Poweraddus

USB group steps in with software solution to rogue USB-C cables

ROGUE USB TYPE-C CABLES could soon be caught before they fry things, thanks to an announcement from the group that designed the specification which is being ignored by so many.

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) has announced the "USB Type-C Authentication specification", a set of software-defined rules that a device can use to protect itself from potential sizzlage.

The announcement explained that "host systems can confirm the authenticity of a USB device or USB charger, including such product aspects as the descriptors/capabilities and certification status. All of this happens right at the moment a wired connection is made, before inappropriate power or data can be transferred."

Concerns about USB-C safety have been championed by Google engineer Benson Leung, whose one-man crusade to single out shonky USB-C cables for sale on Amazon led to the sacrifice of his ￡1,500 Google Pixel C.

The new software promises a standard protocol for authenticating devices, cables and power sources, made over data bus or power delivery channels with products retaining previously set security policies.

It will use 128-bit security and standard cryptographic methods for certificate format, digital signing, hash and random number generation.

Of course, the premise of software-defined USB control is as old as time itself, or at least the Tesco Hudl 2, which suffered for a long time from a software 'feature' designed to stop you using the wrong charger, but which in reality stopped you using any charger at all.

“USB is well established as the favoured choice for connecting and charging devices,” said Brad Saunders, USB 3.0 Promoter Group chairman.

“In support of the growing USB Type-C ecosystem, we anticipated the need for a solution extending the integrity of the USB interface. The new USB Type-C Authentication protocol equips product OEMs with the proper tools to defend against ‘bad’ USB cables, devices and non-compliant USB chargers.”

The software, which could be embedded in any device or operating system, can also protect against malware hidden in a USB interface. However, equally, The INQUIRER wonders whether this software could itself be a target for hackers who could tell a benign USB cables to fry a device.

“USB-IF is unwavering in our mission to solidify USB Type-C as the single cable of the future,” said Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF president and COO. “USB Type-C Authentication is an important contribution to enable a thriving ecosystem of compliant, interoperable products.”

Earlier this week, another team of Google engineers revealed a first draft for WebUSB, a protocol that will allow USB devices to communicate directly with the internet, offering the potential for true plug and play. μ

Third-party USB cables could fry your devices

USB Type-C has been one of the best things to come out of the pipeline in recent times. It promises to become a universal connector that we can use to link up all our devices, from monitors and phones to laptops and whatever we care to come up with next.

There is just one problem - that cheap third-party cable you bought online could end up frying your laptop.

As it turns out, these budget cables may lack certain safeguards that prevent them from drawing too much power, and you want to be especially careful if you're dealing with Type-A to Type-C cables.

For instance, if you plug one of these cables into the Type-A port on a MacBook Air laptop and use it to charge a Nexus 6P phablet, the cable could end up pulling too much power and leave your laptop wishing for better days.

One Google engineer, Benson Leung, even ended up wrecking his Chromebook Pixel while testing a third-party Type-C cable from Amazon.

This is not the fault of the USB Type-C standard - the blame rests solely on the cables.

In fact, this sort of power catastrophe is possible with any USB cables. But the thing is that older cables do not draw as much power as that supported by the cables for the new USB standard.

There is something you can do about this, although it might come across as a pretty flimsy solution.

Google's Mr Leung is the only known person currently vetting various cables, so you can either look out for his reviews on Amazon, check an online spreadsheet (bit.ly/1o2wbiS) or peruse a thread created by Reddit users that aggregate Mr Leung's reviews (bit.ly/20tEV2P).

It is a quick but not exhaustive way to check if a particular third-party cable is going to abruptly fry your notebook.

The list also flags several brand names whose cables have not been "approved" (or at least not yet). So do not assume buying cables from recognizable brands is a safe bet.

Seidio USB Cables Review: High Quality USB Cable Options

We’ve recently reviewed some Seidio cases here on Techaeris, and our Seidio USB cables review takes a very quick look at some of their USB-C cable offerings.

