New USB Plug Standard :)

[calvin-c]

Originally Posted by Shane R

Both ends of the cable will be the same too. It won't matter which end goes into the PC and which end goes into the device....But this will be a very good change.

You're kidding, right? Like has figuring out which end goes where ever been a problem? For anybody? When the ends are different it's totally obvious which end goes where. Even in the dark.

Now telling which way is up, that can be a problem. Yes, I know about the USB symbol but I've had at least two devices (phone & camera) where either the connector was installed upside down or the designer had a different idea of which side is 'up' than I did. Plus almost every cord (and most case) designers are idiots. Really, using symbols with the same color as the background? I don't think any of them have ever even heard of 'contrast'.

[WT Sharpe]

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.

The unmarked USB receptacle on my last phone faced opposite the opposite direction from all my other USB devices. I had to remember that every time I plugged it into the charger.

[WT Sharpe]

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.

This.

[PeterT]

I keep thinking I should get some nail polish and place dots on the different devices (and cables) around the house to simplify things.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by PeterT

I keep thinking I should get some nail polish and place dots on the different devices (and cables) around the house to simplify things.

Paint sticks work great. I use them to mark all my shoes and gloves. Red=right, blue=left. Now I'm never confused as to which glove/shoe goes where when I'm getting dressed.

[BadBilly]

Originally Posted by Sil_liS

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.

Some people have indicated that the "rule" does not always apply, that they have trouble seeing the embossing, and that the design of some items render tactile cues useless. I can believe that. Just as I believe that some people have problems with reading comprehension.

[Cyberman tM]

Originally Posted by calvin-c

You're kidding, right? Like has figuring out which end goes where ever been a problem? For anybody? When the ends are different it's totally obvious which end goes where. Even in the dark.

I'd suppose it's more about reducing the amount of connectors overall.
USB has been accused often enough of having too many different connectors.

Besides, if it's just a cable, what benefit do different sized ends have? Why would there be a need for a predefined direction.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Cyberman tM

I'd suppose it's more about reducing the amount of connectors overall.
USB has been accused often enough of having too many different connectors.

Besides, if it's just a cable, what benefit do different sized ends have? Why would there be a need for a predefined direction.

A larger connector, at the host end, where there's generally a lot more physical space than at the client end, makes it easier to plug in, especially for those whose fingers are not so nimble as others. Tiny connectors are not easy for some people to manage.

[MikeB1972]

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.

Well, of the 3 devices with micro USB connections in front of me (Same cable from PC)
Nexus 4 - USB up
Nook Simple Touch - USB up
Sony 650 - USB down

Could just be those wacky Sony engineers trying to mix it up because they had to use a standard connection but I bet there are others.

[HarryT]

USB3 connectors seem to be totally random. I have about half a dozen USB3 external drives; the orientation of the connector is pretty much 50:50 up/down among them.

[5thWiggle]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Paint sticks work great. I use them to mark all my shoes and gloves. Red=right, blue=left. Now I'm never confused as to which glove/shoe goes where when I'm getting dressed.

Shouldn't that be:

red = left = port
green = right = starboard

Any here I thought you were a nautical man!

[Catlady]

Am I the only one who confuses the mini and the micro plugs?

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Apple's gonna sue

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

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.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by Cyberman tM

Besides, if it's just a cable, what benefit do different sized ends have? Why would there be a need for a predefined direction.

The different ends of the USB standard are intended to prevent people connecting devices in a way that won't work. USB is a host/client standard. By having host devices with one plug/socket and clients with another, people can't connect host to host or client to client.

Perhaps people are now familiar enough with USB that this won't be a problem, but I anticipate lots of people trying to connect two client devices together and wondering why nothing happens.