Kobo micro USB cable is not directional

[KL Wong]

Hi,

I accidentally found my Forma micro USB cable is different from my other normal USB cable. Its shape enable it to insert into the reader socket both ways. I tried it on my Forma and found the reader is found by the computer whether it is inserted either way. I am glad it can be used as a type-c connector.

The cable aslo work on my Aura HD.

Thanks

Allen

[KL Wong]

Hi,

Additional search found this type of cale is already available in amazon as Reversible Micro USB Cable.

Thanks.

Allen

[Quoth]

Yes, you can buy those. They are more fragile. A proper spec non-reversible cable is more reliable.

I am glad it can be used as a type-c connector.

It can not be used as USB-C!
It is totally unrelated to USB-C. The USB-C has extra serial signalling to ask for more than 5V (up to 20V). Regular USB is 5V only at 100mA or 500mA with the gadget checking static state of the D+ and D- (serial data) to see if higher current is available (up to 1.5A, but some Apple devices / chargers use different settings so the Apple thing might only charge at 0.5A on a 1.5A USB-A port. A USB-A port on laptop or charger doesn't control the charging or current. The gadget at the USB-B, mini or micro port decides what current to take. If there is a mistake or a fault the USB-A end is supposed to switch off the 5V, but sometimes the charger or laptop/PC port simply fails.

Also USB-C optionally has a HMDI/Display port kind of HD video feed. Monitors that use that won't work on laptop or tablet USB-C ports that have no video.

Also mini and micro USB have a host mode (USB2G) to allow storage, USB Audio or keyboards etc to work on phones, tablets and even some ereaders. Usually this needs a special cable that shorts a 5th pin and the device usually can't charge as it supplies the 5V. Some Mini-USB can be switched by a gadget to be analogue audio, video or both. Needs a specific cable. In contrast the USB-C can be used on a gadget to be a host and charge at the same time with a suitable peripheral or Y-cable.

USB-C just happens to use a reversible connector.

I put a blob of white or black on the gadget on the shorter edge if it's awkward to tell. Cables ought to have a USB symbol on the shorter edge, but some have none or have it on the wrong edge. Some have no mark or on the wrong side, so they too might get a dose of marker or nail varnish (which does come in black and white as well as more traditional shades). Nail varnish has been used by technicians and engineers for over 50 years to mark positions or lock something adjustable as it dries fast and is more durable than a permanent marker, which fade and wipe off.

USB-A, B, mini and micro are all meant to have the USB logo on a particular side. Thin edge without insulator for USB-A plugs and inline USB-A sockets.

USB was badly designed from the start partly because it was envisaged only for joysticks, mice, keyboards and similar low speed connections, usually with a captive cable and a USB-A plug. It was to replace RS422, RS485, RS232, large DIN serial plug & mini DIN serial plug (XT, AT & PS/2 Keyboards), so was smaller than all except the PS/2. Even AppleTalk/LocalTalk was really slow as it used RS-422 ports at 230.4 kbit/s. USB 1.0 was 1.5 Mbit/s or 12 Mbit/s. But though called Universal Serial Bus, it was not a bus (still isn't) and was strictly Host with peripheral, no peer to peer. The Firewire was faster, supported networking and peer to peer, but was beaten by inferior USB due to costs, inc. Firewire royalty payments.

Much is made of Firewire vulnerabilities, but USB is worse due to HID mode, silent installs and idiotic access to JTAG or management engines for convenience at final configuration in a factory.

[Rid]

Never underestimate a Quoth

[KL Wong]

Quoth,

There are a lot of information. Thanks. Kobo do use type C connector in their new ereaders.

I search the name "reversible mirco USB cable" and found they are here quite a while. However my Kobo cable is the only reversible cable I come across so I suspect they are not so common. At least I can use this cable without looking at which side should be upward, a little convenience that I enjoy.

Thanks

Allen

[DNSB]

I've run across several reversible micro USB cables since one was shipped with my Tolino epos. As mentioned, they are more fragile going by quite a few reports but I haven't had issues with the 3 or 4 of them I currently own.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by KL Wong

Quoth,

There are a lot of information. Thanks. Kobo do use type C connector in their new ereaders.

USB-C

• The Nintendo Switch.
• Most phones and tablets not from Apple in last few years.
• Most recent ereaders, inc newer Kindles, but oddly not the Oasis 3rd version.
• Some Apple gear.
• Some power tools. They don't come with a charger and need 20V, so a USB-A to USB-C cable doesn't work.

Apple will be having USB-C instead of Lightning on iPhones, at least in EU and close trading partners, because it's now an EU directive for phones, tablets, cameras, ereaders and similar gadgets.

Not all USB-C devices will charge with a USB-A to USB-C cable, but all should work for data with USB-A as host and any that use a 5V charger will charge on a USB-A port. USB-C can use 20V up to 5A. A revision allows more because stupidly 100W was too low for more powerful laptops. It's still stupid as a laptop power supply or for high power because there will be laptops still not using USB-C for power and no laptop with USB-C ports is going to be able to charge high power USB-C devices. The USB-C port on my desktop PC doesn't evencharge my ereader as fast as my charger that has USB-A socket and it's not even a high power device.

USB has always been a bit of a mess and while USB-C works and solves a few issues it's a missed opportunity. The idea it could optionally carry HD video creates confusion. The more than 5V because someone thought it would be good to charge laptops was silly. The idea of laptops with only USB-C for power is silly.