DESIGN
Like most USB cables, Seidio’s design is pretty straightforward. Whether it’s the USB-A to USB-C, USB-A to Micro-USB, or Micro-USB female adapter to USB-C cables, each cable is covered with a smooth finish black and grey Nylon braided cable which increases durability and longevity. The connector ends are housed in a hard sturdy plastic shell, which provide a good grip and rigidity when inserting it into your charging adapter or device. The cables are also available in 0.5′. 1′, 3′, and 6′ lengths — depending on which cables you’re looking at. The longer cables also include a velcro strap for easier storage when the cable is wrapped up. As far as USB cables go, the Seidio cables are pretty classy looking with the braided cable design.

EASE OF USE
Nothing unexpected here, these cables worked exactly as expected. Whether connecting to a Micro-USB or USB-C device, the connectors are solid, and fit snugly into all the devices I tried. The cables powered, charged, or transferred data just fine, and I had no issues at all using the USB-C cables with my Nexus 6P or my wife’s Nexus 5X. The Micro-USB female adapter to USB-C adapter worked like a charm as well, and I had no issues using it to achieve rapid charging with my Nexus 6P.

PRICE/VALUE
While the Seidio USB cablesaren’t the cheapest around, they’re also not the most expensive. Ranging in price from $9.95 for a pair of USB 2.0 to Micro-USB to $16.95 for a single USB 3.0 to Type C cables, the Seidio cables are pretty reasonably priced for the build quality. Coupled with their current site-wide 30% off spring sale, you’re definitely getting a great value with these cables. Enter the promo code SPRING16 at checkout for your discount.

WRAP-UP
If you’re looking for high-quality USB cables, you can’t go wrong with the cables offered by Seidio with their Nylon wrapped cable design.

Surge Protector and Power Strip Safety
Information from Yale University Office of the Fire Marshal

Every year, thousands of fires result from surge protectors, power strips and electrical cords.
Listed below are some suggestions to help prevent a possible fire from beginning.
 Use only surge protectors or power strips that have an internal circuit breaker. These
units will trip the breaker if the power strip is over loaded or shorted to prevent
overheating.
 Surge protectors, power strips, or extension cords are not a substitute for permanent
wiring.
 If at any time the surge protector or plug strip is hot to the touch remove and replace the
unit. The electrical load for this strip should be evaluated for overloading.
 At no time should a surge protector or plug strip be placed in a situation that will allow it
to be exposed to a moist environment
 Any surge protector or power strip that does not have an internal circuit breaker, has
frayed wires, or has a unit that is not working properly, should be replaced immediately.
 Do not plug a surge protector or power strip into an existing surge protector or
power strip. This practice is called "daisy chaining" or "piggy backing" and can
lead to serious problems.
 All surge protectors or power strips need to be UL (Underwriters Laboratory) or ETL
(Electrical Testing Laboratories) approved. The UL or ETL label must never be removed
from the unit. On the underside of the casing, there should be the manufacturer's name
and the name of the testing lab where the unit was tested.
 There should only be one surge protector or power strip plugged into a single
duplex electrical outlet.
 Do not locate a surge protector or power strip in any area where the unit would be
covered with carpet, furniture, or any other item that will limit or prevent air circulation.
 Do not staple, tack, or tape a surge protector or power strip.
 Visually inspect all surge protectors or power strips on a regular basis to ensure that they
are not damaged or showing signs of degradation. During the visual inspection, ensure
that the plug is fully engaged in their respective outlets.
 When the surge protector or plug strip is not in use, unplug the unit.
 The surge protector or power strips should always have either a polarized plug with one
of the blades being larger then the other one or a three-prong grounded plug. Never use
a three to two prong adapter to power the unit.
 Surge protectors or power strips should have a cord of no more than 6 feet in
length.
 Never plug medical equipment into a surge protector or power strip unless it is approved
for this purpose.

For anyone whose desk is cluttered with cables and extension cords, for anyone who has ever endured frustrations over clunky power adapters, and for anyone who has wanted a stylish option for an extension cable, Munich based startup Good Gadgets might have just created the solution with their modular power strip YOUMO.

YOUMO, which is currently being crowdfunded through a Kickstarter campaign, was developed by product designer Tobias F?rtsch, and engineers Carsten Fichtel, and Cornelius Schneider. Together, the three creators set out to design and manufacture a modular, multi-purpose, and stylish usb power strip that would appeal to a mass market. Using technologies like 3D modeling and 3D printing, the team at Good Gadgets seems to have succeeded as they have already surpassed their initial Kickstarter goal of €50,000 by over €73,000.

