Tag: USB-C

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iPhone 15 Pro renders show off thinner bezels, deeper camera bump and USB-C port

Along with the recent leak of the iPhone 15 Pro/iPhone 15 Pro Max’s reported USB-C port, an in-depth look at what could be the smartphone’s overall design has appeared.

Renders created by freelance 3D artist Ian Zelbo that were first published on 9to5Mac show off the iPhone 15 Pro’s and iPhone 15 Pro Max’s slightly thinner bezels, subtly curved display edges and a USB-C port. On the other hand, the renders don’t feature Power or Volume buttons, so it’s unclear if the designs back up recent rumours regarding the iPhone 15 Pro switching to buttons that don’t actually move.

According to 9to5Mac and Zelbo, these “early CAD drawings are based on information sourced from Apple’s parts suppliers. With this in mind, it’s important to point out that the phone’s design could change before its expected September reveal.

Previous iPhone 15 Pro/iPhone 15 Pro Max rumours indicate that the smartphones will still be available in 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch variants, respectively, and that they’ll feature a new A17 Bionic chipset alongside an upgrade to 8GB of RAM and, of course, the switch to USB-C following the EU’s mandate surrounding the port.

Image credit: 9to5Mac, @ianzelbo

Source: 9to5Mac

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Ugreen’s Triple Display Docking Station is a pricey but helpful addition to my desk

Last year I reviewed some Ugreen charging accessories, but one Ugreen product I tested but didn’t have time to write about was the USB-C Triple Display Docking Station.

The docking station has become one of my most-used Ugreen accessories while also being tough to recommend. The biggest issue is the price — at $329.99 USD (about $442.10 CAD), it’s a tough sell.

It also might be hard to get in Canada. The device isn’t listed on Ugreen’s Amazon store in Canada, making Ugreen’s website the only place to get it. Ugreen’s shipping information notes that it delivers to “most areas of the United States,” with no mention of shipping to Canada. However, when I punched in my shipping information, it estimated delivery would take three-to-five business days and would be free of charge.

Cost and shipping aside, if you’re in the market for a dock that does it all, then Ugreen may have what you need here. This docking station sports the following:

  • SD and microSD card reader (104MB/s)
  • USB-C 3.1 (10Gbps)
  • USB-A 3.1 (10Gbps)
  • 3.5mm audio jack
  • 2x USB-A (5Gbps)
  • DisplayPort (4K@60Hz)
  • 2x HDMI (1x 4K@60Hz, 1x 8K@30Hz)
  • USB-C Power Delivery: 100W
  • ‘Host’ port – USB-C
  • RJ45 Gigabit (1000Mbps)

In other words, this docking station is absolutely loaded with ports, enabling a ton of functionality — assuming you’ve got a PC capable of taking advantage of all those features over USB-C. Over the last few months of 2022, I tested out several Windows laptops, most of which worked well with the Ugreen dock. I, unfortunately, can’t speak to how well MacBooks play with the docking station since I don’t have a MacBook, but Ugreen’s website suggests it should work fine.

In fact, the Ugreen docking station actually made my job reviewing laptops a fair bit easier since almost every major Windows laptop offers USB-C charging and display output over the same port. Thanks to that, I was able to quickly cycle new laptops into my workflow by just plugging them into the dock — with one plug, I had access to a whole second monitor, charging, my camera, and anything else I needed to plug in (such as my security key that, unfortunately, uses USB-A still).

A small gripe I have with the dock is that it requires a power source for charging and doesn’t come with an adapter in the box. It wasn’t a major issue for me since I already had other Ugreen adapters — I grabbed the 140W Nexode charger I had from a previous review, and that worked just fine. However, for anyone looking to buy one of these docking stations, it stings a little that the $330 USD price doesn’t include a power adapter (although you do get a USB-C cable). Granted, you don’t need a power adapter to use the dock, but if you want to charge your laptop, you’ll need to deliver power somehow.

Another note is the Ugreen website lists that you need to install ‘Displaylink’ software, but I didn’t install anything and had few issues with the docking station. The one problem I ran into was getting video output from the 8K HDMI port, which I think ultimately came down to a cable issue — not that it mattered much since I only had two monitors to connect to the dock at any given time.

You can learn more about the Ugreen USB-C Triple Display Docking Station here.

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EU USB-C deadline set for December 28, 2024

Earlier this year, the European Union decided to make all new smartphones — including iPhones — use USB-C. However, a specific deadline for when phones would need to comply with the regulation wasn’t set. At least, it wasn’t until now.

