USB Type-C: One cable to connect them all

[ICIT2LOL]

Found this article this morning and isn't this about time though it will throw a bit of a spanner in the works but common sense tells me at least it should have been like this since day 1

USB Type-C: One cable to connect them all - CNET

 

[strollin]

We've come a long way from the clunky parallel and serial ports I had on my IBM PC in 1984!

 

[pbcopter]

Wouldn't a different title be more helpful?

 

[Phone Man]

The CNET title "one cable to connect them all" is catchy but only applies to the distance future as most people are not going to buy a new system and replace all their USB devices over night. When they released USB 3 the ports on the PC had combination USB 2&3 connectors so old and new devices would work. USB 3.1 "C" port will need an adapter to use USB 2&3 devices but its only a matter of buying another cable to adapt to the new port.

Backward-compatible but adapters required

Type-C USB and USB 3.1 are backward-compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0. In a pure Type-C USB connection, the Type-A ports and plugs are no longer included. However, for compatibility, you'll find compatible Type A to Type C cable. On top of that there will be adapters to make Type C hosts and devices work with existing USB devices.
This is the first time adapters are required with USB, and likely the only time, at least for the the foreseeable future. USB Implementers Forum, the group responsible for the development of USB, says that Type-C USB is designed to be future-proof, meaning the design will be used for future and faster USB versions.
It will take a few years for Type-C become as popular as the current Type-A, but when it does it will simplify the way we work with devices. There will be just one tiny cable needed for any device, for both data and power connections.

Now I just need to find an PCIe card to add USB3.1 to my old systems, then I can shop for new USB3.1 replacements for my external devices when needed.

Jim

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yes I realize it is going to be a long time for these to come into play and probably never on any machine I might build as the cost of that has skyrocketed beyond my funding.

All the same it is good although a tad late coming:sarc:

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

It seems like every new cable that comes out is supposed to replace them all and, instead, just becomes another one that will fit only in certain places.

While I do like the idea of a standardized cable that has plugs that will fit the same port on both ends and can be oriented either way (although I still don't "get" the issue about which way to insert the plug), by the time all the other USB cable standards become obsolete, one or more additional new USB standards will be needed to accommodate higher speeds than the C plug can (or USB will be phased out, much like RS-232 or firewire, for a completely different standard, such as a wireless one; now that one I would love to see happen so I can be freed from my cable jungle). Of course, you will have the Walled Garden companies (are you listening, Apple and Amazon) that will created proprietary standards to ensure only their devices will work other devices of theirs.

 

[strollin]

... (although I still don't "get" the issue about which way to insert the plug) ...

You must be the only person I have ever encountered that doesn't "get" the issue, everyone else can't understand why it seems to take a minimum of 3 tries to plug a USB cable in. I can't tell you how many times I have had this scenario happen: Try it first way, won't go in. Flip it over and try again, won't go in. Flip it again, try it, goes in. Why it didn't go in the first time is one of the great unexplained mysteries of the universe. The issue isn't so pronounced with the Type A & B connectors but it's extremely rare that I don't have to try to plug in a micro USB cable 2-3 times.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

... (although I still don't "get" the issue about which way to insert the plug) ...

You must be the only person I have ever encountered that doesn't "get" the issue, everyone else can't understand why it seems to take a minimum of 3 tries to plug a USB cable in. I can't tell you how many times I have had this scenario happen: Try it first way, won't go in. Flip it over and try again, won't go in. Flip it again, try it, goes in. Why it didn't go in the first time is one of the great unexplained mysteries of the universe. The issue isn't so pronounced with the Type A & B connectors but it's extremely rare that I don't have to try to plug in a micro USB cable 2-3 times.

I must be a savant when it comes to which way to turn the plug when plugging in cables because I rarely have the problems other report (and never have to try more than twice). The direction just isn't a big deal for me. The only problem I do have sometimes is reaching the stupid port to be able to plug in the cable, especially the 120v outlets (old age sucks!). If ALL connections were wireless, I would be doing a happy dance (ok, more like a happy waddle) but I doubt I will live long enough to see that happen.