Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Whatever they are called, why are they so bloody useless?

I have a genuine Samsung lead to charge my Samsung smart phone from a
USB socket in the van. The slightest nudge and the bloody thing either
falls out or doesn't make a proper connection.

Is there a better alternative make of plug?


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman

David Lang wrote:
Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Whatever they are called, why are they so bloody useless?

I have a genuine Samsung lead to charge my Samsung smart phone from a
USB socket in the van. The slightest nudge and the bloody thing either
falls out or doesn't make a proper connection.

Is there a better alternative make of plug?


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning_(connector)

;-)

Tim

On Thu, 28 Jan 2016 18:48:05 +0000, David Lang wrote:

Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Whatever they are called, why are they so bloody useless?

I have a genuine Samsung lead to charge my Samsung smart phone from a
USB socket in the van. The slightest nudge and the bloody thing either
falls out or doesn't make a proper connection.

Is there a better alternative make of plug?

Do you have a protective cover on your phone? Rubber sleeve or similar?

This can make plugs hard to seat.

One of the best leads has been a "genuine Kindle" lead from Amazon.

Normally a lottery, and the manufacturer's lead isn't always the best.

They also seem to wear over time.

Cheers

Dave R

--
Windows 8.1 on PCSpecialist box

On 28/01/2016 19:28, David wrote:
On Thu, 28 Jan 2016 18:48:05 +0000, David Lang wrote:

Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Whatever they are called, why are they so bloody useless?

I have a genuine Samsung lead to charge my Samsung smart phone from a
USB socket in the van. The slightest nudge and the bloody thing either
falls out or doesn't make a proper connection.

Is there a better alternative make of plug?

Do you have a protective cover on your phone? Rubber sleeve or similar?

This can make plugs hard to seat.

One of the best leads has been a "genuine Kindle" lead from Amazon.

Normally a lottery, and the manufacturer's lead isn't always the best.

They also seem to wear over time.

Cheers

Dave R


That's why I use a Qi charger.
Takes a bit longer but there is no wear on the connectors.
Some Samsung support Qi.

In article . com,
dennis@home wrote:
On 28/01/2016 19:28, David wrote:
On Thu, 28 Jan 2016 18:48:05 +0000, David Lang wrote:

Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Whatever they are called, why are they so bloody useless?

I have a genuine Samsung lead to charge my Samsung smart phone from a
USB socket in the van. The slightest nudge and the bloody thing either
falls out or doesn't make a proper connection.

Is there a better alternative make of plug?

Do you have a protective cover on your phone? Rubber sleeve or similar?

This can make plugs hard to seat.

One of the best leads has been a "genuine Kindle" lead from Amazon.

Normally a lottery, and the manufacturer's lead isn't always the best.

They also seem to wear over time.

Cheers

Dave R


That's why I use a Qi charger.
Takes a bit longer but there is no wear on the connectors.
Some Samsung support Qi.

agreed. It's an ideal overnight parking place fr the phone. Mind you, the
Qi back in my phone died, I managed to get a new one off ebay.

--
from KT24 in Surrey, England

On 28/01/2016 21:22, charles wrote:
In article . com,
dennis@home wrote:
On 28/01/2016 19:28, David wrote:
On Thu, 28 Jan 2016 18:48:05 +0000, David Lang wrote:

Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Whatever they are called, why are they so bloody useless?

I have a genuine Samsung lead to charge my Samsung smart phone from a
USB socket in the van. The slightest nudge and the bloody thing either
falls out or doesn't make a proper connection.

Is there a better alternative make of plug?

Do you have a protective cover on your phone? Rubber sleeve or similar?

This can make plugs hard to seat.

One of the best leads has been a "genuine Kindle" lead from Amazon.

Normally a lottery, and the manufacturer's lead isn't always the best.

They also seem to wear over time.

Cheers

Dave R


That's why I use a Qi charger.
Takes a bit longer but there is no wear on the connectors.
Some Samsung support Qi.

agreed. It's an ideal overnight parking place fr the phone. Mind you, the
Qi back in my phone died, I managed to get a new one off ebay.


I have a 10AHr battery pack with a Qi charger built in so I can charge
the phone without mains if needed.
It charges the battery from usb at the same time it powers the Qi
charger so it can double as a Qi point in the house.
It also has 2 USB outlets to charge other stuff.

