Accessories

There are now two ways to get a wireless CarPlay system in your vehicle: purchase the 2017 BMW 5 Series sedan, or pick up the Alpine iLX-107 receiver. At $900 retail, the second option represents a significant cost savings and the unit can be installed in almost any vehicle. Alpine is the first to offer an aftermarket CarPlay solution with wireless support.

IKEA plans to add Apple HomeKit capabilities to its line of smart lighting known as TRÅDFRI this summer. The firmware update will bring smart home technology within reach of even more people across the globe, thanks to the relatively affordable options IKEA provides. According to the press release, IKEA will soon make its $80 TRÅDFRI gateway kit compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa as well as Apple HomeKit.

Apple may be working on headphones that double as loudspeakers, as revealed by the recent patent titled "Dual mode headphones and methods for constructing the same". US Patent Number 9,565,490 is dated February 7, 2017 and shows designs similar to current Beats headphones and EarPods. The difference is that flipping the speakers around converts them into amplified speakers for in-room listening.

The highly anticipated BeatsX earphones will officially launch on Friday, February 10. First announced in September, BeatsX feature Apple's wireless W1 chip. After several delays, Beats By Dre revealed the release date for the $150 accessory. The tweet didn't explain whether BeatsX would debut in additional countries at the end of this week.

Apple fans have a new way to dock their Apple Watch thanks to accessory maker Elago. The third stand in their Apple Watch series, the W3 brings the nostalgia factor into the office or bedroom. This silicone stand evokes the original Macintosh, which was introduced in 1984. The display of the Apple Watch lines up to show through as the screen of the vintage computer complete with floppy drive.