The EU has published the new USB-C legislation in its ‘Official Journal,’ which means the rules will enter into force in 20 days’ time. Then the individual EU member states will have a maximum of 24 months to apply them as national law, which means the official date is December 28th, 2024.

Along with smartphones, the regulations will apply to devices, including tablets, digital cameras, headphones, and handheld video game consoles. The regulation will eventually apply to laptops, but not until April 2026. Moreover, the rules only apply to devices offering wired charging. In other words, a device that only charges wirelessly wouldn’t be forced to use USB-C. This has been discussed as a potential loophole for Apple to avoid putting USB-C on the iPhone by releasing a portless iPhone that can only charge wirelessly. It’s unclear if Apple will actually do that, however.

Speaking of Apple, it already confirmed plans to comply with the new rules, but technically the company wouldn’t need to do so until the release of its 2025 iPhone. The 2024 iPhone will arrive in September, ahead of the deadline to include USB-C. That said, analysts have indicated Apple will make the change in 2023, at least for the ‘Pro’ iPhones.

Source: @EURLex Via: The Verge

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Apple’s newest iPad has a slower USB-C port than other iPads

Apple’s new 10th-Gen iPad finally brought a new design and a USB-C port to the company’s low-cost tablet (although the Lightning-equipped 9th-Gen iPad is still available). But the USB-C port isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Aside from not working with the first-gen Apple Pencil — which bizarrely is the only Apple Pencil that works with the 10th-Gen iPad — the USB-C port is also slower than other USB-C iPads.

The Verge noted as much in its review of the new iPad, and a ‘Max Tech’ YouTube video (via MacRumors) demonstrates this as well. In short, the iPad’s USB-C port is limited to USB 2.0 speeds (up to 480Mbps for a data transfer). Not only does that make it the slowest USB-C port available on an iPad, it also means the new 10th-Gen iPad offers the same data transfer speed as the 9th-Gen iPad’s Lightning connector.

MacRumors notes that the iPad Pro models with the M1 chip offer Thunderbolt 3 and data transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps, while the fifth-gen iPad Air is capable of up to 10Gbps. The fourth-gen iPad Air and the latest iPad mini both support 5Gbps data transfer speeds. Moreover, Apple doesn’t mention the speed limit on the 10th-Gen iPad’s spec page.

Depending on what you want to use the new iPad for, the data transfer speed limit may not matter much. I imagine most people buying the 10th-Gen iPad just want a tablet for media consumption and games. Those looking for something for productivity or to replace their laptop likely will want the iPad Air or Pro, both of which offer much faster transfer speeds.

At the same time, given the price increase the 10th-Gen iPad got, it’s frustrating to see these small limitations, which ultimately serve to make the 9th-Gen iPad better value (even though Apple also raised that iPad’s price).

Source: Max Tech (YouTube), MacRumors

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Apple exec confirms there will be a USB-C iPhone

An Apple executive confirmed the company will make a USB-C iPhone following the European Union’s new law mandating all phones sold in member countries use the connector.

“Obviously, we’ll have to comply; we have no choice,” Apple senior vice president of worldwide marketing Greg Joswiak said when asked about replacing the proprietary Lightning connector with USB-C on an upcoming iPhone by The Wall Street Journal’s Joanna Stern (via The Verge). Stern brought up the USB-C issue during a talk with Joswiak and Apple’s VP of software, Craig Federighi, at the WSJ‘s Tech Live conference.

However, Joswiak made it clear Apple isn’t a fan of the new rules and was fairly ambiguous about when the USB-C iPhone would arrive, and where it would be available.

“The Europeans are the ones dictating timing for European customers,” Joswiak said when asked when the USB-C iPhone would arrive. The law dictates that all mobile phones and tablets will need to use USB-C by the fall of 2024. Moreover, Joswiak wouldn’t say whether Apple would launch USB-C iPhones outside of the EU (although his comments seem to indicate it won’t).

Joswiak also went on a bit of a rant about how Apple prefers to go its own way rather than be forced by lawmakers to adopt hardware standards. Moreover, Joswiak claimed that charging bricks with detachable cables mostly solves the issue the new regulations seek to fix, and said that switching iPhones from Lightning to USB-C would generate lots of e-waste.

Unfortunately, those arguments aren’t particularly compelling. In the long run, having all smartphones use the same port will reduce e-waste by eliminating the need to change cables when you change phones. Plus, when you consider that Apple makes a lot of money from Lightning accessories (and thus stands to lose out if the iPhone has USB-C), its aversion to the change makes more sense.

