Tag: #usbc

Äike Launches First European Assembled E-Scooter with USB-C Charging

Newly founded sustainable e-scooter startup Äike, launches the first electric scooter designed and assembled entirely in Europe using solely renewable energy. Developed in partnership with leading IoT company, Comodule, their newest model Äike T, is also the only e-scooter to have USB-C charging capabilities.

With e-scooter trials proving immensely popular in the UK and 180,000 people taking over half a million trips in London alone from June 2021 – February 2022, the market for sustainable travel is booming. In its highly anticipated Transport Bill, the UK Government intends to acknowledge this appetite for e-scooters and other low-speed, zero-emission vehicles (LZEV) amongst the public by recognising them in new legislation later this year.

 

 

Äike is committed to making e-scooters and zero-emission commuting accessible to everyone by being regionally compliant with all legislation and integrating unrivalled safety, stability and durability into its product range. The company actively seeks materials from responsible local recycled suppliers, ensuring a supply and distribution chain that is as close to the manufacturing facility as possible, free of conflict and fully reliable/traceable while ensuring 92% of the materials used to produce its e-scooters are recyclable.

Kristjan Maruste, Co-founder of Comodule and now CEO and Head of Product for Äike, commented: “Äike is a true passion project of mine as I feel we are filling a huge gap in the micro mobility market. After 7 years in the industry, I find it crazy how the e-bike boom in Europe has brought us to around 5 million e-bikes sold per year with more than 50% made in Europe, whereas with over a million e-scooters being bought annually, virtually no one manufactures in Europe. This has left e-scooters in the background as the vast majority of them are not sustainable, comfortable or safe at all. Äike is here to change that. There obviously is a demand, and we are here to meet that with a sustainable, durable, inclusive, IoT-connected, safe and genuinely best version of what they are looking for. We’re currently still in our launch phase, but we are very well positioned to grow fast as we control the full process in-house from design to production to delivery.”

Äike’s e-scooters are built for all metropolitan streets. The Äike T is weatherproof, durable and can be ridden smoothly over potholes and curbs without compromising on important motor power and speed safety regulations across cities worldwide. On one full charge, the Äike T has a 40km range. When needed to charge again, Äike has made its removable battery compatible with any port using a USB-C laptop charger, which eliminates excess charger waste. While Äike’s e-scooters are designed to be easily transportable indoors, they can be safely left on the street thanks to the IoT-integrated threefold anti-theft GPS lock protection system provided by Comodule.

 

Äike is paving the way for a new era of micro-mobility by offering a fully connected experience. On top of GPS protection, each e-scooter comes with Comodule’s own IoT device and passport that allows exclusive access to the Äike app and enables remote customer support, instant firmware updates, and e-scooter performance monitoring, offering commuters a unique connected riding experience.

The Äike e-scooter is available for pre-order from July 6th for a €69 deposit. Final prices start from €999.

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Tech Review – Quntis 2 in 1 Multi Charger Cable with USB-C and lightning.

Cables are a plenty out there and easy to find, different lengths sizes colors you name it you have it all and price is another thing, brand is another thing people like to stick too and we have tested out Quntis cables before and they are still in use today, their latest offering is a dual pack with a nice long 2 meter cable but this time around it offers two options, one for iOS and one for USB-C so if you sport devices like this you can not only save money you can save cables as well as clutter around your desk or workspace.

If you are multi device owner like me and which most people are this makes live easy no matter and as mentioned above less clutter, also you get two cables in the box which is great should you misplace one or need a spare for a family member or friend for example it is convenient and cheaper than what you might find in local stores and also supports fast charging too.

