Reversible USB connector in progress

[akugami]

Ars Technica link

Apparently a new reversible USB connector is in the works and should be approved in 1st half or middle of next year. So the earliest we may see devices using the new connector is late 2014 or early 2015.

My Nexus 7 tablet's micro USB connector is mangled and doesn't always work because my daughter always forces the USB connector in incorrectly. Even as an adult you have to analyze the connector to get it right. Crap on the Lightning connector all you want but it's heads and tails better than micro USB.

Not buying another micro USB based device. Waiting on this new USB connector to come out.

 

[bearxor]

I won't my breath for the massive outcry of 'I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY'VE CHANGED THE CONNECTOR!!!' that we got when Apple did it.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Meh, plugging into charge is so 2011. All my Android devices are Qi compatible now.

 

[Cruisin1]

Meh, plugging into charge is so 2011. All my Android devices are Qi compatible now.

Exactly... As for requiring a "fast" connector too that's pretty pointless on phones nowadays as everything backups and refreshes from the cloud. The only time I plug a wire into my phone is when I'm copying a new rom. I can't imagine what iphone users need to plug their phone into a computer for anymore. Ever since I got my Qi charger for my Nexus 5 3 weeks ago I haven't plugged my phone into a cable since.

 

[ilkhan]

Meh, plugging into charge is so 2011. All my Android devices are Qi compatible now.

This

My N4 got plugged in, um, twice. When my Qi pad was charging the N7 and I wanted to top up. My N5 hasn't been plugged in at all yet. Nor has that N7.

 

[bearxor]

Exactly... As for requiring a "fast" connector too that's pretty pointless on phones nowadays as everything backups and refreshes from the cloud. The only time I plug a wire into my phone is when I'm copying a new rom. I can't imagine what iphone users need to plug their phone into a computer for anymore. Ever since I got my Qi charger for my Nexus 5 3 weeks ago I haven't plugged my phone into a cable since.

The last time I "synced" my iPhone to a computer was probably back in the iOS 4 days.

I'm not going to say I haven't connected it since, as sometimes I'll do a quick local backup to wipe and try something and then restore it. But I've not really done it sync anything like apps, movies, music, etc...

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I wirelessly charged my Nexus 4 and 5, but I'm a ROM flashaholic. When I download a ROm at work, I still need a cable. When I do "opportunistic charges" because my Nexus 4 is a battery hog, I use a cable too. I'm not about to spend $50 to have a second wireless charger at work. Plus, even if it's cool, that's not something I pack in my backpack for everyday use. Going to party it up with my friends in the city and going to crash with them? Bring a simple USB cable + wall plug.

The cable isn't dead, and if it was made better I'd use it more. Right now, the wireless charging crowd has been chanting things like "I'm afraid of USB port wearing" or whatever. Why the hell should you even HAVE to fear that? If the connector was properly designed like Lightning with durability in mind, I wouldn't give a damn how many times I plugged my phone in.

 

[Cruisin1]

http://store.apple.com/us/reviews/MD...?rs=mostUseful

I wouldn't exactly say the lightning cable is properly designed with looking at those reviews... cable stops working... breaks easily... yeah...

 

[stlc8tr]

Meh, plugging into charge is so 2011. All my Android devices are Qi compatible now.

Isn't inductive charging still quite a bit slower than cable charging?

 

[poofyhairguy]

Isn't inductive charging still quite a bit slower than cable charging?

It is slower. Not crazy slower though, maybe half at most.

 

[lopri]

I think it's high time. Wireless charging is nice but it is not widespread. No one has fully committed to the Qi standard, for whatever reason? I guess Google and Lumia sort of did.

Glad to see USB thriving and improving. (at least for now) It fought valiantly against Firewire, eSATA, Thunderbolt, and countless other interconnect techniques in its way and proved its resilience. It's truly the MP3 of connectors.

 

[stlc8tr]

It is slower. Not crazy slower though, maybe half at most.

What's the charge rate that you get?

I've seen lots of people say that they get 0.6A or less (from a spec of 1A), which would be pretty damn slow for a tablet (usually 2A).

 

[poofyhairguy]

What's the charge rate that you get?

I've seen lots of people say that they get 0.6A or less (from a spec of 1A), which would pretty damn slow for a tablet (usually 2A).

I am not near it now, but that sounds about right. I have not gotten lower than 25% on my N7 so it is only doing nightly charging.

 

[Oyeve]

Meh, plugging into charge is so 2011. All my Android devices are Qi compatible now.

Nice but my note 3 charges very fast with its USB 3.0. I would like a reversible connector tho. Hopefully there will be a good standard when it does roll-out.

 

[notposting]

My Lumia 928 charges pretty darn quick via Qi.

Despite the fact that Qi seems to have been the only wireless charging standard phones have really embraced, AT&T is cozying up to PMA. They removed Qi from the 1520, but no size or weight saving apparently though. It will require a snap on shell to charge now. I wish Nokia had told them to pound sand and either said to hell with exclusivity or offered it to another carrier (VERIZON DAMNIT NOKIA VERIZON DO YOU HEAR ME!?).

That being said...this new USB connector sounds good to me. Has been a pretty versatile and affordable standard for awhile now. Probably means Apple will remove USB from its products

 

[ponyo]

I won't my breath for the massive outcry of 'I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY'VE CHANGED THE CONNECTOR!!!' that we got when Apple did it.

It will depend on the price. If it's like $20 for the cable and requires Google/Samsung seal of approval, then we will bitch and moan again.

I like lightning connector. I just hate paying ridiculous Apple tax and markup on something basic as a cable. They deserve all the hate.

 

[KeithTalent]

Meh, new cables that I have to buy. Great.

I do not understand the fascination with reversible connectors. I have no problem putting a USB cable into my devices.

KT