micro-USB Will Replace mini-USB in Many Devices

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) has announced the completion of the micro-USB specification, a new connector technology that, because of its smaller size, it expects to replace many of the mini-USB ports now used in mobile devices.

The Advantages

As small as mini-USB ports are, some companies still find them to be too large for the latest ultra-thin devices. A prime example is the HTC Star Trek, a Windows Mobile Smartphone also being sold as the Cingular 3125. To save space, HTC felt needed to develop its own connector that is smaller than a mini-USB one.

"As portable devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, and digital cameras get smaller and more compact, manufacturers recognized the need for a new USB connector specification to suit the design of these new products," said Jeff Ravencraft, chairman and president of the USB-IF. "USB-IF developed the Micro-USB specification to adapt to sleek new design needs."

Despite its smaller size, this emerging connector format still offers the latest technologies. It supports the USB On-The-Go (OTG) supplement, which was created in response to the growing need for portable devices to communicate directly with each other when a PC is not available.

Coming When?

This revelation of the micro-USB specification was not accompanied by any announcements of products using this new format.

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