USB OTG builds on the traditional USB design, allowing for more versatility of interaction between networked devices. In a traditional USB, a device was programmed as a host or hosted device. Experts used the terminology master/slave to describe how a hosting device always included certain control features used for the interaction of USB connected devices.

USB OTG introduces flexibility in hosting relationships between devices. For example, where in traditional USB, a computer is the host for a mobile device or other attachment, USB OTG allows for a device, like a smartphone, to be multi-operational. The smartphone may be a host to a flash drive or other attached device, or a hosted device when hooked up to a computer.