The Universal Serial Bus C

Introduced by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) in 2014, USB-C, a 24 pin connector which is distinguished by its symmetrical shape. It did not gain popularity until smartphone and laptop brands started using them by late 2015 and early 2016. Though it's been almost 6 years since USB-C was launched, certain manufacturers still use old connector pins for charging and data transfer. Most affordable phones (<10,000) still use Micro USB ports. Furthermore certain phones in a category above the Rs.10,000 do still use Micro USB. It is not an expensive part to switch to, but manufacturers have been holding back for a long time from using it and depriving customers of  the advantages of USB-C. Apple is another brand which uses its own proprietary connector, The Lightning port. No other brand in the world can use this type of connector due to Apple's exclusive patent rights. The connector situation in laptops is also utterly confusing. The essential ports like HDMI, USB-A, Headphone jack and SD card reader are still offered in most laptops. The inclusion of USB-C is not only an added bonus but also an essential port for future proofing. Apple includes only USB-C and headphone jack in its newest generation of laptops.

Now, such disparity among various brands causes a great confusion among consumers and an endless search for compatible cables during emergency situations for charging and data transfer. Since 2009, the European commission has been trying to convince tech companies to adopt a single charging method for all gadgets, primarily smartphones, to reduce the amount of waste produced by including a new AC adapter in the box.

Last year, the commission passed an order stating brands to use a standard port across all devices. This was mainly targeted at Apple as they are the only brand to use a different type of connector in their smartphones. Almost all other major manufacturers have switched to the standard USB-C port for their line of smartphones. Other laptop brands like Dell, HP, Asus, Acer etc have begun including USB-C ports on their devices for ease of use and future proofing.

Why the fuss about USB-C?

1. It can be plugged in any without checking the right side up/down on the port.

2. It can reach transfer speeds of about 40GBps (using Thunderbolt Technology)

3. It can be used to connect laptops to up to 6K resolution monitors.

4. It can enable very fast charging speeds.

5. It can be one universal cable for all the devices and reduce the need for different cables for different devices.

These are just a few advantages of using USB-C. Even accessories like thumb drives, SSD's, keyboard, mouse are being updated with USB-C connectors for ease of use. While purchasing a device the looks, performance and sheer specifications may make an device attractive, but it is also necessary to nail the essentials correctly and one such essential part of devices these days is the port used for charging and data transfer. With the increase in number of gadgets in households like Bluetooth speakers, smartwatches, wireless headphones and many more, the amount of waste caused due to the sheer number of various connector cables can be immensely reduced by an universal connector for all these devices.

With the increase in concerns on life threatening problems across the globe, a considerable decrease in environmental pollution is an essential need of the hour.

PS. The videos linked below have interesting explanations on USB-C by Marques Brownlee aka MKBHD.

USB-C Explained

USB-C All the things Part 1

USB-C All the things Part 2

VAMSI KRISHNAN A