See the video below for more and get a 10% discount

  • 2-in-1 Design Multi-function Charging Cable- Quntis exclusive design USB-C to Lightning port and USB-C port cable, suitable for all devices with Type C and Lightning ports. Now you can use just one cable to charge devices with Type C ports and Lightning ports—ending the annoyance of frequently changing the charging cable: improving your daily charging experience. (Note: Charging two devices at the same time is not supported.)
  • 30W Fast Charging USB C to Lightning Port- Lightning port supports rapid charging: up to 30W (max). You’ll be able to charge an iPhone 13, 12, 11, 11 Pro, 12 Pro, 11 Pro max, 12 Pro max, XR, XS, XS Max8 8Plus X XR XS Max from 0% to 50% in 30 minutes (with a USB-C PD Charger), almost 3x faster than the regular 5W charger.
  • USB C Port Supports PD 60W Fast Charge- The output power is up to 20V/3A, 15V/3A, 12V/3A, 9V/3A, 5V/3A when paired with 90W, 87W, 65W, 45W, 18W or other USB C power delivery adapters. It takes only 1.5h to fully recharge MacBook Air 13″. USB C Power Cable is compatible with Samsung Galaxy S21/ S21+/ S21 Ultra/ S20/ S20+/ S20 Ultra/ Note 20/ Note 20 Ultra/Note 10/ Note 10 Plus/ A80, Google Pixel 2/2XL/3/3XL/3a/3aXL/4/4 XL/ 5, Macbook Air/ 13”, iPad Pro 2018/2020, iPad Air 2020 10.9″(Gen 4).

  • Certified Fast Charging Cable- Each Quntis 2 in 1 Cable contains an authorization chip to ensure 100% compatibility with any of your lightning and USB C devices. Our CE certified cable ensures safety and stability. The smart chip detects all connected devices, determines their optimal charging input, and adjusts the output accordingly for a faster and more stable charge. Besides supporting fast charging, the Quntis Type-C to Lightning cable supports fast data transfer of up to 480 Mbps.
  • 2 Pack 2m USB-C to Lightning & USB C Cable- This two-piece pack meets your charging needs in the office and at home. Unlike the standard 1m or 1.2m iPhone USB cables currently available on the market, our unique 2M cable is designed to meet a variety of connection needs; offering the ultimate charging convenience for your bed, couch, balcony, or even the back seat of your car- without the restrictions created by shorter cables.

BUY ON AMAZON AND GET A DISCOUNT use the code – 68XBTLQW

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Tech Review – Twelve South StayGo mini USB-C Hub

USB hubs are a plenty today and a welcome addition as ports become less on many computers today and this has been the case for some years in fact but depending on the brand this differs and over the years we have tested out many USB hubs, with USB-C mostly a standard now it is time to up your game with the latest accessories and Twelve South are no stranger to help out here.

This hub is well designed and well built and this is even down to the cable you get with it that allows you to hide cables behind your laptop or whatever you might be using, this is also compatible with the latest iPads too and home PCs which does not leave it restrained to ONE brand or product as some tend to do.

When it comes to hubs there is not much to say except they offer more convenience and also not forgetting portability, this hub sports a headphone jack USB A and USB-C port plus a HDMI port which is just the right amount most folk would need and also ideal to have in your travel bag..  What is important about such hubs is keeping everything neat and tidy and offering some more depending on the gadgets you have or the extras you need. You could also add a keyboard here too which is handy for iPad users. You can also use power banks and more and this also has USB-C passthrough power.

StayGo from Twelve South techbuzzireland

Twelve South also have a bigger option which is the Original StayGo and this is a must for those with a heavy workload and multiple gadgets to connect..

Features

  • USB-C hub connects peripherals to your iPad or MacBook
  • Four ports: USB-A, HDMI, headphone/audio out and USB-C power
  • Pass-through power to charge or power accessories 
  • Connects directly to iPad or below with the included cable

See the video below for more.

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Tech Review – Creative Chat USB-C headset.

Many of us now are working from home and it looks like it will be the new norm but working in the office is als not entirely ruled out either post pandemic but having said all that you need the tools that can be used in both and this new headset from creative is one to look at which is affordable and lightweight too, being wired though may put some off but there is still a large cohort of people out there that do like wired headsets and for me either is fine.

This headset has USB-C which is the new norm and can also be used with your mobile phone which is handy and can be used in a personal capacity to take calls do zoom calls and listen to music too so you are not confined to your PC either so in effect you could save money here to with one headset and remember it is lightweight too.

Build

The build quality is decent enough too and being lightweight makes it even better especially for long term use the cups are soft too a nicely settle on the ears which make for a comfortable experience overall.

Controls

This is a simple plug and play unit but it does have an inline control panel built in you also get some software to play around with that can enhance the experience and we show you this in the video review below with a standard set up and one connected with the software running, the controls are simple to use and nothing is complicated here at all.

