cables

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on cables:

Get up to a whopping 70% off Belkin products

By

Belkin Spring Sale - BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1
BoostCharge Pro is made for MagSafe.
Photo: Belkin

One of the great Apple accessories makers is Belkin, and now through April 1 you can get up to 70% off products across its website, plus free shipping on orders over $50 in Belkin’s Spring Sale.

So whatever you need — charger, dock, case, mouse, cable and many other choices — you can get a good deal on a good product. After all, Apple trusts Belkin enough to sell dozens of its products at apple.com.

Through Wednesday only: Up to 83% off Apple accessories

By

Apple MagSafe Duo wireless charger
You can get a MagSafe Duo wireless charger for iPhone and Apple Watch for 38% off.
Photo: Apple

Amazon bargain site Woot! is offering deep discounts, anywhere from 13% to 83% off, on dozens of Apple accessories and a few choice items like Apple Watch Ultra and AirPods Pro — but only until Wednesday at 9:59 p.m. PT.

As of Tuesday morning, one item had sold out and 52 remained, including accessories for iPhone, Apple Watch, AirTag, AirPods and more. See some highlights below.

Apple accessories blowout sale: Get up to 90% off iPhone cases and more

By

Woot Apple accessories sale
Here's your chance to bag great deals on Apple accessories.
Photo: Woot!

Amazon bargain site Woot! launched an Apple accessories sale with something for almost everyone — and deals as good as 90% off certain iPhone cases and 61% off an Apple Thunderbolt 3 Pro cable.

But with 49 products on sale, that’s just a taste. Act fast, the sale ends November 10 at 9:59 p.m. PT.

X-rays show crazy complexity of Apple’s Thunderbolt 4 cable

By

X-rays reveal the differences between high-quality Thunderbolt and USB-C cables versus cheaper options.
X-rays reveal the differences between high-quality Thunderbolt and USB-C cables versus cheaper options.
Photo: Lumafield

Thunderbolt cables cost far more than standard USB-C ones, and a series of X-ray scans of various options reveals why. The virtual teardown shows that the Apple Thunderbolt 4 (USB‑C) Pro cable has far more features than one might expect for such a simple accessory. Cheaper ones are as bare-bones as could be expected.

The scans are both beautiful and informative.

Handy USB-C extension cable boasts built-in power meter

By

Handy USB-C extension cable boasts built-in power meter
Stop guessing about how much power is going to your devices.
Photo: Plugable

You’ll always know how much current is flowing to your devices with the just-launched Plugable USB Type-C Extension Cable with Power Meter. A small display shows how many watts are being transferred by the affordable cable.

Plugable also introduced on Tuesday a tiny 30W USB-C GaN charger plus a 32W wall charger that includes USB-C, USB-A and AC power ports.

Apple might release Thunderbolt cable for iPhone 15 Pro

By

New evidence points to high-speed Thunderbolt connector in iPhone 15
The USB-C port in the iPhone 15 series could be blazing fast.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Good news for those hoping iPhone 15 Pro will support very high-speed data transfers: Images supposedly showing a Thunderbolt cable specifically for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max just leaked out. This offers yet another indication that Apple’s next handsets will be able to move data at up to 40Gbps.

Whether the iPhone Thunderbolt cable will be released is open to question — it’s almost completely redundant.

Boring white iPhone cables could become a thing of the past

By

A mockup of a blue braided cable.
The iPhone 15 USB-C cables might look something like this.
Photo: Cult of Mac

iPhones traditionally come with white USB cables, but an unconfirmed report says they are about to become a lot more colorful. They’ll supposedly be matched to the hue of the handset.

And the quality of the cables will allegedly be improved, too.

Get up to 86% off Apple accessories while you can

By

Here's your chance to stock up on Apple accessories at super-cheap prices.
Here's your chance to stock up on Apple accessories at super-cheap prices.
Photo: Woot!

Amazon bargain site Woot! is selling a slew of Apple’s accessories at steep discounts through May 1. Sale items include Apple Watch bands, iPhone cases, an iPhone wallet, AirTag cases, and chargers and cables.

The discounts range from 21% off to an astounding 86% off (by Woot’s calculations), so don’t miss this one.

Get up to 86% off a wide array of Apple accessories

By

Want an iPhone 13 Pro Max Leather Case with MagSafe? That's 75% off.
Want an iPhone 13 Pro Max Leather Case with MagSafe? That's 75% off.
Photo: Apple

Amazon bargain website Woot! is back with an another Apple sale. You can get up to a stunning 86% off many of the company’s popular accessories.

You can bag bargains on Apple iPhone cases and sleeves, AirTag leather loops and keychains, a MagSafe charger, adapters, cables and more — 25 items in all.

Charge Apple devices from almost any power source with this 5-in-1 multiport cable [Review] ★★★★☆

By

Charge your Apple devices from almost any power source with this 6-in-1 multiport cable★★★★☆
Never find yourself without an iPhone charger if you add inCharge X to your keychain.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

It’s happened to all of us. Your iPhone battery is on empty and there are plenty of chargers around but no Lightning cable. The same thing can happen with a iPad and even a Mac. The inCharge X from Rolling Square is just what you need. It’s tiny enough for you to take it everywhere, but adaptable enough to enable almost any type of Apple device to get power from almost any charger.

Rolling Square also makes inCharge X Max, which is just as flexible but with a 5-foot cable built in.

I tested both. Here’s why I think they’re brilliant.

Take MagSafe to the max with a 10-foot magnetic iPhone charging cable

By

This wireless iPhone charging cable is taller than you.
Don't settle for a MagSafe cable that keeps you on a short leash.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Tired of being tied down by a short charging cable that’s barely long enough to use your phone with? Love wireless charging but hate needing to set your phone down to charge every time the battery gets low?

