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Meet the reversible USB

By James Lu - on 13 Aug 2014, 2:40pm

Meet the reversible USB

Image Source: USB 3.0 Promoter Group

The USB 3.0 Promoter Group has announced that it has finalized its redesign of the USB.

Called USB Type-C, the new design aims to solve several problems with current USB design, making it smaller and, most exciting of all, reversible, meaning it can be plugged into its port either way up.

The new USB standard is comparable in size with micro USB 2.0 Type-B connectors, with a port size of 8.4 by 2.6mm, but will still be compatible with SuperSpeed USB at 10Gbps (USB 3.1). It will also support USB Power Delivery up to 100W, with additional support for scalable power charging and future USB performance needs.

The new ports obviously won't be backwards compatible with existing USB plugs and receptacles, but it is expected that when USB Type-C ports start appearing on consumer devices, they will co-exist with other older USB ports, and new-to-existing cables and adapters will be made available so that consumers will be able to use the new connector with their existing tech.

The specification for USB Type-C can be downloaded from the USB Implementers Forum.

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