Why didn't they make USB 3.0 reversible in the 1st place (instead of version C)?! PIC

[ViRGE]

For as much hate as Apple has gotten, especially with their previous crappy, fall-apart 30-pin cable, their new Lightning cable is an amazing design. First of all, it's tiny. Second of all, it's reversible - you never have to worry about getting it wrong or bending the header. Third, it's made out of adamantium - I don't know how they made such a tiny connector so strong, but my MicroUSB cables fall apart on a seemingly daily basis no matter what brand of cable I buy, so...yeah.

The secret is that it's made from the tortured souls of LocalTalk users.

 

[Fritzo]

Oh boy...a new incompatible design to a 10 year old standard. This will be interesting.

 

[JTsyo]

Nevermind. I had a brainfart there. I was thinking same connector on each side of the cable.

I agree, they're a pain in the ass when it comes to figuring out which way to rotate it to stick it into the port.

The USB logo faces up. Not sure about the slots that are vertical, I would guess the logo faces left.

 

[Kaido]

The secret is that it's made from the tortured souls of LocalTalk users.

You owe me a new keyboard, hahaha

 

[dank69]

The USB logo faces up. Not sure about the slots that are vertical, I would guess the logo faces left.

I have a case where the front ports are upside down.

 

[bearxor]

I have a case where the front ports are upside down.

I had one of those older Dell computers at one point where the bottom of the case kind of flips up to allow access and there's a couple of USB ports underneath it. They were angled and upside down. It was a real PITA.

This one:

 

[Scarpozzi]

Typical USB...

 

[CZroe]

OP makes some incorrect assumptions. USB A to USB C will be the most common, by far, just like USB A to Lightning. You get different cables, not different cases. Laptops will eventually adopt C ports for the ability to charge themselves through it but they will still have USB A too (duh).

Can't tell if you're being sarcastic... Because this IS going to be the same on both ends

Actually, the majority are going to be A to C cables. C to C is mostly a "mobile to mobile" or charging option, like USB OTG for microUSB 2.0 B. I wouldn't mind seeing it on laptops and desktops, but they will still have A ports for USB1.1/2.0 in addition to that and A to C will still be the standard cable for most devices. Obviously, phones and tablets will adopt it fully. Laptops that charge through it will be next.

I have had my Galaxy Note 3 since launch and I greatly appreciate the microUSB 3.0 B connector's reverse compatability with microUSB 2.0 B cables. It was not yet time to ditch that connector, but I would still prefer something reversible that will not damage the device with unexpected force. It's like Apple's Lightning combined with MagSafe. Notice: Lightning still has a USB A side.

The USB logo faces up. Not sure about the slots that are vertical, I would guess the logo faces left.

Apple violated this standard with the microUSB to Lightning adapter.

 

[Phoenix86]

Typical USB...

I prefer the super position argument.

 

[Rakehellion]

Hay guys, remember eSATA?

If it weren't bad enough that I have to deal with USB, mini-USB, and three different kinds of micro-USB, now they're bringing another incompatible standard into the fray. Joy.

 

[trmiv]

For as much hate as Apple has gotten, especially with their previous crappy, fall-apart 30-pin cable, their new Lightning cable is an amazing design. First of all, it's tiny. Second of all, it's reversible - you never have to worry about getting it wrong or bending the header. Third, it's made out of adamantium - I don't know how they made such a tiny connector so strong, but my MicroUSB cables fall apart on a seemingly daily basis no matter what brand of cable I buy, so...yeah.

I agree with this. I'm pretty much an Android guy, but I won a free ipad last year and I really like the Lightning cable on the ipad. I especially appreciate it after the micro USB port on my Galaxy S4 is going out for the 2nd time because the connector in the middle starts to get loose. I treat the damn phone like a baby, and it's still going bad again. Not going to happen with the lightning connector.

 

[Phanuel]

I prefer the super position argument.

Schrodinger's connector.

 

[gorcorps]

OP makes some incorrect assumptions. USB A to USB C will be the most common, by far, just like USB A to Lightning. You get different cables, not different cases. Laptops will eventually adopt C ports for the ability to charge themselves through it but they will still have USB A too (duh).