You can wirelessly charge at a distance with this 10-foot magnetic wireless USB-C charging cable from ZeroLemon. And it’s now on sale for just $20.99 (regularly $24).

Why $159 isn’t a totally crazy price for Apple’s 3-meter Thunderbolt 4 cable

By

Apple’s 3-meter Thunderbolt 4 cable
Apple now offers almost 10-feet of high-speed Thunderbolt 4 connectivity.
Photo: Apple

A 3-meter version of the Apple’s Thunderbolt 4 cable can now be ordered. The extra-long cable connects Macs to peripherals at up to 40Gbps and 100W of power.

It’s $159, or two or three times the cost of a high-quality 2-meter Thunderbolt 4 cable from rival companies. Trouble is, the 3-meter cable doesn’t have any direct competition.

New Air Travel Backpack lets you strap on a tech-heavy carry-on

By

Strap on this carry-on with all your tech for your next flight.
Strap on this carry-on with all your tech for your next flight.
Photo: WaterField Designs

Although you never know when Covid-19 lockdowns may keep you on the ground, WaterField Designs’ new Air Travel Backpack may make you want to take flight asap. Use it to pack up a couple of laptops, cables and accessories — and maybe a change of clothes or two — and go.

Apple’s new Thunderbolt 3 cable costs a mere $129

By

Is the Apple Thunderbolt 3 cable the best on the market? Or just the most expensive?
Is the Apple Thunderbolt 3 cable the best on the market? Or just the most expensive?
Photo: Apple

The Apple Thunderbolt 3 Pro Cable comes at a price that should make even the most devoted Mac fan blink. At $129, it costs at least $50 more than comparable cables.

Not everything Apple sells is extraordinarily expensive. But it’s undeniable that the company occasionally adds on the “Apple Tax.”

The best accessories for your new 16-inch MacBook Pro

By

WaterField Designs Executive Leather Laptop Briefcase
Bag 'em! It's time to accessorize that monster laptop.
Photo: WaterField Designs

Your shiny new 16-inch MacBook Pro arrives this week, and of course you want to deck it out with all the latest accessories. What you need will depend on what you use your computer for, but almost everyone will want a case, a keyboard and a mouse. And there are plenty of other MacBook Pro accessories you might need to get the job done.

Check out our guide for dongles, cables and even battery packs that will help you get the most out of your new MacBook Pro.

Here’s what happens when you plug Thunderbolt gadgets into your 2018 iPad Pro

By

Thunderbolt iPad Pro 2018
The new iPad Pro can’t use Thunderbolt accessories, but it can recognize them.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Thunderbolt cables and plugs look exactly like USB-C cables and plugs, but they are incompatible. Or rather, you can plug both kinds into a Thunderbolt port and any connected peripheral will work, but you can’t plug Thunderbolt into USB-C. Or rather you can plug it in, but it won’t work. You see? We’re confused already.

But what happens when you plug a Thunderbolt accessory into the new 2018 iPad Pro?

How to spot a fake Lightning cable

By

Use the cable that came with your iPhone as a reference to spot fake Lightning cables.
Use the cable that came with your iPhone as a reference to spot fakes.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Who cares if that cheap charging cable you buy is a fake? It’s just a cable, right? Maybe, maybe not. A fake Lightning cable could contain malware, for instance. Or it could be miswired, damaging your iPhone the way a miswired USB power cable can destroy a laptop computer.

The best case is that your device may not sync or charge. The worst case is that your iPhone could get damaged, or the cable could overheat and set fire to your home while you sleep. Here’s how to make sure a Lightning cable is legit.

Up your charging game for iPhone, Apple Watch, and more [Deals]

By

collage-2017-05-10 (1)
We've rounded up some of the best deals on essential accessories for your charging-related needs.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

For all the convenience of mobile technology, it can be a drag having to keep our devices juiced up. Whatever your situation, we’ve rounded up some top shelf charging upgrades that’ll offer new ways to juice up your most-used devices. We’ve got a universal Lightning dock, a wireless charging station for Apple Watch, a set of extra long set of Lightning cables and super sleek USB charging hub for your car. Everything’s going for a healthy discount, read on for more details:

Who says a car charger needs to look boring?

By

Lust List Tylt car charger
The Ribbn lends a touch of style to your car-charging game.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Best List: Ribbn car charger by Tylt

Simple, elegant and fun, the Ribbn car charger is no-muss, no-fuss.

Offering up 4.8 amps, Tylt’s little Lightning charger plugs into a standard cigarette lighter socket and adds a bit of bright-blue bling to your car’s interior.

Gadget Watch: Cameras, cameras and even more frikkin’ cameras

By

Cameras, cameras, cameras. German photographic trade show Photokina is just around the corner, and the big names are outing their latest models before the news pipes get completely clogged with the tangled hair and soap scum of new releases. So this week we have a bunch of cool new cameras and accessories, including a GoPro harness for your pooch, along with the usual mix of gadgets designed to make you want to part with your cash.

Cameras, cameras, cameras. German photographic trade show Photokina is just around the corner, and the big names are outing their latest models before the news pipes get completely clogged with the tangled hair and soap scum of new releases. So this week we have a bunch of cool new cameras and accessories, including a GoPro harness for your pooch, along with the usual mix of gadgets designed to make you want to part with your cash.


Xync’s cable-concealing carabiner could double as a paperweight

By

xync-2
The Xync is handy, but a bit too bulky. Photos: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Moshi’s Xync packs a Lightning-to-USB charging cable into a handy, dangly carabiner-clip package, and adds a secret compartment on the side. But is it better than just carrying a regular Lightning cable in your pocket/bag? The short answer? Hmm…

The long version? Read on.