StarTech 2-in-1 Mini-USB and Micro-USB Combo Cable

Perhaps sensing my cable fetish, StarTech offered to mail me their latest invention: A T-headed cable with both mini USB and micro USB connectors. The tiny cable arrived in a massive box, and I immediately went about plugging it into just about everything I could find.

Sure enough, it’s a cable. You plug things into it, and it connects to them. There’s really nothing special at all about this tiny cable apart from the fact that it includes both micro- and mini-USB connectors. Unfortunately, the micro-USB side does not include any of the special resistors required by devices like Novatel’s MiFi routers.

Retractable USB Cables

The StarTech cable is really an awful lot like my previous solution: A retractable mini-USB cable from Emerge. I’ve had a whole pile of retractable cables in the past, and they always fail me. They either fray and break at the ends or the retraction mechanism stops locking. Higher-quality cables from companies like Emerge and Belkin seem to last a bit longer, but I’m not sure if their high price is really justified.

I do like the fact that retractable cables sit neatly in my bag, however. And I’ve picked up a few adapters along the way, including a mini-USB to micro-USB adapter from Motorola. Sadly, this won’t power a Novatel MiFi either, so I have to carry the bulky Novatel power brick wherever I go.

The Accursed Apple Dock Connector

I have a lot of devices from the Cupertino Fruit Company, and they all seem to use proprietary cables of various sorts. My bag currently includes both fixed and retractable Apple dock connector cables as well as both 1 Amp and 2.1 Amp supplies for the iPhone and iPad, respectively. I even have a dual USB 2.1 Amp car charger left in the outlet by the previous renter.

Probably the coolest solution to the Apple dock connector conundrum comes from Apple itself by way of European Union regulations requiring mobile phones to use a standard micro-USB cable. This little guy is only available in EU countries currently, but I’ll definitely be dropping £8 on one the next time I am in the UK.

Stephen’s Stance

Cables are the bane of my existence as a business traveler. They’re always getting misplaced or lost, and you can never find the absolute perfect one for the job. The StarTech has earned a spot in my bag since I can’t lose the tip, but I’ll keep looking for a cable that will charge my Novatel MiFi. What’s your favorite cable?

© sfoskett for Stephen Foskett, Pack Rat, 2011. | In Search of the Perfect USB Cable
This post was categorized as Apple, Personal, Terabyte home. Each of my categories has its own feed if you'd like to filter out or focus on posts like this.

It looks like Apple will indeed re-brand Intel Light Peak as "Thunderbolt" and combine it with Mini DisplayPort!

Intel has been incredibly tight-lipped about Light Peak. Although I’ve been hounding my contacts inside the company for months, no one has spilled the beans about anything. All I know about Light Peak I learned on the Internet, as they say. Now comes another bombshell: Apple will introduce Light Peak-equipped MacBook Pros tomorrow (February 24) with “Thunderbolt”, a high-speed I/O port!

One could easily guess that Apple would rename Light Peak for its own use. It did the same with its previous high-speed I/O port, IEEE 1394, known among Apple users as FireWire. A trademarked name allows Apple to control compatibility to some extent, requiring users of the name to submit to Apple’s guidelines and perhaps pay a fee for its use. And Light Peak seems an especially poor name amid rumors that it will not use an optical connection after all!

The news comes from the German-language site, FSCKLog, and includes photos of the 13″ MacBook Pro spec sheet, the Thunderbolt logo, and even the ports on the side of the machine!

If we take this as fact (and the logo it pretty convincing) here’s what we know about Apple’s implementation of Light Peak:

1. Apple will call it “Thunderbolt” and refers to it as a “High-speed I/O” port
2. Apple will integrate Thunderbolt with the Mini DisplayPort connector (rather than a USB 3.0 port as I had guessed)
   1. The German spec sheet says “Thunderbolt-Anschluss unterstuetzt High-Speed E/A und Mini DisplayPort Geraete”, which means “Thunderbolt port supports High-Speed I/O devices and Mini DisplayPort”.
   2. The side photo shows an ordinary-looking Mini DisplayPort connector with a little thunderbolt icon next to it. Under magnification, I don’t see any sign of image manipulation in this photo.
3. Since it’s integrated with the Mini DisplayPort connector, it’s likely Apple will use the monitor as a high-speed I/O hub or breakout box
   1. Expect to see a new line of Cinema Displays with Thunderbolt-powered ports embedded in them.
   2. I bet companies like Belkin will quickly come out with Thunderbolt breakout boxes.
4. The MacBook Pro will still include FireWire 800 and (2x) USB 2.0 I/O ports, in addition to a MagSafe power port, Gigabit Ethernet port, and SDXC card slot.
5. There is no mention of USB 3.0, though I strongly suspect it will be included in the Thunderbolt spec.

Interested in learning more? You might want to check out some of my other articles about Light Peak, or my Light Peak performance comparison infographic!