Smarts

The headset comes with a built-in noise-cancelling boom mic and swivel-to-mute function along with SmartComms Kit’s auto-mute and two-way noise cancellation features that make online calls a breeze for users. From webinar presentations to conference calls, the Creative Chat USB offers quality audio and effective noise-cancelling capabilities that works to prioritize voice pickup over unwanted background noises

Audio

Built with a pair of 40 mm Neodymium drivers, the Creative Chat USB has been intricately designed to deliver excellent audio performance that precedes its price by offering a much bigger audio bang for the buck. So, be it for work calls or entertainment, users can expect nothing but high-quality and crystal-clear audio playback all day.

Multiplatform

The Creative Chat USB also works with gaming consoles such as PS5, PS4, and Nintendo Switch so again you are not tied down to one product to use this headset on so it is a win if you have all the above including a phone or tablet.

Conclusion

Overall this is a great affordable headset that is not restricted with it use case scenario and gives decent audio too and being light it is comfortable and even though it is wired it still offers more options than others out there with connectivity

BUY – creative.com/chatusb.

Creative sent us this to review and no compensation paid nor any input given and are seeing this review the same time as you.

Watch the video below for more

 

 

ScoutPro by INTELLI is an all-in-one powerbank. #ScoutPro #INTELLI

Purveyors of clean, simple, intelligent technology products. INTELLI, is today pleased to announce the availability of ScoutPro, the ultimate all-in-one portable power bank following a hugely successful crowdfunding campaign where over $600,000 was raised. ScoutPro, the latest innovation in charging technology, is compact, lightweight, and has up to 200w of power delivery allowing users to charge anything, anywhere. The MSRP for ScoutPro is $299, however as part of a pre-launch deal, there are limited number available on Indiegogo InDemand for $149/£101. The product is also available on the INTELLI website here with shipping expected in the coming weeks. Amazon will also stock in fall.

There are portable chargers that have high power output, others that have large battery capacity and are the size of bricks. There are wireless chargers, chargers that are FastCharge or Power Delivery compatible, and then there are some that are small and lightweight. Now it’s possible to finally have it all in one small footprint with the launch of the INTELLI ScoutPro.

The multi-tool of portable fast charging, the INTELLI ScoutPro is the first portable charger that is universally compatible. It can charge any laptop, iPads and tablets, as well as drones, cameras, speakers, handheld game consoles and more. It is MagSafe compatible and will wirelessly charge new iPhones and other smartphones, it features a wireless charger for Apple Watch and can also wirelessly charge AirPods and other earbuds, watches and fitness trackers.

With three built-in charging ports a wireless charger, and Apple Watch Charger, ScoutPro can charge up to 5 devices at once. In addition to being Apple device compatible, ScoutPro also supports Huawei Super Charge, Oppo & Oneplus 22.5W charging, OPPO 40W charging, Samsung fast charging for S21/S21+ & Note 20. And, recharging the ScoutPro is a breeze taking just 55-120 minutes using the INTELLI 100W GaN wall charger.

The ScoutPro portable chargers meet requirements for both domestic and international airline travel. The core of the ScoutPro charging technology is next-generation graphene battery technology, which is safer, slimmer and more lightweight than lithium-ion batteries. The INTELLI graphene batteries are UL Certified and the ScoutPro chargers are FCC, CE, and RoHS certified.

At the core of ScoutPro is INTELLI’s next generation Graphene Battery Technology.  Popularized by Tesla, graphene is comprised of carbon atoms tightly bound in a honeycomb-like structure that is only a single atomic layer thick. This provides for superior electrical and thermal conductivity, high flexibility, high strength, and low weight.

Graphene batteries are lighter and slimmer than their lithium-ion counterparts with boasting over 5x power capacity per kilogram. Lastly, Graphene batteries are some of the safest batteries on the market, more resistant to heat, punctures, and drops.

ScoutPro has roughly the same footprint as an iPhone 12 Max.  In this small package INTELLI has packed graphene batteries, MagSafe and Apple Watch compatible magnets, 200w mainboard, premium aircraft grade aluminum housing, and wireless charging board.

For power output, both USB-C ports on the ScoutPro can output the following; 5V / 3A, 9V / 3A, 12V / 3A, 15V / 3A or 20V / 5A.

