Lightning (connector)Lightning is a discontinued proprietary computer bus and power connector, created and designed by Apple Inc. It was introduced on September 12, 2012, in conjunction with the iPhone 5, to replace its predecessor, the 30-pin dock connector, and discontinued in 2025, with the discontinuation of the iPhone SE (3rd generation).
USB On-The-GoUSB On-The-Go (USB OTG) is a specification that allows certain USB devices, such as tablets or smartphones, to function either as a host or a peripheral. This enables them to connect directly to other USB devices, such as flash drives, digital cameras, mice or keyboards. USB OTG was first introduced in late 2001.
USB-CUSB‑C, or USB Type‑C, is a 24-pin reversible connector (not a protocol) that supersedes all previous USB connectors, which were designated legacy in 2014. This connector also supersedes Mini DisplayPort and Lightning connectors.
Power supplyA power supply is an electrical device that supplies electric power to an electrical load. The main purpose of a power supply is to convert electric current from a source to the correct voltage, current, and frequency to power the load. As a result, power supplies are sometimes referred to as electric power converters. Some power supplies are separate standalone pieces of equipment, while others are built into the load appliances that they power.
USB4Universal Serial Bus 4 (USB4), sometimes erroneously referred to as USB 4.0, is the most recent technical specification of the USB (Universal Serial Bus) data communication standard. The USB Implementers Forum announced USB4 in 2019. USB4 enables multiple devices to dynamically share a single high-speed data link.
Thunderbolt (interface)Computer hardware interfaceThunderbolt is the brand name of a hardware interface for the connection of external peripherals to a computer. It was developed by Intel in collaboration with Apple. It was initially marketed under the name Light Peak and first sold as part of an end-user product on February 24, 2011. Thunderbolt combines PCI Express (PCIe) and DisplayPort (DP) into two serial signals and provides DC power via a single cable.
USBUniversal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard, developed by USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), for digital data transmission and power delivery between many types of electronics.
SmartphoneA smartphone is a mobile device that combines the functionality of a traditional mobile phone (feature phone) with advanced computing capabilities. It typically has a touchscreen interface, allowing users to access a wide range of applications and services, such as web browsing, email, and social media, as well as multimedia playback and streaming.
PeripheralA peripheral device, or simply peripheral, is an auxiliary hardware device that a computer uses to transfer information externally. A peripheral is a hardware component that is accessible to and controlled by a computer but is not a core component of the computer. It can communicate with a computer through wired or wireless connections.
DisplayPortDigital display interfaceDisplayPort (DP) is a digital interface used to connect a video source, such as a computer, to a display device like a monitor. Developed by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA), it can also carry digital audio, USB, and other types of data over a single cable. Introduced in 2008, DisplayPort was designed to replace older standards like VGA, DVI, and FPD-Link.
Differential signallingDifferential signalling is a method for electrically transmitting information using two complementary signals. The technique sends the same electrical signal as a differential pair of signals, each in its own conductor. The pair of conductors can be wires in a twisted-pair or ribbon cable or traces on a printed circuit board. Electrically, the two conductors carry voltage signals which are equal in magnitude, but of opposite polarity.
Mobile phonePortable device to make telephone calls using a radio linkTwo decades of evolution of mobile phones, from a 1992 Motorola DynaTAC 8000X to the 2014 iPhone 6 PlusShare of population with a mobile phoneMobile cellular subscriptions per 100 peopleA mobile phone or cell phone is a portable wireless telephone that allows users to make and receive calls over a radio frequency link while moving within a designated telephone service area, unlike fixed-location phones (landline phones).
WattThe watt (symbol: W) is the unit of power or radiant flux in the International System of Units (SI), equal to 1 joule per second or 1 kg⋅m⋅s. It is used to quantify the rate of energy transfer. The watt is named in honor of James Watt (1736–1819), an 18th-century Scottishinventor, mechanical engineer, and chemist who in 1776 improved the Newcomen engine with his own steam engine, which became fundamental for the Industrial Revolution.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.