No More Struggling: Next USB Connects Both Ways 

How many times have you tried to plug in a USB cable or device, only to be frustrated because you got the wrong orientation? In our household, we actually sometimes have a running tally that goes like this: USB – 5, Me – 0. Needless to say, I welcomed the Apple’s Lightning connector with open arms (except that they seem to have a manufacturing defect – but that’s a totally different story!).

If you have the same issues with USB connectors, then you’ll be just as happy as I am to hear that the next version will connect both ways!

Reversible is the nicer word, but what matters most is that however which way you plug in that connector, you won’t encounter the hassle of it not going in.

According to the USB 3.0 Promoter Group, the new connector is called Type-C and is built upon the existing USB 3.1 and USB 2.0 technologies. The new USB connector is still in the development stage, but we can expect it to be smaller and thinner – perhaps not unlike the micro USB connector we have today.

Additionaly key features of the Type-C connector are:

• An entirely new design tailored to work well with emerging product designs
• New smaller size – similar in size to the existing USB 2.0 Micro-B
• Usability enhancements – users will no longer need to be concerned with plug orientation/cable direction, making it easier to plug in
• The Type-C connector and cable will support scalable power charging
• Scalability – the connector design will scale for future USB bus performance

Since it is still under development, we probably won’t see the new USB connector till mid next year.

For sure, there will be some resistance because of the change in size – we can’t use the current plugs anymore – but that’s how it always goes. I’m pretty sure the benefits far outweigh the adjustment in size!

You can find all the details in the press release.

[Image via Wikimedia]