Its similar to this one but they don't do mine anymore.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Generic-Wire.../dp/B017K8TQ0O

On 28/01/2016 22:26, dennis@home wrote:
On 28/01/2016 21:22, charles wrote:
In article . com,
dennis@home wrote:
On 28/01/2016 19:28, David wrote:
On Thu, 28 Jan 2016 18:48:05 +0000, David Lang wrote:

Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Whatever they are called, why are they so bloody useless?

I have a genuine Samsung lead to charge my Samsung smart phone from a
USB socket in the van. The slightest nudge and the bloody thing
either
falls out or doesn't make a proper connection.

Is there a better alternative make of plug?

Do you have a protective cover on your phone? Rubber sleeve or similar?

This can make plugs hard to seat.

One of the best leads has been a "genuine Kindle" lead from Amazon.

Normally a lottery, and the manufacturer's lead isn't always the best.

They also seem to wear over time.

Cheers

Dave R


That's why I use a Qi charger.
Takes a bit longer but there is no wear on the connectors.
Some Samsung support Qi.

agreed. It's an ideal overnight parking place fr the phone. Mind you,
the
Qi back in my phone died, I managed to get a new one off ebay.


I have a 10AHr battery pack with a Qi charger built in so I can charge
the phone without mains if needed.
It charges the battery from usb at the same time it powers the Qi
charger so it can double as a Qi point in the house.
It also has 2 USB outlets to charge other stuff.

Its similar to this one but they don't do mine anymore.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Generic-Wire.../dp/B017K8TQ0O

IKEA make LED lamps with a Qi charger in the base (and USB socket) in
the base , also modules to add to furniture yourself.
I use one as a bedside reading lamp.

"David" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 28 Jan 2016 18:48:05 +0000, David Lang wrote:

Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Whatever they are called, why are they so bloody useless?

I have a genuine Samsung lead to charge my Samsung smart phone from a
USB socket in the van. The slightest nudge and the bloody thing either
falls out or doesn't make a proper connection.

Is there a better alternative make of plug?

Do you have a protective cover on your phone? Rubber sleeve or similar?

This can make plugs hard to seat.

One of the best leads has been a "genuine Kindle" lead from Amazon.

Normally a lottery, and the manufacturer's lead isn't always the best.

They also seem to wear over time.

They're designed to wear over time on the principle that it
is a lot easier and cheaper to replace the cable than the socket
it plugs into.

Cheers

Dave R

--
Windows 8.1 on PCSpecialist box

In article ,
David Lang writes:
Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Whatever they are called, why are they so bloody useless?

I have a genuine Samsung lead to charge my Samsung smart phone from a
USB socket in the van. The slightest nudge and the bloody thing either
falls out or doesn't make a proper connection.

Is there a better alternative make of plug?

If you keep the phone in your pocket, dust gets into the charging socket.
Each time you push the plug in, you compress it at the pack of the socket,
making space for new dust to enter.
Eventually it stops the plug going in far enough.

This is a not uncommon fault at the repair events I do. Some careful (not
too hard) use of a pin (with a magnifying glass) to scrape the rear of the
socket can remove far more fabric dust than you could imagine ever fitting
in the socket.

The old concentric charging sockets suffered exactly the same problem,
even more so.

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

On 28/01/2016 20:19, Andrew Gabriel wrote:
In article ,
David Lang writes:
Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Whatever they are called, why are they so bloody useless?

I have a genuine Samsung lead to charge my Samsung smart phone from a
USB socket in the van. The slightest nudge and the bloody thing either
falls out or doesn't make a proper connection.

Is there a better alternative make of plug?

If you keep the phone in your pocket, dust gets into the charging socket.
Each time you push the plug in, you compress it at the pack of the socket,
making space for new dust to enter.
Eventually it stops the plug going in far enough.

This is a not uncommon fault at the repair events I do. Some careful (not
too hard) use of a pin (with a magnifying glass) to scrape the rear of the
socket can remove far more fabric dust than you could imagine ever fitting
in the socket.

The old concentric charging sockets suffered exactly the same problem,
even more so.

Interesting! I'll have a (careful) prod about. Air duster any good?

