Respected mobile accessory maker, Griffin Technology, is betting big on USB-C at CES this year, with a range of new accessories designed to work with Apple’s latest USB-C-toting MacBook and Google’s new Chromebook Pixel laptops.
Leading the charge is the BreakSafe Magnetic USB-C Power Cable ($40), which will hit the market in April. Inspired by Apple’s MagSafe connector, this cable features a quick-release magnetic connector that will pop out if you trip over it, saving your laptop from taking a tumble. Since this much-loved feature is lacking in the new MacBook, this cable is likely to prove popular.
Griffin is also offering a wide range of adapter cables, to convert USB-A or Micro USB to USB-C ($20), the PowerJolt SE USB-C car charger ($25) for USB-C smartphones, like the Nexus 6P, and the rapid charging PowerBlock USB-C ($30) which delivers up to 15 watts and sports fold-away prongs for travel.
In summer 2016, you’ll be able to lay hands on Griffin’s iMic USB-C ($45) a clever accessory that converts analog audio from vinyl and cassette tapes to a digital format like MP3. It works through your Mac or PC using the Final Vinyl app. It will be joined by the unusual PowerMate USB-C ($50) which is a programmable knob that plugs into your laptop, offering you the chance to replace common keystrokes with a twist or click.
Most people will associate Griffin with rugged protection for smartphones or tablets and it has also announced a few new members of the Survivor family at CES. The 30-liter Survivor Backpack ($226) has 16 compartments, with special padded pockets for laptops and tablets, and handy internal openings for cables, so you can charge while you’re on the move. The 20-liter Survivor Briefcase ($190) has ten pockets. Both are TSA-compliant, crush-proof, and weather-proof to ensure your tech is protected.
If you need more power while on the go, then the Survivor Power Bank ($60) might catch your eye. It packs a 10,200mAh capacity battery into a rugged body that meets the rigorous 810G military standard, and that separately scores an IP66 rating, meaning it can survive falls of up to 6.6 feet onto concrete and cope with splashes or rain.
There are also new Survivor Slim cases, bringing rugged protection to the iPad Pro and the Surface Pro 4, a host of mounts that work with Griffin’s Survivor Summit iPhone cases, and the Travel Power Bank ($70), a compact, 800mAh battery on a keyring that’s designed to keep your Apple Watch ticking for longer, with up to four full charges.
