Finally! New USB Standard Will Feature Reversible Connector
No more jamming the plug in this way and that trying to figure out which way it goes.
If you're like us, you've probably found the fact that USB sticks have no indication as to which side is the top or bottom kind of annoying. After all, they can only go in one way, so why not mark which side goes up? Lucky for us, the days of constantly trying to plug USB drives, cables, and other devices in the wrong way are numbered.
USB.org says the next generation of USB connector will actually be reversible. That is, it doesn't matter which way you try to plug this baby in. The development of the new USB Type-C connector has begun, and once complete, will allow for thinner, sleeker designs, as well as support for scalable power charging and enhanced usability (including not having to worry about plug orientation/cable direction).
This supplement to the USB 3.1 specification is anticipated to be completed by the middle of next year. The Type-C specification will hopefully see industry review in Q1 2014. Final specification is expected to be published mid-2014.
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It may be nice to see them ALL work this way.
Personally, I have never had much issue with having to find out the direction to plug a USB device in.
Or a quick look at the end of the usb.
Yay for progress though.
On the flip side, if it's like the thunderbolt connector, I don't much care for Apple but that unit is slick.
On the flip side, if it's like the thunderbolt connector, I don't much care for Apple but that unit is slick.
You are thinking of lightning
Thunderbolt uses Display Port as its base connector. That can not be flipped.
As for having had reversible usb connectors, no, but maybe a cable with usb connectors on one end or for a similar use.
As for flipping the cable parallell ata cables in disc drives are way worse.
Yes, I know that's beyond the scope of this. Still would be nice.
On the flip side, if it's like the thunderbolt connector, I don't much care for Apple but that unit is slick.
Sometimes it's not that easy. For instance, the microUSB plug on my Nexus 5 is upside down (meaning the top of the plug is up when the screen is facing down). Took me a few tries to figure that out.
http://www.inewidea.com/2011/01/27/36325.html
Not as cool as the one above, but there are reversible USB cables
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/Tripp-Lite-18-Inch-USB-2.0-Universal-Reversible-Cable-Right-M-F-18in/3111326.aspx