Tag Archives: USB-C

Apple MFI plan to limit speed, power on USB-C leaked!

Leave a reply

Apple may be planning to limit data transfer and charging speed on USB-C ports used in its devices, by introducing MFI certification!

 

Earlier : Apple Forced To Adopt USB-C Port!

Apple has been hesitant about moving to the superior USB-C port for years, limiting it to Mac computers and iPad tablets.

The 12-inch MacBook was the first Mac computer to get USB-C in 2015, while the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro tablets made the switch from Lighting to USB-C in 2018. However, Apple stubbornly refused to migrate its iPhones to USB-C.

The choice to stick with their proprietary Lightning port was taken out of their hands on October 4, 2022, when the European Parliament voted decisively to adopt the USB-C (USB Type C) port as the new standard for all portable devices.

By the end of 2024, all portable devices sold in the EU must come with a USB-C charging port. This directive is more or less directed at Apple, which is the only brand that continues to use its own proprietary Lighting connector.

Read more : EU Orders All Brands To Use USB-C, Including Apple!

 

Apple MFI plan to limit speed, power on USB-C leaked!

Now that the EU is firmly forcing everyone to use USB-C, Apple will start using the USB Type C port in its upcoming iPhone 15 models.

However, Apple apparently isn’t going to give up its lucrative side gig of selling its users MFI (Made for iPhone) cables and accessories at exorbitant prices.

According to ShrimpApplePro, who accurately leaked on the iPhone 14, Apple will introduce MFI for its USB-C cables and accessories.

And even worse – cables that lack MFI certification will have their data and charging speeds limited.

Yeah usb-c with MFI is happening

Foxconn already in mass production accessories like EarPods and cables

Cables w no MFI will be software limited in data and charging speed

MFI-certified cables have a small authenticator chip to verify that they are “certified” to work with Apple devices. If you use cables that lack this authenticator chip, you will get the “This accessory is not supported” warning on your Apple device.

Apple gets paid for every authenticator chip, so MFI cables and accessories are priced at a premium, even if they work just as well as non-MFI cables and accessories.

Apple is already expected to limit the iPhone 15 base model, and iPhone 15 Plus, to USB 2.0 data transfer speeds of up to 480 Mbps (60 MB/s), while Pro models will get the much higher transfer rates of 20 Gbps (USB-C 3.2) or even 40 Gbps (Thunderbolt 3).

People may not bat an eye at Apple limiting data transfer speeds to differentiate their Pro models from the non-Pro models, but limiting battery recharging speeds for non-MFI cables should ruffle some feathers. After all, there is technically no good reason why Apple cannot allow their devices to benefit from faster charging using non-MFI cables.

Naturally, Apple benefits financially from introducing MFI for USB-C. It will force Apple users to pay the notorious “Apple tax” on top of the “Apple premium” they paid for their Apple devices.

Imagine if Apple introduces MFI for USB-C and phases that in for future Mac computers and iPad tablets, as well as the upcoming iPhone 15 smartphones. Even those who have been happily using regular, non-MFI USB-C cables will have to switch them to MFI cables, and for what?

There is really no discernible benefit for Apple users to use MFI-certified cables over regular USB-C cables. It’s not like they will give your Apple devices magical powers. If there is any reduction in transfer rate or charging speed, it will only happen because Apple intentionally chose to make it so.

Of course, this leak may turn out to be true, and Apple may not be quite so evil as to foist the MFI tax on its loyal users. But I fear that Apple believes its users are more loyal than discerning, and will yet again, quietly pay for MFI cables just because Apple said so.

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Mobile | Tech ARP

 

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

EU Orders All Brands To Use USB-C, Including Apple!

Leave a reply

It’s official – the EU has ordered all brands to standardise on the USB-C connector for all mobile chargers, including Apple!

 

EU Orders All Brands To Use USB-C, Including Apple!

On Tuesday, October 4, 2022, the European Parliament voted decisively in favour of adopting the USB-C (USB Type C) port as the new standard for all portable devices.

The directive passed with an overwhelming vote of 602 MEPs in favour, and just 13 against (with 8 abstentions), and now heads to the EU Council for the formality of a final approval.

Once the Council signs off on the directive, it will enter into force 20 days after publication in the EU’s Official Journal. Member states will then have 12 months to transpose the new directive, and another 12 months after that transposition period, to apply the new rules.

Once these new rules are enforced, consumers will be able to use and share chargers since all portable devices use the same charging port.

The EU expects the directive to greatly reduce e-waste, and help consumers save up to €250 million a year on purchasing chargers of different standards.

In the EU, chargers alone account for about 11,000 tonnes of e-waste every year. So this directive will help to cut down on the environmental impact of disposing of so many old or unused chargers.

 

Details Of EU Directive On USB-C Standardisation

Here is my quick round-up of the new EU directive on standardising portable devices and laptops on the USB Type C charging port.

