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Apple iPad Air (2020) review: Who needs the iPad Pro?
Read Engadget's review of the 2020 iPad Air, the best iPad for almost everyone.
Google's Stadia controller now works with USB-C headphones
The Stadia controller’s USB-C port is no longer just for charging. In a blog post, Google announced that the jack now supports USB-C headphones while you’re playing on a Chromecast or via a web browser. You know, like the Google Pixel USB-C earbuds, the OnePlus Type-C Bullets, or Razer’s Hammerhead USB-C ANC headphones.
Yubico's latest security key uses NFC and USB-C for authentication
Yubico, the company that wants you to drop passwords and use a physical hardware key instead, has unveiled a new product that works with just about any device and authentication protocol. The YubiKey 5C supports both USB-C and NFC, so it supports Windows, macOS and Linux PCs, along with Android and iOS smartphones or tablets.
Intel details its USB4-compliant Thunderbolt 4 standard
Intel's Thunderbolt 4 standard has higher minimum requirements than before, and it's finally mandating stronger security.
Amazon's one-day SanDisk sale includes $30 off a 1TB portable SSD
Today only, Amazon is discounting a bunch of SanDisk storage products.
Tesla's US-made Model 3 now has standard wireless phone charging
Tesla Model 3 cars made in the US now offer standard wireless charging for your phone, not to mention USB-C.
Surface Pro 7 bundle will save you over $250
Microsoft is offering the Surface Pro 7, bundled with its Type Cover, for $799. Usually, that combo costs $1,060, so with this deal, you're saving $260. When the Surface Pro 7 came out last fall, we gave it a score of 82 for its solid performance and build, as well as its Type Cover, which is one of the best keyboard covers you can get for a 2-in-1 device. The real selling point is the USB-C port. If you've been considering an upgrade to the new port, it might be worth snagging this discount.
Samsung Galaxy S20 is the first phone certified for USB fast charging
The Samsung Galaxy S20 series is now the first smartphone lineup to receive USB fast-charger certification from the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), the organization leading the advancement of USB tech. The certification verifies that the Galaxy S20 series supports Programmable Power Supply (PPS) and USB Power Delivery (USB PD) 3.0 specification. For users, this means that the phones will work with certified third-party fast chargers.
EU votes in favor of choosing a common charging cable standard
European Union lawmakers have voted overwhelmingly to legislate manufacturers to adopt a shared charging cable standard. In a 582 to 40 vote, the European Parliament said it wants the European Commission, the body that drafts the EU's laws, to ensure consumers don't have to buy a new charger each time they upgrade their phone. The Commission has a relatively short deadline to put something together, with lawmakers saying they want the body to table legislation by July at the latest.
Apple says EU push for universal phone charger would 'stifle innovation'
The European Parliament has renewed its push for a phone charger standard through an amended draft law, and it won't surprise you to hear that Apple has raised objections. The iPhone maker has issued a statement arguing that rules dictating a common connector in phones "stifles innovation" and would hurt the public more than it helped. To support its claims, the company commissioned a study from Copenhagen Economics claiming that a common charger move would cost €1.5 billion (about $1.7 billion), more than negating the €13 million ($14.4 million) in potential environmental benefits. It even suggested the EU might create an environmental problem by "disrupting" hundreds of millions of people who use Apple devices with Lightning ports.
SanDisk unveils a portable 8TB SSD prototype and 1TB USB-C thumb drive
If you're in the market for a portable SSD, you're probably looking at drives that are at most 2TB in capacity -- 4TB SSDs exist, but they're few and far between. SanDisk is plowing ahead, though, and is showing off an 8TB SSD prototype at CES. The company says it's the world's highest capacity, pocket-sized SSD with a transfer rate of 20Gbps. The drive looks a bit bigger than the company's current Extreme Portable External SSD models, but that's to be expected, since it has a much higher capacity and transfers data roughly four times faster.
This Apple Watch charger plugs directly into your iPad or MacBook
It's not very fun to lug the Apple Watch's included (and fairly lengthy) charger around with you, especially if you don't have any spare USB-A ports or wall outlets. From now on, though, all you'll need is a spare USB-C port. Satechi has released a USB-C Magnetic Charging Dock that will top up the Apple Watch using any powered (you guessed it) USB-C port. You could recharge from a battery bank on a camping trip, a 12V car adapter on the road or even an iPad Pro while you're sipping coffee.
The best USB-C cables and adapters
By Sarah Witman 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 USB-C cables and adapters. If you have a device with a USB-C port—like a MacBook or Android phone, or 2018 iPad Pro—you're going to need some cables. Unfortunately, when it comes to USB-C, even cables that look identical can perform very differently. Your MacBook's charging cable, for example, has the exact same connectors at each end as a top-speed Thunderbolt 3 cable, but it's different internally; it transfers data at a snail's pace, and it can't send a video signal. To make sure you get the right cable for your needs, we've tested 36 cables and 16 adapters to find the best ones for charging, data transfer, video, and more.
Where’s my USB-C iPhone?
Over the years, reports have come and gone on the notion that Apple will swap from Lightning to USB-C on its iPhones — matching rival Android phones, and its own MacBook range. But it was unlikely to happen and then it didn't happen.
OtterBox reveals a portable and stackable wireless charging system
OtterBox has a solution to limited battery life. Today, the company revealed OtterSpot, its Qi wireless charging power bank, and stackable batteries. The OtterSpot Charging Base looks a bit like a thin hockey puck. It's designed to be stackable, meaning you can pile up to three puck-like OtterBox Wireless Charging Batteries and a device on top of it and charge all of them simultaneously. Each battery can then power any Qi-enabled device and support wired charging via a USB-C port. The battery packs come with 5,000 mAh of capacity and up to 10-watt wireless charging speeds.
Apple updates its USB-C AV dongle for 4K HDR video
Apple has released a new version of its USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter, giving it the ability to support HDMI 2.0. While it's just an update to one of Apple's accessories, adapters like this become terribly important when it's supposed to be used with a device that only has a handful of USB-C ports. This one, for instance, allows you to connect a Mac or an iPad with a TV or a display via HDMI. As Apple has explained in a new support page, the update means the dongle can now be used to play 4K videos at 60 Hz, so long as you have the necessary hardware.
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.
Galaxy Note 10 won't have a headphone jack, according to a hot dongle leak
The leak creep of Samsung's Galaxy Note 10 has now reached the point of dongles that will come with it. Soul-crushing, purchase-rescuing dongles that will ensure your 3.5mm headphones will work with your new productivity-focused phone. Yep, it's the final nod that Samsung, one of the great headphone port hold-outs, is joining the pack with only a USB-C connection to do everything on its next flagship phone.
LG's updated UltraFine 5K display works with your iPad Pro
LG's UltraFine 5K Display has returned after a months-long hiatus, although you might not scramble to get one depending on what device you're using. The updated version of the 27-inch monitor is compatible with the USB-C output from recent iPad Pros, making it a viable option if you need a large secondary screen for media previews or screen mirroring. The earlier model only played nicely with Thunderbolt.
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.
