Review: OWC’s Updated Thunderbolt 3 Dock Adds 85W Charging, 10 Gbps USB-C Port, and microSD Slot

Nearly a year and half ago, OWC was one of the first companies to launch a Thunderbolt 3 dock, offering over a dozen ports of various types to support a variety of accessories. While I loved the sheer number of the ports offered on the original version of the dock, there were some shortcomings, including a lack of any 10 Gbps USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports and only 60 watts of charging power, which may not be enough for 15-inch MacBook Pro users.

Users for whom those two concerns are dealbreakers will be glad to hear that OWC is launching an updated version of its Thunderbolt 3 dock in just a few weeks, addressing these issues.

The new OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock is exactly the same size and shape as the original, with a horizontal design constructed of an aluminum band (in silver or space gray) wrapping all the way around the sides and glossy black plastic on the top and bottom.

All ports are clearly labeled in white, and there is an OWC logo and “Thunderbolt 3 Dock” branding printed on the front of the dock. The dock measures in at a hair over 9 inches wide by 3.5 inches deep and an inch tall. It weighs about 1.2 pounds, although as a desktop dock you’re not likely to be moving it around very often so weight shouldn’t be much of a factor.

Because OWC’s new dock is so similar to the original version, I’m not going to walk through all of the features, and I’ll instead focus on the differences. But rest assured, the new version continues to have five USB-A ports running at 5 Gbps, a pair of Thunderbolt ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, a Mini DisplayPort port, and S/PDIF output and combo 3.5 mm audio ports. Two of the USB-A ports (one front and one rear) offer 1.5A of power for faster charging of connected devices.

New version on top, original model on bottom
As for new additions, OWC has added two additional ports on the front of the dock: a microSD card slot that complements the SD card slot from the original version, and a new 10 Gbps Type-C USB 3.1 Gen 2 port. Both of these are great additions that many users will find handy.

New version on top, original model on bottom
I tested out the new 10 Gbps USB-C port on the front of the dock using a fast CalDigit Tuff external SSD, and I saw solid speeds coming in at over 500 MB/s read and 480 MB/s write. Speeds when connected to one of the 5 Gbps USB-A ports came in at around 350 MB/s read and 325 MB/s write, which typical for this drive over that type of connection.

Speed test using 10 Gbps USB-C port and external SSD
One connectivity option you’ll find missing compared to the original version of the dock is a FireWire 800 port, which was formerly located near the center of the dock on the rear. It’s not a particularly surprising omission given the continuing decline in use for the standard and the fact that OWC had previously dropped the port from its main Thunderbolt 3 dock lineup. The loss of the port won’t be an issue for the vast majority of users, but if you happen to still need FireWire connectivity you’ll need to look at other dock options.

If you’re a 15-inch MacBook Pro user, you’ll be glad to hear that OWC has bumped up the charging capabilities in the new dock to 85 watts from the original 60 watts. That’ll be enough to charge up your MacBook Pro at the same speed as from Apple’s power adapter, and it’ll keep your machine powered up even under heavy loads.

135-watt power brick from original version (left) vs. 180-watt power brick for updated model (right)
It’s a very welcome improvement, but it does come at the cost of a larger external brick needed to support the increased power. The power brick included with the new dock is 180 watts, up from 135 watts in the original version. That increases the brick’s size fairly significantly, but in most cases you’ll be able to tuck it away somewhere and not have to worry about it.

Overall, the new Thunderbolt 3 Dock from OWC is one of my top picks among all of the docks I’ve tested. CalDigit’s TS3 Plus has been my go-to dock since its release, but OWC’s dock now gives it a run for its money with the array of ports and full 85-watt charging power that put it just about on par. OWC’s dock will be priced at $299, which is competitive with other high-end Thunderbolt 3 docks, some of which can run up to $350 or more. OWC says the new dock will be available from its online store at macsales.com and at other retailers starting in early November.

Note: OWC provided the Thunderbolt 3 Dock to MacRumors free of charge for the purposes of this review. No other compensation was received. MacRumors is an affiliate partner with macsales.com and may earn commissions on purchases made through links in this article.

Tags: Thunderbolt 3, OWC
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3D-printed paste could hold buildings together amid natural disasters

A 3D-printed cement paste could one day be used to make buildings more resilient to natural disasters, claim researchers from Purdue University. Although it sounds paradoxical, the paste actually gets tougher the more it cracks. This makes it a potentially invaluable new building material.

