MacRumors

Braven has announced a pair of new Bluetooth speakers and a portable backup battery for iPhone and iPad at CES 2016. The trio of rugged accessories are designed to withstand drops, sand, snow, dirt, dust and water, making them ideal for outdoor activities ranging from camping and hiking to rafting and rock climbing.

The Braven BRV-BLADE LE is a rugged portable Bluetooth speaker that features an IPX7 waterproof rating, aircraft-grade aluminum casing, shockproof ABS construction, built-in 4,000mAh power bank, microphone for hands-free calls and more. The speaker will be available for $199.99 in Q2 of 2016.

The Braven BRV-XXL is another rugged portable Bluetooth speaker with an IPX 5 waterproof rating and a tank-like design crafted from aircraft grade aluminum and shockproof ABS. The speaker delivers 14 hours of music playback and has a large 15,600mAh built-in battery for charging smartphones and tablets.

The BRV-XXL also has NFC, on-board volume and audio controls and a 3.5mm microphone input, and is similarly designed for the outdoors with drop, sand, dirt and dust protection, tie-down loops and a carry strap with a built-in bottle opener. The Braven BRV-XXL will be available for purchase for $349.99 in Q1 of 2016.

Braven claims its BRV-BANK PRO LE is the world's first ultra-rugged, smart modular backup battery. The portable charging accessory has an IPX7 waterproof rating and features a built-in 300-lumen LED flashlight, aircraft-grade aluminum housing and Bluetooth SMART support for controlling the battery with Braven's iOS app.

The BRV-BANK PRO LE has a 6,000mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery, enough to fully charge most smartphones two or three times, with two USB charging ports (1A and 2.4A). The portable battery will be available for purchase for $129.99 in Q1 of 2016 and comes with a nylon-braided USB cable and a lanyard in the box.

Kwikset, the company behind the Kevo Smart Lock, today announced the launch of its first HomeKit-compatible product, the Kwikset Premis. Joining the Schlage Sense, the Premis is one of two smart locks available that work with Apple's HomeKit platform.

With HomeKit compatibility, the Premis can be used in Scenes and Triggers alongside other HomeKit products, and it's able to respond to Siri voice commands to allow for voice control over a home's front door lock.

"Kwikset closely listens to feedback and monitors new technologies to develop products that meet consumer needs," said Keith Brandon, Vice President of Residential Access Solutions, Kwikset. "Premis was specifically developed to work with Apple HomeKit, a simple and secure smart home technology we truly believe in and are excited to support."

When paired with a third-generation Apple TV or later, the Premis can be used remotely to lock or unlock the door to let guests inside. Home owners can also assign up to 30 unique user codes to guests for use when the home owner isn't present.

The app that accompanies the Premis can be used to schedule the aforementioned codes for specific times, and it also lets users keep an eye on lock status, check battery life, and receive notifications whenever the lock is used.

Design wise, the Premis features an LED display and capacitive touchscreen that's used to input guest codes, plus there's a standard keyhole for manual operation. The Premis runs on four AA batteries and Kwikset says installation can be done with a screwdriver and a ruler.

Kwikset's Premis will be available for purchase later in 2016. Pricing information is not yet available.

Starting today, Apple customers in Malaysia are now able to purchase the Apple Watch, which launched in the country this morning. All models of the Apple Watch, including the Apple Watch Sport, stainless Steel Apple Watch, and Apple Watch Edition are available.

Pricing for the Apple Watch Sport starts at RM 1,599, while pricing for the stainless steel Apple Watch starts at RM 2,499. The Apple Watch Edition is available at prices that start at RM 47,000.

Apple's limited edition (PRODUCT)RED Apple Watch Sport models introduced for the Chinese New Year are also available in Malaysia. Exclusive models include the silver and gold Apple Watch Sport, which ship with a (PRODUCT)RED Sport Band with matching hardware.

The Apple Watch originally launched on April 24 in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the UK, and the United States, but availability has since expanded to more than 30 countries. Apple has plans to continue expanding Apple Watch availability in 2016, with the next launch coming on January 29 to Portugal, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.

iHome was one of the first companies to come out with a HomeKit-compatible product, debuting its iSP5 SmartPlug in the summer of 2015. At this year's Consumer Electronics Show, iHome is announcing the successor to the iSP5 SmartPlug, the iSP8 SmartPlug.

While the Wi-Fi-connected iSP5 simply turned a dumb appliance into a smart appliance and allowed it to be turned on and off with Siri, the iSP8 is a more advanced product that adds power consumption monitoring. In addition to functioning as a smart outlet like the original iSP5, the iSP8 SmartPlug will collect data on how much power an appliance is using, aggregating the information in the accompanying iHome Control app.

The iSP8 also ships with a remote control that's able to control the SmartPlug without requiring access to an iPhone or iPad. The iSP8 SmartPlug will be available later in the year for $49.99.

