Twelve South announces the HiRise 2-- a revamp of the first HiRise iDevice stand featuring a new design with a heavier body within a smaller overall footprint.

According to the company the increase in weight allows the stand to hold larger devices, such as the 9.7-inch iPad Pro. However it suggests the HiRise 2 is not suitable for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro,  due to the smaller dimensions. Otherwise every other iDevice is fair game, including the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.

Logitech announces a desktop keyboard for customers juggling between multiple devices-- the K780, a wireless number with "Easy-Switch" buttons allowing one to easily switch between 3 connected devices.

The keyboard is compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, and features a full keyboard layout complete with 10-key number pad. An integrated slot with rubber finishings can hold devices ranging from smartphones to the 12-inch iPad Pro at an ideal reading angle.

The 3 Easy-Switch buttons double as the F1-F3 keys via modifier, and have an LED allowing one to check which device the keyboard is currently connected to. Other keys provide useful functions such as Home, Search, Back, App-Switch and Contextual Menus.

Razer announces the Ornata line of keyboards featuring what the company calls a "Mecha-Membrane"-- the fusing of a membrane rubber done design with mechanical keyswitches.

The mecha-membrane essentially blends the best of mechanical and laptop-style keyboards, since it provides both soft rubber-dome keys and satisfying clicky presses. Another unique feature is mid-height keycaps for a "comfortable and efficient" typing experience.

“The Razer Mecha-Membrane is the result of years of research and development that we’ve dedicated to build the best keyboards for gamers,” the company says. “When we moved to our own Razer mechanical switches in our production lines, we were excited to learn from real-use scenarios and apply that knowledge to perfect other technologies. The Razer Ornata is a great example of how our engineers can use feedback to innovate something truly amazing for gamers, in this case a solution that melds two seemingly disparate keyboard technologies for a phenomenal experience.”

The HDMI Founders announce an HDMI Alternative Mode for the USB Type-C specification, allowing the connection of HDMI-enabled displays to video sources via USB-C, with no need for additional protocols or adapters.

As announcement press release puts it, "this enables two of the most popular solutions for connectivity to come together-- the small form factor, reversible, and multi-purpose USB Type-C connector being adopted by smartphones, tablets and PC products, and HDMI, which is the leading display interface with an installed base of billions of displays."

HDMI Alt Mode includes all HDMI 1.4b features, including video resolutions up to 4K, Audio Return Channel (ARC), 3D, HDMI Ethernet Channel and Consumer Electronic Control (CEC). The HDMI cable uses the USB-C connector on the source side and any HDMI connector on the display side, all without adapters or dongles.