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Monday, January 7, 2019

CES 2019: OtterBox Teams Up With PopSockets for New 'Otter + Pop' iPhone Cases

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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.

Tags: Otterbox, CES 2019

This article, "CES 2019: OtterBox Teams Up With PopSockets for New 'Otter + Pop' iPhone Cases" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories http://bit.ly/2TufvjQ

CES 2019: Sony's Upcoming 4K and 8K TVs to Support AirPlay 2 and HomeKit

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Starting later this year, Sony's new 2019 Z9G Series 8K LCDs, A9G Series OLED 4K TVs, and X950G 4K LCD TVs will support Airplay 2 and HomeKit protocols from Apple.

Other TV manufacturers, including Samsung, Vizio, and LG have also announced support for HomeKit and AirPlay 2 for their 2019 smart TV lineups. All of the major TV brands will support both, with the exception of Samsung. Samsung TVs support AirPlay 2 and will have an exclusive app for accessing iTunes content, but won't work with HomeKit.

With AirPlay 2 support, compatible Sony television sets will be able to stream videos, music, photos, and more right from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and multi-room audio across multiple AirPlay 2 devices will also be available.

Content AirPlayed on Sony television sets will be able to be controlled using the Lock screen widget or the Control Center of an iOS device. Users will be able to play, pause, fast-forward, rewind, and adjust volume on the TV when AirPlaying TVs, movies, and music.

With HomeKit and Siri integration, users will be able to control their TVs via Siri voice commands, using voice requests to do things like play specific TV shows on a specific television. The TVs will be present in the Home app, so Siri controls will also be available for doing things like turning on the TV or including the TV in a HomeKit scene.

Sony's television sets run an Android-based operating system with built-in Cast support from Google, which means users will be able to choose between using Google and Apple services.

AirPlay-compatible Sony television sets include the newly announced Z9G 8K TVs available in 98 and 85 inch sizes, the new A9G 4K OLED TVs available in 77, 65, and 55 inch options, and the new X950G 4K LCD TVs available in 55, 65, 75 and 85 inch sizes, all of which are set to launch in spring 2019. Sony says that AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support will launch for these TV sets "later this year."

Apple has added new details about the upcoming smart television integrations on its AirPlay website for those who want more information about its upcoming partnerships with TV manufacturers.

Tags: HomeKit, AirPlay, Sony, CES 2019

This article, "CES 2019: Sony's Upcoming 4K and 8K TVs to Support AirPlay 2 and HomeKit" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories http://bit.ly/2H0NMWz

GE Debuts New C by CE HomeKit-Compatible Smart Wall Switches, Full Color Lights and Accessories

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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.

Tags: HomeKit, GE

This article, "GE Debuts New C by CE HomeKit-Compatible Smart Wall Switches, Full Color Lights and Accessories" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories http://bit.ly/2M0ZAqU

Samsung Expecting Sharp Drop in Fourth Quarter Profits

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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.

Tag: Samsung

This article, "Samsung Expecting Sharp Drop in Fourth Quarter Profits" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Music Lyric Availability Expands to Additional Countries

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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.

Tag: Apple Music

This article, "Apple Music Lyric Availability Expands to Additional Countries" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories http://bit.ly/2VBxwyD

Apple Now Charging Sales Tax on All iTunes Purchases and Apple Music Subscriptions in Canada

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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.

Tags: iTunes, Canada

This article, "Apple Now Charging Sales Tax on All iTunes Purchases and Apple Music Subscriptions in Canada" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories http://bit.ly/2AztAFI