--
Dave - The Medway Handyman

On Thu, 28 Jan 2016 21:12:01 +0000, David Lang wrote:

On 28/01/2016 20:19, Andrew Gabriel wrote:
In article ,
David Lang writes:
Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Whatever they are called, why are they so bloody useless?

I have a genuine Samsung lead to charge my Samsung smart phone from a
USB socket in the van. The slightest nudge and the bloody thing
either falls out or doesn't make a proper connection.

Is there a better alternative make of plug?

If you keep the phone in your pocket, dust gets into the charging
socket. Each time you push the plug in, you compress it at the pack of
the socket,
making space for new dust to enter.
Eventually it stops the plug going in far enough.

This is a not uncommon fault at the repair events I do. Some careful
(not too hard) use of a pin (with a magnifying glass) to scrape the
rear of the socket can remove far more fabric dust than you could
imagine ever fitting in the socket.

The old concentric charging sockets suffered exactly the same problem,
even more so.

Interesting! I'll have a (careful) prod about. Air duster any good?

No, it's usually far too well compacted, and if that does anything at all
it'll force the dirt in further!

This is an exercise I go through on a regular basis with my elder son's
phone. (the other son is a malophile)

En el artículo , Bob Eager
escribió:

(the other son is a malophile)

I had to look that up.

Think I prefer El Reg's slightly derogatory "fanbois".

--
(\_/)
(='.'=) Bunny says: Windows 10? Nein danke!
(")_(")

David Lang wrote:

Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Normal large ones that plug into a PC are USB-A

typically only printers and a few other devices use USB-B

The older small ones for phones/satnavs/etc are miniUSB-B

the most common small ones for phones now (not apple) are microUSB-B which

http://hexmind.github.io/what-restful-api-is-not/img/usb.jpg

and the latest flavour (I only have two devices using it so far) is
microUSB-C which are reversible and higher power.

This shows the new microUSB-C on the left and the common microUSB-B on
the right

http://www.belkin.com/images/productmt/882028/372.jpg

apple do their own thing, and to be fair the lightning connector would
be OK if it wasn't proprietary.

"Andy Burns" wrote in message
o.uk...
David Lang wrote:

Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Normal large ones that plug into a PC are USB-A

typically only printers and a few other devices use USB-B

The older small ones for phones/satnavs/etc are miniUSB-B

the most common small ones for phones now (not apple) are microUSB-B which

http://hexmind.github.io/what-restful-api-is-not/img/usb.jpg

and the latest flavour (I only have two devices using it so far) is
microUSB-C which are reversible and higher power.

This shows the new microUSB-C on the left and the common microUSB-B on the
right

http://www.belkin.com/images/productmt/882028/372.jpg

apple do their own thing, and to be fair the lightning connector would be
OK if it wasn't proprietary.

Main problem with it is that the conductors are completely
exposed and so can at least in theory be shorted more easily.

En el artículo , Simmy Jacks
escribió:

**** off, Rod.

--
(\_/)
(='.'=) Bunny says: Windows 10? Nein danke!
(")_(")

Simmy Jacks wrote:


"Andy Burns" wrote in message
o.uk...
David Lang wrote:

Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Normal large ones that plug into a PC are USB-A

typically only printers and a few other devices use USB-B

The older small ones for phones/satnavs/etc are miniUSB-B

the most common small ones for phones now (not apple) are microUSB-B which

http://hexmind.github.io/what-restful-api-is-not/img/usb.jpg

and the latest flavour (I only have two devices using it so far) is
microUSB-C which are reversible and higher power.

This shows the new microUSB-C on the left and the common microUSB-B on the
right

http://www.belkin.com/images/productmt/882028/372.jpg

apple do their own thing, and to be fair the lightning connector would be
OK if it wasn't proprietary.

Main problem with it is that the conductors are completely
exposed and so can at least in theory be shorted more easily.



We killed one lightning connector by getting the end wet whilst it was
plugged into a permanently live USB charger in my car. The electrolytic
effect etched away the metal from the contacts.

Much prefer it to USB for ease of insertion though so it's a minor problem
easily avoided once you know the risk.

