Linksys has joined the mesh networking club, launching Velop, a multi-unit WiFi router system at CES 2017 this week. Aiming to blanket your home in wireless coverage, each of the Velop units - a white, 7-inch tall monolith - interconnects with each other, forming a mesh of connectivity. Meanwhile, there's the promise of automatic firmware updates should security loopholes be spotted down the line.
Apple device announcements always means new accessory announcements as well, and for the new MacBook Pro, that practically boils down to one thing: Thunderbolt 3 accessories. Well, and USB-C accessories too, by extension. Joining the fray, accessory maker Belkin has unveiled its Thunderbolt 3 Express Dock HD, taking advantage of the four Thunderbolt 3 ports on the new MacBook Pro, offering a “true” single-cable solution and answering the biggest problem in laptops: not having enough ports to connect everything.
Belkin has announced the launch of its new Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar dongle for those who want to use (wired) headphones and charge their iPhone 7 at the same time. With this dongle, iPhone 7 owners can charge their handset and listen to music with Lightning-equipped headphones at the same time…or, alternatively, plug the Lightning-to-3.5mm dongle into the charging dongle, then plug the charging dongle into the phone, to use a pair of non-Lightning wired headphones. This, prospective iPhone 7 owners, is your future.
Belkin has introduced a new range of accessories for the newly unveiled iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and the Apple Watch Series 2, among them being screen protectors, armbands, a watchband, Apple Pencil stand, and more. There are eight products total in the new accessories lineup, with launches for all of them being set for this month. Speaking about the announcement, Belkin general manager Steve Malony said, “We are introducing a broad range of iPhone and Apple Watch products, and every design we create is inspired by our mission to help people get the most out of this new technology."
Keeping your gadgets charged up and ready to use can be a problem in an area with limited space. Everything has its own charger and those factory chargers often mean that your devices are just laying there in the way as they power up. Belkin has a new charging dock that will charge your iPhone and the Apple Watch at the same time called the Powerhouse Charge dock for Apple Watch + iPhone.
Belkin’s Wemo now works with Nest, with the company announcing Works with Nest integration this morning. What’s this mean for you? If you have the Nest thermostat and one or more Wemo switches, such as a Wemo Insight Switch or Light Switch, they’ll now work together, making for a more integrated (and thusly capable and efficient) home.
Apple Stores in Japan last week were among the first to first debut a new service for iPhone owners that correctly aligns and applies a screen protector to their device. Now Apple's retail outlets in the US doing the same, making use of a handheld Belkin device that can attach a clear plastic film to iPhone screens, protecting them from scratches and finger smudges, all while avoiding hassles like air bubbles or crooked alignments.
One of the most common accessories that users pick up for their smartphones has got to be a screen protector, those clear plastic films that stick to the display to prevent scratches and smudges. Unfortunately, trying to get the protector to line up perfectly with the screen, home button, or ear speaker during application, not to mention air bubbles, is one of the most frustrating process. Well, Apple Stores in Japan are the first debut Apple's new solution: handheld Belkin devices that will automatically install screen protectors on iPhones.
Belkin has unveiled a new Charge Dock for iPhone users that has a nice additional feature for users of the Apple Watch. The Charge Dock has provision to charge both the iPhone and the Apple Watch at the same time. That means you need only one charging solution for both of your prized Apple gadgets. The dock will charge an iPhone even if it is in a case.
Belkin has just announced a new multi-feature mobile battery pack that just might come in handy the next you're on the road with multiple devices. Dubbed the Travel Rockstar Battery Pack + Charger + Surge, the device is not only a battery for charging on the go, but also a surge protector and a charger that turns a single AC outlet into two. Along with the dual AC outlets is a standard USB port, and inside is a 3000 mAh battery.
Controlling lights, appliances, and keeping an eye on home security has never been easier, but as smart home technology proliferates, picking the best place to start can be tough. I’ve been upgrading my apartment for the past few years, now, and I know that the first step needn’t be too risky, however. Since home automation can be intimidating, I’m going to focus on products that require the minimum of installation effort. I’m a big fan of non-permanent options: it makes a lot of sense if you’re renting, but it also gives you flexibility to change things up as you get used to your newly-smart home.
Amazon Echo is digging its voice-controlled fingers deeper into the smart home, with Amazon adding Philips Hue and Belkin WeMo support to the always-listening home assistant. The new functionality, pushed out to Echo units from today, allows owners to control their lighting, smart appliances, and switches using simple voice commands rather than reaching for the respective apps, and could well be the most useful additions Echo has seen since it began shipping in limited numbers late last year.