News - Reversible USB Type-C connector revealed by Foxconn

[HEXUS]

Smaller connector, facilitating less fumbling, is on the way.

Read more.

[Ttaskmaster]

"unnecessarily complicated in that there are two different kinds of ends and both ends need to be orientated correctly as you fumble around behind your PC"

Really?
THIS is what people think is complicated (let alone 'unnecessarily complicated')??!!
We can no longer cope with matching the right shaped block to the right shaped hole, despite it being a skill most of us learn from the Fisher Price toys we had at 6 months old... ??!!

Anyway, I thought this was why we also have front USB ports, where you can see what you're doing...

[lumireleon]

"unnecessarily complicated in that there are two different kinds of ends and both ends need to be orientated correctly as you fumble around behind your PC"

Really?
THIS is what people think is complicated (let alone 'unnecessarily complicated')??!!
We can no longer cope with matching the right shaped block to the right shaped hole, despite it being a skill most of us learn from the Fisher Price toys we had at 6 months old... ??!!

Anyway, I thought this was why we also have front USB ports, where you can see what you're doing...

Laptops and many other equipment makers must start using this standard now! 2015 is just too far away.

[jimbouk]

I thought the biggest reason was that micro USB 3 type B was a horrid cable:

[herulach]

Really?
THIS is what people think is complicated (let alone 'unnecessarily complicated')??!!
We can no longer cope with matching the right shaped block to the right shaped hole, despite it being a skill most of us learn from the Fisher Price toys we had at 6 months old... ??!!

Anyway, I thought this was why we also have front USB ports, where you can see what you're doing...

It nearly always takes me 3 goes to connect a USB connector, although mini is easier as it has an easier visual indication of orientation. You're right, unneccessarily complicated is a stretch, but since theres no reason for it to be a fixed orientation, why make it one?

[crossy]

It nearly always takes me 3 goes to connect a USB connector, although mini is easier as it has an easier visual indication of orientation. You're right, unneccessarily complicated is a stretch, but since theres no reason for it to be a fixed orientation, why make it one?

Agree - it's pretty frustrating to try and fiddle around the back of machine with a tight USB plug, only to find that that the correct way was the first one you tried. And no "but you should know which way around the plug is" comments - I've got cases etc where some of the ports are effectively upside-down.

An orientation-neutral cable - and especially one that doesn't have a "right" end like current USB cables do - would remove that unnecessary frustration in one sweep.

[devBunny]

I only hope that the smaller connector is as capable of bearing weight as the standard one. I have a USB thumb drive sticking out of my PC which I use to hang up my headphones while they're charging. ;o)

[slipthemonkey]

[QUOTE=herulach;7004]

It nearly always takes me 3 goes to connect a USB connector, although mini is easier as it has an easier visual indication of orientation. You're right, unneccessarily complicated is a stretch, but since theres no reason for it to be a fixed orientation, why make it one?

That is because USB connectors exist in the same realm of physics as quantum mechanics.

http://www.smbc-comics.com/?id=2388

[sykobee]

The only worry I have about the new design is the tiny tongue in the port. It looks like a prime candidate for getting damaged, and as it's going to be part of the laptop/phone it's going to be hard to fix. Admittedly micro-usb ports are like this too, so it's not like the situation is getting worse, but I think Apple did it right with Lightning's form factor.

[azrael-]

"...another nice feature of the new plug will be an audible click when it is correctly inserted..."

I'll just leave that there for a bit...

Other than that the new connector/plug/whatchamacallit is actually pretty cool.

[satrow]

So, 20 years to improve on a mediocre connector, that's what I call progress

[Agent]

I thought the biggest reason was that micro USB 3 type B was a horrid cable:

It's actually quite a smart design. You can use a micro USB 2 cable with it, just not get the usb3 speeds

[3dcandy]

I agree with the above - got a Note 3 and it's fine

[crossy]

[QUOTE=slipthemonkey;3244901]

That is because USB connectors exist in the same realm of physics as quantum mechanics.

http://www.smbc-comics.com/?id=2388

Exactly! (or rather )

I thought you were alluding to some perverse combination of the Uncertainty Principle crossed with Murphy's/Sod's Law. So the connector only assumes an orientation when observed (U.P.) and that orientation will be the opposite from that which you require/thought-initially (M./S. L.)

[djfluff]

[mack_5991]

i hope i will never have to check what way a usb is facing ever again... shut up and take my money!