All Devices Must Come With USB-C Charging Port

What this means is that by the end of 2024, all portable devices sold in the EU must come with a USB Type C charging port.

Regardless of their manufacturer, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, earbuds and laptops that are rechargeable via a wired cable, operating with a power delivery of up to 100 Watts, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port.

Small devices like smartwatches and health trackers that cannot fit a USB-C port are exempted from this requirement.

This directive is more or less directed at Apple which persists in using its own proprietary Lighting connector for its devices – everything from iPhone, iPad, AirPods and even its wireless keyboard and mouse.

The only way for Apple to get around this is to switch their new devices to wireless charging before the end of 2024.

All Devices Must Support USB-C Fast Charging Standards

Also important is the fact that the EU is going to force all brands to adopt USB-C fast charging standards.

While the legislation won’t stop manufacturers from implementing special fast charging capabilities, it will ensure that their chargers and devices support USB-C fast charging standards as a minimum.

All devices that support fast charging will now have the same charging speed, allowing users to charge their devices at the same speed with any compatible charger.

USB-C Mandate To Extend To Laptops In 2026

On top of that, the directive also requires laptops to standardise on the USB Type C charging port by spring 2026.

This new directive will not please Apple MacBook users who just celebrated the return of the MagSafe connector, but it will be a great advantage for consumers.

Once enforced, everyone will be able to use their laptop’s USB-C charger to also recharge their other devices, because they all have the same USB Type port!

Dedicated Labels

The directive also requires brands to use dedicated labels to help consumers decide if their existing chargers will support their new devices, or if they need to purchase a new charger.

This will hopefully prevent consumers from being hoodwinked into purchasing a new charger with every new device, when their existing chargers will work just as well.

Dedicated labels will inform consumers about the charging characteristics of new devices, making it easier for them to see whether their existing chargers are compatible.

Buyers will also be able to make an informed choice about whether or not to purchase a new charging device with a new product.

Wireless Charging To Be Standardised Too

The directive also commanded the European Commission to tackle wireless charging interoperability by the end of 2024.

It highlighted the risk of brands using proprietary wireless charging technologies to “lock in” users, replicating what Apple did with its Lightning connector for wired charging.

Like with wired charging, the EU wants wireless charging to be interoperable as well.

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Mobile | Business | Tech ARP

 

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Dell UltraSharp 27 (U2722D) USB-C Hub Monitor Revealed!

Leave a reply

Dell just unveiled the UltraSharp 27 (U2722D) – a new UltraSharp USB-C hub monitor for CES 2021!

Find out if this is the productivity monitor you have been waiting for!

 

Dell UltraSharp 27 (U2722D) USB-C Hub Monitor

The Dell UltraSharp 27 (U2722D) is a 27-inch Full HD monitor, with a built-in USB-C hub for greater productivity.

It has a QHD resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels, with ComfortView Plus for low blue light emission, a wide viewing angle of 178°, and ultra-thin bezels.

On top of that, it has a wide colour gamut of 100% sRGB, and 95% DCI-P3, as well as support for 1.07 billion colours.

Thanks to its USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C input, the Dell UltraSharp 27 also doubles as a productivity hub, offering Ethernet connectivity and up to 15 watts of power delivery.

The Dell UltraSharp 27 (U2722D) comes with a 3-year Advanced Exchange Service, which means if a replacement is necessary, it will be shipped to you the next business day.

In addition, it comes with Dell Premium Panel Exchange, which allows a free monitor replacement during the 3-year Limited Hardware warranty, even if only one bright pixel is found.

 

Dell UltraSharp 27 (U2722D) : Specifications

Specifications Dell UltraSharp 27
Model U2722D
Display Size
(Diagonal)
 27 inches
Native Resolution 2560 x 1440 pixels
Native Refresh Rate 60 Hz
Aspect Ratio 21:9
Pixel Pitch NA
Pixel Density NA
Brightness NA
Colour Gamut 100% sRGB
100% Rec. 709
95% DCI-P3
Colour Accuracy Delta-E < 2
Colour Depth 1.07 billion colours
Contrast Ratio NA
Viewing Angle 178° vertical
178° horizontal
Response Time NA
Panel Type IPS (In-Plane Switching)
Backlight LED
Display Coating Anti-Glare Treatment
3H Hard Coating
Other Features ComfortView Plus
Dell Display Manager
Speakers Optional Slim Soundbar (SB521A)
Warranty 3 Years Advanced Exchange Service
Premium Panel Exchange

 

Dell UltraSharp 27 (U2722D) : Price + Availability

The Dell UltraSharp 27 (U2722D) will be available in Malaysia in March 2021, but there’s no indication of how much it will cost. We will update this article when we know more.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Computer | Home

Support Tech ARP!

