New USB standards make cables and devices more trustworthy
A while ago, Google engineer Benson Leung ran into a small problem with a USB 3.0 cable he got from Amazon: it fried his Chromebook Pixel. Leung's experience helped raised awareness of potentially dangerous cables and devices, and his research has spurred similar efforts from various corners of the internet. It seemed only a matter of time, then, that the USB Implementers Forum would address this issue. The USB-IF has now added new specifications and a certification process for two particular features: USB power delivery and USB Type-C authentication.
To earn the updated USB logos, devices and cables must meet the USB-IF's strict standards for power negotiation and delivery. Some might see this move as an unnecessary precaution and burden on manufacturers, but Amazon ...