WHATCABLE IDENTIFIES USB-C SPECS FROM YOUR MAC

INDUSTRY DESK■ 1 MIN READ

SAT, MAY 2, 2026

■ AI-SUMMARIZED FROM 1 SOURCE ▸ TIMELINE

A new open-source menu bar app instantly reveals what any USB-C cable can actually do, eliminating the guesswork of indistinguishable cables with vastly different capabilities.

WhatCable solves a practical problem: USB-C cables look identical but vary wildly in function. One might deliver 5W of power while another handles 100W and Thunderbolt 4 speeds. The app plugs into macOS's menu bar and leverages data your Mac already accesses to identify cable specifications. Users simply connect a cable and receive a plain-English breakdown: charging wattage, data transfer speeds, display output support, and Thunderbolt compatibility. Built with Swift and SwiftUI, WhatCable is free and open source. The developer emphasizes no tracking or telemetry. The project is available on GitHub at darrylmorley/whatcable, inviting community contributions. The tool targets a genuine frustration point for Mac users managing multiple USB-C accessories.

■ SOURCES

► Hacker News

■ SUMMARY WRITTEN BY AI FROM THE LINKS ABOVE

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WHATCABLE IDENTIFIES USB-C SPECS FROM YOUR MAC

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