Finally! New USB Standard Will Feature Reversible Connector

By Jane McEntegart
published

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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Jane McEntegart
39 Comments Comment from the forums
  • bustapr
    HALELUJAH!
    Reply
  • meowmix44
    YEAH!
    Reply
  • nukemaster
    I had seen some reversible USB connectors in the past from more than one company.

    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.
    Reply
  • halcyon
    This will be nice.
    Reply
  • J-M II A II N
    now someone slap the crap out of then engineer that came up with what we currently have!
    Reply
  • spartanmk2
    A good indication of the top side of a USB stick is the company logo and size (GB).

    Or a quick look at the end of the usb.

    Yay for progress though.



    Reply
  • internetlad
    This is a problem for people? Just look at which side the logo is on, and that's up.

    On the flip side, if it's like the thunderbolt connector, I don't much care for Apple but that unit is slick.
    Reply
  • pastydavid
    Raise your hand if you ever went to plug a USB cord in (the right way), it didn't seem to go in, you flip it around and try again (the wrong way), said "what the hell" and turned it around and put it in the correct way. *raises hand
    Reply
  • nukemaster
    12100588 said:
    This is a problem for people? Just look at which side the logo is on, and that's up.

    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.
    Reply
  • thundervore
    To everyone that says the side with the company logo is the top of the connector you ma be right in some cases but not all. I have encountered many cables from Microsoft keyboards and RIM phones that have the USB symbol on one side and the company logo on the othr side. It confuses the hell out of people because usually the USB logo must face up when you plug it in.
    Reply