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Matter 1.3 Specification Adds Energy Reporting, Electric Vehicle Charging, Water Management Support and More

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The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) today announced the debut of a new Matter 1.3 specification that’s available for device makers and platforms. Matter is a smart home protocol that allows smart devices to work across multiple platforms, including HomeKit.

matter iot standard
Matter 1.3 adds support for a range of new device types and features, including water management devices, electric vehicle chargers, kitchen and laundry appliances, and TVs.

For smart plugs and other devices, the update includes energy management reporting, allowing users to see actual and estimated measurements of power, voltage, and current, both in-real time and over time. EV Charging manufacturers are able to include Matter-based features such as manually starting and stopping charging, adjusting charging rate, and optimizing charging times.

Water management devices like leak and freeze detectors, rain sensors, and controllable water valves are supported in Matter 1.3, as are several new appliance types including microwave ovens, ovens, cooktops, extractor hoods, and dryers.

For TVs, Matter 1.3 improves casting initialization and search, plus it adds support for push messages and dialog for ambient experiences, expanded interactivity for TV apps, and better interaction with other home devices.

Scenes are supported with the new specification, allowing product makers and platforms to set, read, and activate scenes on devices. Scenes for Matter work like ‌HomeKit‌ scenes, letting users set a desired state for rooms and devices with one command. Matter controllers are also now able to batch multiple commands into a single message when communicating with Matter devices for less delay between command execution.

Matter 1.3 devices and improvements will likely be available on the market later this year, with more information available on the CSA website.

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Night light charging station keeps iPhone juiced, boosts ambiance

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Night light charging station offers wireless iPhone charging.
Getting this wireless night light/charger combo for $40 is a pretty bright idea.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

You want to wake up with your iPhone charged. And you want a soothing night light to set the perfect mood during your downtime. If that sounds like you, this night light charging station is your perfect iPhone accessory.

Get a 15W wireless charger that doubles as a night light for just $39.99 (regularly $99).

Charge your iPhone with your night light

Here at Cult of Mac, we see all kinds of devices that charge up iPhones. Some look incredibly stylish. Many come in predictable, utilitarian designs. And some seem downright crazy.

This one stands out from the crowd. With this night light charging station, you can relax by the gentle light of your phone charger. This night light charging station works with any wireless chargeable devices, including iPhones and AirPods. Just plug the included Type-C cable into a compatible adapter to power up your night light charger.

The night light itself offers three brightness levels to choose from using touch controls. Customize the illumination to suit your preference and create a soothing ambiance to relax, read and sleep by.

It comes in either black or white.

Say goodnight to nightstand clutter

Though it may have a strong stage presence, this wireless charger is pretty small. Still, it’s big enough to balance an iPhone or safely hold onto your AirPods case. The small size also means you can tuck it into a corner of your nightstand. That means no tangled cables and no wasted space!

Don’t risk your expensive technology on a charger that doesn’t offer adequate protection. This reliable overnight iPhone charger comes equipped with temperature protection, over-voltage protection, over-charge protection, over-current protection, and a smart IC chip.

Save on a night light charging station

Good decorating takes a light touch, and this 15W night light wireless charging station adds a touch of light for $39.99.

Buy from: Cult of Mac Deals

Prices subject to change. All sales handled by StackSocial, our partner who runs Cult of Mac Deals. For customer support, please email StackSocial directly.



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Samsung launches two new power banks in USA, one with 45W fast charging

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Samsung has launched two new power banks with a new design language. One has a battery capacity of 10,000mAh, while the other has a 20,000mAh battery capacity. Both are now available for purchase in the USA.

These power banks were launched in South Korea in March 2024.

Samsung’s 25W 10,000 mAh and 45W 20,000 mAh Battery Packs pricing in USA

The new 25W 10,000mAh Wireless Battery Pack (EB-U2510) from Samsung is priced at $44.99, while the 45W 20,000mAh Battery Pack (EB-P4520) is priced at $29.99. Both power banks follow Samsung’s new design language and come in beige color. You can buy them from Samsung.com in the USA.

Samsung Wireless Charging 10,000mAh Power Bank 25W

The 25W 10,000mAh Wireless Battery Pack has two USB Type-C ports for charging other devices and the battery pack. It maxes out at 25W of power when you connect one device. When you use two USB Type-C ports simultaneously, the power output drops to 15W and 10W for the two ports. It also features 10W wireless charging for smartphones, wireless earbuds, and Galaxy Watches. When both USB Type-C ports and wireless charging are used, the power output is dropped to 10W + 10W + 5W. It comes with a 3A USB Type-C to USB Type-C charging cable.

