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IIRC, USB 3.1 was an update to the spec to allow USB Type C connectors. USB 3.0 specified the old type-a connector on one end and one of the weird oversized ty

IIRC, USB 3.1 was an update to the spec to allow USB Type C connectors. USB 3.0 specified the old type-a connector on one end and one of the weird oversized type-b connectors on the other end. Maybe not relevant as a consumer to have a difference in the spec version for that, but if you’re a manufacturer trying to implement it, it’s worth a bump to the minor version number.

grishka 5y ago
I have some Android phones that have a USB-C port but only support 2.0 speeds (as per the macOS system info USB tree thing). Which version is that then? I've always assumed that the physical layer of the protocol and the connectors themselves were separate specs and you could have USB protocol running over any kind of arbitrarily shaped connector. And no protocol over a USB(-A) connector, because those are de-facto low-power DC outlets now, among other things.
- giantrobot 5y ago
  Very likely the Android device doesn't advertise any particular USB spec. If anything it might have a logo for the minimum spec it supports. You can put USB controllers in a device and not worry about any USB-IF if you don't use any USB branding on the box, IIRC any licenses owed are covered in the price of the ICs. The logical connection in USB doesn't care about the physical connection. Your phone could just have some soldered leads for all the protocol cares.
- ta988 5y ago
  Note that in my experience MacOS (M1) is pretty bad with USB devices, I have a lot of things that just don't work properly on the Mac but work on Windows and Linux (ebook reader and phones for example).
- kevin_thibedeau 5y ago
  The USB-C connector has a dedicated legacy USB 2 pair that is always available. This is the same as an upgraded (usually blue) USB-A connector with the addition of mirrored pins.
- coryrc 5y ago
  It's 3.1 or newer, full speed device. Why normal people should care about the spec version is weird to me. The spec does specify the connectors for using the USB logo and claiming compliance. But if you don't care about compliance then use whatever connector you wish!
- notatoad 5y ago
  I think that version is called "we don't give a fuck about what the USB-IF thinks"
  - Dylan16807 5y ago
    I'm pretty sure 2.0 C cables are entirely legal by the standard. Unlike charge-only cables...
Dylan16807 5y ago
3.1 came out a year before C.

grishka 5y ago

I have some Android phones that have a USB-C port but only support 2.0 speeds (as per the macOS system info USB tree thing). Which version is that then? I've always assumed that the physical layer of the protocol and the connectors themselves were separate specs and you could have USB protocol running over any kind of arbitrarily shaped connector. And no protocol over a USB(-A) connector, because those are de-facto low-power DC outlets now, among other things.

giantrobot 5y ago
Very likely the Android device doesn't advertise any particular USB spec. If anything it might have a logo for the minimum spec it supports. You can put USB controllers in a device and not worry about any USB-IF if you don't use any USB branding on the box, IIRC any licenses owed are covered in the price of the ICs. The logical connection in USB doesn't care about the physical connection. Your phone could just have some soldered leads for all the protocol cares.
ta988 5y ago
Note that in my experience MacOS (M1) is pretty bad with USB devices, I have a lot of things that just don't work properly on the Mac but work on Windows and Linux (ebook reader and phones for example).
kevin_thibedeau 5y ago
The USB-C connector has a dedicated legacy USB 2 pair that is always available. This is the same as an upgraded (usually blue) USB-A connector with the addition of mirrored pins.
coryrc 5y ago
It's 3.1 or newer, full speed device. Why normal people should care about the spec version is weird to me. The spec does specify the connectors for using the USB logo and claiming compliance. But if you don't care about compliance then use whatever connector you wish!
notatoad 5y ago
I think that version is called "we don't give a fuck about what the USB-IF thinks"
- Dylan16807 5y ago
  I'm pretty sure 2.0 C cables are entirely legal by the standard. Unlike charge-only cables...

Dylan16807 5y ago

3.1 came out a year before C.