“Cement-based materials such as concrete are brittle and crack as they deform,” Reza Moini, a doctoral candidate in the Lyles School of Civil Engineering at Purdue, told Digital Trends. “Using the findings of this work, we can produce structural elements for buildings and habitats that can resist dynamic loads such as impact, experienced during [an] earthquake, without failure.”

Jan Olek, a professor of civil engineering and another researcher on the project, noted that nature has to deal with weaknesses to survive, so the team is using the “built-in” weaknesses of cement-based materials to increase their toughness. They have done this by creating 3D-printed materials inspired by the properties found in arthropod shells, the shells belonging to animals such as lobsters and beetles. The biomechanical design of these shells allows them to take large amounts of punishment.

Some patterns which the printed paste could be used to replicate include honeycomb patterns or printed filaments following a helicoidal pattern. “3D printing has removed the need for creating a mold for each type of design, so that we can achieve these unique properties of cement-based materials that were not possible before,” said Jeffrey Youngblood a professor of materials engineering at Purdue.

This isn’t the first time we’ve covered innovative or futuristic building materials. Other research projects in this vein have included spray-on cement able to help older buildings survive earthquakes, and a smart graphene coating which changes color to indicate breaks and fractures.

“There are several questions and opportunities that we still need to answer,” Pablo Zavattieri told us. “We still do not understand the role of the rheological properties of fresh cement paste — as it is being extruded through the 3D printer, and it is deposited and put at rest on top of the already printed structure. We also do not know the properties of the new architectured materials during the first hours and days, as the cement paste goes through [its solidification] process. This involves all kind of mechanisms at different length scales, such as shrinkage and drying. We are going to explore the role of controlling weak interfaces.”

A paper describing the work was recently published in the journal Advanced Materials.

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It’s the phone equivalent of a Bentley. So why does the Pixel 3 look like a VW?

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The Google Pixel 2 phones looked boring. Google has half-fixed the problem in 2018 for the Pixel 3, but still hasn’t quite cracked the case, and this could be a problem.

Apple is constantly called out for its expensive hardware, but when you hold an iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max, they feel every bit of the $1,000-plus it cost, regardless of what angle you view it from. The same can be said of the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus and Galaxy Note 9.

Pick up an old Pixel, and it was rather underwhelming. For 2018, Google has fixed the Pixel 3 provided you only look at it from the back. The matte finish glass is a masterstroke. It looks great, resists fingerprints, and is suitably different from other phones. The front? Oh dear.

Don’t turn the Pixel 3 over

Before we get right into this, it’s important to put out some fires before they spread. We’re not attacking the Google Pixel 3’s superb ability as a smartphone, the excellent camera, the Android experience, or the much-needed regular software updates. These are awesome. But you’re going to have to stare at one of the more challenging faces to use it.

It’s a cutthroat world, and there are many phones vying for your love. The sad reality is that like Tinder-for-smartphones, you’re going to pick the pretty one.

The Pixel 3 XL has the deepest notch we’ve seen.

Put the Pixel 3 XL alongside the Galaxy S9, and the Samsung phone looks more expensive and better designed than Google’s latest. It’s like parking a bright red 2018 Bentley Continental GT next to a 2018 VW Golf, painted in basic blue. Not even a nice blue. The Golf is the complete package as a vehicle, but everyone is going to take pictures of the Bentley because it looks great.

It’s not the back that’s the problem here, it’s the front, and both Pixel 3 phones are afflicted. The Pixel 3 XL has the deepest notch we’ve seen. The notch is hardly winning beauty contests anyway, so to make it even more pronounced is like drawing a big red circle around a nasty spot on your face. “Look at this everyone,” Google says, “isn’t it nasty!” Even worse, the screen doesn’t extend to the base of the phone. It has a chin too.

Turn to the Pixel 3 and the notch disappears, replaced by a lovely big bezel that extends just as deep into the phone’s screen, to match the equally deep one on the chin. We’d almost rather have the notch. Neither of these things are crimes, and the Pixel 3 looks much better than the Pixel 2, but the bezels and the notch are terribly distracting. The pretty minimalism on the back, with a clever mix of textures that avoid the cheapness of the Pixel 2, makes us want to pick the phone up. Look at the front, and we want to put it back down.

With the Pixel 3 range it’s your choice of bezeled, or a bezel with a massive notch.

The worst year to make an ugly phone

There’s never a good time to release a product that makes you think so deeply about the design, but 2018 has given us such a long list of awesome-looking phones: One with gawky looks stands out for all the wrong reasons. Want some examples? That’s easy, and it’s the Oppo Find X right at the top of the list. If the Find X was a contestant on America’s Next Top Model, the show would have ended after a single episode. Winner: Found.

