Google Confirms Reversible USB Type-C Connector Coming To Android Smartphones
Plugging in a USB or micro-USB cable is typically a four-step process. First you attempt to plug it in. When that doesn't work, you turn the connector around and try again. An optional but almost unavoidable third step is to utter a string of obscenities before moving to step four, which is to orient the USB connector the way you originally had it, only this time it decides to slide in. This frustrating dance with a devilish standard will soon go the way of the dodo bird as USB Type-C connectors become commonplace.
It's happening sooner than you think. Apple opted for a USB Type-C connector as the sole port on its new MacBook, and Google's refreshed Chromebook Pixel also uses the connector, one on each side. In addition, Google tipped its hand in a YouTube video promoting the Chromebook Pixel and revealed plans to bring USB Type-C to Android phones.
It's happening sooner than you think. Apple opted for a USB Type-C connector as the sole port on its new MacBook, and Google's refreshed Chromebook Pixel also uses the connector, one on each side. In addition, Google tipped its hand in a YouTube video promoting the Chromebook Pixel and revealed plans to bring USB Type-C to Android phones.
"We at Google are very committed to the USB Type-C spec. Expect to see this in a lot of Chromebooks and Android phones in the near future," Google said.
There's a lot of upside to USB Type-C. The symmetrical design that allows for cable connectors to fit in either orientation is one of them, but USB Type-C is also notable because it carries power, display, and fast data (up to 10Gbps). It's a one-size-fits-all standard and it's an open standard, so you can expect a wide range of products supporting the new spec. Oh, and it's backwards compatible too, provided you purchase an adapter.
There's a lot of upside to USB Type-C. The symmetrical design that allows for cable connectors to fit in either orientation is one of them, but USB Type-C is also notable because it carries power, display, and fast data (up to 10Gbps). It's a one-size-fits-all standard and it's an open standard, so you can expect a wide range of products supporting the new spec. Oh, and it's backwards compatible too, provided you purchase an adapter.
