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The recently introduced USB 3.1 reversible type-C connector has a number of breakthrough benefits that will eventually make it the most popular type of wired interconnection for various devices in the world. However, before that happens, it should be adopted by device makers. Apparently, Google is confident that upcoming Android-based smartphones will feature USB type-C receptacles very soon.
Google has published a video where it describes advantages that the USB 3.1 type-C connector has over traditional USB implementations. As reported, USB 3.1 type-C supports data transfer rates of up to 10Gb/s, it can deliver up to 100W of power to devices, it can even connect monitors (featuring DisplayPort 1.3 or MHL 3.0 technologies) to personal computers or other devices. All-in-all, USB 3.1 type-C is one of the most universal connectors ever introduced.
At present, only a limited number of personal computers feature all new USB type-C ports, including Apple MacBook, Google Chromebook Pixel and select desktop systems powered by the latest mainboards from companies like Asustek Computer, Asrock, MicroStar International and so on. When it comes to peripherals, everything is even less rosy: so far, various manufacturers have announced less than a dozen of USB 3.1 type-C devices. But it looks like everything is going to change pretty shortly.
Google claims that various manufacturers of smartphones and Chromebooks will equip their products with USB 3.1 type-C receptacles shortly. This will catalyze makers of peripherals to introduce new devices (e.g., flash memory sticks) compatible with new ports. Improved availability of USB 3.1 type-C gadgets will stimulate PC makers to install new connectors on their systems. At the end, USB 3.1 type-C could get adopted by the mass market very quickly thanks to its usage on smartphones running Android as well as on Apple’s new MacBook notebooks (and upcoming laptops, too).
“We at Google are very committed to the USB type-C spec,” said Adam Rodriguez, a product manager at Google, in a special video dedicated to USB type-C connector. “Expect to see this in a lot of Chromebooks and Android phones in the near future.” [yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-J0FWWDuRg']
Check out KitGuru's hands-on preview of Asustek's implementation of USB 3.1 HERE.
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KitGuru Says: Typically, it takes a long time before new standards get accepted by the masses. However, if loads of Google Android-based smartphones truly adopt USB 3.1 type-C technology shortly, the new standard will become a mass market technology in about a year from initial arrival. Unfortunately, when it comes to personal computers, it will take a while before PCs and peripherals embrace the new interconnection because of various reasons.
Not all, in fact most Phones may not be able to support 3.1 speeds because of hardware limitations, but all can have Type C ports, its backwards compatible supporting USB 2 speeds. Can’t wait for this on my ph, tab, notebook!
USB 3.1 Will be important when phones are used for VR. To stream VR content from a PC requires the power, bandwidth and low latency of this port. Let’s hope they will complement the port with hardware that handles it. I’m just going to wait until phones are equipped with this before buy a new one.