Over time, few things about computers have remained less consistent than wiring standards. USB is an excellent example; the “U” literally stands for “universal,” but it’s far from universal. There’s standard USB (Type-A), there’s Type-B, Type-C, Micro USB, and even Mini USB. And within those, there are various standards, such as USB 2.0, 3.0, and …
If you have a desktop computer, you might connect a lot of accessories. A second or third monitor, an external hard drive, a media controller, or an external audio input. That’s one of the nice things about a desktop; there are plenty of ways to plug in. Not so with a laptop. Sure, you might …
In 2012, Apple announced a new upgrade to their iPhones and iPods. Older Apple devices had used a wide, 30-pin adapter, ever since the original iPod had launched. But it had been nearly 11 years since the first iPod, and the old connector left a lot to be desired. For one thing, it was fairly …
What uses USB-A? What doesn’t. It’s on wall chargers, car chargers, phone chargers, laptops, desktops, and about ten thousand other places. But the USB format is always improving. The release of USB-C is a big deal, to put it lightly. But the end of a USB-C connection isn’t quite as bulky as older USB-A adapters. …
The HDMI format is ubiquitous. It’s not only used by televisions, but laptops, PC monitors, gaming consoles, projectors, and so on. Everybody uses HDMI. Before too long, USB-C will probably become as ubiquitous as the HDMI format. But for the time being, USB-C is still pretty new. And that means many people need adapter cables …