The QC USB-A port supports 24W Quick Charge (Huawei Super Charge port), yes 24W! in addition to 5V / 4.5A, 9V / 2A or 12V / 2A.

The Wireless Charging panels support up to 15W wireless charging and Apple & Samsung Watch Charging.

The MSRP for ScoutPro is $299, however as part of a pre-launch deal, there are limited number available on Indiegogo InDemand for $149/£101.

The product is also available on the INTELLI website here with shipping expected in the coming weeks. Amazon will also stock in fall.

ScoutPro Specs

  • Capacity: 24,000 maH/88.8Wh
  • Total Power: 240W
  • USB-C Port 1: 100W
  • USB-C Port 2: 100W
  • USB-A Port: 22.5W
  • MagSafe Wireless Charger: 15W
  • Apple Watch Charger: 2.5W
  • Combined Max Output: 200W
  • Recharge Time: 120 minutes (using a 100W charger)
  • Dimensions: 6.6 x 3.3 x 1.18
  • Weight: 545g

Tech Review – Aukey 12-in-1 USB-C hub #Tech #Aukey

Need to add some peripherals to your laptop or PC well the Aukey 12-in-1 USB-C hub might just be the thing you need. We have covered several similar offerings before and in short these offer you more flexibility as laptops these days often come with the bare minimum ports especially if you use Apple Macs etc and this of course works with them and much more cost effective, these hubs allow you be more productive and connect multiple things at one go like several flash drives which is great for those on the go transferring data and so on and much more, you also have and SD card reader, sd card slot HDMI ports, USB-C ports and more however these is no micro USB port present on this hub which is a sign of the times and perhaps maybe one should have been present but all is fine regardless.

One thing that would have made this hub more sweet would have been on board storage too but it is a minor caveat as many available out there now do offer storage at this price point but if you just need a hub to connect and transfer data this is certainly one to look at, This hub though is great for someone with multiple products on the go like me as you can charge multiple devices on the go at the same time which is a gift. Check out the video for more below.

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Apricorn releases world’s most versatile hardware-encrypted USB flash key, Aegis Secure Key 3NXC – the first with a built-in C-type connector #Apricorn

Apricorn, the leading manufacturer of software-free, 256-bit AES XTS hardware-encrypted USB 3.2 storage devices, has launched the Aegis Secure Key 3NXC – the first device of its kind to have a built-in USB-C connector. This makes it the only hardware-encrypted USB that is compatible with the next generation of laptops, smartphones, tablets and hubs, without the need for a separate A-to-C adapter.  

 

The Aegis 3NXC is the most versatile hardware-encrypted USB on the market: it is compatible with PCs and Macs, as well as any operating system, including Windows®, Mac®, Linux, Android and Symbian. This provides an effective way of safeguarding data across today’s remote workforces, where employees are using a diverse range of business and personal devices to carry out their work. The device automatically encrypts all information as the user uploads it, with military-grade AES XTS hardware encryption.  

Jon Fielding, Apricorn’s managing director EMEA, says: “Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, remote and mobile working was on the rise, along with the associated risks to data. As the global workforce shifted from office to home practically overnight, the demand for our encrypted secure keys skyrocketed, as did the demand for our A-to-C adapters. We accelerated the release of the Aegis Secure Key 3NXC to provide an efficient way of ensuring that employees using MacBooks, iPads and Android devices can securely store and move sensitive data, wherever and however they’re working.” 

The Aegis Secure Key 3NXC completes the Secure Key 3NX family, which Apricorn updates constantly to address evolving security threats and business needs. The 3NXC was created in response to a market that’s moving towards smaller and thinner laptops and tablets that can’t accommodate a USB-A port. 

Particularly suitable for highly regulated sectors such as defence, finance, government, manufacturing and healthcare, the Aegis Secure Key 3NXC allows businesses to support safe and productive remote working on a large scale, ensuring that all workers follow information security best practice and comply with regulations such as GDPR. 

Ultra-compact in size, the Secure Key 3NXC line is priced to allow affordable data protection across an expanding global remote workforce, while delivering all the advanced security features found in the Aegis family of secure drives. By offering a range of six storage capacities from 4GB to 128GB, the device allows IT to closely align deployments with the storage needs of each individual employee, reducing overall cost. Prices range from £48 to £145. 

