Technology evolves so quickly it can be hard to keep up with all the latest trends and devices. In a way, our lives have gotten much easier and more efficient thanks to these countless advances. However, for those who choose to remain out of the loop or have trouble keeping up with how fast things are changing, these leaps can be more of a burden than a blessing.
To make things more complicated, all these new devices often require other components to make them function. If you’re one of the many feeling tangled in the terminology, let this article help you a bit. In order to learn anything, one must start with the basics. Here is a list of commonly used cables and brief descriptions of how they can be used.
USB 2.0 Cables
USB is an acronym for Universal Serial Bus. Even if you’re not all that familiar with USB cables, you’ve likely heard of them or seen them before, as USB inputs are in most electronic devices with memory, and most electronic devices can be connected to another device through a USB cable (hence, “universal”).
As the name implies, USB 2.0 is the successor to USB 1.1. The difference between 1.1 and 2.0 is that the newer version can transfer data at higher speeds (up to 40 times faster). Otherwise, the cables are the same shape, and USB 2.0 is backwards compatible with USB 1.1 inputs, meaning it can fit in those inputs. Likewise, USB 3.0 cables (released in 2010), which are ten times faster than 2.0, can go into older USB inputs, though their maximum speeds will not be utilized unless the inputs are also USB 3.0.
Highspeed HDMI Cables
Another common modern acronym is HDMI, which stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface. Every television in production these days is high definition, meaning the picture is incredibly clear. These TVs (as well as other devices such as Blu-Ray players, modern computers, and recent video game consoles) have HDMI ports. HDMI cables allow devices with HDMI outputs to send audio and visual data to the device with an HDMI input. Highspeed HDMI cables work the same as normal HDMI cables, they simply transfer the information faster, as their name suggests.
Ethernet Cables
Now that the internet is such an integral part of almost all our lives, it’s good to know what an Ethernet cable is. Simply put, Ethernet cables allow you to securely connect to the internet. Though wireless connections (Wi-Fi) have become more and more popular, connecting your computer to the internet with an Ethernet cable provides a more secure and faster connection. There are many kinds of Ethernet cables of various speeds and lengths, but the most important thing is simply knowing what it is.
Whether or not you’re on board with how fast technology is evolving, none of us can run from it. Every day our lives become more and more intertwined with new tech, and to shun it is to do a disservice to ourselves. At the very least, having a basic understanding of what Ethernet, USB, and Highspeed HDMI cables are will perhaps help you navigate through the jungle of wires and words of the modern world. Continue reading here.