If you like this review, please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!


HUAWEI MateDock 2 : A Nifty Little USB-C Dongle!

Leave a reply

Bundled with the new HUAWEI MateBook X Pro is the HUAWEI MateDock 2 – a nifty little USB-C dongle. Let’s take a closer look!

 

HUAWEI MateDock 2 : A Nifty Little USB-C Dongle!

Ultra-thin laptops like the new HUAWEI MateBook X Pro have limited ports by necessity. Ports require space and more critically, will force the laptop to be thicker.

So, the solution is to move the ports off to a separate portable device – a dongle like the HUAWEI MateDock 2.

The HUAWEI MateDock 2 is a slimmer evolution of the original MateDock, offering two display output ports and two different USB ports in a handy little dongle.

Available only in the white colour, the MateDock 2 connects to your computer’s USB Type C port, and offers these ports :

  • USB Type A : supports USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 drives
  • USB Type C : supports USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 drives
  • HDMI 2.0 : supports video resolution up to 3840 x 2160 (30 Hz) or 2160 x 1440 (60 Hz)
  • VGA : supports WUXGA resolution up to 1920 x 1200 (60 Hz)

 

HUAWEI MateDock 2 : Specifications

Specifications HUAWEI MateDock 2
Input USB Type C connector
Output 1 x USB Type C port
1 x USB Type A port
1 x HDMI 2.0 port
1 x VGA port
HDMI Support 3840 x 2160 @ 30 Hz
2160 x 1440 @ 60 Hz
1920 x 1080 @ 60 Hz
VGA Support Up to 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz
Material Plastic
Dimensions 58.9 mm wide
71.8 mm tall
14.5 mm thick
Weight 75 g (maximum)

 

HUAWEI MateDock 2 : Price + Availability

The HUAWEI MateDock 2 is bundled FREE with selected HUAWEI laptops, including the new HUAWEI MateBook X Pro. But here are some online purchase options (prices accurate as of 12 May 2020) :

Malaysia : RM 130.10 | RM 169.99 | RM 179 | RM 180.76 | RM 197.68

Singapore : S$65 | S$73.90 | S$89

United Kingdom : £44.53

 

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Computer Hardware | Home

Support Tech ARP!

If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!


The Transcend StoreJet 200 For Mac Revealed!

Leave a reply

Transcend Information Inc. just announced the StoreJet 200 for Mac portable hard drive. This is a large capacity and lightweight drive for Mac devices.

 

The Transcend StoreJet 200 For Mac

Featuring the USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface, a USB Type-C connector, and pre-formatted with the HFS+ file system, the Transcend StoreJet 200 is ready to go right out of the package.

Lightweight and capacious

Transcend’s StoreJet 200 for Mac is only 9.95 mm thick and weighs in at just 133 g. Yet, the StoreJet 200 for Mac comes with a storage capacity of 2TB.

Stylish and speedy

Enclosed in a sleek aluminum housing, the StoreJet 200 for Mac features a classic silver color, CNC-finished edges, and sturdy industrial design. In addition, it utilizes the high speed USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface and USB Type-C port.

Both a USB Type-C cable and a USB Type-C to Type-A cable are included in the package to ensure that it will work with all MacBook, Macbook Pro, and iMac models.

Native formatting in HFS+

[adrotate group=”2″]

The StoreJet 200 for Mac is factory formatted with the HFS+ file system, allowing it to be used right out of the box with Time Machine. Users can select it as a backup destination directly without worrying about the storage capacity.

Advanced Transcend Elite software

Transcend Elite is an advanced software suite compatible with both macOS and Windows that features powerful and user-friendly applications, such as backup and restore, data encryption, and cloud backup that help users manage data and increase productivity.

Warranty

The Transcend StoreJet 200 for Mac portable hard drive is backed by Transcend’s three-year limited warranty.

Go Back To > News | Home

 

Support Tech ARP!

If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!

New WD G-Technology Drives With Thunderbolt 3 & USB-C

Leave a reply

Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ: WDC) today announced upgrades to its award-winning G-Technology product lines, including the addition of Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C connectivity technologies. To be on display at BroadcastAsia 2017 for the first time, the upgrades optimize the speed and performance of these drives, meeting the growing needs of creative professionals who are capturing and transferring vast amounts of high-resolution content.

 

The New WD G-Technology Drives With Thunderbolt 3 & USB-C

Built for creative professionals, including videographers and digital photographers, who require storage solutions that keep up with their intensive data needs and creative applications, G-Technology’s upgraded devices offer complete, high-capacity workflow solutions that seamlessly integrate into the larger Thunderbolt 3 ecosystem.

All WD G-Technology storage solutions use HGST Ultrastar enterprise-class drives and are backed by an industry-leading 5-year limited warranty. G-Technology’s storage solutions come pre-formatted for Mac computers and can be easily reformatted for Windows computers with the G-Technology Windows Format Wizard.

