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Cheap, great HDMI cables
By Geoffrey Morrison This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full guide to cheap, great HDMI cables. If I needed an HDMI cable, I'd get the 3-foot AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable. This cable (also available in lengths up to 25 feet) will handle the 18 Gbps (gigabits per second) of data required of Ultra HD 4K video with HDR. It also has a lifetime warranty and free shipping if you're a Prime member. You might be able to find even cheaper HDMI cables, but none have its warranty and easy return policy. The AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable is a no-frills HDMI cable, but with HDMI, frills aren't necessary. The cable is sturdily built and works with any video signal of today (and probably ones into the near future). Both the 3- and 15-foot lengths passed all our tests, including HDR tests. It has a 4.6/5 rating on Amazon from over 15,000 reviews. They sell for about $2 per foot or less, if you have Amazon Prime (free shipping). If you don't have Prime, Amazon lowered the price of their free shipping to orders above $35. Or, if you just don't want to go with Amazon, Monoprice cables work the same and are very close in price. The Monoprice Certified Premium High Speed HDMI Cables work just as well as the AmazonBasics cables but are slightly more expensive when you include shipping. Either way, the prices are very close. Monoprice also has a far greater variety of lengths and thicknesses across a huge number of different series. So if you need a short, skinny cable or very long lengths to make your installation work, Monoprice likely has an inexpensive option that will do the job. For reasons we'll explain, there is no need to spend more on a basic HDMI cable.
Google engineer takes on subpar USB Type-C cables
Trying to save a few bucks by purchasing offbrand cables? We've all done it -- but there's something you should know about new USB Type-C connectors popping up on cellphones (Nexus, OnePlus), laptops (Macbook, Pixel), tablets (Pixel C) and even Apple TV. The reason why they can charge so many devices, is their ability to transmit currents up to 3A, which could be 50 to 100 percent more electricity than older standards. That's why Google engineer Benson Leung has been putting various USB-C cables sold on Amazon to the test. He worked on both of Google's recent Pixel devices that use the new cable to charge, and found that many of the cables advertised as Type-C aren't actually suited for use with the laptop. They might not be wired properly to charge a laptop, or they don't accurately identify the power source -- something that could damage your laptop, USB hub or charger.
US worries Russia would cut undersea data cables in a conflict
Many military commanders will tell you that it's wise to cut the enemy's lines of communication. However, the US is concerned that Russia may take this advice one step too far. The New York Times understands that Russia is positioning submarines and spy ships near hard-to-reach segments of undersea data cables, hinting that it might sever internet connections in the event of a conflict. As you might gather, that would create serious problems for the world as a whole, not just Russia's enemies. Depending on the line, a cut could disrupt internet access (and thus economies) in countries that wouldn't even be involved in the fight.
WikiLeaks follows up its Sony post with Saudi cables
Now that WikiLeaks is back to sharing secrets, it's released another cache of information. This dump comes in the form of 70,000 documents from the Saudi Foreign Ministry, which it attributes to a hack by a group calling itself the Yemeni Cyber Army (Saudi Arabia has been involved in a civil war there recently). WikiLeaks says it went through thousands of pages of scanned images released by the group and put them into its searchable database, revealing Saudi government activity to co-opt and control media worldwide with bribes and confrontations. The release also comes three years after its leader Julian Assange sought refuge in an Ecuadorian embassy, avoiding extradition to Sweden on accusations of sexual assault.
The one-cable future of gadgets: simpler, but still confusing
For such a quiet tech show, this week's Computex in Taiwan may have been a watershed moment that will affect nearly every PC, phone and tablet you'll see in the next few years, if not decade. The new USB Type-C port may have debuted on flagship devices like Apple's single-port new Macbook and Google's Chromebook Pixel, but the new, smaller, reversible kind of USB is shaping up to be the connector of the future. This week ASUS joined the USB-C party, and in a reassuring vote of confidence, Intel announced that its newest iteration of Thunderbolt will take the same shape. Thunderbolt 3.0 will, at a minimum, double the data speed found on USB-C cables. It might not work wirelessly just yet, but the single-cable future is coming. However, change isn't always easy.
