USB-C
The last few years have seen an increase in adoption of the USB Type-C connector. It has simultaneously been accompanied by additional technological innovations on top of it. This has created a need for devices and tools to monitor the communication over the connector - in particular, the power delivery (USB-PD) aspect. The Google Twinkie (developed in 2014) was the original USB-PD Sniffer. Since then, many devices have attempted to replicate at least some of the functionality in a more user-friendly manner. ChargerLAB's KM003C is one of the latest premium solutions in the list, and it ticks many of the boxes that other solutions do not. Read on to find out whether it can achieve the true openness of the Google Twinkie.
IO Data Unveils Blu-ray Drive for USB-C Laptops
Known for their rather unorthodox devices, IO Data recently introduced a new external Blu-ray drive that works with USB Type-C hosts. An otherwise typical slimline Blu-ray drive, the BRP-UT6/MC2...
22 by Anton Shilov on 1/3/2019OWC Launches Drive Dock with USB Type-C: Two SATA Drives, Up to 981 MB/s
OWC has released its new Drive Dock external storage solution that can accommodate two hot-plug-capable HDDs or SSDs. What makes this latest drive dock particularly notable is that it...
15 by Anton Shilov on 12/10/2018HP Unveils EliteDisplay E243d Docking Display with Webcam, GbE, & 65W Power Delivery
HP has released its first office display that can serve as a docking station for laptops equipped with a USB Type-C port. The EliteDisplay E243d has an integrated pop-up...
14 by Anton Shilov on 10/23/2018Dell Announces Ultrathin S2719DC LCD: FreeSync USB-C with HDR600
Dell has introduced its new Ultrathin 27-inch display that features a USB Type-C interface for modern PCs. The S2719DC is aimed primarily at space-constrained business environments, but in addition...
12 by Anton Shilov on 8/29/2018VirtualLink USB-C Alt Mode Announced: Standardized Connector for VR Headsets
While PC VR headsets are fun, no one has especially enjoyed the number of cables required to hook one up. With separate video, power, and data cables, the end...
50 by Ryan Smith on 7/17/2018Cypress and Zhaoxin Have USB 3.1 Gen 2 USB Controllers
The market of USB 3.1 controllers is largely commanded by ASMedia and VIA Labs, who sell the lion’s share of USB 3.1 Gen 2 solutions either as standalone chips...
15 by Anton Shilov on 7/5/2018Silicon Power Has a Host of USB-C Peripherals: MicroSD Card Reader, Dongles & Docks
The USB Type-C interface yet has to become as ubiquitous as USB Type-A, but as there are laptops that only have USB-C ports, a number of manufacturers already produce...
6 by Anton Shilov on 6/29/2018Giveaway: Toshiba OCZ RC100 M.2 & XS700 USB-C 240GB SSDs
In the mood for some free hardware? Well then you're in luck: our awesome community team in conjunction with Toshiba is holding a giveaway for a quartet of the...
5 by Ryan Smith on 6/27/2018Realtek Demonstrates a USB 3.1 G2 Type-C Dock Platform: An All-in-One Solution
Realtek demonstrated a prototype of a USB 3.1 Gen 2 docking station that relies entirely on its own chips and features regular connectors, including USB Type-A, DisplayPort, HDMI, D-Sub...
23 by Anton Shilov on 6/18/2018ASMedia Demos USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 PHY, USB 3.2 Controller Due in 2019
USB IF published the final USB 3.2 specification in September last year and so developers of controllers and physical interfaces (PHY) started to design their solutions supporting the new...
12 by Anton Shilov on 6/7/2018StarTech Launches ‘Affordable’ Thunderbolt 3 ‘Mini Docks’: USB-A, GbE, DP or HDMI
StarTech on Thursday announced two new Thunderbolt 3 miniature docking stations that the company made more affordable than existing 4-in-1 docks. The Mini Thunderbolt 3 Docks feature two 4Kp60-capable...
18 by Anton Shilov on 5/17/2018StarTech’s New Adapter Brings eSATA Storage to Thunderbolt 3 PCs
Alternative headline: StarTech’s New Adapter Weds MacBook Pro and eSATA Storage StarTech has expanded its lineup of Thunderbolt 3 adapters with a rather extravagant solution that features an eSATA port...
23 by Anton Shilov on 4/17/2018StarTech Launches Thunderbolt 3 USB Hub with 3 USB 3.1 Controllers & Power Delivery
StarTech has released a new Thunderbolt 3 USB hub that features three dedicated USB controllers and provides up to 20 Gbps of aggregated bandwidth to USB devices. The company...
3 by Anton Shilov on 4/16/2018Pioneer’s APS-XS02 USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 External SSDs Now Available
First formally introduced earlier this year, Pioneer has begun selling their APS-XS02 external SSDs, the company's first USB Type-C SSD. The drives combine stylish design with decent performance, compatibility...
9 by Anton Shilov on 4/2/2018Opro9 Introduces USB-C Dock & Adapters: from €29 to €109
Opro9 may not sound like a household name, but this company introduced a lineup of USB Type-C adapters and a docking station that feature rather interesting configurations, and at...
7 by Anton Shilov on 3/9/2018Sharkoon Launches Quickstore One USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C Storage Device DIY Kit
Sharkoon this week introduced a new DIY kit that lets users build their own external storage device featuring a USB 3.1 Gen 2 interface with a USB Type-C connector...
16 by Anton Shilov on 1/20/2018Kingston at CES 2018: Nucleum, a Portable 7-in-1 USB-C Dock for Notebooks
LAS VEGAS, NV — Notebook manufacturers, Apple in particular, were heavily criticized in 2016/2017 for introducing notebooks that feature only USB Type-C connectors. For end-users, such a transition meant...
11 by Anton Shilov on 1/17/2018Mushkin at CES 2018: CarbonEXT 1 TB USB 3.0 SSD, Swap USB Type-A & Type-C Drive
LAS VEGAS, NV — In addition to a host of new M.2 SSDs, Mushkin introduced two new USB-based products at CES 2018: the CarbonEXT new external SSD as well...
5 by Anton Shilov on 1/12/2018Lenovo’s New ThinkPad Laptops Get Universal USB-C Power Adapters
Lenovo has announced that their 2018 ThinkPad laptops based on Intel’s 8th Generation Core i3/i5/i7 CPUs will get universal power adapters that use the USB Type-C connectors. The move...
13 by Anton Shilov on 1/5/2018Philips Brilliance 328P6AU QHD Display Launched: USB-C Dock, 99% AdobeRGB, Color Calibrated
Philips has formally announced its 328P6AUBREB monitor it demonstrated earlier this year. The 31.5” QHD display supports the AdobeRGB color gamut and has a built-in USB-C dock that features...
29 by Anton Shilov on 12/4/2017