4 ms·

“The regulation actually says that cables can no longer be bundled with the devices themselves” I don’t think anyone’s mentioned that. Oh my god, tech social

“The regulation actually says that cables can no longer be bundled with the devices themselves” I don’t think anyone’s mentioned that. Oh my god, tech social media is going to melt down when that kicks in if the reaction to chargers being excluded is any indication (not to mention a repeat of the shift from 30-pin to Lightning in Apple’s case, except now without a cable).

enkid 4y ago
If it comes with being able to buy a $5 cable to act as a charge, I don't see how people could complain. (But I know they will.)
- phkahler 4y ago
  >> If it comes with being able to buy a $5 cable to act as a charge, I don't see how people could complain. Even better, just use the old cable from your old device since they won't be designing a new one every other year.
  - kennywinker 4y ago
    As far as a I know, in the history of smartphones - which I'd say starts in 2007 with the launch of the iPhone - there have only really been 4 (or maybe 5) connectors used on widely sold phones: 1. Apple 30pin "iPod" connector 2. Apple Lightning connector 3. Mini USB (I don't think this ever appeared on anything but blackberries and cheapo flip phones?) 4. Micro USB 5. USB-C So, while I agree that cable changes are annoying, and I support standardization efforts, "a new one every other year" is just not how it's ever been. 5 connectors in 15 years. The 30pin connector reigned from 2007 to 2012, and on the android side, micro USB was dominant until around 2015-2016 when USB-C started showing up on phones. Realistically, it's been a new connector every ~7 years.
    - sydd 4y ago
      Except that the current USB-C situation is a mess, and this regulation plans to solve this. I got a pretty expensive HP monitor for work from my company that connects via USB-C (and can charge my Mac). IT has sworn me to not loose its USB-C cable because for some unknown reasons it refuses to work with other cables, it costs >$100 and is constantly out of stock.
      - coolspot 4y ago
        Oculus Link for example is a USB-C cable that is not copper, but optical. This allows it to have very high bandwidth and long length (16ft/5m). Hence the price.
        Smoosh 4y ago
        It that like a Thunderbolt-3 cable which has electrical connectors at each end, but the data is transmitted over fibre?
      - musictubes 4y ago
        Sounds like a thunderbolt cable. USB C is the connector but it can support a slew of different protocols. It's one of the reasons USB C is a mess.
    - dorgo 4y ago
      Its not only about smartphones. How many different connectors (just) Thinkpad's had in the same time frame?
- dzhiurgis 4y ago
  Make sure you buy braided cable, perhaps 10ft long and it will last you years.
creativenolo 4y ago
I have had usb cables from usb rechargeable bike lights that leaked into my ever growing bundle of cables. So I'm never quite sure which USB cable will work with what. I'd never knowingly buy these crap cables.

enkid 4y ago

If it comes with being able to buy a $5 cable to act as a charge, I don't see how people could complain. (But I know they will.)

phkahler 4y ago
>> If it comes with being able to buy a $5 cable to act as a charge, I don't see how people could complain. Even better, just use the old cable from your old device since they won't be designing a new one every other year.
- kennywinker 4y ago
  As far as a I know, in the history of smartphones - which I'd say starts in 2007 with the launch of the iPhone - there have only really been 4 (or maybe 5) connectors used on widely sold phones: 1. Apple 30pin "iPod" connector 2. Apple Lightning connector 3. Mini USB (I don't think this ever appeared on anything but blackberries and cheapo flip phones?) 4. Micro USB 5. USB-C So, while I agree that cable changes are annoying, and I support standardization efforts, "a new one every other year" is just not how it's ever been. 5 connectors in 15 years. The 30pin connector reigned from 2007 to 2012, and on the android side, micro USB was dominant until around 2015-2016 when USB-C started showing up on phones. Realistically, it's been a new connector every ~7 years.
  - sydd 4y ago
    Except that the current USB-C situation is a mess, and this regulation plans to solve this. I got a pretty expensive HP monitor for work from my company that connects via USB-C (and can charge my Mac). IT has sworn me to not loose its USB-C cable because for some unknown reasons it refuses to work with other cables, it costs >$100 and is constantly out of stock.
    - coolspot 4y ago
      Oculus Link for example is a USB-C cable that is not copper, but optical. This allows it to have very high bandwidth and long length (16ft/5m). Hence the price.
      - Smoosh 4y ago
        It that like a Thunderbolt-3 cable which has electrical connectors at each end, but the data is transmitted over fibre?
    - musictubes 4y ago
      Sounds like a thunderbolt cable. USB C is the connector but it can support a slew of different protocols. It's one of the reasons USB C is a mess.
  - dorgo 4y ago
    Its not only about smartphones. How many different connectors (just) Thinkpad's had in the same time frame?
dzhiurgis 4y ago
Make sure you buy braided cable, perhaps 10ft long and it will last you years.

creativenolo 4y ago

I have had usb cables from usb rechargeable bike lights that leaked into my ever growing bundle of cables. So I'm never quite sure which USB cable will work with what. I'd never knowingly buy these crap cables.