7 Biggest Apple-Related Announcements from CES 2019
Apple doesn't officially attend CES in any official capacity, but that doesn't mean its presence isn't felt. There are typically quite a few announcements that are directly or indirectly related to Apple – that may include support for Apple platforms or the release of Apple-compatible accessories.
But CES is also a massive show, and with all of the news coming out of it, it can be hard to keep up. That's why we've collected some of the biggest Apple-related announcements made at CES 2019 that you should know about. Continue reading to learn more!
Big News for AirPlay 2
One of the more surprising announcements from CES 2019 was the fact that AirPlay 2 is slated to hit a number of third-party smart TVs. That includes upcoming offerings from Samsung, LG, Sony and Vizio. The latter three companies will also support some HomeKit functionality.
But while Samsung won’t support HomeKit, it will reportedly introduce a new iTunes TV and Movies app that will let Apple users easily access their digital media content directly from their television sets.
Similarly, AirPlay 2 is also coming to the new Citation Series speakers from Harman Kardon, as well as the VLC streaming app on Android.
A Slew of New HomeKit Supported Devices
HomeKit got a big bump in terms of supported devices at CES 2019. A plethora of manufacturers have announced that HomeKit support will launch on upcoming devices, or be added in at a later date this year.
That includes smart locks and doorbells from Netatmo, Robin Telecom, Kwikset and Mighton. It also includes lights and switches from Nanoleaf, Eve, Phillips Hue, C by GE, Belkin and Brilliant.
Other more miscellaneous additions to the HomeKit ecosystem include the following:
Aura Band for Apple Watch
The Apple Watch is already a powerful device for monitoring health and fitness, but a new third-party band option could add even more functionality to that category.
That’s where the Aura Band, announced at CES 2019, comes in. It’s a relatively simple rubberized strap for the Apple Watch that sports a variety of sensors. That sensor suite lives in two unobtrusive metal “plates” on the strap itself.
Aura Band can apparently track body fat and muscle composition, hydration levels, and the risk of heart failure. That data can then easily displayed on the Apple Watch itself, or saved to HomeKit for later reference.
New CarPlay Receivers
CarPlay already comes as an additional preinstalled option for more than 400 different car models. But for owners of cars without CarPlay, there are always aftermarket receivers.
Some high-profile brands — like Sony, Kenwood and JVC — announced new wired and wireless aftermarket CarPlay head units. The JVC options will start at $600, while Sony and Kenwood said they’ll announce pricing at a later date.
It’s not clear when the new CarPlay headunits will actually launch, but all three manufacturers promised a release sometime this year.
Mophie Battery Cases
There are rumors swirling that Apple is on the verge of releasing new first-party battery cases for its iPhone lineup. But until it does, the next best option may be Mophie.
The Apple-certified accessory manufacturer announced new Juice Pack Access battery cases for the iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. They’ll provide the iPhone XR and XS Max with up to 31 hours of extra power, and the iPhone XS with up to 25 hours. Best of all, they can charge iPhones wirelessly, meaning that they won’t bog down your Lightning connector.
The Juice Pack Access cases will go on sale in the first quarter of this year for $119.95 each.
Lightning to USB-C Cables
For the longest time, the only trustworthy Lightning to USB-C cables were Apple’s own first-party offering. That didn’t leave consumers much choice. But at CES 2019, that changed.
Apparently, Apple has given third-party firms who are part of its Made for iPhone program to go-ahead to begin producing Lightning to USB-C cables. That’s important since sketchier or counterfeit charging accessories can be dangerous to both you and your iPhone.
The first third-party options will be offerings form Belkin and Griffin, who announced their cables at CES 2019. They’ll both be available in the spring. Expect others to show up on the market this year, too.
Assorted Docks & Cases
CES is usually a hotbed for tech accessories, and this year was no different. Several firms announced a number of accessories that will work with Apple hardware.
That includes a new lineup of ZAGG smart keyboards for Apple’s newest iPad and iPad Pro models.
Otterbox is also releasing a line of iPhone cases in partnership with PopSockets. The Otter + Pop cases will sport built-in a PopSocket.
If you need a handy new dock for your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, Elgato also unveiled its Thunderbolt 3 Pro Dock — which sports a plethora of port options and connectors, from DisplayPort to microSD.