USB Type C: Everything you need to know !!!!!

A reversible version of the humble USB cable has arrived but what will it mean to us?

At long last, devices sporting the new USB Type-C connectors are coming onto the market. The design features reversible, symmetrical ends so there is no longer a wrong way to insert a cable into a port. But the significance of this is far reaching for laptops, tablets and smartphones.
The connector technology means we should see quicker charging of gadgets, fast transfers of data and as the design is somewhat smaller than its ancestors, slimmer phones.
We can expect to see many devices coming out soon that will take advantage of all the tech has to offer. but what sets it apart from previous version?

What’s the difference between USB-A, USB-B and USB-C?

USB-A was the original design. The Type-A connector was the one that plugs into the computer, into, unsurprisingly a Type-A port. Most host devices, such as desktops, laptops, games consoles have these.
USB-B is the connector that is on the other end and usually this usually plugs into a peripheral, such as a printer, phone or external hard drive. The port that a Type-B connector plugs into is called a Type-B port.
Where this gets complicated is that peripherals comes in all shapes and sizes so one standard connector may not be the best answer in all cases. So there are different types of connectors and ports. These range from the Standard- B connector (the largest sized one and the original) to plug into scanners and printers.
The Mini-B USB is smaller and is found on smaller and older portable devices. This type of port and connector is no longer being produced so is heading for obsolescence.
The Micro-B USB is used on smartphones and tablets (that aren’t Apple devices, such as the iPhone and iPad). The explosion in popularity in smart devices has led to a corresponding boom in popularity for this connector.
USB-C was announced last year. How USB-C differs is that it replaces all the Type-B connectors and ports at the peripheral end and in time will most likely all but completely replace Type-A connectors and ports at the host end. Around the same size as a Micro-B connector, the Type-C should fit every type of peripheral.
Unlike Type-A and Type-B, the design is reversible and symmetrical, so it doesn’t matter which way to plug it in.

What other features does USB-C offer?

In addition to its connectivity flexibility, USB-C will support USB 3.1 allowing data transfers of up to 10GBps.It will also have a much higher power output of 20V (100W) and 5A. This means that in addition to charging smartphones and tablets, the technology can power laptops as well (most notebooks draw around 60W of power.
The power output with USB-C means that many more external hard drives will no longer need a separate power adaptor. The technology can power multiple hard drives.
The technology also allows for bi-directional power. This means that not only can a host power a peripheral, a peripheral could also recharge its host. This could negate the need for proprietary power adaptors and USB cables, leaving us with a single cable capable of working with all devices.

Can it connect to other types of port?

USB-C ports can support many different protocols using something called “alternate modes”. This means you can have adaptors that output HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort, or other connections from a single USB port. Apple already has a USB-C Digital Multiport Adaptor that does this. This means less types of port on the host device in the future.

What about backwards compatibility?

The physical connection isn’t backwards compatible but the underlying standard is. The upshot of that is that with the right type of adaptor, your devices can connect to USB-C devices without any compatibility issues other than the need to find the right physical cable. The new cable won’t see all the old types of USB disappear overnight – there will be a slow transition with computers having both types of ports for some time (Apple aside).
This could possibly the first and only time that adaptors and special cables for USB will be required in some cases. According to the USB Implementers Forum, the design is supposed to be future-proof so will be part and parcel of any USB versions in the years ahead.

When will we see USB-C on devices? Does USB-C have a release date?

It’s here are already. The latest Apple MacBook sports a single USB-C port to do just about everything (except for the 3.5mm headphone socket). The latest Chromebook Pixel has two USB-C ports as well as normal USB-A ports.
HP has also introduced USB-C into its latest tablet-cum-laptop, the Pavilion x2. Although, unlike Apple, it is bursting with ports.

USB Type-C cable with reversible design breaks cover

USB Type-C connectors will be similar in design to a microUSB connection but will provide more power
The first pictures of the USB Type-C cable have been revealed, showing it's very similar in design to a microUSB connection.
The new cable will be reversible and symmetrical too, meaning there will no longer be a correct way up to insert the cable into your computer or periphery.
The change has been pushed forward by the USB 3.0 Promoter Group and USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF).
Intel's Brad Saunders, USB 3.0 Promoter Group chairman, said at the original announcement in December, "while USB technology is well established as the favoured choice for connecting and powering devices, we recognise the need to develop a new connector to meet evolving design trends in terms of size and usability.
“The new Type-C connector will fit well with the market’s direction and affords an opportunity to lay a foundation for future versions of USB.”
The new standard also support scalable power charging up to 100 watts and will allow the transfer of data at speeds of 10Gbps - double the speed of current USB solutions.
The first USB Type-C cables will be introduced in July and manufacturers are thought to be integrating the new style ports into their technology from the end of the year.
As one of the companies actively involved in the evolution of the USB cable, Intel will be implementing the new style in its products.
Alex Peleg, vice president of the Platform Engineering Group, said: "Intel is excited to see the development of the new thin Type-C connector as it will enable an entirely new super thin class of devices from phones to tablets, to 2-in-1s, to laptops to desktops and a multitude of other more specific usage devices.
"This new industry standards-based thin connector delivering data, power and video is the only connector one will need across all devices.”
Texas Instruments (TI) can also see the benefits of the Type-C connector. Roland Sperlich, TI consumer and computing interface product line manager, thinks the move to the new style USB will enable the development of the technology to happen faster if trends change again in future.
"The new Type-C connector furthers USB's lead in addressing customer desire for more flexibility and higher performance. This allows USB to increase performance and continue to deliver ease of use to several evolving product categories for years to come,” he explained.
Although the technology was announced in December, this is the first time renderings of what the cable will look like have surfaced - courtesy of the Foxconn factory