Apple’s Dongle Gate?
It’s not that often you see the tech world’s hefty reaction and that many headlines of “angry” or disappointed people and potential customers, to a new product like Apple have “given” us all at the launch of their new MacBook Pro.
Although very few people at this moment of writing have actually had their hands on, let alone worked with the flagship model the 15 inch with Touch Bar or the 13 inch Touch Bar for that matter, people still have an opinion and judging the “Book by it’s cover”. Still, YouTube is full of people having their opinion of something they’ve never actually seen or touched. The outrage of missing ports and Apple warping their MacBook (Pro) customers into the next level of technical evolution, is maybe somewhat misplaced, although I too had to order Apple dongles for my “1 year ancient USB equipment”. Yes, I’m holding out for a refund too by Apple as I paid the full price now seeing most of their USB-C dongles have gone down in price significantly.
The outrage of “missing ports” misplaced? Maybe. Go back when Apple, as the first computer company, ditched the floppy disc (floppy?, go Google the word), and the total cry out when the Super Drive (DVD/CD) was dropped and Apple only offered a stand-alone USB (irony) drive for people who had tons of CD’s and DVD’s for their computers. We survived ! - at least most of us I reckon, as I haven’t taken any academic survey to prove my point here. We may have lost a few, just because of that.
So the ‘ol USB port. Yep, for now its a dongle, that's the price we pay for change and for being early adapters, by choice, and Apple being a pioneer; but in 1 or 2 years you’ll be celebrating your 2 or 4 USB-C shaped Thunderbolt 3 ports and do funny and embarrassing dances... when you are alone!
The HDMI slot. Your TV and alike will be USB-C shaped in future and while waiting, buy a dongle. Like me.
The card reader. Here the camera companies have to take their responsibility when developing and launching a new camera. Relying on “old” tech like a memory card, although the speed is imperative for most cameras, they haven’t innovated at all on that subject where most cameras, if available at all and at best, are providing a USB 2 connection to transfer from card in-camera to an external device. That's not right. Nope, leave that “little crucial” bit to the memory card manufactures to solve and let them, and others, make some kind of device (card reader) so your customer can actually get their photo’s or movies offloaded at a reasonable speed. Camera makers, stand up and innovate on this point - not dongle-it.
Blaming Apple for all this, is not quite fair. Look at the PC industry adopting same ports already, although in my opinion Apple made a mistake (I think they know by now - the world wasn’t quite ready) and Apple should have offered free dongles in their luxury box of very expensive MacBook Pro machines. If you want to lead the pack of taking on the newest technology, you have to stand up and take responsibility and - of course - the credit for it when we are 2 or 3 years down the road. But for now, know your customer!
Can’t wait till Apple in 5 years time are ditching all ports and everything is wireless.. I think. Imagine that outrage.
Till then, I'm waiting for my new MBP 15 inch to arrive in less than 2 weeks.. I hope.
It’s not that often you see the tech world’s hefty reaction and that many headlines of “angry” or disappointed people and potential customers, to a new product like Apple have “given” us all at the launch of their new MacBook Pro.
Although very few people at this moment of writing have actually had their hands on, let alone worked with the flagship model the 15 inch with Touch Bar or the 13 inch Touch Bar for that matter, people still have an opinion and judging the “Book by it’s cover”. Still, YouTube is full of people having their opinion of something they’ve never actually seen or touched. The outrage of missing ports and Apple warping their MacBook (Pro) customers into the next level of technical evolution, is maybe somewhat misplaced, although I too had to order Apple dongles for my “1 year ancient USB equipment”. Yes, I’m holding out for a refund too by Apple as I paid the full price now seeing most of their USB-C dongles have gone down in price significantly.
The outrage of “missing ports” misplaced? Maybe. Go back when Apple, as the first computer company, ditched the floppy disc (floppy?, go Google the word), and the total cry out when the Super Drive (DVD/CD) was dropped and Apple only offered a stand-alone USB (irony) drive for people who had tons of CD’s and DVD’s for their computers. We survived ! - at least most of us I reckon, as I haven’t taken any academic survey to prove my point here. We may have lost a few, just because of that.
So the ‘ol USB port. Yep, for now its a dongle, that's the price we pay for change and for being early adapters, by choice, and Apple being a pioneer; but in 1 or 2 years you’ll be celebrating your 2 or 4 USB-C shaped Thunderbolt 3 ports and do funny and embarrassing dances... when you are alone!
The HDMI slot. Your TV and alike will be USB-C shaped in future and while waiting, buy a dongle. Like me.
The card reader. Here the camera companies have to take their responsibility when developing and launching a new camera. Relying on “old” tech like a memory card, although the speed is imperative for most cameras, they haven’t innovated at all on that subject where most cameras, if available at all and at best, are providing a USB 2 connection to transfer from card in-camera to an external device. That's not right. Nope, leave that “little crucial” bit to the memory card manufactures to solve and let them, and others, make some kind of device (card reader) so your customer can actually get their photo’s or movies offloaded at a reasonable speed. Camera makers, stand up and innovate on this point - not dongle-it.
Blaming Apple for all this, is not quite fair. Look at the PC industry adopting same ports already, although in my opinion Apple made a mistake (I think they know by now - the world wasn’t quite ready) and Apple should have offered free dongles in their luxury box of very expensive MacBook Pro machines. If you want to lead the pack of taking on the newest technology, you have to stand up and take responsibility and - of course - the credit for it when we are 2 or 3 years down the road. But for now, know your customer!
Can’t wait till Apple in 5 years time are ditching all ports and everything is wireless.. I think. Imagine that outrage.
Till then, I'm waiting for my new MBP 15 inch to arrive in less than 2 weeks.. I hope.
