I learned too much about USB docks and hubs

USB and Thunderbolt, dongles and docks

Plus: ChatGPT’s new version, a better Safari ad blocker, and a new way to secure your accounts.

Jared Newman   |   August 13, 2025

Hey there! I’m Jared Newman, a longtime tech journalist, and this is Advisorator, my weekly tech advice newsletter. Did someone share this newsletter with you? Sign up to get it every Tuesday.

You’re reading the free edition. This week I’ve got some news, tips, and deals for you, and an exclusive column for paying members at the end.

News in brief

ChatGPT’s new version: OpenAI updated ChatGPT last week with a new AI system it’s calling GPT-5. The company says it’s better at coding and writing, more helpful with health queries, less prone to making stuff up.

But not everyone’s thrilled about it. Some folks say it lacks the soul of the older GPT-4o, and it no longer lets you manually choose the underlying model for your queries, which may be as much a cost-cutting measure as a way to simplify the experience.

More notable reads:

Tip of the week

A better Safari ad blocker: uBlock Origin Lite is finally available for Apple’s Safari Browser on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. This is a powerful ad blocker with no ads or subscriptions, and it’s completely free.

Here’s how to set it up:

  • Install uBlock Origin Lite from the App Store.
  • Open the Settings app and head to Apps > Safari > Extensions > uBlock Origin Lite.
  • Turn on the “Allow Extension” toggle and set “All Websites” to “Allow.”

Now, when you visit a page in Safari, the extension should block all of its ads and trackers.

A couple notes:

  • If you see a “not supported by this version of Safari” error, you’ll need to update to iOS 18.6 or MacOS 15.6 to use the extension.
  • If you’re having trouble with pages not loading, tap the button in the right of your address bar, select “uBO Lite,” select “Open the dashboard,” then turn off “Enable strict blocking.”

As before, uBlock Origin Lite is also available for Chrome and its variants, while you can still install uBlock Origin proper for Firefox. What’s the difference? It’s complicated, but I explained the situation back in March.

Try these apps

Proton’s two-factor code manager: Proton Authenticator is a free app for storing two-factor authentication codes. Many apps and services let you set up these codes as an extra security measure, requiring you to enter them along with your password when logging in on a new device. Because you need an authenticator app to access these codes, it becomes much harder for hackers to break into your accounts, even if your passwords are compromised.

Proton’s new app is basically what Authy used to be: A free authenticator app that can sync your codes across devices. (To sync your codes with a Proton account, tap the gear icon in the app, then select “Sync between devices.”) If I wasn’t already managing two-factor codes in Bitwarden, this would be a no-brainer.

A plain but powerful timer: Here’s a fun thing: I’ve started contributing to my pal JR Raphael’s Cool Tools newsletter, which recommends a useful new app every week. I’ll be chipping in every few weeks or so. Check out my first write-up, which is all about a neat online timer called E.ggtimer, and consider subscribing to Cool Tools if you want more app recommendations from me, JR, and others.

Spend wisely

If you don’t have an Apple Card already, Apple’s currently offering a $75 sign-up credit after spending $75 with the card in the first 30 days. It’s not the largest bonus Apple’s offered—a deal in March offered $300 after spending $1,500 in 60 days—but you don’t have to spend much to get it.

I pretty much only use my Apple Card while traveling overseas, but it’s great for that, with no foreign transaction fees and no annual fees. If you check out with the card using Apple Pay on your phone, you get 2% cash back. (This guide explains Apple Pay vs. Apple Card in more detail.)

Other notable deals:

I learned too much about USB docks

Earlier this week, New York Times Wirecutter published my guide to the best Thunderbolt docks, and boy am I relieved that it’s done.

This is actually the second of two related guides I wrote for the site, the other covering the best USB hubs, and the process made a big mess of the little bar area in my basement. To streamline Wirecutter’s rigorous test procedures—and to spare my actual office from being overrun with dongles and docking stations—I set up a subterranean test bench with three external monitors, two laptops, four kinds of storage drives, and dozens of review units.

Testing USB hubs in my basement.

I’m not complaining, though. Putting these guides together taught me a lot about the differences between cheap hubs and expensive docks, plus all the unusual complexities that can arise when you try to plug a bunch of extra stuff into your computer.

Here the biggest things I learned along the way:

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Thanks for reading! Apologies for the late email today. I’m getting over some serious jetlag after visiting my aunt and uncle in England this past week, and I needed some extra time to put the usual polish on the newsletter. We’ll be back to the usual Tuesday late morning publishing schedule next week.

Until then,
Jared

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