Gadgets: Computer hub

Computers continue to get smaller and more powerful, yet they often come with fewer ports for connecting accessories. That’s where EZQuest’s new USB 4 Dual Display 8-in-1 Pro Series Hub comes in, solving most port shortages for power users.

EZQuest did a smart thing with this hub: Since USB-C has become the dominant connector for new accessories, all the ports on the hub are USB-C. It is built for those who demand power via USB-C, along with being top-performing and portable. There’s no HDMI, memory card readers, etc. If you must have them, many others connect, but this one with all USB-C is a hit.

The configuration for the ports differs. There are 3 USB 4 ports, supporting 8K video output (30Hz), 10 Gbps Gen 2 data, and up to 15W of output power. Four are USB-C Gen 2 Ports, supporting 10Gbps data and 7.5W (5V/1.5A) power output. And the last is a USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 port with 100-watt pass-through charging with Fast Role Swap technology.

Those are specific to certain accessories to ensure you get the maximum available power. For daily chores like charging a smartphone or tablet, it's plug-and-play. The differences are ideal for data transfer and for connecting laptops or hard drives. Pass-through power delivery is supplied when needed, and they recommend using a 65W or higher power adapter to power the hub itself for desktop use to ensure full performance.

Whatever configuration is needed, that can include multiple displays, drives, readers, keyboard or accessories with dongles; it will all work. A detachable 19.6-inch black nylon-braided USB4 cable is included as the host connection for the portable 5.5 by 1.6 by 0.44 inches/1.6-ounce hub.

EZQuest specifications list it as compatible with Mac, Windows or any USB-C/USB4/Thunderbolt-equipped laptop. A complete list is available on their site.

https://ezq.com/usb-4-dual-display-8-in-1-hub-pro-series-details.html $149.99

Another modern day solution for power users is Better Mobile Xperience’s new GaNsta Pixel 140-watt laptop charger. The smart, smaller charger has fold-out AC prongs and can charge up to four devices at once.

It measures 2.44 by 2.55 by 1.41 inches, which matters when you know it is 43% smaller than the charger that comes with a MacBook, according to BMX. One side has prongs for connecting to any household AC outlet. Another side has four ports: three USB-C and a single USB-A.

Both the USB-C1 and USB-C2 primary ports support up to 140 watts for a laptop. The third USB-C port will supply up to 65 watts, ideal for smaller laptops, tablets and power-hungry fast-charging smartphones. The single USB-A port will power up to 22.5 watts. Also, this lets you carry one smaller four-port AC charging block to charge most of your USB charging needs.

Cosmetically, what really makes the GaNsta Pixel 140-watt laptop charger ($89.99) stand out is its retro-futuristic LED pixel readout display. It displays charging information for each port, including live wattage per port and total output as devices charge. The display information ensures safe charging and lets you know how much power is available if something else needs a power boost.

A 100-watt model ($79.99) is also available with all the same features, except it tops out at a lower wattage. It is 37% smaller than a similar charger included with a MacBook Air.

Both models are built with safe charging features, including overvoltage protection, overcurrent protection, overpower protection, electrostatic protection, fire-resistant housing and intelligent temperature management.

A 1-meter braided USB-C cable, a suede pouch, and a user guide are included. Color options are blue, gray or orange.

https://heybmx.com/products/gansta-pixel-charger-140w

H2O Audio has launched a new limited-edition pair of headphones, the Lucy Charles-Barclay x TRI 2 PRO. The headphones came to life from a collaboration between H2O Audio, a global leader in waterproof, high-performance sports headphones, and Ironman World Champion Lucy Charles-Barclay.

The headphones are a custom version of the waterproof multi-sport headphones she trains in. They feature H2O Audio’s award-winning open-ear bone conduction design, which lets you hear sound in and out of the water while still hearing your surroundings.

H2O Audio has only 500 in the limited edition, which Charles-Barclay designed and features her custom blue-and-white colorway. They have an IPX8 waterproof rating, allowing them to remain underwater up to 12 feet for unlimited time.

A feature that makes these headphones stand out (and my personal favorite feature) is the built-in 8GB of storage for playlists, which works with the integrated MP3 player. You can store up to 2,000 songs or 130 hours of music, giving you plenty of listening options. Because the music is stored directly on the headphones, you can keep listening even when you’re in the water or other rural areas where your smartphone or internet connection is no longer available.

With Playlist+ technology on the TRI 2 PRO, you can record audio via Bluetooth and store it directly in the headphones’ memory for playback through the built-in MP3 player. When you hear a song you want to save, double-click the “+” button on the headphones, and it’s recorded for later listening.

H2O Audio compares Playlist+ to something I remember doing back in the day: recording songs from the radio onto cassette tapes to create my own custom mixes. Trust me, Playlist+ is a whole lot easier and much more efficient.

The built-in battery will play for 9 hours in Bluetooth mode and 6 hours while playing music stored in its built-in memory.

https://h2oaudio.com/products/tri-2-pro-lcb-edition $219.99