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Apple says iPhones will switch to USB-C chargers to comply with new EU law

forbes.com

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Re: Apple says iPhones will switch to USB-C chargers to comply with new EU law

#41

Post by scarface74 »

danpalmer wrote: post #19

It's sad that it took legislation to make this happen, but I can see why. I worked in a pseudo-Apple-store during the height of the 30-pin dock connector and I sold so many cases, speaker docks, charging cables, and all sorts of weird accessories that were built for the 30-pin connector. Then Apple switched to Lightning. It was better in every. single. way. And yet people got burnt. There was so much hardware that wa…

Are you proposing the alternative was that Apple kept supporting 30 pin connectors?

And despite your anecdotes, evidence shows that switching didn’t hurt Apple sales. What were the people who were “burnt” by Apple abandoning 30 pin connectors going to do? Switch to Android and still have to switch cables?

Re: Apple says iPhones will switch to USB-C chargers to comply with new EU law

#42

Post by brundolf »

philliphaydon wrote: post #25

I must be the only person on HN who thinks the lightening port is better than USB-C.

I can't really bring myself to care about any small differences when my girlfriend can charge her (Android) phone at her desk using her MacBook charger, and I can't do the same with my iPhone

Re: Apple says iPhones will switch to USB-C chargers to comply with new EU law

#43

Post by soco »

brundolf wrote: post #31
danpalmer wrote: post #19

It's sad that it took legislation to make this happen, but I can see why. I worked in a pseudo-Apple-store during the height of the 30-pin dock connector and I sold so many cases, speaker docks, charging cables, and all sorts of weird accessories that were built for the 30-pin connector. Then Apple switched to Lightning. It was better in every. single. way. And yet people got burnt. There was so much hardware that wa…

Two key differences vs last time: 1. As you mentioned, most accessories have moved to wireless. I still (usually) use a physical cable for charging, and I guess I have a 3.5mm dongle, but I think those are the only two things I've plugged into my iPhone in years. Docks with a physical port, in particular, were super popular 10+ years ago and don't really exist anymore. People won't be throwing away speakers. 2. They…

I already use my laptop charger for giving the phone extra juice when I'm sitting, now my wife will be able to do the same with her iPhone. Same in the car, only one cable.

Re: Apple says iPhones will switch to USB-C chargers to comply with new EU law

#44

Post by _chu1 »

jan_Inkepa wrote: post #9
generalizations wrote: post #3

And I guess that means we won't get any more cable interface innovation for a while. Are we really that certain that micro USB -- I mean, USB-C -- is the format to standardize on for the foreseeable future?

Companies are trying to move to wireless charging anyway, so innovation would have been expected to be in that direction, and that will not be hampered.

Literally who uses wireless charging

Re: Apple says iPhones will switch to USB-C chargers to comply with new EU law

#45

Post by RealStickman_ »

1-6 wrote: post #34

It would be better if EU regulators asked Apple to open their Lightning cable standard so other phone vendors can use it. I very much like Apple’s implementation of their charging cable because it uses less space on the device.

Why would the other phone vendors switch to a different connector though?

Re: Apple says iPhones will switch to USB-C chargers to comply with new EU law

#46

Post by scarface74 »

hobbitstan wrote: post #26

I often wonder how much money Apple makes from the fact that lightning cables all seem to die after a few months. I have usb cables that are decades old that still work, but lightning…

Yes because it’s impossible to buy third party Lightning cables…

Re: Apple says iPhones will switch to USB-C chargers to comply with new EU law

#47

Post by enriquec »

hooverd wrote: post #39
enriquec wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

you may not buy the "but muh innovation" - its also sad that that passes for discourse for you - but it is economic fact. whats your opinion on "muh regulatory capture"? what about lightning vs microusb?

I don't see anybody complaining about the RJ45 format, or NEMA. If you let companies run wild they would probably come up with a way to shove DRM into connectors.

"hooverd not hearing anyone complaining" isn't an accurate measure of innovation lost through politicizing technology and mandating connectors

Re: Apple says iPhones will switch to USB-C chargers to comply with new EU law

#48

Post by dagmx »

danpalmer wrote: post #19

It's sad that it took legislation to make this happen, but I can see why. I worked in a pseudo-Apple-store during the height of the 30-pin dock connector and I sold so many cases, speaker docks, charging cables, and all sorts of weird accessories that were built for the 30-pin connector. Then Apple switched to Lightning. It was better in every. single. way. And yet people got burnt. There was so much hardware that wa…

Something I found interesting when discussing this with my wife..

All my friends are tech heads and champing at the bit to have usb-c in their iPhones.

But when she asked me why people were mad about the switch to usb-c it took me by surprise. Then she showed me a lot of online responses from non technical people who see the change of port as annoying and wasteful because now all their stuff won’t work without adapters.

I think it’s really interesting to see the difference in mind sets between different demographics.

Re: Apple says iPhones will switch to USB-C chargers to comply with new EU law

#49

Post by ribit »

Apple has been moving their entire lineup to USB-C for a while already (iPad Pro in 2020, iPad Mini in 2021, more devices this year) . Sure, in public they have to oppose tech sector regulation, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were secretly happy as it provides them with an excuse. If some customers who have heavily invested into the Lighting ecosystem complains then can always say "look, it was the EU, blame them".

Re: Apple says iPhones will switch to USB-C chargers to comply with new EU law

#50

Post by scarface74 »

nelsonic wrote: post #18
Synaesthesia wrote: post #10

I, surprised they hadn’t changed over yet, only major manufacturer not to yet, and they went all in on USB-C on iPads and MacBooks.

"$43.5B on Lightning cable sales alone" ~ https://medium.com/swlh/the-real-reason-apple-doesnt-want-to...

You really think Apple sells $43B worth of Lightning cables?
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