At this year's Consumer Electronics Show, Grid Connect is debuting two HomeKit-enabled products, the ConnectSense Temperature & Humidity Sensor and the ConnectSense Smart Water Sensor. The two new products join Grid Connect's existing ConnectSense Smart Outlet, which came out in late 2015.

The ConnectSense Temperature & Humidity Sensor can be placed anywhere in the home to deliver accurate information on a room's temperature and humidity level. Grid Connect suggests its sensor will be useful in temperature-sensitive areas like wine cellars, greenhouses, collection rooms, cold storage, and more.

As the name suggests, the ConnectSense Smart Water Sensor is able to detect the first signs of a water leak, staving off significant water damage. It's useful for people who own fish tanks or for use in areas where water leaks are common, such as basements and laundry rooms.

Both of the new ConnectSense sensors operate using Bluetooth 4.0 and incorporate AAA batteries. They're able to connect to a user's HomeKit setup to interact with other HomeKit-enabled devices in Triggers and Scenes.

Passive sensors aren't as immediately useful as active HomeKit products like lights and smart plugs, but they can be useful as triggers. The Temperature & Humidity sensor, for example, could be set to turn a HomeKit-connected thermostat to a lower or higher temperature when a specific temperature threshold is reached, and a water sensor could perform a similar function.

The ConnectSense Smart Temperature & Humidity and Smart Water sensors will be available in the first half of 2016. Details on pricing are not yet available.

Incipio today announced several new ClamCase keyboard cases designed for the iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, and iPad mini 4. All of the cases use ClamCase's signature clamshell design paired with a 360-degree hinge, turning an iPad into a MacBook-style device.

First up is the ClamCase+, the first ClamCase keyboard available for the iPad Pro. The ClamCase+, which is also available for the iPad Air 2, features a full-sized QWERTY keyboard, backlit keys, and auto sleep/wake functionality. On the iPad Pro version, there's a built-in slot that holds the Apple Pencil when it isn't in use.

The ClamCase+ will be available in Gray, Gold, and Silver to match each of Apple's iPads. The iPad Air 2 version will retail for $149.99, while the iPad Pro version will sell for $169.99.

Exclusive to the iPad Air 2 is a new ClamCase+ Power case, which is a standard ClamCase keyboard case that also includes a built-in 6,000 mAh battery and a 2.1A USB port that can be used for charging an iPhone or other iOS device. The ClamCase+ Power, which only comes in black, will be available in the second quarter of 2016 and will retail for $199.99.

The ClamCase Prompt, Incipio's most interesting offering, is also exclusively for the iPad Air 2. The ClamCase Prompt has a small built-in OLED screen on the lid that's able to provide visual alerts for non-disruptive smartphone notifications during class sessions or meetings. The ClamCase Prompt pairs to a smartphone via Bluetooth and is able to deliver alerts to the keyboard case.

The ClamCase Prompt, available in Silver/White, will begin shipping in the second quarter of 2016. Like the ClamCase+ Power, it will retail for $199.99.

For the iPad mini 4, Incipio is introducing the ClamCase Pro keyboard, which includes a 360-degree hinge that allows the iPad to be adjusted at a user's preferred angle for typing and viewing. The ClamCase Pro for iPad mini 4 comes in White/Silver and Smoke Gray, and will be available for purchase from the Incipio ClamCase website during the first quarter of 2016. It will retail for $129.99.

ClamCase was previously an independent company, but was acquired by Incipio in 2015. Incipio plans to continue producing new products under the ClamCase brand name.

A new test by the Electronic Frontier Foundation has found that T-Mobile's free video streaming program Binge On does in fact affect the streaming of all in-browser video content when the service is enabled. Although T-Mobile has stated Binge On works with just its 24 allied partners, some companies like YouTube have spoken out regarding the fact that the new program throttles all video and not just the content of its partners.

EFF recently composed a test to find out the truth behind the throttling claims, running similar smartphones on T-Mobile LTE connections in the same location and at the same time of day. Measuring the throughput between the video on the server and the smartphone running the content, the site in total performed four tests with Binge On enabled:

-Streaming a video embedded in a webpage using HTML5 (“Streaming in Browser”),
-Downloading a video file to the phone’s SD card (“Direct Download”),
-Downloading a video file to the phone’s SD card, but with the filename and the HTTP response headers changed to indicate it was not a video file (“Direct Download, Non-Video File Extension”), and
-Downloading a large non-video file for comparison (“Direct Non-Video Download”).

The site's big takeaway came from its HTML5 in-browser streaming test. It discovered that when Binge On is enabled on a T-Mobile smartphone, all HTML5 video streams are throttled to about 1.5Mbps, "even when the phone is capable of downloading at higher speeds, and regardless of whether or not the video provider enrolled in Binge On." The throttling speeds affected downloads as well, even when customers were downloading a browser video to watch later.

