MacRumors

Western Digital's SanDisk brand today unveiled a prototype flash drive, which it says is the world's highest capacity USB drive featuring total of 4TB of storage.

Equipped with a USB-C connector, the flash drive is a prototype and thus it's not yet for sale. A 4TB USB-sized flash drive would be prohibitively expensive as even 2TB flash drives cost upwards of $1,000, but it does demonstrate advances in storage technology.

SanDisk is also launching new portable SSDs and a new SanDisk Flashback service for cloud backups. The SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD is designed to offer 1GB/s transfer speeds and it features IP55-rated durability. Set to be released in spring 2019 in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities, pricing information is not yet available for the Extreme Pro.

SanDisk's Flashback service is available for two of SanDisk's USB drives, the SanDisk Ultra Flash Drive and the SanDisk Ultra Fit Flash Drive. Flashback offers a cloud backup option that creates an online copy of USB drive content so consumers can view, search, and share files even if their drive is lost or in another location.

Along with these products, under its WD brand, Western Digital is introducing a new My Passport Go with 500GB to 1TB of SSD storage.

The My Passport Go features a built-in USB-A cable and transfer speeds of up to 400MB/s, with the SSD protected by a durable rubber bumper. Western Digital has not provided specific release and pricing details for the new My Passport Go.

OtterBox today announced that it is partnering with PopSockets for a new series of "Otter + Pop" Symmetry cases for iPhone, which come equipped with a built-in "PopGrip" compatible with removable, swappable "PopTops" at the back of the case.

PopSockets have become extremely popular over the course of the last year, with the stick-on holders available in a range of colors and patterns. The new Otter + Pop cases will also be available in a range of colors for what OtterBox says is a variety of "swappable, unstoppable combinations" to fit "every look, style, scene, or vibe."

"OtterBox and PopSockets collaborating on an integrated case was a no-brainer," said Jim Parke, OtterBox CEO. "Our fans love variety, customization and sleek protection. With Otter + Pop, we can deliver that in one thin iPhone case that combines our legacy of protection with all of the unique attributes that PopSockets delivers."

Otter + Pop cases combine OtterBox's protective Symmetry cases with a PopGrip with the aim of making the iPhone easier to hold with one hand than ever before. When not in use, the integrated PopGrip lays flush with the case, so it's not in the way.

Otter + Pop will be coming soon to the OtterBox and PopSocket websites, with the cases to be priced starting at $59.95. Additional PopTops will be available for $8 each.

GE Lighting recently announced an expansion to its C by GE portfolio, introducing a number of new HomeKit-compatible smart wall switches, full color lights, and accessories.

All of the below products will be rolling out across 2019, starting with the first quarter of the year. To use these products with HomeKit, the C-Reach Hub, introduced last year, is required.

Full Color LED Bulbs

C by GE is gaining colored LED bulb options, which will provide millions of colors along with tunable white colors, much like LIFX and Philips Hue.

There's a 60-watt equivalent A19 bulb, a BR30 for recessed lighting areas, and a custom-sized light strip. The new lighting products can be controlled via an app or through Siri with the required HomeKit hub.

Smart Switches

GE is adding several smart switches, designed to let users turn on, off, and dim any brand incandescent, halogen, CFL, or LED bulb.

There are multiple options available, from a basic smart on/off switch to a dimmer switch with motion detection and an ambient light sensor.

For those who have C by GE smart bulbs, GE says that the smart switches allow for full control of the bulbs even when the switch is off, eliminating the inability to control smart bulbs when a light switch is turned off by kids or visitors.

Smart Wall Plug and Motion Sensor

C by GE is gaining a new smart wall plug, which is designed to make any appliance or device that's plugged into it controllable via an app or Siri.

There's also a new battery powered motion sensor coming that is designed to detect motion and ambient light to control lighting based on movement and light within a room.

All of the C by GE products are compatible with Amazon Alexa, HomeKit, and Made for Google, though as mentioned before, HomeKit integration requires a hub.

Samsung today said in a regulatory filing that its earnings for the fourth quarter of 2018 have likely dropped sharply due to weak memory chip demand and growing competition in the smartphone business.

As noted by Reuters, Samsung's operating profit for the three months ending in December was at approximately at 10.8 trillion Korean won, aka $9.67 billion, well below the 13.2 trillion won predicted by analysts and a 29 percent drop from the year-ago quarter.

This marks Samsung's first decline in quarterly operating profit in two years, with more detailed information set to be announced during Samsung's earnings in January.

The news about Samsung comes after Apple last week announced that it was lowering its revenue guidance for the first fiscal quarter of 2019, aka the fourth calendar quarter. Apple cited a number of reasons for the guidance downgrade:

• iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR launch timing compared to iPhone X timing in 2017
• A strong U.S. dollar
• Supply constraints on Apple Watch Series 4, iPad Pro, AirPods, and MacBook Air
• Economic weakness in emerging markets, specifically China
• Trade tensions with China
• Lower than anticipated iPhone revenue, primarily in China
• Weak iPhone upgrade numbers in some developed markets due to fewer carrier subsidies and low-priced battery replacements in 2018

Apple lowered its guidance to $84 billion, down from the $89 to $93 billion guidance that was shared in November. At $84 billion, Apple will see a year-over-year revenue drop in 2019 after pulling in $88.3 billion during the first fiscal quarter of 2018.

