For years, people have grown accustomed to using USB ports for almost all of their devices. Whether you need to charge your phone using your computer or use a controller to play games, you can always count on a USB port to be readily available for you. But 2018 was the year of change and innovation, and the USB port you know and love welcomed change in a big way.
Introducing: USB Type-C, the newest port added to the family. Its round shape brought many new uses and functionalities to your ports. But, how different is it from its much older brothers? How have companies revolutionized its use in mainstream devices?
What is this USB Type-C port?
The USB Type-C (USB-C) port is a not-so-recent discovery in the world of tech. The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) developed this USB port back in 2013, and launched it into mass production the following year. The connector is a reversible oval shape, much different from the usual rectangular shape of the previous generation. Its reversibility allows any orientation of the cable for transferring files or charging your device.
USB-IF developed USB-C following the USB 3.1 standard. Such a standard was particularly used because of its faster transfer speeds and charging capabilities. With a USB-C port, you can transfer an hour-long movie in less than 30 seconds, provided you have the appropriate connector for it.
Computer and smartphone manufacturers have incorporated the USB-C port in most of their devices. One of the early adopters of the new technology was Apple, with their redesigned 12-inch MacBook in 2015. Other computer manufacturers followed in the later years, especially with the release of the Thunderbolt 3 technology used for gaming machines.
It’s the younger, faster and more all-around sibling
USB-C has been around for the past four years, and it has gradually developed into an all-around port for users. Alongside Thunderbolt 3, the USB-C port posts the highest data transfer speed across all the available USB connections in existence. Not only that, USB-C ports these days can now connect your devices to external GPUs and displays, and charge your devices. Most USB-C ports even support fast charging for smartphones.
While the technology behind it is supported by a USB 3.1 standard, it’s still very much different from other USB ports that use the USB 3.1 protocol. For starters, the USB 3.1 standard found in USB-C ports are USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, which offer twice as much performance in data transfer as USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports. Most of the Gen 1 ports also use an older USB Type-A standard, which works for most of your gadgets and peripherals today. However, you would need more adapters for other functionalities, like displaying to a monitor.
But the USB-C port is a far cry from the old USB 2.0 and 3.0 protocols, which have been in existence for 14 years (and counting). Data transfer speeds for those two protocols are significantly slower compared to the USB-C port. An hour-long movie would ideally take around one to two minutes on a USB 2.0 port. Also, older USB protocols don’t really allow you to power up devices that need more electricity. So, charging devices on them might not be as fast.
Supercharged with Thunderbolt 3
So, you’re probably wondering what really makes a USB-C port just that fast. It’s not so much that it’s round, or that it’s new; rather, it’s the technology inside it. Late 2015 saw the arrival of the new Thunderbolt 3 standard specifically for USB-C ports. It first started out in most Windows laptops before making it to the 2016 MacBook Pro and several gaming motherboards.
What Thunderbolt 3 does for USB-C ports is to significantly increase its capacity and capabilities by a mile. We’re talking faster file transfer, heightened gaming experiences, and being able to plug in 4K displays for clearer images. Thunderbolt 3 also allows much bigger devices to be charged at a controlled rate. This is mostly evident with the MacBook Pro, several high-end Ultrabooks, and most recently, the 2018 iPad Pro.
The charging capacity brought about by Thunderbolt 3 deals with a tweak to how USB power delivery works. USB power delivery standards state that each USB standard has specific conditions that must be met to power up devices. Early versions of USB ports only allow a small amount of electricity (2.5W) for delivery, while USB-C allows for the full 100W. Basically, you went from just powering up your mouse and keyboard to charging your entire laptop.
What’s to come for USB-C?
At this point in time, you’re already living in the future that the USB-C port hopes to achieve. Suddenly, you can simply bring a USB-C cable around, plug it into a powerbank, and you can already charge your expensive MacBook. More and more devices are starting to adopt USB-C because of its potential to enhance your tech experience as a whole.
However, people still find it difficult to switch to USB-C, and for good reason. Most devices continue to use a USB Type-A or micro-USB connector, especially gaming controllers and peripherals. Also, they can argue that the old ports are more accessible. In a not-so-distant future, using a USB-C port could potentially replace a phone’s headphone jack.
The future of USB-C is still uncertain. Companies will iron out the new technology more so it can become mainstream for the future. Let’s just hope that by the time that happens, there won’t be a USB Type-D yet.
Accessories
JBL unwraps the season with prizes that go beyond powerful sound
Celebrate the holidays with Unwrap the Unexpected promo and an unforgettable Sound Fest!
The holidays always feel louder when music fills the room.
This year, JBL is giving Filipinos a reason to turn the volume even higher with its Unwrap the Unexpected promo, a Christmas celebration that rewards every purchase with the chance to take home surprises that go from everyday essentials to life-changing grand prizes.
A holiday treat with every purchase
From November 1 to December 31, anyone who buys a participating JBL product from authorized stores or official online partners can register their receipt at jblpromo.com.ph.
The process is simple. You make a purchase, upload your proof of payment, and enter your details before the year ends. Each entry becomes your chance to win a lineup of prizes that includes a brand-new Tesla Model 3.
