A Universal Serial Bus cable or commonly known as USB, is a peripheral connecting device to computers. Featuring standardized ports designated, it is capable of accommodating various other hardware devices. Modern devices such as MP3 players, iPods, cell phones, flash drives, scanners, printers, and digital cameras utilize some USB variations depending on their port standards. It is crucial to know the nitty-gritty aspects of USB, but that would be strenuous without first understanding how it came to existence.
History of USB cables
Back in 1994, there began the first development of USB technology by USB IF and Ajay Bhatt, who were co-inventors. The company comprised of leading industries like Hewlett-Packard, Apple, LSI, Compaq, Microsoft, and Intel.
Prior to the existence of USB cables, computers usually used parallel and serial ports for plugging devices to transfer data. Individual ports in the old times were utilized to link peripherals such as printers, joysticks, mice, and keyboards. Custom drivers and expansion cards were often required as connecting devices. These parallel ports typically transferred data somewhat at rates of 100kilobyte/second, whereas serial ports could generally range from 115 to over 450 kilobits /second. Nonetheless, other ports couldn’t simultaneously run.
iMac G3, in 1998, a computer manufacturer by then, discontinued the legacy ports hence favoring USB. The implementation aided in paving the way for only USB peripheral marketplace and replacing other portal devices. This combination of technical specifications, self-powering abilities, and usability ease provided by USB technology aided in triumph over any other option for ports.
With transfer rates of forty times speedier at exactly 480megabits/second in 2000, USB was debuted, becoming the official standard in 2001. Besides, USB was able to operate at lower speeds of 12 megabits/second. A 2.0 USB port can conjointly function with any USB 1.1 device. However, USB 1.1 ports mightn’t possess the required bandwidth capabilities of ideally communicating with any 2.0 devices.
The Future of USB
Having discussed the history of USB, it is crucial to know its future. We are currently thriving in this wireless charging era. We even possess cloud data support. Nevertheless, we rely on USB cables now for data management and power. Apple users transitioned several years ago. They went for minute lightning connectors leaving behind the 30 flat pins. So here is the bright future for USB cables.
Lightning Cable
These lightning cables can quickly charge iPods, iPads, iPhones, earbuds, Apple’s headphones, as well as other Mac accessories. It receives digital info where you can use it for downloading videos and photos to your PC. Moreover, one can quickly download music and movies too. Moving on, this lighting cable also transmits audios courtesy of the iPhone 7 launch. Even the earphones have gone for a leaping toss due to this technology. The paramount interest of the tech giant is wireless transmissions. The trendy iPhones come with an inbuilt adapter for lightning to headphones hence permitting users to hook these typically wired headphones ideally.
ASAP Connect
It will permit you to easily connect to your USB device or phone to a corresponding cable seamlessly and speedily. The patent-pending magnet technology is coupled with other superior materials such as aluminum shield, neodymium magnets, nylon braided wire, and 18k golden plated connectors. This future technology changes how you'll be connecting your phone. It's currently available for Android and Apple devices. Hence should you be bored of cable flipping to combine, then the ideal choice for you is ASAP connect. Due to its interpolated duo reversible connectors, one needn’t flip cables to get a right side since both ends entirely and equally function. Even connecting at night is easy.
Types of USB
USBs are dormant nowadays. We use them daily for purposes of charging cameras, tablets, smartphones, and even connecting them to PCs and computers et al. nonetheless, USB cables occur in various sizes and shapes regardless of their same functions.
With that, have a look at the USB cable types found in the market.
USB Type-A
Type-A USB connectors are the commonest and are almost available on all USB cables. They connect different devices like keyboards, cameras, smartphones, et al. They additionally plug into other typical wall chargers that are used for gadget charging.
USB Type-B
USB type B cables are also quite versatile and ordinary, like other USBs on the list. They are used for connecting scanners and printers to computers. They possess square shapes and beveled corners at the ends. They are being phased out slowly even if they’re being utilized today.
Mini-USB
A while ago, it was a standard for different gadgets and devices but is now phased out slowly and is getting replaced by the current micro USB connectors, which will be discussed below. The Mini USB is found on various gadget models like game controllers, MP3, cameras, et al. It is minute compared to other successors.
Micro-USB
It is small and permitted by manufacturers to commence engineering slimmer devices accordingly, consequently. It might be phased out currently by the USB Type C, and it is the most everyday port you can find on tablets, smartphones, and any other device. Every manufacturer except Apple has adopted it.
USB-C
It’s amongst the latest technologies for USB ports that exist in novel mobile devices and smartphones. It offers rapid rates of data transfer compared to other USB versions on this list. A significant advantage of USB C is its capability of being reversible and plugged in downwards or upwards. It’s the novel mobile devices’ standard. Nevertheless, other manufacturers make new handsets that have the micro USB older ports regarding affordability.
Advantages of USB cables over serial cables
- They are generally hot-pluggable. This is to imply that you’re able to disconnect and connect USB cables even when the computer still runs without freezing.
- They are fast hence can transfer data of 480Mbps, unlike its counterpart, which transfers at only 20KBps.
- They carry signals and power too. This permits for USB empowered recharging batteries and gadgets in USB peripherals and cameras.
- USBs are designated with a lot of several types of distinct connectors hence helping one to quickly identify the plug that goes into a peripheral device, and one that goes into a PC.
- They are affordable, easily found, and are the universal standard.
Well, that is all you need to know about USB and its components. In case you have a comment or query, do not hesitate to drop it in the comments box.
