MacRumors

Griffin today announced several accessories for the Apple Watch as part of its CES 2016 offerings, including an assortment of Apple Watch bands and the Travel Power Bank, a new compact Apple Watch charger designed for on-the-go charging while traveling.

The Travel Power Bank is an all-in-one travel solution with a built-in Apple Watch charger. Unlike most Apple Watch charging solutions, it's small enough to be attached to a keychain, and with its built-in 800 mAh battery, it can charge the Apple Watch when away from a power source. According to Griffin, the Travel Power Bank is able to deliver up to 4 full charges to an Apple Watch before needing to be recharged via an included micro-USB cable.

Though portable, the Travel Power Bank isn't cheap. When it becomes available for purchase in the second quarter of 2016, it will retail for $69.99.

Griffin has also announced two new sets of bands designed for the Apple Watch, both of which will be debuting in several months during the third quarter of 2016. The Uptown Leather Band features a design similar to the Hermés Double Tour, with a double-wrap band that winds around the wrist twice.

Available in toffee, black, ecru, or seafoam, each band will come with a metal buckle to match one of the Apple Watch Stainless Steel or Apple Watch Sport colors. Toffee pairs with yellow gold, black and seafoam pair with silver, and ecru pairs with rose gold. Each band uses silver lugs.

The Uptown Leather Band is available exclusively for the smaller 38mm Apple Watch and it adjusts to fit wrists between 5.1 and 7 inches. Griffin plans to sell the Uptown Leather Band for $59.99.

Griffin's Trainer Watch Band, priced at $39.99, is made from a sweat-proof ridged silicone that's ideal for working out. Available in red, blue, black, and white, the Trainer Watch Band is designed to fit the 42mm Apple Watch and wrists sized from 5.9 to 8.6 inches.

The Trainer Watch Band uses silver lugs and it includes a brushed stainless steel buckle to match the Stainless Steel apple Watch. According to Griffin, a notched post at the end of the band secures extra length and offers security during vigorous activity like runs and hikes.

Specific launch dates for the Travel Power Bank and the two sets of watch bands will become available from Griffin later in 2016.

Toyota announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Ford and Livio to deploy SmartDeviceLink, an open source infotainment platform for in-car smartphone connectivity.

For now, this means the world's largest automaker, continues to pass over CarPlay, which has seen wider adoption in 2016, despite being listed as a committed CarPlay partner on Apple's website.

"Developing a safer and more secure in-car smartphone connectivity service which better matches individual vehicle features is exactly the value and advantage an automaker can offer customers," said Shigeki Terashi, Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Corporation. "We expect that many companies share our view and will participate in the industry SDL collaboration."

SmartDeviceLink, which can be customized to match each carmaker's in-car system characteristics and interface, was originally developed by Ford, which uses its own version of the software called AppLink as part of its larger SYNC platform. Toyota will be the first carmaker to adopt SDL, while QNX and UIEvolution announced on Monday they will support the software in their future products.

In August 2011, Toyota and Ford entered a collaboration agreement for next generation in-car telematics system standardization. In June 2015, Toyota entered into an agreement with Ford and Livio to explore SDL introduction to its vehicles. Toyota’s investigation and consideration of SDL has been completed successfully, and the company found SDL suitable for its in-car app connectivity.

Ford and Fiat Chrysler both announced today that CarPlay and Android Auto support will be added to select 2016 and 2017 vehicles, singling out Toyota as the only top five automaker to hold out on Apple's and Google's software. Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai also announced specific CarPlay plans in recent weeks.

CarPlay is or will be available in a wide range of 2016 and 2017 vehicles from Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ferrari, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Volkswagen and Volvo. The feature is included stock or as an upgrade by itself or as part of a larger entertainment package.

Toyota will demonstrate an SDL integration in the Livio exhibit (LVCC) at CES 2016.

Brydge today officially unveiled its latest keyboard, debuting the BrydgeMini designed for Apple’s iPad mini 4. Brydge’s first BrydgeMini keyboard came out earlier this year for older iPad mini models, but at the time, a version for Apple’s latest iPad mini wasn’t available.

