About USB Cords

Universal Serial Bus (USB) cables are a type of computer cord that links a computer's tower to peripheral items. These can include mouses, printers, keyboards, webcams, as well as other items. USB cords use a standardized protocol and are designed to be highly compatible with just about any brand of modern computer.

Function

USB cords connect any compatible device to a computer and facilitate data sharing between the device and the computer. USB cords are very popular because of their standardization and high level of availability and compatibility. Since USB cords have very fast data transfer rates, they can actually make mundane peripherals like speakers and keyboards perform better, and have paved the way for high-quality devices which require fast data power.

Types

There are two main types of USB cord.
USB 1.0 was released in 1996 and was not quickly adopted as USB ports were not yet standard on most computers. The first USB release also had spotty hub compatibility, which greatly hindered widespread use. However, it was one of the faster data transfer methods, and gained popularity despite its issues.
USB 2.0 was released in 2000 and kept it's predecessors familiar form. However, USB 2.0 was much faster than 1.0 and included extra interface and specific device support. USB 2.0 also introduced different connectivity varieties, including mini and micro USB connectors.

Features

There are several key features to USB cords. One is the rectangular shape of the USB plug, and the trident logo on the top of the actual plug. Another feature of USB cords is standardization. All USB cords are the same size and plug into the same computer ports. USB cords also have length caps due to standard data transfer rates, although USB extension cords do exist.

Benefits

There are several benefits to using USB cables and USB connective devices with your computer. First of all, a USB connection basically ensures device compatibility. Even if you have an older device, all USB 2.0 drives are backwards compatible with 1.0 devices. Another benefit of using USB cords is that they transmit plug and play data to the computer, and can actually make your installed devices run faster than they would have with a different connective cord.

Potential

A new USB protocol, 3.0, has been announced and is currently in development. A demonstration of the new technology was showcased in 2007, and the new USB technology is expected to debut in late 2009, alongside Windows 7. USB 3.0 will sport a faster connection speed as well as a streamlined information delivery method.

Resources

• Information on the Universal Serial Bus