Oh that, I remember seeing the video. Are there any real world devices that have problems depending on the orientation though? This one is just a demo meant to demonstrate that if you really want to, you could make usb-c dependent on the orientation.
I've got a Nexus 5x that now only charges if my USB A -> C cables are oriented properly. When it was new, it would charge in both directions as expected.
Perhaps not, I suspect that the pins are probably normally tied together. That it's possible, and some of the failure modes are _weird_ is a bit frustrating.
Yes. Early USB-C controllers had notorious issues with CC pins getting fried out by short-to-Vbus events, which could make the port work only in one orientation (or not work at all if you're unlucky enough to fry both CC pins).
I bought this USB-C extension cable, and learned that it only works for USB debugging on Android when the Pixel's stock cable is plugged in the "correct" way. There's even a little label on the end of the extension cord telling you to reverse the connection if it doesn't work. /facepalm