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I think your spectrum analogy misses the mark, here’s why: USB-C is a misnomer. There are actually about 10 different variations, which all conform to the same

by cdolan 4y ago

I think your spectrum analogy misses the mark, here’s why: USB-C is a misnomer. There are actually about 10 different variations, which all conform to the same physical port constraints, but have drastically different behaviors in terms of charging, data transport, and more. By mandating a USB-C port, I fear we’ve created a pointless monopoly on the design that will stifle future innovation. Is USB-C the “best port in the world”? It’s 2022/2023, the answer may be “yes”… but MicroUSB was “the best port in the world” in 2007-2008, and its downright awful now. Spectrum is different as it’s a physical medium that the government regulates to ensure the flow of information within that physical medium. Thats more akin to water management or other physical resources, and outside the scope of incentive management for innovations sake.

smoldesu 4y ago
Is it really? Why shouldn't we also regulate connectors as a physical medium to ensure the flow of information and electricity between compatible devices? It's a ridiculous comparison, but only because Apple's blatant failure to innovate brought us here. We're not even forcing them to use Thunderbolt or USB-3.0 speeds, it just needs to plug-in the same as other phones.
- judge2020 4y ago
  > Why shouldn't we also regulate connectors as a physical medium to ensure the flow of information and electricity between compatible devices? I think you misunderstand - regulating the physical medium (the actual shape of the USB-C receptacle and outlet) is all we've done. There is no regulation on how you label/market cables and ports for their capabilities, so there is a 'wild west' right now in that your device has a USB-C plug, but certain features might not be supported by each end of the device, or even the cable. For example, unless you got a pretty nice USB-C<->DP monitor included with your display, your run-of-the-mill $10 Amazon USB-C->DP might not work due to strict signal integrity (read: cable build quality) requirements when MST is absent[0]. 0: https://sebvance.medium.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-macbook-pros-and-their-lack-of-displayport-mst-multi-stream-98ce33d64af4 https://sebvance.medium.com/everything-you-need-to-know-abou...

by cdolan 4y ago

smoldesu 4y ago

Is it really? Why shouldn't we also regulate connectors as a physical medium to ensure the flow of information and electricity between compatible devices? It's a ridiculous comparison, but only because Apple's blatant failure to innovate brought us here. We're not even forcing them to use Thunderbolt or USB-3.0 speeds, it just needs to plug-in the same as other phones.

judge2020 4y ago
> Why shouldn't we also regulate connectors as a physical medium to ensure the flow of information and electricity between compatible devices? I think you misunderstand - regulating the physical medium (the actual shape of the USB-C receptacle and outlet) is all we've done. There is no regulation on how you label/market cables and ports for their capabilities, so there is a 'wild west' right now in that your device has a USB-C plug, but certain features might not be supported by each end of the device, or even the cable. For example, unless you got a pretty nice USB-C<->DP monitor included with your display, your run-of-the-mill $10 Amazon USB-C->DP might not work due to strict signal integrity (read: cable build quality) requirements when MST is absent[0]. 0: https://sebvance.medium.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-macbook-pros-and-their-lack-of-displayport-mst-multi-stream-98ce33d64af4 https://sebvance.medium.com/everything-you-need-to-know-abou...