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PurePort promises clean and clear Lightning plugs and ports

CROWDFUNDING NEWS – For iPhone users, especially the ones who put their iPhones in a pocket (isn’t that everyone?), the curse of pocket lint and random moisture tends to fill the ports of those devices with a substance that refuses to be extricated, especially once you’ve jammed the plug into it a few times when it wasn’t connecting. I can’t tell you how many times I saw this when I was working at an Apple Store. It was always such a surprise to the customer – I’d usually take the lint out to show how much had accumulated because they’d not believe it otherwise. (Photo from @DrDrang’s blog “And Now It’s All This” – highly recommended!)

We used soft bristle brushes and non-conductive tools, which prevented damage, but short of a toothpick and an old toothbrush, most folks don’t have access to this. Enter a new KickStarter campaign called PurePort. It’s a set of 7 tools that are designed to safely maintain your ports and the cable plugs as well. Even with less than 50 supporters, they are already past six times their funding goal, so there must be a LOT of folks who put in more than the $20 EarlyBird special!

Apple’s Lightning port was introduced in the fall of 2012 and caused gnashing of teeth as well as rejoicing. The gnashing of teeth was due to the huge investment customers and manufacturers had made in 30-pin connector cables and accessories. (Fast-forward seven years and the specter of change is visible with the advent of USB-C, but Apple seems relatively certain to stay on this train for the iPhones and lower-end non-Pro iPads.) The rejoicing was due to being able to plug in the cable either way, which is also part of the joy of USB-C. The small deep port is much more difficult to see into, so getting little bits of stuff in there is much more of a problem than it was with the 30-pin connector, which was wider and more open. If you’re not worried that Apple will abandon their proprietary port soon, you may want to get a set like this to protect yourself. Just be aware that you can void your warranty with aggressive poking into the ports!

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PurePort promises clean and clear Lightning plugs and ports originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 31, 2019 at 10:00 am.

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Moshi 2 Meter USB-C to HDMI Cable review

REVIEW – So my niece’s graduation was moved indoors by a rampaging storm in the Philadelphia area. That meant limited seating, and we were forced to livestream the event on YouTube. But you know what? I happened to have my Moshi USB-C to HDMI cable. That meant glorious HD viewing from the comfort of my living room. Graduation was saved! To the review!

What is it?

It’s a 2 meter (6.6 foot) USB-C to HDMI cable.

Hardware specs

  • 2 meters (6.6′) overall length
  • 3.06 ounces
  • Supports both 1080p HD and 4K UHD video output at up to 60 fps
  • Supports High Dynamic Range (HDR) and multi-channel digital audio
  • Aluminum casing to minimize electromagnetic interference

Design and features

The Moshi USB-C to HDMI cable is a solid piece of gear. It’s got a total length of 2 meters (or 6.6 feet), with beefy aluminum-jacketed & reinforced plugs. You won’t worry about this being kicked around in your bag if you travel with it. Check out the closeup shots below:

It’s also got a sturdy hook-and-loop strap to manage the cable when it’s coiled. The strap is just as durable, and strong enough that it won’t come undone unless you give it a good rip.

When downpours changed the plans for my niece’s graduation, this not-so-short cable was a lifesaver. I just plugged the USB-C plug into the port on my MacBook Pro…

…and then popped the HDMI plug into the port on the HD TV in my living room…

… And presto! Within minutes I was streaming the event in full HD from YouTube, including stereo sound. With the long cable, I didn’t have to cook up some sort of structure to get my laptop closer to the TV. I just put the laptop on my credenza, and I was good to go:

I’ve since been using this cable as a backup in my bag for conference rooms as well as streaming the occasional Netflix film to my big TV. Not only is the build durable, but the length is amazing for getting connected to remote places in a conference room. Wall mounted monitor? Check. Got a ceiling-mounted projector? Check. The cable is rated to support 1080p HD and 4K UHD video output at 60 frames per second.

What I like

  • Durable construction for travel
  • Excellent cable length makes it easy to connect to televisions, monitors & projectors

What I’d change

  • Nothing that I have found so far

Final thoughts

This one is an easy one. If you find yourself needing to stream from your USB-C compatible device like a MacBook Pro, you’ll enable a 2 meter HDMI connection to whatever monitor is hanging about for under 50 bucks. It serves double duty for work and home entertainment. It’s a winner.

Price: $44.95
Where to buy: Go to the product page to buy direct from Moshi.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Moshi.

