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We're all sick of changing cables every couple years, and dealing with a hodge-podge of newer and older devices that require carrying multiple cables and someti

We're all sick of changing cables every couple years, and dealing with a hodge-podge of newer and older devices that require carrying multiple cables and sometimes multiple chargers and adapters, but I don't like the idea of legislating any standards. Apple abuses this constantly and intentionally to sell more stuff, but along the way they (and others) also improve the situation from time to time. USB-C is a clear improvement over its predecessors; it's smaller than USB-A/B; it doesn't have to be inserted in a specific orientation; it's bigger than various micro-USB connectors (in this case that's good; they're so small that they're hard for some people to manage, and it's even hard to see which orientation they're in). USB-C is clearly the best choice right now, and has wide adoption. But something genuinely better is going to come along within a few years, even without Apple artificially breaking standards.

_Microft 5y ago
I don't see a problem. Micro-USB has been used for years now. The next few years it will be USB-C then. What's coming after that we do not know yet. Beside that, Apple might just work around the rule and no longer include a physical charging connector in their devices and go all in on wireless charging for example.
- zaptrem 5y ago
  Lets avoid forcing them to do that. Wireless charging sucks in any situation that requires speed or efficiency (e.g., external batteries). I’d also prefer not to liquify my battery due to loss to heat during fast charging.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
mikestew 5y ago
We're all sick of changing cables every couple years Lightning was introduced nine years ago, so speak for yourself. Of the Apple devices at our house, only the phones and AirPod/PowerBeats cases still take Lightning. The rest are either proprietary (Apple Watch) or USB-C. I'd say it's well past time for Apple to move on to USB-C for the rest of their stuff, but here we are with a recently-announced iPhone, and we'll still have to carry that Lightning cable around for a few more years.
- chrisjc 5y ago
  Same. Plus all of our apple wireless keyboards and touchpads use lightning as well. Can you imagine the amount of e-waste that would potentially be generated if Apple was forced to switch? I know this is weak argument bc lightning will eventually be EOLed anyways, but I just don't see the value in forcing their hand. As I seem to be bringing up on weekly basis, if their goal is to reduce e-waste, they should turn their attention to the Android ecosystem. The amount of e-waste I've generated over the years of using Android is almost criminal. Or to put it another way, the amount of e-waste I HAVEN'T generated while being in the Apple ecosystem is impressive. At the very least Apple have already switched to USB-C at the other end of the lightning cable and excluded the charging block on new iPhones.
  - mikestew 5y ago
    Plus all of our apple wireless keyboards and touchpads use lightning as well. Oh, yeah, forgot about that one. Imagine my disappointment when my new-at-the-time 2019 iMac shows up with its new-to-me shiny USB-C ports, and I...have to use a USB-C -> Lightning cable to charge the HIDs? I mean, I get it, but I was really hoping that items that merely need charging (no data) could move to USB-C along with the ports on my new machine.
- e-clinton 5y ago
  But move to USB-C why? It’s a larger connector and provides zero additional benefit to iPhone users. iPhone users already have a massive collection of lightening cables from the last 9 years…. Do we just use them to strangle turtles now?

_Microft 5y ago

I don't see a problem. Micro-USB has been used for years now. The next few years it will be USB-C then. What's coming after that we do not know yet. Beside that, Apple might just work around the rule and no longer include a physical charging connector in their devices and go all in on wireless charging for example.

zaptrem 5y ago
Lets avoid forcing them to do that. Wireless charging sucks in any situation that requires speed or efficiency (e.g., external batteries). I’d also prefer not to liquify my battery due to loss to heat during fast charging.
deleted 5y ago
[deleted]

mikestew 5y ago

We're all sick of changing cables every couple years Lightning was introduced nine years ago, so speak for yourself. Of the Apple devices at our house, only the phones and AirPod/PowerBeats cases still take Lightning. The rest are either proprietary (Apple Watch) or USB-C. I'd say it's well past time for Apple to move on to USB-C for the rest of their stuff, but here we are with a recently-announced iPhone, and we'll still have to carry that Lightning cable around for a few more years.

chrisjc 5y ago
Same. Plus all of our apple wireless keyboards and touchpads use lightning as well. Can you imagine the amount of e-waste that would potentially be generated if Apple was forced to switch? I know this is weak argument bc lightning will eventually be EOLed anyways, but I just don't see the value in forcing their hand. As I seem to be bringing up on weekly basis, if their goal is to reduce e-waste, they should turn their attention to the Android ecosystem. The amount of e-waste I've generated over the years of using Android is almost criminal. Or to put it another way, the amount of e-waste I HAVEN'T generated while being in the Apple ecosystem is impressive. At the very least Apple have already switched to USB-C at the other end of the lightning cable and excluded the charging block on new iPhones.
- mikestew 5y ago
  Plus all of our apple wireless keyboards and touchpads use lightning as well. Oh, yeah, forgot about that one. Imagine my disappointment when my new-at-the-time 2019 iMac shows up with its new-to-me shiny USB-C ports, and I...have to use a USB-C -> Lightning cable to charge the HIDs? I mean, I get it, but I was really hoping that items that merely need charging (no data) could move to USB-C along with the ports on my new machine.
e-clinton 5y ago
But move to USB-C why? It’s a larger connector and provides zero additional benefit to iPhone users. iPhone users already have a massive collection of lightening cables from the last 9 years…. Do we just use them to strangle turtles now?