Apple Music subscribers in a number of countries now have access to lyrics for select Apple Music songs, according to an updated Apple support page.

Lyric availability has expanded to Germany, Ireland, South Africa, Spain, Mexico, New Zealand, and France, letting customers in these countries view song lyrics and search for songs using lyrics.

Support for lyrics was first added in iOS 10, allowing users to view the lyrics for a song when listening to Apple Music. As of iOS 12, Apple implemented a feature allowing users to search for a song's lyrics to bring up the relevant song.

Apple says its Apple Music lyrics feature is now available in a total of 11 countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK, and the United States in addition to the new countries added today.

Lyrics can be accessed on iOS devices, Apple Music for Android, on the Mac, and on the Apple TV.

Apple in October 2018 partnered with Genius to add Genius lyrics for additional songs within Apple Music. Lyrics are not yet available for the full Apple Music catalogue, but are available for many songs.

As noted by customers on Reddit and Twitter, and on the blog iPhone in Canada, Apple has begun charging sales tax on the purchases of TV shows, movies, music, and audiobooks in iTunes and Apple Music subscriptions in Canada.

The change went into effect January 1, 2019, with GST, HST, PST, and/or QST collected depending on the province or territory.

In a statement issued to MacRumors, Apple said the tax collection is due to "recent changes in Canadian legislation" and the growth of Apple's business around the world, including Canada, where it has operated for nearly four decades:

As the world's largest taxpayer, we respect the important role taxes play in society. Due to recent changes in Canadian legislation and the growth of our business, sales tax will now be charged on purchases of TV, movies, music and audiobooks. Apple has been operating in Canada for 38 years and we are proud to deliver the best products and services in the world to our customers here.

Apple was already charging sales tax on the purchase of apps and select other digital items in Canada prior to January 1.

Resideo today at CES 2019 introduced its latest Honeywell Home smart thermostats, the T9 and T10 Pro.

The latest T-series thermostats feature wireless sensors that measure temperature and humidity on a room-by-room basis. The thermostats will be compatible with HomeKit later this year, according to an Apple spokesperson, allowing them to be controlled in the Home app on iOS and macOS and with Siri.

The smart room sensors offer a few other features, including people detection that ensures occupied rooms are at a desirable temperature, and a 200-foot range to help deliver whole-home comfort, according to Resideo.

The T9 and T10 Pro offer simple scheduling, geofencing, and compatibility with demand response programs that may qualify for utility rebates in select regions. With the companion Honeywell Home app on iOS, homeowners can set temperatures per room, switch which room is prioritized, receive temperature alerts, and more.

The T9 can "configure itself with its wire-sensing technology and includes a C-wire adapter, making do-it-yourself installation very simple," while the T10 Pro requires professional installation due to its humidity and ventilation controls.

Resideo says the new T-series thermostats will be available in North America "this spring." At launch, the thermostats will integrate with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Resideo's press release does not mention HomeKit support, but an Apple spokesperson confirmed the platform will be supported "later this year."

The T9 with one sensor will be available at major U.S. retailers nationwide and at HoneywellHome.com for a suggested price of $199.99. The T10 Pro will be available via professional heating and cooling contractors. Additional smart room sensors can be purchased in a package of two for $79.99.

Kwikset today at CES 2019 announced that its HomeKit-enabled Premis smart door lock will be available in a new contemporary style with sleek, square lines later this year in the United States. While pricing was not disclosed, the current Premis is available for $229 regularly in the United States.

Premis enables homeowners to unlock and lock a door in four different ways: using the Home app on iOS, using Siri voice commands, entering a passcode on the touchpad, or the old fashioned route of using a key. And with a HomePod, Apple TV, or iPad set up as a home hub, the lock can be controlled away from home too.

Premis can also be added to HomeKit scenes. When you arrive home, for example, you could say "I'm home" to Siri and the deadbolt will unlock, perhaps alongside your lights turning on and your bedroom blinds lowering for the evening.

Homeowners can assign up to 30 customizable user codes to guests for use when the homeowner isn't present using the companion Kwikset Premis app for iOS, which also lets users manage those user codes, view lock activity, track lock status, receive lock notifications, and more. The app is free on the App Store.

In related news, Mighton has introduced Avia, a HomeKit-enabled smart lock that works on multipoint locking doors. The lock will be available in May 2019, according to Apple, which provided MacRumors with a summary of recently announced HomeKit-compatible accessories timed for CES 2019. Pricing was not disclosed.

A variety of other HomeKit-enabled door locks are available, including the Schlage Sense, August Smart Lock Pro, and Yale Assure.

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