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Apple slashes prices on USB-C adapters (temporarily) following MacBook Pro launch (and mixed reception)

The MacBook Pro line of laptops have long been popular with folks looking for, well, a “pro” machine that can get work done. But a lot of fans of earlier MacBook Pro laptops have expressed disappointment with this year’s models. While many had been waiting for Apple to launch models with updated processors, they were […]

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USB group unveils standard for audio over USB Type C (goodbye headphone jack?)

When Apple decided to do away with headphones jacks for its latest iPhones, a lot of people were upset. But some people are annoyed for different reasons than others: some really don’t want smartphone makers to give up on the tried and true 3.5mm jack. Others are fine with leaving it behind… but are disappointed […]

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USB-C to HDMI cables coming soon

One of the key features of USB Type-C is support for delivering a lot of data through a USB cable, including video output. That means you should be able to use the same port to plug in a power adapter, connect peripherals like hard drives or gamepads, or hook up a monitor. And soon you […]

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A new certification program could protect you from bad USB chargers

Google software engineer Benson Leung has become something of a folk hero for his efforts to review USB Type-C cables and let potential customers know whether or not they’re compliant with official specifications. A lot of them aren’t… and some could even damage your phone, laptop, or other device if you try to charge your gadgets […]

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Do you care if a smartphone has a dedicated headphone jack?

Apple is said to be working on next-gen iPhones that looks virtually identical to the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus models… with one important difference. According to the Wall Street Journal, the upcoming iPhone 7 smartphones won’t have dedicated headphone jacks. Instead, you’ll be able to connect headphones to the phone’s Lightning port or use […]

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New Asus PC and phone accessories include graphics docks, VR headsets

Asus is unveiling everything from new phones, tablets, and notebooks to robot butlers at Computex this week. And the company also has some nifty accessories to go with some of those products. They include a docking station that adds a bunch of ports to tablets or notebooks, a graphics dock for adding a high-performance GPU, speakers, pens, […]

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Intel’s proposed USB-C audio solution could lead to versatile, expensive headsets

LeEco recently introduced a new line of smartphones with no 3.5mm headphone jack. Instead, you can plug headphones into the LeEco Le 2, Le 2 Pro, and Le 2 Max using the phones’ USB-C ports. Or you can just use Bluetooth headsets. But LeEco isn’t the only company that thinks 3.5mm ports are on the way […]

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LeEco’s new phones feature USB-C, lack headphone jacks, and have up to 6GB of RAM

Chinese company LeEco showed off one of the first smartphones with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor at CES in January (before the company changed its name from LeTV). Now LeEco is launching three new phones: the Le 2, the Le 2 Pro, and the Le 2 Max. All three are among the first Android phones […]

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New authentication protocol will protect you from bad USB Type-C cables (eventually)

There are a lot of advantages to the USB Type-C protocol. Cables are reversible, so there’s no way to insert one upside down. The protocol allows for speedy data transfers, video output to high-resolution screens, and enough power to let you use a USB charger with some laptops. But not all USB Type-C cables are […]

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JBL’s new noise-cancelling earbuds use USB Type-C for power and sound

Active noise-cancelling headphones can help reduce background noise by sampling ambient noise and adjusting the audio to help drown it out. But in order to do that, headphones or earbuds with noise cancellation features need more power than a traditional set of headphones. That’s why they usually have a battery compartment. JBL’s new Reflect Aware […]