Apple and Lightning port wins - USB Type C now finalized

[Lloydbm41]

Well, it is now final. The new USB standard is set and it pretty much copies the Apple Lightning connector. I have a feeling this was a compromise in the EU's part to make it easier for Apple to fall in line with the EU's upcoming law requiring all phones to have the same standard charging connector.

All in all this is a win for all consumers. Only thing we don't know yet is when this new charger will come to market and replace current micro USB chargers?

 

[bobenhaus]

Well, it is now final. The new USB standard is set and it pretty much copies the Apple Lightning connector. I have a feeling this was a compromise in the EU's part to make it easier for Apple to fall in line with the EU's upcoming law requiring all phones to have the same standard charging connector.

All in all this is a win for all consumers. Only thing we don't know yet is when this new charger will come to market and replace current micro USB chargers?

Image

Too bad the technology is a collaboration between Intel and Apple.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderbolt_(interface)

 

[jolux]

How is this a win for consumers when Thunderbolt already had the reversibility problem solved (it has a clear up and down position) and is faster and allows video and allows PCIe?

Lightning is still better for charging phones, you can hang a pound off the connection it's so strong. The head is solid metal and nearly indestructible.

 

[Fireblade]

Too bad the technology is a collaboration between Intel and Apple.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderbolt_(interface)

What was Apple's part in this collaboration, applying the patent?

 

[jolux]

Too bad the technology is a collaboration between Intel and Apple.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderbolt_(interface)

What was Apple's part in this collaboration, applying the patent?

They had no part, his fault confusing Thunderbolt and Lightning.

Very very frightening me.

 

[Fireblade]

They had no part, his fault confusing Thunderbolt and Lightning.

Very very frightening me.

I know, just been sarcastic

 

[jolux]

I know, just been sarcastic

Do we really have to go back to the patent thing? Ugh.

 

[Jessica Lares]

Wait, so does this mean that everyone's going to be able to dock their other devices into lightning made docks?

 

[jamezr]

Wait, so does this mean that everyone's going to be able to dock their other devices into lightning made docks?

Ohhhhh....that is a great question! That would be so awesome! One set of cables....docks for all devices.

 

[jolux]

Wait, so does this mean that everyone's going to be able to dock their other devices into lightning made docks?

Ohhhhh....that is a great question! That would be so awesome! One set of cables....docks for all devices.

The OP was very misleading. They basically ripped off Lightning's aesthetic design, not the interface itself. If you look carefully it's actually the inverse of how Apple's Lightning connection works.

 

[Jessica Lares]

The OP was very misleading. They basically ripped off Lightning's aesthetic design, not the interface itself. If you look carefully it's actually the inverse of how Apple's Lightning connection works.

Well, there goes the dream then.

 

[jolux]

Well, there goes the dream then.

My dream I/O would have been Lightning connector on both ends but it actually runs the Thunderbolt 2 spec. It would be literally the perfect interface. The connection strength, durability, and reversibility of Lightning coupled with the versatility of Thunderbolt. One cable to rule them all.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I do like the any orientation of the Lightning connector. I hate having to figure out how to plug in my One in a dark room.

 

[Lloydbm41]

The OP was very misleading. They basically ripped off Lightning's aesthetic design, not the interface itself. If you look carefully it's actually the inverse of how Apple's Lightning connection works.

It isn't misleading in any way. It is similar to lightning in that it is a universal plug, orientation independent and adds high speed data transfers over multiple paths.
The key to this is Apple will eventually have to adapt this sort of plug, because of EU law. By making this connector similar (albeit inverted) to lightning, it will ease Apple's transition by not requiring a complete hardware redesign.

That said, wireless charging is still the way to go. It is so simple to just set my Nexus and Lumia devices on my Tylt Vu wireless Qi charger. No constant plugging and unplugging or accidentally pulling the charger out of the phone when I forget it is plugged in.

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Well, there goes the dream then.

Not really. Every phone including Apple's will go to the USB type C standard. So one plug for all.

 

[jolux]

It isn't misleading in any way. It is similar to lightning in that it is a universal plug, orientation independent and adds high speed data transfers over multiple paths.
The key to this is Apple will eventually have to adapt this sort of plug, because of EU law. By making this connector similar (albeit inverted) to lightning, it will ease Apple's transition by not requiring a complete hardware redesign.