Samsung USB cable lets you charge three mobile devices at once
If you've owned a handful of portable gadgets in recent years, you've probably managed to build up a healthy supply of micro-USB cables. Spending 40 bucks to acquire another might sound absurd -- unless this is the cable you're looking to buy. While a bit pricey, this Multi-Charging Wall Charger from Samsung packs three connectors at the tail end, letting you power multiple devices from a single USB port. There's a 2-amp charger included in the box, which outputs two amps of power when charging one device, one amp per device when you have two attached or 667mA each when you're using all three ports. Samsung hasn't announced a ship date yet, but you can pre-order the cable today.
Belkin's MIXIT Lightning to USB cables: A better Lightning cable?
You might think that there's not much you can do to improve on the standard old Lightning to USB cables that you get with new iPhones and iPads, but you're wrong. For one thing, the plastic-coated standard Apple cables have a tendency to fray and crack, the plastic shells can crack if the cables are dropped, and the plain white exterior just doesn't match Jony Ive's design sensibilities. Belkin went to the drawing board and came back with MIXIT Lightning to USB cables. Today I'm taking a quick look at the Metallic Cables (US$24.99 for 6-inch, $29.99 for 4-foot) designed for the iPhone 5s. Specifications Type: USB to Lightning Length: 6 inches or 4 feet (15 or 122 cm) Colors: Space Gray, Silver, Gold MFi-certified by Apple Aluminum tips, braided cable Design Highlights Hey, a USB to Lightning cable isn't all that exciting, but the MIXIT cables immediately demonstrate some advantages: first, the cable has a nice braided surface that flexes more easily than a plastic sheath will, hopefully keeping the cables from cracking or splitting for a longer prior of time. Next, they're in colors that match your iPhone 5s. I know that sounds like another non-big deal, but I am so bored of plain white and black (or sometimes pink or orange) plastic cables. These just look a lot classier, and if they happen to accentuate just how sweet that iPhone 5s looks, so much the better. The Lightning end of the cable has a plastic end that is slightly larger than that of the standard Apple cable; I think it makes it a bit easier to grab. The USB end is pretty much identical to the Apple cable in both width and length. Functionality Highlights Are you kidding me? It's a USB to Lightning cable. Plug it in, it works. It's no faster or slower, but it does look better. And if it happens to last a bit longer than the standard Apple cable because of the construction, then it's worth the money. Frankly, the stress-relief plastic on the Apple cables is longer, although that on the Belkin cables has a larger diameter. Speaking of price, the 4-foot Belkin MIXIT cable is the same price as Apple's 2 meter (over 6 foot long) cable. Apple's boring white cable is $19.99 in the 1 meter length, $29.99 in the 2 meter length. If you're just looking for cheap and don't care about the looks, I'd recommend heading over to Monoprice where you can get perfectly serviceable and inexpensive USB to Lightning cables for less than what you'd spend for either the Belkin MIXIT or Apple units. The 6-inch cable is really quite overpriced. I use a similar short cable for charging my iPhone while I'm sitting at my desk; I bought it for $12 at Monoprice. Conclusion Pricey and good-looking, like me. If you're looking for a Lightning to USB cable that's a bit more stylish than your average one, then you're going to love Belkin's MIXIT Metallic Cables. If price is more important than looks, then these are not the cables you're looking for. Move along. Rating: 2-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible
Raindrops on roses, Lightning adapters, and whiskers on kittens
I own roughly a billion-and-one old-style iPhone and iPod cables, most of them not strictly "Made for iPhone" (MFi). They have seen hard use over the years, but they've been cheap and easy to replace. In February, I finally made the jump to Lightning when I purchased a refurbished pair of an iPad Air and a latest generation iPod touch. I love my new babies, with their lightness and bright screens (and, in the case of the touch, modern Wi-Fi and a 4" screen that is terrific for iOS development). However, their new cable system has been driving me nuts. That's because the ease and cheapness of my existing stock of connectors no longer works with the new Lightning-based models. Purchasing extra MFi cables starts at about $14 for an Amazon Basics 3-foot cord. I tend to use my portable battery packs with tiny 6-inch cables, which make less of a clutter in my backpack. Fortunately, a couple of weeks ago, I stumbled across adapters on Amazon that convert Lightning to good old Euro-standard Micro-USB, which I normally use with my