Yubico's latest security key is the Security Key C NFC, a cheaper alternative to the company's existing YubiKey 5C NFC. The new product enables users to easily secure their Android smartphone, iPhone, or computer running Windows 10 using a physical key that makes it much harder for hackers to infiltrate an account.
Satechi today announced a new USB-C adapter, and it's quite the doozy. Though its official name - the Satechi USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter - might be a little boring, the actual adapter is anything but. As you'd expect, the USB-C adapter comes with a variety of ports, but it comes with something else we're not really used to seeing on these types of products: An M.2 slot.
Today the European Union released a public statement on their intent to require USB-C for all smartphones, tablets, cameras, and more. "The European Commission tried to bring companies on board via voluntary agreements, which partially worked." said Anna Cavazzini, Chair of the EU Parliament's consumer protection committee. "However, not all companies have agreed, and that is why the Commission has finally proposed legislation for one common standard for chargers."
When smartwatches first came out years ago, they were ridiculed for having to be recharged at least every night. While some battery lives have improved since then, they're still dismal when you consider regular timepieces don't need charging at all. Of course, there is no getting around the need to plug in the smart wearables from time to time, so manufacturers are trying to reduce the time needed for that instead. That's what the Apple Watch 7 is bringing to the table, and Apple is finally revealing what's needed to take advantage of its new fast charge feature.
So you're disappointed with the fact that Apple continues to use their own Lightning port on the iPhone here in 2021. You're looking for a way to continue using your iPhone, but also have the... luxury(?) of using USB-C cords whenever you like. A man by the name of Ken Pillonel wanted to use USB-C with his iPhone too - so he went wild with the hacking and the modding.
This week the folks at Yubico released the YubiKey Bio to the general public for the first time. This is the USB-docked fingerprint scanning security key system that was first previewed to the world back at Microsoft Ignite 2019. Now this key system is available in two iterations, one with USB-A, the other with USB-C, both with fingerprint readers.
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.
The European Commission today took a big step toward making USB-C the charging standard for many devices sold in Europe. The Commission states that this proposed legislation would make USB-C the standard charging port on "all smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, portable speakers, and handheld videogame consoles." The Commission is also looking to unbundle the sale of chargers from devices once USB-C becomes standard to cut down on waste.
Logitech today announced the Logi Dock, a new device that serves as both a docking station and a speakerphone. The Logi Dock is aimed directly at those who find themselves working at home either temporarily or permanently because of the COVID-19 pandemic. More specifically, it seems the Logi Dock is targeted at remote employees who could benefit from a little cable management in their new home offices.
Most of the hacking incidents and security vulnerabilities we often see published happen remotely, often through malware that has been installed without the user's knowledge. Local Privilege Escalations or LPEs are often rarer because they need physical access to a target computer or device. There is, however, a very specific class of security attacks that involve a little bit of both, like in the case of an innocent-looking USB cable that will actually let a hacker see everything you type on a keyboard connected to it.
Kingston makes a lot of storage devices, but today, it announced one of the most intriguing yet. Today Kingston Digital announced the DataTraveler Max, a new USB flash drive capable of some impressive read and write speeds. The DataTraveler Max users USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 to meet those high speeds, and what results is a USB flash drive that's faster than most people probably even need.
A new law could be put in place soon that'd effectively force Apple to change the way the iPhone connects to computers physically. This might be a non-issue if Apple ever decides to move away from the physical connector cord in favor of an all-wireless system, but for now - all eyes are on Lightning. The European Commission is expected next month to present their newest attempt at legislation that'd make one common cord the law for smartphones across the board.