Stephen’s Stance

I was skeptical that Apple would introduce Light Peak this month, though confident it would come this year. But this evidence is very convincing, if not wholly satisfying. I’ve been holding off on upgrading my three-year-old Santa Rosa MacBook Pro until Apple released some kind of serious I/O: A few USB 2.0 and FireWire ports just doesn’t cut it for my use. I do hope these new Sandy Bridge MacBook Pros meet my needs, though, because I’m itching for an upgrade!

But the specific inclusion and mention of USB 2.0 and FireWire 800 ports gives me pause. Why put USB 2.0 on board instead of USB 3.0? Why bundle “Thunderbolt” with the Mini DisplayPort connector rather than a USB 3.0 port? Why is there no mention of what Thunderbolt is useful for? I’m concerned that Thunderbolt might not be fully baked, and might not deliver the “high-speed I/O” I wanted. Early adopters could be stuck with limited compatibility and connectivity, and there is no telling if my “breakout box” concept will come to fruition. Heck, Thunderbolt could carry just video and audio for all we know!

Image credit: FSCKLog

© sfoskett for Stephen Foskett, Pack Rat, 2011. | Will Apple Call Light Peak “Thunderbolt”?
This post was categorized as Apple, Computer History, Personal, Terabyte home. Each of my categories has its own feed if you'd like to filter out or focus on posts like this.

In addition to the Apple-brand bumpers, the company is offering a number of third-party cases. But which is best? Here’s my rundown of the options, as well as my personal pick.

Apple Bumper

Apple's Bumper includes integrated buttons but interferes with some headphone and dock cables

Apple entered the case market for the first time with their iPhone 4 Bumper. The iPhone 4 case program only includes the black model, but the colored ones were hard to get anyway. Reviews of the bumpers have been mixed, though they seem to be selling well.

Pro:

• Rubberized for excellent edge protection
• Integrated button extensions for easier operation
• Exposes the cool glass back but offers some drop protection
• Solid fit
• Adds very little bulk to the phone

Con:

• Interferes with dock and headphone connectors, especially third-party ones
• The exposed back can still be shattered
• Covers the distinctive iPhone 4 stainless sides

Incase Snap Case (Smoke or Clear)

The Incase Snap models wrap around the edges but leave the top and bottom exposed

Incase has not yet begun selling their Snap Case for the iPhone 4, but previous generations (including the Snap Case for the iPhone 3GS my wife uses) have received positive reviews. Apple is offering a choice of “smoke” (translucent) or clear. Both are single-piece designs made of polycarbonate plastic and appear to leave the top and bottom of the phone open.

Pro:

• Easy to snap on and off
• Offers full-back protection
• Appears to wrap around the front, offering more protection
• Clear (so you can enjoy that nifty glass back)
• No worries about the case interfering with cables (like the Apple bumpers)

Con:

• Can fall off when dropped, exposing the phone
• The top and bottom of the phone are wide open
• Lacks integrated buttons, making the volume and mute switch harder to use
• Thicker than the Belkin or Apple Bumper

Belkin Shield Micra

The Belkin Shield Micra is much like the clear Incase Snap

Belkin’s Shield Micra is similar to the Incase, a one-piece design made of clear plastic and snapping on the phone. The Belkin seems a little more all-encompassing from the photo available, offering more coverage of the top and bottom but potentially interfering with connectors.

Pro:

• Easy to snap on and off
• Offers full-back protection
• Clear (so you can enjoy that nifty glass back)
• Thinner than the Incase

Con:

• Can fall off when dropped, exposing the phone
• Appears to stop before the front edge, exposing the screen to damage
• Might interfere with headphone and dock connectors
• Lacks integrated buttons, making the volume and mute switch harder to use

Griffin Motif

The Griffin Motif is a flexible plastic shell with a diamond pattern

Although it looks like clear plastic, Griffin’s Motif is made of a more-flexible material. It wraps around the whole phone, including top, bottom, and sides, and appears to protect the screen edges somewhat as well. The back pattern might not be everyone’s cup of tea, however.

Pro:

• Flexible material offers better shock protection
• Offers full-back protection
• Appears to protect the screen edges as well
• Volume and power buttons are accessible right through the side material

Con:

• Pattern obscures the phone’s back
• The mute button looks hard to get at
• Might interfere with headphone and dock cables

Griffin Reveal

The Griffin Reveal Etch is a hybrid with a hard plastic back and rubberized edges

My choice: Griffin’s Reveal case is something of a hybrid, incorporating both a hard clear polycarbonate back and rubber edge protection. Again, the back is patterned rather than clear.

Pro:

• Solid fit
• Excellent edge protection
• Volume and power buttons are accessible right through the side material

Con:

• Makes the mute button a little more difficult to use
• Covers the distinctive iPhone 4 stainless sides
• Obscures the back of the phone
• Might interfere with some headphone and dock devices
• Ribber edges might interfere with screen protectors

Speck Fitted

The Speck Fitted case has a cloth-covered back

The Speck Products Flash-based web site doesn’t work with iOS devices, but their cases are respected for the protection they offer. The two-piece Speck Fitted Case offers good edge protection and a stylish tartan cloth back that might not appeal to everyone.

