New USB 3.0 form factor

[crispy345]

Looks like the Lightning connector at first sight... And of course there will be that idiot that connects the two ends into two chargers (if that's even possible)

 

Good to see improvement anyways, the USB 3.0 connector used on many disk enclosures these days are extremely fragile, almost broke mine off.. 

[NewAndreas]

Aren't the MS Surface connectors magnetic?

Yes, but they are apparently a little fiddly

[JammyPiano]

It's probably a good thing, as I see the standard USB 3.0 port is becoming a limiting factor on the super slim ultrabooks these days  :lol:

You're crazy if you consider USB's height to be a limiting factor on the thickness of notebooks.

[NewAndreas]

Yeah.  Unfortunately, Apple patented the whole concept of magnetic power connectors, so we won't be seeing those anywhere other than on Apple products.

Is there no way for other companies to use apples patent with royalities? It would make me happy if they did.

[iPhoenix]

This is ridiculous.  Any time you have a thing wafer in the middle that has to

• be structural
• have a thin layer of metal (copper) for making the connection

you're going to have a bad time. 

 

Look at the lightning connector - it's really genius - the receptacle is just open and the cable is the structural "plug" Any time that breaks/gets weak the cable is replaced, not the device.

[91wow]

Hmm...  As ugly as the old 3.0 connector was, at least it was backwards compatible with the micro USB connector (by only plugging into half the port).

 

 

Yeah.  Unfortunately, Apple patented the whole concept of magnetic power connectors, so we won't be seeing those anywhere other than on Apple products.

Even tho a company has been using it since the 80's for cooking appliances.... DARN YOU APPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wjdobie]

This will take so long to become standard - But progress is progress so I Won't complain!

[AuXDubz]

Looks terrible... It'll be super fragile, and just as bad as Micro USB is now...

I can see problems with it developing too ;L

[Jamdude]

Yeah. Unfortunately, Apple patented the whole concept of magnetic power connectors, so we won't be seeing those anywhere other than on Apple products.

I think all of Sony's new phones have magnetic power connectors, my Z1 does: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00G5CR4CY/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1396462023&sr=8-2π=AC_SX110_SY165 I'm sure other device do also.

[chicksoup]

I think I would like this way more than our current solution with micro USB and normal USB and them not going in either direction and I will get a external HDD once these babies come out!

[lachyman]

You're crazy if you consider USB's height to be a limiting factor on the thickness of notebooks.

I did not say it IS a limiting factor, but it's becoming one as ultrabooks get thinner and thinner every year.

[Victorious Secret]

Maybe the patent only covers laptops? Cause that Sony definitely has a magnetic charger. 

[Thomieboy]

Is there no way for other companies to use apples patent with royalities? It would make me happy if they did.

 

Pebble has a magnetic charger cable.. No?

[DJ46]

don't expect an immediate transition to the new cable. It's likely PCs will include new and old port styles side by side

People were already stupid enough to force USB into firewire.

[TheProfosist]

Why can't cables make use of magnets? No more plugging things in and snapping connectors and stress on said connectors. 

 

How about magnets? 

 

Come on science. Magnets.

There are likely very good reasons for this but most of my ideas would probably not be correct. Its likely to do wit how many pins and them staying tightly connected and in place.

Apple power cables

yes those are only 2 contacts though and carry power, a good amount of it mind you, rather than data.

http://www.teslasociety.com/tesla_tower.htm if only tesla finished wireless power.

The we probably could have anything in the air as well as having to live in faraday cages.

[TheProfosist]

Hmm...  As ugly as the old 3.0 connector was, at least it was backwards compatible with the micro USB connector (by only plugging into half the port).

 

 

Yeah.  Unfortunately, Apple patented the whole concept of magnetic power connectors, so we won't be seeing those anywhere other than on Apple products.

These will likely have adapters but im fine with this as long as its whats use here on out. Think about how old the USB connector was it was time for an update

I have seen other magnetic power connectors and there were designed a bit differently, not if you were to ask me where I really couldnt tell you off the top of my head, sorry.

