All posts tagged: USBC

5 USB-C tricks that feel wrong until you try them

5 USB-C tricks that feel wrong until you try them

Published by skeptic

Most folks only use USB-C as a charging port or to transfer data. But underneath the oval-shaped connector’s wonderfully accessible shape are a heap of extra specifications: USB Power Delivery for negotiating power flow, Alt Mode for tunneling other protocols like DisplayPort through the same pins, and USB4 at the high end for raw bandwidth — and it’s the combination of these that makes USB-C easily one of the best bits of tech in the past decade. Related How USB-C reversibility actually works Reversible doesn’t mean identical. Charge another phone from yours Reverse charge all the things Reverse charging is one of the most useful USB-C capabilities: just plug your phone into another device, and it’ll start charging the recipient automatically. It works because USB Power Delivery is a bidirectional negotiation rather than a fixed direction — the two devices communicate when connected, work out which one has more power to offer, and set the direction of flow accordingly. The only problem is that more devices support incoming USB PD rather than giving it out. …

Your USB-C port might be running at USB 2.0 speeds — here’s how to check

Your USB-C port might be running at USB 2.0 speeds — here’s how to check

Published by skeptic

USB-C is fast. Well, that’s not entirely true. USB-C is an oval-shaped connector that we associate with much faster transfer speeds and charging for our devices. But that’s all USB-C is: a standard that defines the connector shape we all love. It replaced a generation of slower, uglier ports, and we all collectively decided it meant things got better. Except sometimes it didn’t. Sometimes your USB-C port is running at USB 2.0 speeds, and it never really lets you know unless you spend time figuring out the problem. Related How USB-C reversibility actually works Reversible doesn’t mean identical. Why your USB-C port isn’t as fast as it should be Capped, but you don’t know why Standard Defines Does NOT define USB-C Connector shape and pin layout Transfer speed, data protocol, or power delivery level USB 3.2 Transfer speed (up to 20Gbps) Connector shape — works with USB-A, USB-C, or internal USB 4 Transfer speed (up to 40Gbps) and protocol Connector shape — but requires USB-C Thunderbolt 4 Speed, protocol, and minimum port requirements Connector shape …

I bought the wrong “HDMI to USB-C” cable three times before learning this one thing

I bought the wrong “HDMI to USB-C” cable three times before learning this one thing

Published by skeptic

When you walk into your local big-box store to pick up a new HDMI or DisplayPort cable, you can typically grab one off the shelf without thinking twice, right? HDMI to HDMI works exactly as you’d expect, and the same goes for its more PC-centric counterpart. Heck, even a DisplayPort-to-HDMI converter will work exactly as you expect when you plug it in, providing a beautiful picture on any display. After getting a portable monitor, I figured it would be the same kind of deal. Walk into my local Walmart, grab an HDMI-to-Type-C cable, and gain the ability to play my favorite games anywhere I’d like. Well, after multiple incorrect cables, I finally learned what I actually needed, and I’m here to make sure you don’t make the same costly mistake as yours truly. Not all cables function the same Unidirectional, bidirectional, DP Alt Mode; there are so many things to learn Credit: Shaun Cichacki/MUO After purchasing a few different HDMI-to-Type-C cables, I discovered something incredibly frustrating: none of them worked with my portable monitor. While you …

4 Secret Things Your iPhone’s USB-C Port Can Do

4 Secret Things Your iPhone’s USB-C Port Can Do

Published by skeptic

Apple’s transition to USB-C on the iPhone brings practical upgrades that go beyond charging convenience. Phones & Drones highlights one notable feature: device-to-device power sharing, which allows an iPhone to charge other devices like Android phones, wireless earbuds, or even another iPhone. By connecting two devices with a USB-C cable, the iPhone automatically transfers power from the device with more battery to the one with less, offering a useful solution when access to a power outlet is unavailable. Discover how the USB-C port enables faster file transfers, cutting down the time required to move large files such as 4K videos or high-resolution images. Learn how it supports external peripherals, including keyboards, monitors and storage drives, expanding your iPhone’s functionality. This overview provides clear guidance on using these features to enhance both productivity and convenience. iPhone USB-C Tips & Tricks TL;DR Key Takeaways : The iPhone’s USB-C port enables power sharing, allowing it to charge other devices, including Android gadgets and accessories, making it a portable power bank in emergencies. It supports charging smaller accessories like …

Why I trust these USB-C connectors to power my most expensive tech gadgets

Why I trust these $5 USB-C connectors to power my most expensive tech gadgets

Published by skeptic

USB-C breakaway connector pros and cons Pros Excellent range of swiveling and rotating. Smooth action with just the right amount of magnetic force holding the connector together. Can carry 240W of power. Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. The other day, a friend of a friend brought over their car for me to check out. It had a broken USB-C port on the dashboard. There’s always a tale of woe that comes with a damaged vehicle, especially when the owner feels even slightly responsible. This story was no exception.  Apparently, a smartphone was plugged into the port when some kittens (yes, kittens!) darted into the road. Cue sudden braking, the phone flying across the car, and the cable yanking out of the port, breaking it in the process. But the story doesn’t end there.  Also: It’s time to admit your router’s built-in firewall isn’t enough – here’s what is The owner took the car to the dealership, where they were charged more than $100 in diagnostic fees to confirm the port was broken. The …