Pro:

• Good edge protection
• More stylish than most cases
• Buttons and ports are not obscured
• Two-piece design might be more secure

Con:

• Fabric back might not appeal to everyone
• Bulkier than other options
• Attracts pocket lint
• Wide button and port cutouts aren’t that attractive

Speck PixelSkin HD

The PixelSkin HD is a rubber cocoon for your phone

Is your iPhone used by gorillas? Are you clumsy? Then the original Speck PixelSkin Case is perfect for you! The “HD” model offered by Apple is somewhat slimmer but still a rubber wrapper with integrated buttons. Both just about guarantee your phone won’t be harmed when dropped but are not exactly pocket-friendly.

Pro:

• Protective rubbery goodness
• Integrated buttons
• The PixelSkin HD is slimmer than the Hummer-esque original

Con:

• Sticks in your pocket
• Attracts lint
• Totally obscures the iPhone 4′s fancy aesthetic

Stephen’s Stance

If you’re looking for a protective case, the Speck PixelSkin HD is your best bet. If you’re looking for something slightly fashionable, get the Speck Fitted case. Otherwise, eliminate the Speck cases from your list.

I’m not impressed by aptly-named Incase Snap shells – they snap right off when dropped! And the Apple Bumpers interfere with cables and dock connectors. No deal, Cupertino! The Belkin Shield Micra is probably the best clear case on offer here, but it looks like those ridiculous full-face glasses worn by some NBA players.

At the end of the day, the two Griffin cases look best. The flexible material used in the Motif offers better protection than a hard shell and the back pattern doesn’t destroy the look of the phone. The hybrid construction of the Reveal is attractive, too, offering rubber-edge protection like the Apple bumpers without the port-obstructing drawbacks. Too bad Apple only offers the patterned Etch model or the Griffin Reveal would be a slam-dunk. Even so, my Reveal Etch will ship in 6-8 weeks!

Note: Some of these links include affiliate codes that help pay for this blog. For example, buying an Amazon Kindle with this link sends a few bucks my way! But I don't write this blog to make money, and am happy to link to sites and stores that don't pay anything. I like Amazon and buy tons from them, but you're free to buy whatever and wherever you want.

© sfoskett for Stephen Foskett, Pack Rat, 2010. | Which iPhone 4 Case Is Best?
This post was categorized as Apple, Features, Personal. Each of my categories has its own feed if you'd like to filter out or focus on posts like this.

© sfoskett for Stephen Foskett, Pack Rat, 2008. | 2.2 And Eight Things That Are Still Wrong With The iPhone
This post was categorized as Apple. Each of my categories has its own feed if you'd like to filter out or focus on posts like this.

I just solved the problem.  The old Apple Extended Keyboard, as revered by Apple fans as my IBM Model M, continued the function key mapping past F12, adding F13, F14, and F15 where Print Screen, Scroll Lock, and Pause/Break is on an IBM 101-key layout.  Then they mapped F14 and F15 to dim and brighten the screen, respectively.  See the problem?  Yeah, the IOGear hotkey is “dim dim”!

This post is part of my series focused on PC/Mac Integration.

• Vista, OS X Boot Time Compared
• Quick and Easy Bluetooth Sharing Between PC and Mac
• Yes, FireWire is Faster Than USB
• How to Keep an IOGear KVM from Dimming Your Mac's Screen
• Command and Control: The Clash of Keyboards

It turns out that this is easy to fix.  Leopard’s Keyboard & Mouse Preferences panel includes a tab to remap Keyboard Shortcuts.  Down at the bottom of the list is “Display”.  Expand it and you’ll see the two mappings in question – just un-check them and you’re good to go!

While you’re there, marvel at how none of the other function key shortcuts match up to their functions on the pre-2008 MacBook uses!  It’s a really bizarre oversight on the part of Apple to map bright/dim to F14/F15 and to F1/F2 on the same computer at the same time, depending if you’re using the built-in keyboard or not!  Apparently, the company shifted all the mappings around for the late 2007 desktop and early 2008 portables, too.

By the way, about that KVM – it’s pretty good, especially for the money.  I previously used a GCS62, which is a PS/2 in and out model with no audio, but the GCS632U is more suited to weirdos like me that like to use a PS/2 keyboard and mouse with a modern computer.  It takes PS/2 in but sends USB out to the connected computers, and includes audio, too.  It’s rock-solid, unlike the Belkin Flip I tried before, but I do wish the audio cable wasn’t captive to the video like it is – it’s just not long enough for the Mac.

Note: Some of these links include affiliate codes that help pay for this blog. For example, buying an Amazon Kindle with this link sends a few bucks my way! But I don't write this blog to make money, and am happy to link to sites and stores that don't pay anything. I like Amazon and buy tons from them, but you're free to buy whatever and wherever you want.

© sfoskett for Stephen Foskett, Pack Rat, 2008. | How to Keep an IOGear KVM from Dimming Your Mac’s Screen
This post was categorized as Apple, Computer History, Terabyte home. Each of my categories has its own feed if you'd like to filter out or focus on posts like this.