The modular power strip system has been designed to cater to its customers, and offers a number of functions that regular power strips do not, including a wireless charging module for your devices, and a Smart module which gives your plugged-in devices, such as a lamp or appliance, IoT capabilities which can be controlled via your portable device through YOUMO’s app. Of course, YOUMO also comes with standard outlets, including a single European or American outlet, a set of 3 or 5 respectively, and a multi-USB port.

The beauty of the product is that you can easily add to or remove its components, allowing it to be as large or as small as necessary, depending on your needs. If you are traveling you can even combine EU and North American modules to easily charge and use your devices on either continent. The power cord, which functions as the base of the power strip, comes in three different lengths (1.5m, 2.5m, or 4m) and can be ordered in seven different colors, so you put your eye catchingusb power strip on display rather than messily tucking it under the nearest table.

F?rtsch, Fichtel, and Schneider have been developing their product for nearly two years now and after much time spent 3D modeling, 3D printing, and testing prototypes, the team has successfully created a working model of YOUMO and its first series of power modules. The German developers are not done their work, however, as they are now working on preparing another five modules to make their product even more modular. Among the modules in development are a light module, a powerline module, wireless speakers, a WiFi repeater, and a power surge module, which will reportedly be released soon after the Kickstarter rewards are fulfilled. Good Gadgets has also stated they will soon create an open-source platform on which other developers and companies can collaborate with them to create new modules.

In terms of the rewards, though all the early bird deals have come and gone, a pledge of €39 ($43) will get you a base cord in the color and length of your choosing as well as two attachable modules of your choice. If you are looking to supply your office or whole house with YOUMO power strips, a pledge of at least €369 ($410) will get you 10 base cords, and 20 attachable modules.


With the continued success of their Kickstarster campaign (it is running until April 3, 2016), Good Gadgets will put their funding towards finalizing their product and readying it for the global market. As they say on their page, “Your backing will help us: finalize the mechanical design and build the electrical content inside each module, get the certification required to meet all international standard safety requirements, and set up the supply chain that will turn our prototype into your very own YOUMO.”

Power banks aren’t exactly a new idea, with companies like Samsung and Xiaomi having now joined the portable battery party. However, Latvia-based firm Draugiem Group hopes to differentiate itself from the pack by helping to make sure you don’t misplace its battery pack.
Dubbed the CoalBit, this compact power banks includes a 560mAh battery, enough to give your phone up to three extra hours of talk time, two hours of Internet browsing, and 10 hours of music. In addition, the CoalBit includes a flashlight in the event that you don’t have another one nearby.
Even though these are rather typical features offered by many of today’s power banks, where the CoalBit steps out from the pack is through the inclusion of Bluetooth. By connecting the CoalBit to your phone, you can not only keep track of where it is, but you can also keep track of both your phone and whatever you have your CoalBit attached to.

Because the CoalBit is so tiny, it’s not that hard to misplace it, which is why it comes with a carabiner clip. However, as some of us are prone to do, we can also lose the things we attach that clip to. As such, you can enable a distance alert that will buzz your phone in the event that you get a little too far away from the CoalBit. If you didn’t enable this, however, Draugiem Group built an app, available for both iOS and Android, that will inform you of the CoalBit’s last known location.
If all of this has piqued your interest, you can currently back the CoalBit through Kickstarter. Currently, there are two versions of the CoalBit being offered: the regular CoalBit and a Lite version, which removes Bluetooth. In addition, the CoalBit comes with either an integrated Micro Lightning  or  USB cables, so you don’t have to lug one around and risk misplacing it. The CoalBit Lite goes for at least $15, while the regular CoalBit goes for at least $39. Regardless of which CoalBit you want, you will be able to order it in white, black, blue, yellow, or red.
Currently, the CoalBit campaign has drawn in $12,943, with the goal set at $84,000, and with 27 days to go. If everything goes according to plan, Draugiem Group should start shipping the power bank out to backers beginning this October.

