dongle

A dongle is a small piece of computer hardware that connects to a port on another device to provide it with additional functionality, or enable a pass-through to such a device that adds functionality.In computing, the term was initially synonymous with software protection dongles—a form of hardware digital rights management where a piece of software will only operate if a specified dongle—which typically contains a license key or some other cryptographic protection mechanism—is plugged into the computer while it is running.
The term has since been applied to other forms of devices with a similar form factor, such as:

adapters that convert ports to handle different types of connectors (such as DVI to VGA for displays, USB-to-serial data communication, and in modern computing, USB-C to other types of ports, and Mobile High-Definition Link),
USB wireless adapters for standards such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
USB flash drives (more commonly described as "USB stick" or "USB key")
small form-factor digital media players that plug into HDMI ports (most commonly described as a "media player dongle" or "media player stick")

View More On Wikipedia.org
  • 9

    Stuart Wright

    Administrator From Birmingham, UK
    • Messages
      2,369
    • Reaction score
      1,664
    • Points
      1,901
  • 2

    Gilles

    Standard Member From La Crique - France
    • Messages
      18
    • Reaction score
      18
    • Points
      9
  • 1

    micknomates

    Standard Member From Shirley
    • Messages
      12
    • Reaction score
      6
    • Points
      5
  • 1

    kaye

    Novice Member From Dudley, West Midlands
    • Messages
      2
    • Reaction score
      0
    • Points
      1
  • 1

    Andy Brooks

    Standard Member From glossop
    • Messages
      45
    • Reaction score
      29
    • Points
      21
  • 1

    Allybags

    Novice Member From Porthcawl, Wales
    • Messages
      6
    • Reaction score
      2
    • Points
      2
  • 1

    woolbon

    Novice Member From Aberdeen
    • Messages
      3
    • Reaction score
      0
    • Points
      1
  • 1

    kelloggs

    Established Member From grimsby
    • Messages
      70
    • Reaction score
      49
    • Points
      23
  • 1

    dragon2611

    Established Member From North East
    • Messages
      501
    • Reaction score
      273
    • Points
      126
  • 1

    Jto

    Prominent Member From Elstree
    • Messages
      1,161
    • Reaction score
      392
    • Points
      253
  • 1

    richie88

    Novice Member From Durham
    • Messages
      5
    • Reaction score
      2
    • Points
      2
  • 1

    yiznagar

    Novice Member From London
    • Messages
      4
    • Reaction score
      0
    • Points
      1
  • 1

    SiW80

    Established Member From Herts
    • Messages
      146
    • Reaction score
      80
    • Points
      48
  • 1

    mrg9999

    Established Member From Slough
    • Messages
      71
    • Reaction score
      50
    • Points
      37
  • 1

    Amos

    Standard Member From Anglesey
    • Messages
      9
    • Reaction score
      3
    • Points
      2
  • 1

    Cstef

    Standard Member From Belguim near Turnhout
    • Messages
      31
    • Reaction score
      26
    • Points
      10
  • 1

    boira

    Standard Member From Lleida (Catalonia)
    • Messages
      27
    • Reaction score
      33
    • Points
      12
  • 1

    Donal

    Standard Member From Ballymoney
    • Messages
      21
    • Reaction score
      7
    • Points
      9
  • 1

    Andy006

    Standard Member From South Chard, Somerset
    • Messages
      21
    • Reaction score
      6
    • Points
      8
  • 1

    powerfulx

    Established Member From australia
    • Messages
      169
    • Reaction score
      239
    • Points
      86
  • Back
    Top Bottom