That said, wireless charging is still the way to go. It is so simple to just set my Nexus and Lumia devices on my Tylt Vu wireless Qi charger. No constant plugging and unplugging or accidentally pulling the charger out of the phone when I forget it is plugged in.

So you could have just as easily said "reversibility wins."

It was misleading, because two people assumed you were saying Lightning got standardized. It didn't.

It doesn't ease Apple's transition in any way. First of all, it's not clear whether or not the EU will take this up as a standard, second of all, it shamelessly copies their design, and finally, an adapter is an adapter. Being reversible doesn't help that much.

This is not a win for Apple in any way. They've put all of their eggs in USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt 2, and now will be forced to decide whether they ditch Thunderbolt in their next designs. A win would be Lightning getting standardized in the EU and adding a Thunderbolt bus on the same cable. That would be massive win.

This is just adding more I/O interfaces to the world. Ask FireWire, the world does not need more I/O interfaces.

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Not really. Every phone including Apple's will go to the USB type C standard. So one plug for all.

I'm sorry, are you new to Apple?

 

[skratch77]

How is this a win for lighting and apple? Its a lose for everyone since it adds a new plug to the table and we all need to change to it

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Its a win for all going forward if everyone is forced to use this same new plug.from that point on everyone can charge on the same type of plug

 

[jolux]

How is this a win for lighting and apple? Its a lose for everyone since it adds a new plug to the table and we all need to change to it

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Its a win for all going forward if everyone is forced to use this same new plug.from that point on everyone can charge on the same type of plug

The first part makes sense, the second not. Thunderbolt 2 is still better for speed and displays, and Lightning is still better for device connectivity. Meeting in between with a design that's not-so-subtly reminiscent of the Lightning connector does nothing to help the larger problem.

If we can combine the ubiquity of USB with the compactness and durability of the Lightning connector with the flexibility of Thunderbolt and maybe the robustness of all the world's power plugs, we can just kill absolutely every other cable in existence.

You heard me, Apple. I said it so therefore it's important and must be done otherwise you will fail in the next quarter and everyone will forget you. Gedderdunn.

 

[Lloydbm41]

A win would be Lightning getting standardized....

I'm sorry, are you new to Apple?

Sure, Apple could say no to USB standardization and then find themselves banned from selling in Europe or paying hefty fines. You think Google was on board with having to censor internet data because Italian PM's can't keep their zipper up?

LOL. You must not be familiar with how screwed up the EU can be?

 

[jolux]

Sure, Apple could say no to USB standardization and then find themselves banned from selling in Europe or paying hefty fines. You think Google was on board with having to censor internet data because Italian PM's can't keep their zipper up?

LOL. You must not be familiar with how screwed up the EU can be?

They're just going to pack in an adapter. They won't change their manufacturing processes.

 

[Ddyracer]

Thing i love about the lightning connector is it's small size and reversibility.
Does USB C have this?

 

[NT1440]

I love the complete misunderstanding of the EU mandate in this thread, by all means continue gentlemen.

 

[Miguel Cunha]

Wait, so does this mean that everyone's going to be able to dock their other devices into lightning made docks?

Yes!
That's precisely the goal of the EU's law.

 

[Menel]

It isn't misleading in any way. It is similar to lightning in that it is a universal plug, orientation independent and adds high speed data transfers over multiple paths.
The key to this is Apple will eventually have to adapt this sort of plug, because of EU law. By making this connector similar (albeit inverted) to lightning, it will ease Apple's transition by not requiring a complete hardware redesign.

This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Can you try again?

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Yes!
That's precisely the goal of the EU's law.

No, the goal of the EU law is to reduce waste, reduce discarded and obsoleted chargers.

Apple chargers already use the the common USB A port, and can be shared with android, Garmin, etc devices. Have a Mophie charging off an Apple charger right now using a microUSB cable. Apple is fully compliant, has been for years.

 

[Miguel Cunha]

They're just going to pack in an adapter. They won't change their manufacturing processes.

That's what I'm betting on, as well.

 

[jolux]

This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Can you try again?

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No, the goal of the EU law is to reduce waste, reduce discarded and obsoleted chargers.

Apple chargers already use the the common USB A port, and can be shared with android, Garmin, etc devices. Have a Mophie charging off an Apple charger right now using a microUSB cable. Apple is fully compliant, has been for years.

It's about the B end though. Micro USB was standardized.