CES 2021: OWC’s new Thunderbolt Dock adds Ethernet, USB, and More Thunderbolt Ports to Your Mac
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CES 2021: OWC's new Thunderbolt Dock adds Ethernet, USB, and More Thunderbolt Ports to Your Mac

Dave Hamilton ·

At CES this week, OWC has announced the latest iteration of its Thunderbolt Dock, this one leveraging the new features unlocked by macOS Big Sur to allow you to add more Thunderbolt ports to your Intel or M1 Macs. With three, fully-capable Thunderbolt ports on the back, plus one on the front to which you connect your Mac, the possibilities are wide open. In addition to those, there are three 10Gbps USB-A ports, Gigabit Ethernet, SD card, headphone out, and a USB 2.0 port, giving you expansion options for days, including the ability to add up to two 4K displays or a 5K/6K/8K display. This self-powered hub will also deliver up to 90W of Power Delivery to your Mac laptop. Pre-orders are available today with units shipping later this month.

CES 2021: Plugable USB-C 7-in-1 Hub Brings Ethernet, Charging, and 4K HDMI
Cool Stuff Found

CES 2021: Plugable USB-C 7-in-1 Hub Brings Ethernet, Charging, and 4K HDMI

Dave Hamilton ·

At CES on Tuesday, Plugable announced their new USB-C 7-in-1 hub, following the work-from-home trend of bringing Ethernet and 4K video to users in an easy-to-pack form factor (to use at home now, and for when we can go places again!). In addition to two 5Gbps USB 3.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, 4K HDMI, SD and microSD card slots, the Plugable hub includes a USB-C Power Delivery charging port capable of up to 87W of USB-C pass-through charging for your laptop and USB devices. Shipping now, this hub is available at Amazon for $34.95 at the time of publication.

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Digital Library Book Readers Borrowed 430 Million Books in 2020

Andrew Orr ·

Book sales, both digital and physical, increased in 2020. Book borrowing did too, with OverDrive reporting 430 million ebooks, audiobooks, and digital magazines browsed in 2020. This is a 33% increase over 2019.

The most significant genre growth in 2020 was children’s and YA fiction and nonfiction because of remote and hybrid learning. In addition, more than 2 million checkouts occurred through Public Library CONNECT partnerships and the Sora student reading app. More public library and school partnerships than ever enabled students to use their school credentials to borrow ebooks and audiobooks from both their school and local public library.

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CES 2021: Disruptive Technologies Launches Second Generation of Temperature Sensor

Charlotte Henry ·

Disruptive Technologies launched the second generation of its Temperature Sensor at CES 2021. The company said the sensor can deliver over 15 million data points – 30 times more than the previous generation while maintaining the same form factor and size. It also has the same 15-year battery life. Data generated by the sensor is end-to-end encrypted. It is €49 ($USD 59.60), or €39 per sensor if you order 25 or more, with deliveries starting in May.

CES 2021: Earin A-3 Brings 14.3mm Dynamic Drivers to True Wireless Earbuds
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CES 2021: Earin A-3 Brings 14.3mm Dynamic Drivers to True Wireless Earbuds

Dave Hamilton ·

Earin, the company who brought the first true wireless earphones to market, has announced their latest model, the Earin A-3. Sleeker than all previous models, the A-3 fits completely in the outer ear, with no stem, and yet is still able to pack a 14.3mm dynamic driver to deliver full sound. Available later in Q1 2021 for US$199, Earin A-3 uses the combination of a microphone, an accelerometer, and an adaptive algorithm to monitor voice and background noise in real-time, removing ambient noise and giving wearers high quality music and calling experiences. With 5-hour battery life, USB-C and wireless Qi charging, and Earin’s past performance, we expect these to be winners. Look for Earin A-3 at both Earin.com and Amazon later this quarter.

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Kevin Kelly vs. Kirkpatrick Sale: Has Tech Destroyed Society?

Andrew Orr ·

Here’s your long read for the weekend. Back in 1995, then-executive editor of Wired made a bet with Luddite Kirkpatrick Sale. The proposition? A bet that technology would destroy the world by 2020.

Twenty-five years later, the once distant deadline is here. We are locked down. Income equality hasn’t been this bad since just before the Great Depression. California and Australia were on fire this year. We’re about to find out how easy that money is.

I find myself between their arguments. Technology produces both positives and negatives, and issues like climate change largely accelerated by corporations make me pessimistic as a young person.

TMO Deals

LifePro FlexCycle Under Desk Exercise Bike: $149.99

Bryan Chaffin ·

We have a deal made for pandemic times and working from home: an under-desk exercise bike called LifePro FlexCycle. Put it under your desk and peddle while you work. This one features eight adjustable tension settings, and allows you to monitor your stats. It’s $149.99 through our deal.