Next Generation USB Connection Definition Underway
The USB 3.0 Promoter Group today announced that the development of the next generation of USB connector has begun. The new USB Type-C connector, built initially on existing USB 3.1 and USB 2.0 technologies, is being developed to help enable thinner and sleeker product designs, enhance usability and provide a growth path for performance enhancements for future versions of USB. This supplement to the USB 3.1 specification is anticipated to be completed by the middle of next year.
Key characteristics of the USB Type-C connector and cable solution include:
- 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
As the new USB Type-C plug and receptacle will not directly mate with existing USB plugs and receptacles (Type-A, Type-B, Micro-B, etc.), the Type-C specification will define passive new-to-existing cables and adapters to allow users to use their existing products.
"While USB technology is well established as the favored choice for connecting and powering devices, we recognize the need to develop a new connector to meet evolving design trends in terms of size and usability," said Brad Saunders, USB 3.0 Promoter Group Chairman. "The new Type-C connector will fit well with the market's direction and affords an opportunity to lay a foundation for future versions of USB."
"Intel is excited to see the development of the new thin Type-C connector as it will enable an entirely new super thin class of devices from phones to tablets, to 2-in-1s, to laptops to desktops and a multitude of other more specific usage devices," said Alex Peleg, Vice President, Platform Engineering Group. "This new industry standards-based thin connector delivering data, power and video is the only connector one will need across all devices."
"The new Type-C connector furthers USB's lead in addressing customer desire for more flexibility and higher performance," said Roland Sperlich, TI Consumer and Computing Interface Product Line Manager. "This allows USB to increase performance and continue to deliver ease of use to several evolving product categories for years to come."
The USB Type-C specification is targeted for industry review during the first quarter of 2014 and a final specification is expected to be published by the middle of 2014.
Ubuntu Edge - The Next Gen Of Smartphones - 07/25/2013 02:54 AM
In the car industry, Formula 1 provides a commercial testbed for cutting-edge technologies. The Ubuntu Edge project aims to do the same for the mobile phone industry -- to provide a low-volume, high-t...
Next Generation EA Games to Cost $80 - 07/11/2013 08:59 AM
UK retailer GAME's official PS4 FAQ page has recently leaked and confirmed, that next generation EA games will cost gamers £54.99 (roughly $80 USD). How much will PlayStation 4 games cost? At pre...
Next gen Nexus 7 specs revealed by Asus support - 07/01/2013 01:28 PM
A big WHOOPS moment for ASUS. Apparently, someone asked an Asus support rep information about the upcoming sequel to Nexus 7, and the rep was kind enough to share most of the information about the ...
HighPoint Next Gen eSATA Storage Docks - 01/02/2013 10:29 AM
HighPoint Technologies announces the next generation of eSATA storage devices; boosting performance from 3 Gb/s to 6 Gb/s – the RocketStor 5322 Dual 6 Gb/s eSATA Storage Dock. HighPoint's i...
GIGABYTE Next Gen AMD FM2 Series Motherboards - 10/02/2012 07:22 AM
GIGABYTE today launched its latest FM2 series motherboards supporting next generation AMD A-Series APUs. The GIGABYTE F2A85X-UP4, the flagship of the GIGABYTE FM2 series, incorporates GIGABYTE Ultra D...
Senior Member
Posts: 11777
Joined: 2006-11-30
Yup... First try to plug USB cable in, it fails, turn it around, fail multiple times, turn it back around and then it goes in. It's quite annoying when you try to connect something and dont see the USB-port.
Junior Member
Posts: 5
Joined: 2013-09-28
yea i agree guys. they are about 15 years beind everyone else.
just make a damn plug that I dont have to fail 50% of the time to plug in.
make it visually distinctive which end goes where. its not friggin rocket science.
I do that all the time as well... .
1. Push it and fail.
2. Turn it around, push but it fails to go in again
3. Turn around again and it goes in perfect. WTF!
Senior Member
Posts: 5555
Joined: 2005-07-19
That's just because the USB port is four dimensional instead of three dimensional

Senior Member
Posts: 12778
Joined: 2003-05-24
and here i am still using 2.0
Senior Member
Posts: 428
Joined: 2013-08-09
"Users will no longer need to be concerned with plug orientation/cable direction, making it easier to plug in." ...That's a goddamn life changer right there: 50% of the time I try to plug in a USB cord, I fail every time.