When will we see a USB-C Kobo?

[ploum]

I believe that the industry is moving toward USB-C as the standard connection/charging cable.

What I*like a lot with my Kobo is that, currently, it uses the same charging cable as my phone (micro USB). Which means only one adapter when I travel.

Now, new laptops and new phones are increasingly switching to USB-C.

The day I*will have an USB-C phone, my Kobo will become an hurdle that requires me to take one more adapter.

I*hope that, on that day, there will be an USB-C Kobo in the store. I would buy it immediately.

[JSWolf]

I don't want USB-C jut yet. The problem is that poorly made USB cables can damage laptops, phones, etc. So don't go USB-C just yet until the poorly made cables can be eliminated.

[David Munch]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I don't want USB-C jut yet. The problem is that poorly made USB cables can damage laptops, phones, etc. So don't go USB-C just yet until the poorly made cables can be eliminated.

Just don't buy 3rd party cables, but use the one that came with your product.

In any case you can get lousy third party cables of any kind no matter what you are looking for, so not really an argument to stay away from modern technology. Just don't buy the cheapest product you can find on websites.

[JSWolf]

Yes, you can get lousy USB 2/3 cables, but I've not read of them damaging your device.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by ploum

I believe that the industry is moving toward USB-C as the standard connection/charging cable.

What I*like a lot with my Kobo is that, currently, it uses the same charging cable as my phone (micro USB). Which means only one adapter when I travel.

Now, new laptops and new phones are increasingly switching to USB-C.

The day I*will have an USB-C phone, my Kobo will become an hurdle that requires me to take one more adapter.

I*hope that, on that day, there will be an USB-C Kobo in the store. I would buy it immediately.

Right now, I need to have to have two cables in my bag: one USB-C and USB-micro. And the mini is used for the Garmin GPS... I'd have loved if the One had a USB-C connector. I'm always turning the micro USB connector 5 times before I manage to connect it...

[chrisridd]

I think a basic problem with all USB kit is that manufacturers "self-certify" their hardware, so there's really nothing to stop them selling junk with the USB logo on. And they do

Google for "Benson Leung" to find a load of reviews which name/shame/praise various vendors.

Personally I'm also looking forward to Kobo ditching the horrible micro (or is it mini?) USB cable with its super-easily bent connector.

[JSWolf]

In plain English, don't buy any USB-C cables that are not "Benson Leung" approved.

Not even all hardware manufacturers get the USB-C port correct. The phones that have USB-C and Quallcomm quick charge are not the correct spec for USB-C (for example).

[ApK]

I think one of the things slowing usb C is the existing accessory base. Apple doesn't care about such things, but the rest of the world seems hesitant to obsolete a bunch of expensive docking stations and mounts.
Cables can be converted with a cheap adapter, just like we did from Mini- to Micro-USB, so that's not a huge deal, but integrated accessories, where there is no room for an adapter, would be useless.

Also, I love the reversibility and other touted features of the C connector, but I wouldn't mind seeing how they actually hold up over a few years of use before the industry wholly adopts them. How are all you Samsung S6 owners liking it?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by ApK

I think one of the things slowing usb C is the existing accessory base. Apple doesn't care about such things, but the rest of the world seems hesitant to obsolete a bunch of expensive docking stations and mounts.
Cables can be converted with a cheap adapter, just like we did from Mini- to Micro-USB, so that's not a huge deal, but integrated accessories, where there is no room for an adapter, would be useless.

Also, I love the reversibility and other touted features of the C connector, but I wouldn't mind seeing how they actually hold up over a few years of use before the industry wholly adopts them. How are all you Samsung S6 owners liking it?

The problem with USB-C is that unless it's been reviewed by someone reliable such as Benson Leung, you will have no idea if the cable or adapter is any good and if it's not good, it could damage your device and warranty will not cover that. Plus, some devices with USB-C are not actually USB-C compliant.

So for now given that a lot of us have a number of microUSB cables, I'd stick with microUSB.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Yes, you can get lousy USB 2/3 cables, but I've not read of them damaging your device.

There have been several reports of such damage. See https://plus.google.com/+BensonLeung/posts/HzkGqnWcyYM. A quick Google search found several other instances mostly due to manufacturers playing fast and loose with the USB-C charging spec.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by DNSB

There have been several reports of such damage. See https://plus.google.com/+BensonLeung/posts/HzkGqnWcyYM. A quick Google search found several other instances mostly due to manufacturers playing fast and loose with the USB-C charging spec.

USB-C should be done away with until it can be fixed so these sorts of things don't happen.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

USB-C should be done away with until it can be fixed so these sorts of things don't happen.

Unfortunately, there seems to be no way to force manufacturers to follow the standard. If you look at one post by Benson Leung, you'll see a cable sold as a USB-C high speed cable which seems to be missing the necessary wiring.

I've run into issues with USB 2 and 3 cables that were manufactured to the same lack of quality standards -- oops, we shorted the +5V line to ground but nobody is going to notice until after they pay for it so why should we care.

Sticking to brand name cabling and hoping we are not buying a counterfeit is about the best we can do.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by ApK

How are all you Samsung S6 owners liking it?

I don't have a Samsung S6, but I'm loving the USB-C on my phone. Not that I'm using it a lot, as I prefer wireless charging over any form of cable anyway

[chrisridd]

Originally Posted by DNSB

Sticking to brand name cabling and hoping we are not buying a counterfeit is about the best we can do.

Unfortunately that doesn't always work, I just found spotted a cable from Incipio that Benson Leung has found doesn't follow the specs. It don't know if Incipio is really a "brand name" but I've heard of them.

So I think the best we can do is to only buy the cables that have been reviewed unless you implicitly trust the manufacturer and seller.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by chrisridd

Unfortunately that doesn't always work, I just found spotted a cable from Incipio that Benson Leung has found doesn't follow the specs. It don't know if Incipio is really a "brand name" but I've heard of them.

So I think the best we can do is to only buy the cables that have been reviewed unless you implicitly trust the manufacturer and seller.

I should probably keep my mouth shut about these ideas and show a little more ambition, but:

I see a market for a small cheap cable tester, key-chain sized, sold for a a couple of bucks on ebay. Someone needs to strike while the iron is hot.
See my sig for where to send my percentage....