Tech Trends: A look into the latest dental and general technology on the market

Anker 100W USB-C Charger, 736 Charger ($75.99, Anker)

Many chargers for laptops and mobile devices use the same USB connections and cables but may not be created equal. It is especially important for owners to take note that when purchasing additional chargers, certain ones may not be able to provide enough power for their devices. Larger and heavier charger “bricks” supply more power but can be misleading when there are multiple ports to charge several devices simultaneously. The Anker 736 Charger provides a premium balance between portability and capability that will satisfy even the hungriest of power users.

The Anker 736 Charger is remarkably small and can charge up to 100W through either one of its two USB-C ports. The latest Gallium Nitride (GaN) II technology makes it 34% smaller compared to an Apple 96W charger. It has two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, and the power prongs can fold into the charger for a sleek compact profile. When a single USB-C port is used, the charger provides a full 100W of power to the connected device. When two or three ports are used, the charger provides various power profiles that deliver up to a total of 100W simultaneously to devices. The charger can provide full power to a single 14-inch MacBook Pro or a combination of a 13-inch MacBook Pro, 12.9-inch iPad Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max at the same time. The build quality is solid and remains cool to the touch while in use. This charger can also be used for devices requiring more power through a single USB-C port but will supply up to a maximum of 100W. Anker’s PowerIQ 3.0 technology is built-in and ensures that every device connected receives the fastest charging speed possible. Currently, there is no comparison for a charger that provides this amount of versatility in a portable form factor.

When looking to purchase additional device chargers , users must choose the right one for their needs. It is common for users to carry separate charging bricks that travel with multiple devices. Those looking to maximize charging capabilities while minimizing bulk will be amazingly satisfied with the Anker 736 Charger.

— Hubert Chan, DDS

Poly Blackwire 8225 USB Headset ($189.95, Poly)

Headsets have been an office staple for decades. Innumerable innovations have been incorporated into this technology so that users can clearly and comfortably communicate even in the most disruptive of environments. With an ever-increasing reliance on conferencing and a shift to open concept offices, practitioners and their staff are motivated to seek out reliable headsets that can filter out environmental noise, isolate their voices from others in the room and “just work” when needed. Poly — the amalgamation of audio communication mainstays Plantronics and Polycom — has a host of solutions, one of the most popular being the Blackwire 8225 headset. This review focuses on the USB-A, Microsoft Team compatible version of the 8225.

Poly describes the Blackwire 8225 as a “headset designed to blow minds.” From a comfort perspective, it reaches this lofty goal by being lightweight (144 g), fully adjustable with pivoting speakers and sporting a pair of soft ear covers. Construction feels flimsy due to the pivoting speakers and the USB cable length hovers in an in-between of too long and not long enough (7 feet), but neither quality detract significantly from the device. The 8225 utilizes two forms of active noise canceling: first on the speakers to block out unwanted noise for the user, then second on the microphone to form an “acoustic fence” that stops conversations from bleeding into the microphone. Both features are adjustable via the Poly application, and even without adjustment, they do an excellent job of isolating sound. Two people can have a spirited conversation directly next to the 8225 user and none of their voices will distract from the call in any way. The 8225 has a dongle that controls volume, noise canceling, muting and disconnecting. For practitioners considering a headset either for themselves or their staff, Poly’s Blackwire 8225 represents an excellent option owing to its impeccable sound quality, comfort and price point.

— Alexander Lee, DMD