Xiaomi has launched a new 4-in-1 dual-head USB splitter through its crowdfunding platform, Xiaomi Youpin. The device, which offers versatility for multi-device connectivity, is available at a special crowdfunding price of 45 yuan ($6.31), with the sale starting today.

Xiaomi 4-in-1 Dual-Head Splitter Specifications

The Xiaomi 4-in-1 Dual-Head Splitter features dual-spec USB 3.0 connectors, offering both USB Type-C and USB-A support. With a total data transfer speed of up to 5Gbps, users can achieve rates exceeding 400MB/s.

This makes it suitable for fast data transfers, allowing simultaneous connections of up to four USB devices. The splitter’s dual connectors provide flexibility, accommodating a wider range of devices like laptops, smartphones, tablets, and more.

It supports a variety of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux. It is hot-swappable, plug-and-play, and easy to use, requiring no additional drivers.

To handle high-capacity devices such as mobile hard drives, the splitter comes with DC power input, providing up to 15W of extra power to connected devices. However, this power input solely boosts the power supply to USB ports and does not support charging for laptops, tablets, or phones.

In terms of safety, the splitter is built with a multi-layer protection design. It has Over-Current Protection (OCP), Over-Voltage Protection (OVP), and surge protection. This ensures the device remains safe in case of abnormal voltage or current spikes.

For enhanced durability and performance, the splitter utilizes tin-plated pure copper cores, which ensure efficient conductivity and stable connections. The body of the splitter is made from ABS material, offering a sleek look and heat resistance during prolonged usage. Additionally, the 9.3mm spacing between the ports makes it convenient to plug and unplug multiple devices simultaneously without interference.

Xiaomi recently introduced two new home appliances: the Mijia Fresh Air Pro Air Conditioner and the Mijia Smart Aroma Diffuser Set. The Mijia Fresh Air Pro features rapid 30-second cooling and efficient -35°C heating capabilities, making it ideal for varying climates. Meanwhile, the Mijia Smart Aroma Diffuser Set, powered by HyperOS, offers up to 50 days of battery life, ensuring a continuous, soothing aroma throughout your space.

The post Xiaomi launches 4-in-1 dual-head USB splitter with USB-C and USB-A ports, 5Gbps speed & more appeared first on Gizmochina.

Microsoft’s Windows Insiders program members were in for a treat when the company announced that they would be receiving free USB drives to perform clean installs of Windows 11. These drives are now arriving in some users’ mailboxes ahead of the originally estimated shipping time of six to eight weeks. Here are the details…

Windows Insiders Get USB Drives for Windows 11 Clean Installs Sooner Than Expected

A Twitter user named Noah posted a picture of his USB drive, which proudly displays the Windows Insider logo. Noah shared that the drive offers a spacious 64GB of storage. It appears that Microsoft is delivering these drives faster than previously thought.

The decision to send out these USB drives came when Microsoft introduced the Canary Channel. Insiders using the Dev build were automatically updated to the Canary Channel, requiring a clean install of Windows 11 for those who wanted to remain on the Dev builds. These drives make it easier for users to perform the installation.

Microsoft’s prompt delivery of the USB drives demonstrates its commitment to the Windows Insiders program and its desire to provide a seamless transition for users who prefer to stay with the Dev builds. This move not only simplifies the installation process but also enhances user experience and satisfaction.

As more Windows Insiders receive their USB drives, it’s likely that the number of clean Windows 11 installs will increase, expanding the Dev channel’s user base. The community’s reaction to the new features and updates in the operating system is yet to be seen, but the quick delivery of these drives is a positive sign for the Windows Insiders program.

RELATED:

• Best Mouse for iPad to improve productivity in 2023
• ASUS ROG Ally handheld gaming console powered by Windows 11 to launch soon
• OPPO FIND X6 PRO Review Part 1: Triple Main Cameras, All In One
• Nubia Z50 Ultra Full Review: Men will definitely love it
• April security patch starts rolling out to some Google Pixel phones

(via)

The post Windows Insiders Receive Free USB Drives from Microsoft for Smooth Windows 11 Installations appeared first on Gizmochina.

Xiaomi flagships are famously known for their price-to-performance value offerings, however, the cheaper price tag always means that some cost-cutting was done in the feature department. And one shortcoming of Xiaomi flagships that has been known by buyers for quite some time is the company’s reluctance to upgrade from the 23-year-old USB 2.0 data transfer standard on their flagships like the Xiaomi 13 Pro, and Xiaomi 12S Ultra.