Finally, it’s worth noting that Joswiak didn’t mention anything about Apple considering options to avoid putting USB-C on the iPhone. Rumours have circled for years that the company would launch a portless iPhone and, technically, an iPhone that only used wireless charging would be allowed under the new EU rules. Joswiak didn’t lend any fuel to that fire, however. It seems Apple is resigned to USB-C on the iPhone.

Source: The Verge

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Apple to reportedly introduce USB-C charging to AirPods and Mac accessories by 2024

Apple is planning a major transition to USB-C in the wake of the European Union (EU) approving its USB-C mandate. The company is reportedly working towards adopting USB-C charging across AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max, according to a new report. Additionally, many Mac accessories will also drop Lightning connectivity.

The EU recently voted to make USB-C a “common port” across the region. The vote was passed in favour of mandating manufacturers to integrate USB-C across new phones, tablets and earbuds/headphones released in the EU by the end of 2024. Further, the mandate requires laptops to support USB-C charging by spring 2026.

Many Apple devices, including its MacBook line, already support USB-C charging. However, not all devices do. For example, the iPhone, AirPods and several Mac accessories still utilize Apple’s proprietary Lightning port. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman believes that the AirPods line will adopt the USB-C standard by 2024.

Additionally, Mac accessories like Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and the Magic Trackpad will offer USB-C support by as early as 2023. Gurman believes that as Apple looks at the next major refresh for the iMac and Mac Pro, the opportunity for new accessories also opens up. “I think it’s a safe bet that those accessories will move to USB-C in their next incarnation,” Gurman says.

Gurman also expects next year’s iPhone 15 to leverage USB-C charging. “The iPhone 15 is essentially a lock to get USB-C in the fall of 2023,” he says. This would put the iPhone a year ahead of the mandated change per the EU.

With this in mind, USB-C charging may only be a stopgap for Apple’s long-term plan. Gurman says the goal of the Cupertino company is to reach inductive charging “at some point in the next few years.” The further adoption of wireless charging would also sideline the EU’s legislation as the mandate doesn’t currently cover wireless charging.

Source: Bloomberg Via: Engadget

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EU law will force devices – including the iPhone – to use USB-C

The European Parliament, the EU’s elected legislative body, voted 602 to 13 in favour of enforcing USB-C as a common charging port across a wide variety of devices. That means future iPhones and other devices sold in Europe will need to offer a USB-C charging port.

Per a press release from the European Parliament:

“By the end of 2024, all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in the EU will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port. From spring 2026, the obligation will extend to laptops.”

The EU says the change is part of a broader effort to “reduce e-waste and to empower consumers to make more sustainable choices.” The new rules would also impact charging standards, requiring all devices that support fast charging to have the same charging speed, which hopefully could reduce confusion around cable, charger, and device compatibility. Similarly, the EU wants to make wireless charging solutions interoperable, and the new rules empower the European Commission to develop acts by the end of 2024 that force open wireless charging solutions.

Specifically, the EU says “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.”

There are exemptions, of course. The rules won’t apply to devices too small for a USB-C cable, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers.

It’s also worth noting that the rules will not have an immediate impact on electronics in the EU. First, the European Council must approve the rules so they can be published to the EU Official Journal. Then, the rules come into effect 20 days after publication. Moreover, the rules come into effect at the end of 2024.

When will you be able to buy a USB-C iPhone

The big question coming out of this is how the rules will impact Apple. The iPhone-maker remains one of the biggest players not to have widely adopted USB-C charging. Most iPhones and iPads still use the company’s Lightning connector. Some iPads do have USB-C, however. Plus, Apple’s MacBooks recently switched back to using MagSafe as the primary method of charging, although most MacBooks also come with USB-C ports and support charging over those ports. And that’s not even getting into the various accessories the company offers with Lightning.

The Verge reports that, due to how and when the rules will come into effect, Apple may be able to skirt by with possibly two more Lightning-equipped iPhones. Apple typically reveals major new iPhones in September, so we could see the 2023 and 2024 iPhones arrive before the restrictions come into place, while the 2025 iPhone (possibly the iPhone 17 series, if Apple keeps up its current branding) might be the first that’s actually forced to have USB-C.

That said, it’s possible Apple might make the change sooner rather than later. Rumours already point to the 2023 iPhone sporting USB-C. Alternatively, if Apple really wants to avoid adding USB-C to the iPhone, it could launch a portless iPhone instead — that seems to be the only real workaround to the new EU rules.

Technically, the new rules only apply to the EU, so Apple could make a USB-C iPhone for Europe and keep Lightning in other regions, or pull out of the EU entirely. Neither of those seem likely, however. Apple has shown a desire to keep its products the same regardless of where you buy them, while the EU remains a major market for Apple. So, the EU rules likely mean we’ll all see a USB-C iPhone in the near future.