The Google Pixel is lauded and purchased because it’s a showcase for Google’s Android software.

It’s not the only stunner we’ve seen this year. The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus is similarly gorgeous, and Porsche Design took many of the best aspects, made them more symmetrical, and created the stunning Mate 10 RS. If either were any more seductive, poets would be writing sonnets about them. Then you’ve got companies embracing color in 2018. Huawei’s twilight P20 Pro showed how clever use of gradients, light and reflection could create a unique, eye-catching finish, while the impossibly beautiful silk white OnePlus 6 is more strokable than most kittens.

There’s a good chance if you’re a phone fan, you won’t need to look for pictures of these phones, as the design and style made them memorable and desirable.

Why it matters

There are probably a few of you reading this that are already foaming at the mouth, or furiously writing comments about design not mattering, and about the Pixel’s prowess, camera, and software speaking for itself. Calm down. I agree. For many, the Google Pixel is lauded and purchased because it’s a showcase for Google’s Android software, and its ability to show others how cameras are really done, even with a single lens. We love and recommend them for it.

However, there are so many excellent smartphones on sale this year — it’s hard to name a really bad one, actually — the final buying decision often comes down to how the phone looks, and how it makes you feel. The fact is, many people won’t want one that looks like a dog’s dinner. We wonder how many people that were looking forward to the Pixel 3 have been put off by the final design? If you’re a Pixel devotee, we implore you to do some missionary work on behalf of the Pixel 3. It needs it.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Google doesn’t help itself, and it’s very frustrating that the Pixel 3 gets 50 percent of the design right, and then ignores the remaining 50 percent. Seemingly in an effort to convince itself these things don’t matter, Google gives the Pixel’s colors silly, self-deprecating names. They do matter, Google. How about a special edition Pixel 3 where one part of it’s painted? You can call it, “half-finished red,” or something, and it’ll suit the phone perfectly.

We want more people to buy the Google Pixel 3, but it is in danger of being passed over in favor of more attractive options, by those who aren’t really aware of its major selling points. It’s unfortunate Google has decided to take one of the most hated phone design trends of the last year, the notch, and shove it down our throats. Notch-haters turning towards the Pixel 3 can enjoy the bezels instead.

It’s too late for the Pixel 3, but perhaps with the Pixel 4, Google will get 100 percent of the design right.

The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not reflect the beliefs of Digital Trends.

Editors’ Recommendations

• The best Android phones of 2018
• Oppo Find X review
• Samsung Galaxy Note 9 vs. Galaxy S9 Plus vs. Galaxy S9: Which is right for you?
• Google Pixel 3 XL hands-on review
• Google Pixel 3 hands-on review

Essential is reportedly building an A.I.-powered phone that mimics its user

It looks like the Essential Phone is getting a successor. According to a new report from Bloomberg, Essential has begun work on a new phone that will use artificial intelligence that mimics the user to perform tasks like automatically respond to messages.

It seems as though Essential is working full steam ahead on the new project — in fact, it has reportedly paused development on things like a planned home speaker and potentially some other products in order to put its focus on the new phone.

Even the design of the new phone would be totally different than other smartphones, according to the report. It will reportedly have a small screen, and the user will mostly interact with it through voice controls, which will work with Essential’s own artificial intelligence software. In other words, the device will aim to be more of a digital assistant than any phone before it.

It all sounds a bit sci-fi, but that’s apparently the point. Andy Rubin, co-founder of Android and founder of Essential Products, is reportedly trying to build a device that “captures people’s imagination” by being something that’s totally different from the competition.

Of course, Essential has a long road ahead of it. Currently, the consumer A.I. space is dominated by the likes of Google, Amazon, and Apple, but even the assistants from those companies sometimes fail, forcing the user to manually perform the task they’re asking the assistant to do. With a phone that has only a small display, manually doing tasks may be much harder. The new device, however, could be targeted at those who want to spend less time using their phones.

So when will we see Essential’s new device? Essential reportedly aims to have the first prototype ready by the end of the year, but it’s unlikely consumers will see what that prototype looks like. According to the Bloomberg report, Essential is aiming to show the device off to industry partners at the Consumer Electronics Show in January in Las Vegas — though consumers probably won’t see the device until well into 2019.

Even when Essential does eventually release the new device, there’s no guarantee that it will sell — and if it doesn’t, this could be one of the last devices we see from Essential.

