Next-gen USB cord will be thinner and reversible

TORONTO – The next-generation USB cable will not only be thinner, but it will be easier to use thanks to a reversible design – music to the ears of those easily frustrated when plugging in the one-sided cords.

The USB Type-C connector – which will be similar in size to the USB 2.0 Micro-B plug found on cellphones – will not have any orientation which means there is no wrong way for users to plug in the cord, according to the USB 3.0 Promoter Group.

The design will help pave the way for thinner and sleeker product designs, according to the group whose members include Microsoft, Intel, and Hewlett-Packard.

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“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, chairman of the USB 3.0 Promoter Group.

“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.”

Currently USB cords can only be plugged into a device one way – with the internal coloured block facing down.  Usually, users have to look for the USB symbol to make sure they plug it in the right side up.

The USB Type-C connecter will also be able to transfer data at twice the speed of the current USB cables.

The new design was initially intended for USB 3.1 and 2.0 devices.

But consumers won’t be seeing the new easy-to-use cables any time soon – the USB Type-C connector design won’t be finalized until mid-2014 and won’t make its way to market until about 2016.