Power banks aren’t exactly a new idea, with companies like Samsung and Xiaomi having now joined the portable battery party. However, Latvia-based firm Draugiem Group hopes to differentiate itself from the pack by helping to make sure you don’t misplace its battery pack.
Dubbed the CoalBit, this compact power banks includes a 560mAh battery, enough to give your phone up to three extra hours of talk time, two hours of Internet browsing, and 10 hours of music. In addition, the CoalBit includes a flashlight in the event that you don’t have another one nearby.
Even though these are rather typical features offered by many of today’s power banks, where the CoalBit steps out from the pack is through the inclusion of Bluetooth. By connecting the CoalBit to your phone, you can not only keep track of where it is, but you can also keep track of both your phone and whatever you have your CoalBit attached to.

Because the CoalBit is so tiny, it’s not that hard to misplace it, which is why it comes with a carabiner clip. However, as some of us are prone to do, we can also lose the things we attach that clip to. As such, you can enable a distance alert that will buzz your phone in the event that you get a little too far away from the CoalBit. If you didn’t enable this, however, Draugiem Group built an app, available for both iOS and Android, that will inform you of the CoalBit’s last known location.
If all of this has piqued your interest, you can currently back the CoalBit through Kickstarter. Currently, there are two versions of the CoalBit being offered: the regular CoalBit and a Lite version, which removes Bluetooth. In addition, the CoalBit comes with either an integrated Micro Lightning  or  USB cables, so you don’t have to lug one around and risk misplacing it. The CoalBit Lite goes for at least $15, while the regular CoalBit goes for at least $39. Regardless of which CoalBit you want, you will be able to order it in white, black, blue, yellow, or red.
Currently, the CoalBit campaign has drawn in $12,943, with the goal set at $84,000, and with 27 days to go. If everything goes according to plan, Draugiem Group should start shipping the power bank out to backers beginning this October.

This is the Vinsic 20,000 mAh ultra-slim power bank

This power bank is slim, and provides power to more than one mobile device — Windows or not.

Power banks are a great accessory to have on hand for any phone or tablet, especially when they grant the ability to push power to multiple devices. This particular power bank from Vinsic may not be the smallest portable battery on the market, but its sleek design looks sharp, and 2 USB ports are certainly better than one. Measuring a mere half-inch in thickness, you can slip it in a bag or carry-on without crowding it up. It's definitely too wide to store in your pocket though, which isn't ideal for a grab and go solution.
It's mostly made up of an aluminum alloy with plastic on the top and bottom. The top features 2 USB ports (2.1A and 1A), next to a single microUSB port used for charging the power banks. And yes, Vinsic includes a dainty 28-inch micro usb cables, but no charging block. To the left is the LED battery indicator that can always be checked by simply tapping the display. As soon as you plug in a device, it lights up immediately to show remaining battery life.

Since the Vinsic ultra-slim power bank packs an impressive 20000mAh, this thing can be a real life saver for any number of bad situations. While I would normally bring a couple backup batteries with me for some weekend camping, this one provides enough juice when fully charged to handle my Lumia 640 XL and my wife's Galaxy S6 — leaving plenty of life for additional boosts if needed. With 2 devices connected there doesn't seem to be a drop in charging speeds, which is sometimes the case with aftermarket power banks. For extra security, it also features over-charge, over-voltage, short circuit, and over-current protection for anything you end up plugging in.

Karbonn announced the launch of its power bank range on online retail platform, Flipkart. It unveiled a 4,000 Lithium-polymer power bank for Rs 649, which will be Flipkart exclusive.
The company also said that the 5,000mAh and 10,000mAh variant with power bank for iphone dual charging ports and LED indicators launched earlier this year are available on the e-commerce website.
“Consumer demand for power banks has exploded over the past year. With a 60% growth, power banks are currently the fastest growing mobile accessory category on Flipkart. We are excited about launching Karbonn’s Lithium Polymer series of power banks,” Adarsh K Menon, Vice President, Electronics, Flipkart, said.
The 10,000mAh power bank is a multi-functional device fitted with an LED torch, which also doubles up as a TF card reader. It comes with a sleek LCD display for indicating power capacity.
The 4,000mAh battery power bank come in blue, green, yellow, rose pink, black and white colours. The company will also offer a six months warranty on all its power banks.