SanDisk today announced a new thumb drive that is one of the first to include an integrated USB Type C connector, the next-generation USB plug that’s expected to arrive as one of the only connectors on an upcoming MacBook laptop.
SanDisk is releasing the device in anticipation of not only the upcoming 12-inch MacBook we’ve detailed extensively, but also a slew of smartphones and tablets that will adopt the new USB standard. The slimmer, reversible USB Type C design for the first time offers a solution slim and powerful enough to work for both mobile devices and PCs. A full-sized USB plug is on its other side.
For now, an Android companion app is available, but you can expect Mac support will likely arrive shortly after the new MacBook.
SanDisk’s Dual USB Drive with Type C Connector will be available with 32GB of storage when it becomes available sometime in Q2.
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I don’t care what they do in terms of changing connectors as long as they continue to make adapters for older equipment. It’s inevitable so there’s no point in getting angry or resisting. In the past 35 years of using a computer I’ve seen so many different types of connectors come and go it doesn’t even bother me anymore to hear they’re coming out with something new or phasing some old connector out. Usually the latest one is faster than the one before it, so that’s a good thing.
I wonder how many people will confuse Type-C with Lightning and try to plug one into the other. It’s a pity Apple didn’t license Lightning or adopt Type-C a while back so we can charge our iOS devices with the same charger as our Androids and others.
Whenever Apple tries to make things easier and smooth for users, they come up with an ugly choice to force users into adapting something new. Personally, I have no issues with these connector shapes and designs as far as they are fulfilling their purposes.
Type-C is Intel designed… not an Apple designed interface. Looks like Intel finally got it right as well…
Thankfully, there’s a much quicker industry adoption of USB-C than there was with Thunderbolt. Which is natural, since the former is an industry standard while the latter was Apple’s pet specification with royalties attached.
I’m really interested in seeing monitors coming out with USB-C support that will be able to power laptops / mini computers and be their usb hubs (offering at least 4-6 standard USB ports, plus another USB-C for chaining). At this point (and with the display being affordable), I could consider getting myself the new Macbook…