Apple recently spoke out against the EU’s proposal to force smartphone manufacturers to pick one port for everyone.
USB-C
Hidden Long-Press Actions, USB-C Travel – TMO Daily Observations 2020-01-16
Andrew Orr and Dave Hamilton join host Kelly Guimont to discuss (hidden) long-press options in Safari, and travel with a USB-C machine.
EU Wants to Standardize Smartphone Charging Ports
Lawmakers in the European Union will discuss whether smartphone charging ports should be standardized by tech companies.
CES Wrap-up, Quick Tips, Cool Stuff Found – Mac Geek Gab 797
John and Dave are back from CES with new stuff they’ve learned, Cool Stuff Found, Quick Tips, and more. Of course, your questions are featured, as well, including analyzing USB power draw, fast external drives, folder permissions, and more. Press play to learn five new things with your two favorite geeks!
CES – SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Luxe With Both USB-C and USB-A ports
LAS VEGAS – As USB speeds and capabilities increase, so expands the concept of the thumb drive. At CES Monday, SanDisk was showing off their new Dual Drive Luxe USB-C, a thumb drive supporting USB 3 speeds over both USB-C and USB-A. Capable of delivering up to 150MB/s, the 1TB model will be $249.99 and 500GB will be $89.99, both due to be released in Q1 this year.
CASA i4 USB-C 4-in-1 iPad Pro Hub: $49.99
We have a deal on the CASA i4 USB-C 4-in-1 iPad Pro Hub. This slim and portable hub features four ports: a USB-C PD port for charging, a USB Type-A for reading flash drives, an HDMI port for video output, and a 3.5mm audio connector for headphones. This device is $49.99 through our deal.
The 2020 iPhone Should Include a USB-C Port
Dieter Bohn writes that the 2020 iPhone should have a USB-C port, instead of a port coming to the 2019 iPhone.
I think it’s easier to get people to accept port changes when they go along with some other kind of dramatic change to a product line. And not to put too fine a point on it: if the rumors are correct, this year’s iPhone 11 doesn’t look like a very dramatic change.
The main reason I want a USB-C iPhone is flash drives. I’d love a USB-C flash drive that I could plug into both my iPad Pro and my iPhone. I have a wireless one that works with both, but it requires a separate app to use. One that “just works” natively with the Files app is ideal to me.
We Love Dongle World – Mac Geek Gab Podcast 772
Live from MacStock Conference and Expo 2019, John and Dave play Stump the Geek and take listener questions live, with a little help from impromptu co-host Kelly Guimont! Learn about APFS and Fusion Drives, iPhones making sounds when they’re not supposed to, and why we love Dongle World as much as we do. Press play and learn at least five new things!
Intel Selling Modem Biz, USB Hubs – TMO Daily Observations 2019-07-23
John Martellaro and Andrew Orr join host Kelly Guimont to theorize about Intel selling their modem business to Apple, and USB/USB-C hubs.
Twelve South's StayGo is a New USB-C Hub
Twelve South has a lot of great tech gear, and today it’s releasing the StayGo USB-C hub. A lot of USB-C hubs are designed to be used with MacBooks. StayGo is desktop-friendly, which means the cords are long enough to tuck away behind your desk. But if you do use it with a MacBook is has a smaller travel cable that can be stored directly inside the device. It has Gigabit Ethernet to connect to super-fast wired networks and servers. The hub also has both SD and Micro SD card readers that can connect & download simultaneously, giving you an easy way to transfer high-resolution photos or 4K video for editing. Connections include 4K HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, USB-A 3.0 (x3), independent SD + Micro-SD card slots and 85W USB-C pass-thru power. You can buy it for US$99.99.
Apple Sells Exclusive Satechi USB-C Adapter
Apple is selling a Satechi USB-C adapter exclusively in its store. It has a USB-C power port, USB-A, SD, and microSD readers, and an HDMI port.
The Multiport Pro Adapter comes in space gray and is priced at $70, the same as what Apple’s first-party USB-C adapter normally sells for (but doesn’t have SD readers like Satechi’s new adapter). Notably, Satechi’s Multiport Pro Adapter is the only third-party USB-C hub that Apple is selling.
Save Your Data...Safely – Mac Geek Gab 769
macOS Catalina will bring with it a lot of changes, one of which is that a lotof older apps and related hardware won’t work. Dave and John answer your questions and share your tips about how to navigate these waters ahead of time… to avoid surprises. In addition, your archives are only as good as the method and medium you use. It’s time to talk about data safety and reliability. Plus, your other questions need answers, and that’s what happens here on Mac Geek Gab: everyone learns at least five new things!