Tim

"Tim+" wrote in message
...
Simmy Jacks wrote:


"Andy Burns" wrote in message
o.uk...
David Lang wrote:

Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Normal large ones that plug into a PC are USB-A

typically only printers and a few other devices use USB-B

The older small ones for phones/satnavs/etc are miniUSB-B

the most common small ones for phones now (not apple) are microUSB-B
which

http://hexmind.github.io/what-restful-api-is-not/img/usb.jpg

and the latest flavour (I only have two devices using it so far) is
microUSB-C which are reversible and higher power.

This shows the new microUSB-C on the left and the common microUSB-B on
the
right

http://www.belkin.com/images/productmt/882028/372.jpg

apple do their own thing, and to be fair the lightning connector would
be
OK if it wasn't proprietary.

Main problem with it is that the conductors are completely
exposed and so can at least in theory be shorted more easily.



We killed one lightning connector by getting the end wet whilst it was
plugged into a permanently live USB charger in my car. The electrolytic
effect etched away the metal from the contacts.

I've got a great mess of cables and chargers etc where I have the
charger with the lightning connector. I just let it fall down anywhere
when its not charging the phone, with it still plugged into the mains
charger. Haven't killed it yet, but it'll happen sometime.

Much prefer it to USB for ease of insertion though

Yeah, me too. Both because it can go in either way and because
its a lot easier to plug in than a micro USB. I have the micro USB
on the the Logitech K800 backlit keyboard and the MX performance
mouse and they are much less convenient and more fiddly to plug in.

so it's a minor problem easily avoided once you know the risk.

Yeah, I could certainly unplug the other end of the cable from the
charger, just dont bother. I dont leave it plugged in to the charger
in the car, the cable goes in the glove box when not actually charging
the phone, but thats more to get it out of the way of the manual gear
stick etc.

On 28/01/2016 21:30, Simmy Jacks wrote:


"Andy Burns" wrote in message
o.uk...


apple do their own thing, and to be fair the lightning connector would
be OK if it wasn't proprietary.

Main problem with it is that the conductors are completely
exposed and so can at least in theory be shorted more easily.

Also, my wife's Ipad Mini sometimes gets upset if she uses a 3rd party
lightning cable rather than a genuine Apple one. How does it know?
--
Cheers,
Roger
____________
Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
checked.

On 29/01/16 12:50, Roger Mills wrote:
On 28/01/2016 21:30, Simmy Jacks wrote:


"Andy Burns" wrote in message
o.uk...


apple do their own thing, and to be fair the lightning connector would
be OK if it wasn't proprietary.

Main problem with it is that the conductors are completely
exposed and so can at least in theory be shorted more easily.

Also, my wife's Ipad Mini sometimes gets upset if she uses a 3rd party
lightning cable rather than a genuine Apple one. How does it know?

A necessary authentication chip is built into the connector. Some copies
of that do work, some don't.

--
Adrian C

En el artículo , Roger Mills
escribió:

Also, my wife's Ipad Mini sometimes gets upset if she uses a 3rd party
lightning cable rather than a genuine Apple one. How does it know?

There's an ID chip in the plug. The Chinese fakers copy it and it works
until Apple release a new version of iOS and check for it, then it
stops working.

--
(\_/)
(='.'=) Bunny says: Windows 10? Nein danke!
(")_(")

En el artículo , Huge
escribió:

The sole purpose of which being to rip you off for the cable. *******s.

Absolutely yes. I've got one of those 'battery cases' for my iPhone 5.
The last one stopped working because the iOS 7-8 upgrade rejected the
case's Lightning chip, so I had to get another. I'm not upgrading it to
iOS9!

And yes, some of my third party cables stopped working as well.

*******s.

--
(\_/)
(='.'=) Bunny says: Windows 10? Nein danke!
(")_(")

On 29/01/2016 12:50, Roger Mills wrote:
On 28/01/2016 21:30, Simmy Jacks wrote:


"Andy Burns" wrote in message
o.uk...


apple do their own thing, and to be fair the lightning connector would
be OK if it wasn't proprietary.

Main problem with it is that the conductors are completely
exposed and so can at least in theory be shorted more easily.

Also, my wife's Ipad Mini sometimes gets upset if she uses a 3rd party
lightning cable rather than a genuine Apple one. How does it know?

You have an ID chip in there that you have to pay apple to use.
Its just another way to make apple users pay as the chip doesn't do
anything useful and makes the cable less reliable.

