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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: 2) by Adrian Harvey on Thursday April 03 2014, @11:10AM
Yes, I shortened my opinion to save on typing :-). I get that it's compatible, and that engineering limitations will have forced them in to design compromises, but as a result of those compromises:
1. It's no longer micro (as in smaller than USB2 mini)
2. It's relatively fragile (in my experience)
3. It's not that easy to use the backwards compatibility as you have to carefully put the older cable into one half of the socket.
All of these make it a poor choice for (to name one use) a mobile phone charge/sync cable. Apple doesn't do USB3 yet, so a reversible connector with fast sync would give the others a jump up.
To some extent all the B type connectors chose an interesting route to adding extra connectors compared to the A type connectors. I can see why fitting extra pads into a micro connector might be a difficult job, but it's sad that the full size B couldn't be a clean upgrade too. I suspect that the cables being different already, a new connector was seen as not so bad.