Tech NewsGadgets

Intel Thinks USB-C Should Replace the Headphone Jack

While every other port on your computer has become digitized and smarter, the good ‘ol 3.5mm headphone jack has remained as a bastion of analog data transmission. But Intel thinks the time has come for its replacement, and it looks like USB-C. As Anandtech points out, one of the talks at Intel’s developer conference in … Continued

Tech NewsGadgets

A Software Fix Might Eventually Stop Bad USB-C Cables From Destroying Devices

USB-C is a fantastic new standard for almost everything, unless you have a crappy cable, in which case you might accidentally fry your laptop. The people behind USB-C understandably see this as a problem, so a fix is in the works. The solution is reasonably simple: when you plug in a USB-C cable that’s been … Continued

Tech NewsGadgets

First USB-Powered 8TB Drive Is as Portable as a Flash Drive

Keeping the number of power cords dangling off your desk to a minimum usually means settling for a smaller capacity backup drive that draws all the power it needs from a single USB cable. But Seagate’s new Innov8 drive packs 8TB of storage into an external closure that doesn’t need to draw power from an … Continued

Tech NewsCommerce

Amazon Is Banning Cheap, Unsafe USB-C Cables

A cheap USB-C cable can fry your phone or computer. So it’s nice to see that Amazon is taking action, clamping down on the sale of poor-quality USB-C cables that don’t make the grade. Amazon has added “non-compliant” USB-C cables to its list of items that are prohibited for sale on its site, as TechCrunch … Continued

Tech News

Apple Quietly Fixed a Dumb Problem During Today’s Event

Hidden amongst the excitement of releasing a two-year-old phone today, Apple also revealed another, far less exciting problem: a USB-C to Lightning cable, finally fixing a unique and stupid problem for the one percent. Up until now, if you spent $1500 on a Retina Macbook, and $600 on an iPhone, there was no good way … Continued

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Cheap USB-C Cables Could Kill Your Phone or Laptop

Benson Leung, an engineer on Google’s Pixel team, was doing God’s work by risking his Chromebook Pixel, which charges via USB-C, to test every single USB-C to USB-A cord available to general consumers. One crappy cord, and his $1500 computer would be fried. You know how this story ends right? On Monday, a cheap cord … Continued

Tech NewsGadgets

Here’s the Tiny USB-C Card Reader Your 12-Inch MacBook Desperately Needs

One of the less publicized themes of CES 2016 appears to be ‘ways to fix the 12-inch MacBook’. Not only does it come with just a single USB-C port, there’s also no memory card slot. So if you’re a photographer constantly transferring shots, you’ll want Satechi’s tiny new USB-C card reader always close at hand. … Continued

Tech NewsGadgets

Griffin’s New Quick-Release Cable Gives MagSafe Powers to USB-C

If you love the USB Type-C port on Apple’s 12-inch MacBook but miss the quick release MagSafe power connector that probably saved your old MacBook’s life on many occasions, Griffin now has a simple way to get it back. The functionality behind the company’s new six-foot BreakSafe Magnetic USB-C Power Cable, available come April for … Continued

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OnePlus Will Refund Customers Who Bought Its Flawed USB-C Cable

The reversible USB-C cable and charger that OnePlus sells for its OnePlus 2 smartphone is very good at charging that particular phone. But as a Google engineer pointed out, it’s not up to spec for all USB-C devices. In a statement, OnePlus acknowledged the problem, but restated that its cable works perfectly well with its … Continued

Tech News

A Google Engineer Is Publicly Shaming Crappy USB-C Cables

All cables are not created equal: some will charge most efficiently, others might just fry your battery. Google Chromebook engineer and Caped Cable Crusader Benson Leung has been testing USB-C cables off Amazon, and it’s not just the no-brand products that have been failing. Leung’s campaign mostly consists of ordering USB-C cables off Amazon, testing … Continued

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This Thin USB-C Dock Gives Your New MacBook Every Port It’s Missing

The unending march of technological progress probably left you feeling slightly confused when your fancy new 12-inch MacBook arrived with just a single USB-C port. Satechi has a solution to Apple’s oversight, though, that doesn’t compromise your new laptop’s tiny footprint. The company’s new Type-C Hub Adapter sidles up alongside your laptop and turns its … Continued

Tech News

Want a Reversible USB-C Cable? OnePlus Has You Covered

If you’re the kind of lucky person who owns a USB-C enabled piece of electronica, listen up: OnePlus is selling its fantastic reversible USB-C cables for a song. The 1-meter and 1.5-meter (3 feet and 5 feet, for people who don’t like order) cables go for $5.50 and $7 respectively. That’s a bunch cheaper than … Continued

Tech NewsGadgets

The First USB-C Car Charger Also Throws In a Backup Battery

Now that many laptops and smartphones can be charged with the same USB Type-C cable, it makes sense to have those fancy new ports everywhere. And with Nomad’s new Roadtrip, any vehicle with a 12-volt car socket can be modernized with a USB Type-C power source of its own. The car charger hasn’t forgotten about … Continued

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Here’s The Box That Can Turn a Puny Laptop Into a Graphical Powerhouse

USB Type-C is shaping up to be the holy grail of ports. It can charge your laptop, deliver 4K video, and transfer loads of USB data all over a single cable—all at the same time. What could be better? You’re looking at the answer. What you see in these pictures is a hub that uses … Continued

Tech NewsGadgets

Build a Custom Multi-Functional USB-C Hub With These Modular Bricks

USB-C promises to be the all-in-one cable we’ve all dreamed about, but the first companies to adopt it are being stingy about how many ports they give us. It means USB expansion hubs are en vogue again, and the Cusby is the first to let you custom build one for your specific needs. Available through … Continued

Tech NewsPrivacy & Security

The NSA Is Going to Love These USB-C Charging Cables

Thanks to Apple’s new MacBook and Google’s new Chromebook Pixel, USB-C has arrived. A single flavor of cable for all your charging and connectivity needs? Hell yes. But that convenience doesn’t come without a cost; our computers will be more vulnerable than ever to malware attacks, from hackers and surveillance agencies alike. The trouble with … Continued