On Friday, 29 January 2016 15:02:57 UTC, dennis@home wrote:
On 29/01/2016 12:50, Roger Mills wrote:
On 28/01/2016 21:30, Simmy Jacks wrote:


"Andy Burns" wrote in message
o.uk...


apple do their own thing, and to be fair the lightning connector would
be OK if it wasn't proprietary.

Main problem with it is that the conductors are completely
exposed and so can at least in theory be shorted more easily.

Also, my wife's Ipad Mini sometimes gets upset if she uses a 3rd party
lightning cable rather than a genuine Apple one. How does it know?

You have an ID chip in there that you have to pay apple to use.
Its just another way to make apple users pay as the chip doesn't do
anything useful and makes the cable less reliable.

Sounds like more rubbish.

"Roger Mills" wrote in message
...
On 28/01/2016 21:30, Simmy Jacks wrote:


"Andy Burns" wrote in message
o.uk...


apple do their own thing, and to be fair the lightning connector would
be OK if it wasn't proprietary.

Main problem with it is that the conductors are completely
exposed and so can at least in theory be shorted more easily.

Also, my wife's Ipad Mini sometimes gets upset if she uses a 3rd party
lightning cable rather than a genuine Apple one. How does it know?

There's a chip in the cable.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightn...or)#Technology

On Thursday, 28 January 2016 21:30:29 UTC, Simmy Jacks wrote:
"Andy Burns" wrote in message
o.uk...
David Lang wrote:

Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Normal large ones that plug into a PC are USB-A

typically only printers and a few other devices use USB-B

The older small ones for phones/satnavs/etc are miniUSB-B

the most common small ones for phones now (not apple) are microUSB-B which

http://hexmind.github.io/what-restful-api-is-not/img/usb.jpg

and the latest flavour (I only have two devices using it so far) is
microUSB-C which are reversible and higher power.

This shows the new microUSB-C on the left and the common microUSB-B on the
right

http://www.belkin.com/images/productmt/882028/372.jpg

apple do their own thing, and to be fair the lightning connector would be
OK if it wasn't proprietary.

Main problem with it is that the conductors are completely
exposed and so can at least in theory be shorted more easily.

Have you tried shorting them in practice. I thought that there was software that detected such things on teh iphone, as it can change the use of the conductors and if it see a short it doesn't start to charge the iPhone.

En el artículo ,
whisky-dave escribió:

I thought that there was software that
detected such things on teh iphone, as it can change the use of the conductors
and if it see a short it doesn't start to charge the iPhone.

You are correct. It's Wodney spouting his usual bull**** under yet
another nym. Best ignored.

--
(\_/)
(='.'=) Bunny says: Windows 10? Nein danke!
(")_(")

"Mike Tomlinson" wrote in message
...
En el artículo ,
whisky-dave escribió:

I thought that there was software that
detected such things on teh iphone, as it can change the use of the
conductors
and if it see a short it doesn't start to charge the iPhone.

You are correct.

Nope, no software on any iphone can do anything
about a lead that is JUST plugged into the charger.

"whisky-dave" wrote in message
...
On Thursday, 28 January 2016 21:30:29 UTC, Simmy Jacks wrote:
"Andy Burns" wrote in message
o.uk...
David Lang wrote:

Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Normal large ones that plug into a PC are USB-A

typically only printers and a few other devices use USB-B

The older small ones for phones/satnavs/etc are miniUSB-B

the most common small ones for phones now (not apple) are microUSB-B
which

http://hexmind.github.io/what-restful-api-is-not/img/usb.jpg

and the latest flavour (I only have two devices using it so far) is
microUSB-C which are reversible and higher power.

This shows the new microUSB-C on the left and the common microUSB-B on
the
right

http://www.belkin.com/images/productmt/882028/372.jpg

apple do their own thing, and to be fair the lightning connector would
be
OK if it wasn't proprietary.

Main problem with it is that the conductors are completely
exposed and so can at least in theory be shorted more easily.

Have you tried shorting them in practice.

No I haven't. They aren't that cheap to buy.

I thought that there was software that
detected such things on teh iphone,

That isnt even possible with the lightning connector waving
around in the breeze on the end of the cable with the other
end of the cable plugged into the mains charger.

as it can change the use of the conductors and if
it see a short it doesn't start to charge the iPhone.

