New USB Plug Standard :) - Page 2

ApK · 12-04-2013, 12:24 PM

What I dislike about current usb connectors (what the lightning connector seems to have corrected) is that usb is a small thin hollow shell around fragile pins in fragile floating plastic, at the end of a decent lever. IOW, it's real easy to push wrong on a plugged in USB cable and break or deform something important.
Lightning is a solid slab that seems like it should be pretty durable.
I hope this new USB plug is more like that. Not having to wonder what way to insert it is a minor nicety. Not having to wonder if the cable or the socket will work the next time it's used would be much better.
Alas, the disposable mindset will likely keep durability out of the equation.

PatNY · 12-04-2013, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sil_liS

I don't see why that would ever be a problem with the existing cables. The correct way is with the USB symbol facing upward. It is one of those things that you can do with your eyes closed.

Some USB plugs have indentations on both sides. I am looking at a micro plug right now that has this. So it's impossible to tell with eyes closed which end is up -- and even with eyes open, it's hard to tell unless you have perfect vision. The new standard will be very welcome to me.

--Pat

sun surfer · 12-04-2013, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sil_liS

I don't see why that would ever be a problem with the existing cables. The correct way is with the USB symbol facing upward. It is one of those things that you can do with your eyes closed.

On my Mac mini, the USB plug-ins are sideways and in the back. I really like their placement aesthetically, but I don't often need to plug them, so when I do, it can be rather a pain to try to reach behind it and plug it in the right way.

Sil_liS · 12-04-2013, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatNY

Some USB plugs have indentations on both sides. I am looking at a micro plug right now that has this. So it's impossible to tell with eyes closed which end is up -- and even with eyes open, it's hard to tell unless you have perfect vision. The new standard will be very welcome to me.

Do you mean that they have this symbol on both sides:

Jessica Lares · 12-04-2013, 01:18 PM

I'll still manage to somehow plug it in wrong.

Like I do with the Apple Lightning connectors already.

But this is great.

luvhilndr · 12-04-2013, 01:36 PM

My Kobo Glo cable plugs in backwards, with the USB symbol facing downward. It's the only device I have that doesn't follow the usual USB symbol upwards rule.

ApK · 12-04-2013, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvhilndr

My Kobo Glo cable plugs in backwards, with the USB symbol facing downward. It's the only device I have that doesn't follow the usual USB symbol upwards rule.

I have a couple devices like that. And I have several cables that have no symbol on them at all.

luvhilndr · 12-04-2013, 02:19 PM

I've resorted to marking the upside of cables and polarized plugs with either a dot of white paint or a black sharpie, depending on the color of the cord. It solves the problem as long as I have a bit of light to see what I'm doing.

PatNY · 12-04-2013, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sil_liS

Do you mean that they have this symbol on both sides:

No, but then none of the micro USB plugs on my cords have black symbols on white or vice versa. They are all single color with the symbol embossed on the top side. The specific micro plug I am talking about additionally has a bounding box embossed on the bottom side that is identical to the bounding box on the top side which encloses the USB symbol, though the box on the underside is empty. It looks just like this:

Click image for larger version

Name: plug.jpg
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The plug is too small to “feel” the difference between the 2 sides, or even see it from a normal distance – unless maybe you’re a teenager with perfect vision (I wish). I also have a regular USB plug that came with Satechi speaiers with the same problem, only worse. It also has an embossed bounding box on the bottom of the plug, plus additional embossing inside that box. Both sides look and feel identical.

BTW, in case anyone is looking for a cheap but good dual USB charger, the actual micro USB cord I am talking about came with this generic 3rd party charger on eBay. I’m very happy with it as everything I’ve thrown at it charges fine – Nook tablets, phone, ipod, hot spot, portable speakers. It does get hot while charging the larger tablet, but once it’s on trickle charge, it cools down completely.