Actually, the majority are going to be A to C cables. C to C is mostly a "mobile to mobile" or charging option, like USB OTG for microUSB 2.0 B. I wouldn't mind seeing it on laptops and desktops, but they will still have A ports for USB1.1/2.0 in addition to that and A to C will still be the standard cable for most devices. Obviously, phones and tablets will adopt it fully. Laptops that charge through it will be next.

I have had my Galaxy Note 3 since launch and I greatly appreciate the microUSB 3.0 B connector's reverse compatability with microUSB 2.0 B cables. It was not yet time to ditch that connector, but I would still prefer something reversible that will not damage the device with unexpected force. It's like Apple's Lightning combined with MagSafe. Notice: Lightning still has a USB A side.



Apple violated this standard with the microUSB to Lightning adapter.

Oh I agree that we'll still have the A connectors for a long time. Over time I think they'll get phased out though.

 

[mcvickj]

I've had 5 or 6 different Android phones and a handful of other electronic devices that use the MicroUSB connection and I've yet to damage a cable or a port. /shrug

 

[MrDudeMan]

I agree with this. I'm pretty much an Android guy, but I won a free ipad last year and I really like the Lightning cable on the ipad. I especially appreciate it after the micro USB port on my Galaxy S4 is going out for the 2nd time because the connector in the middle starts to get loose. I treat the damn phone like a baby, and it's still going bad again. Not going to happen with the lightning connector.

The lightning connector design is really very impressive because it's robust, high quality, and very user friendly. Making the connector purely male was so simple and so elegant versus something like a USB connector that's hybrid male/female. Apple does this kind of stuff very well.

 

[WackyDan]

Apple violated this standard with the microUSB to Lightning adapter.

They were forced to by the EU.

 

[Howard]

USB3 is fully compatible with USB2 forward and back. Companies don't use it cause they're cheap asses is my guess.

Not the Micro ones

 

[Phoenix86]

Not the Micro ones

Yup. *looks at desk full of 5 or different usb cables*

:'(

 

[CZroe]

They were forced to by the EU.

No. I'm saying that the USB logo is on the wrong side, which has nothing to do with that. It can't be visual aesthetics either because the Lightning end is reversible and the logo can stay behind the device no matter what side they slapped it on. It's a simple case of them f**king up.

 

[ViRGE]

You owe me a new keyboard, hahaha

Sure. I hope you like ADB.

Oh I agree that we'll still have the A connectors for a long time. Over time I think they'll get phased out though.

Correct, that's the long-term plan. Eventually all A and B ports will go away and you'll just have C at both ends. This will happen especially quickly with laptops and Ultrabooks.

C isn't just a better B, but it's the realization that asymmetrical cables are no longer necessary.

 

[CZroe]

Sure. I hope you like ADB.
Correct, that's the long-term plan. Eventually all A and B ports will go away and you'll just have C at both ends. This will happen especially quickly with laptops and Ultrabooks.

C isn't just a better B, but it's the realization that asymmetrical cables are no longer necessary.

Desktops and notebooks that can spare the room will still have some A ports for 1.1 and 2.0 devices even when C has reached top market penetration. Heck, the Logitech G15 v2 had a USB 1.1 hub inside when it was their current high-end gaming keyboard a few short years ago!

 

[ElFenix]

C isn't just a better B, but it's the realization that asymmetrical cables are no longer necessary.

were they ever necessary?

 

[Ichinisan]

I have a case where the front ports are upside down.

What brand? I think my friend has the same case.

I bet you could disassemble the case and flip the block of connectors around 180°.

 

[Ichinisan]

I've had 5 or 6 different Android phones and a handful of other electronic devices that use the MicroUSB connection and I've yet to damage a cable or a port. /shrug

They don't usually get damaged in one particular incident. They almost inevitably wear out and get loose over time.

 

[Ichinisan]

They were forced to by the EU.

The EU did not force Apple to print the USB symbol on the wrong side of the micro USB adapter.

It doesn't line up with the USB symbol of the male micro B connector you're inserting.