After much criticism from buyers and reviewers, it seems that the company is listening to feedback from its users, as the next 4 Xiaomi flagship products will include the USB 3.2 standard onboard.

The rumour comes from the famous and reputable Chinese leakster, Digital Chat Station. In their latest post on Chinese social media, they claim that the next 4 flagship devices from Xiaomi feature USB 3.2 data transfer, as well as support for the USB PD (Power Delivery) charging standard protocol.

Although not directly revealed in the post, the next 4 flagship devices from Xiaomi are respectively the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Xiaomi Pad 6, Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro, and the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3. 

The move to include USB 3.2 data transfer speeds on their flagships finally puts Xiaomi on par with other brands such as Samsung which included USB 3.2 in their flagships since 2020 with the Samsung Galaxy S20 series, and Vivo which included USB 3.2 in their flagships since 2022 with the Vivo X80 Pro.

However, it was not mentioned in the post which USB 3.2 generation (Gen 1, Gen 2 or Gen 2 2×2) data transfer is supported in the upcoming Xiaomi flagships.

As for the inclusion of USB PD support, it is said to improve inter-compatibility when using different charging devices, as long as the charging adapters and cables are USB PD certified as well. In turn, it translates to faster charging even when Xiaomi’s original charger is not around.

If you want to know more about Xiaomi’s upcoming Leica-branded flagship smartphone, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, you can learn more about it from our previous article here.

RELATED:

• Xiaomi Pad 6 Series Launch Timeline & Key Specs Tipped
• Xiaomi 13 Ultra’s Leaked Image Shows Revamped Design & Leica-tuned Camera Setup
• Get up to $100 OFF on Xiaomi 13 Pro at Giztop

(Source)

The post Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Pad 6, Pad 6 Pro and Mix Fold 3 To Feature USB 3.2 – Leak appeared first on Gizmochina.

Apple is expected to offer a USB-C port with the upcoming iPhone 15 series models, marking a significant shift for the technology giant after sticking with its proprietary Lightning Port for a decade.

Now, a new report from well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicates that the next-generation Apple iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models will feature a USB-C port with support for at least USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3, offering major advantages over existing models.

The Thunderbolt 3 port can offer bandwidth of up to 40Gbps while the Lightning connector, which supports USB 2.0 speeds, maxes out at 480Mbps on all the existing iPhone models available in the market.

Even when considering real-world scenarios, the Thunderbolt port support on the upcoming Apple iPhone series models will offer a significant performance boost and faster data transfer speeds. This will come in handy, especially when the user wants to transfer large files, such as images captured using the ProRAW mode on the iPhone.

It’s noteworthy that Apple is already offering USB-C ports on most of the iPads for faster data transfer. The Apple iPad Pro powered by the M1 chipset has support for 40Gbps bandwidth, while the fifth-generation iPad Air is capable of transferring data at 10Gbps. On the other hand, the iPad Mini supports 5Gbps speed. The 10th generation iPad is the only one with a standard USB-C port, limited to USB 2.0 speeds.

Apple has been trying to distinguish Pro and non-Pro iPhone models, and with the iPhone 14 series, it has made several changes where most of the premium features are limited to the Pro series models. This will continue with the upcoming phones as well, and the USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt 3 support will be for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models, while the standard iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models will be limited to the USB 2.0 speed even with support for USB-C port.

RELATED:

• Apple Ramps up Manufacturing Capabilities in India With Biggest Unit Near Bangalore, Will Employ 60,000 People
• Apple fan shells $218,750 for a decrepit pair of sandals worn by Steve Jobs
• Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature for the iPhone 14 series now rolling out in some regions
• iPhones Reportedly Transmitted Apple Analytics Data; Class Action Lawsuit Filed
• Apple Eyes Chip Orders From US & European Fabs To Diversify Out of Taiwan

The post Apple iPhone 15 Pro models to feature Thunderbolt Port for high-speed data transfer appeared first on Gizmochina.

The European Commission has been pushing for a single charging method for mobile devices for over a decade. The commission was doing so by encouraging tech vendors to voluntarily adopt a single charging standard. However, it seems like the European Commission is now looking at a legislative approach.

Some members of European Parliament have urged the European Commission to take regulatory action to force every smartphone vendor to adopt a single charging method. In a statement following the debated, Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said that the commission plans to consider a “legislative approach” to tackling the issue.