Sure, but that is after its been plugged into the iPhone.

There likely is some protection in the mains charger
that stops any short on the connector itself when its
not plugged into an iPhone from damaging the
connector 'pins' but I haven't been game to try it
because of the cost of a new one.

Someone must have tried it on
youtube, must have a look sometime.

On Saturday, 30 January 2016 00:47:55 UTC, Simmy Jacks wrote:
"whisky-dave" wrote in message
...
On Thursday, 28 January 2016 21:30:29 UTC, Simmy Jacks wrote:
"Andy Burns" wrote in message
o.uk...
David Lang wrote:

Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Normal large ones that plug into a PC are USB-A

typically only printers and a few other devices use USB-B

The older small ones for phones/satnavs/etc are miniUSB-B

the most common small ones for phones now (not apple) are microUSB-B
which

http://hexmind.github.io/what-restful-api-is-not/img/usb.jpg

and the latest flavour (I only have two devices using it so far) is
microUSB-C which are reversible and higher power.

This shows the new microUSB-C on the left and the common microUSB-B on
the
right

http://www.belkin.com/images/productmt/882028/372.jpg

apple do their own thing, and to be fair the lightning connector would
be
OK if it wasn't proprietary.

Main problem with it is that the conductors are completely
exposed and so can at least in theory be shorted more easily.

Have you tried shorting them in practice.

No I haven't. They aren't that cheap to buy.

So you're only assumign they are easy to short out.
it could be that they have a curcuit in there that if it detets a short for greater than a partuclar time then the voltage shuts down.
Even the regulators I buy for my students at 10p have such built in circuitry,
they don't blow up they shut down.
I think virually all swithced mode PSUs have this sort of feature.



I thought that there was software that
detected such things on teh iphone,

That isnt even possible with the lightning connector waving
around in the breeze on the end of the cable with the other
end of the cable plugged into the mains charger.

if you have a proper charger there is.


as it can change the use of the conductors and if
it see a short it doesn't start to charge the iPhone.

Sure, but that is after its been plugged into the iPhone.

So the phone ned to know what's on the pins when you plug something.


There likely is some protection in the mains charger
that stops any short on the connector itself when its
not plugged into an iPhone from damaging the
connector 'pins' but I haven't been game to try it
because of the cost of a new one.

I thought you were worried about shorting the ends of teh connector ?

I don't blame you for not trying it.


Someone must have tried it on
youtube, must have a look sometime.

I wonder if anyones plug their lightning connector into their anus.
Stranger things have been done with buzz lightyear, amonst other things :-0

"David Lang" wrote in message ...

Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones are
called Micro USB type A & B?

Whatever they are called, why are they so bloody useless?

I have a genuine Samsung lead to charge my Samsung smart phone from a USB
socket in the van. The slightest nudge and the bloody thing either falls
out or doesn't make a proper connection.

Is there a better alternative make of plug?



My iPhone 6 has been a pain to charge for ages - started within days of
getting it and I've had it 18 months. Sometimes it would, sometimes it
wouldn't charge. Some leads were better than others. I blew the socket out
with an airline several times to no avail. Then it stopped charging all
together. So in desperation I rigged up a very strong light and powerful
lens and had a look see. Chunk of 'debris' firmly jammed at the bottom of
the socket. With a very sharp cocktail stick I was able to move it a bit,
then the airline blew it out. Since then it's never been better - works
with every lead I've previously rejected, and the leads stay in firmly - so
A RESULT

Andrew

"David Lang" wrote in message
...
Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones are
called Micro USB type A & B?

They can be micro or mini.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB#Mi...cro_connectors

Whatever they are called, why are they so bloody useless?

I have a genuine Samsung lead to charge my Samsung smart phone from a USB
socket in the van.

Those are micros.

The slightest nudge and the bloody thing either falls out or doesn't make
a proper connection.

Is there a better alternative make of plug?

The Logitechs dont fall out of Logitech devices.
Haven't tried one in a Samsung phone.

On 28/01/16 18:48, David Lang wrote:
Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Whatever they are called, why are they so bloody useless?

I have a genuine Samsung lead to charge my Samsung smart phone from a
USB socket in the van. The slightest nudge and the bloody thing either
falls out or doesn't make a proper connection.

