The charging accessory is equipped with three AC outlets, one USB-C port, one USB-A port, and a pair of retractable USB-C cables. The USB-C cables and port can output up to 100W of power, which is enough to charge a 14-inch MacBook Pro's battery from zero to 50% in about half an hour.
After the initial setup, most people rarely engage directly with their smart TV. With wireless connectivity, phone apps, and remote controls, there's little need to. Tucked next to the essential HDMI ports, a USB 2.0 port -- likely sitting unnoticed on the back or side panel -- offers more potential than you might expect. USB ports are easy to overlook, but they're a standard feature on most TVs -- and more useful than you might think.
Ever wondered what the USB-A port on the back of your Wi-Fi router is for? Several things, depending on the model. For example, the port on the router can be used for basic file sharing across your network, charging small devices, and as a waypoint for backing up your computer to an external drive. But here's the truth: I don't recommend using it. Having a USB port on the router sounds convenient, but there are a few problems.
Most new TV models come with a pair of USB 2.0 ports, and often a 3.0 port for faster data transfer. Your TV screen is likely bigger than your computer monitor, so why not use it to carousel a gallery of images or play videos? I attended a family gathering recently, and the host used a 65-inch TV to do that very thing. The scanned pictures and videos looked and sounded great -- all accessed by simply plugging in a USB flash drive.
Retail point-of-sale systems today offer a wide range of options for peripherals and hardware. Their technical specifications play a major role in selection, and big retailers often choose multiple vendors to reduce a single point of failure. This gives them an advantage to negotiate price or support as well. Technically, these peripherals also require updating with new models and may have new feature sets. This necessitates the redevelopment of point-of-sale applications, increasing development costs.
The system pairs a plug-and-play wireless HDMI link with a genuinely useful hub, all in a single piece of kit. Plug the USB-C transmitter into your device and the HDMI receiver into any display. You get wireless 1080p 60Hz video in 0.02 seconds, plus immediate access to SD/TF cards, three high-speed USB ports, and 100W power delivery. No apps, no network dependency, no compromise. Just the screen and the tools you actually need, working together the way they should.
Charging phones and portable devices has become one of the most routine actions of modern life. From the moment we wake up to the time we go to sleep, our devices depend on reliable power. We charge at home, in offices, cafés, airports, hotels, libraries, and public transportation spaces. Despite how frequently charging occurs, the physical environments designed to support it often feel like an afterthought.
With this setup, the Samsung SSD achieved read speeds of roughly 4,000 MB/s and write speeds of about 1,300 MB/s. Those are great numbers. Accessing files felt instantaneous. It took no time at all to open the movie I stored inside the drive. The read speed also shows that the enclosure isn't restricting the drive. It's making full use of the Thunderbolt connection. Writing large files is equally impressive, letting users save big files fast.
The USB cable tester is a small box measuring 2.9 x 2.5 x 0.5 inches and features an array of ports. There are USB-C and USB-A output ports and corresponding USB-C, Lightning, miniUSB, and microUSB 2.0 and microUSB 3.0 input ports to testing cables. This means the tester can accommodate any cable with the respective output and input port. The unit is powered by a single AAA battery, or alternatively you can use USB-C input.
I have to admit: charging cables are a lot better than they were a decade ago. I remember a time when "how to fix my charging cable" was a very hot topic. We have since moved on, and cables are a lot more robust. So much so that it's rare to come across a tatty cable. Unless, that is, that it's been chewed by someone's furry friend.
Even if you don't snag any huge upgrades, though, you likely already own multiple gadgets that you need to recharge each and every day. It would sure be nice to be able to charge two devices at once, and you can do just that with Anker's braided, two-headed USB-C cable - which is available from Amazon or Anker in black or white for $15.99 ($4 off).
The charging station delivers up to 15W of power to compatible MagSafe iPhones while pulling double duty as an adjustable phone stand, making it easy to check notifications at a glance. For Apple Watch owners, it supports fast charging on newer models like the Apple Watch Series 11. In between, there's a Qi charging pad that outputs up to 5W for AirPods or other earbuds that support wireless charging.
