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Google engineer writing Amazon reviews on USB-C cables that don't work

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Re: Google engineer writing Amazon reviews on USB-C cables that don't work

#371

Post by vxNsr »

downandout wrote: post #188

This is cool, but being from the online marketing world, I can already see people copying this in bad ways. "Hi this is Tom, I am from iPhone Development Team 6 here at Apple and we have been testing [product] in our labs. In our opinion, [affiliate link to other releated product] is far better because this product [technical critique that few will understand but will serve to bolster reviewer's credibility, can be c…

This kinda already happens all the time on reddit. And I'm always left wondering if the person is just a really good bser or is telling the truth.

I was thinking that for verification the person should link to their verified facebook/twitter/g+/etc page in the meantime.

I agree that this is gonna head south very quickly no matter what amazon does.

Re: Google engineer writing Amazon reviews on USB-C cables that don't work

#372

Post by talmand »

DiabloD3 wrote: post #66

I see no reason why to buy anything but Anker. I once tried to purposely destroy an Anker MicroUSB cable (bought a 5 pack that had three 3ft, one 6ft, one 1ft, didn't need the 1ft), by grabbing the head of it with clamping pliers and yanking the fuck out of it with the cable wrapped around my hand, and bending it to near 180 degrees repeatedly for about 5 minutes. I could not kill it without straight up taking wire c…

If only I could find something similar with cars. Whenever I get a new car I beat the crap out of it with various tools to test the durability of the body. I understand that this isn't anything to do with the purpose of the vehicle itself, but I want to make sure it's durable against unrealistic expectations. I suppose I could see the value in things like crumple zones that protect the passengers inside the vehicle, but unrealistic expectations and all. One day I'll find that car and be able to recommend it. Right now, I can't suggest anyone buy any car from any current major manufacturer.

As for your cable, I'd rather have the connector on my cheap USB cable pop off than drag my computer to the floor if I happen to snag it somehow. But to each their own, I'm glad you found a USB cable you like.

Re: Google engineer writing Amazon reviews on USB-C cables that don't work

#373

Post by _asummers »

vxNsr wrote: post #369
noinput wrote: post #329

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nicely done spreading the word about Smile.

Do you know of any tool/extension/thing that will auto-redirect me to smile instead of the regular one, I always forget to go there myself.

I use [0] on Chrome. [1] exists for FireFox, too.

[0] https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/smile-always/jgpmh...

[1] https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/amazonsmilere...

Re: Google engineer writing Amazon reviews on USB-C cables that don't work

#374

Post by michaelcampbell »

DiabloD3 wrote: post #333
thescriptkiddie wrote: post #301

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting. I bought an anker wall charger that blew up the second I plugged it in, and an anker car charger that is so noisy it kills FM reception when it's plugged in. I had assumed that they were just another shenzen shit factory at that point. Maybe both items were fakes?

Anker has had problems with fakes. Unless you bought it through Amazon using the links off Anker's website, it's probably a fake. Though, if it's any consolation to Anker, scammers only counterfeit the best.

> scammers only counterfeit the best.

They counterfeit anything they can make money from, but "the best" is generally a go-to market for sure.

Re: Google engineer writing Amazon reviews on USB-C cables that don't work

#375

Post by JoeAltmaier »

DiabloD3 wrote: post #333
thescriptkiddie wrote: post #301

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting. I bought an anker wall charger that blew up the second I plugged it in, and an anker car charger that is so noisy it kills FM reception when it's plugged in. I had assumed that they were just another shenzen shit factory at that point. Maybe both items were fakes?

Anker has had problems with fakes. Unless you bought it through Amazon using the links off Anker's website, it's probably a fake. Though, if it's any consolation to Anker, scammers only counterfeit the best.

Its only a pity that most scammers do a poor job. If someone made a better counterfeit, then the problem is much smaller. I'd be glad to pay less for better!

Re: Google engineer writing Amazon reviews on USB-C cables that don't work

#376

Post by DiabloD3 »

vxNsr wrote: post #369
noinput wrote: post #329

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nicely done spreading the word about Smile.

Do you know of any tool/extension/thing that will auto-redirect me to smile instead of the regular one, I always forget to go there myself.

Since I already use it for other things, I use https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/requestly/mdnleldc...

Just have a rule that changes www.amazon.com to smile.amazon.com and it works for me.

Re: Google engineer writing Amazon reviews on USB-C cables that don't work

#377

Post by kllrnohj »

x0x0 wrote: post #337
kllrnohj wrote: post #298

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The ones on Amazon are all $15-$20 and even monoprice is $10 Since Google isn't the manufacturer they are not making a ridiculous profit margin. Whole dollars on a $500 phone is more likely to be Google's entire profit margin, though. The profit margins on phones is razor thin unless you're Apple.

Just because monoprice sells them for $10 one at a time, I don't think that tells you much about the cost to put more than one in phone package you're already handling when you buy millions at a time.

Monoprice also has volume pricing and it's also $10/ea even when you're buying 50+. The simple fact is nobody that makes cables is selling them for cheap currently. The volume isn't there yet, and they still need to recoup costs from spinning up a new production line and a new SKU and all that.

And LOL @ the idea that Google sells millions of phones.

Re: Google engineer writing Amazon reviews on USB-C cables that don't work

#378

Post by noinput »

vxNsr wrote: post #369
noinput wrote: post #329

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nicely done spreading the word about Smile.

Do you know of any tool/extension/thing that will auto-redirect me to smile instead of the regular one, I always forget to go there myself.

Only because you ask, my company at https://givingassistant.org/coupon-codes/amazon.com has a deal with Amazon that donates 1.5% on top of their 0.5% to make it a full 2%, with no category restrictions. Start shopping here and we direct you to smile as a starting point. Free, and if I don't have your charity on file, ask and I'll add it.

Re: Google engineer writing Amazon reviews on USB-C cables that don't work

#379

Post by smackfu »

rurounijones wrote: post #324
Johnny555 wrote: post #15

Is there a simple test that someone could do with a multimeter to test these cables themselves? Or is it more than just having a pullup resistor on the right pins?

https://plus.google.com/+BensonLeung/posts/jGP5249NppF is his method (Not sure if you seen this). I am not sure if you can emulate this with a multimeter.

Interesting that the Pixel can tell it's a bad cable. Makes me wonder if it will still charge from it.

Re: Google engineer writing Amazon reviews on USB-C cables that don't work

#380

Post by twy678 »

Marcus10110 wrote: post #18

We've done a similar analysis of USB 3.0 host controllers and the state of their drivers cross-platform. It's amazing how bad the state of USB 3.0 is, even 5 years after devices started shipping. Even the latest Intel host controllers (8 & 9 series) initially shipped with bad drivers. I look forward to getting our results posted.

Haha, if it were only bad drivers. Try bad hardware:

https://www.spinics.net/lists/linux-usb/msg131265.html

http://www.spinics.net/lists/linux-usb/msg122354.html

http://marc.info/?l=linux-usb&m=134861220631257&w=2

http://www.spinics.net/lists/linux-usb/msg63980.html

...shit's so broken I could keep doing this all day long.

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