Samsung 20Ah Battery Pack

The 45W 20,000mAh Battery Pack has three USB Type-C ports and can reach a maximum power output of 45W. It can charge three devices simultaneously at 15W each. It comes bundled with a 5A USB Type-C to USB Type-C charging cable. Both power banks have four LEDs for status indication and have been certified by UL for safety.

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Satechi Qi2 Wireless Charging Stand Review

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Satechi today announced the availability of its two new Qi2 charging stands, the 3-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Wireless Charging Stand and the 2-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Wireless Charging Stand. Qi2 is the latest version of the Qi standard, and it is comparable to MagSafe.

satechi 3 in 1 charger
Qi2 uses magnets to ensure that smartphones are aligned properly with charging coils, and it is able to charge compatible iPhones at up to 15W. The faster Qi2 charging speeds are available on the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and all iPhone 15 models. Future iPhones, such as the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup, will also work with Qi2.

While Qi2 is basically the same as ‌MagSafe‌, it has the benefit of not being controlled by Apple, so Qi2 accessories can be a bit cheaper than ‌MagSafe‌ technology that manufacturers have to license from Apple.

satechi 3 in 1 foldsatechi 3 in 1 fold
Both of the Satechi Wireless Charging Stands have the same design, featuring a square wireless charging pedestal for the AirPods, an arm attached by a hinge, and a round magnetic wireless charger for the ‌iPhone‌. The 3-in-1 model adds a fold-out Apple Watch charger to the back of the arm.

These chargers collapse down flat, which makes them convenient to tuck into a bag or backpack, but the aluminum they’re made from is on the heavy side. The option to fold them down is a plus, but because of the weight, they may not be a better option than something like Mophie’s 3-in-1 travel charger.

The folding design is, however, a major improvement over most chargers, so if you want something that works well both on a desktop and when traveling, Satechi’s Qi2 options are worth looking at. Compared to a flat charger, being able to unfold the arm and have an upright charger is useful because it enables features like StandBy on the ‌iPhone‌ and Night Stand mode on the Apple Watch.

The base of each charger has a soft-touch vegan leather material and a little divot where the AirPods are meant to go. The ‌iPhone‌ charging puck also has a soft-touch silicone to ensure that it doesn’t scratch the ‌iPhone‌, and the Apple Watch charger is made from a standard white plastic.

satechi 3 in 1 designsatechi 3 in 1 design
With the aluminum build, the chargers look like quality products, and they’ll match well with most desk setups. It is worth noting that Satechi is only selling these in space gray, so if you prefer silver aluminum or shades of white, that’s not an option.

The best part about Satechi’s Charging Stands is the Qi2 charging puck. It’s attached to the arm of the device using a hinge, so the charger can be set to several different angles. It can be positioned straight up so it’s essentially a flat charging surface, or tilted down all the way to take up minimal space. In between, there are angles ideal for watching videos or FaceTiming. As with most upright magnetic chargers, the Charging Stands can be used with the ‌iPhone‌ positioned in landscape or portrait orientation. Satechi says that the hinges on the stand won’t weaken over time, and they do seem firm while still being easy to manipulate.

In testing, Satechi’s Qi2 Charging Stands worked like ‌MagSafe‌ charging stands. The ‌iPhone‌ is able to attach magnetically, and charging speeds were about the same as ‌MagSafe‌. The ‌iPhone‌ did get a little warm a few times, but that also happens with ‌MagSafe‌ chargers. Over a 30-minute period, an iPhone 15 Pro Max was able to charge from 22 percent to 52 percent, for a 30 percent total charge.

satechi 2 in 1 foldedsatechi 2 in 1 folded
The AirPods charging spot charges the AirPods at 5W, and the 3-in-1 version’s Apple Watch charger is a fast charger so it can charge the Apple Watch Series 7 and later and the Ultra models at the quickest speed. There is a small light at the front of the charger when it is in use, but it is not overly bright.