Kindle Fire. These adapters cost only about $2 each or less and slide onto the end of the Micro-USB cables, turning them into Lightning cables. I was pretty wary about these adapters since iOS has become very picky with regards to non-MFI products, and some reviews state they have pretty high fail rates. Regardless, I plopped down my $6 and ordered a set of three, hoping that at least one adapter would pan out. Instead, I was delighted to find that all three worked fine. I have tested these adapters with a variety of battery packs (from Antec, HyperJuice, and one that my husband picked up at the grocery store of all places...) and found that if the output amperage is sufficient to charge the device, the Lightning adapters work fine. I do caution you to carry a small pillbox or envelope for those times when you need to use the battery pack without the adapter, as they are quite small and easy to lose. I'm pleased that my portable Lightning needs have been met for the time being with a minimum of cash outlay and a satisfying reliability. Given how widespread complaints have been about Lightning connector failures due to wear and use, I'll be keeping an eye on these adapters over time to see how they last.
Next-gen USB connector will be smaller and reversible
In order to squeeze the ultra-fast 10Gbps USB 3.1 standard into the next gen of slim devices, the USB 3.0 Promoter group has just announced the USB Type-C connector. It'll be similar in size to existing USB 2.0 Micro-B connectors, while bringing USB 3.1 speeds and other distinct advantages over current cables. For starters, the new design will be reversible like Apple's Lightning ports, meaning at long last you won't have to worry about which end goes up. In addition, Type-C will bring scalable power charging and the ability to support future USB standards. The downside is that it won't be compatible with existing connectors, but if we don't have to do the flippy dance to insert a phone cable anymore, we'll take that trade-off in a New York minute.
ChargeCard now shipping with micro-USB connector, we go hands-on
Sure, we own dozens of micro-USB cables, but we don't always have one with us when we need to charge up smartphones, cameras, e-readers and countless other devices. That's why we're happy to get behind this wallet-sized cable, coined ChargeCard. We had a chance to check out the Apple dock connector flavor in March, and now the Kickstarter-backed company is shipping its micro-USB version, supporting power and data transfer with just about any USB-equipped gadget. Micro-USB seems to be the accepted standard these days, so the $25 ChargeCard is a reasonable investment. It is indeed thin and light enough to fit comfortably in your wallet, but it will add some heft, and may be an unwelcome addition to already packed vessels. The device includes a fixed micro-USB connector and a pop-out flexible cable to plug into your computer or another power source. Unfortunately, the cable is not designed to be reversed, so depending on how it fits into your smartphone, the handset may need to face down. We experienced this issue with a MacBook Air and Samsung Galaxy Note II -- you can force the flexible cable to twist into the necessary position, but it appears to cause quite a bit of tension, and our ChargeCard was visibly damaged after just a few minutes of use. Otherwise, our quick test went off without a hitch, and you shouldn't expect to run into any problems, assuming your smartphone's orientation is a non-issue. The card has already begun shipping -- if you backed the project on Kickstarter, expect your ChargeCard to arrive this week. If you haven't placed a pre-order, you can pick one up at the source link below.%Gallery-188173%
This is the Modem World: Please fix two things
Each week Joshua Fruhlinger contributes This is the Modem World, a column dedicated to exploring the culture of consumer technology. We can all agree that technology is pretty cool. It allows us to communicate with one another, entertain ourselves, meet new people, learn new things and even find love and health. We love to discover new technologies, see it do amazing things and get a glimpse of the future. We, the early adopters, are pioneers, beta testers and happy to be first in line. This is all good. But despite our hammering, our pleas and our shouts from the tops of the greatest blogs we know, some bad things just don't change. When I say "bad things," I'm talking about two annoying little facts of technology that, in my opinion, don't need to be so painful. These are things we can and should fix. Perhaps we're not heard loudly enough, or perhaps the technology isn't there to fix what we want, or maybe the manufacturers have better things to do. Whatever it is, let's list those things out here, perhaps so that some engineer or product designer will read this and think, "Why, yes... Yes. I should fix this."
