3 ms·

Lightning has always been in this weird place, and it tracks that it'll likely end in a weird place. - it was badly needed when it was introduced, because the

Lightning has always been in this weird place, and it tracks that it'll likely end in a weird place. - it was badly needed when it was introduced, because the 30-pin connector was massive and came with a bunch of trade-offs around water ingress - the prevailing standard at the time, micro-USB, was both a poor user experience (directional connector without enough to distinguish up from down) and had reliability issues (the clips on the connector would wear with time), two issues Lightning solved several years before USB-C was available on the market But since Apple took a bunch of blow-back from users on changing from the 30-pin connector ecosystem, they promised that Lightning would last at least a decade (whether that choice helped or hurt electronic waste, I'm not sure). So even though USB-C has been at a good point for consumer adoption for 3-4 years, Apple has drug their feet. I think they'll be switching to USB-C with the next phone redesign, regardless of what the EU may regulate, just because it's "good enough" relative to Lightning (my only issue is that the device side of USB-C has a "tongue" that can break off, while that task is on the more-easily-replaceable cable side for Lightning).

drxzcl 4y ago
On the other hand, the lightning socket has the springs which fill up with dust and detritus and are a nightmare to keep clean with accidentally bending them. I think USB-C did the right thing, putting the conductors on the expensive part and the spring contracts on the cheap part.
cduzz 4y ago
Apple wasn't helpless to the whims of the USB foundation; if they'd opened the standard it would have been adopted as "the new USB" Instead they made an improved proprietary connector and the rest of the world made a different connector that's got most of the same advantages. The broad thinking is the next device won't have a cable at all, which will be its own torture.
- Domenic_S 4y ago
  > if they'd opened the standard it would have been adopted as "the new USB" That isn't self-evident as true. Tesla opened the patents to their charging connector but I don't think anyone's used it, they're still using goofy CHAdeMO and CCS and whatever else.
  - cduzz 4y ago
    Tesla is not apple. Tesla, in 2012, wasn't an incumbent automaker with any sway over anything. Also, the original "openness" of the tesla patents is debatable. Apple was core to the success of the original USB; they were the first to adopt it as the only accessory interface on their mass market computers 1998 imac. They've worked with other major players for the past several decades, making standards like firewire, thunderbolt, and USB. Apple was and is a major player in the standards bodies.
- dagmx 4y ago
  Apple also contributed to the design of USB-C and were one of the first major adopters. It’s not all cut and dry unfortunately.
- ascagnel_ 4y ago
  > if they'd opened the standard it would have been adopted as "the new USB" Lightning cost more to manufacture (especially relative to micro-USB), which made it a non-starter for widespread adoption.
Domenic_S 4y ago
Yeah, people forget history when it comes to things like this for some reason. Tesla's charging connector is another example. At the time, there was no universal standard (even today the standards body is a mess, do we use CHAdeMo, CCS1, CCS2...??). People like to throw shade for a "proprietary connector" but at the time it was the best option.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]

drxzcl 4y ago

On the other hand, the lightning socket has the springs which fill up with dust and detritus and are a nightmare to keep clean with accidentally bending them. I think USB-C did the right thing, putting the conductors on the expensive part and the spring contracts on the cheap part.

cduzz 4y ago

Apple wasn't helpless to the whims of the USB foundation; if they'd opened the standard it would have been adopted as "the new USB" Instead they made an improved proprietary connector and the rest of the world made a different connector that's got most of the same advantages. The broad thinking is the next device won't have a cable at all, which will be its own torture.

Domenic_S 4y ago
> if they'd opened the standard it would have been adopted as "the new USB" That isn't self-evident as true. Tesla opened the patents to their charging connector but I don't think anyone's used it, they're still using goofy CHAdeMO and CCS and whatever else.
- cduzz 4y ago
  Tesla is not apple. Tesla, in 2012, wasn't an incumbent automaker with any sway over anything. Also, the original "openness" of the tesla patents is debatable. Apple was core to the success of the original USB; they were the first to adopt it as the only accessory interface on their mass market computers 1998 imac. They've worked with other major players for the past several decades, making standards like firewire, thunderbolt, and USB. Apple was and is a major player in the standards bodies.
dagmx 4y ago
Apple also contributed to the design of USB-C and were one of the first major adopters. It’s not all cut and dry unfortunately.
ascagnel_ 4y ago
> if they'd opened the standard it would have been adopted as "the new USB" Lightning cost more to manufacture (especially relative to micro-USB), which made it a non-starter for widespread adoption.

Domenic_S 4y ago

Yeah, people forget history when it comes to things like this for some reason. Tesla's charging connector is another example. At the time, there was no universal standard (even today the standards body is a mess, do we use CHAdeMo, CCS1, CCS2...??). People like to throw shade for a "proprietary connector" but at the time it was the best option.

deleted 4y ago
[deleted]