The promo also offers rewards such as a Vespa S125, a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7, and a Lenovo Legion 5 gaming laptop, along with dozens of other exciting items.
Free pass to the biggest JBL music experience
Every successful registration comes with a free Concert Pass to JBL Sound Fest 2025.
The event happens on December 6 at Parklinks Open Grounds in Pasig City. Registration for the pass is open until December 6 at 10 a.m.
The festival is set to gather some of the most celebrated OPM artists in one night of energy, lights, and crowd-shaking sound.
Rico Blanco, Cup of Joe, HORI7ON, Flow G, and Kat DJ will take the stage, along with other performers ready to deliver a holiday concert that lives up to the JBL name.
Expect a night built around powerful music, vibrant production, and a shared love for sound.
How to join
To participate, purchase any qualified JBL product from participating retailers nationwide and register at jblpromo.com.ph by December 31.
Make sure to claim your Sound Fest pass before December 6 at 10 a.m. Full promo mechanics and registration details are available on jblpromo.com.ph.
Accessories
SKG makes its official Philippine debut
Smart wellness solutions now available nationwide
SKG is now officially in the Philippines. The company is bringing its lineup of smart wellness devices to help Filipinos manage fast-paced days with better rest and recovery.
The global wellness tech brand is now present in over 50 countries. They offer portable massagers and relaxation tools built with ergonomic design, advanced engineering, and a user-first approach.
SKG Philippines launches with a full range of products tailored for modern lifestyles.
The flagship model: G7 Pro-Fold Neck Massager
Leading the lineup is the G7 Pro-Fold Neck Massager with Heat. This is SKG’s signature device and the only foldable neck massager on the market. It comes in a premium leather finish and full smart customization.
It uses dual-mode TENS and Vibration Powered Massage Technology. This strengthens muscles, improve circulation, and deliver targeted nerve relaxation. For deeper relief, its heat therapy system combines a 6000Hz pulse matrix, graphene heating, and 630nm red light to penetrate muscles up to 10mm.
Its award-winning foldable design supports mobility, making it ideal for long flights and demanding workdays.
The SKG G7 Pro-Fold Neck Massager with Heat is priced at PhP 10,999 SRP in SKG physical stores and on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.
A more accessible option: 4356E Neck Massager
For students and budget-conscious users, the 4356E Neck Massager offers a more affordable way to experience SKG’s self-care tech. It combines TENS and EMS to relax nerves, strengthen muscles, and support daily recovery.
It also includes a 42°C hot compress, three massage modes, and 15 intensity levels, backed by a reliable battery and a one-button voice prompt for ease of use.
The SKG 4356E Neck Massager retails for PhP 2,999 SRP on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.
Portable premium comfort: ES500 Eye Massager
The ES500 Eye Massager brings premium eye care to frequent travelers, busy professionals, and anyone looking for a relaxing end to long days. It blends built-in heating pads, soft PU leather, and Bluetooth audio in a lightweight, foldable design.
Ceramic air pumps keep noise levels at just 45dB, while its 1200mAh battery offers up to 60 minutes of use. The ES500’s five-mode hot compress system (38–45°C) helps reduce eye strain, puffiness, and fatigue.
The ES500 Eye Massager is available for PhP 6,499 SRP on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.
Accessories
Apple’s new iPhone Pocket is a stylish way to carry your iPhone
This time, woven into the fabric of a modern accessory
Fashion meets tech — again.
Apple’s latest creation isn’t a new iPhone, but something to wear it in. Announced today, the iPhone Pocket is a collaboration between Apple and Japanese fashion house ISSEY MIYAKE, reimagining the way we carry one of the world’s most recognizable devices.
While this is the first official partnership between the two brands, Miyake’s influence has long been stitched into Apple’s story.
The minimalist yet iconic uniform that is Steve Jobs’ black turtlenecks were custom-made by Miyake himself.
Back in the 1980s, Jobs even approached Miyake with an idea: to design a uniform for Apple employees. That plan never took off, but decades later, the spirit of collaboration finds new form — not in a shirt, but in a beautifully woven accessory.
The iPhone Pocket draws inspiration from Miyake’s Pleats Please and Homme Plissé lines, famed for its permanently pleated, wrinkle-free designs.
Made in Japan, and co-designed with the Apple Design Studio, each bag is crafted from a single piece of innovative 3D-knit fabric that’s both stretchy and feather-light. It’s designed to fit any iPhone and, as Apple notes, “other pocketable items.”
Available in two strap lengths, it can be worn as a shoulder bag (or slung on an arm) or crossbody. The color palette is distinctly Miyake: lemon (neon yellow), mandarin (bright orange), purple, pink, peacock (turquoise), sapphire (rich blue), cinnamon (brown), and black.
Longtime fans might also feel a nostalgic nod to the iPod Socks — a whimsical early-2000s Apple accessory that turned practicality into playful design.
The iPhone Pocket launches Friday, November 14, as a limited release, available online and in select Apple Stores.
In New York, it makes its debut in SoHo which is Apple’s outpost in the city’s fashion district. Prices start at $149.95 for the short strap and $229.95 for the long strap.
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