Editors’ Recommendations

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• Apple AirPods 2: Everything we know

Ultra-bright LEDs give us a glimpse of all that space junk orbiting Earth

Whether it’s electronic waste from old gadgets that are thrown into landfill sites or the enormous amounts of plastic in our oceans, there is a big problem with pollution on Earth. Unfortunately, the fact that this continues to be an issue, despite its visibility, shows how tougher it is to raise awareness. Imagine how much tougher it is, therefore, to make people aware of the pollution that they can’t see — such as the 29,000 pieces of human-made debris currently orbiting our planet. These rocket parts, non-functioning satellites and other pieces of space detritus pose a number of problems, including presenting a risk to orbiting spacecraft and satellites.

To help people realize just what an issue this is, Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde has come up with an eye-catching, attention-grabbing installation. The so-called “Phase” project involves shining ultra-powerful LEDs into the sky to pinpoint the individual pieces of space junk as they whiz past Earth at speeds of up to 17,500 mph.

“The Space Waste Lab wants to upcycle the 8.1 million kilo of space waste currently in space,” Roosegaarde told Digital Trends. “Phase is the real-time visualizing of space waste above your head. We receive the tracking information of space agencies of 29,000 particles larger than 10 cm. Special software including safety aviation regulation guides the large LED lines, so the moment the two lines meet in the top, [we know] that is where the space waste is. It creates a mesmerizing experience, these huge lines of light scanning the universe for junk.”

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Roosegaarde’s work only seeks to highlight the problem, not to remove the space junk, although this is something that other groups — including NASA — are actively trying to carry out. Once the waste has been removed, Roosegaarde told us that he believes it can be upcycled to create new products, such as 3D-printable materials.

The LED installation is currently being displayed in the Netherlands, where it will be viewable until January 19. It is accompanied by a dedicated lab space showing real space waste. After this, it will travel on to Luxembourg, and then on to the United States. Unless the problem has been sorted out by then, we guess!

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Apple acquisition points to possibility of easy background removal in photos

A recent Apple investment could make it possible for iPhones to easily separate the background and the subject from photos and video. A recent report by a Danish newspaper suggests that Apple acquired Spektral, a company focusing on green screen-like effects without the green screen, back in December 2017. Apple has not yet confirmed or commented on the report (the company rarely comments on acquisitions).

According to Fortune, Spektral gots its start working on software to digitally swap out backgrounds using a technique similar to the popular green screen. A few years later, however, and the company’s engineers moved on to machine learning that could cut out people without requiring that green screen.

Spektral, which originally started as CloudCutout allowing for background swaps in school photos, eventually moved onto to removing the background from product photos, and then, in 2016, cutting out video without requiring extra gear like that green screen. The company says the algorithms can cut out video in real time.

Spektral’s website suggests that smartphones are next. “In the beginning of 2017 we have been working fiercely without algorithms on getting this cool technology available on a smartphone and thereby enabling anyone and anywhere to create mixed reality content.”

The report suggests the acquisition happened for more than $30 million. Without a confirmation from Apple, exactly what the integration of Spektral technology means is speculation. Looking at the company’s statements on the website in bringing mixed reality to smartphones makes the integration easy to imagine as expansion for Apple’s augmented reality, however. 

If Apple has the technology to cut out a person from any scene in real time, it’s easy to imagine importing yourself into an augmented reality world instead of bringing imaginary objects into yours. Spektral’s products also cut out the background from product photos, which could serve useful for further development of AR shopping experiences that allow you to place the object in your own home, as Fortune suggests.

Spectral isn’t the first exploring background removal from a mobile device. Google announced testing for a tool to remove backgrounds for video earlier this year. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Adobe, and Microsoft also recently worked together to separate the background in images around fine edges using machine learning.

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These Are The Official Cases for the Google Pixel 3 lineup

The Pixel 3 and 3 XL have arrived, and similar to last year, Google’s got a solid selection of official cases that are launching alongside its two new phones. If you’re looking to protect your Pixel 3, these are among the top cases that should be on your shortlist.

Soft and lovely

Google Fabric Case

Google’s fabric case was one of the best you could buy for the Pixel 2 last year, and with the Pixel 3, that point holds true once again. The case costs $40 for both the 3 and 3 XL and is available in Carbon, Indigo, Fog, and Pink Moon.

$40 at Google Store

Fully customizable

Google My Case

Want a case that’s as unique as you? With Google’s My Case, you can create a fully customizable case with either your own photos, a Google Maps view of a certain location, or different designs from a collection of artists.

