From laptops and cell phones to cars and even microwaves, the Universal Serial Bus (USB) port has become a ubiquitous piece of technology.
For transferring data, and charging devices, not all USB connectors are created equal. Since its development in the 1990s, multiple versions of the USB standard have emerged, and so have different types of connector, including mini- and the micro-USB.
Digital savant Omar Gallaga of the Austin American-Statesman’s 512 Tech says the latest and greatest power connector is called USB-C. He says the newest devices to embrace USB-C include the Nintendo Switch, the Samsung Galaxy 8 and Apple’s latest MacBook computers.
Despite tech’s embrace of the new smaller, rounded connector, Gallaga says consumers will likely still be using older USB devices while the industry continues its transition to USB-C.
“You still have lots of devices lying around that use the older standard, so you still need either an adapter or some way to still use those devices,” Gallaga says. “I think we’re looking at two, three or four years in the future where [USB-C] becomes more of a standard. Right now we’re still in that transition period.”
What you’ll hear in this segment:
– Details about Apple’s proprietary mark on USB changes
– Improved power capabilities of new USB-C ports
– The dangers of off-brand USB cables
– Tech’s current transition to USB-C
Written by Rachel Rascoe.
