Lightning is so much better than micro/mini USB - why are ppl complaining?

[KPOM]

Would you want to spend $30 on an adapter for every accessory you've purchased before the 5? Didn't think so

I personally am happy they made the switch, but can easily understand why people don't like it when their accessories are invalidated with a new release.

You don't need to buy an adapter for every single device. You just need an adapter for each iPhone that you expect to use at the same time.

Sooner or later Apple needed to make a change. Whenever they did it, people would have gotten upset as they had accessories designed around the old plug. Now is as good a time as any. I like the new connector.

 

[haruhiko]

I took some photos on my phone today on a site visit for work.

Returned to the office, and realised there wasn't a compatible lead in the whole office to download the photos to my work PC.

We couldn't find one anywhere in the city. So the photos were stuck on my phone until I got home and used the cable supplied in the box.

We also have about 200 mini usb cables in the office. Because everything (apart from Apple) uses them.

I think it's arrogance on Apple's part to be honest. There is no advantage of this lightning thing over a standard usb cable. Well, there is an advantage for Apple - $$$!!!

e-mail, dropbox, photo stream, etc. etc. etc.

 

[AbSoluTc]

I can't iMessage to my work PC. We don't have access to Facebook and Twitter on work PCs. The options left are DropBox and Email. Both of which will use quite a bit of my own data allowance to upload the 60 odd photos I took. Using a cable would have been quick, easy and cost me nothing.

I'm not trolling, but it's a serious pain in the ass. They could have at least made sure that a) cables were cheap and b) available to buy in all outlets.

I understand but it's a new device, new cable. You should keep that in mind when you want to hook up your brand new iPhone 5 to a computer. The odds of someone having a cable - ZERO. That's why you always keep one with yourself.

You can't use that as an excuse. It's a welcome change. I hated the 30 pin. Bulky and can only be inserted one way.

 

[ek9max]

I was happy to see a change to lighting. Sick of having to look which way the plug goes in.

 

[haruhiko]

3. Why not make it a "magsafe" type connector like on the macbooks. THAT would have been cool and well worth the change IMO.

In reality carrying a magnet with you all the time is not a good idea. The connector socket on the phone may attract metallic dusts and cause damage.

 

[Michael CM1]

Yeah, you guys need to read those articles above. The viewpoint for an engineer's point of view.

They'll need to deliver high current to future devices. Thus the requirement for their the new dock interface.

When Apple came out with the iPad and it's need to quickly charged it's "huge" battery, many Laptop USB chargers did not output the full USB's spec. However, I had an Apple laptop that was produced before the iPad and it had no problem. Apple had already engineer their USB ports to fully output the max current according to the standard. Which is still low compared to the 2A charge rate the iPad's dedicated AC adapter can deliver.

Nowadays, all laptop comes with the ability to charge at the max current via their USB ports.

But for me, real worlds day to day usage...the reversibility factor is high up there. I've always thought many of the new standards overlook the need to be able to plug a connector in without having to see how it's keyed. You'd think it's only a 50/50 chance, but there's been some frustrating moments where neither side seem to go in when plugging in a USB cable. Then out of frustration, have to look at it to see how the pins are keyed. It gets worst when having to plug into the back of a desktop computer underneath your desk.

So for me, the reversibility of it is very important. It's the 1 thing that I encounter many times a day as I get in and out of the car, plugging in that charge cable each time.

Lastly, one tidbit that possibly only a designer or Apple fans can appreciate. It's the symmetry of the design. Function and form. Nice.

The Chinese manufacturers will soon create knock offs and it'll flood the market just like the original 30pin. And despite it's proprietary nature, every family member's house or friends I know usually have one laying around.

All that said, it would have been nice for Apple to ease the transition with a free adapter in all their latest devices. And it would have been good if it was USB 3.0 from the get go.

Not ALL laptops made today will charge an iPad. I bought a Gateway a couple of months ago. Tried to charge my new iPad from the USB port. No charging. Methinks PC makers still find ways to cut corners to keep initial costs low. Or I guess you could say it's a cheap hunk of plastic. Not bad for $250, but good grief that's a cheap move.

 

[bbeagle]

No, it's not.

Yes, the Lightning is smaller.

Left is Micro USB 3.0, right is Lightning. Middle is the adapter between the two.

 

[b24pgg]

Left is Micro USB 3.0, right is Lightning. Middle is the adapter between the two.

Ok fair enough. Lightning looks to be smaller by about half a millimeter in length. Maybe you can explain to me how that is an advantage

 

[darngooddesign]

These same complaints resounded throughout the "Interwebs" and Mac Universe whenever Mac macs a dramatic change...

"What?!?!?! No floppy? Apple will be over in 6 months..."
"What?!?!?! No 2 button mouse? Apple will be over in 6 months..."
"What?!?!?! No CD Drive? Apple will be over in 6 months..."
"What?!?!?! iPod? Apple will be over in 6 months..."
"What?!?!?! Apple iPod nano changed again? Apple will be over in 6 months..."

Now... "Everyone's got the micro usb... Apple will be over in 6 months..."

You know who loves the new Lightning connector... The manufacturers... New stuff to design and make a better profit off of. Creating new markets...

I've got 3 things I dock, but the only adaptor I want is so I can charge in the car. I've got iPods for the Docks and don't remember the last time I "docked" my iPhone 2, 4 or 5...

I agree with the OP, I think the Lightning connector is superior to both the 30 pin and the certainly the micro usb... I've got a Nikon camera that uses micro-usb and a BT headset... what a POS...

Relax people, the sky is not falling. You can by the adaptor or wait until someone offers it as a price your willing to pay or offers a "Lightning Dockable" thing you want...

Coachingguy

Hyperbole much?

No one is saying Apple will be over in six months; its absurd to suggest that we are. However, what we are saying is that Lightning isn't as good as the 30pin if it doesn't do as much as the 30pin. Contrary to your usage needs, I dock my iPhone all the time and use it as my iPod so if lightning doesn't pass audio and video like the 30 pin did, it is inferior and a poorly thought out substitute.

 

[jeblis]

It is inferior to mini usb. The mini USB connector that you are thinking of only supports usb 2.0. The new connector will likely support USB 3.0 in the future.

1) it's reversible
2) more secure connection
3) same size as mini-usb 2.0 connector
4) likely will support usb 3.0


Here's the mini-usb 3.0 connector. Hardly an elegant or small design:

 

[jeblis]

Image

Yes, the Lightning is smaller.

Left is Micro USB 3.0, right is Lightning. Middle is the adapter between the two.

That's a micro usb 2.0 connector, not a micro usb 3.0

 

[bbeagle]

That's a micro usb 2.0 connector, not a micro usb 3.0

Is there any difference in the micro 2.0 vs. micro 3.0? Are there pictures?

EDIT: Ah, I see above. A lot BIGGER than the Lightning.

 

[jeblis]

Is there any difference in the micro 2.0 vs. micro 3.0? Are there pictures?

EDIT: Ah, I see above. A lot BIGGER than the Lightning.

See my post above, it's about 50% wider than the usb 2.0 connector. Search google images and you'll find more.

 

[Geckotek]

You were saying??

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1454191/

 

[BiggAW]

The Micro USB3 connector is entirely unnecessary. It's designed to be backwards compatible, so a regular Micro-USB cable will go in the slot on the device, and run at USB 2 speeds. I use the Micro-USB 3 cable with my one USB 3 hard drive, since it won't fit in anything else, but I could just as use a Micro USB 2 cable. I don't have the latest MBP, so I don't have USB 3 anyways, and even if I did, my $10 hub only does USB 2.