Latest Tech News

Stay updated with the latest in technology, AI, cybersecurity, and more

Filtered by: cables Clear Filter

I dangled 56 pounds off this retractable USB cable, and the worst didn't happen

Ugreen Nexode 100W retractable USB-C cable ZDNET's key takeaways Compact, palm-size design that extends out to 1 meter/3.3 feet The cable is E-marker chipped to handle up to 100W The retractor reel is strong and can withstand 28kg/56lb. View now at Amazon Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. Cables are a source of never-ending frustration. Despite taking the time to carefully and methodically wrap them after each and every use using the over-under method, they always come ou

Internet Access in the Middle East Disrupted After Undersea Cables Are Mysteriously Cut

Over the weekend, crucial undersea cables providing internet access to parts of Asia were mysteriously cut, leading to internet outages in certain parts of the Middle East and Asia. The initial news seems to have originated from a Microsoft announcement published on Sunday. The announcement reads, in part: “Starting at 05:45 UTC on 06 September 2025, network traffic traversing through the Middle East may experience increased latency due to undersea fiber cuts in the Red Sea.” Gizmodo reached ou

Microsoft's cloud service restored after reports of cut cables in the Red Sea

Microsoft said its Azure cloud platform has returned to normal service after an incident of cut underwater cables that played out over Saturday. The tech giant reported "undersea fiber cuts" in the Red Sea on Saturday morning, which disrupted Azure service throughout the Middle East and led to potential "increased latency" for users. Microsoft said that the latency issue was resolved by Saturday evening and was able to reroute the Azure traffic through other paths. Microsoft didn't provide a re

Microsoft cloud services disrupted by Red Sea cable cuts

Microsoft cloud services disrupted by Red Sea cable cuts Microsoft says the delays could affect traffic moving through the Middle East Over the weekend, there were reports suggesting that undersea cable cuts had affected the United Arab Emirates and some countries in Asia. Microsoft did not explain what might have caused the damage to the undersea cables, but added that it had been able to rerouted traffic through other paths. Users of Azure - one of the world's leading cloud computing platf

Microsoft says Azure affected after cables cut in the Red Sea

In Brief Microsoft said Saturday that clients of its Azure cloud platform might experience increased latency after multiple undersea cables were cut in the Red Sea, as reported in Bloomberg. In a status update, the company said traffic going through the Middle East or ending in Asia or Europe had been affected. It did not say who had cut the cables or why. “Undersea fiber cuts can take time to repair, as such we will continuously monitor, rebalance, and optimize routing to reduce customer imp

What Is USB-C, and What Do All Those Numbers Mean?

From laptops to phones to wireless Bluetooth speakers, earbuds and more, USB-C connections have become the de facto standard for charging and data transfer of devices. While USB-C is just about everywhere now, including longstanding holdout Apple since the iPhone 15, not all ports or cables are the same. They look identical, sure, and have some interoperability, but there are ratings for different charging and data speeds. That can make choosing a USB-C cable more complicated than it should be.

Fairphone’s new chargers are as fast as they are eco-friendly

TL;DR Fairphone has launched a new range of USB-C cables and chargers. The new cables support 240W power output and can withstand at least 70,000 bends. The three-port 65W charger is set to launch before the end of September. Fairphone is best known for its ethically made handsets, like the recently launched Fairphone 6. But it makes more than just phones; you’ll also find earbuds and headphones. Now the company has expanded its product line even further with the launch of new cables and char

My search for the ultimate car charger is over - and this one has a flexible superpower

Baseus PrimeTrip VR2 Max ZDNET's key takeaways It can charge four devices simultaneously. It features two retractable USB‑C cables that can rotate and swivel Be aware that the accessory can be a bit bulky, so it might not fit in some vehicles. $49.99 at Amazon Your car probably has a couple of built-in USB ports, so you'd think that the days of the dedicated car charger are numbered. Also: I found a compact power station with solar charging, and it's a new off-grid essential But you'd be wr