Like all Brydge keyboards, the BrydgeMini is constructed from aluminum and attaches to the iPad mini using a set of tabs. It’s not a full case, so while it’s heavy at 0.66 pounds, it doesn’t add an excessive amount of bulk. The BrydgeMini is 0.29 inches thick and it comes in Silver, Gold, and Space Gray to match all of Apple’s iPad colors.

It also includes the same features that are found in all Brydge keyboards, including backlit keys, a rechargeable battery, and 180 degree viewing angles. As it’s designed for the iPad mini, the BrydgeMini does not have a full-sized keyboard, but it uses the same keys as other Brydge keyboards.

The BrydgeMini retails for $99 and is available for pre-order from the Brydge website starting today. The $99 price point is a special pre-order price, and prices will go up after the pre-order period.

Brydge has also shared new pricing details on the BrydgePro keyboard for the iPad Pro, which it announced in December. Designed for Apple’s largest iPad, the BrydgePro weighs in at a hefty 1.6 pounds and offers the same features as the rest of the Brydge lineup – a full-sized keyboard, Bluetooth 4 connectivity, a multi-angle hinge, and backlit keys.

The BrydgePro is priced at $189 and available for pre-order from the Brydge website.

Popular fitness company Polar today announced its latest product set to debut at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, the Polar Balance. Polar Balance is an iPhone-connected Bluetooth-enabled smart scale that works alongside the Polar activity tracker and the Polar Flow app as a complete weight loss service.

The Polar Balance scale connects to an iPhone via the Polar Flow app, which allows users to set a target weight. Weight measurements are then aggregated in the iOS app for tracking purposes, which also includes activity information from connected Polar activity tracking devices.

Using weigh measurements and activity information, the Polar Balance scale is able to provide motivational feedback to keep users on track and it offers user-specific weight loss advice such as increasing daily activity by a set amount or decreasing calorie intake.

According to Polar, its system is designed to make sure users are getting the right types of exercise and eating healthy with personalized daily activity goals to help users reach goal weight and then maintain that weight. Within the Polar Flow app, users can see how quickly they're losing or gaining weight and whether they should eat less or be more active to further their weight loss goals. Rather than asking users to maintain a food diary, it uses activity measurements and weight trends to make recommendations.

Measuring body functions comes naturally to Polar, so tapping into weight management is a natural next step for us," explains Jukka Jaatinen, Director, New Business Areas from Polar. "We've combined our existing technology and know-how with the weight management concept to come up with a unique solution. Polar Balance is motivating and easy to use - for losing and maintaining weight. We want to give our users the best possible tools to help them achieve and maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle."

Polar Balance works best with a connected Polar activity tracker, such as the Polar Loop, Loop 2, Loop Crystal, A360, M400, or V800, but it also works as a stand-alone scale that supports up to 10 separate users.

The Polar Balance scale, available in black or white, can be purchased today from the Polar website for $99.95.

High performance storage solutions company Promise Technology today announced its first foray into the consumer electronics market with the Apollo storage bank. The new device lets users, and a personal circle of private members, store and share data collected in the Apollo with the help of a companion app available to download from the iOS and Google Play App Stores.

With the Apollo app, the 4 TB storage bank lets anyone granted access to the device browse and save photos, videos, and other data from wherever an internet connection is available. Each member of the private group can also be designated private space on the bank's storage, allowing users their own designated storage area for personal content, for which they can then enable or disable more complex privacy restrictions.

“Apollo marks a significant milestone for our company, and we are very excited to tap into the consumer market with a personal cloud device that makes it easy to store and share digital media,” said James Lee, CEO of PROMISE Technology. “Although bankers’ boxes and filing cabinets are no longer required to store treasured photos, many people find that their desktop, mobile devices and stacks of USB drives no longer do the trick either. With Apollo, however, PROMISE has delivered a personal cloud storage device that’s affordable, secure, robust and—most importantly—easy to use.”

