cables

For a connector that was meant to rescue us from cable hell, USB-C has turned out to be unexpectedly frustrating in many ways. While in theory the interchangeable port should enable combinations of high-speed data, power, and external displays, uncertainties about just which cables will satisfy which purpose have undermined that flexibility. Now, the USB-IF is aiming to address at least USB Type-C power cables.

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Most people with an Apple device (or most people with any smart device, for that matter) can tell you stories about charging cables fraying over time. It's a frustrating issue because not only does it represent money that you're throwing in the trash can, but until you replace the cable, it's also a hazard. Apple may have figured out a way to make cables more durable, potentially solving the issue of frayed cables.

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The iPhone 12 changed a lot of things, from the camera combination to the design of the edges. The biggest change, however, is not in the phone itself but what came with it inside the box. Apple's decision to not ship with EarPods and even a charger proved to be controversial despite the company's claims of benefiting the environment and lowering costs. It might not be stopping there, however, as a recent after-sales survey suggests it is mulling over removing even the USB-C Lightning cable in the future.

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V-MODA has launched its new SpeakEasy DAC/AMP Lightning cable, a cord featuring a built-in amplifier and digital-to-analog converter technology, offering users access to top tier audio quality over a wired connection. Apple notoriously removed the iPhone headphone jack in the relatively recent past, leaving users with Bluetooth or a Lightning audio cable as their only options.

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The aux cable is getting a 21st century update, with Belkin revealing its newest cord to hook your headphone-jackless iPhone up to your car's dashboard or just about anything else. Apple's decision to ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack on its more recent iPhone models prompted no shortage of teeth-gnashing, but little more so than in the car.

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Well, here's a bit of a twist: knock-off Apple accessories that are selling for a higher price than the authentic ones. A handful of listings for fake Apple Watch charging cables have appeared on Amazon, and they are all more expensive than Apple's. The cables come from companies such as "Somoder," "Reiko," and "WL," and are priced between $45 and $58. To compare, Apple sells a 1-meter charging cable for the Watch for $29.99, while a 2-meter cable is $39.99.

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As the number of gadgets that complement our daily lives grow, consolidated devices that serve more than one function become increasingly attractive. The USBduo cable is one such device, and it aims to cut down on the number of dongles and card readers you tote around. At its core, USBduo is a USB cable with a microUSB end. Under its sleeve (or wooden block, in this case) are a couple hidden treats, as well, such as a micro SD card reader.

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Lenovo has recalled power cords in the United States and Canada over an issue that could potentially cause a fire or risk of burns. About 500,000 of the cables are located in the US, while the remaining 44,000 are located in Canada, and all of them were made between February and December 2011. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 15 incidents have been reported outside of the United States, but there have been no reports from within Canada or the US.

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Cords. Everywhere you look, there are cords. We were promised this cord-free utopia long ago, but it’s not arrived. We’re left to manage our tethered, tangled existence all alone. there is good news, though — we’ve found products that can help. Rather than suffer the indignity of tangled headphones and chargers everywhere, we’ve compiled a list of some products that can help you avoid the cat-and-mouse game of cord management. Whether you’re at home or on the run, these products can help!

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During a year rife with recalls (mostly of the automotive sort), HP has been forced to recall more than six million laptop power cords following multiple reports of them overheating and more. The recall is for both the United States and Canada, and covers cords sold from September 2010 up through the summer of 2012.

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That new Lightning cable that first surfaced in a patent appeared yesterday in some images leaked by Sonny Dickson, all of which clearly show a new USB end that is able to plug into a USB port regardless of orientation. Fast-forward a short while, and Dickson has followed this up with a brief video showing the cable in action.

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Look, I don’t know what it takes to lay thousands of miles of undersea cable, but I know there are some vicious animals under the surface. Google is finding that one out the hard way; it seems sharks are biting their various data cables laid under the sea.

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