The Great Unracking: Saying goodbye to the servers at our physical datacenter

Since October 2010, all Stack Exchange sites have run on physical hardware in a datacenter in New York City (well, New Jersey). These have had a warm spot in our history and our hearts. When I first joined the company and worked out of the NYC office, I saw the original server mounted on a wall with a laudatory plaque like a beloved pet. Over the years, we’ve shared glamor shots of our server racks and info about updating them. For almost our entire 16-year existence, the SRE team has managed a

This multi-port car charger can power 4 gadgets at once - and it's surprisingly cheap

ZDNET's key takeaways It can charge four devices simultaneously It features two retractable USB‑C cables that can rotate and swivel It is a bit bulky, so it might not fit in some vehicles. View now at Amazon Your car probably has a couple of built-in USB ports, so you'd think that the days of the dedicated car charger are numbered. Also: I found a compact power station with solar charging, and it's a new off-grid essential But you'd be wrong. A total in-car charging system Baseus has take

Anker’s new charging station battles desktop clutter with two retractable USB-C cables

is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid. The current trend in USB chargers isn’t adding more power or ports, it’s integrating charging cables that disappear when not in use. Anker was one of the first companies to release a charger with a built-in retractable USB-C cable last October, but its latest charger brings the same convenience to the desktop alongside three AC outlets you won’t

I never leave home without this viral USB-C key ring accessory, and it only costs $25

ZDNET's key takeaways Nomad's ChargeKey V2 is on sale for $25 each. This version of the handy accessory provides charging speeds up to 240W for laptops and data transfer speeds up to 10Gbps. However, some may find its short length too restrictive. $25 at Nomad At the time of last publication, the ChargeKey V2 is backordered and expected to ship starting July 24. As often as I rely on USB-C cables to charge my devices or help with work, I hardly think about them. My mindset has been that they

Anker’s fast power bank with two built-in USB-C cables is 30 percent off for Prime Day

Anker’s 25,000mAh power bank with two built-in, retractable USB-C cables might be as essential for you as it is for me. It offers fast charging speeds, serving up to 100W through either of its USB-C cables (one of which doubles as a handle when it’s not in use), or a combined 165W if you have them both charging gadgets simultaneously. In time for Prime Day, this model costs $94.99 ($25 off) at Amazon and Anker. This is the lowest price it’s sold at in months. I’ve tested this battery pack with

I never leave home without this viral USB-C key ring accessory, and it's on sale for $20

ZDNET's key takeaways Nomad's ChargeKey V2 is on sale for $25 each. This version of the handy accessory provides charging speeds up to 240W for laptops and data transfer speeds up to 10Gbps. However, some may find its short length too restrictive. $25 at Nomad Nomad's ChargeKey V2 is on sale for 20% off during the brand's anniversary sale. Grab it right now for $20. As often as I rely on USB-C cables to charge my devices or help with work, I hardly think about them. My mindset has been that

Amazon Clears Out 10,000mAh Charger with 4 Built-In Cables, Now Nearly Free for Prime Members

Prime Day is the perfect moment to pick up all kinds of gadgets, and Amazon’s strategy is clear: boost sales by slashing prices on best-sellers whether they’re from big brands or lesser-known names. If you’re looking for a portable charger that can handle all your devices and comes with built-in cables as well as multiple outputs, this model is currently among the top five best-sellers on Amazon. Now, you can get this 10,000mAh portable charger for just $19, a decrease from its normal price of

I finally found the ultimate USB-C charger for traveling

ZDNET's key takeaways Perfect way to share 100W of power between three devices. This cable does exactly what it says it will on the box - something that a lot of cables can't claim. Some might find the 65W limit a bit restrictive for charging laptops. View now at Amazon View now at Futurizta more buying choices Over the past couple of years, I've tested a handful of multi-connector USB-C charging cables. You've probably seen them for sale on big-name e-commerce websites, and maybe on social m

With Built-In Cables, This 10,000mAh Travel Charger Goes for Peanuts Thanks to Early Prime Day.

