Rumors have suggested that Apple is planning to release a new version of its Lightning to USB cable that would be reversible on both ends. Initially this cable was rumored to launch with the iPhone 6, but another report claims it will launch at a later date, possibly next year.
Third-party manufacturers have already taken advantage of the hype surrounding this rumored cable and put it into production. The result is exactly what you’d expect…
Truffol is one of the companies currently selling this reversible Lightning to Lightning cable and they were nice enough to send one out to examine. Of course, there’s not much that you can say about a cable, but having both ends of a cable reversible is very convenient.
The cable Truffol sent out works just like an Apple-branded solution, but it features a different USB connector that allows for it to be reversible. The USB end takes advantage of the “dead space” found on normal USB cables and replaces the inside of the connector with a thin plate. This plate has connection points on both sides of it enabling its reversibility.
Check out our hands-on video below:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSVg_rcb-WM]
Like I mentioned, there’s not much to say about this cable. Does it work? Yep. Will it hold up over time? Well, that’s hard to tell at the moment. It seems to be of the same quality as Apple’s official cable. It’s 3.3ft long and supports up to 2.4A of high-current charging for use with an iPhone, iPad, iPod nano, or iPod touch.
Reversible USB compared to standard USB.
There’s no information regarding MFI certification on Truffol’s website, but we haven’t had any issues with the cable. Furthermore, iOS 7 did not present the usual warning message when using a non-certified cable. If you’d like to pick one up for yourself, check out Truffol’s website for pricing and availability. If you’d prefer to use your current Lightning cable for similar functionality, Amazon has USB to reversible USB adapters for sale.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
This design Is patented. This is illegal.
Except you have zero knowledge as to whether or not that’s true, or whether or not Apple got a license for the tech…
Or rather if you’re referring to this third party, they may have licensed the design from the company that already had similar reversible cables a while ago.
Well. The obvious answer here is that it’s made in China. China doesn’t have the same patient laws as the United States does. It’s why there are so many knock-off products available with items made in China. Virtually nothing is proprietary.
There wouldn’t actually be a problem with USB if all the manufacturers just followed the spec like Apple.
There are actually rules on how the ports are supposed to be oriented (the USB icon goes on the top side, or the side facing you), but many manufacturers prefer to orient the ports so their LOGO on the top (in violation of the spec), and the USB logo on the bottom, making the plug essentially upside down.
What about at night or when you’re trying to plug it in the back of something you can’t see? It’s always optimal to have a cable which can be plugged in either orientation.
It’s like you follow me around coming up with ideas as to why my comments are wrong.
I didn’t say I was against the idea of reversible cables, just that if everyone followed the rules it would be easier and the “problem with USB” wouldn’t really have developed in the first place.
I understand, and don’t worry I never really thought it was a problem, I mean for me personally it’s never been more than a slight annoyance occasionally. I just know that it would be ideal if it were reversible.
@Mr. Grey: I only have Apple gear, and I have ‘the problem with USB’ anyway.. so, NO – even If all followed the specs, there would still be the problem, as you can’t easily tell the difference of up and down.. Oh, and on iMacs, the ports are placed vertical, so what why should the logo point??? It’s a shitty thing you have to remember, and people Never do that.. A plug that is square, should be able to go in in all possible directions. No less, no more…
why it’s taken anyone this long to come up with this solution is just beyond me.
I steer clear of all non-Apple Lightning cables. 1 too many fires and electrocuted Chinese for my liking.
Oh gee.. do you swim with your electrical stuff?? (Like they did.. or totally wet, out of the bath.. )
The one with ‘Made for iPhone’ symbol in it is as safe as an apple cable.
I thought only the power bricks were really unsafe. If the cable malfunctioned the worse you get is 5v and less than an amp of juice. But if the brick malfunctions you’d have bigger issues.
I think it’s safe to use this cable with a computer to iPhone or from an official power supply to iPhone.
“5v and less than an amp of juice”
“an amp of juice” through your body can kill you. Usually, though, your body is not conductive enough to get “an amp” from just 5V.
I’m curious if that “tongue” in the middle of the connector moves. It seems like it would have to to accommodate reversal. I would worry about long-term reliability when the spring that holds the tongue against the port wears out. I like the idea though.
It’s a cool idea, but seriously, this is the definition of fixing a first world problem. If you can’t operate a USB cable properly, you should be embarrassed.