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Satechi has released the OntheGo Foldable Stand Hub, an $80 accessory that doubles as a tablet, phone, or laptop stand and a USB-C dock. A ZDNET reviewer tested the device and found it solved long-standing ergonomic and connectivity problems that had left previous tablets gathering dust.
A review highlights how having two USB-C ports on a laptop simplifies connecting peripherals like portable monitors, since one port can handle power while the other manages video and data. The piece notes that laptops with only a single USB-C port force users to rely on multiple adapters and cables—such as HDMI-to-mini-HDMI and USB-A-to-USB-C—to achieve the same functionality, especially when battery life requires the laptop to stay plugged in.
Google has published troubleshooting guidance for Android Auto users experiencing connection issues, covering both wired and wireless setups. The advice includes checking cables and ports for damage, using data-capable cables under six feet, and toggling Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to force a manual reconnection.
Sharge has released the Shargeek 300, a metal unibody power bank with a 24,000mAh battery that outputs up to 300W, enough to charge two laptops and a phone simultaneously. It features a translucent housing with RGB lighting, a 1.9-inch display showing real-time charging data via its Sentinel battery management system, and is currently priced at $199 through a launch deal on Amazon.
Japanese researcher @dydt_Nao successfully demonstrated a dinner-plate-sized USB flash drive built from magnetic core memory, transferring both a text file and a small monochrome bitmap image between two PCs. The device, which uses a Raspberry Pi Pico as its controller, stores only 128 bytes of data and displays activity through a 32x32 LED array that lights up as each magnetic core is accessed. The creator plans to showcase the device at Maker Faire Tokyo 2026 in early September.
Google's Android Auto works on nearly any Android device released since 2018 running Android 9 or newer, with the app built into the OS starting with Android 10. Phones on Android 9 must download it manually from the Play Store, and it only functions over a wired USB connection to a supported vehicle, of which Google says there are now more than 500 models.
The Talix retractable USB-C to USB-C cable, normally $22, is discounted to $14 on Amazon with a coupon. It supports up to 240W and PD 3.2 charging, packing a 4- to 5-foot cord into a compact, magnet-equipped case about the size of a compact mirror.
Woot is selling the Hyper Dual Monitor Thunderbolt 4 Dock for $24.29 after applying the code WOOTDOCK, down from its usual $99.99 list price. The dock supports dual 4K60Hz displays or a single 8K30Hz monitor, offers 60W USB-C power delivery, two USB-A 10Gbps ports, a 1GbE ethernet port, and a 3.5mm audio jack, all through a single Thunderbolt 4 connection.
Google's Pixel 11 Pro XL nearly hits its advertised 45W wired charging speed, peaking at 40.7W, but only when paired with a specific USB-C charger supporting 21V at 2A under the USB PD PPS protocol. Common PPS chargers limited to 11V, including some rated up to 67W, only delivered around 25W in testing, and even with the ideal charger the phone still takes about 21 minutes to reach 50% charge.
Samsung's 32-inch ViewFinity S7, a 4K UHD IPS monitor with HDR10 support, has received its first-ever price cut on Amazon, falling from $289.99 to $219.99. The $70 reduction amounts to a 24% discount off its list price.
ZDNET's guide clarifies that despite USB unifying device charging, wall outlets worldwide still differ wildly in plug shape and voltage output, from 100V in Japan to 230V in Paraguay. It distinguishes universal travel adapters, which only change plug shape, from voltage converters, which actually change electrical output—two very different tools travelers often confuse.
Nokia's new 300 Charge dumb phone packs a 3,700mAh battery capable of 37 hours of talk time, but its standout feature is a reverse-charging 'powerbank mode' that outputs 10W via a bundled 4-in-1 cable with Micro USB, USB-C and USB-A adapters. The phone also includes a bright LED flashlight, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and basic specs like a Unisoc SC6531E chipset, 4GB RAM/storage, a QVGA camera and a 2.4-inch display.