--Pat

Sil_liS · 12-04-2013, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatNY

No, but then none of the micro USB plugs on my cords have black symbols on white or vice versa. They are all single color with the symbol embossed on the top side. The specific micro plug I am talking about additionally has a bounding box embossed on the bottom side that is identical to the bounding box on the top side which encloses the USB symbol, though the box on the underside is empty. It looks just like this:

Attachment 116192

The plug is too small to “feel” the difference between the 2 sides, or even see it from a normal distance – unless maybe you’re a teenager with perfect vision (I wish). I also have a regular USB plug that came with Satechi speaiers with the same problem, only worse. It also has an embossed bounding box on the bottom of the plug, plus additional embossing inside that box. Both sides look and feel identical.

I didn't mean black symbols on white or vice versa, I posted the picture because in your reply to my post you said "indentations" but didn't specify which kind.

At the size of a micro plug, fingertips should be able to differentiate between an embossed USB symbol and embossed logos.

Sydney's Mom · 12-04-2013, 03:29 PM

If that was my worst problem with technology, I would be the luckiest person in the world! Oh well, I guess every little bit helps.

PatNY · 12-04-2013, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sil_liS

At the size of a micro plug, fingertips should be able to differentiate between an embossed USB symbol and embossed logos.

Well, maybe if you are adept at reading braille or otherwise have magic fingers.

I know I cannot tell the difference just by feel.

--Pat

jehane · 12-04-2013, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sil_liS

I don't see why that would ever be a problem with the existing cables. The correct way is with the USB symbol facing upward. It is one of those things that you can do with your eyes closed.

Except that this is not a universal standard. I have at least one cable that I regularly use that has the symbol on the bottom. A couple of other posters have the same issue.

Sil_liS · 12-04-2013, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvhilndr

My Kobo Glo cable plugs in backwards, with the USB symbol facing downward. It's the only device I have that doesn't follow the usual USB symbol upwards rule.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jehane

Except that this is not a universal standard. I have at least one cable that I regularly use that has the symbol on the bottom. A couple of other posters have the same issue.

afv011 · 12-04-2013, 07:21 PM

Somebody had to post it...

12-04-2013, 07:21 PM	#30
afv011 Captain Penguin Posts: 2,964 Karma: 2079777777 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Device: Kobo Clara BW, Kobo Libra 2, Nook Glowlight	Somebody had to post it... Attached Thumbnails

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12-04-2013, 12:24 PM	#16
ApK Award-Winning Participant Posts: 7,389 Karma: 68329346 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ, USA Device: Kindle	What I dislike about current usb connectors (what the lightning connector seems to have corrected) is that usb is a small thin hollow shell around fragile pins in fragile floating plastic, at the end of a decent lever. IOW, it's real easy to push wrong on a plugged in USB cable and break or deform something important. Lightning is a solid slab that seems like it should be pretty durable. I hope this new USB plug is more like that. Not having to wonder what way to insert it is a minor nicety. Not having to wonder if the cable or the socket will work the next time it's used would be much better. Alas, the disposable mindset will likely keep durability out of the equation.

12-04-2013, 01:18 PM	#20
Jessica Lares Wizard Posts: 2,240 Karma: 5759170 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Near Dallas, Texas, USA Device: iPad Mini, iPod Touch (5th gen)	I'll still manage to somehow plug it in wrong. Like I do with the Apple Lightning connectors already. But this is great.

12-04-2013, 01:36 PM	#21
luvhilndr Connoisseur Posts: 55 Karma: 29168 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: USA Device: Kobo H2O, Kindle Voyage	My Kobo Glo cable plugs in backwards, with the USB symbol facing downward. It's the only device I have that doesn't follow the usual USB symbol upwards rule.

12-04-2013, 02:19 PM	#23
luvhilndr Connoisseur Posts: 55 Karma: 29168 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: USA Device: Kobo H2O, Kindle Voyage	I've resorted to marking the upside of cables and polarized plugs with either a dot of white paint or a black sharpie, depending on the color of the cord. It solves the problem as long as I have a bit of light to see what I'm doing.

12-04-2013, 03:29 PM	#26
Sydney's Mom Wizard Posts: 2,899 Karma: 6995721 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Idaho, on the side of a mountain Device: Kindle Oasis, Fire 3d Gen and 5th Gen and Samsung Tab S	If that was my worst problem with technology, I would be the luckiest person in the world! Oh well, I guess every little bit helps.