At Last, USB Plug To Be Reversible

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At Last, USB Plug To Be Reversible

engine

5:12 pm on Dec 4, 2013 (gmt 0)

It's about time the humble, yet versatile USB connection saw some physical development.

Compatibility is going to be the big problem, and I foresee adaptors being the order of the day for some time to come.

Work has begun on a new generation of USB that will break compatibility with existing connectors in order to improve ease of use and allow for thinner devices. The new connector, called Type-C, is an addition to the existing USB 3.1 specification and is expected to be finalized by the middle of 2014. There aren't any images available yet, but Type-C will be around the size of a Micro USB plug and, like Apple's Lightning connector, will finally be reversible — in other words, no more frustrated attempts to charge your phone with an upside-down cable.At Last, USB Plug To Be Reversible [theverge.com]

Swanny007

7:55 pm on Dec 4, 2013 (gmt 0)

Apple's Lightning connector changed everything. Simple, small, reversible, no pins to get bent, it was genius. It's nice to see USB going this direction too, as I can't tell you how many times I've tried plugging an accessory in in a poorly lit room only to fail the first time. Hurray!

bill

4:21 am on Dec 5, 2013 (gmt 0)

Good time to invest in the old --> new USB plug adapter market. ;)

J_RaD

4:47 pm on Dec 9, 2013 (gmt 0)

I've tried plugging an accessory in in a poorly lit room only to fail the first time

and the 2nd time...and the 3rd time...

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Swanny007

3:48 am on Dec 10, 2013 (gmt 0)

Yes J_RaD it has taken 3-4 tries sometimes. I really don't know why but that could explain it.

brotherhood of LAN

4:06 am on Dec 10, 2013 (gmt 0)

It's amazing things like this are only coming to fruition... given all the investment in time and money that goes into comp science/IT/anything to do with 'puters.

If they save more time/effort than the few seconds of twiddling with the cable cost then it sounds like progress ;o)

J_RaD

2:49 pm on Dec 12, 2013 (gmt 0)

i kinda don't understand what the big deal is... all the other cables in your life only go in 1 way....all the way down to the plug in your wall.

not sure how a 1st try USB cable is going to transform my life :-P

Swanny007

5:10 pm on Dec 12, 2013 (gmt 0)

It's amazing things like this are only coming to fruition... given all the investment in time and money that goes into comp science/IT/anything to do with 'puters.

This is why I love my iMac, they thought about the experience from the start. I like the lack of cables and loud fans, high quality screen, ease of use, etc.

J_RaD

8:48 pm on Dec 12, 2013 (gmt 0)

its a laptop board shoved behind a screen...... see if you can figure out how to pull the back off for a simple ram or HD upgrade.

:-)

phranque

3:22 am on Dec 13, 2013 (gmt 0)

why don't they just design a plug that is obviously keyed for which is the right direction and goes in the right way on the first try?

Swanny007

4:43 am on Dec 13, 2013 (gmt 0)

why don't they just design a plug that is obviously keyed for which is the right direction and goes in the right way on the first try?

Yeah USB really wasn't ideal from day 1. Functionally USB is great but the shape was a fail.

phranque

7:03 am on Dec 13, 2013 (gmt 0)

right - if they design a reversible plug as bad as the current usb plug it will still take 3 tries.