Apple Vision Pro Battery Pack Power Cable is Removable

[DavidSchaub]

So it is a USB-C cable... without USB-C on either side... Trixy 🙂

Now it is just question of whether it is actually running USB-PD or even some form of USB data over it.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I suspect that this connector it provides passthrough data from the USB-C port on the battery.
Has anybody tried connecting a USB-C Port, or Ethernet adapter, etc?

Maybe not THIS battery, but I can see how this would allow for accessory packs that may include a larger battery AND additional ports (or wireless functionality). OR one that’s expected to have a stationary use so it’s plugged into a pack that plugs into the wall.

 

[vegetassj4]

Darn. I was going to profit over my new accessory:

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Maybe not THIS battery, but I can see how this would allow for accessory packs that may include a larger battery AND additional ports (or wireless functionality). OR one that’s expected to have a stationary use so it’s plugged into a pack that plugs into the wall.

Well, I'll find out on Friday. Let's see what else can we do with that USB-C port.

 

[poematik13]

They should have made this a generic USB-C battery pack, and increased production. Then non visionOS users would buy it too

 

[Return Zero]

For pass through power, shouldn’t the usb-c port be on the opposite side of the “fixed” cable? Just thinking from an ergonomics pov.

No, because this will end up in a pocket a majority of the time, probably. You definitely want both ports on the same side. In fact I think most power bricks get this wrong. Wires coming out multiple sides of a device is just messy for cable management.

 

[McWetty]

Lightning Pro Max?

 

[spyguy10709]

lightning pro max

e dang just beat me to it

 

[coolfactor]

I used to be an Apple defender over their Lightning cable, but this is kinda crazy! Why yet another proprietary connector? Sure, it looks cool, but come on... aren't we past this petty game yet? Are they afraid that if they used a standard USB-C connector, people would connect cheap third-party cables that could cause damage, or under-power the device?

 

[GMShadow]

So Lightning lives on in a hidden, cursed form!

I noticed that hole in MKBHD’s video and wondered if that hole was a pin release. Wish they would just stop it with the proprietary connectors, though.

I get needing a lock on the headset, seems like you could design a mechanism to lock USB-C! Like an indent on the cable. Maybe they didn’t want people plugging it straight into the wall, because maybe the battery has some other voltage regulation hardware? Only a matter of time before the EU gets pissed, which works out for Apple because then everyone will need new battery packs.

I suspect that bit about not plugging it into the wall is the main reason. Or into a computer.

 

[attohs]

This is great news, my cats favorite flavor is apple cable.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

They should have made this a generic USB-C battery pack, and increased production. Then non visionOS users would buy it too

So that it could yank out while being used? I mean, I can see how some folks would find having their power yanked to be an exiting feature, but most would rather just have that connection set so that it’s not likely for it to come undone without a significant amount of effort.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I used to be an Apple defender over their Lightning cable, but this is kinda crazy! Why yet another proprietary connector? Sure, it looks cool, but come on... aren't we past this petty game yet? Are they afraid that if they used a standard USB-C connector, people would connect cheap third-party cables that could cause damage, or under-power the device?

Just don’t think of it like it’s a “connector”. It’s simply a custom single purpose cable that exists primarily to reduce the cost of manufacture. During testing, if a good cable is found connected to a bad battery, they can repurpose that cable for a working battery.

 

[coolfactor]

$200 for that battery pack is an extortion.

But it's not "just" a battery. it's an Apple Vision Pro battery. 😉

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Well, I'll find out on Friday. Let's see what else can we do with that USB-C port.

My guess, and, yes, we’ll find out on Friday, is that the USB-C port is to charge the battery.

 

[DavidSchaub]

It’s simply a custom single purpose cable that exists primarily to reduce the cost of manufacture.

Which is why Apple calling it a "woven USB-C cable" is so funny 🙂

And I don't think it is to reduce cost. I think Apple wanted a strong locking mechanism on both sides and USB-C wasn't good enough.

 

[klasma]

Does this theoretically mean someone could make an adapter or bigger third party battery it can be attached too?

Knowing Apple, it’s probably protected by a cryptographic handshake protocol.

 

[coolfactor]

So that it could yank out while being used? I mean, I can see how some folks would find having their power yanked to be an exiting feature, but most would rather just have that connection set so that it’s not likely for it to come undone without a significant amount of effort.

There's a dozen ways to avoid the "yanking out" problem. They could have a groove along the side of the battery where the cable goes, and then the cable wraps around the battery pack, securing it in place. The connector itself could remain standard USB-C, not this fancy proprietary Lightning offspring.

 

[coolfactor]

Can you daisy chain a powerbank to this battery to provide extended battery life? Got my Radio Flyer ready!

 

[YourBoss]

Magical! ✨

 

[DavidSchaub]

My guess, and, yes, we’ll find out on Friday, is that the USB-C port is to charge the battery.

It says so on the product page:

 

[klasma]

$200 for that battery pack is an extortion.

It’s the most amazing battery they ever made. Good luck finding a more lovable battery.

 

[attohs]

Theoretically, it could mean anything. I hope there is a better reason for engineering TWO new kinds of proprietary connectors than "when you need a new cable, you must buy it only from us*" TBD.

*and I dread seeing the price for THAT cable.

My guess is that the Vision Pro requires multiple voltages (the displays separate from the camera systems separate from the M2) and all of the power circuitry is part of the battery pack and those pins are the different voltage rails.

 

[coolfactor]

The Lightning connector is much more durable than the USB-C connector, which over time becomes lose and makes a bad connection.

I had the exact OPPOSITE problem! I was a huge Lightning fan, but after 3 failed Lightning connectors on iPhones, I'm happy to see it retired. Even my current iPhone 13 Pro won't make a Lightning connection for charging, just months after getting it, and i'm still paying off the darn thing! Only charge via Qi now.

Lightning was a failure in the end.

I haven't had a single problem with any of my USB-C devices.

 

[klasma]

There's a dozen ways to avoid the "yanking out" problem. They could have a groove along the side of the battery where the cable goes, and then the cable wraps around the battery pack, securing it in place.

That’s sounds almost as Apple-like as charging the Pencil 1 with an iPad.