GoKawiil
Tech News
Black-colored USB-A ports typically indicate a USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed USB) connection capable of transfer speeds up to 480 Mbps. This color coding is only a common convention rather than an official industry standard, so a black port's speed can vary between different computers. USB-C ports, by contrast, rarely use color coding at all, and any color present is usually just cosmetic.
Some USB-A ports are colored orange, which frequently indicates they can supply power even when a computer is turned off, drawing from the power supply or battery. The color is also sometimes used to flag USB 3.0 ports capable of up to 5 Gbps data transfer speeds, but manufacturers apply the convention inconsistently.
External USB drives connected to a PlayStation 5 can archive PS4 and PS5 game installs, store screenshots and video clips, and transfer media to a computer, though not all functions work simultaneously on one drive. Game archiving requires a USB 5 Gbps (USB 3.0) drive between 250GB and 8TB, formatted specifically as USB Extended Storage, which erases existing data and can't be used with a hub. Screenshots and clips instead require a standard exFAT or FAT32 formatted drive, meaning separate drives are needed for games versus media.
A battery symbol next to a USB port signifies that it supports USB Power Delivery (USB PD), allowing it to supply higher power levels and charge connected devices. USB PD was introduced in 2012 and updated in 2021 to deliver up to 240W, enabling it to power high-end laptops and monitors. This marking helps users identify ports capable of faster charging and more demanding power transfer.
A tech trivia feature identifies the original iMac G3, released in 1998, as the first widely used computer to drop all legacy ports in favor of USB exclusively. The machine shipped with two USB 1.1 ports and no ADB, serial, SCSI, or floppy connectors, while retaining Ethernet, a modem jack, and audio. The piece also examines near-misses like Sony's VAIO 505 and Compaq's iPaq Desktop, which came later or kept some legacy ports.
WIRED evaluated more than 20 travel adapter models and narrowed them down to eight recommended picks for international travelers in 2026. The guide breaks down the world's 15 different plug types, explains which adapter style suits single-destination versus multi-country trips, and clarifies why most travelers don't actually need a voltage converter alongside their adapter.