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They make USB-C cables with displays now

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Re: They make USB-C cables with displays now

#111

Post by udevrandom »

rjh29 wrote: post #98
theodric wrote: post #90

These power meter cables have been out for a couple years, but it's only recently that manufacturers have caught on that previously the display would be upside down for most(?) people (or 100% of people who are me, anyway) when plugged in on the left side of the machine. Which I find hilarious, because the pictures in the AliExpress listings always showed the cable plugged in on the left, display upside down, like it…

USB-C has no orientation so I don't understand. You can just flip the cable.

Flipping the cable would put the cables power display on the underside of your machine.

The little built-in screen on the cable is only on one side.

Re: They make USB-C cables with displays now

#113

Post by calini »

Havoc wrote: post #106

Rather buy a usb c power meter. They show amps voltage and watt so helps troubleshoot usb c stuff

I have both and I find the cable just as useful. Also, if for some reason you don't want it there, for example it is a bit bright for a nightstand, you can run it in reverse and it stays off.

Re: They make USB-C cables with displays now

#114

Post by calini »

idatum wrote: post #72

> It is a bit stiff and hard to work with, Current USB-C cables that connect to my docking station have a rigid connector end that puts mechanical stress on my laptop's port. I have the habit of moving my laptop around on my desk, and that connector end is a lever that pulls it out of the port. Worse, it physically wore out one of the ports where it became almost unusable (replacing requires an entire new board). Let…

I think reliability is the Achilles heel of USB C regardless. I don't see those having a much bulkier head than a normal USB C power cable though.

Re: They make USB-C cables with displays now

#115

Post by calini »

matsemann wrote: post #93
weinzierl wrote: post #80

"That’s when I found out that there exist cables that have little screens on them that show the power consumption of the connected device." Useful to get an idea how much your USB light draws and to check if your phone is really fast charging. I'd be careful with the numbers when the USB drives a more complicated load. Measuring the true power consumption of a microcontroller is surprisingly hard.

Does it actually measure load, or just display the negotiated power?

It seems to measure load, it instantly responds to me hitting the boost button on my soldering iron.

Re: They make USB-C cables with displays now

#116

Post by MissTake »

udevrandom wrote: post #111
rjh29 wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

USB-C has no orientation so I don't understand. You can just flip the cable.

Flipping the cable would put the cables power display on the underside of your machine. The little built-in screen on the cable is only on one side.

And? The GP talks about it being upside down when plugged in to the left hand side of a device.

Given that USB-C is Bi-directional, flipping it over would show the screen…

Re: They make USB-C cables with displays now

#117

Post by crote »

kristopolous wrote: post #79
ffsm8 wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's hard to discern if you're serious or joking. Is that an actual thing? I couldn't find anything by googling

Someone selling $200 cables for $2 just to spy on people reminds me of those stories of people supposedly giving out $10 pot lollipops to random children on Halloween

You're not going to sell them for $2 to random people on the street. You're going to sneakily replace the charging cord of some targeted $BIGCORP employee working in a Starbucks.

Re: They make USB-C cables with displays now

#118

Post by andenacitelli »

zygentoma wrote: post #103
jajko wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Chargers, cables, batteries - you literally get what you pay for. In this category, the ultimate risk is nothing less than burning down whole house. I ain't rich enough for that cheap crapware. Anker it is for me.

Isn't Anker the definition of cheap crapware (sold under a brand name)?

I don’t closely follow the space, but Anker has always seemed like reasonable quality at a reasonable price. Maybe I’m easily marketed to or something. But I’ve had quite a few adapters and cables and such from them and have never had an issue.

Re: They make USB-C cables with displays now

#119

Post by crote »

Animats wrote: post #25

The original USB-C spec called for cables to have optional displays to show why the cable had problems connecting. Did anyone every see one of those?

Did they?

The only thing which comes to mind is the mandatory "Billboard Class" support for USB-C adapters, which allows them to inform the device they're attached to that negotiation has failed. But that's not really anything physical on the adapter itself, it's essentially a super-simple read-only micro flashdrive.

Re: They make USB-C cables with displays now

#120

Post by jmhammond »

hansvm wrote: post #56
ikekkdcjkfke wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Since US doesnt have GDPR it would be the fiduciary duty to install mic's in all cables and record all conversations

I'm all for some privacy protections, but doesn't 2-party consent cover that particular use case already? In CA, it swings a bit far the other way, and if you have a hidden mic recording a business lying through their teeth with the intent to defraud you, you might have a little wiggle room, but the recording is likely to be thrown out of any civil actions (and some criminal actions).

In Kansas, we’re a 1-party consent state, which gets us back to the previous commenter.

Now pardon me while I scoot these potted flowers closer to you…

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