Source: European Parliament Via: MacRumors, The Verge

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USB4 v2.0 will bring 80Gbps speeds and more confusion

USB is about to get crazy fast. Like, 80Gbps fast. As if 40Gbps wasn’t already crazy fast.

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) announced the latest change coming to the USB standard, dubbed USB4 v2.0, that’s set to boost speeds and confusion about which USB-C cables and which USB-C ports do what. Inevitable confusion aside, the promise of faster speeds is very enticing.

Per the announcement, people won’t be able to get these crazy 80Gbps speeds until at least November. That means another couple of months of miserably transferring files at a paltry 40Gbps, which is only fast enough to transfer a game like Apex Legends in like, 11 seconds. Pathetic.

Now, you might be wondering, who needs all this speed? Well, Android P0lice points out that people who use USB-C hubs will likely benefit most from USB4 v2.0 since it will enable displaying an external monitor while hooked up to an external graphics card or transferring data from an external hard drive. If you’re wondering how, well, USB4 v2.0 leverages something called PCIe tunnelling, which is basically the PCIe protocol used to connect GPUs and other peripherals to your motherboard, except over USB4.

Moreover, the new USB4 v2.o standard will continue using the USB-C port. That means people with a USB4-compliant cable can expect up to 80Gbps speeds on USB4 v2.0 ports, once they arrive. Although, this is where things start to get into the confusion again since the marketing and branding about which cables support what and which ports support what is unclear at best.

There are many types of USB-C cables out there, which can do a bunch of different things. Some cables can supply power, while others run USB 2.0, and others do Thunderbolt instead. I’ve got a ton of USB-C cables in my drawer, and it’s always a toss-up if the one I grab will do the thing I need it to do.

Source: USB-IF Via: Android Police

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This mini Macintosh charger is adorable and features the right amount of nostalgia

Shargeek has launched an Indiegogo campaign to bring its Retro 35 GaN USB-C charger to life. The charger features Apple’s iconic Macintosh computer shrunk down to the size of a small power brick and features a tiny LED light.

As the crowdfunding page states, the Retro 35 charger utilizes GaN technology. It’s able to output up to 35-watts of power. This means that this mini mac charger is able to supply enough power to a tablet or laptop. On top of that, it has much more personality and style than an out-of-the-box power supply.

From a design perspective, the Retro 35 sports the same form as Apple’s Macintosh computer. The charger even features the same yellow-ish hue the Macintosh possessed. Additionally, a small LED screen displays the charging status. Throughout a charge, the display transitions from white, to yellow, to blue, and to green, depending on the charging speed and power of the device it’s connected to.

Additionally, the Retro 35 features a Happy Mac face. However, Shargeek states other icons including Apple’s “Hello” text, a panda, a lightning bolt, and more can replace it. Shargeek is also providing users templates to print their own icons and text on transparent sticker materials.

The USB-C charger is also compact. For Canada and the U.S., the Retro 35 includes foldable prongs on the underside. There are adapters available for other regions. However, Shargeek confirms they are not included.

Currently, the Indiegogo campaign has achieved its funding goal of $653. The Retro 35 has over 120 backers and the campaign continues until the end of June. Backers can obtain a Retro 35 charger for $32. Alternatively, Early Bird bundles include two chargers for $62 or four for $124. Shargeek expects shipments to begin in July 2022.

Image credit: Shargeek

Source: Indiegogo Via: Gizmodo

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It looks like Apple is testing iPhones with USB-C

The death of the Lightning port really seems to be coming.

Backing up a report earlier this week from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a nearly always reliable source of Apple leaks, says that the Cupertino, California-based tech giant is testing an iPhone that features a USB-C port instead of Lightning.

Don’t get too excited, though — at least not yet. According to Gurman, this switch won’t happen until 2023 “at the earliest,” once again backing up Kuo’s report indicating the port changeover will first appear in the iPhone 15.

While not a complete surprise, given Apple has already adopted USB-C with the iPad Pro, iPad Air and iPad Mini, this would still be a monumental shift for the company that would transform its MFI-certified accessories business and the overall smartphone landscape.

Gurman says that the EU’s proposal to require all devices, including smartphones, to feature a USB-C port is a “key reason” for Apple’s decision to ditch Lightning. The Bloomberg reporter and Apple leaker says that the tech giant is still working on an iPhone that doesn’t feature a charging port, but that it won’t be ready to release anytime soon.

Apple first launched the current version of its lightning port alongside the iPhone 5 back in 2012.

Source: Bloomberg