Customers and keyboard makers get another Cherry keyswitch option-- the MX RGB Nature White, a linear switch with actuation force of 55g but without an audible or tactile pressure point.

Cherry White switches are feel similar to the MX Black and Red switches much favoured by enthusiasts and gamers, sitting between the two switches in terms of pressure required to register a keypress (for the curious, the MX Black requires 60g, while the MX Red demands 45g). The switch features Gold Crosspoint technology, is self-cleaning, has a short bounce time for fast typing and is rated for over 50 million keystrokes.

Customers asking for a hardware-based means for typing in emoji get their wish granted with the EmojiWorks Keyboard-- a full QWERTY keyboard with easy access to favourite emoji.

Each key on the Emojiworks Keyboard includes an emoji as well as a letter, and a press of a dedicated shortcut key types the character(s) in question. It features many popular emoji, including poop, thumbs up, unicorn head, taco, heart and a series of faces. A skin tone changer is also included to take advantage of recent diversity improvements.

The keyboard supports Mac, Windows and iOS devices via Bluetooth, and is available in 3 versions-- standard (has quick access to 47 emoji), Plus (94) and Pro (120). Users need to install companion software to actually take advantage of such capabilities, of course.

Accessory maker Satechi presents a USB Type-C hub solution for the 12-inch Retina MacBook-- the Type-C Hub Adapter, a means to add a three USB 3.0 Type-a ports, Micro SD card slot and SD cards slot.

The adapter sits flush with the MacBook, and fits easily in a purse, backpack or laptop bag. It requires no driver installation, and is available in colours matching the Retina Macbook, namely gunmetal, silver and gold.

Google engineer Benson Leung has a somewhat unusual mission-- to test the many 3rd party USB Type-C cables available on the market] in order to let people know of the risks involved with such cables.

Leung worked on Google's recent Pixel devices, and insists many recently launched USB-C cables are actually not suitable for laptop or mobile device use. How come?Such cables might not be properly wired for laptop charging or fail to accurately identify power sources, leading to laptop, USB hub or charger damage.

"USB Type-C will only be as good as its ecosystem, and more specifically, the worst of its ecosystem," Leung writes.