A new, slimmer USB connector packing faster transfer speeds into thinner devices is on the way - but it won't be compatible with existing ports.
The new design, called Type-C, finally heralds reversible USB plugs, fixing the issue of jamming your charger cable in the wrong way round.
But the new standard won't be compatible with existing USB plugs, which will mean forking out for additional cables or adapters.
The USB 3 Promoter Group, which includes Intel, Microsoft and HP, has said the new connector is currently in development and should lead to "thinner and sleeker" devices.
"Intel is excited to see the development of the new thin Type-C connector as it will enable an entirely new super-thin class of devices from phones to tablets, to two-in-ones, to laptops to desktops and a multitude of other more specific usage devices," said Alex Peleg, vice-president for Intel's Platform Engineering Group.
Type-C is an addition to the new USB 3.1 specification, which boasts transfer speeds of up to 10Gbits/sec.
The new connector will be around the same size as existing micro-USB ports, and the group said specifications should be ready by the middle of next year.
-1.jpg&w=100&c=1&s=0)
.png&w=100&c=1&s=0)
