Flippable connectors were always considered, but deemed secondary to minimizing the manufacturing cost [1]. Considering that billions (trillions?) of USB ports

Flippable connectors were always considered, but deemed secondary to minimizing the manufacturing cost [1]. Considering that billions (trillions?) of USB ports and plugs in the world, I think they succeeded. After all, step 1 for creating a universal connector is to make it universal. My question is: why is now the right time to presumably increase the cost per unit? [1] http://www.economist.com/news/international/21588104-humble-usb-cable-part-electrical-revolution-it-will-make-power-supplies http://www.economist.com/news/international/21588104-humble-...