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The frustration of trying to plug-in an upside-down Micro-USB connector could disappear soon. The USB type-C connector has been declared ready for production by the USB Promoter Group announcement document (unencrypted PDF link).
With the Type-C spec finalized, it now comes down to the USB-IF to actually implement the sockets, plugs, cables, adapters, and devices. The problem is that there are billions of existing USB devices and cables that will need adapters and new cables to work with new Type-C devices. It's a lot like when Apple released the Lightning connector, but on an even grander scale. Further exacerbating the issue is the fact that China, the EU, and the GSMA have all agreed that new mobile devices use micro-USB for charging — though it might be as simple as including a Micro-USB-to-Type-C adapter with every new smartphone.
It will handle 100W of power and make 10 Gbit/s speeds possible. Personally, though, I find the micro-USB port mechanically weak and the single duplex, polling, single ended out of band signaling flawed. If one connector should be standardized then it better be a good one.
Let's hope some other standard for computerized phones comes along that does strict in-band signaling for everything, even for power demands i.e. 0.75 — 100W no shorting D+/D-. Separate lanes at all times for TX and RX. Uses wide connector pads. And CMSA/CD or token... not polling. I heard Firewire and Ethernet/PoE comes closer.
(Score: 1, Flamebait) by Lazarus on Thursday August 14 2014, @04:05PM
>The frustration of trying to plug-in an upside-down Micro-USB connector
If someone can't handle a USB connector, they're frustrated because of their own mental disability. The problem with USB connectors is the end that plugs into the back of the PC, not the end that's always visible.
(Score: 2) by strattitarius on Thursday August 14 2014, @04:21PM
First as you say, they are not always easily accessible. This exacerbates the other issues.
They are difficult to determine the correct orientation based on a glance. The connector is almost symmetrical.
They will go partially in, giving you the impression you got it right, but then it bottoms out and you realize it's the wrong way. So you flip it and try again only to find the same problem. So you flip it again and find out you had it right the first time but it was just a bit cock-eyed.
So who got it right? Dell laptop power connectors. Haven't changed in 10 years, they are round, and except for rare cases they are pretty much universal (although it may affect charging time and performance a bit). Granted they only had two pins to worry about.
Oh, and yes I used cock-eyed and bottoms on purpose when discussing finding the hole for my connector because a bit of juvenile humor is fun sometimes.
Slashdot Beta Sucks. Soylent Alpha Rules. News at 11.
(Score: 2) by nitehawk214 on Thursday August 14 2014, @04:45PM
Coaxial connectors are not practical for data connections that have 4+ leads.
There are some circular connectors that have pins in them such as S-Video... and they are nearly as annoying to use as USB.
"Don't you ever miss the days when you used to be nostalgic?" -Loiosh
(Score: 2) by The Archon V2.0 on Thursday August 14 2014, @05:56PM
> There are some circular connectors that have pins in them such as S-Video... and they are nearly as annoying to use as USB.
Moreso. There you have the downside that some people figure the right way to plug 'em in is to push and rotate them until they go the whole way....
(Score: 2) by nitehawk214 on Thursday August 14 2014, @04:35PM
When they make the device and the USB "fuck-you-flip-it-over" pin black, it is impossible to tell which way it goes even when you are looking at it.
"Don't you ever miss the days when you used to be nostalgic?" -Loiosh
(Score: 2) by SlimmPickens on Thursday August 14 2014, @07:21PM
I can do it, it's sort-of like touch typing. I don't know why, but I just look at it and go "Aha!You are upside down!"
(Score: 2) by caseih on Thursday August 14 2014, @08:37PM
Doesn't change the fact that all the incarnations of the micro, mini, and now type c usb connectors, are all awful designs. Whoever thought that a little fragile piece of plastic with contacts on it sticking out in space was a great idea? I've had more than one of these break off inside, rendering the entire device useless. Sorry, but Apple's lightning connector (or whatever they use on their iPhones and iPads) is better in nearly every way, except patents and licensing.
(Score: 2) by BasilBrush on Thursday August 14 2014, @09:39PM
Hurrah! Quoting works now!