ProBASE C Aluminum Monitor Stand with Built-in USB Hub: $119.99
We have a deal on the ProBASE C Aluminum Monitor Stand. Made from aluminum and designed to match the styling of your iMac 5K, this device has a built-in USB hub with three USB Type-A ports (USB 3.0) and one USB Type-C port. It also features a concealed drawer to store flash drives, external HDDs, memory cards, stationery, pens, etc. This stand is $119.99 through our deal.
SCOUT Wireless 5,000mAh Portable Charger: $34 with Coupon Code
We have a deal on the SCOUT Wireless 5,000mAh Portable Charger, a Qi charger that also has three different built-in charging cables, all in a compact form factor. Those cables include USB-C, USB-A (regular USB), and a Lightning cable. That means you can use it on your new iPad Pro and your iPhone X/S/R/Max, too. It’s $39.99 through our deal, but coupon code WEEKEND15 brings it down to $34 at checkout. Here’s a promo video with a closer look:
BESTEK Mountable Power Strip: $23.99
Check out today’s deal on the BESTEK Mountable Power Strip. It’s a power strip with regular three AC outlets, three USB charging ports, and one USB-C charging port, but it’s designed to let you mount it to the wall or paste it under your desk. It also includes over-voltage, short circuit, overload, and over-current protection, as well as FCC authentication. It’s $23.99 through our deal.
Charge Your Lightning, MicroUSB, USB-C Devices with this Durable Cable: $15.99
We have a deal on the FuelBox LightSpeed Charging Cable, a cable that can charge Lightning, MicroUSB, and USB-C devices. It does so with attached-adapters that let you use the type of connector you need at that moment. It also features a nylon-braided cord with aluminum charging cord tips. You can get this cable for $15.99 through our deal.
Mac Pro Mockups, State of the CPU, and John's Cable Research, with John Kheit - ACM 508
Some Mac Pro fan mockups have been circulating, and Bryan Chaffin is joined by John Kheit to discuss their pros and cons. And surprise, John Kheit is full of mostly cons, so they also discuss what they think the Mac Pro needs to be awesome. They also discuss the state of the chip industry, Intel’s 56-core Cascade Lake, and Apple’s ARM ambitions for the Mac. They wrap up the show with a look at John’s obsessive research to find the best USB-C cable.
Apple Offers Rare Tease of Unannounced Product Feature at Shareholder Meeting
In response to a shareholder question about iPad Pro models, USB-C, and the inability to do video over USB-C, Apple senior vice president Craig Federighi said this feature was coming.
The Mesh Wi-Fi Industrial Complex – Mac Geek Gab 749
Wanna know how to force Safari to download a media file instead of playing it? Want to know how to use the same drive on USB-C and USB-A Macs? Want to know how to secure erase your NAS drive? John and Dave have your answers! There is also a lot of concern about the future of eero, so your two geeks discuss that, too. All this and more, just press play and enjoy learning at least five new things!
7-in-1 MacBook Pro USB-C Hub: $34.99
We have a deal on a 7-in-1 MacBook Pro USB-C hub. This device has one Thunderbolt 3 Type-C port, two USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port, and SDXC, micro SDXC, and TF card ports. You can get it through our deal for $34.99.
Pre-Order Anker MFi Lighting-to-USB-C Cable
Called the Powerline II, it has a 12,000 bend lifespan as well as a lifetime warranty.
Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C Dock? Selection Guide
There are Thunderbolt 3 docks and USB-C docks. How does one pick? Which are the best in each category? ars technica explains and tests the best. (Image credit: ars technica.)
CASA USB-C Hub with HDMI and VGA Ports: $39
We have a deal on a handy hub for folks with different display needs. It’s called the CASA USB-C Hub, and it has both an HDMI and a VGA port for displays and projectors. It’s small enough to toss into your go-bag, so you can be the hero at that meeting, even if you aren’t the one doing the presenting. It’s $39 through our deal.
USB-C, Quick Tips, Cool Stuff, and a CES 2019 Wrap Up – Mac Geek Gab 744
Back from CES 2019, Dave Hamilton and John F. Braun have a few thoughts to share. Then it’s on to answering your questions, this time with a focus on things that used to work… and stopped. Press play, listen, and learn!