The Apollo also ensures customers that all of their private data will be effectively secure on the device due to encrypted transactions between the bank and its companion app, along with the data's storage location off of the Web. Within the confines of that security, the device will also let group members comment on and discuss data within the Apollo -- like pictures and videos from a vacation -- with complete privacy.

Promise Technology has yet to reveal the price or launch window for the Apollo, but the Q&A tab on the company's site does confirm the contents of the device's retail box: an Apollo unit, DC Power adapter with power cord, International plugs kit, Ethernet cable, and quick start guide. The Apollo will be available to purchase exclusively in Apple Retail stores when it launches.

Wireless charging accessory manufacturer ZENS today announced two new products focused on wirelessly re-charging the iPhone 6s and Apple Watch. The ZENS Apple iPhone 6/6S Battery Wireless Charging Case includes a 1650 mAh battery pack that the company states will provide an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6s with at least one full recharge throughout the day. Users can take advantage of the case's wireless charging with any Qi compatible inductive charging base, which ZENS also sells on its website.

For those who want to stick with wired charging, the new case also supports the traditional method via Micro USB port at the accessory's bottom side. ZENS also promises that the Battery Case has precision cutouts for all of an iPhone's major inputs including volume rockers, lock button, and home button.

The accessory company also announced a charging dock for the Apple Watch, called the ZENS Apple Watch Charging Bank. The small, brick shaped charger provides the Apple Watch up to four full recharges on one of its full battery 1300 mAh battery charges. The Charging Bank doesn't require Apple's first party charging puck and instead uses ZENS' inductive charging technology with an included Micro USB plug to keep the Apple Watch topped off.

While both products were announced at CES this week, they won't be available for purchase until March. ZENS did confirm that the iPhone 6/6s Battery Case will retail for €69.99 (~$100.00) and the Apple Watch Charging Bank will cost €49.99 (~$70.00).

While Tim Cook has promised Apple will "figure out a way" for iPhone and iPad users to remove certain default apps, a new limited trick allows for stock icons to be temporarily hidden on devices running iOS 9.0 to iOS 9.2 without jailbreaking.

YouTube channel videosdebarraquito shared a video of his trick over the weekend, and we have confirmed the method works as shown. Follow these step-by-step instructions and watch the video below for a demonstration.

How to Hide App Icons on iOS 9

1. Hold down on the app icon you want to hide until it starts to wiggle.
   

2. Drag the app icon over any other app to create a folder.
   

3. Take your finger off the icon once in the folder. Do not press the Home button.
   

4. Drag the app icon to the second page of the folder. Take your finger off the icon.
   

5. Drag the app icon to the third page of the folder and keep your finger on it.
   

6. Drag the app icon to the edge of the folder and press the Home button simultaneously.

As long as the device remains powered on, including when the display is locked, the app icons removed with this trick will remain hidden.

As a boilerplate disclaimer, this is an unofficial trick and we cannot guarantee it will not cause any unforeseen problems on your iPhone or iPad.

(Thanks, Jose!)

Apple has slightly raised iPhone and iPad prices in Germany on January 1, likely to comply with new private copying levies agreed to by German trade association Bitkom and ZPÜ collecting societies such as GEMA in December 2015.

iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone 5s prices increased by around 5 euros for each model, while iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad mini 4, iPad mini 2 and iPad Pro models each rose by around 8 euros compared to December 31 prices on the Apple Online Store.

The price increases are in line with Germany's new private copying levies that manufacturers and importers must charge on purchases of recordable media devices. Apple is a Bitkom member, so it pays a reduced rate in the amount of 5 euros for mobile phones and 7 euros for tablets. Non-members are required to charge fees of up to 6.25 euros per mobile phone and 8.75 euros per tablet.

Germany allows consumers to make private copies of songs and other recordable media, which can be stored on devices like iPhones and iPads, and private copying levies exist to provide royalties to songwriters, composers, music publishers, recording artists, musicians and record companies for those private copies of music. Many other European countries charge similar private copying levies on recordable media devices.

Apple has paid a similar private copy levy of 10.55 euros on Macs in Germany since 2010.

Update: Apple confirmed to The Associated Press that the price increase is linked to the new copyright levy.