Google is releasing an update to Chrome OS this week that includes a very clever new feature. As our 9to5Google colleagues reported, Chrome OS 102 includes a new “USB-C cable alert” feature and is a feature that Apple should absolutely replicate in all of its products …
This new feature in Chrome OS will alert you when a USB-C cable that you have connected does not support certain features or “does not work ideally for your laptop.” The alert will explain if the cable “does not support the USB4 / Thunderbolt 3 high-performance standards of your Chromebook.” The full list of alerts includes:
- The cable might not support screens
- The USB-C cable may not be properly connected to the screens
- Cable may affect performance
- Your USB-C cable does not support USB4. Device performance may be limited.
- Your USB-C cable is not compatible with Thunderbolt.
- Your device supports a higher data rate than your cable.
Why Apple should copy this feature
As we have written many times here on 9to5Mac, despite being sold with a universal connector, the world of USB-C cables is still very, very confusing. This is especially true for everyday Mac and iPad users who are not as attuned to technology specifications as many of you who read this.
A simple search on Amazon reveals a wide range of different USB-C cables, many of which support different data transfer speeds, display support, and charging speeds. Your mileage will vary significantly depending on the cable you choose. This is also true at both ends of the spectrum; some of the cheaper cables will not fully support the features offered by USB-C, and others will charge more and be billed as more premium than they really are.
The USB Implementers Forum, or USB-IF, has promised brand changes that are intended to help clear up some of the confusion surrounding the various USB-C cables and standards. However, it appears that these changes will not be implemented any time soon. And they still won’t fix the problem of accessory manufacturers that don’t meet the full USB-IF standards.
As the confusion over USB-C standards, speeds, and features continues to grow, Google has opted to take things in stride with the new “USB-C Cable Alert” feature. Alerts provide users with a simple explanation of the function of the USB-C cable they are using, including why it might not work for certain connectivity needs.
Apple has also widely adopted USB-C in many of its products along with Thunderbolt 4. As its reliance on USB-C and Thunderbolt 4 increases, it should also add some sort of USB-cable alert feature. C on both Mac and iPad. This feature would significantly reduce the confusion around USB-C and Thunderbolt cables and give users a clear explanation of which cable they are using and which cable they may need to unlock more features.
Theoretically, Apple could even go a step further and add a similar feature for charging the iPhone. In the Settings app, Apple could explain the maximum charging speed of the combination of power cord and power brick that the iPhone is connected to, and explain how that speed might increase with a new power brick.
What do you think of this new feature in Chrome OS? Is it something Apple should adopt in its products and operating systems? Let us know in the comments.
FTC: We use auto-affiliate links to earn revenue. Month.
Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news: