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The USB Type-C cable, also known as USB-3.1, is the newest USB technology currently in use that became available in 2015. This single cable allows you to connect multiple devices. What you need to know about this new cable is that it is smaller than the previous USB Type-A and USB Type-B cables. This means you won’t be able to use this new cable in your current USB ports. However, the good news is that the new USB Type-C cable is downward compatible as long as you use an adaptor.

The new USB Type-C cable is also known as USB 3.1. There were three previous versions of USB cables, versions 1.1, 2.0, and 3.0. The Type-C, or 3.1 version, has four main benefits over the three previous ones:

• Faster speed at 10Gpbs which is double over USB 3.0.

• Increased power output 20 Volt (V), 5 Amp (A). This is greater than USB 3.0 which was only 5V and 1.8A.

• The power is bi-directional. All of the other versions were host to peripheral only. Apart from being able to charge a peripheral device, the Type C USB can also charge a host device. This means one solution will operate all your devices.

• The cable configuration in all three previous versions were Type-A to Type-B. In the new Type-C USB cable, both ends are host reversible plug orientation. In other words, the plug can be inserted on either end and it will work. This removes frustration when trying to insert the plug.

Although USB 3.0’s ports and connectors have more pins than those of previous versions so they can deliver fast speeds and high power outputs, the pins work with previous versions.

Since the arrival of USB cables in the marketplace, this is the first time that adapters are required. The Type-C USB is designed to be future-proof. The design will be leveraged for future USB versions.