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text 2019-11-07 09:20
USB C: The Other Side of the Dongle Mess

Over the last five years, if there has been one topic in discussion in every way possible by phone and laptop manufactures, media, and tech enthusiasts, it is USB C. How it works, whether it is better than older versions, how fast companies will adapt to it, the possibilities of its uses and many more questions and topics are the focus of these discussions.

 

So why is it in the discussion? And why should device manufacturers switch over?

 

The simple answer is that USB C is fast. As fast as a thunderbolt. Excuse the pun.

 

USB C came into being in 2014, followed by newer, faster iterations of it over the last 5 years. When Apple made the MacBook with just a single USB C port, it was outrageous! It pushed people to think about the I/O panels on devices. If one port can do it all, can form factors be smaller? Can they have one port for everything including charging?

 

 

How this can change the average user’s life is the question to ask. Let’s use this blog to take a look at it:

 

Cable Management

 

Remember the time when you needed a specific cable for each of your devices? USB C changes that (or rather aims to) drastically. The connector is potentially ubiquitous. You can use fewer cables to charge all your devices that have the USB C port. Therefore, your charging station definitely benefits, but you only have to carry just one cable for all your devices when you are traveling. You can use this cable to charge, exchange data, as a connector for projectors, for your headphones, etc. Of course, having more than one USB C cable would be convenient in this situation, but not necessary.

 

Additionally, it would also be environmentally friendly to not need too many cheap quality cables for various uses. You can just have two or three high quality ones that last longer and are recyclable.

 

Display Set Up

 

USB C, the right variant of it, can power two 4K devices. Not only will you be able to get content on two screens but the same cable will also supply power to them simultaneously. With this, you can have high-end display monitors running on a single laptop or external CPU. It makes for a clutter-free setup that is also speed efficient.

 

Form Factor

 

If you can use one port for input/output, and charging, you don’t need to put any other ports on a device. Just like you can carry a single USB C cable, you can use a single port for multiple uses. While you may need to attach something that requires different USB cables, you can use a USB C hub for now when device manufacturers are still using the dated ports.

 

 

When there is a single or even just two USB C ports on a device like a laptop, it allows for a slimmer, more portable form factor.

 

Streamlined Accessories

 

We attach a huge number of devices to each other for various reasons. If each of them had a USB C port, it would make the connection as simple as if it were wireless, with the reliability that comes from cables.

 

The USB C connector is popular as the one connector to rule them all, but that largely depends on device manufactures and how soon they implement their customers’ demands. The smarter thing to do, right now, is to buy gadgets with Type C ports and to hold on to all the USB C cables that come with it. One day we will not have to live the dongle life and it really will take the weight off of our shoulders.

 

Until then, SF Cable can cater to all your requirements for USB cables, including and definitely not limited to USB C cables and dongles.

 

 

Find More Blogs:

 

 

Source: www.sfcable.com/blog/usb-c-other-side-dongle-mess
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text 2019-10-09 10:08
Why You Should Only Use Your Own Charger

USB cables and chargers are everyday must-haves. Whether it is to connect your phone to the music system, transferring files to another device or just for charging. When our phones are running low on the battery we never think twice before borrowing chargers from others.

 

But it could be the biggest pitfall for your device. Because you never know the quality of their USB cables and USB adapters.

 

According to an article by TechCrunch, a hacker was able to access the phone’s data through a simple iPhone USB lightning cable. They manipulated the cable and added a small Wi-Fi enabled implant that let hackers run commands from a nearby device or within the Wi-Fi range. A hacker who goes by the online name MG made these implants where he claims that he gave utmost attention to make them look like the original ones.

 

 

Wondering, if it had already happened to you? Well, if you ever bought a cable from a shop which is not selling legitimate products or is just an unknown shop around the block, then there are chances they might’ve sold you so-called “MG cables”. As soon as you plug that cable to your device, hackers can access your data and easily transmit malicious payloads on your device. They can even send phishing pages to your screen, lock or even steal your data.

 

MG attempted to implant firstly in iPhone cables. But anyone can use these implants in any cable to target whoever they want. In one of his interviews, MG said that “Most people know not to plug in random flash drives these days, but they aren’t expecting a cable to be a threat.”

 

Why It Is Necessary To Avoid Fake USB Cables And Chargers?

 

If we look at the basic operation of any cable, it has one particular job to do: supplying your device with power. The cable isn’t the only part of a phone charger. There are various other parts inside that charge your phone without damaging it. Like a regulator. This part notifies your USB adapter that your phone is full and doesn’t require power any further. Also, make sure you are not constantly overcharging a battery as it will shorten the lifespan of any device.

 

When you opt for the fake chargers, it draws too little power to your device. Some chargers will show that your device is on charging, but after an hour when you check, all it did was just indicate that it is charging. It didn't actually pass any power to your device.

 

All this can put your battery and to some extent your device to risk.

 

 

How To Avoid Buying Fake USB Cables And Chargers?

 
  • Take Care Of Originals

The original chargers are the ones that would go a long way. Therefore, always carry them with you to save the day in case of emergencies.

 

Some tips on taking good care of your original charging cables:

 
  1. Unplug only by the head
  2. Use surge protector
  3. Keep it away from moisture

 

  • Consider The Input/Output Levels

 

When you are considering another charger, it is important to check these things first. Usual chargers accept an input level of 100-240 V. So, plugging it to an outlet or another source above this range might destroy the charger. Plus, look for the output levels. If your battery needs 4.2 volts for full charging, you need a power adapter that can reach this level. An adapter with a capacity of 3 V will charge your batter but at a slower pace.

 

Next, check the amperage. Usually, smartphone chargers can accommodate an output of 1 A. If a device requires less than 1 A, it will only pull what it needs. In case your adapter’s capacity is, for example, up to 500 mA, and if you charge your device with it then chances are it might damage your device.

 
  • Check Out The Certifications

 

There are certain certifications that show a manufacturer’s commitment to meet the regulatory standards of a particular area. CE certificates fall into that category. Additionally, RoHS certifications state that a product does not contain harmful materials.

 

Additional Tip for iPhone Users: Look for the ‘Made for iPod’ logo whenever buying any peripherals for your device. This logo is Apple’s licensing program for the manufacturers developing peripherals for Apple.

 
  • Do Precise Comparison

 

Never go by their external looks and body. The fake ones would always look like the original ones. They might be showing the same brand name with certifications. But it might not have all of them which real one offers.

 

Consider checking their weight. Tap on the product to listen to how they sound. These steps are necessary to take when you think that you might’ve purchased a fake one instead of the original one.

 
  • An Important Check

It is important to have at least a 9.5 mm gap between the edge of the pin and the charger. To check this, you can use any ball-pen as they have 9.5 mm points. After doing it make sure that it plugs correctly and does not have heating issues. As it may lead to damage and fire issues.

 

So, next time you go cable shopping make sure you are bringing home only the legitimate ones. Of course, using the original branded company charger is the number one solution to the ‘fake cable’ problem. Other than that, look for reliable sources that sell authentic merchandise. That includes online stores as well as retail stores.

 

Source: www.sfcable.com/blog/why-only-use-own-charger
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