Manufact raises .3M as MCP becomes the ‘USB-C for AI’ powering ChatGPT and Claude apps

Manufact raises $6.3M as MCP becomes the ‘USB-C for AI’ powering ChatGPT and Claude apps

Published by skeptic

For decades, software companies designed their products for a single type of customer: a human being staring at a screen. Every button, menu, and dashboard existed to translate a person’s intention into a machine’s action. But a small startup based in San Francisco and Zurich believes that era is ending — and that the future belongs to companies that build software not for people, but for the artificial intelligence agents that increasingly act on their behalf. Manufact, a three-person company that emerged from Y Combinator’s Summer 2025 batch, announced in February that it raised $6.3 million in seed funding led by Peak XV, the venture capital firm formerly known as Sequoia Capital India and Southeast Asia, which now manages more than $10 billion in assets. Liquid 2 Ventures, Ritual Capital, Pioneer Fund, and Y Combinator also participated in the round, alongside angel investors including the co-founder and chief operating officer of Supabase. The company’s thesis is deceptively simple and potentially enormous: as AI agents take over more of the work that humans perform inside software …

macOS Will Alert You to MacBook Neo’s USB-C Port Limitation

macOS Will Alert You to MacBook Neo’s USB-C Port Limitation

Published by skeptic

The new MacBook Neo is equipped with two USB-C ports, but they are not the same. The left USB-C port supports USB 3 speeds of up to 10 Gb/s, while the right USB-C port closer to the trackpad is limited to USB 2 speeds of just 480 Mb/s. As a result, Apple says external display connectivity is supported on the left port only. Given the ports are not labeled, this limitation could be an inconvenience. Fortunately, though, Daring Fireball‘s John Gruber said if you plug an external display into the incorrect port, macOS will alert you to use the other port. Apple says the MacBook Neo supports one external display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz. If you want to learn more about which features and specs you have to live without if you buy a MacBook Neo, read our in-depth list of compromises. MacBook Neo is available to pre-order now, with U.S. pricing starting at $599 ($499 for college students). The laptop launches Wednesday, March 11. Popular Stories Apple Accidentally Leaks ‘MacBook Neo’ …

MacBook Neo Features Two Different USB-C Ports

MacBook Neo Features Two Different USB-C Ports

Published by skeptic

The MacBook Neo’s two USB-C ports have two different specifications, with one being limited to USB 2 speeds. One port is a USB-C 3 port with support for data transfer speeds up to 10 Gb/s, while the other is a USB-C 2 port with support for data transfer speeds up to 480 Mb/s. Both support charging, but only the USB-C 3 port features DisplayPort, so users will need to make sure they are hooked up to the correct port when using an external display. There is no way to tell them apart externally. The limitation is likely related to the USB controller of the A18 Pro chip. There is also a headphone jack on the device, but there is no MagSafe charging capability or any other ports. MacBook Neo is available to pre-order starting today, with availability starting on Wednesday, March 11. Popular Stories Apple Accidentally Leaks ‘MacBook Neo’ Apple appears to have prematurely revealed the name of its rumored lower-cost MacBook model, which is expected to be announced this Wednesday. A regulatory document for a …

Shure’s MVX2U Gen 2 interface transforms XLR mics into travel-friendly, high-fidelity USB-C audio solutions

Shure’s MVX2U Gen 2 interface transforms XLR mics into travel-friendly, high-fidelity USB-C audio solutions

Published by Jenni Sidey

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more › Sign Up For Goods 🛍️ Product news, reviews, and must-have deals. For nearly a century, Shure microphones have shown true grit. Sometimes it’s capturing the grit of performers on stage. Sometimes it’s capturing the grit of the stage. All those (in)famous Roger Daltrey microphone twirls? A Shure SM58/Beta 58A. Point being, Shure microphones have graced dive bars to broadcast studios to presidential podiums, bringing reliability. But some recording/streaming setups have shrunk from rackmounts and road crews to backpacks and even back pockets, so Shure addressed how to bring a full-bodied XLR microphone into a USB-C world without sacrificing depth or clarity or durability. The second-generation single-channel Shure MVX2U is a compact, road-ready $139 digital audio interface that runs inline between your mic and laptop, tablet, or phone, drawing clean bus power from your device to deliver rich, broadcast-grade audio minus the breakout boxes. See It Despite its pocketable 100g build, this MVX2U Gen. 2 is no …

14 surprising ways to use your iPhone’s USB-C port – beyond just charging

14 surprising ways to use your iPhone’s USB-C port – beyond just charging

Published by skeptic

Orico / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways Your iPhone’s USB-C port does far more than charge devices. USB-C turns your iPhone into a hub for work, media, and storage. Wired USB-C accessories deliver faster, more reliable performance. For years, the iPhone was stuck with the Lightning port, even as Apple moved its other devices to USB-C. That meant keeping one cable for my iPhone and another for my iPad and Mac. However, starting with the iPhone 15 lineup, Apple finally made the switch. Every current iPhone model, including the iPhone 15, iPhone 16, and iPhone 17 families, now uses USB-C. And yes, it is about time. Also: 14 secret phone codes that unlock hidden features on your Android and iPhone I really like that USB-C does far more than simplify device charging for me. It turns my iPhone into a workstation, a media hub, a storage device, and even a networking tool. If you have only been using the port to charge, you’re …