MacRumors iPhone and iPad Blog: Apps, News, and Rumors

Orbit at CES 2018 this week announced that it is adding HomeKit compatibility to its new B-hyve smart hose faucet timer and a new version of its B-hyve smart sprinkler timer that will be released later this month. iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch users will have the ability to control the lawn and garden watering systems through Apple's Home app or with Siri. HomeKit will enable users to...

Fibaro today announced a new version of its popular Z-Wave control device called, "The Button," which will work with Apple's HomeKit products. The Button, which is less than two inches in size, is a new battery-powered multi-touch HomeKit device that is designed to allow users to activate a HomeKit scene. No bridge, hub, or gateway is required to use The Button, allowing it to integrate...

Alpine Electronics at CES today unveiled a new aftermarket CarPlay system with a "hover" design that floats in front of the vehicle's dashboard instead of being embedded directly into it. The company said that the iLX-F309 "doesn't require custom installation," but professional help will still likely be needed to remove existing infotainment systems before installing the iLX-F309. Alpine's...

Colgate this week announced the launch of its first app-enabled electronic toothbrush, called the Colgate Smart Electronic Toothbrush E1 with Artificial Intelligence. Available exclusively beginning today on Apple.com and in some Apple retail locations, Colgate's new product provides a few pieces of real-time feedback to help users improve their brushing routine. The electronic toothbrush also ...

After introducing a HomeKit controller in the shape of a dodecahedron, Nanoleaf recently announced the next generation of its popular triangle-shaped Nanoleaf Light Panels. The new panels don't have a name or a price yet, but the company revealed that they are square and include a few feature additions and improvements from the previous generation (via CNET). Each square panel will include a...

Nokia is adding to its health accessory lineup with the launch of a new sleep tracking accessory called the Nokia Sleep, which is debuting at this year's Consumer Electronics Show. Like Apple's own Beddit sleep tracker that it acquired back in May, the Nokia Sleep is a thin under-the-mattress accessory that has built-in movement sensors to track metrics like sleep length, heart rate, sleep...

Philips and Razer today announced a new collaboration that allows Philips' Hue line of lights to integrate with Razer Chroma-enabled devices. When using a device that features Razer Chroma, which includes everything from the Razer Blade line of laptops to Razer Chroma keyboards, gaming controllers, and mice, allowing your Philips Hue lights to react to whatever game you're playing. You can...

At this year's Consumer Electronics Show, HTC introduced a next-generation virtual reality headset, the HTC Vive Pro. The Vive Pro features two OLED displays with a resolution of 2880 x 1600 and 615 pixels per inch, a 78 percent increase from the 2160 x 1200 resolution of the current Vive headset. HTC says the higher resolution will bring sharper text and graphics for an improved overall...

Kohler at CES 2018 this week has introduced a collection of new smart kitchen and bath products based on its new Kohler Konnect platform, which itself is based on Microsoft's Azure internet-of-things cloud solutions. A spokeswoman for Kohler told MacRumors that its Sensate touchless kitchen faucet and DTV+ shower system will be the first of the Kohler Konnect products to support Apple's...

Abode Systems today announced the iota, an all-in-one security camera that's designed to offer security and integration with other smart home products. The iota features a 1080p camera that can be used for home monitoring purposes, along with a built-in gateway that supports Z-Wave, ZigBee, and abode RF for connecting to hundreds of other devices. Native app support is included for many major...

Google today announced it has merged Android Pay and Google Wallet into one consolidated payments service called Google Pay. Over the coming weeks, Google said users will be able to use Google Pay online, in stores, and across Google products, and Google Wallet's existing peer-to-peer payment functionality will continue to be supported. Google Pay is already available in select...

Ring, the company behind the well-known Ring video doorbell, today announced the launch of a full home security ecosystem that includes a range of new products like indoor/outdoor security cameras and connected outdoor lights. The new battery-powered Stick Up Cam, which is compatible with the Ring Solar Panel Charger, is a weatherproof security camera that's designed to work both indoors and...

Nanoleaf, the company behind the popular HomeKit-enabled Nanoleaf Light Panels (formerly called the Aurora), today announced the upcoming launch of the Nanoleaf Remote. The Nanoleaf Remote, priced at $49.99, is a neat-looking dodecahedron-shaped device that's designed to let you change your HomeKit scenes and dim the lights just by manipulating the remote. There are 12 sides to the...

Canary today at CES announced a new indoor security camera called the "Canary View," which comes with a cheaper $99 price tag thanks to the removal of certain features from the original Canary device (via The Verge). Specifically, the Canary View lacks the company's "HomeHealth" technology, which monitors a home's temperature, humidity, and overall air quality in the $169 Canary All-in-One...

Whirlpool today at CES 2018 announced that some of its washers, dryers, and ovens will be controllable with an Apple Watch in the near future. The home appliance maker said it will be releasing a watchOS app in early 2018 that will enable Apple Watch users to remotely control select functions on more than 20 of its latest Wi-Fi-connected washers, dryers, and ovens. Here are a few examples:...

Tile today announced a few new partnerships with companies that will integrate its Bluetooth item-tracking technology into consumer products, including Bose's existing line of SoundSport Wireless and QuietControl 30 headphones. In addition to Bose, partnerships for the new "Tile Platform" also include Samsonite luggage, Boosted Boards, and Propeller Health's inhalers. The Bose partnership will ...

First Alert at CES 2018 has introduced the Onelink Safe & Sound, its latest smoke and carbon monoxide detector for smart homes. iPhone and iPad users can control the Safe & Sound with Siri or Apple's Home app thanks to HomeKit compatibility. The two-in-one detector can also be controlled with First Alert's own Onelink Home companion app. What makes the Safe & Sound interesting is that it...

One year after being announced during CES 2017, faucet brand Moen is back at CES this year with a new announcement for its "U by Moen" cloud-based, Wi-Fi enabled shower system (via CNET). The company this week revealed that the smart shower will add support for Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa AI assistants in the first half of 2018, letting you control water temperature and more with voice...