New Kindle oasis on way?

[JSWolf]

A Reader with USB-C would mean buying new cables for no gain. USB-C would be useless (IMHO). Yet another cable to cart around.

[jhowell]

The USB port on Kindles is provided by the low-power system on a chip (SoC). My understanding is that the newest 2017 i.MX 8 processors support either USB 2.0 or USB 3.0, but not USB-C (USB 3.1).

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Thanks for confirming the weirdness.

It maybe should be kept in mind that "THE DBX" originated the "news" that kindles can read epubs if they are renamed as png. I suspect English not first language is a factor.

[kaibob]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

A Reader with USB-C would mean buying new cables for no gain. USB-C would be useless (IMHO). Yet another cable to cart around.

Perhaps it's a reflection of my age, but I often have difficulty plugging the micro-USB cable into my Paperwhite. I've never used or even seen a USB-C cable, but I suspect it would make things easier, if, for no other reason, that I wouldn't have to determine which side of the connector is up. I'd actually prefer wireless charging, but that's probably not going to happen anytime soon.

[knc1]

Originally Posted by kaibob

- - - -
I wouldn't have to determine which side of the connector is up.
- - - - -

The cable provided by Amazon, and many other brands, have an embossed USB symbol.
If you can't see it, you can feel it.
That is the "up side" (same side as the screen)

If looking at a vertical connector, the right hand side as you hold the connector for insertion.

[rowanmoor]

Originally Posted by knc1

The cable provided by Amazon, and many other brands, have an embossed USB symbol.
If you can't see it, you can feel it.
That is the "up side" (same side as the screen)

If looking at a vertical connector, the right hand side as you hold the connector for insertion.

That doesn't really help the confusion when you have multiple phones/readers and there is a 50/50 split on the way up that the connector goes! Many phones have the connector upside-down.

[JSWolf]

Kobo & Kindle both have the USB port the same direction as described by knc1.

[John F]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Kobo & Kindle both have the USB port the same direction as described by knc1.

Define "Kobo"; at least one of my Kobos has a different orientation. And it looks like the H2O2 and the Aura One have different orientations?

[salamanderjuice]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Kobo & Kindle both have the USB port the same direction as described by knc1.

Uh, my Aura One and Paperwhite 3 have the micro USB port in opposite directions. So that doesn't hold for all models at least.

It's easier to go off the little pins on micro USB cable itself than logos which may or may not exist or be orientated properly. Aura One is pins up, PW3 is pins down.

You can also put a USB C port on a USB 2.0 only port. That's what most phones have done. The SoC itself doesn't need to support 3.1.

[johnnyb]

Sometimes I really don't get your paper doubt resistance
USB-C would make plugging in easier and you said it yourself, the Kindle comes with a cable anyway (no problem if the side of the cable that plugs into chargers is still USB A) and sooner or later, the USB C port will replace micro USB and others.
What difference would it make then if the Kindle came with one now? You will have to give up your micro USB collections at some point...
Also, the fact that USB 3.1 is not supported by modern ereader SoCs is no problem either. The connector can easily be used to support USB 2 or 3 speeds.

[knc1]

Originally Posted by salamanderjuice

Uh, my Aura One and Paperwhite 3 have the micro USB port in opposite directions. So that doesn't hold for all models at least.

Take another look at your PW3, while a cable with a marked connector is plugged in.
I had three of them next to me when I wrote that.

So if yours is different, it is because Amazon designed a different board just for yourself.

[Pajamaman]

Originally Posted by kaibob

Perhaps it's a reflection of my age, but I often have difficulty plugging the micro-USB cable into my Paperwhite. I've never used or even seen a USB-C cable, but I suspect it would make things easier, if, for no other reason, that I wouldn't have to determine which side of the connector is up. I'd actually prefer wireless charging, but that's probably not going to happen anytime soon.

Maybe sooner than you think. Amazon have clearly stated they want the e-reader to dissapear in your hand. that's the point of the Oasis design. if they can make the device charge wirelessly, then they could remove the USB port. Less weight, more minimalism. I don't see why they couldn't do this on the next iteration of the Oasis. It might be more expensive to include a dedicated charger, but Oasis buyers have demonstrated that money is no object to them.

[pdurrant]

I would love a sealed unit that charged wirelessly (like my phone does!)

But I'd still want file transfer with my computer. Perhaps something via Bluetooth.

[salamanderjuice]

Originally Posted by knc1

Take another look at your PW3, while a cable with a marked connector is plugged in.
I had three of them next to me when I wrote that.

So if yours is different, it is because Amazon designed a different board just for yourself.

The Kobo Aura One is the opposite orientation from the PW3. Duh. I'm sure my PW3's port is exactly the same orientation as yours.

Also the USB logo thing does absolutely not hold true. My Blackberry cables for example have the USB logo on what would be the bottom side on a PW3(assuming screen is face up). The BB logo faces up. Some cables also don't have logos, or don't have the USB logo. The only sure fire thing is the shape and the two little pins, or spikes or whatever on one side.

[knc1]

Originally Posted by salamanderjuice

The Kobo Aura One is the opposite orientation from the PW3. Duh. I'm sure my PW3's port is exactly the same orientation as yours.

Also the USB logo thing does absolutely not hold true. My Blackberry cables for example have the USB logo on what would be the bottom side on a PW3(assuming screen is face up). The BB logo faces up. Some cables also don't have logos, or don't have the USB logo. The only sure fire thing is the shape and the two little pins, or spikes or whatever on one side.

See attached, section 4.5.2 and figure 4-5.

It is entirely possible to purchase non-standard cables, which does not change the description of how a standard cable is used or attached.

The mating orientation also depends on the board manufacturer getting the socket on the intended side of the board.
Nothing prevents them from putting a surface mount connector on the wrong surface.