The USB 3.0 Promoter Group has announced work on the development of the next-gen USB Serial Connector which is scheduled to be released by mid-2014.

The new USB Type-C connector is built on existing USB 3.1 and 2.0 technologies but features an entirely new design, is smaller in size and is also entirely reversible, removing an earlier irritant of USB designs. USB 3.0 is forecasted to usher in a new wave of growth in thinner and sleeker laptops, tablets, smartphones and desktop PCs.

“Intel is excited to see the development of the new thin Type-C connector as it will enable an entirely new super thin class of devices from phones to tablets, to 2-in-1s, to laptops to desktops and a multitude of other more specific usage devices,” said Alex Peleg, Vice President, Platform Engineering Group.

As the Type-C is an entirely new connector, it is likely that the device will ship with specific adapters and cables so that the multitudes of USB chargers currently in the market are not rendered obsolete.

The full text of the press release can be found here.