Another Image of New Lightning Cable with Reversible USB Connector Surfaces

[jozeppy26]

Do you know this for sure?

If it CAN shift up and down, it still needs something to MAKE it shift up and down. If USB sockets had a bevelled tongue, I could see it working. But they don't. So I really can't see how it is supposed to be reversible. Unless... They rely on gravity... And therefore can only be used in horizontally aligned USB sockets...

Anyways, I do hope the next set of iOS devices support USB 3 speeds. Considering the storage size and processing speed of modern iOS devices, and the popularity of SSD-equipped computers, not supporting USB3 speeds seems insane.

how about a thunderbolt cable?

 

[jozeppy26]

REALLY!

Is it that difficult to LOOK at the end of the USB connector to determine how it is to be inserted?

Much ado about nothing.

You would think but even I have to admit I frequently jam in a USB wrong and have to flip it around. For some reason it's something I am never sure about when I go to plug a USB device in. I'm convinced that the proper orientation changed per device. lol jk

 

[koruki]

This guy has a great explanation as to why Apple won't:

Oh sure is that why changing the battery is as hard two screws, lift the face off, another screw, disconnect battery, pull the old one out with the convenient pull tab and put in another one. You can get a battery shipped free for under $10 that comes with the screw driver.

 

[jozeppy26]

Why not just make the USB end of the cable like this, but with the metal connectors on both sides?

 

[ApfelKuchen]

Why didn't Apple (and the rest of the industry) do this from the very beginning? In part, because a polarized (old-style) plug requires 4 gold-plated contacts, while the reversible version requires 8 gold-plated contacts.

One of the goals with USB was to reduce the number of contacts in the connector and conductors in the cable. The old PC serial port used a DB-9 connector and Apple's serial bus used an 8-pin mini-DIN connector, both of which are far more expensive than USB in terms of parts procurement and manufacturing.

I suspect Apple's biggest motivation for this is, now that their customers are used to the non-polarized Lightning Connector, is the customers are less likely to be patient with a plug that mates just half the time on the first try. It also ups the ante for the manufacturers of replacement cables - if they don't follow suit, Apple's product has an immediate, tangible benefit. Like the old song goes, "How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm, after they've seen Paree?"

 

[doelcm82]

Oh sure is that why changing the battery is as hard two screws, lift the face off, another screw, disconnect battery, pull the old one out with the convenient pull tab and put in another one. You can get a battery shipped free for under $10 that comes with the screw driver.

What good does the screwdriver do? I don't see any visible screws on my iPhone. I guess you could use it to pry the phone apart...

 

[wikiverse]

I've got a better explanation. When you try to build 50 million devices in relative secrecy it's hard to source the same 50 million batteries at the cost you want, in the physical size you want and when you want them. That leaves Apple with a very small number of choices which, by the way, none of us know.

I don't think you need to defend apple here.

Apples entire business model is based on forced obsolescence and has been since the first iMac. It's not cynical, it's just how apple do business.

It's why the first iPhone didn't have a front facing camera. And why the first iPad didn't either.

I've taken my iPhone 5 to the Genius Bar in London and Brisbane and had it replaced twice because of battery issues. When asked why it kept happening, Both times the geniuses said that it makes people upgrade sooner and even when they have to book a genius appointment, it gets them into an apple store.

There are people who would upgrade sooner anyway, but most people spending that much money on a device will want it to last as long as possible - and that isn't good for apple's bottom line.

Apple's planned obsolescence strategy is the worst kept secret in the history of the world. Other companies do it too, but apple is notorious for withholding features and technology in order to force upgrades.

 

[Moto G]

Why wasn't this the design spec for ALL USB devices since the inception of USB? It's hardly revolutionary, and highly logical.

How odd that such a simple design has taken THIS LONG to create :/

 

[okwhatev]

Why not just make the USB end of the cable like this, but with the metal connectors on both sides?

View attachment 485988

My god I want one of those Apple USB sticks. How can I get one? It must be one of the most hard to find Apple collector's items out there

 

[Moto G]

Why not just make the USB end of the cable like this, but with the metal connectors on both sides?

View attachment 485988

#1 Durability

#2 Dirt ingress / abrasion of the contacts

#3 Structural integrity (IE, a metal housing is tougher than a flimsy sliver of plastic)

#4 If you had your suggestion, the unused redundant contacts would short out on the socket housing

USB plugs are designed for many hundreds of thousands, if not millions of insertion/removal cycles, and are designed to withstand wear that plastic simply cannot.

 

[65535]

USB plugs are designed for many hundreds of thousands, if not millions of insertion/removal cycles, and are designed to withstand wear that plastic simply cannot.

They're actually designed for about 1,500 cycles, micro usb gets up to about 10,000 cycles. Most industrial connectors are around 5,000 unless they're very specifically high life.

 

[cclloyd]

Is it just me, or does that USB look a little offset and NOT reversible?

