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To analyze and understand Apple's move (and it's not just Apple, they are probably the one people complain the most about because they tend to have a far smalle
by SocratesV 10y ago
To analyze and understand Apple's move (and it's not just Apple, they are probably the one people complain the most about because they tend to have a far smaller product range being used by a higher number of people), one must think 5-10 years ahead.
By getting rid of all these different ports, they are making their product simpler, while still capable of interacting with devices that use them (via dongles). This means they have to build less into them making them also lighter, more portable and requiring a standard way to connect other devices.
Dongles are a pain. Yes they are. But also one can argue that in a lot of situations, maybe the majority, if you are in need to use external devices, you're probably in a situation where your laptop is on the top of a desk, in which case maybe even using some kind of a HUB makes more sense (this applies both for home, office and meeting rooms).
So why aren’t they doing this in 5-10 years time? Well, because by doing this (Apple and others), they’ll speed things up. They’ll create more need for devices compatible with USB-C, which means companies will start making peripherals for that market.
However, think by now we’ve all understood that Apple is aiming for a wireless future. The last compact camera I bought mid-2015 already had Wi-Fi. Headphones are moving wireless (hopefully in a safe way, since there is a reasonable concern about the health effects). Wireless peripherals already exist. The reason why they still have USB-C is probably mostly because of charging, with the nice side effect of keeping other devices able to connect via a simple dongle (rather than a wireless HUB).
I’m also not a fan of wireless keyboards and mice. Mostly because of the hassle of managing batteries/running out of juice and not finding other batteries. A good move from Apple would be to solve that problem: wireless charging becoming the norm instead of an expensive add-on, with longer lasting batteries, with the dream being on-the-fly wireless power feeding.
tl;dr - Apple wants to make things simpler, lighter, more portable and they are not afraid of putting the weight of their whole range of products behind it and taking the plunge. There will be some pain. We’ll hopefully end up with a better experience after the transition period.
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- iamben 10y agoYou make a great point, but it's the charging that annoys me. I have Bluetooth headphones for the gym. They run out probably once a week and I have to exercise without music. The gym I can take. But in the office, I have headphones on for maybe 7 or 8 hours a day. I guess what I'm saying - the wireless future is great, but we're not their with batteries. I still only get a day from my phone. My first phone lasted all week.
- heliumcraft 10y ago> Headphones are moving wireless (hopefully in a safe way, since there is a reasonable concern about the health effects) Do tell more about these "reasonable concerns about the health effects" of wireless... ?
- SocratesV 10y agoJust some articles that have popped up once again after Apple's keynote. My understanding is that the current consensus is that there isn't any risk and, well, we need to work under that assumption until proven wrong.
- pjc50 10y agoI thought the genuine concern about headphones was many people using them at far too high a volume.
- blackguardx 10y agoThe RF power levels in headphones are much much smaller than in mobile phones. Also, there is no evidence that the microwave frequencies used have any association with cancer. There are certainly problems (not cancer related, mainly heating and burns) with high power RF, but no consumer product could be released that would output those levels.
- SocratesV 10y agoThat is also my understanding. Mentioned the concerns because, unlike a mobile phone, people are probably going to use your headphones several hours per day, almost every day. Like you said, as far as we know, there's no health risk and until proven otherwise that what we should assume.