[OT] reversible USB cables.

[Tim+]

I think the point is, if the contacts at the camera end aren't standard USB, then it ain't a "USB" cable. It's a data transfer cable with a USB pc connector.

Tim

[Dave Plowman (News)]

But why?

[Graham.]

I tend to agree with that, but only if there are active components in the cable doing some conversion that gives the cable more or different functionality. If it's just passive transfer to a proprietary plug then it's more a case of taking the piss. (IMHO)

[Andy Burns]

Because (before OTG came along) USB devices were either host or device, having a different connector for each means people wouldn't try to connect two hosts together, or two devices together.

[Max Demian]

So what do OTG adapters do that's so special? Don't they just connect the terminals together is a particular way?

[Andy Burns]

They have a 5th pin used to sense if it's connected to a USB host, or a USB device and can swap the master/slave roles, and also can deliver power instead of accepting power.

[<frde]

[Max Demian]

So an OTG adapter may or may not convert a mini/micro USB socket on a tablet to a host? (It does on two tablets I've tried.) What about PictBridge? What if I plugged a USB stick into the PictBridge socket on my (ancient) printer? (Probably nothing.)

[Adam Funk]

I agree that reversibility is nice. I hadn't thought about the pads getting snapped off, but it bugs me that the load end of a cable attached to a charger has contacts in very close proximity to each other with nothing to prevent them from shorting if they bump into a coin (for example) on top of the dresser. Is that irrational?

Obligatory recycled joke: The inventor of the USB plug died. At his funeral, they tried to lower the coffin but it wouldn't fit, so they turned it 180°, & still wouldn't fit, so they turned it 180° again & it went in.

[<frde]

Yes, can be either mini or micro. Its essentially the protocol for the negotiation of master/slave, not the physical connector.

Its different again, but does use USB connectors.

That would normally allow you to select what photos on it to print.

[Mike Clarke]

Exactly, the camera uses standard USB protocol to communicate with the USB port on the computer. This could have been implemented with a mini USB socket on the camera but the manufacturers decided to complicate the issue with a completely non standard socket.

[Old Codger]

That is the mini type B which is fairly distinct.

[Old Codger]

That is the USB type C connector which is reversible. It is used on the newish Nexus pixel tablet.

[Andy Burns]

No, It's not a USB-C connector, those don't have any "locking tangs" and are slightly wider.

[dennis]

No it isn't, its a USB type A and a micro usb, both reversible.

You can plug one end into any old USB port on a computer and the other into stuff like android phones from 5 years ago. Mine is used in my hudl and Z3.