Reversible USB plugs. A major step forward?

[ubuysa]

Does anyone think the proposal for the new USB type-C plugs to be reversible so they can be plugged in either way up is an important new feature? I admit I often get them the wrong way round on first try but a quick swivel solves the problem. The BBC seems to like the idea (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25222101) but I can't really get excited about a reversible plug.

What does the panel think?

 

[Grimezy]

This happens more than it should for something that only has a 50% chance of success.

I like the idea though, I just moved over to the apple side and the lightning charger with a port that goes in either way is a nice feature. I know it only saves a couple of seconds of inconvenience but it fills me with so much more confidence knowing there's physically no way I can fail

 

[DeadEyeDuk]

Haha that image is so true Grimze. Why DOES if fit on the second flip? One of life's mysteries for sure.

As to the new USB idea, if they cost the same, it can't really hurt can it? And just need to have them phased in. I can't see why anyone would WANT an old one once the new ones come in.

 

[SmokeDarKnight]

Also the amount of times i've plugged my USB into the LAN socket and wandered why mu mouse isn't working. It fits in there perfect.

 

[DeadEyeDuk]

Also the amount of times i've plugged my USB into the LAN socket and wandered why mu mouse isn't working. It fits in there perfect.

I never understand why people get annoyed with the two sizes of mini-USB plugs. Mine all fit perfectly whichever size the socket is. I mean sure, you have to bash them a bit, and they get a bit bent out of shape and they don't always actually function afterwards, but still, at least they fit...

 

[ubuysa]

I never understand why people get annoyed with the two sizes of mini-USB plugs. Mine all fit perfectly whichever size the socket is. I mean sure, you have to bash them a bit, and they get a bit bent out of shape and they don't always actually function afterwards, but still, at least they fit...

Now that's what I'm talking about.

 

[mdwh]

It's not so bad when the USB logo is clearly visible.

Though it does annoy me a bit that the Nexus 7 micro USB port is upside down, the opposite way to my Galaxy Nexus.

Trust the BBC to have the obligitary Apple-mention - there's nothing special about them, plenty of proprietary connectors didn't/don't have this problem (e.g., Nokia's old power cables, or many laptop power cables such as my Samsung), though on the whole, I think the benefit of standardisation far outweighs this one annoyance of USB (e.g., no longer having to have a different cable for every make of product).

Given that one of the changes of the next standard will be to increase the power usage, thus allowing laptops to switch to USB for powering, it might seem a good opportunity to fix it, so as to not annoy the people currently used to being able to put it in any way round. Although a downside of that is if it makes it harder to be backwards compatible with existing USB sockets.

 

[dogbot]

So to make use of these new super duper USB leads I buy a new computer. But wait a minute, they won't fit my external USB drives, camcorders, printer or scanner. For those I need an adapter. So now I have a drawer full of adapters that can fit in either of 3 ways. Assuming I pick the right one, I plug the adapter into this new lead but then have to plug the adapter into the hardware the right way round. Assuming I then might want to plug into an old computer, I then need another adapter on the other end of the lead which also will fit only one way round.

Such is progress.

 

[Karnor00]

The reversible feature doesn't excite me very much. Probably should have been there from the start, but isn't exactly going to make a major change to my lifestyle.

What's rather more interesting is the increased power it can supply. Will make charging phones (and other devices) a whole lot quicker.