Video Shows New Lightning Cable with Reversible USB Connector in Action

Monday August 18, 2014 11:32 pm PDT by Richard Padilla

Last Friday, a report and photos of a new Lightning cable with a reversible USB connector surfaced, which was followed by another image from frequent iOS device part leaker Sonny Dickson. Now, Dickson has shared a new short video of the Lightning cable in action, showing its USB connector being reversed and plugged in both ways.

Apple could start shipping a new Lightning cable alongside the next wave of iOS device releases this fall, which will likely start with the iPhone 6 next month. It is unknown if the updated cable will contain any new features aside from a reversible USB connector, although past rumors have pointed to support for high-definition audio playback.

An Apple patent discussing a reversible USB connector was also published last month, and discussed a more user-friendly design compared to current cables. However, it is unknown if this new cable will face challenges from the likes of California company UltraTek, which already holds a patent itself for a reversible connector and currently sells cables through major online retailers.

Top Rated Comments

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gaximus

69 months ago

What is so wrong with that statement? Car manufactures don't like constant change! Everyone knows the technology in cars is usually two years behind the times. So it's a killer to find a car with a current lighting cable. Plus all those cars with standard USB ports are hit & miss and now Apple has a new USB connection.

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Yea but in car they have to use STANDARD USB ports in their cars. This new lighting cable will mean that one with have to bring their own cable. Plus all those speaker docks will now be obsolete again.

This uses the standard USB port. It'll work in old computers or anything with a USB port in it

Rating: 24 Votes

boechat

69 months ago

Apple, please

Rating: 22 Votes

sputnikv

69 months ago

I keep thinking Apple CarPlay is going to nowhere if Apple keeps changing the connection port every two years.

What an absurd statement.

Rating: 19 Votes

Azzin

69 months ago

But who can use the reversible USB right now?! Nobody.. All usual USB connectors are non-reversable - so, doe snot matter we will have a cable with reversible - it will not fit the 3.0 connectors .. And Apple will push us to buy an additional adapter - USB 3.0 --> USB 3.1

For the love of god and all that's holy...

These "reversible" cables will work just fine in ALL & EVERY USB port that exists today.

They've just changed the design of the USB end so it will go in your (current) USB ports whichever way you put it in.

No adapters, no dramas, just a newer design of USB connection that works whatever way you put it in to any USB port (think Lightning cable).

Why is this so hard to grasp?? :confused:

Rating: 15 Votes

iLoveiTunes

69 months ago

4 stories on a cable.... it better be something special :rolleyes::rolleyes:

Rating: 14 Votes

ScottishCaptain

69 months ago

Apple already has problems with their cables continually falling apart at the slightest sign of duress.

I'm curious to know what people think is going to happen with this new USB connector now that Apple has removed half the support material from the inside to facilitate the reversible feature. Hint: it's going to behave like all their other cables. The moment you abuse it or bump it in the wrong way, it's going to snap or fracture and fail.

I'm sure they'll be heralded for their "revolutionary thinking" on this one, but there was a reason why USB cables were built they way they were. I would much rather a standard plug with an indent on the top or something else you can feel (to determine which way is up) then a cable that will be twice as fragile and probably cost twice as much to replace as well.

Rating: 11 Votes

Amacfa

69 months ago

My body is ready

Rating: 11 Votes

matrix07

69 months ago

Mind. Blown. Revolutionary. :eek:

I demand Jony Ive's video for this in Keynote.

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I sincerely think you don't have a clue what this news is about.

Rating: 9 Votes

WBRacing

69 months ago

Personally I like the 50/50 game of getting it the right way round first time, and the slight feeling of smug satisfaction I get when I (all too rarely) do.

Rating: 8 Votes