Crowdfunding collective TinyLightbulbs shows off its iOS products
Last year, e-commerce site TinyLightbulbs formed in Denver, focusing on products that are funded via crowdfunding sites such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo. TinyLightbulbs brought five of the products available on its site Macworld/iWorld 2013, including: SlingShot: This smartphone stand received more than US$70,000 in funding on Kickstarter and acts as a combination tripod and cradle for your iPhone. An attached handle helps create smooth panning shots. Erica Sadun took a look at it in October. Ultima: A smartphone stand for the car that is made with an aluminum body with a suction cup that is use to secure it to your car's interior. It raised more than $64,000 on Kickstarter. CableKeeps: This was my favorite of the products offered at this booth. These fish-shaped rubber cable holders were funded in 2011. Insert an Apple iPhone or iPad charger in one end, then thread the 30-pin or Lightning cable through the tail and wrap it around the fins to keep the cable in one place. When it's in use, you can use the fins as a stand for your iOS device. The CableKeeps are offered in three styles: two for iPad adaptors and one for the smaller USB adaptor used with iPhones, iPods and the iPad mini. SoundJaw: Steve Sande reviewed the SoundJaw in 2011. Originally developed for the iPad 2, this clip attaches to an iPad near the speaker and boosts the sound by directing the sound waves forward. It raised $17,000 on Kickstarter and is compatible with the iPad models that came out in 2012. Soft Touch Flex: This iPad mounting system is available with a clamp or a mic thread to fit it to a microphone stand. It comes in white and black.
Cuba confirms Alba-1 fiber hook-up to Venezuela, internet remains on lockdown
Cuba may only be positioned 100 or so miles from Key West, but the US embargo meant an undersea fiber link to North America hasn't been a possibility. Earlier this week, though, we began to see discussion regarding traffic passing through a connection to Venezuela, and ETECSA, a government-owned telecom provider, has now confirmed that a 994-mile cable has been operational since August, though in a limited capacity. On January 10th, ETECSA stepped up its utilization, testing the connection using "real traffic." The $70-million Alba-1 cable, which has a reported lifespan of 25 years, was completed in February 2011, though it's not clear when, or if, citizens will see any benefit -- a statement explained that it "will not automatically mean an increase in access." That's not great news for Cubans, but at least Hugo Chavez now has the possibility of a direct link to his home country -- with a Netflix subscription and a VPN tunnel to the good ole US of A, his recovery could be a little more speedy.
CES: Moshi shows off the Ion Bank battery pack, and other new wares for 2013
Moshi is back on the floor of CES this year in Las Vegas, and the accessory manufacturer kindly took a few moments to show us the latest and greatest for 2013. As you might imagine, the biggest innovation in the overall lineup is the Lightning adapter: Moshi's rep told us that the company has been working hard to try and pass all of the certifications necessary for Apple's new cable format, but it hasn't been a quick journey. Nevertheless, Lightning is coming for Moshi, and it's hoping to include that tech in a brand-new power pack, called the Ion Bank. The pack, which should arrive sometime in the second quarter of 2013, is designed to provide up to 10,000 mAh of power to your iOS device, which Moshi says is about four charges on an iPhone, or two and half on the iPad. The Ion Bank uses a lithium-polymer battery, too, so it's a very high quality build, matched with a very stylish exterior of aluminum. The Bank hasn't been officially priced yet, but it should be around US$100, according to Moshi, when it launches this year. Moshi's also offering a new version of its memory card reader, called the Cardette. Version 3 of the reader will feature USB 3.0 capabilities, along with slots of all of the usual memory cards you need to read. The Cardette version 3 should also be available in a month or two, and it'll start out at $49.99. Finally, Moshi told us that the company's Thunderbolt cables are also on the way soon -- like Lightning, the company has taken its time on getting them through all of the necessary certification processes, but they're almost ready. The cables will include the generation 2 chip, which is the latest and greatest from Apple's production lines, and should be available for $49 in six to eight more weeks, we were told. Moshi's been making accessories and cases for quite a while now, and they don't skimp on quality one bit. We'll keep an eye out for these later on this year.