For powering the Charging Stands, there’s a USB-C port at the back, which is nice because the cable can be swapped out if it becomes damaged or if you need a cable of a different length. The more expensive 3-in-1 charger includes a 45W power adapter and interchangeable plugs for international travel, and both models come with a plain black USB-C cable.

satechi 2 in 1satechi 2 in 1
One of the benefits of Qi2 is lower prices, but Satechi’s Wireless Charging Stands are still expensive. The 3-in-1 model is priced at $130, likely because Satechi is still licensing Apple Watch charging technology from Apple, while the 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand is $80. For the build quality and the versatility afforded by the hinged design, the pricing does not seem unfair, and Satechi’s 3-in-1 is $20 cheaper than MagSafe-based 3-in-1 charging options sold by Apple.

The 3-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Wireless Charging Stand is priced at $130, while the 2-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Wireless Charging Stand is priced at $80. Both products can be purchased from the Satechi website as of today.

Note: Satechi provided MacRumors with the 3-in-1 and 2-in-1 Qi2 Wireless Charging Stands for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

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Samsung brings TVs and quality entertainment to EV charging stations

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Last updated: April 24th, 2024 at 12:14 UTC+02:00

One of the downsides of electric vehicles is that they, too, need refueling, but drivers can’t just dump a bunch of fuel in the tank at a gas station and be on their way in a couple of minutes. It takes time for an EV to recharge its batteries. And even though EV manufacturers have developed clever software management solutions to minimize downtimes, EV drivers still have to face the reality that electric cars are relatively slow to charge. And this exponentially becomes a bigger issue the longer the trip you have to make in your EV.

One way to make the EV recharging process not shorter but more pleasurable is through charging lounges — places where EV drivers can relax and take a break as they wait for their cars to recharge. Samsung has gained an interest in this concept and teamed up with charging lounge specialist bk World in Germany.

Bk World charging lounges along the highways of Germany offer comfortable seating, delicious snacks, fresh and sustainable food and drinks, children’s play areas, office areas, and modern sanitary facilities. Now, they’re also equipped with Samsung TVs.

Watch TV and play video games on Samsung gear

Samsung announced it is now equipping bk World charging lounges in Germany with quality entertainment solutions, including 8K Neo QLED TVs connected to a games console. EV car drivers waiting to recharge their vehicles will also be able to explore thousands of games through Gaming Hub.

In addition to this gaming-oriented Neo QLED TV setup, Samsung is also equipping bk World charging lounges with The Frame lifestyle TV, which will display artwork, information, and advertising.

Last but not least, Samsung says The Freestyle 2nd Gen. will also be on display at one of bk World’s locations, offering another option for entertainment.

Through this collaboration with bk World, Samsung hopes to make it more pleasurable for EV drivers to recharge their cars. But it is also a way for the company to promote its latest consumer electronics products.

Samsung recently released its 2024 The Frame and Neo QLED TVs, which now boast clever AI capabilities for improved image quality.

Join SamMobile on social media for instant Samsung news updates, deals, reviews, opinions, and more.

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Google Maps AI upgrades could solve your EV charging headaches

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It’s a big day for Google Maps. First, the 3D buildings layer is rolling out to all Android users after months of waiting. And now we’re learning the app is expanding its eco-friendly features by introducing new ways to find EV charging stations and “lower-carbon travel alternatives”. The former, according to the announcement, aims to help electric vehicle owners map out those long road trips for the summer.

First, text summaries will appear in Google Maps describing the exact location of a nearby charging station. The tool utilizes artificial intelligence to take “helpful information from user reviews” to build directions below the name of a charger. As the company explains, you’ll see step-by-step instructions telling you to drive down into an underground parking lot, follow the signs, and turn right just before you exit to find a station. 

The company explains that since it sources from the community, generated summaries are “accurate and up-to-date”. To continue feeding the feature, reviews for charging stations will ask for extra details from the type of plug you used to how long you spent waiting.

New Google Maps features

(Image credit: Google)

While driving in your EV, Google Maps will highlight nearby chargers on your car’s dashboard display. Indicators provide the name of the station, how many ports are open at a given time, and the ports’ charging speeds.

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8BitDo’s Ultimate Controller with charging dock drops to $56 on Amazon

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makes some of our favorite third-party game controllers. The gamepads work with a variety of devices (now including the ) and they’re well-built. Right now, you can pick up a bundle of an 8BitDo Ultimate Controller and charging dock for $56 on Amazon. That’s 20 percent off and close to a record low. It’s the best price we’ve seen so far this year.

8Bitdo

8Bitdo makes some of the best third-party game controllers around. This one is compatible with PC, Switch, Steam Deck and even Apple Vision Pro.