 

WD G-DRIVE with Thunderbolt 3

The WD G-DRIVE with Thunderbolt 3 is designed for creative professionals in mind, with dual Thunderbolt 3 ports and a USB-C port (supports USB 3.1 Gen 1). Users can conveniently daisy chain up to five additional devices, allowing them to stay connected to multiple drives and quickly move HD videos and 4K footage through a single connection.

With capacities up to 12TB, heavy workloads and mission-critical data users have peace of mind with the long-lasting reliability of the HGST Ultrastar 7200 RPM enterprise-class hard drive inside. It is available now at RM 3,900 / ~US$ 929 for 12TB and RM 3,410 / ~US$ 810 for 10TB .

 

WD G-RAID with Thunderbolt 3

The WD G-RAID with Thunderbolt 3 is a high-performance, removable dual-hard drive RAID 0, 1 or JBOD storage system that features Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.1 Gen 2, HDMI 2.0 ports. It also has the ability to plug in 4K 60 HDR displays and editing tools, allowing creative professionals to quickly access, browse, edit, and backup digital libraries.

Removeable HGST Ultrastar 7200 RPM enterprise-class drives allow flexibility and reliability that is suitable for the most demanding creative projects, including multi-stream HD, 2K, 4K, and HDR video workflows. It is available now at RM 9,750 / ~US$ 2,320 for 24TB.

 

WD G-SPEED Shuttle XL

The WD G-SPEED Shuttle XL with Thunderbolt 3 is able to handle demanding multi-stream workflows of 4K and beyond, both on location and in the studio. The G-SPEED Shuttle XL with Thunderbolt 3 offers hardware RAID 0, 1, 5, 6,10, and 50 configurations in an 8-bay transportable solution.

[adrotate group=”2″]

Equipped with HGST Ultrastar enterprise-class hard disk drives for enhanced reliability and transfer rates up to 2000 MB/s, creative professionals have the ultimate storage solution for demanding video workflows and high-capacity storage. It is available now at RM 49,730 / ~US$ 11,840 for 96 TB.

The G-SPEED Shuttle XL with ev Series bay adapters is similar to the G-SPEED Shuttle XL with Thunderbolt 3. The integrated ev Series bay adapters improve workflow options and productivity by enabling cross-functionality with all ev Series drives.

Designed with two ev Series bay adapters for use with ev Series drive modules and ev Series readers, users can experience enhanced reliability coupled with fast transfer rates up to 1500 MB/s. It is available now at RM 38,030 / ~US$ 9,055 for 72 TB.

Go Back To > News | Home

 

Support Tech ARP!

If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!

TRENDnet USB-C Adapters Launched

Leave a reply

TORRANCE, Calif. – Mar. 22, 2016 – TRENDnet announced today the launch of its USB-C product line. The new line will feature three USB-C adapters for HDMI, VGA, and Gigabit Ethernet.

“TRENDnet is committed to developing reliable products to improve user connectivity, and our line of USB-C adapters is designed to keep users up-to-date with the new USB connector standard,” said Sonny Su, technology director at TRENDnet. “The new USB-C line allows users to take advantage of improved data transfer speeds and more power, while extending the life of current devices.”

The Type-C port and connector are extremely compact and feature a reversible connector orientation. The new USB-C technology and connector support lightning-fast transfer speeds, and feature an increased power output. All TRENDnet USB-C products are conveniently powered by the computer’s USB port, and are Windows and Mac compatible.

[adrotate banner=”4″]USB-C to HDMI 4K UHD Display Adapter, model TUC-HDMI (Amazon)

  • Extend or mirror your computer’s display to a 4K monitor or HDTV
  • Flawless video with high speed USB Type-C to HDMI connection
  • Max resolution: 3840 x 2160 resolution at 30 Hz

USB-C to VGA HDTV Adapter, model TUC-VGA (Amazon)

  • Extend or mirror your computer’s display to a projector, monitor or HDTV
  • Flawless video with high speed USB Type-C to VGA connection
  • Max resolution: 1920 x 1200 resolution at 60 Hz

USB-C to Gigabit Adapter, model TUC-ETG

  • Adds a Gigabit Ethernet port to your computer
  • SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Type-C port

 

TRENDnet USB-C Pricing & Availability

TRENDnet’s USB-C to HDMI Adapter, model TUC-HDMI (Amazon), and the USB-C to VGA Adapter, model TUC-VGA (Amazon), will be available worldwide through major retailers and other authorized TRENDnet partners later this month.

The MSRP for TUC-HDMI is USD $32.99.
The MSRP for TUC-VGA is USD $29.99.

TRENDnet’s USB-C to Gigabit Adapter, model TUC-ETG, will be available in late July.

 

Support Tech ARP!

If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!