Why haven’t we been using bidirectional USB-A for the last twenty years?!

Because it isn't in the standard.

Because in order to display the "USB IF" logo, a product has to pass their standard, and this doesn't. A bit silly, but that is the answer to why.

Because it doesn't solve the fact that you have to flip the connector 3x to get it to work.

the little plastic compliant piece on the inside wears out over time

Is it the cable or the port that needs to support this?

In this case it’s the port.

I have a bidirectional USB-A to USB-C cable that came with a JBL charge 4 speaker I used to have. It blew my mind at first but it makes sense that if they could do it for C they could do it for A

Huh, how? 🤔😲

Because USB-C exists.

i think the ports are fragile and expensive