Video files with HTTP headers and filenames that indicate the content is not a video were also throttled during the tests, but T-Mobile assured the site that it has means to detect video-specific patterns that don't directly delve into a user's communications or "involve the examination of actual content."

Lastly, EFF found that Binge On's optimization claims may be mostly false regarding the enhancement of video quality on a smartphone using the program. The site found that the service "doesn't actually alter or enhance" video content when it is streamed from the network and onto a smartphone, and really only throttles it down to 1.5Mbps so that users can take advantage of the free streaming service.

Our last finding is that T-Mobile’s video “optimization” doesn’t actually alter or enhance the video stream for delivery to a mobile device over a mobile network in any way. 2 This means T-Mobile’s “optimization” consists entirely of throttling the video stream’s throughput down to 1.5Mbps.

If the video is more than 480p and the server sending the video doesn’t have a way to reduce or adapt the bitrate of the video as it’s being streamed, the result is stuttering and uneven streaming—exactly the opposite of the experience T-Mobile claims their “optimization” will have. In other words, our results show that T-Mobile is throttling video streams, plain and simple.

The drama surrounding Binge On began around the time that the FCC began scrutinizing free data programs like the T-Mobile service, with others including AT&T's Sponsored Data program and Comcast's Stream TV. Although not yet an official investigation, the FCC remains concerned over each service's abidance to the net neutrality rules, and as such has requested "relevant technical and business" representatives from each of the three companies to discuss the topic before January 15.

iDevices has announced four new connected home products at CES 2016 featuring Apple's HomeKit technology, including the iDevices Socket, Wall Switch, Dimmer Switch and Wall Outlet. The home automation accessories can be controlled with Siri and the free iDevices Connected app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

• iDevices Socket – This socket allows homeowners to control their standard light bulbs from anywhere using the iDevices Connected app. The iDevices Socket features dimming functionality and a customizable LED nightlight for changing the light color and adjusting the brightness. The iDevices Socket launches in Q1 2016.
  

• iDevices Wall Switch and Dimmer Switch – These connected wall switches enable users to control their home's lighting from anywhere using the iDevices Connected app. The accessory can function as both a standard on/off wall switch or as a dimmer switch, and each feature customizable LED night lights to locate them in the dark. The switches will be available in Q2 2016.
  

• iDevices Wall Outlet – The iDevices Wall Outlet is a hard-wired version of the iDevices Switch, and provides users the ability to control, monitor and schedule power to both outlets individually using the iDevices Connected app. The iDevices Wall Outlet will be released for sale in Q3 2016.
  

• iDevices Connected App – The free companion iDevices Connected app enables users to add iDevices products to their home network, securely pair them with their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, add them to a room, set dynamic schedules and add custom photos and names. The app also supports HomeKit-enabled products from other manufacturers like iGrill.

The new HomeKit accessories will be released throughout 2016, but pricing was not disclosed. iDevices will provide live demos of these new products during CES 2016 at The Sands Expo booth 71525.

Today at the annual Consumer Electronics Show, accessory manufacturer Actionproof announced the "Bozon" Apple Watch charging dock. The $39.99 cradle provides a secure resting place for the Apple Watch, with a premium silicone finish that continues Actionproof's tradition of highly protective third-party Apple accessories.

"Actionproof is excited to continue expanding its product line and offer its customers additional, high-end protection and accessories for their Apple products," said Ivo Guiliani, co-founder of Actionproof. "We're confident the Bozon has solved the many issues of the other Apple Watch charging docks currently on the market."

The Bozon charging dock, launching today on the company's website, can charge the Apple Watch both horizontally and vertically and functions with any of Apple's official open- and closed-loop bands. Actionproof does provide one caveat, however, in that the Link Bracelet is not recommended for use on the Bozon due to the stainless steel band's extra weight.

Similar to Griffin's line of Apple-related charging accessories, the Bozon also gives users an opportunity for hidden cable management in its circular body. The new product lets users shorten or lengthen the Apple Watch's 2 meter charging cable to suit their own cord management needs. So if the dock sits close to a charging outlet, users can wind up the cord into the accessory for a more organized, clean look on a bedside table or desk.

Resting on four small legs made out of the same premium silicone as the rest of the body, the company promises that the Bozon will protect the Apple Watch from spills and being knocked over while sitting on the dock. Like most docking systems, it'll also let users fully interact with their watchOS notifications and apps even as it gets charged on the Bozon.

Those interested can order Actionproof's Bozon charging dock beginning today through the company's official website, with orders getting fulfilled through Amazon. The Bozon is Actionproof's featured product during CES this year, but the company also plans to provide some spotlight on its existing Apple accessories at the show, like The Bumper for the Apple Watch and SP-06 iPhone case line.