:

WHATCABLE IDENTIFIES USB-C SPECS FROM YOUR MAC

INDUSTRY DESK1 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

■ MORE FROM THE HARDWARE DESK

Solar installer Sunrun is piloting a program that pays residential customers hundreds of dollars monthly to use their rooftop solar and battery systems as AI computing infrastructure.

8H AGOAI Desk

Chipset makers and router manufacturers are preparing Wi-Fi 8, the next wireless standard promising faster speeds and lower latency. Here's what we know about the technology and its timeline.

8H AGOAI Desk

Intel is investing €5 billion ($5.7 billion) to expand its manufacturing facility in Ireland as the chipmaker races to secure its position in the AI semiconductor market.

13H AGOAI Desk

Samsung Electronics has moved up the timeline for its first South Korean chipmaking facility in Yongin, targeting operations to begin by 2029 instead of 2030 or 2031.

15H AGOAI Desk

■ SUBSCRIBE TO THE DAILY BRIEF

ONE EMAIL, 5 STORIES, 06:00 UTC. UNSUBSCRIBE ANYTIME.