USB inventor explains why the connector was not designed to be reversible

Re:USB inventor explains why the connector was not designed ... by lxgr on Monday October 09, 2023 @05:13PM (#37825567)

It's almost as if the designers have considered this potential failure mode for devices that often get dropped even while plugged into a charger :)

I can emphasize with many of the gripes people have with USB-C cables and supported modes being confusing, but the port is really, really well thought out: Make the cable the part that fails more easily [1]; make it so that the plug only minimally acts as a lever while partially or fully plugged in; cover the pins on the plug (because otherwise people will inevitably touch them, and these cables can carry up to 48 V of voltage).

[1] That part has actually worked well for everything but my Yubikey :( USB-A and an adapter it is for the next one.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:USB inventor explains why the connector was not designed ... by crote on Tuesday October 10, 2023 @06:52AM (#37830523)

A significant issue probably affecting your Yubikey is that there are very few male USB-C plugs available. The ones that do exist are mostly designed for USB-C cables, which uses a tiny 0.8mm thick "paddle card" fully embedded in the plastic cover.

Alternatively, there are "brick nogging" connectors which stand up straight from the PCB and are therefore unusable for a Yubikey, or "sink board" ones which require a custom jig for assembly.

Meanwhile with USB-A you don't even need a male connector at all - just have a bit of your PCB stuck out in a vaguely USB-A-looking shape and it'll work just fine.

[ Parent | on HN ]