I can't count the number of times I wished for a better USB connector. Despite the shape of the connector being a fully formed rectangle, it can still be inserted only one way. I've often wondered why someone didn't take just an extra bit of time to make the connector more uniform before releasing it.

Apple produced its Lightning connector, which is exactly what the USB connector could have been, had the inventor taken one last smoke break to mull over the design. Apple does that, though. Apple is great at innovation.

Here's an anecdote. Did you know that Apple had to license the trademark for "Lightning" from Harley-Davidson?

It looks like my wishes are coming true. A new USB 3.0 connector has been approved and is in the works.

USB Type-C is a reversible, smaller USB connector that can be inserted into the USB port in any manner. But, there's a caveat. The updated connector requires a new port design, which doesn’t yet exist in computers or mobile devices. I'm sure, once USB Type-C goes into production, we'll see manufacturers start releasing systems with the new ports, but as has been done in the past when a new specification releases, computers will come with both types of USB ports.

However, it's being reported that new mobile devices such as phones and tablets will be manufactured to only support the new specification, eliminating the old port design almost immediately. The USB Type-C design will still support the old power output, so it will still be able to connect and work with old system designs, but an adapter will be needed. So far, there's no indication if adapters will be immediatley available when the USB 3.0 is available to public, and there's no suggestion on cost.

Obviously, as someone who recommends and purchases equipment for your organization, you'll want to review the new specs and budget for adapters if you can't purchase completely new hardware. Let's also hope this cuts down on the cost of new hardware due to ruined cables and broken USB ports due to end-users trying to shove together the connection until it works.

Press Release

USB 3.0 Promoter Group Announces USB Type-C Connector Ready for Production

Next generation USB Type-C connector enables thinner and sleeker product designs

BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The USB 3.0 Promoter Group today announced the completion of the USB Type-C specification that defines the next generation USB connector. The USB Type-C specification establishes a new cable and connector scheme tailored to fit mobile device product designs, yet robust enough for laptops and tablets. With this release, the specification has been transferred to the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) for ongoing management and the establishment of a compliance and certification program. The specification is available for download from the USB-IF website.

“Numerous products will benefit from the increased performance and flexibility that the USB Type-C connector provides”

“Interest in the USB Type-C connector has not only been global, but cross-industry as well,” said Brad Saunders, USB 3.0 Promoter Group Chairman. “Representatives from the PC, mobile, automotive and IoT industries have been knocking down our door anticipating this new standard. This specification is the culmination of an extensive, cooperative effort among industry leaders to standardize the next generation USB connector as a long-lasting, robust solution.”

The USB Type-C specification defines the physical USB Type-C cable and connector form factor along with the functional requirements for detecting and managing USB connections over an extensible wiring architecture. This new cable and connector supports USB performance at SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps (USB 3.1) and USB Power Delivery up to 100W.

Key characteristics of the USB Type-C connector include:

The new USB Type-C plug and receptacle will not directly mate with existing USB plugs and receptacles (Type-A, Type-B, Micro-B, etc.); however, the USB Type-C specification defines passive new-to-existing cables and adapters to allow consumers to use the new connector with their existing products.

“USB has the luxury of consumer familiarity and trust, and as we adapt the technology for the future we are committed to ensuring the USB brand promise continues with this new USB Type-C connector and cable,” said Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF President and COO. “The USB-IF is working to establish certification and compliance testing so that consumers can have the same confidence in the next generation of certified USB technology.”

Delivering a Single-Cable Solution to the Industry

The release of the USB Type-C specification is the final piece in developing a single-cable solution. The combination of SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps and USB Power Delivery up to 100W with the slim, user-friendly USB Type-C connector provides endless possibilities. An ideal example use case is a docking solution that features a single USB Type-C cable connection to dock and power your PC, and a hub within the dock that can connect multiple screens streaming video with additional bandwidth available for many other functions. USB is an adaptable solution that is flexible enough to fit the varied needs of consumers.

Developers interested in implementing the new USB Type-C specification have the opportunity to learn technical details at upcoming developer conferences currently being planned. Details and conference registration instructions will be posted on www.usb.org.

Supporting Quotes

“In addition to the trend of smaller and more mobile devices driving reduced connector sizes, customers expect ease of use, excellent performance, and high reliability in connectivity solutions,” said Tom Bonola, HP Fellow and Chief Technologist for Business Personal Systems, HP. “HP is committed to the new USB Type-C connector as a way to deliver on all of these needs while supporting the full breadth of USB devices and providing a pathway for future innovations to create and deliver superior customer value and experience.”

“This next generation of USB technology opens the door for the invention of an entirely new, super thin class of devices that consumers haven’t even seen yet,” said Alex Peleg, vice president, Platform Engineering Group, Intel Corporation. “The USB Type-C connector, combined with high-performance data and power, is the ideal single-cable solution for all devices now and into the future.”

“Microsoft sees this new USB Type-C interface becoming the next generation industry standard for high speed wired local connectivity,” said Ilan Spillinger, corporate vice president for technology and silicon in Microsoft's Devices Group. “It will offer more intuitive consumer experience by means of reversible plug orientation and cable direction designs. Further, this new USB Type-C allows for radically higher data speeds and power carrying capabilities compared to the existing methods. As one of the key industry players behind the new design, we at Microsoft believe this is an important milestone in consumer electronics ecosystem development.”

“Renesas congratulates the USB 3.0 Promoter Group and USB-IF for the completion of the new USB Type-C specification,” said Ichiro Tomioka, vice president, Chief of OA & ICT Business Division, Renesas Electronics Corporation. “As a USB Promoter Group member for the last 20 years, Renesas believes that this new specification can further expand the capabilities of the USB interface into many vertical markets, including industrial and automobile applications.”

“The USB Type-C connector is a major breakthrough that combines 10 Gbps high-speed communication with charging capability scalable up to 100W, while consolidating numerous cables into one robust, unique cable with reversible plug orientation and cable direction that significantly improves the user experience,” said Joel Huloux, director, Standardization & Industry Alliances, STMicroelectronics. “The USB Type-C cable addresses future needs and, on the road or in the office, opens the door to exciting new applications in the realm of DC power distribution into buildings, video transmission, accessory support and higher communication speed.”

“Numerous products will benefit from the increased performance and flexibility that the USB Type-C connector provides,” said Roland Sperlich, TI Consumer and Computing Interface Product Line Manager. “The wave of USB Type-C products to come will not only offer expanded capabilities, but also simplify user experience.”

About the USB 3.0 Promoter Group

The USB 3.0 Promoter Group, comprised of Hewlett-Packard Company, Intel Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, Renesas Electronics, STMicroelectronics and Texas Instruments, developed the USB 3.1 Specification that was released in July 2013. In addition to maintaining and enhancing this specification, the USB 3.0 Promoter Group develops specification addendums to extend or adapt its specifications to support more platform types or use cases where adopting USB 3.1 technology will be beneficial in delivering a more ubiquitous, richer user experience.

About the USB-IF

The non-profit USB Implementers Forum, Inc. was formed to provide a support organization and forum for the advancement and adoption of USB technology as defined in the USB specifications. The USB-IF facilitates the development of high-quality compatible USB devices through its logo and compliance program, and promotes the benefits of USB and the quality of products that have passed compliance testing. Further information, including postings of the most recent product and technology announcements, is available by visiting the USB-IF website at www.usb.org.