USB extenders and long cables can technically move both power and data, but rarely deliver top performance in both categories at once. For example, Anker's 10-foot 240W USB-C cable transfers data at just 480Mbps, while Icron's 328-foot extender hits 5Gbps but only supplies 6W per port. USB-IF's compliance rules also don't cover generic male-to-female USB-C extension cables, even though such cables aren't illegal to sell or use.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-22
USB to USB-C adapters may look identical externally but vary widely in the USB specification they support, power delivery capability and internal component quality. These differences affect transfer speeds, charging times and can even risk port damage if a mismatched adapter is used.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-21
Amazon has cut the price of Anker's Prime Docking Station to $169.99, a $100 reduction from its $269.99 list price and a match of its previous lowest sale price. The 14-in-1 device merges a laptop dock with a charging hub, supporting dual monitors and up to 160W of combined power output.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-21
USB-A is the original rectangular USB connector from the USB 1 standard, designed with a one-way host-to-device connection so it only fits one way and can't be flipped freely. USB-C is the newer, smaller, reversible connector that replaced older peripheral formats like USB-B, Mini-USB and Micro-USB, especially on modern mobile devices.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-21
Apple originally designed a smaller, hinge-mounted Apple Pencil exclusively for its foldable iPhone Duo, but according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the accessory hit unresolved technical problems before mass production and was scrapped. Apple instead opted to support the existing USB-C Apple Pencil, though that compatibility won't be ready at launch and is expected to arrive later in 2026 after further software development and testing.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-20
Monitors with built-in USB hubs use two types of ports: an upstream port that links the monitor to a computer, and downstream ports where peripherals like keyboards or drives connect. If a monitor's video signal runs over HDMI or DisplayPort, those cables don't carry USB data, so a separate USB upstream cable is required for the hub's downstream ports to function. USB-C can eliminate that extra cable when the monitor and cable support DisplayPort Alt Mode and USB Power Delivery.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-19
USB 3.0's successors were renamed using confusing 'Gen' labels tied to speeds of 5, 10 or 20 Gbps, making printed USB 3.2 labels unreliable indicators of actual performance. USB-C ports add convenience but say nothing about speed, since USB-C devices can still run at USB 2.0 rates. Real-world tests, like Kingston's DataTraveler Max hitting up to 1,000 MB/s versus Samsung's Fit Plus write speeds of just 58.4 MB/s, show huge gaps hidden behind similar branding.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-17
Amazon is currently selling a two-pack of Ring's Indoor Cam 2K for $59.98, a 50% discount that saves buyers $60 off the regular price. Each camera includes two-way talk, night vision, and USB-C power, letting shoppers add indoor monitoring to two rooms at once.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-16
USB-C offers better convenience thanks to its reversible design and widespread use across laptops, tablets and smartphones, making it ideal for transferring large files on mobile devices. However, the connector type alone does not determine speed—actual performance depends on the USB specification (like 2.0 or 3.2) built into the drive and the port it's plugged into.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-15
Apple's MagSafe charging technology, first introduced in 2006 and revived after being dropped for USB-C in 2015, offers a magnetic, snap-on connection that reduces the risk of a MacBook being pulled off a surface if the cord is tugged. However, it remains a proprietary cable that only charges MacBooks, unlike USB-C cables which charge multiple devices and connect displays, drives and other peripherals.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-15
Voicemod has released the Key Pocket, a USB-C hardware dongle that lets Android and iOS users apply real-time voice changing and sound effects during calls, streaming, or mobile gaming. It works as an external audio bridge, routing microphone input through Voicemod's app before passing it to other apps like Fortnite, Discord, or calling apps, sidestepping mobile OS restrictions on altering live mic audio. It costs $99.90 alone or $129.90 bundled with a lifetime Voicemod Pro license.
theverge.com
· 2026-09-15
Apple confirmed that its foldable iPhone Duo won't support the Apple Pencil at launch with iOS 27.1, with compatibility instead arriving via a software update expected around November. Only the Apple Pencil USB-C model will work with the device, meaning owners of the Apple Pencil 2 or Pencil Pro will need to buy a new $79 stylus. Unlike iPads, the iPhone Duo lacks magnets for wireless charging, so the Pencil must be paired and charged via a USB-C cable.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-15
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