Jon Fielding continues:

 

The security and operational advantages of the Aegis Secure Key 3NXC include: 

  • No software – so there’s nothing to keylog or to hack. 
  • OS agnostic – the device is completely cross platform compatible. 
  • Onboard keypad – all authentication takes place within the device itself. 
  • All data, passwords and encryption keys are 256-bit encrypted at rest. 
  • No host computer is involved in setup, authentication or encryption. 
  • Forced enrollment – no default PINs ensures that data is not put at risk by employees who fail to change a factory set PIN before deployment. 
  • IP-68 validation against water and dust damage. 
  • Separate administrator and user access. 
  • Read-only options that can be enforced by the administrator or set by the user if allowed by policy. 
  • Highly configurable with policy such as time out values, Data recovery PINs, and programmable PIN lengths. 
  • Brute force PIN attack protection. 
  • Ability to automatically configure multiple devices remotely using Apricorn’s Aegis Configurator tool. 

 

The 3NX family offers one unique feature that is not available on any other hardware encrypted device: the ability to toggle between Fixed Disk and Removable Media (US Pat. No 10,338,840). FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validation is expected shortly. 

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The PNY all-in-one USB-C mini portable dock. #PNY #Tech

PNY Technologies, the European leader in components and accessories, is today announcing the launch of its All-In-One USB-C Mini Portable Dock. This multifunctional all-in-one solution combines nine connection ports to allow USB, USB-C, HDMI, VGA, RJ45 inputs and outputs, as well as a SD and microSD slots.

Whilst more laptops and tablets are coming to the market equipped with Type-C, they usually only have one connection port. However, very often users need to be able to use various peripherals, which is a struggle with the one connection port. The PNY All-In-One USB-C Mini Portable Dock meets users’ needs by offering a flexible and portable multifunctional tool that’s capable of maximizing the potential of their work environment, no matter where they are. With an integrated foldable cable, it provides an ideal all-in-one compact solution to allow users to be more efficient and overcome any connectivity issues on both USB-C Macs and Windows compatible laptops.

The nine connection ports mean users can read their memory cards, connect a monitor and any other peripherals. Enjoy high-speed transfer up to 5Gbps, 4K high definition picture or video in HDMI or display in VGA, and wired reliable network access at speed up to 1 Gbps. Supporting Power delivery up to 100W pass-through charging, you can power your laptop while accessing the other functions of the dock. (Charger not included).

Additionally, the ergonomic design of the All-In-One USB-C Mini Portable Dock, enables users to create a working environment at home that’s as efficient as at the office. There’s no need for messy wires taking up desk space or running out of ports on your device – all you need is one cable connection from your laptop. Thanks to its simple, compact design and its soft touch finish, the PNY All-In-One USB-C Mini Portable Dock is easy to transport, making it ideal for mobile users whose work requires multiple connections in different locations. You can always have the right connection in the office or working from home.

 

Marlène Joseph, product manager at PNY says: “We are very proud to launch a product that meets the ergonomic and practical needs that users are looking for in their workspace. The crisis we are currently going through has shown us that it is possible to work from home and be productive if we are equipped with the right tools. With the All-In-One USB-C Mini Portable Dock everyone can have a functional and all-in-one tool to optimize their work environment and easily stay connected.”

PNY All-In-One USB-C Mini Portable Dock specifications:

  • Input/Output
  • 1 x USB-C input (connect to a Type-C host PC)
  • 2 x USB-C (Data & Power Delivery Charging)
  • 2 x USB-A 3.1 (up to 5Gbps data transfer, one BC 1.2 up to 1.5A downstream charging, one up to 900mA)
  • 1 x HDMI  – screens & projectors
  • 1 x VGA – screens and projectors
  • 1 x RJ45 – 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet performance
  • 1 x SD slot
  • 1 x microSD slot

  • Resolutions

– HDMI : Max 4Kx2k@30Hz

– VGA : Max 1920×1200@60Hz

  • Power supply: Type-C PD Charging: Max 100W(20V/5A)
  • Product size: 12 x 7 x 1,4 cm

PNY All-In-One USB-C Mini Portable Dock is available from Amazon at the end of June 2020 and at a RRP of 89,99€ / £79.99.