USB-C

Apple’s iPhone XS event last month was almost everything that we’ve expected except for one thing. Well, two if you count the still MIA AirPower wireless charging pad. The anticipated new iPad Pros were nowhere to be seen, disappointing some fans of the larger iOS device. Fret not, however, since Apple will reportedly have an event this month dedicated especially for its professional slates and it could very well be the biggest change the iPad Pro line has seen since the very first iPad Pro.

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Today Microsoft revealed the Surface Headphones. They look simple, but they're very powerful. They've got beam-forming mics, they've got noise cancellation, they've got a whole lot of interesting bits and pieces - including Cortana. These headphones are the missing piece of the puzzle for the creative user - or at least that's what Microsoft is suggesting today.

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The European Union seems ready to flex its muscles to steer the mobile market ship, perhaps emboldened by its successful case against Google and Android. This time, it’s turning its sights on something it already thought was a closed case years ago: mobile phone chargers. Despite the growing use of the USB-C standard on smartphones, the EU thinks that the adoption is not only slow but also not enough. And considering that Apple remains the only one with a proprietary connector, its Lightning technology stands to lose the most.

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There's a feature in the Samsung Galaxy S9, most recently, which allows Samsung phones to be their own miniature PC replacements. It's called DeX, aka Dockless Desktop, and it's actually pretty neat. It wasn't perfect the last time we took a closer look at it*, but it was certainly on the right track. Now, with the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, there's a real possibility that DeX will become a whole lot easier to get into right out the box.

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Microsoft may have developed hurt feelings over criticisms of its late adoption of USB-C connectors. It has just recently revealed its promised USB-C dongle for its Surface devices and it might have made you cringe or scratch your head. Now it is revealing USB-C adapters for its Surface Go, which thankfully does use USB-C. They still leave you wondering, however, if the company is trolling USB-C advocates in one way or another.

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Belkin made one of the first USB-C keyboards in the universe, and today they've revealed it to the world. This isn't the FIRST USB-C keyboard in the world, but it's easily set to be one of the best-selling. That's because Belkin is a go-to brand for accessories, and given the relative lack of Chrome OS-centric accessories in the world today, Belkin might well be in a great position here to get a real stack of cash.

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It’s almost embarrassing, at least for Microsoft, that Apple would be at the forefront of pushing new standards like USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 while its premier flagship computers obstinately remain in the recent past. Admittedly, there are business reasons for doing clinging to USB-A and DisplayPorts but Microsoft seems to have intentionally missed the USB-C boat even in its latest Surface Pro and Surface Laptop. It promised to dangle a dongle in front of USB-C lovers and that promise is nearly fulfilled. USB-C lovers, however, would probably feel insulted rather than assured.

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Apple's iPhone could be in for a big change next year. Rumor has it that Apple is considering switching its iPhone lineup from Lightning to USB-C for charging. We've heard whispers about the future of Lightning before, of course, but Apple's decision to go all-in on USB-C with its MacBooks further lends credibility to the claim that iPhone will follow suit.

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Chinese company Fiio has launched a new high-res audio player called the M7. The new Fiio M7 model has a stylish, blocky design with both a touchscreen and physical buttons, as well as one big, important feature: USB-C. With this, buyers can use a pair of USB-C headphones with the audio player rather than traditional 3.5mm headphones.

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Apple's USB-C to Lightning cable has seen a quiet price cut, dropping in price by almost a quarter amid rumors of a shake up in iPhone and iPad charging. Although Apple includes a USB-A to Lightning cable in the box with each iPhone and iPad, it has also had an option for those wanting faster charging, just as long as they're willing to pay up.

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This week we're taking a peek at the new Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K. This device works with a native 4096 x 2160 resolution 4/3 sized sensor. This camera rolls with built-in SD, UHS-II, and CFast card recorders as well as a a USB-C expansion port. With this port, users are able to record directly to an external SSD or flash disk. That'll make the transfer of media to its final destination all the quicker.

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For over a decade, Apple has been using its own proprietary charging connector for its MacBooks. While it offered safety features no other connector did or does to date, it was also non-standard and incompatible with the not so small number of competing standards already in the market. When Apple finally gave in, it didn’t come without a price. The 2015 MacBook only had one USB-C port for both data and charging and last year’s MacBook Pros threw all ports out, replacing them with two or four Thunderbolt 3 ports. That, however, consequently gave birth to a new market of docks and dongles that aimed to bring back what was lost. One of them is the new Belkin USB-C Express Dock 3.1 HD, which we have taken for a spin to see how it fares against the competition.

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