The Technology That Inspired ALOGIC In 2021

ALOGIC celebrated many milestones in 2021.

One of our favourite achievements was helping households live their best lifestyles, even in a global pandemic.

We were equally pleased to develop electronics to support schools and businesses too.

We're excited to expand our premium range of IT peripherals, consumer electronics, and mobility products in innovative new ways in 2022.

But first, a last look at the standout technology we were most inspired to work with in 2021.

The Rapid Rise of Thunderbolt 4

Thunderbolt 4 is mainstreaming fast.

In case you missed it, we helped demystify Thunderbolt 4 in a previous blog this year.

Thunderbolt 4, Intel's connectivity interface, supports up to two 4K@60Hz DisplayPort or HDMI monitors [when connected to a compatible dock or adapter]. It also connects directly with Thunderbolt-designated monitors.

Thunderbolt 4 technology supports large external storage, and Thunderbolt 4 device users can transfer large volumes of data in seconds [its 40Gbps data transfer speeds are eight times faster than USB 3.0].

Homes and workplaces can with Thunderbolt 4 capability can fast-charge host devices such as MacBook or Windows laptops with up to 100W power delivery too.

ALOGIC's Thunderbolt 4 Docks in 2021

In 2021, Thunderbolt 4 was a fundamental feature in some of our flagship docks.

Our Thunderbolt 4 BLAZE Hub and Thunderbolt 4 BLAZE Docking Station were our firsts to feature three Thunderbolt 4 ports.

As US business publication Forbes stated of the BLAZE docks in December:

 

"The BLAZE Dock and Hub both make full use of the speed and performance offered by Thunderbolt 4 ports and can interface with a full range of modern laptops. The BLAZE Dock is compatible with the latest Thunderbolt 4-enabled MacBooks.

"However, it's also compatible with Thunderbolt 3, USB4 and USB-C, providing comprehensive connectivity for many modern laptops and future-proofing for anyone intending to upgrade to a Thunderbolt 4 laptop soon." – Forbes

 

Today's professional content creators depend on the power and speed of Thunderbolt 4 docks such as the BLAZE models for increasingly weighty multimedia activity.

This includes everything from video conferencing, livestreaming events, multimedia collaboration, and large file sharing.

In 2021, Apple publicised Thunderbolt 4 in a big way when it launched its M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pros.

In a sign of the times, Apple's new MacBook Pros and Microsoft's new Surface Pro 8 both incorporate Thunderbolt 4 and eschewed USB-A ports altogether.

As we see the continued proliferation of Thunderbolt 4 cables, docking stations, laptops and displays in the market, our designers are excited to continue to leverage the potential of Thunderbolt 4 in our products in 2022.

GaN Power

GaN technology was the beating heart in the Rapid Power wall charger range we launched in 2021.

GaN "Gallium Nitride" technology is a crystal-like next-generation semiconductor material that out-performs silicon for a few reasons:

 

1. GaN puts out less heat. Consequently, components in GaN chargers safely live closer together. ALOGIC's engineers and designers can develop smaller chargers as a result.

2. ALOGIC can also build tinier chargers because its GaN chargers need fewer component parts.

 

In technologies that need to be portable for maximum convenience, GaN especially excels.

At ALOGIC, we have adopted GaN technology to jettison some big headaches traditionally associated with device charging. Namely, slow charging speeds and bulky charging devices.

Chargers in the Rapid Power range are capable of speedily charging small and medium-sized devices, such as phones and tablets, with a power source that's a fraction the size of other chargers.

Thanks to GaN technology, they are highly adept at plugging into power outlets in cramped spaces and occupying minimal space in laptop bags and backpacks.

Other chargers in the range, such as the powerhouse Rapid Power 4x100, feature four ports for smartphones, tablets and even laptops.

According to 9to5Mac, the Rapid Power range is a great option for Apple device users of iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks, too:

 

"These rapid chargers from ALOGIC are a great option for being able to get the fastest possible charge from your Apple products," the publication said, "and the compact design of these chargers makes it all the more easy to use at home and on the go." – 9to5Mac

 

ALOGIC's designers and engineers are refining the way we work with GaN technology to introduce new iterations of GaN chargers.

In 2022, we're excited to be developing new chargers that will take the benefits of GaN charging even further.

Wireless Charging

The MagSpeed 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Station and the MagSpeed 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station were some of the headline acts in our wireless charger range for 2021.

Both chargers reduce cable clutter, cut cable costs, and make the tactile act of charging easier than ever. To connect a USB device such as a smartphone to a wired charger, mobile phone users need two hands. To connect a smartphone with the MagSpeed wireless chargers, they place their device on the charger pad with one [no extra cables needed].

In our last blog, we highlighted wireless charging is becoming increasingly popular as leading charging standard consortiums develop new ways to make wireless charging solutions safer, more efficient, and faster.

The Wireless Power Consortium [WPC], alone, certifies more than 100 new Qi products per month [Qi is the standard for charging mobile devices wirelessly]. It already delivers up to 15W charging power, and that number will rise even further in the future.

As of 2021, however, one of the big boons for wireless charging has been MagSafe, Apple's magnetic charging technology.

Apple's iPhone 12 and 13 models are the first iPhones to feature MagSafe technology, making them the first iPhone models to receive wireless charging up to 15W – that's double the 7.5W-maximum charge iPhones 8-11 received through Qi wireless charging.

ALOGIC's MagSpeed 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stations are both MagSafe-compatible chargers.

We designed them with the capability to quickly wirelessly charge Apple devices including iPhones, Apple Watches and Airpods Pro.

The MagSpeed 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Station charges iPhone 12/13 and Airpods/AirPods Pro wirelessly. The MagSafe-compatible MagSpeed 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station wirelessly powers your iPhone 12/13, Apple Watch [all models], and Airpods/Airpords Pro.

The MagSpeed chargers join a wider wireless charging eco-system that also features Apple's rapidly expanding range of MagSafe-compatible devices. This extends beyond Apple Watches, AirPods, and iPhones to also include MagSafe-enabled cases and covers, sleeves, wallets, and wireless chargers.

In 2022, ALOGIC will be building on the success we had with our wireless charging range in 2021.

We look forward to announcing new wireless chargers with even more possibilities.

What technology were you most excited about in 2021? What technology are you most excited about in 2022? We'd love to know in the comments below.