$50 at Google Store

Leather luxury

Bellroy Leather Case

$45 at Google Store

Bellroy is known for expertly crafting exquisite leather goods, which is why Google has teamed up with them yet again this year for their premium leather cases. Made using “gold-rated LWG tannery leather”, this thin leather case comes in three beautiful colors and perfectly hugs every curve of your Pixel 3.

Up your camera game

Moment Photo Case

The Pixel 3 already has an incredible camera, but with the Moment Photo Case, you can make it even better. The case itself offers basic protection, but once it’s installed, you can attach any of Moment’s camera lenses. This bundle comes with the case and a wide-angle lens.

$130 at Google Store

Looking good

Sonix Clear Coat Case

This case from Sonix lets some of your Pixel 3 shine through while dressing it up with one of three unique patterns. You’ve got ruggedized 360-degree protection, precise cutouts for everything, and a price tag that won’t hurt your wallet too much.

$35 at Google Store

Clearly durable

Incipio Under Armor Protect Verge

Incipio’s case combines a great clear design with super-durable protection on all fronts. The tough rubber bumper surrounding your phone offers more than enough coverage from drops, falls, and more.

$40 at Google Store

12-feet of protection

Tech21 Evo Check

If you’re a real butterfingers and need something that’ll guard your Pixel 3 against just about anything, the Tech21 Evo Check is a great fit. It’s rated to keep your phone safe from up to a 12-foot drop and does so without adding any unnecessary bulk.

$40 at Google Store

Wallet case

Bellroy Leather Phone Wallet

Combine your phone and wallet into one with Bellroy’s wallet case! Made out of genuine leather, this case has a flip cover that houses secret compartments for your cards, a SIM removal tool, and more.

$89 at Google Store

Toughest there is

OtterBox Defender Series Screenless Edition

For people that are really, really bad at always dropping their phones, we recommend getting the OtterBox Defender for the Pixel 3. OtterBox ran the case through over 24 “rigorous assessments” over the course of 238 hours to make sure it can withstand anything. They’re not playing around.

$50 at Google Store

The Google Pixel 3 is shaping up to be a fantastic device, and if you want to make it even better, one of these cases should help you do the trick. One of these cases isn’t necessarily better than the rest, so find what suits your taste/style the best and just go for it.

This desktop power station is simply a must-have

You seriously need one of these.

Amazon has the Legrand desktop mounted USB charging station on sale for $23.99, which is the lowest it’s ever sold for. This powerful charging accessory normally sells for around $30, and has even sold for as much as $37 recently. It has two fast-charging 3.1A USB ports, and two AC ports, allowing it to easily charge up to four devices at the same time. The design allows it to be seamlessly mounted to the back of just about any desk, and once installed it looks stunning.

It’s time to stop fumbling around and trying to reach behind your desk when you need to charge something, and install one of these. It comes with a six-foot power cord and the required screws to secure it to your desk. Every desk should have one of these, so if you don’t already have one you should stop what you’re doing, and buy one of these right now.

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Car code readers, mechanical keyboards, and more are discounted today

Whether you’re looking for new tech gear or household items, we’ve got you covered.

There’s never a shortage of deals available, but sorting through all of them can be difficult at times. We’ve handpicked all the best tech, and everyday essentials discounts that you can take advantage of right now and brought them to one central location. From Cooler Master mechanical keyboards to car code readers, these are today’s best deals.

Tech Deals

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Everyday Essentials

If you want to know about the deals as soon as they are happening, you’ll want to follow Thrifter on Twitter, and sign up for the newsletter, because missing out on a great deal stinks!

How to pre-install a pre-ordered PlayStation 4 game

Get ready to play on Day One.

Downloading games can take hours, especially if you have a slow internet connection. This isn’t ideal when the future is increasingly becoming digital and we want to jump into our games as quickly as possible. Luckily, we can pre-install games that we have pre-ordered on PlayStation 4 so we can start playing as soon as the game unlocks after its release. Here’s how to do just that.

How to pre-install pre-ordered games on PS4

From the home screen, scroll to your Library.

Navigate to the Purchased section.

Select the pre-ordered game that you want to pre-install.

At this point, you’ll see a page with a countdown timer. If the game supports pre-installation, it should automatically do so within about 48 hours before the game is set to launch.

How to enable automatic downloads

From the home screen, go to Settings.

Scroll down to System.

Select Automatic Downloads.

Make sure that Application Update Files is checked.

Even after your game is pre-installed, you will not be able to play it early before its official release. You’ll still need to wait until the game unlocks after its release date.

If you would like to do this process manually instead of having the game automatically download when available, follow the first set of steps again to do so about two days before the game’s launch if it is a title that supports pre-installation.

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