Cable

The USB-C standard has been long touted as a “one port to rule ‘em all” solution. Sure, it’s universal in the sense of the shape of the port. But the capabilities of a USB-C port and cable can vary widely. Last month, I wrote about why it’s so hard to differentiate one USB-C cable from another. Experts I talked to also noted that there are very few visual markers that tell you what a USB-C cable can do — charging, data transfer, audio, video, or all of them?…

Samsung’s Chromebooks have started getting the Chrome OS 102 update. This new operating system update brings better USB Type-C cable alerts and ease of use while using ZIP files. The update also makes laptops compatible with the Cursive app to take notes. The Chrome OS 102 update now shows if the USB Type-C cable that you connected to your Chromebook supports display output. If you use a sub-optimal USB Type-C cable to connect your Chromebook to a Thunderbolt dock, the laptop will notify that the cable doesn’t support…

Image: GoogleThe latest update for Chromebooks has introduced a feature that alerts users to when the USB-C cable being used is not good enough. Starting with Chromebooks using 11th and 12th generation Intel silicon that have USB4/Thunderbolt 3 functionality, users will be informed if the cable does not support either USB4 or Thunderbolt, or simply cannot handle the data rates required. For instance, one warning says external monitors need cables to support 5Gbps transfers. "To enable a USB4 connection, replace the…

Google’s latest Chromebook update adds a feature that tells you if your USB-C cable has limited functionality, the company announced Friday. USB-C cables can have widely varying capabilities, offering things like different charging and data transfer speeds on a cable-by-cable basis, so this new Chromebook feature seems like it could be a useful tool to help troubleshoot issues. “Eligible Chromebooks will notify you if the USB-C cable you’re using won’t support displays, or isn’t performing ideally for your laptop,”…

When you charge your iPhone 13 the next time, be careful. It could be an attack hardware designed to hack your system and steal your money. Find out how to protect yourself from this online scam. Picture this. You’re outdoors and need to charge your iPhone 13. But there are no outlets available. So, you decide to use your laptop to charge the smartphone. You plug it in with a lightning cable that you just borrowed from someone and get back to work. You may…

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. After amassing 10 million viewers in its Season 4 finale, Yellowstone is a bonafide hit. In addition to pulling huge viewership for Paramount Network, the series has garnered numerous awards (including a recent SAG Awards nomination for drama ensemble). Following Yellowstone‘s success, co-creator Taylor Sheridan has even launched a prequel, 1883, and he’s currently…

Vice President Kamala Harris during an event on high-speed internet access.Kent Nishimura | Los Angeles Times | Getty ImagesThe Biden administration said it secured commitments from 20 internet service providers to either reduce prices or increase speeds to serve low-income households, according to a White House press release published Monday.The news means that tens of millions of households could receive high-speed internet at no cost, according to the White House. Low-income households qualifying for the Affordable…

Roku Inc. ROKU 5.83% has teamed with private-equity firm Apollo Global Management Inc. APO 3.73% to bid for a minority stake in the pay-TV and streaming service Starz, which is known for series like “Outlander” and “Power,” according to people familiar with the situation. In November, movie and television production company Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.…

Apple has started selling a three-meter Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable, complete with an eye-watering $159 price tag. That might seem like a lot of money for a USB cable, but there's a bit more to unpack here.Three meters is approximately 9.8 feet. Right now, this is the longest Thunderbolt 4 cable on the market. Others, like OWC, Belkin, and Plugable tend to sell up to two meters (about 6.6 feet). That's the length Intel and its partners publish for the standard.Those, however, are a mix of active and passive cables. Teardowns…

The day has arrived: you can now spend $159 on a USB cable and actually feel somewhat justified! That’s because Apple’s three-meter Thunderbolt 4 Pro Cable isn’t just any ol’ cord — it’s still the only Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C / USB 4 cable on the market at anywhere near its length. Want a cable that can transmit 40 gigabits per second of Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 data, up to 8K video, and 100W of USB-C PD power to a big MacBook Pro nearly 10 feet away? It’s your only game in town. Every other company that sells a…