Adapter

Spotting the signs of a fake Apple Lightning cable

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated June 26, 2018

Whenever you buy a new iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad, it'll come with a Lightning to USB cable that you will use to charge and sync your device. On the other hand, you have to be careful when you buy these cables separately, especially online, because you could end up with a counterfeit cable.

A counterfeit is a cable that tries to look just like Apple's OEM Lightning to USB cable, even though it isn't. Using these cables could have an adverse effect on your device, so we'll show you how to spot the differences between a counterfeit and genuine Lightning to USB cable in this piece.

This clever adapter makes your MacBook or iPad charger sit flush against the wall

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 11, 2016

An company called One Design has announced an interesting space-saving solution that lets your MacBook or iPad charger sit flush against the wall. Dubbed the Blockhead, the inexpensive device is basically a side-facing plug for Apple's USB chargers.

It reduces between your charger and the wall socket from 3.8 inches to just 1.2 inches. By turning your MacBook's adapter sideways, Blockhead also brings its center of mass closer to the wall, resulting in a smaller footprint and less tension on the plug.

“At just over an inch thick, blockhead is the thinnest possible way to charge your MacBook,” says One Design. “Even the standard cord needs twice as much room.”

Apple issues a recall of AC wall plug adapters in some countries, announces exchange program

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 28, 2016

Apple on Thursday announced a voluntary recall of AC wall plug adapters designed for use in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Continental Europe, New Zealand and South Korea that shipped with Mac and certain iOS devices between 2003 and 2015 and were also included in the Apple World Travel Adapter Kit.

“In very rare cases, affected Apple two-prong wall plug adapters may break and create a risk of electrical shock if touched,” notes the company.

Inexpensive Apple Watch band adapter Adappt launches on Indiegogo

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 16, 2016

With April's launch of the Apple Watch on the horizon, we're starting to see first adapters designed to let Watch wearers use their device with third-party watch bands, not just Apple's.

Advertised as the first and patent pending adapter for standard straps for the Apple Watch, the Adappt by four Italian students, two of which are behind the inCharge, a tiny keyring USB charging cable, has now launched on the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo.

The Adappt lets you wear your Apple Watch with any band. But don't let this quite simple idea fool you, the Adappt is quite ingenious.