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Moshi 2 Meter USB-C to HDMI Cable review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 1, 2019 at 8:00 am.

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One charging cable to rule them all?

CROWDFUNDING NEWS – d

What is it?

The C17 All-In-One Charger Cable is a 4FT (125cm) USB cable that provides 3 or 4 different connections (depending on the cable version) for USB-C, micro USB, Lightning, and the Apple Watch.

Why do I like it?

I like the C17 cable because it’s one cable with all the connections most people would need. Besides that, the cable has a nylon braided cover which I like, and even better is the fact that you can use all 3-4 connections at once. You can charge your Apple Watch, an iPad or iPhone, a USB-C device, and a micro USB device all at the same time only using one USB power adapter. I think this would be a great cable to have for travelers.

Some things to consider before pledging

It’s important to know that although this cable can charge up to 4 devices at the same time, it does not support data for all of those connections. According to the FAQ on the campaign page, the only connection that will work for data is the Lightning connection with an iPhone.

You will also need a USB power adapter which won’t be included with the cable.

The max 3.8Amp current load and the Fast Charging is up to USB power adapters. We recommend the minimum output current 2.2 A/ 5V when you charging all devices at the same time.

Where can I find more info?

The C17 All-In-One Charger Cable campaign ends on 7/3/19 they are working towards their funding goal of $5,101. You can pre-order the 3-in-1 version of the C17 cable starting at $19. After the C17 campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in July 2019. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

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One charging cable to rule them all? originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 5, 2019 at 12:00 pm.

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Moshi 3-in-1 universal charging cable review

REVIEW – Let’s face it, USB cables aren’t exactly exciting to write about or read about. But sometimes a cable can be worth the effort for me to write about it and for you to read about it. Let’s see if the Moshi 3-in-1 universal charging cable ticks both of those boxes.

What is it?

The Moshi 3-in-1 universal charging cable is a USB charging cable that offers a Lightning connector for Apple device fans, a USB-C connector, and a micro USB connector all in one cable.

Hardware specs

  • Apple MFi-certified
  • Supports power for iOS devices up to 12 W (5 V/2.4 A)
  • Supports USB 2.0 data transfer speeds up to 480 Mbps
  • Supports power for USB-C devices up to 3 A

What’s in the box?

  • Moshi 3-in-1 universal charging cable

Design and features

First of all, the cable has one of my favorite features when it comes to high-quality cables – a braided cover. The black Ballistic nylon braiding not only looks cool, but it prevents the cable from getting tangled which is always a good thing.

The cable also has a Velcro wrap that you can use to keep it neat and tidy when the cable isn’t being used.

The Moshi 3-in-1 Universal Charging Cable has a length of X inches from end to end.

The default end of the cable is a micro USB connector but tied to the cable are two adapters that turn the cable into a Lightning cable or a USB-C cable.

When you want to use the cable with your Apple devices, put the Lightning adapter at the end and snap unused adapters into the inline clip.

When you’re ready to use it as USB-C or micro USB cable, replace the Lightning adapter with the USB-C adapter or remove the adapter entirely to use it as a micro USB cable. Easy right?

What I like

  • One cable for 3 device types
  • Nylon braided covering
  • 3 year warranty

What needs to be improved

  • Price

Final thoughts

There isn’t a whole lot that one can say about a USB cable, but as far as cables go, the Moshi 3-in-1 Universal Charging cable does have some nice features going for it from the nylon braided exterior to the ability to be used with 3 different connector styles. The only downside to this cable is that it’s a little pricy. But if the price doesn’t scare you away, this cable is warrantied for 3 years so it’s been made to stand the test of time.

Price: $28.95
Where to buy: moshi
Source: The sample for this review was provided by moshi.

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Moshi 3-in-1 universal charging cable review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 2, 2019 at 11:00 am.

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The Best Cable Management Solutions to Tidy Up Your Workspace

Despite an increasingly wireless society, we still live in a world largely tethered by cables. These cables can often be the bane of our existence. Tangled cords, messy desks, ugly aesthetics – cables and cords are a pain, but they’re not going anywhere. Fortunately, there are some innovative cable management solutions to tame those wild and unruly cables. In addition to restoring order to your electronics, these cable management options provide valuable protection against various household hazards. Pets who like to munch on cords, robot vacuums that get cables tangled in their innards as they go about tidying, and curious babies exploring are no match for… Read more