Elecom's New Touch-LED Cables Illuminate Dark Ports

Elecom touch-LED cables
(Image credit: Elecom)

Electronic gadgets and accessories maker Elecom has launched some flashy new cables with built-in LED lighting. The company will start selling these USB-C and Apple Lightning cables, which have touch-activated LED tips, in late July. 

Before you roll your eyes — these are not just more RGB-infused PC peripherals. The LED lighting present here is functional, and serves to solve a common problem: Not being able to see the connector port you're trying to plug the cable into (in a dark room, or behind a desk, for example). Also, the lighting isn't RGB, it's monochromatic. 

Elecom touch-LED cables

(Image credit: Elecom)

In a press release announcing the cables, Elecom says the tip of the cable connector lights up when touched to make it easy to insert into a port. When you release the cable, the light goes out. The light doesn't offer any secondary functionality, such as signaling charging or data transfer.

The company is kicking off its range of touch-LED cables with just two products. Both have a USB-A connector at one end — which has no LED lighting — and feature either a touch-LED USB-C connector or a touch-LED Apple Lightning connector at the other end. Both cables are 1.2 meters (3.9 ft) long and are capable of both charging and data transfer. 

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Elecom MPA-ACT12

Elecom MPA-UALT12

Type

USB Type-C

Apple Lightning

Charging

up to 15W (5V / 3A)

Up to 12W (5V / 2.4A)

Data transfer

up to 480 Mbps

MFi certification, so data transfers work

Length

1.2m

1.2m

Colors

Black or white

Black or white

(Image credit: Elecom)

According to Hermitage Akihabara, the cables will be available in Japan toward the end of July and will come in black and white. The USB-C cable will cost approximately $15.75 (including tax), while the Apple Lightning cable will cost approximately $19.40 (including tax). 

At the moment we don't have any details on when the cables will be available in the U.S., but Elecom sells its products worldwide — so these cables should find a route west via outlets such as Amazon, soon.

Mark Tyson
News Editor

Mark Tyson is a news editor at Tom's Hardware. He enjoys covering the full breadth of PC tech; from business and semiconductor design to products approaching the edge of reason.

  • Aaron Priest
    Brilliant!
    Reply
  • JimboCA
    Maybe something that delivers more power in the USB C form factor would be a nice addition. I've had light up cables and they are fun and handy
    Reply