Would it kill the makers of multi-cell devices, to make the cells all go in the same way?
you know, this kind of thing:
obviously this is the simplest way to put a bunch of cells in series to raise the voltage.
flashlights, cameras, kid toys, they ALL do this.
i have precisely ONE device that does it like this: a voice recorder - thanks, olympus.
what's so hard about doing it *the simple way*?
???
Heh, that would not only kill them, it would eradicate them out of memory leaving no trace of ever existing. Can’t have that!
Most modern devices have internal step-up converter, so all cells can go parallel (as it is made in powerbanks for example).
Making all the cells point the same way while maintaining a series connection would require jumper wires, as your diagram indicates. For low current applications, jumper wires would be ok, but adds complexity and additional points of failure. Alternating the cell orientation allows the contact plates to perform double duty, simplifies manufacturing and lowers costs. They are already doing it the “simple” way.
The reason it is prevalent in most toys and other lower end devices is that it negates the need and cost for a boost circuit. They just need to run motors, make noise and/or flash some LEDs and it is the most direct and cheapest way to design and manufacture the power system.
KuoH