Corning's USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt cables smaller, lighter, longer
Corning, the same company that brought you the Gorilla Glass used on most smartphones, announced new optical Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 cables yesterday at CES. The cables make use of Corning's ClearCurve VSDN optical fiber technology to extend data transmission range while being smaller and lighter. [Ed. Note: The demo at CES was impressive, as the optical cables were able to bend in ways we've never seen from optical cables.] The new cables won't increase USB or Thunderbolt data speeds -- it takes new controller hardware on devices to do that -- but it's possible to run data over farther distances than ever before. The USB 3.0 cables will be available in lengths up to 30 meters (about 100 feet), while Thunderbolt Optical Cables will come in lengths up to 100 meters (330 feet). Thunderbolt fans will find that their version of Corning's cable provides full bi-directional 10 Gbps data rates, while the USB 3.0 cable can handle rates up to 5 Gbps. The cables will be available in the first quarter, but pricing has not been announced. [via Engadget]
CES 2013: Kensington offers a tracking solution with the Proximo Tag Kit
Kensington is in attendance at the International CES here in Las Vegas this week, and the company kindly sat down with TUAW this afternoon to show off some of its latest products. The most interesting of their recent offerings is something called the "Proximo Fob and Tag Kit," which is a relatively cheap tracking solution designed to work over Bluetooth 4 with your iPhone 4S or iPhone 5. We've seen tagging kits like this before, but Kensington's, now available, offered a nice set of features at a very reasonable price. The idea is that you can use an included key fob or a tag (just the tag is available for US$24.99, while a full fob and tag kit is $59.99) by attaching it to whatever object you'd like to keep safe, whether that's your keys, a purse or even a kid or a dog. Then you can use Kensington's free app to get alerts whenever that item/person moves out of range of your phone, so if you ever walk away and leave your keys at your desk, or if the dog wanders out of the yard, you'll know right away. The app offers a nice bit of customization -- you can attach five different tags to it, and each one gets its own alert sound and an icon (or a custom picture), so there are plenty of different options for tracking various objects. The app also lets you set the sensitivity for each tag, so you can set your keys to stay very close, or set your car for a wider range. You can also track your phone directly from the fob (though the tag doesn't have any extra buttons on it, so that's a no-go there). If you ever lose your phone, you can just hit the button on the key fob, and then your phone will light up with an alert. Finally, Kensington's kit also tracks your GPS, and while it can't actually find items via Bluetooth (because that service isn't positional at all), it can let you know where you last saw them. Whenever you lose track of a tag, the app will mark that point on a map, so you can be aware of where you last were when the tag went out of range. It's not quite as nice as geolocating right to the tag, but it works for helping you find lost items. Aside from the Proximo tags, Kensington also showed off new charging kits, including a 4.2 Amp dual-USB charger for the car (enough to charge two different iPads up at the same time) for $34.99, a "Fast Charge" Lightning adapter to charge any iOS device for $29.99 or an iPhone-only charger for $24.99. Kensington is also offering another line of iPad cases, including some more stylish "Folio cases" for the iPad, and even a line for the iPad mini. Finally, while not iOS-specific, the company was showing off a Contour Overnight backpack, with a special laptop-sized pocket and easy liquid access for going through airport security checkpoints. The backpack is a very impressive addition to the company's luggage lineup, and should also be available later on this year.
Griffin's take on charge and sync Lightning cables now up for grabs
Sure, Belkin and Scosche have already offered up Lightning accessories, but now Griffin has its own solutions up for sale: Lightning charge and sync cables, which it says are the first of their kind from a third party (authorized by Apple). Ringing up at $25, the four-foot coiled USB to Lightning cable aims to put the kibosh on kinks and tangles. Those who prefer a more straightforward solution, however, can pick up a two-foot cable without the curls for $17, or a three-foot flavor for two additional greenbacks. There's also mention of a 9.8-foot-long version, but it doesn't appear to be available on Griffin's site just yet. To snag the wires, give the neighboring source link a jab.
