Still strikes me as backwards. Why not work with other manufacturers first to develop a standard, instead of coming up with one and hoping it gets picked up? Maybe someone smarter than me can explain this way of thinking.
This is more about Apple wanting accessory manufacturers to provide adapters so there's not much need for a "standard" out of the gate. By going this route they add one more reason for customers to consider buying a new Macbook or Macbook Pro out of the gate. Apple is more interested in selling new laptops than monitors.
If you're thinking of this as a standard that someone like Dell, HP, Viewsonic, and Samsung could agree on, you have to understand that with Apple's focus on laptops and getting smaller that by doing this(provided any others are interested), they could give up any advantage of being first with it.
So, it's alot more than just hiding stuff. There are real strategies to this. On the whole I'd guess we'll see more than a few adapters and cables but not much in the way of other computer or monitor companies taking advantage of it. Of course any details in the license could sway that. If I had the time, I'd check it out.
Very surprised by this. I can't believe Apple is actually giving something away for free.
Their customers need adapters.
I think doing this would cost them money in the long run. They'd have to co-ordinate the manufacturers, engage in debates, discussions, meetings, etc. As it is, they have a solid consumer base that is growing and they have the ability to do in-house development on their own products at their own pace. By making their own product and then giving away the licensing freely they are accomplishing what they need to do without all the costs of collaboration.
I don't think Apple would care of the costs of collaboration, the time yes, but costs I doubt it.
They would also not be happy to have another company either then beat them to delivery with competing products using the same port or have any companies that might stall what they're trying to do. Jobs would rather have Apple be the ones only capable of shooting themselves in the foot and not another company doing it to them.
Like I said I think this is more about adapters and cables.