$56 at Amazon

If you’re a Prime member and you’re signed in, you’ll see that the controller is sold by 8BitDo directly. Otherwise, you’ll see the peripheral for the same price, but a third-party seller is flogging it instead.

Along with other devices, the Ultimate Controller is compatible with Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck over Bluetooth or a 2.4g adapter. To connect wirelessly to a Windows PC, you’ll need to use the adapter.

You can use a PC or mobile app to customize the sensitivity of the joysticks, triggers and vibrations, as well as to remap the buttons, add macros and create settings profiles that are saved to the controller. Other features include Hall effect sensing joysticks that will likely be more resistant to wear and drift than many other joysticks, a pair of back paddle buttons and motion controls.

While 8BitDo says that you’ll get up to 22 hours of use out of a single charge, having a dedicated dock to plunk the Ultimate Controller into is handy. In a neat touch, the controller automatically turns off or on when you dock or undock it, respectively.

Overall, the Ultimate Controller is a great, flexible gamepad (for one thing, it’s one of the few third-party controllers that can wake a Switch from sleep mode). After six months of using the peripheral, Engadget Senior Commerce Writer Jeff Dunn a “comfortable and versatile pro-style pad that should stay alive over the long haul” and “my endgame controller for both Switch and PC.”

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.



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AirPower Prototype Seen Charging Apple Watch for First Time

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A prototype of Apple’s ill-fated AirPower wireless charger has been seen charging an Apple Watch for the first time.

airpower
‌AirPower‌ was an Apple-designed charging mat designed to charge Qi-based iPhones, the Apple Watch, and ‌AirPods‌ that the company announced in September 2017 alongside the iPhone X. ‌AirPower‌ was designed so that users could place an ‌‌iPhone‌‌, ‌AirPods‌, and Apple Watch on any part of the mat to charge them, which meant that multiple overlapping charging coils had to be included.

It would have prompted devices to display a unique on-screen iOS animation when they were placed on the charging mat, as seen in Apple’s early marketing materials. An ‌iPhone‌ on the ‌AirPower‌ charger would also have shown the charge of all of the devices that were placed on the pad. ‌AirPower‌ missed its original 2018 launch date goal, and after a large number of issues with its development, Apple outright canceled the AirPower project in March 2019.

Images depicting ‌AirPower‌ prototypes first surfaced on social media in August 2020, showing a multi-coil design and the device’s internal circuitry, and the first video footage of the device emerged in August 2021. Multiple other AirPower prototypes have appeared since then, but most are no longer functional.

A new video from the X user “Apple Demo,” who has showcased various Apple prototypes in the past, demonstrates the ‌AirPower‌’s ability to charge an Apple Watch. The device features 16 coils and can charge a DVT prototype Apple Watch Series 4, but it apparently gets quite warm. Late last year, a functional AirPower prototype from early on in its development exhibited some of the severe thermal problems, including burning or melting devices placed on the charging pad, that ultimately led Apple to abandon the project.

‌AirPower‌’s ability to charge an Apple Watch would have been special because Apple’s smartwatch is only able to charge via its magnetic charging puck and does not support Qi. Simply placing an Apple Watch anywhere on the ‌AirPower‌ pad with no magnetic alignment would have been a unique charging experience.

Rumors in subsequent years about Apple’s work on a smaller wireless charger seem to have been related to MagSafe or the ‌MagSafe‌ Duo charger, rather than ‌AirPower‌. Nevertheless, a report from Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman in 2022 said that Apple is still looking into AirPower-like charging solutions for the future.

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Slash up to 47% off SwitchEasy’s MagPower charging stands

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If you own an iPhone 12 or newer, you need a MagSafe charging stand. They’re incredibly convenient, and they work great with iOS 17’s handy new StandBy feature, which instantly turns your iPhone into a smart display.

SwitchEasy offers two great wireless magnetic charging stands in the Cult of Mac Store — a powerful 4-in-1 and a compact 2-in-1 — and both feature a night light. And they’ve got something else in common. They’re both on sale in our SwitchEasy Sale.

47% off SwitchEasy 4-in-1 MagPower Charging Stand

SwitchEasy’s 4-in-1 MagPower Charging Stand is a space-saving wireless charger for iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch (Series 1-6 only). You can enjoy the convenience of charging all three devices wirelessly at the same time, or separately. And you can charge an iPod or some other device via USB-A cable as well.