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How embarrassing that Apple did this before USB will with Type C...

P.S: Am I the only one who wonders how that cable will physically fit into ordinary USB slots on laptops, etc. ?

And USB Type-c is better cause it follows the Lightning type of pin placement where they are a lot less fragile.

 

[Moto G]

They're actually designed for about 1,500 cycles, micro usb gets up to about 10,000 cycles. Most industrial connectors are around 5,000 unless they're very specifically high life.

Yep, I have no doubt you're right; they get the gist though

 

[mr.steevo]

REALLY!

Is it that difficult to LOOK at the end of the USB connector to determine how it is to be inserted?

Much ado about nothing.

All the USB ports are at the back of my mini and it is located in a way that I can't see the back of the computer. Everytime I plug in a USB cable I have to flip the cable around a few times before I get it inserted. Clearly I'm not the only one that experiences this, however, the passion in this thread makes it sound like this is a life ending (First World) problem.

 

[dilbert99]

It's been done before, I don't see how you've called them out beyond being completely wrong.

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What competitor has faster I/O on their NAND? Maybe you should actually do a little research before you make these claims.

Many others have pointed this out to me and posted links which I've looked at and all those pics look symmetrical to me. Its just the pic in the news article that doesn't look symmetrical to me, it could just be the angle of the pic as I've said before.

Others have said that the centre pins board may flex to allow it to fit, which suggests I may not be the only person that thinks it doesn't look symmetrical.

Finally for the record, I'm not saying its not possible to have reversible USB connectors, just that to my eyes, I couldn't see this one in the news article be reversible for the reasons in the comments above.

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Please point to any fact's you have.

Cambrookpro's pic:

Image

vs original usb connector below:

Image

It's obvious that the piece with the contacts is much thinner, leaving a gap on both sides, with contacts on both sides. If you have any proof of this design failing, as they have been around, then please post it. Since I have never actually used one I make no claims either way.

PS: It's not hard to get this info by looking around.

I totally agree with you with the pic you have posted, but this is different to the pic in the article, may just be the angle of the news shot, see above comments just posted...

 

[Moto G]

Look closely folks - it will fit ALL USB sockets ever made - bear in mind that the current plug design has a cavity which is 50% solid plastic housing pins, and the socket is just the exact inverse of that. All that has changed...


Ahh... I'll wait for someone else to explain this with better articulation

 

[prowlmedia]

I did and they look symmetrical to me in those links.

The news article here, and I've zoomed in on the pic has a smaller gap on top and a larger one on the bottom thats why I don't think its symmetrical.

Perhaps its just the angle the pic was taken at that I don't see it.

Just so i'm sure what your are meaning...in this article when you look at the usb plug to the the right of the picture, the gap at the top (above the pins) looks the same as the gap on the bottom (below the pins)?

1. "Perhaps click the link why don't you..." - was referring to another guy that was commenting on earbuds not being replaced since 2008... not you.

2 basically if you have a USB with a about 2mm substrate in the middle and the pins either side you can make a symbiotical USB. That is all.

in fact...
http://yournewsticker.com/2014/07/apple-invented-symmetrical-usb-connector-trying-patent.html

 

[65535]

Yep, I have no doubt you're right; they get the gist though

I think the pictures that came up aren't a new Apple connector, they'll stick to the standard I'm sure.

However the USB-C standard will take a long time to roll out in mass but I think it's a step in the right direction. I've considered the merits of having ruggedized connectors for computers but frankly it's overkill.

 

[wlossw]

Why don't they just spend engineering time making a lightning cable that doesn't break when it's subjected to expected amounts of stress at the lightning end itself?

My kids go through the an things at a rate of 1 per month.

The cable as it is can't handle charging the phone while it's plugged in...

 

[Moto G]

Why don't they just spend engineering time making a lightning cable that doesn't break when it's subjected to expected amounts of stress at the lightning end itself?

My kids go through the an things at a rate of 1 per month.

The cable as it is can't handle charging the phone while it's plugged in...

Why not ask them? I'm sure they're not too small and focused as an engineering company, busy doing other things, and I am sure they'll appreciate your assumption that all their designs should magically be perfect and free of defects, ALWAYS. If you're being totally honest about your children breaking them at one per month, I can only suggest that maybe you are expecting more of the cable and less of your children's ability to care for things that cost money... just maybe?

Anyone can criticise, it takes understanding to realise that NOTHING man made is perfect.

 

[manu chao]

That explanation is terrible.
If that explanation was true, they wouldn't have included such a massive battery on the iPad.

I don't remember a time when I needed to charge my iPad for two consecutive days in a row. In fact, I probably charge it once every 3-4 days. I actually wouldn't mind if Apple took away 1-2 hours of battery life to shave off the weight (of course not everyone would agree with me). That's how awesome the iPad's battery life is to me.