Is there a better alternative make of plug?



I find these extremely good:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00S3RO5FS

Plug is firm, lead is light and flexible, lots of length options

On 28/01/16 18:48, David Lang wrote:
Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Whatever they are called, why are they so bloody useless?

I have a genuine Samsung lead to charge my Samsung smart phone from a
USB socket in the van. The slightest nudge and the bloody thing either
falls out or doesn't make a proper connection.

Is there a better alternative make of plug?


I've foudn Lindy ones pretty OK.


--
If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will
eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such
time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic
and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally
important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for
the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the
truth is the greatest enemy of the State.

Joseph Goebbels

On 28/01/2016 22:31, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 28/01/16 18:48, David Lang wrote:
Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Whatever they are called, why are they so bloody useless?

I have a genuine Samsung lead to charge my Samsung smart phone from a
USB socket in the van. The slightest nudge and the bloody thing either
falls out or doesn't make a proper connection.

Is there a better alternative make of plug?


I've foudn Lindy ones pretty OK.


Agreed - but so too was my original Samsung one!

--
Rod

David Lang wrote:
Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Whatever they are called, why are they so bloody useless?

I have a genuine Samsung lead to charge my Samsung smart phone from a
USB socket in the van. The slightest nudge and the bloody thing either
falls out or doesn't make a proper connection.

Micro USB connectors are bloody flimsy and wear out quite quickly. I
tripped over my (extra long 2m) charging lead and tugged it out of the
phone with the result that it fell out far too easily afterwards.

So bin it and buy a new USB to Micro USB lead along with a Poundshop
ciggy lighter USB charger doofah.

--
Scott

Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket?

On Fri, 29 Jan 2016 16:36:39 +0000, Scott M
wrote:

David Lang wrote:
Am I right in thinking that the small plugs used to charge smartphones
are called Micro USB type A & B?

Whatever they are called, why are they so bloody useless?

I have a genuine Samsung lead to charge my Samsung smart phone from a
USB socket in the van. The slightest nudge and the bloody thing either
falls out or doesn't make a proper connection.

Micro USB connectors are bloody flimsy

Yup.

and wear out quite quickly.

I think if they are 'good' in the first place and you are careful they
can be 'ok'.

I
tripped over my (extra long 2m) charging lead and tugged it out of the
phone with the result that it fell out far too easily afterwards.

One of the few things I specifically like about Mac laptops is the
MagSafe connector. I now see you can get that sort of thing in a
generic uUSB connector. You plug a very small adaptor into your uUSB
socket connector charged device and use the mating supplied MagSafe
clone lead (supplied) into the std USB charger.

So bin it and buy a new USB to Micro USB lead along with a Poundshop
ciggy lighter USB charger doofah.

I have a fairly old but still functional Archos G9 tablet were some of
the plastic material supporting the uUSB socket is broken. You can
still plug a charging lead in but you have to be very careful to plug
it in the right way round. I've ordered one of the mag-connectors and
may even glue (using a small drop of something like Evo-Stick) the
socket converter in. It does have 4 pins on the connector but I'm not
sure if they are all 4 pins found on a std USB plug or just duplicates
of the power pins so the connector is reversible?

Like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOMVnzYL9nU

Cheers, T i m

On 29/01/2016 18:33, T i m wrote:


I have a fairly old but still functional Archos G9 tablet were some of
the plastic material supporting the uUSB socket is broken. You can
still plug a charging lead in but you have to be very careful to plug
it in the right way round. I've ordered one of the mag-connectors and
may even glue (using a small drop of something like Evo-Stick) the
socket converter in. It does have 4 pins on the connector but I'm not
sure if they are all 4 pins found on a std USB plug or just duplicates
of the power pins so the connector is reversible?

Like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOMVnzYL9nU


The video seems to suggest that it's reversible for charging but only
works one way round for data transmission.

On one of the videos, the phone's case seemed to get in the way -
stopping the magnetic lead from attaching properly. Would be interesting
to know whether that's a *real* problem.

I also wonder what happens when you want to use an OTG cable. It would
be nice if there were an alternative cable with a female USB socket on
the end - with the ability to share the one uUSB adapter - but that
seems unlikely.
--
Cheers,
Roger
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Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
checked.