Some users reporting difficulty removing Lightning cable's USB end
If you're having some problems with your new Lightning cable getting stuck in your Mac or PC, you are not alone. According to a CNET report, a growing number of iPhone 5 users are complaining that the USB part of the cable is difficult to remove from their desktop or laptop USB port. In some cases, iPhone 5 owners have traveled to the Genius bar in order to have the cable forcibly removed from their computer. Apple support forum member Nclose took a close look at the USB end of the Lightning cable and noticed that the bottom notches, which hold the cable in the USB port, are deeper than the notches on previous iPhone sync cables. It's possible that these notches on the Lightning cable are too deep and allow the tabs inside the USB port to grip extra tightly onto the cable. Apple is reportedly "aware of the problem" and is offering replacement cables to customers who are affected by this issue.
Apple's Lightning connector suppliers struggle to meet demand
With the iPhone 5, Apple introduced the new Lightning connector, effectively retiring the old 30-pin dock connector to the dust pile of the past. However, Lighting cables have been in limited supply and currently have a two to three-week wait time in Apple's online store. The reason for this, according to KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, is two-fold: change in supplier weighting and resulting low yield rates. As noted by AppleInsider, Kou maintains that because the Lightning connector is much more complex to build and requires new methods of production, the initial yield rate will be lower. This should change as production goes on, but for now Apple's suppliers physically can't make as many Lightning connectors as they could dock connectors. Another factor resulting in Lightning connector shortage is the fact that Apple changed the supplier weighting for Lightning connector production. For dock connectors, Foxconn made up to 60 percent of all units, but since Foxconn has been having some trouble with production, Apple now gets 60 percent of Lightning connectors from rival Foxlink. Because Foxlink has a better yield rate than Foxconn (who now makes 40 percent of the Lightning cables), but not as high a yield rate as it did for dock connectors, the output is still much lower, which means more time to get the new cables in the hands of iPhone 5 users. As time goes on, production rates and yields are sure to increase. Until then, you may have to wait a few weeks before you can pick up extras of Apple's latest cable wonder.
CordLite illuminated iOS dock connector cable hands-on (video)
Love or hate it, Apple's 30-pin dock connector is no easier to attach than a standard micro-USB plug. That's not to say that it's tremendously difficult to link an iOS device with its proprietary cable, but it can be a nuisance on occasion, especially when you're fumbling around in the dark. CordLite makes that standard-issue dock connector cable a bit more nighttime friendly, adding a pair of touch-activated white LEDs to the left and right of the metal lead. Instead of the familiar white, this third-party Apple cable is finished in black (white is available, too), with a silver connector at the tail end. That component itself is noticeably wider, longer and thicker than its Apple-designed counterpart, but that's to be expected, given the added electronics. After you connect the USB plug to a computer or power source, the opposite end is ready to go to work, lighting up just as soon as you touch its metal housing. It powers off just as quickly, once it's docked with your iPhone, iPad or iPod. We took the cable for a spin earlier today, and while the device we received is an early prototype, it still worked just fine, lighting up and turning off on cue, and pairing our iPhone with a MacBook just as any old dock connector cable has in the past. There's not much more to it than that -- the cable works, and we can see how it could be useful in low-light situations, such as at the bedside, in a car or while riding on a plane. It could theoretically also double as a flash light, and given that you're most likely to use it in a dark environment, it could be equally suited for non-iOS-related scenarios as well. CordLite isn't available for purchase yet, but you can be one of the first to receive a cable if you hop on board the company's Kickstarter campaign. Pledges of $30 or more will net you one CordLite in black or white after the device's estimated October ship date -- assuming the project meets its $70,000 funding goal before next week. For now, you can take a closer look in our hands-on video after the break, and rest assured that your days of blindly connecting your iPhone may very well be numbered.%Gallery-158639%
