They’re everywhere: in your home, at your office, at your neighbor’s house. You use them every day, without even thinking about them. Without them, your entire life would be different.
What are they? USBs, of course! This handy system for data transfer has worked its way into most modern technology. But how does a USB work?
What Does USB Stand For?
USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. It’s a connection type for a variety of devices, accessories, and computers. The acronym can refer to a cable, a port, or a file drive.
The earliest USB technology for consumers debuted in 1998 with Apple, closely followed by Microsoft. This method of connecting devices grew steadily in popularity. Now, it’s one of the most common ways to connect the technology we use daily.
From cell phones and laptops to e-readers and kitchen gadgets, anything re-chargeable in your home likely has USB technology.
How Does a USB Work?
The reason USBs are so common is because they make transferring data and power between devices simple. Before USB connections, getting a computer to communicate with a printer or a presentation screen was complex.
You had to plug the accessory in while both devices were turned off and often had to install new software or drivers. Occasionally, you’d need to install new hardware into the computer for it to recognize the new accessory.
USBs let you “plug and play.” When you connect two devices via USB (or connect a device to a power source) they can instantly recognize each other. At most, you’ll need to download a one-time driver to make the connection.
Once established, the connection works like any other link. Information travels as digital data between the circuitry and wires of the linked devices.
The Difference Between a USB and a Flash Drive
Since they appeared on the market, flash drives have been nicknamed USB drives, or USBs, because of how they work. But not all USB technology is a flash drive. So what is a flash drive, and what is a USB?
A flash drive is a small external hard drive that uses USB connectivity. You can plug them into any computer with a USB port and move data between the two devices.
They’re small, portable, and convenient. They also have a lot of nicknames. Many people refer to flash drives as USBs, memory sticks, jump drives, thumb drives, or USB keys. They’re all the same device, just by different names.
Uses for USBs
We use USB ports for most of our electronic lives. Computers, TVs, and cell phones all commonly use a USB port to connect to power or other devices. It’s a fast, easy way to move information without the cloud.
One use for USB connections is cell phone charging. Both Apple and Android phones use a USB-type connection to recharge their batteries. Charging accessories, like a USB charging lanyard or a charging station, use this connection type as well.
USB is how you can connect your e-reader to your computer and charge it while you download books onto it. It’s how you connect your printer to your laptop.
Truly Universal
True to its name, the USB connection is universal. So how does a USB work? The same as any other data connection. What makes USB stand out is that it works across so many systems and devices.
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