USB is still one of the most important pieces of technology in the 21st century. They charge your devices, they carry around your folders filled with files you hardly use or look at, and they help to transfer things between devices. But a new USB type is on its way and its going to change everything up. Here's what the USB4 is all about.

Yes, it’s a terrible phrase, but a “USB Condom” is a great little gadget you can buy to prevent an unknown attacker from doing something they shouldn’t when you’re charging your device. In other words, a USB “data blocker,” if you prefer that phrase, will allow you to use public USB ports to charge your phone without fear.

We’ve all been tempted by those too-cheap-to-believe $10 packs of charging cables. Cables feel like a thing that should be cheap, and the prices charged by first-party manufacturers like Apple and Samsung can be hard to justify. But be warned: those cheap charging cables aren’t worth the trouble.

Checkm8 is the latest malware threat to target the once-impenetrable iPhone. The exploit infiltrates iOS devices through a USB connection and poses a significant threat to anyone using public charging stations (like those found in airports.)

Worryingly, the researcher who discovered it believes it's un-patchable. Yikes. Here's what you need to know.

There are some bad battery hacks out there. A lot of them are holdovers from old advice that has been around since the dawn of the smartphone — advice that’s no longer relevant. In the video above, I bust the three most common battery myths that just won’t go away.

On paper, this little trick should be possible. The Apple Watch uses a Qi-based charger, and your AirPod wireless charging case also supports Qi charging. Instead of plugging in your wireless charging case, you should be able to set it right on top of your Apple Watch charger to give it some juice. Right?

Shopping for a new charger for your phone can be confusing. Typically, you’re good to go with whatever ships with your device, but it probably isn’t an adaptor that can give you the fastest and best charging speeds. Those are often more expensive, and your smartphone’s manufacturer isn’t going to be that generous out of the gate.

When it comes to wireless charging, I confess, I’m not that well-versed in the intricacies of smartphone electronics. More importantly, there are plenty of myths about how you should charge your device in the most effective, safest, and least battery-draining manner.

I don’t want to repeat junk science, so I’ll try to provide as much sourcing as I can for my battery-related statements.

We are in a transitional phase as micro-USB and Apple's proprietary Lightning ports are being phased out and being replaced by USB-C. And that means many of us are caught in the position of needing to carry multiple cables for different purposes. Belkin has provided a great solution with their Universal Cable. Coupled with its Pocket Power battery, you'll rarely be caught without a charging and synching solution.

If you can charge your smartphone wirelessly, congratulations. You have arrived at the future, a time when the Herculean process of fumbling with a cable, inserting it into the bottom of your device, and waiting for the satisfactory tone feels archaic and silly. With one convenient, reasonably priced power pad, you can now set your smartphone down, wait for the ding, and go about your merry way. Cables are for suckers.

The iPhone XS and XS Max woes continue: In addition to cellular and wifi connectivity issues, some users are reporting charging problems with their devices — mainly when their iPhones’ screens are turned off. Here's what you can do about it.

There’s nothing I hate more than people doing the wrong thing “just because” they’ve always done it. In this case, blasting movies, games or music on their smartphones to eat up all the battery until the device shuts off, because that’s the only “safe” way to charge it.

Battery issues are one of the more headache-inducing problems you’ll deal with as an iPhone owner. Whether it’s Apple’s alleged planned obsolescence or just the simple physics of your iPhone’s battery — it won’t last forever — there will come a time when you can’t make it through the day on a single charge. But consider this: It might be an app’s fault instead.

A Japanese blog has leaked images of what it purports is the next iPhone's fast charger. As predicted, it seems the new iPhone models will finally be ditching USB-A - although Apple's proprietary Lightning port is apparently here to stay for another year at least.

If you spend any time away from easily accessible electricity, like hiking or camping, then you know the frustration of not being able to readily charge your electronic devices. As well have being inconvenient, it can be a safety issue if you need to be able to broadcast your location or call for help. The Choetech Foldable Solar Charger could be the solution.

Today's "I'll believe it when I see it" iPhone rumour-mongering concerns not the iPhone itself, but its charger - the most important accessory you'll find in its meticulously crafted packaging. As the speculation goes, Apple is allegedly considering bumping up the default charger for the iPhone 9 or iPhone X2: from 5W to 18W.

We spend a lot of time on our phones - so it makes sense if our batteries usually hit that dreaded 10 percent mark before the day's even half over. That's why it's important to stock up on chargers whenever you can, and now you can re-up on three extra-long Lightning charging cables for a fraction of the cost.

Ever stick your charging cable into your device, only to realize you’ve tried jamming it in the wrong way? That issue’s not a problem with the MicFlip Fully Reversible Micro USB Cable.

When you travel internationally, you should always throw a plug adaptor into your bag. This graphic is a quick reference to common plug types and the countries in which they're used. This way you'll know which type of adaptor to pack for your trip.