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Intel has released a rendering of the new USB Type C connector, which is reversible so no more jokes about "USB cables exist in the fourth dimension". The new connector is smaller than the Type A connector that we're all used to seeing on our desktops and laptops and looks to be slightly larger than the micro-B connector found on most smart phones and tablets.
From the article:
Unlike today's USB connectors, which requires a user to correctly orient the plug, USB 3.1 Type-C cable is reversible. Initially, the USB 3.1 Type-C specification will support up to 10Gbps data transfer speeds.
The Type-C connector and cable will support scalable power charging in order to grow with future USB bus performance requirements. The first iteration will have a 5 volt power transfer rate, but that is expected to deliver up to 100 watts for higher power applications.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Hairyfeet on Thursday April 03 2014, @07:47AM
So its the same speed as USB 3, yet breaks backwards compatibility so nothing that I own will actually work with the thing? Wel let me say...how about NO Intel, how about that? If a user is so damned dumb they can't plug a one way plug in the right way frankly they shouldn't be using outlets (one way for 100+ years) much less a computer and if the ONLY thing you can bring to the table is the breaking of a standard that works so well that you can take a USB 1.0 device and plug it into a USB 3.0 port without even having to wonder if it'll work? Sorry but that is worthless, please move along.
I only hope like Firewire and that thunderport or whatever its called you cooked up with Apple it gets duly ignored by the OEMs, no OEMs no port.
(Score: 3, Informative) by githaron on Thursday April 03 2014, @08:35AM
The more important feature is the new power options. Right now, a lot of tablets can not power off your computer's USB because the standard's power output is too low. They end up making non-standard cords that must use a wall-based charger.
(Score: 2) by morgauxo on Thursday April 03 2014, @09:37AM
I love the idea of a reversible cable. No, I'm not dumb. I usually go to bed after my wife. The last thing I do is place my phone on a stand next to the bed and plug it in. I try to do it in the dark without disturbing her. I think a reversible connector might help.
As for obsoleting standards and all that, I do understand your concern. At least it's only a mechanical change, not an electrical one. How hard is an adapter?
Personally I would like to see one new connector standard. I want something with HDMI plus USB OTG but unlike MHL I want it to do both at the SAME TIME! Better yet, keep them separate connectors but standardize their orientation in relation to one another and the distance between them. Then plugs could be made that do both while still maintaining the ability to use them separately.
(Score: 2, Funny) by middlemen on Thursday April 03 2014, @09:50AM
I do it in the dark with your wife too but before you go to bed...
(Score: 2) by Grishnakh on Thursday April 03 2014, @11:07AM
What I want to know is: why the heck did it take them this long to standardize on a reversible connector for USB? OK, I'll give them a pass for USB1.0, and maybe 1.1, but after that when USB started getting used for everything, and people complained about how it only goes in one way, but the rectangular shell doesn't make it obvious which way, they should have made a reversible connector for the newer standards. Instead, we went through the mini, micro, 2.0, and 3.0 connectors/standards before we finally got here, over the course of about 2 decades.
(Score: 2) by tangomargarine on Thursday April 03 2014, @11:57AM
Or hell, just add a bit of plastic filler to the sides of the plug "casing" (or whatever you call it) so the whole plug assembly is trapezoidal like the microUSB plug. Then standardize on devices "narrow side = up or to the right."
A Discordian is Prohibited of Believing what he reads.
(Score: 0) by contrapunctus on Thursday April 03 2014, @02:23PM
Because they saw the lightning connector and facepalmed.
(Score: 2) by Grishnakh on Thursday April 03 2014, @02:36PM
Or, why didn't they just make a non-rectangular connector to begin with? The original FireWire connector wasn't rectangular; it was plainly obvious which way it went in (and trying to insert it backwards wouldn't work, nor would it damage the connector).
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 12 2014, @12:47PM
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(Score: 2) by Tork on Thursday April 03 2014, @02:35PM
I'm one of those 'so damned dumb' people. I cannot plugin a USB cable without trying three times.
Slashdolt logic: 1600 x 1200 > 1920 x 1200