Skip to main content

USB Type-C ready to be produced, compatible devices coming ‘by early 2015’

usb type c ready to be produced compatible devices coming by early 2015 final rendering with labels
The USB 3.0 Promoter Group announced that the next generation of USB cables and connectors, dubbed USB Type-C, has been finalized. It is now ready to be produced. The USB Promoter Group has provided brand new renderings of what the new cables and connectors will look like, which you can see above.

Related: What is USB Type-C, and what will it mean for computing once it’s released?

The spec has been sent over to the USB Implementers Forum, which will oversee the establishment of a compliance and certification program for USB Type-C. This part of the process ensures that the cables and connectors will work swimmingly with future devices.

Why does USB Type-C matter?

USB Type-C is significant for a few reasons. Firstly, it is much slimmer than current USB connectors, which will allow for the creation of slimmer devices. Secondly, USB Type-C will be able to work with laptops, smartphones, and tablets as well.

Related: We get our first look at USB Type-C cables and connectors

Also, as an extra convenience, USB Type-C is reversible. Unlike today’s connectors, there is no “wrong way” to plug in a USB Type-C cable. Either side will work.

Plus, they’ll be able to deliver 100 watts of power, and be capable of transmitting 10GBps of data. In short, USB Type-C could signal the beginning of the end for the bulky power bricks that are commonly associated with PC laptops.

“Interest in the USB Type-C connector has not only been global, but cross-industry as well,” Brad Saunders, the Chairman of the USB 3.0 Promoter Group says. “Representatives from the PC, mobile, automotive and IoT industries have been knocking down our door anticipating this new standard. This specification is the culmination of an extensive, cooperative effort among industry leaders to standardize the next generation USB connector as a long-lasting, robust solution.”

When will USB Type-C devices arrive?

This development, in conjunction with innovations elsewhere like the creation of Intel’s fanless Core M processor, could pave the way for super-slim tech gear to hit the market in the not-so-distant future. When Digital Trends spoke with a representative from the USB 3.0 Promoter Group, we were told that devices that are USB Type-C ready could arrive “by early 2015.”

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Konrad Krawczyk
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Konrad covers desktops, laptops, tablets, sports tech and subjects in between for Digital Trends. Prior to joining DT, he…
The best USB-C hubs
best usb c hubs kingston nucleum hub

Most laptops today use USB Type-C as their primary (and sometimes only) ports. While USB-C has plenty of benefits, including pass-through charging and faster data transfer speeds, most people still have accessories with USB-A connections. Combine that with HDMI ports and SD cards, and USB-C still has a long way to go before it becomes a universal standard.

That’s why most people who buy a new laptop can benefit from a USB-C hub. The same goes for users who work primarily on laptop alternatives like the iPad Pro or the 2020 iPad Air. A USB-C hub allows users to connect their accessories, such as external monitors, external hard drives, and even peripherals like mice and keyboards.

Read more
16-inch MacBook Pro rumored to have a 96W USB-C charger
new macbook pro 8th generation cpu closing

Despite not making an appearance at Apple’s iPhone 11 launch event, a steady stream of rumors about the 16-inch MacBook Pro has continued to flow forth. The latest to be added to the pile concerns the rumored device’s charger: It will supposedly come with a monster 96W USB-C wall adapter.

No other MacBook uses a charger this powerful. In fact, the next closest is the MacBook Pro 15, which uses an 87W charger -- still some way off the power of the reputed 16-inch MacBook Pro’s plug.

Read more
Trying to buy a GPU in 2023 almost makes me miss the shortage
Two AMD Radeon RX 7000 graphics cards on a pink surface.

The days of the GPU shortage are long over, but somehow, buying a GPU is harder than ever -- and that sentiment has very little to do with stock levels. It's just that there are no obvious candidates when shopping anymore.

In a generation where no single GPU stands out as the single best graphics card, it's hard to jump on board with the latest from AMD and Nvidia. I don't want to see another GPU shortage, but the state of the graphics card market is far from where it should be.
This generation is all over the place

Read more