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The USB paradox is one of the most familiar experiences of the digital age. Every time you try to plug in a USB cord, it seems like you always get it wrong on the first try. It doesn't matter how much attention you pay to the plug or the cord or the icons on the cord. It's always wrong.
And there's a good reason for that! In an interview published Thursday by DesignNews, Intel's Ajay Bhatt spoke at length about why the ubiquitous technology has been so infuriating for so long. Bhatt was a member of the team that developed USB technology. Even at the start of development, they knew that making the connector flippable would be a better user experience in the long run. But doing so would require twice the wiring and more circuitry, which would increase costs.
"If you have a lot of cost up front for an unproven technology it might not take off. So that was our fear. You have to be really cost conscious when you start out," Bhatt said.
(Score: 2) by dak664 on Sunday December 03 2017, @01:53PM (4 children)
And laptop designers trying to hide the sockets as much as possible, ideally black slots in the darkest part of a black case. To make the early ones look thinner?
The blue insert of USB-3 is an improvement, but USB-C finally gets it right (at least on one end).
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday December 03 2017, @02:50PM (3 children)
Ug, black slots on a black case with black text and black buttons that light up black when you press them, black, black, black, black, any color as long as it is black. What planet are case designers from? Would it kill them to make a case that actually REFLECTS light so people can SEE it? I'd pay good money for that, but that's not being a good little consumeroid buying what I am told to buy. Their solution? Gay backlighting that makes it look like something out of the 1980's "Tron" movie. Didn't realize that many people liked that movie. Lights up the entire room blue, but still cant see squat.
(Score: 2, Touché) by Farmer Tim on Sunday December 03 2017, @03:11PM (1 child)
Apple. Black print on aluminium. And yes, you will pay good money for that.
Came for the news, stayed for the soap opera.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday December 03 2017, @06:36PM
Also solves that annoying problem of the one-sided USB ports by simply eliminating them. Still have the gay light-up Apple logo gimmick though.
(Score: 3, Touché) by leftover on Sunday December 03 2017, @04:41PM
Really! It must be to look good with the fog on light gray text colors they like.
Bent, folded, spindled, and mutilated.