Beware bad USB-C cables & adapters – Google engineer names & shames

Belkin USB-A to USB-C cable complies
Credit: Belkin

USB-C is the future of USB, but for now, those of us who own one of the small but growing number of devices with USB-C ports (including Google Chrome Pixel, Apple Macbook 12", Nokia N1 tablet, HP Pavilion x2 10 Hybrid, Nexus 5X & 6P phones) probably need one or more adapters between the older standards (USB-A, B, mini or micro) & USB-C. Some manufacturers are not complying with the standard, & can place users’ devices at risk.

Google engineer, Benson Leung, who worked on the Chromebook Pixel, is on a mission to name & shame manufacturers of cables & adapters which do not comply.

Point to note: the Macworld article linked at the bottom of this post, states that the problem involves only USB-C to USB-A or USB-B adapters or cables: “The issue lies solely with cables that have the new reversible USB Type-C connector on one end, & legacy Type-A or Type-B connectors on the other.”

However, Benson Leung describes a Micro USB to Type-C adapter which has the problem (“... do not work properly with the Chromebook Pixel.”) at:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A25GROL6KJV3QG/ref=as_at?tag=httpwwwidgcsm-20&linkCode=as2&ie=UTF8&page=1&sort_by=MostRecentReview#R1189CCK1UXGT5

Macworld article:
http://www.macworld.com.au/news/beware-bad-usb-c-cables-google-engineer-warns-names-and-shames-140560/ / engineer Google personal campaign against non-compliant USB-C adapter cables potential charging problems device damage Benson Leung Google latest Chromebook Pixel Pixel C tablet calling out guilty cables reviews Amazon issue cables new reversible USB Type-C connector legacy Type-A or Type-B microUSB miniUSB micro USB mini USB connectors cables use specific resistor value meet compliance charge safely safety worst case scenario cables could damage user’s hub charger device plugged into laptop Chromebook Pixel fail charge properly reviewing USB cables Amazon early cables third party vendors blatantly flaunt specification hold them to task Leung wrote Google+ no easy way consumers identify non-compliant cable time of purchase Leung posted instructions Pixel users run their own tests developer mode help with the campaign for now best check Leung’s own reviews weed out bad actors identified seven non-compliant adapter cables vendors CableCreation Monba Kupx Juiced Systems Orzly TechMatte praising cables meet USB-C spec Frieq Belkin iOrange safe bets USB-C’s reversible connector vast improvement over legacy USB adapter cable work with older chargers peripherals cable makers exploit demand cutting corners early adopters USB-C devices Pixel 12in MacBook or new Nexus phones buying additional cables unknown brands /