The European Commission plans to hold a vote on the matter at a later session. If the European lawmakers get their way, then companies like Apple will be forced to adopt USB Type-C port for charging iPhones and will have to drop the Lightning connector.

EDITOR’S PICK: OPPO partners Pixelworks for improved displays on its upcoming smartphones

While not every smartphone maker has adopted a single charging method yet, the campaign has certainly worked in favor as the number of charger types have decreased from 30 in 2009 to just three — USB Type C, micro-USB, and Apple’s Lightning port.

In the debate, members of the European Parliament pointed how the tech industry is generating additional e-waste by maintaining various standards, which often saddles consumers with a mess of different cords and adapters.

While Apple has not responded to this recent development, the company had earlier said that a single charging port would “freeze innovation rather than encourage it.” The company had also said that forcing iPhones to switch to USB-C would render existing Lightning cables obsolete, and thus generate more e-waste.

UP NEXT: Vivo sends out invite for MWC 2020 event; to show off APEX 2020

(Via)

The post New EU law could force Apple to adopt USB Type-C for iPhones appeared first on Gizmochina.

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) announced today that the organization has finalized the technical specifications for USB4. These specs will be making their way to designers, engineers and manufacturers shortly, meaning we can expect the first USB4 products to hit shelves some time in 2020.

USB4 is the next major version of the USB, which gains a major speed boost thanks to Intel licensing its Thunderbolt 3 protocol to the USB Promoter Group on a royalty-free basis. This group includes Apple, HP, Intel, Microsoft, and Texas Instruments. USB4 will enable 40Gbps speeds equivalent to Thunderbolt 3, which is currently found in high-end computers like the MacBook Pro and peripherals.

As with earlier USB upgrades that required backward compatibility, you’ll still be able to plug old USB equipment into new USB4 ports. But USB4 requires new-style USB-C connectors — the oval ports that appear on both PCs and phones and that no longer require you to worry about which side is up.  So you may need a dongle to keep those older devices working.

Beyond speed, Thunderbolt technology is helping USB4 simultaneously handle video signals for external monitors and TVs, as well as data going to and from external hard drives. That means USB4 can be used for driving multiple displays simultaneously and multiple data applications over a single link. Additionally, as Thunderbolt does today, it will let consumers plug in external graphics cards to boost graphics on laptops.

Now that the USB4 specification has been finalised and published we can expect device makers to start to implement the interface in their latest consumer products. The first USB4 devices are expected in 2020, but we are most interested about when PC enthusiasts might start to see the interface begin to appear on laptops, motherboards and PC chassis.

UP NEXT: Honor Play3 Pricing & Availability: Everything you need to Know!

(Source)

The post USB4 is fast, powerful and ready to roll out to devices in 2020 appeared first on Gizmochina.

Xiaomi isn’t new to USB Type-C smartphones, but it definitely is new to the scene of USB Type-C earphones. The company unveiled its first ever USB Type-C earphones this week and it is said to be the ideal companion to the Xiaomi Mi 6. The new flagship from the company ditches the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack, which means you have to use USB Type-C headphones to listen to music on the device.

The Mi USB Type-C earphones boast of active noise cancellation making sure that you can listen to your music even in noisy environments. However, the company was quick to reveal that not all smartphones with USB Type-C connectors will support these headphones. So, which phones are compatible then?

Xiaomi reveals that the Xiaomi Mi 5, Mi 5S, Mi 5S Plus, Mi Mix, Mi Note 2 and Mi 6 are the officially supported smartphones for this earphone. If you have issues using it on these devices, make sure to update the phone to the latest MIUI stable version. Even Mi 4C, Mi 4S supports this Type-C headphone but some functions like the call button and active noise cancellation may not work.

RELATED: Xiaomi’s First Mi 6 Ceramic Variant Sale Lasted Only A Few Seconds Today

It is clearly mentioned that the new Xiaomi headphone is not compatible with Xiaomi Mi 5C and the Redmi Pro models. As for the Type-C phones from other brands, there’s no guarantee that all features like Active Noise Cancellation would work.

Further, Chinese analyst, Sun Changxu warns that the Xiaomi Type-C headphones would only work with integrated audio Type-C smartphones like the Xiaomi Mi 6. If you try it with other types of USB-C phones, you could damage the earphone or worse, could crash the smartphone.

So make sure you give due consideration to the model that you are going to use with these headphones before you purchase it.

The post Xiaomi’s USB Type-C Headphones Won’t Work With All Type-C Smartphones, Company Warns Customers appeared first on Gizmochina.