Dual orientation connector

A dual orientation connector has a connector tab 44 with first and second major opposing sides bearing two sets of electrical contacts. Each individual contact in the first plurality of contacts may be electrically connected within the tab or body to a corresponding contact in the second plurality of contacts. In some embodiments (eg Fig 11A) contacts in the first and second pluralities of contacts that are in a cater cornered relationship with each other are coupled together, so that the connector can be coupled either way up. In some other embodiments (eg Fig 9A), contacts in the first and second pluralities of contacts that are directly opposite each other are coupled together, and circuitry (150, Fig 17) detects which way up and switches as a result. Alternatively, one contact of the connector is used as an ID contact, and circuitry participates in a handshaking algorithm over this contact to establish a communication protocol (eg USB) to use over data contacts. Alternatively, power contacts can be intermingled with data contacts. Alternatively, a connector can be manufactured by soldering contacts to a PCB and overmoulding it. The connector may have a conductive frame (52, Fig 5A) around the tab, and may be built into a docking station (170, Fig 21).