Belkin has unveiled new accessories in the audio and charging segments, including its Soundform Audio and Boostcharge mobile power accessories. The earbuds add new device location features that leverage Apple's Find My network, and the charger adds to the line of MagSafe compatible products. The first product is the Soundform Freedom True Wireless Earbuds.
Belkin is a trusted brand when it comes to accessories for smartphones and tablets to the point that even Apple carries some of its products on its own store. That, however, doesn't mean it is exempt from having problems, some of which can lead to disastrous accidents if not immediately addressed. That seems to be the case here with one of its wireless chargers, a special one that it launched last year and was carried by Apple as well, that is now being recalled immediately due to serious safety hazards.
Belkin has unveiled new wireless chargers aimed directly at iPhone users that will work for any Qi-certified smartphone. The first is called the Boostcharge TrueFreedom Pro Wireless Charger. Belkin says that the new charging products were designed and engineered in-house and are competitively priced. The cool thing about the TrueFreedom Pro is that it has 16 charging coils inside, allowing it to charge two Qi-enabled devices simultaneously.
Belkin today announced that it's adding a couple of new power accessories to its lineup. The first is the Boost Charge Pro 60W, a new gallium nitride wall charger that seems targeted at laptop owners. It's joined by a Wemo-branded WiFi Outdoor Smart Plug that allows users to control the attached devices wirelessly.
It may have just announced its first diversion into a new market with the Soundform Elite Hi-Fi Smart Speaker + Wireless Charger but Belkin hasn't forgotten about its core product line. In fact, it is flooding the CES 2020 showroom floor with chargers and power banks, figuratively, of course. Riding the wave of recent trends, almost all of Belkin's new 2020 chargers are of the wireless variety and the one that doesn't at least sport a USB-C connection to accommodate most of the latest smartphones, tablets, and even laptops.
Accessory maker Belkin is probably best known for its chargers, cables, and power banks but now it is dipping its toes into a brand new market. It partnered with audio brand Devialet to develop a new audio accessory that doesn't simply connect to a speaker but is a speaker in its own right. And something more up Belkin's alley, the Soundform Elite Hi-Fi smart speaker also doubles as a wireless charger to boot.
Wemo's WiFi Smart Dimmer light switch is gaining Apple HomeKit support, with a new update bypassing the need for a hub to integrate with Apple's smart home system. Launched back in 2017, the WiFi Smart Dimmer is intended to replace a traditional light switch in the wall, and thus enable remote-control access to the light that it operates.
On launch day for the Apple iPhone Xs and Xs Max, Belkin revealed their newest dual-device wireless charger for iPhones and the Apple Watch. The BoostUp Wireless Charging Dock has "optimized wireless charging" up to 7.5W for one iPhone and 5W/1A for Apple Watch. This dual-device charger also has a USB-A port so a third device can also be plugged in at the same time.
Apple's software protocols allowing HomeKit compatibility without demanding IoT gadgets have a physical chip inside have finally made it into the wild. A new firmware version Belkin's Wemo line-up of connected smart switches make them the first to gain support, which is widely expected to light a fire under Apple HomeKit adoption.
Belkin made one of the first USB-C keyboards in the universe, and today they've revealed it to the world. This isn't the FIRST USB-C keyboard in the world, but it's easily set to be one of the best-selling. That's because Belkin is a go-to brand for accessories, and given the relative lack of Chrome OS-centric accessories in the world today, Belkin might well be in a great position here to get a real stack of cash.
The aux cable is getting a 21st century update, with Belkin revealing its newest cord to hook your headphone-jackless iPhone up to your car's dashboard or just about anything else. Apple's decision to ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack on its more recent iPhone models prompted no shortage of teeth-gnashing, but little more so than in the car.
The Trump administration may have blocked the purchase of Qualcomm by Broadcom, but another transaction seems to have flown under its radar. Taiwan-based Foxconn is probably best known for assembling iPhones but it has recently been expanding its reach to become a force to reckon with in the hardware business. Now it has just announced that it will be acquiring Belkin International, which means that it might soon own Belkin, Linksys, and Wemo to create a “global consumer electronics leader”.