CES 2015
The mother of all trade shows, the Consumer Electronics Show takes over Vegas for the first week of January. A few major phones are usually announced, and we'll have hands-on reports for each one, plus hands-on details of other interesting apps, services, and accessories in the world of phones.
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New MHL Spec Supports USB Type-C, 8K Video
The MHL Consortium this week revealed superMHL, a new specification that future proofs its against changes in device connectors and makes dramatic improvements with respect to handling media content. The superMHL connector is reversible, much like Apple's Lightning cable. Further, it supports the new, reversible USB Type-C connector, which will eventually replace the microUSB connector found on mobile devices. Beyond the physical elements of the cable/connector, superMHL can deliver 8K video at 120fps and supports up to 48-bit color. It adds HDR video and immersive sound support, including Dolby Atmos, DTS-UHD, and 3D audio. It also supports daisy-chaining between multiple devices (TVs, Blu-Ray players, receivers) and can control them all with a single remote. The new superMHL spec also supports power charging up to 40W. The superMHL specification will be available for consumer electronics makers to download at the end of January.
Insteon Unveils HomeKit-Enabled Home Control App
Insteon today announced the Insteon App, a comprehensive iOS app that lets you control a wide variety of HomeKit-compatible home automation gear. Via Apple's HomeKit, the app controls gear using the Insteon standard as well as competing standards such as ZigBee and Z-Wave. The app is one of the first complete HomeKit apps to be shown to the public. The app can control lights, door locks, color-changing bulbs, garage door openers, thermostats, and much more. Insteon also unveiled the Insteon Hub, a small $150 box that connects Insteon home automation gear to Apple's HomeKit system. The Hub supports advanced features such rooms, zones, scenes, and schedules. Insteon's proprietary home connectivity standard uses both wireless and power-line communication for improved reliability. Insteon makes its own line of home automation gear, and several other manufacturers support Insteon technology as well.
AT&T to Sell LTE 4G Case for WiFi-Only iPads
AT&T today announced it will soon offer Modio Smartcases to the Apple iPad Mini and Apple iPad Air tablets. The case serves as a mobile hotspot for WiFi-only versions of the iPad and allows them to connect to AT&T's LTE 4G network when out of WiFi range. The case includes a large battery that provides for 10 hours of continuous LTE 4G web browsing and provides addition storage through a microSD memory card slot. AT&T said the LTE 4G service can be added to existing Mobile Share plans. AT&T typically charges $10 per month to add tablet access to accounts, but didn't specify if that rate will be available to case owners. The case will first be available for the iPad Mini, Mini 2, and Mini 3, followed by the iPad Air and Air 2. AT&T didn't say how much the case will cost. Apple sells LTE-equipped iPads for $130 more than the WiFi-only models.
Volkswagen Signs Up for Android Auto and CarPlay
Volkswagen today took the diplomatic route with respect to enabling smartphone connectivity in its cars. Beginning with select models later this year, Volkswagen's second generation modular infotainment platform will support Google's Android Auto and Apple's CarPlay platforms, in addition to the platform-agnostic MirrorLink spec. The company said Android Auto will support devices from the likes of Samsung, HTC, LG, and Sony, while CarPlay will support Apple's iPhone. The services will allow smartphone owners to access their device content, apps, and services through the infotainment console of their Volkswagen. The Volkswagen Golf will be the first model to support these connectivity platforms.
Qualcomm Says New AllPlay Gear, Apps On the Way
Qualcomm today said more hardware makers and app developers have voiced support for its AllPlay media streaming technology. For example, Bayan Audio, Goodmans, House of Marley, Inkel/Sherwood, Optoma Nuforce, SVS, TCL Communications, and TP-LINK will add AllPlay to their gear over the coming year. Similarly, popular apps such as SoundCloud, KT Music, QQ Music, and Tidal have announced that they will integrate AllPlay into their streaming music offerings. AllPlay is a competitor technology to DLNA, Apple's AirPlay, and Google's Cast for Audio.
