USB-IF is, once again, trying to logo its way out of USB-C confusion

Enlarge / The USB-IF is planning new logos to go with the upgraded capabilities of USB-C 2.1 cables and chargers. (credit: USB-IF)

In just a few years, the USB-C port has gone from infancy to ubiquity. Aside from a couple of exceptions, it is the main charging, data, and display port for nearly all modern phones, tablets, and laptops. The European Union has even proposed making it mandatory in all devices.

The problem is that the USB-C connector has always been related to but separate from the other specifications in the USB protocol. USB-C cables can use 2.0 or 3.2 speeds, they can support multiple charging wattages, they can either have or not have Thunderbolt support, and even Thunderbolt cables can be either "active" or "passive." The connector is the same, but the capabilities aren't.

The group behind USB-IF has always taken a hands-off approach to this problem, choosing to solve it not with top-down mandates but with certification and optional logos. Today, the group announced a new batch of logos (PDF) intended to demystify the USB-C 2.1 and USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) 3.1 standards that were announced earlier this year. Among other tweaks, the new logos account for USB 4 support, as well as an increased maximum USB-PD charging wattage, from the old maximum of 100 W up to a new maximum of 240 W.

Read 1 remaining paragraphs | Comments

from Tech – Ars Technica https://ift.tt/3onnDoU

Oppo plans to launch a tablet next year, work on rollable and fodable phones is still ongoing

Last year Oppo unveiled a concept rollable phone, but that was just a tech showcase – the company had no plans to mass manufacture and sell such devices at that point. It was reportedly more willing to try a foldable phone first, but that hasn’t come yet either (despite a rumor saying that it will launch this June). Oppo has not given up on the changeable form factor phones, however. At a recent event VP Liu Bo hinted that the company is working on both foldable and rollable designs, but mentioned no specific plans to launch either. The company will be entering a new market soon,...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://ift.tt/2Y0V31C

iPad mini teardown sheds new light on “jelly scrolling” controversy

iFixit's 2021 iPad mini teardown.

A new teardown of Apple's latest iPad mini by iFixit found a clue that may explain the "jelly scrolling" effect that some of the tablet's users have complained about.

In case you missed our past coverage on the subject, some iPad mini users noticed a subtle, stagger-like disconnect between the right and left sides of the screen when scrolling through content. Some people see it right away, others have to have it pointed out to them, and others still don't notice even when told.

After we wrote about it, Apple commented on the story to us saying that the effect is expected. From our coverage:

Read 4 remaining paragraphs | Comments

from Tech – Ars Technica https://ift.tt/3CX2u9e

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max proves its durability in latest test

If you had any doubts that the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max is a durable phone, go ahead and cast those away. JerryRigEverything's latest video shows the top iPhone being scratched, burned and bend-tested and in keeping with its peers and predecessors, the iPhone 13 Pro Max survived. There were no surprises. If you're familiar with the JerryRig durability test then the iPhone's screen scratched at a level 6 like any other glass display on a current smartphone, the stainless steel frame's glossy coating scratched with a razor, the phone didn't nudge when bend tested. The burn test was...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://ift.tt/3upK65X

Vivo Watch 2 with eSIM support is coming soon

Vivo has just unveiled its very first smartwatch back in 2020. The last year was marked by a great surge in the popularity of wearables ... The post Vivo Watch 2 with eSIM support is coming soon appeared first on Gizchina.com.

Visit Gizchina.com for full article!

from Gizchina Latest News https://ift.tt/39Sm3Dk

New Xiaomi device arrives at TENAA, alleged to be CC11 Pro with 4K display

Xiaomi is going to release a new device soon and proved by the most recent TENAA listing. The verdict is out on which device it is, but the model 2109119BC may be linked to the Xiaomi CC11 Pro. The TENAA listing confirms some of the specs for the unreleased smartphone. There's a 6.55-inch OLED screen with 3840 x 2160 resolution. This is interesting because that resolution and aspect ratio are identical to that of a 4K TV. TENAA specs listed for Xiaomi 2109119BC There's also mention of a 4,400 mAh battery, and an octa-core chipset clocked at 2.4GHz paired with...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://ift.tt/3me2Mlg

Facebook has Reels now, taking TikTok cloning one step further

Facebook's never-ending quest to quash its competitors through copying their features has reached a new high (or low, depending on how you look at it) today with the launch of Reels. "But wait", you say, "isn't that an Instagram feature?" And the answer is, yes, but from now on you can also see Reels on Facebook. TikTok keeps getting ever more popular, and Facebook's TikTok clone thus can't forever be omitted from the main app. Because let's face it, Reels is a TikTok clone like Stories was a Snapchat clone, and here's the thing - no one remembers Snapchat anymore. Facebook won that...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://ift.tt/2ZNCxLf