On Fri, 29 Jan 2016 19:57:49 +0000, Roger Mills
wrote:

On 29/01/2016 18:33, T i m wrote:


I have a fairly old but still functional Archos G9 tablet were some of
the plastic material supporting the uUSB socket is broken. You can
still plug a charging lead in but you have to be very careful to plug
it in the right way round. I've ordered one of the mag-connectors and
may even glue (using a small drop of something like Evo-Stick) the
socket converter in. It does have 4 pins on the connector but I'm not
sure if they are all 4 pins found on a std USB plug or just duplicates
of the power pins so the connector is reversible?

Like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOMVnzYL9nU


The video seems to suggest that it's reversible for charging but only
works one way round for data transmission.

Yes, I spotted that after. ;-)

On one of the videos, the phone's case seemed to get in the way -
stopping the magnetic lead from attaching properly. Would be interesting
to know whether that's a *real* problem.

Funnily enough our daughter (prone to tripping over her cables)
questioned that. She has the more 'rugged' cases on her phones and I
suggested that maybe she could open the charging hole up with a hole
punch to allow the magnetic mount in properly.

I also wonder what happens when you want to use an OTG cable. It would
be nice if there were an alternative cable with a female USB socket on
the end - with the ability to share the one uUSB adapter - but that
seems unlikely.

I think that's the principal of the Znaps connector (if I understand
you correctly) in that it effectively converts the existing socket
into a magnetic one but then presents a std uUSB (or Thunderbolt is
it) socket to accept all the existing leads and functions etc.

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/tech/news...our-smartphone

Cheers, T i m

On 29/01/16 22:27, T i m wrote:
On Fri, 29 Jan 2016 19:57:49 +0000, Roger Mills
wrote:

On 29/01/2016 18:33, T i m wrote:


I have a fairly old but still functional Archos G9 tablet were some of
the plastic material supporting the uUSB socket is broken. You can
still plug a charging lead in but you have to be very careful to plug
it in the right way round. I've ordered one of the mag-connectors and
may even glue (using a small drop of something like Evo-Stick) the
socket converter in. It does have 4 pins on the connector but I'm not
sure if they are all 4 pins found on a std USB plug or just duplicates
of the power pins so the connector is reversible?

Like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOMVnzYL9nU


The video seems to suggest that it's reversible for charging but only
works one way round for data transmission.

Yes, I spotted that after. ;-)

On one of the videos, the phone's case seemed to get in the way -
stopping the magnetic lead from attaching properly. Would be interesting
to know whether that's a *real* problem.

Funnily enough our daughter (prone to tripping over her cables)
questioned that. She has the more 'rugged' cases on her phones and I
suggested that maybe she could open the charging hole up with a hole
punch to allow the magnetic mount in properly.

I also wonder what happens when you want to use an OTG cable. It would
be nice if there were an alternative cable with a female USB socket on
the end - with the ability to share the one uUSB adapter - but that
seems unlikely.

I think that's the principal of the Znaps connector (if I understand
you correctly) in that it effectively converts the existing socket
into a magnetic one but then presents a std uUSB (or Thunderbolt is
it) socket to accept all the existing leads and functions etc.


I like that!

Such a pity the USB standards body did not pick up on such a thing...

On 29/01/2016 22:27, T i m wrote:
On Fri, 29 Jan 2016 19:57:49 +0000, Roger
wrote:

On 29/01/2016 18:33, T i m wrote:



I also wonder what happens when you want to use an OTG cable. It would
be nice if there were an alternative cable with a female USB socket on
the end - with the ability to share the one uUSB adapter - but that
seems unlikely.

I think that's the principal of the Znaps connector (if I understand
you correctly) in that it effectively converts the existing socket
into a magnetic one but then presents a std uUSB (or Thunderbolt is
it) socket to accept all the existing leads and functions etc.

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/tech/news...our-smartphone


Interesting!

That one is different from the one I was commenting on, and appears to
be just a short male uUSB to female uUSB adapter with a magnetic break
in the middle. So you should be able to plug anything into it which has
a male uUSB at one end - including an OTG cable/adapter.

[You probably mean Lightning rather than Thunderbolt - close!]
--
Cheers,
Roger
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