The interesting thing is that the iPhone and the iPad actually have the same battery life … if you use them for same things:

• Internet use/surfing the web on Wi-Fi: iPad up to 10 hours, iPhone up to 10 hours
• Internet use/surfing the web on cellular data network: iPad up to 9 hours, iPhone up to 8/10 hours (3G/LTE)
• Watching video: iPad up to 10 hours, iPhone up to 10 hours
• Listening to music: iPad up to 10 hours, iPhone up to 40 hours
• Talk time: iPhone up to 10 hours (on 3G)
• Standby time: iPhone up to 250 hours

The key difference is that most people actually use their iPhones more than their iPad. Firstly, I'd say the majority only uses the iPad when at home (+ while travelling), that already limits the time spent with the device compared to the iPhone which will be used all day long. Secondly, most people are sitting or lying down when using the iPad (exceptions would be an iPad streaming audio to loudspeakers), the iPhone is also used while standing or walking (in particular for listening to audio and talking).

Partially because we generally spend less time with our iPads, we also use them for a smaller number of tasks. Just think how many apps on the iPhone have you used in the last seven days and how many on your iPad? And because the iPad is a more stationary device, we also put less stress on the radio connections (more stable, less changes, on average better signal strength).

Being more stationary a device, we also are less bothered by weight and thickness with the iPad compared to the iPhone. If people weren't bothered by thickness and weight, all those not making it through a day on one charge would be happy using external battery cases.

Based on all this, it is reasonable to say that the sweet spot of customer satisfaction based on battery life and device thickness and weight corresponds to a longer real-life battery life of the iPad. That doesn't mean that the iPhone currently is at the sweet spot. But it is hard to accurately determine the precise location of the sweet spot.

 

[wlossw]

Why not ask them? I'm sure they're not too small and focused as an engineering company, busy doing other things, and I am sure they'll appreciate your assumption that all their designs should magically be perfect and free of defects, ALWAYS. If you're being totally honest about your children breaking them at one per month, I can only suggest that maybe you are expecting more of the cable and less of your children's ability to care for things that cost money... just maybe?

Anyone can criticise, it takes understanding to realise that NOTHING man made is perfect.

I can only lecture them so often. They didn't have the problem with the 30 pin cable... I suspect it's the added strain caused by the longer rigid part of the cable...

That being said your post smacks of the opinion of someone far removed from the reality of modern child rearing... Ie: the little darlings don't always do what they are told... And we must pick our battles...

 

[Erasmus]

If it's thin enough it should be good. It won't have to bend very much at all. Here's a USB 2.0 drive I have:

Image

The alignment is not perfect, but it gives an idea. It was harder to get the dead center shot with minimal shadow casting than I thought.

I wonder why they just hadn't designed the A connector this way in the first place.

Unfortunately, that image outlines the problem, not the solution. If the tongue on the male end is less than 50% of the width of the plug, then the tongue on the female end must be more than 50% of the width of the plug, in order for the contacts to connect.

As far as I can tell, you've shown that the female port could be easily redesigned for reversibility, but that still doesn't explain the OP image, which is clearly a redesigned male plug.

 

[Macboy Pro]

As long as they make the cable around the lightning connector a lot tougher I'll be happy. It is ridiculous how easy they come apart

Its by design that they come apart

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The white part shifts up and down.

Just another thing to break. How convenient!

 

[skinned66]

Unfortunately, that image outlines the problem, not the solution. If the tongue on the male end is less than 50% of the width of the plug, then the tongue on the female end must be more than 50% of the width of the plug, in order for the contacts to connect.

As far as I can tell, you've shown that the female port could be easily redesigned for reversibility, but that still doesn't explain the OP image, which is clearly a redesigned male plug.

I think I understand what you mean so I had a look. I don't think there is a problem though; this has been overcome already as people have already posted.

The female plug has a gap and then the tongue, which mates at approx 50% with the male connector. The tongue and the gap do not occupy more than 50% without a forgivable margin - there is always bit of play on devices that are plugged in. A thin PCB would have more than enough flex to do this and there will be empty cavities on either side to let it.

This is a USB 2.0 female port added to the same plug image I posted earlier (no yellow this time) Does it not look like a thinner double-sided tongue in the middle of the male port with flush leads which filled the gap between the rectangles couldn't accommodate existing female ports without a redesign? It does to me. I'd be interested in your opinion on that as well as anyone else's.

Again, not perfect angles and I did resize the port by superimposing it over the existing image to make sure the boundaries fit while maintaining aspect ratio; I didn't bust out the calipers or rulers for this I'm expecting a degree of error; if it's too much then that's fair. If someone wants to measure or dig up some nice spec diagrams (or can tell me how to open the s12p files I got from the USB Implementer's forums) that would be great.

One thing I was surprised with by doing this was the gap between the housing on the female port and the tongue - bigger than I realized.

Either way we'll have to wait and see exactly how all of this really works in the end.