USB Type-C Connector Specifications Finalized

in hardware on 2014-08-13 19:44 (#3V1)

The newest specification for the USB 3.1 Type-C connector is now finalized, finally bringing improvements found in other cables (such as Apple's Lightning cable) to the USB standard.

Reversible plug orientation
Small size (~8.4 mm x ~2.6 mm)
Able to supply up 100 watts of power
USB 3.1 data rates (10 Gbps)
Durability of 10,000 connect-disconnect cycles
Improved EMI and RFI mitigation features

Although I know some people will undoubtedly whine about yet another USB connector, these changes are long overdue and very welcome in my opinion. Previous USB connectors have ranged from problematic (Mini-B) to unwieldy (USB 3.0 Micro-B) and badly needed replacement.

Good news & about time (Score: 3, Insightful)

by zafiro17@pipedot.org on 2014-08-13 22:43 (#3V6)

I'd be willing to go with this standard even if it had lower throughput, at this point. I bitched and moaned about Apple abandoning USB [The Standard!!!] for Lightning, but then when I started using Lightning I realized how much an improvement in life it is when you can insert the plug without having to think about its orientation. So a reversible orientation USB plug is a good thing. I've personally dealt with, loathed, and laughed at the various kludges already listed here in the comments.

For the record, I miss Firewire though - never understood why they killed it when it seemed to work so damned well.