Latest USB Type-C authentication specification will protect users from faulty cables

The USB Implementers Forum are finally working on a USB Type-C specification that will make Benson Leung's work a thing of the past. Benson Leung is a Google engineer and he's put a considerable amount of time and effort into testing and reviewing the various USB Type-C cables available in the market today. Geeks the world over have taken note of his efforts and thanked him for it.The updated USB Type-C specifications will incorporate an authentication specification, reports AnandTech. The specification aims to detect faulty and uncertified USB Type-C cables and to block your device from interacting with them (for charging or data transfer). This authentication will occur immediately after a USB Type-C cable is connected, but will require newer, more expensive hardware to fully implement. This will further push up the price of certified USB cables.One might wonder why everyone is making such a big fuss about USB Type-C cables. They are, after all, USB cables. While USB Type-C does support faster speeds than any USB standard before it, the cable also delivers much higher power than any USB cable before it. USB Type-C's capability of transmitting 100W of power is what endears it so much to Apple's MacBook and a handful of other devices. As Uncle Ben always said, with great power comes great responsibility and that much power, if fed via a faulty USB Type-C cable, can fry your expensive hardware.All supported cables and devices adhering to the new specification will be able to identify the capabilities of the cable and connected device.