Looks like the Lightning connector at first sight... And of course there will be that idiot that connects the two ends into two chargers (if that's even possible)

 

Good to see improvement anyways, the USB 3.0 connector used on many disk enclosures these days are extremely fragile, almost broke mine off..

yes this is why I try to find ones with USB 3.0 A or B

You're crazy if you consider USB's height to be a limiting factor on the thickness of notebooks.

I dont think he is just look how a standard ethernet jack doesnt fit. I remember when you could easily fit usb ports vertically and laptops had fans mounted vertically as well.

Is there no way for other companies to use apples patent with royalities? It would make me happy if they did.

Apple doesnt usually do this stuff but i do believe they recently had a patent thing with HTC.

This is ridiculous.  Any time you have a thing wafer in the middle that has to

• be structural
• have a thin layer of metal (copper) for making the connection

you're going to have a bad time. 

 

Look at the lightning connector - it's really genius - the receptacle is just open and the cable is the structural "plug" Any time that breaks/gets weak the cable is replaced, not the device.

Thats essentially whats meant to happen with micro USB 2.0 but I havea feeling lots of port damage happens from people bending the connector and stil using it because it fits in and works (sorta) so they dont have to buy a new cable when even at like walmart they are at most $5.

This will take so long to become standard - But progress is progress so I Won't complain!

it shouldnt since any device that comes out with USB 3.1 would have it and I have a feeling one reason phones havnt gotten USB 3.0 across the board might be partially due to the connector.

I can see problems with it developing too ;L

Why and to me it looks better than micro though I would have preferred if they showed teh actual connector as we all know what everything they basically showed there looks like.

People were already stupid enough to force USB into firewire.

You cant fix stupid and there is nothing those making this can do about them and evven though thay maybe shouldnt be near technology there is not way to keep them away.

I think an adapter would be simple to go from USB3.1 to USB 3.0 A. It would kinda be like a DVI to VGA or DVI to HDMI adapter.

[hal9001]

I would finally enjoy plugging things in for a change (:

[MetaHD]

Hmm...  As ugly as the old 3.0 connector was, at least it was backwards compatible with the micro USB connector (by only plugging into half the port).

 

 

Yeah.  Unfortunately, Apple patented the whole concept of magnetic power connectors, so we won't be seeing those anywhere other than on Apple products.

 

I'm more concerned about the internal USB 3.1 connector. Are they still gonna use the same ugly-ass connector as the current?

 

My Z1 and my Pebble both have magnetic charging cables.

[TheProfosist]

I'm more concerned about the internal USB 3.1 connector. Are they still gonna use the same ugly-ass connector as the current?

 

My Z1 and my Pebble both have magnetic charging cables.

oh you mean the internal PC header? this spec does not relate top that at all so my guess is no that wont change except for maybe having type USB 3.1 type C port on the front of the case possibly.

I will admit that I dont like the USB 3.0 header cable but not for being ugly but just its entire design is non optimal. im mean it better than having to route cables though and plug in the back though.

[Titanicium]

People were already stupid enough to force USB into firewire.

 

People are stupid enough to force USB into Ethernet and expect it to give them "the power of the Internet"...

[leaderroy]

As if I wasn't fiddling around the back of my desktop enough already to find a USB port, and now they're gonna get smaller?
Jeez, and the tiny connectors are gonna break so easily.

[TheProfosist]

As if I wasn't fiddling around the back of my desktop enough already to find a USB port, and now they're gonna get smaller?

Jeez, and the tiny connectors are gonna break so easily.

Cause you can totally tell how durable they wil be by the little bit of the top of the connector they showed off.

[ThePointblank]

Aren't the MS Surface connectors magnetic? 

The Blackberry Playbook's high speed charger connector is also magnetic. Apple does not have a monopoly on magnetic power connectors.

 

Why can't cables make use of magnets? No more plugging things in and snapping connectors and stress on said connectors. 

 

How about magnets? 

 

Come on science. Magnets.

Well....

 

[MrTickle]

Does this mean ultrabooks will get even more thinner? 

[MrTickle]

The Blackberry Playbook's high speed charger connector is also magnetic. Apple does not have a monopoly on magnetic power connectors.

 

Well....

 

Reminded me of