is showing off its catch-all charging tray at CES in Las Vegas this week as it raises productions funds on Indiegogo.