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Apple's switch to USB-C on the iPhone 15 brings more cable confusion
While the switch to USB-C on the new iPhone 15 line is generally a positive move, the way Apple is handling how it labels ports and what speeds it supports is adding extra confusion to an already messy standard.
Rode claims its new podcast-friendly NT1 offers 'unclippable' audio
The revised NT1 from Rode comes with USB connectivity ontop of the classic XLR. With 32-bit float recording you might never 'ruin' your audio again. Theoretically.
Rode's gaming sub-brand debuts with 'Unify' streaming software and two familiar mics
The first three products under the new mark are the Unify stream mixing app and two USB microphones.
An engineer just made the world’s first Android phone with a working Lightning port
After creating the world's first iPhone with a working USB-C port in 2021, engineer Ken Pillonel has now flipped the script for his next project: an Android phone with a Lightning connector.
Universal Audio's latest interfaces offer vintage preamp sound on the cheap
Universal Audio just announced a line of affordable audio interfaces that emulate its classic vintage UA 610 preamp sounds.
Yubico's new security keys have fingerprint readers for added protection
YubiKey Bio devices are available in USB-A and USB-C formats.
The new iMac's paltry port selection doesn't bode well for the next MacBook Pro
Apple's new iMac has far fewer ports than the model it replaced, and that could be a bad sign for the next MacBook Pro.
Turtle Beach is buying quirky microphone maker Neat
Gaming headset maker Turtle Beach is acquiring Neat Microphones. The company’s founders include Skipper Wise and Martins Saulespurenssome, who also started Blue Microphones back in the 90s. Turtle Beach didn’t disclose the financial terms of the deal, but did share some of its reasons for buying Neat.
Sony cameras join the work-from-home webcam party
Following most of its rivals, Sony is helping you look better on Zoom calls with a software release that transforms its mirrorless, compact and DLSR cameras into webcams.
MIDI 2.0 overhauls the music interface for the first time in 35 years
About 35 years after the MIDI 1.0 Detailed Specification was established, instrument manufacturers voted unanimously on January 18th to adopt the new MIDI 2.0 spec. So what's changing for audio interfaces? The "biggest advance in music technology in decades" brings two-way communication, among many other new features while remaining backwards compatible with the old spec. Companies like Roland, Native Instruments, Korg and Yamaha are part of the MIDI Manufacturers Association behind the update, and we've already seen Roland's A-88MKII keyboard that will be ready for the spec when it goes on sale in March.
Pro audio giant Solid State Logic makes a play for bedroom producers
Solid State Logic is a big name in the pro audio space, but it's entering a new category by serving a very different customer: the bedroom producer with a tight budget. Its first dedicated audio interfaces, the USB-based SSL 2 and 2+, aim to translate the company's technology and retro styling to personal recording scenarios where it's often down to just you and your devices. They both include two "class-leading" mic preamps with 24-bit/192kHz conversion, balanced monitor outputs, a simple monitor mix control and a "Legacy 4K" mode that adds the analog sound of the company's 4000-series consoles to your inputs. There's not much more than you likely need, but what's there may be above-board.
Adobe Lightroom's direct import feature comes to iPhone and iPad
iOS Lightroom users rejoice, the long-awaited direct import feature is finally available. As of today, you'll be able to import photos directly from an SD card or USB drive into Lightroom iOS and iPadOS, instead of using the previously time-consuming workaround of importing images to camera roll and then copying them over to Lightroom's library.
Seagate's latest portable SSDs are wrapped in fabric and camo
How do you spice up an external drive when it's difficult to stand out based on specs alone? Make them look right at home clipped to your backpack. Seagate has introduced a line of One Touch SSDs covered in either fabric (if you prefer plain black or white) or Special Edition camo patterns. It's a simple trick, but it might do the job if you're tired of sterile-looking drives that scream "technology." They're very pocketable as well, at just under 3 inches long.
USB4 devices are clear to roll out next year
The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) announced today that the organization has finalized the technical specifications for USB4. These specs will be making their way to designers, engineers and manufacturers shortly, meaning we can expect the first USB4 products to hit shelves some time in 2020. The highlight of the new standard is its dual-lane 40Gbps speed, matching Thunderbolt 3's transfer rate and doubling that of USB 3.2's.
VAIO's port-loaded 12-inch laptop goes on sale in the US
Following its launch in Japan, VAIO's small but mighty SX12 -- which offers just about every conceivable I/O you could ever want -- is now available in the US. Its starting price of $1,119 means this isn't a cheap deal, but how could it be when such a diminutive 12-inch model somehow crams in three USB-A ports, one USB-C port, a HDMI port, a full-sized SD card slot, a headphone/mic port, an Ethernet port and even a VGA port. Got literally anything to plug in to something? This'll do it.
Sony says its USB hub is the world's fastest SD card reader
It's hard to spice up USB hubs when they're practically ubiquitous. Sony's solution? Make it indispensable to pro photographers. The company's newly announced MRW-W3 hub is billed as the "world's fastest" UHS-II SD (and microSD) card reader, supporting read rates up to 300MB/s. Whether or not it lives up to the boasts, it should easily transfer your camera's giant RAW photos and 4K videos. This isn't a one-trick brick, either -- it's meant to handle many of your laptop's other needs while you're on the road.
Raspberry Pi 4 doesn't work with some USB-C chargers
The Raspberry Pi 4 promises to be a boon for homebrew gadget makers, but it has flaw that could pose headaches for some users. Tyler Ward and others have discovered that the Pi 4 isn't using a properly designed USB-C port. Instead of giving two pins their own resistor, Raspberry Pi created a custom circuit that has them sharing a single resistor. As a result, some USB-C chargers (those with "e-marked" cables) will only recognize the Pi 4 as an audio accessory and won't charge it.
Windows 10's May update won’t work on PCs with USB storage or SD cards
Microsoft notified its users that the May Windows 10 update won't install on PCs using USB storage or SD cards. The company says it's blocking the installation on those PCs because "inappropriate drive reassignment" might occur and could impact both external devices and internal hard drives. As a workaround, users will need to remove any USB thumb drives, USB-based external hard drives or SD cards and restart the update.
USB4 will support Thunderbolt and double the speed of USB 3.2
It was just last week when we heard that the 20Gbps USB 3.2 connectivity may show up on new devices later this year, but today, Intel is already talking about an even speedier USB4. At a Taipei event earlier today, the company revealed that this next-gen spec will once again utilize dual channels to achieve 40Gbps speeds, even on existing 40Gbps-certified USB-C cables. Better yet, thanks to Intel finally offering Thunderbolt 3 to manufacturers with open licensing, USB4 will be integrating this tech and thus effectively becoming the "new" Thunderbolt 3. In other words, USB4 will pretty much be the mother of all wired connectivity options, and will be ready for more powerful PCIe plus DisplayPort devices.
Ultra-fast USB 3.2 is coming to desktop PCs in 2019
The speedy USB 3.2 format has technically been ready for the better part of two years, but it's finally ready for a PC near you. The USB-IF standards body has revealed that 3.2-capable controllers will be available later in 2019, hinting that you'll see it in desktop PCs (where dedicated controllers are most common). To put it another way, you could buy a gaming rig or workstation that handles 20Gbps speeds through a very ordinary port.

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