With dozens of power banks to select from on Amazon, it’s easy to feel snowed under with options but not all portable chargers are created equal. There are good reasons to look beyond the ratings and take a look at features that really matter: If you require a power bank that’s skinny, robust, affordable, and packed with innovative features like many outputs and cables integrated so you don’t need to carry spares – this is a model worth buying. Presently, there’s a 10,000mAh portable charger wi

HDMI 2.2 standard finalized: doubles bandwidth to 96 Gbps, 16K resolution support

What just happened? Following the standard's debut at CES 2025, HDMI 2.2 has now been finalized by the HDMI Forum. The full spec confirms much of what we heard six months ago, including doubling the maximum bandwidth of HDMI 2.1 to 96 Gbps – more than DisplayPort. While using HDMI 2.2 does not require a new connector, taking advantage of all its best features requires a new Ultra96 cable – a reference to its maximum bandwidth. 96Gbps is double the 48Gbps max bandwidth of HDMI 2.1 and is more th

HDMI 2.2 will support 16K video at 60Hz

is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid. After first announcing it at CES 2025, the HDMI Forum is finally releasing the new HDMI 2.2 specification to manufacturers today. Although there is no definitive timeline for how long it will take hardware makers to adopt the new specification, the first Ultra96 HDMI Cables, with bandwidth capabilities boosted to up to 96Gbps, could be available

HDMI 2.2 will support 16K video at 60Hz

is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid. After first announcing it at CES 2025, the HDMI Forum is finally releasing the new HDMI 2.2 specification to manufacturers today. Although there is no definitive timeline for how long it will take hardware makers to adopt the new specification, the first Ultra96 HDMI Cables, with bandwidth capabilities boosted to up to 96Gbps, could be available

HDMI 2.2's full specs have been finalized, with better support for modern displays

The new cables have to be labeled 'Ultra96' to indicate they support up to 96Gbps in bandwidth. The HDMI forum, which develops and manages HDMI specification, has officially launched the final and full specifications for HDMI version 2.2. First revealed at CES 2025, version 2.2 was designed to make it significantly easier to send videos with higher refresh rates and resolutions to modern TVs, such as those with 4K and 8K displays. Version 2.2 cables are required to be branded with the Ultra96 f

Forget Anker, Baseus MagSafe Portable Charger Is Practically Free as Amazon Offers It at Almost 50% Off

If you’ve ever found yourself juggling a low phone battery, a tangle of cords, and a bulky power bank, you know how frustrating on-the-go charging can be. First you have to make sure your charger is ready to go. Then you have to make sure you actually have a cable. Because chances are when you need one, it’s nowhere to be found. That’s exactly the kind of daily headache this currently discounted charger was made specifically to resolve. And you can act fast to get one right now for a great price

A shortage of high-voltage power cables could stall the clean energy transition

In a nutshell: As nations set ever more ambitious targets for renewable energy and electrification, the humble high-voltage cable has emerged as a linchpin – and a potential chokepoint – in the race to decarbonize the global economy. A Bloomberg interview with Claes Westerlind, CEO of NKT, a leading cable manufacturer based in Denmark, explains why. A global surge in demand for high-voltage electricity cables is threatening to stall the clean energy revolution, as the world's ability to build n

Worldwide power grid with glass insulated HVDC cables

Worldwide power grid with glass insulated HVDC cables. Moving electricity around the world has huge financial and environmental benefits. Unfortunately, current power transmission systems are both lossy and expensive to build. This post explores an alternative design for cables to make undersea power transmission substantially cheaper. Idea Fused silica (glass) is a really good insulator (500 MV/m, vs 150 MV/mm for XLPE plastic), and is very cheap. By using it as cable insulation, cables can

Sweden Investigates New Cable Break Under Baltic Sea

The European Union vowed on Friday to increase security in the Baltic Sea as the Swedish authorities said they were investigating a new cable break, the latest example of damage to underwater infrastructure in the region. The European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm, said it would take new steps to prevent and detect threats to submarine cables, which carry internet traffic and transmit electricity. The severing of several undersea cables in the Baltic Sea in recent months has raised conc