Plus, as Cult of Mac‘s reviewer said, the charger packs a bonus in the form of a built-in ambiance backlight with three intensity settings. That goes along with a potent charge — up to 15 watts for iPhone — plus a strong magnetic grip on your MagSafe handset or MagSafe case.

And the charger fits in with Apple gear, too.

“The look of the SwitchEasy MagPower 4-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand is clearly designed to harmonize with Apple devices,” our reviewer said. “There’s lots of white plastic and chrome.”

Main features: Charger for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods, plus a light!

Check out the nightlight in action.
Check out the nightlight in action.
Photo: SwitchEasy

  • Space-saving design charges iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time.
  • Delivers up to 15W charging speed.
  • Built-in three-intensity ambiance backlight easily turns on with just a tap.
  • Built-in magnets attract iPhones with MagSafe. (This feature also works with MagSafe cases.)
  • Base LED shows proper alignment and charging status.

In the box, you get the MagPower stand and a USB-C-to-USB-C cable.

Price: $84.95 $44.99

Where to buy: Cult of Mac Store

34% off SwitchEasy 2-in-1 MagPower Charging Stand

This magnetic wireless charging stand powers up four Apple devices at once.
This magnetic wireless charging stand powers up two Apple devices at once.
Photo: SwitchEasy

The MagPower 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand is a space-saving charging stand for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods. You can charge any two of them at once.

As with the four-way charger, you can enjoy the convenience of wireless charging along with a built-in light with three intensity settings.

Top features:

  • Compact size.
  • Dual 15W fast wireless charging.
  • Compatible with MagSafe.
  • Charge in portrait and landscape mode.
  • Soothing-ambiance backlight.
  • Works with iPhone 12 to 15 series, AirPods, Apple Watch and Qi-enabled devices.

Price: $69.99 $45.99

Where to buy: Cult of Mac Store

Please note: Only compatible with Apple Watch Series 6 or earlier.

We originally published this article on July 19, 2023. We updated it with new information.



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Galaxy M55 is first mid-range Samsung phone with 45W charging

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If you have read our reviews of the recently launched Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35, you may have noticed us complaining about Samsung’s 25W charging technology feeling a little outdated in this day and age, even on a mid-range smartphone.

Well, Samsung may have heard our cries, as it recently launched the first mid-range Galaxy smartphone that supports 45W charging, or Super Fast Charging 2.0 as Samsung calls it. That phone is the Galaxy M55, which was made available for pre-order in Brazil a week ago.

Galaxy M55 can be charged up to 70% in 30 minutes with 45W charger

According to Samsung, the Galaxy M55’s 5,000 mAh battery can be charged to 70% in just 30 minutes with a 45W charger. The Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 sport the same battery capacities, but a half hour charge only gets them up to around 40% and 30% respectively as they charge at 25W.

Samsung Galaxy M55 45W charging

Some will rightfully point out that the difference between 25W and 45W charging isn’t huge. But that’s only applicable to the time it takes for the battery to go from 0 to 100%. 45W charging has a sizable advantage in the first half hour, as evident from the testing we have done here at SamMobile and as Samsung itself confirms in the Galaxy M55’s promotional material.

However, we will have to wait and see if Samsung will bring 45W charging to the Galaxy A series next year with the Galaxy A55 or Galaxy A35’s sequel or to other Galaxy M smartphones. Samsung still limits even some of its flagship phones to 25W charging, so we can see the Galaxy M55 being an exception instead of a sign of 45W becoming more common across Samsung smartphones in the future.

Galaxy M55 is also the first Samsung phone with a 50MP front camera

While the M55’s 45W charging is a first for mid-range Samsung phones, it also has something we have never seen on any Galaxy device before: a 50MP front camera. 40MP is the highest we have seen on Galaxy devices until now, and while the megapixel count isn’t everything, we are very interested in checking out what the M55’s 50MP front camera is capable of.

Another first for the Galaxy M55 is the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chip that powers it. Samsung made heavy use of Snapdragon chips for mid-range phones in 2021 but has gone back to using Exynos and MediaTek chips in recent years.

The Exynos 1480 inside the Galaxy A55 is more powerful than the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, though the M55 probably won’t make users feel like it lacks the processing power for most tasks. Not to mention that the Exynos 1480 may never be used to its full potential, especially in games, as developers don’t usually put extra effort into taking advantage of specific chips.

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