New USB-C standard will prevent cables from frying your device
Not all USB Type-C cables are created equal.
After it was discovered that many USB Type-C cables could potentially damage devices, Amazon issued a ban on cables that didn't meet the USB Implementers Forum Inc.'s (USB-IF) specifications.
At the Intel Developer Forum in Shenzhen, China, the USB-IF took another step to protect users. The USB-IF announced USB Type-C Authentication, a new specification designed to help protect devices from noncompliant USC Type-C cables and chargers.
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With the new spec, USB Type-C-equipped devices can use 128-bit encryption to verify if a USB Type-C cable, charger or accessory has been certified or not, according to Ars Technica.
USB Type-C accessories that don't meet the authentication standard would be flagged and basically cut off -- prevented from supplying power or allowed to transmit data.
If you think this means you should wait until the new spec before buying a USB-C device, not to worry: A software or firmware update could be pushed out to existing USB Type-C devices, giving them the new authentication check.
The downside to this is USB Type-C accessories that aren't certified with the new standard and can't be updated with a firmware update would become useless. But it's better to buy a new cable than have an unsafe one break your device.
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Raymond Wong is Mashable's Senior Tech Correspondent. He reviews gadgets and tech toys and analyzes the tech industry. Raymond's also a bit of a camera geek, gamer, and fine chocolate lover. Before arriving at Mashable, he was the Deputy Editor of NBC Universal's tech publication DVICE. His writing has appeared on G4TV, BGR, Yahoo and Ubergizmo, to name a few. You can follow Raymond on Twitter @raywongy or Instagram @sourlemons.
