I so love the iPhone and iPad lightning plug. Easy to plug in, even at night, done by feel. Rightside up, upside down, no matter. To me, it is absolutely perfect.
Taking a page from this book, the USB group announced that the next generation of USB plug will be smaller, scalable and, most importantly, reversible.
- 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
Huzzah! Here’s the press release with all the gory details.
Like a lightning cable? Innovation!
I heard a rumor that the USB type C connector is simply a lightning connector
Yes please. I’d also love to see a much firmer and more resilient connection too. I’ve seen a lot of USB micro ports get bent out of shape.
I wonder if this will all be too expensive to implement for cheaper goods though.
I do how they all complain about having to buy new cables. 😉
The DUH heard round the world!
Curious. They describe it but don’t illustrate any proposed designs. I wonder why that is?
I’m not as thrilled with the lightning cable on my phone as I thought I would be, as far as plugging it in in the dark. I rarely had a problem with my 30-pin connector in the dark. With the new cable I find it difficult to line up the connector to the port.
Because the press release says the spec “is being developed.” It’s not finished yet. Why would a standards group weaken their authority by showing work in progress? So the tech community can make helpful suggestions?
Because it’s a press release, not a white paper.
Nice to see the USB people joining the party.
“Finally.”
I’ve only ever seen that when you confuse it with 4-pin Firewire (and vice versa), fortunately.
(Which was not a fun thing to find out the hard way…)
I look forward to the public outrage over people needing to buy new cables and docks for their new usb type-c devices.
About F’ing time.
About F’ing time.
Thank fuck it wasn’t only me who did that.