New Apple TV No Longer Includes Charging Cable for Siri Remote in Box

[usagora]

Imagine buying a $1000+ iPad and not getting a cable in the box. Cause that's probably next for them and the "environment" lie.

You think people complaining about the lack of cable are weird. I think defending Apple padding their profit margins a bit more is weird.

You think it's weird for a business to try to maximize their profits? I think that's weird to think that's weird 😂. It's pretty much what any successful business does.

And as I've said to others before, you can be environmentally friendly AND help your profits at the same time--they're not mutually exclusive. So it's not a "lie".

 

[cupcakes2000]

The Apple TV I had bought came with HDMI cord, charging cable and ehternet port. These were are standard.

But things have changed over the years, the abundant waste has necessitated that.

I remember buying plenty of products that include a cable with a plug adaptor for the US, The EU, The UK and AUS in the box. Wtf!!

Or a monitor with every single input cable in the box. I mean how ridiculous is that?

It’s all waste and it needs cutting. Everyone on this board has a usbc cable they can use once a year for two hours to charge it.

How absurd this argument is.

 

[rcread]

I have a drawer full of these cables that I have never and will never use. I kind of assumed everyone is in the same situation.

 

[cupcakes2000]

I have a drawer full of these cables that I have never and will never use. I kind of assumed everyone is in the same situation.

They are.

 

[Jimmy_Banks]

Last year's 2nd generation Apple TV 4K retailed at $179 to $199.

Today's 3rd generation Apple TV 4K retails for $50 less at $129 to $149, hence my assertion that at least Apple is omitting the cable at $50 lower price point.

Fair 👍

 

[femike]

Imagine buying a $1000+ iPad and complaining about a $20 cable.

Imagine a CEO earning $100,000,000 thousand a year that won't include a $20 cable for users on $35,000 a year.

 

[sorgo †]

I have a drawer full of these cables that I have never and will never use. I kind of assumed everyone is in the same situation.

Tim, is that you?

 

[G5isAlive]

But Apple's usual argument is that it's better for the environment since they're shipping less bulk. "Less carbon footprint."

OK… so I still have to either drive to a store to get that new cable, or order a new one and have a delivery vehicle bring it to my door. Extra fuel burned for one cable.

Toss in the additional packaging for the new cord - more plastic, paper, etc.

How is that being "environmentally" friendly?

Except that’s not what happens at all. Many, if not most, will reach into their drawer of cables and chargers and pull out what they need.

 

[Diamond Dog]

In a vacuum, sure, this isn't a big deal. Most people buying into an Apple TV probably already have at least one USB-C cable-- and if not, they're easily obtainable and cheap.

That said, my two gripes with this are:

1) When pressed, they will say this is for the environment. How does it help the environment for me to have Amazon ship me a USB-C cable vs. one being included in the box? At any rate, it's very clearly not about the environment as much as the bottom line, so this comes off as insulting.​

​

2) Regardless of the environmental question, it is undeniably a better user experience to receive everything you need to use a product in the box. How stoked are you when something like a smoke detector comes with an Energizer in the box? The fact that they are willing to sacrifice that improved user experience over a cable or two that cost them pennies to include in the box speaks a lot about the mindset of the company's leaders.​

So, while this instance itself is a relatively small issue, it's indicative of a larger trend towards a preachy, dishonest, bean-counting Apple where shaving pennies off of production costs is worth it even if it means a somewhat diminished user experience. And they think you're dumb enough to believe that it's for the environment.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

And they think you're dumb enough to believe that it's for the environment.

Unfortunately some customers seem to be so Apple knows their customers I guess.

 

[cupcakes2000]

In a vacuum, sure, this isn't a big deal. Most people buying into an Apple TV probably already have at least one USB-C cable-- and if not, they're easily obtainable and cheap.

That said, my two gripes with this are:

1) When pressed, they will say this is for the environment. How does it help the environment for me to have Amazon ship me a USB-C cable vs. one being included in the box? At any rate, it's very clearly not about the environment as much as the bottom line, so this comes off as insulting.​

​

2) Regardless of the environmental question, it is undeniably a better user experience to receive everything you need to use a product in the box. How stoked are you when something like a smoke detector comes with an Energizer in the box? The fact that they are willing to sacrifice that improved user experience over a cable or two that cost them pennies to include in the box speaks a lot about the mindset of the company's leaders.​

So, while this instance itself is a relatively small issue, it's indicative of a larger trend towards a preachy, dishonest, bean-counting Apple where shaving pennies off of production costs is worth it even if it means a somewhat diminished user experience. And they think you're dumb enough to believe that it's for the environment.

1- because not everyone will do that for a remote charger that uses a standard cable. In fact, very few would. They would repurpose another one for a couple of hours a year if they didn’t have a spare.
2- we need to change that mindset though regarding e-waste. That’s the point.

 

[DougiePhresh]

Greedy. Stingy.

They dropped the price by $20, and the cable costs $20… please explain to me how that is being “greedy” or “stingy?” All that happened was that Apple is now saving people with a million USB-C cables laying around a) $20 and b) from having a 1,000,001st USB-C cable to collect dust

 

[Diamond Dog]

Unfortunately some customers seem to be so Apple knows their customers I guess.

I should clarify that I do find environmental conservation to be extremely important. Many people genuinely do. Apple hijacking those good intentions to eek out higher margins on their products, then telling us to pat ourselves on the back for it is what irks me.

But, the alternative is "Only Do Evil" Google and Micro$oft, so. Whatcha gonna do.

 

[steve09090]

Nothing to see here. I have 3 unwound lightning cables for my Apple TV remotes. Don’t need the cable, don’t want the cable.

 

[2010mini]

Didn't expect the change to USB C. But not including the cable is no biggie.... not too many people who are in the ATV market don't have a USB C cable lying around.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

I should clarify that I do find environmental conservation to be extremely important.

So do I but it only hurts the movement when Apple lies about this being for the environment.

 

[Diamond Dog]

1- because not everyone will do that for a remote charger that uses a standard cable. In fact, very few would. They would repurpose another one for a couple of hours a year if they didn’t have a spare.
2- we need to change that mindset though regarding e-waste. That’s the point.

I don't know about point 1. I know several people that, if they bought this Apple TV at the store and come home to set it up, would be annoyed that they would have to then run out and get an HDMI cable and a USB-C cable.

My mother, for example, has an iPhone and an iPad that both use Lightning cables. She even has an Apple Watch. Her laptop uses some barrel connector. If she bought this Apple TV in-store or from Amazon or something, she would be calling me asking me why there isn't a cable to hook it up to her TV or a cable to plug in the remote, and would probably be annoyed when I told her those come separate. Maybe she's in the minority in that case and most people do have USB-C cables and HDMI cables lying around, but in her case that would be a major turn off for Apple products, all over pennies on the dollar.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Nothing to see here. I have 3 unwound lightning cables for my Apple TV remotes. Don’t need the cable, don’t want the cable.

Well you need a USB-C cable for this remote so I hope you have an unwound one of those as well

 

[ApostolisApo]

Oh no. I live in a jungle and have never had a USB-C cable.

My aversion to anything environmentally friendly that comes at my real or imagined cost makes me so angry that I will ditch every Apple thing I own. Here in the jungle.

 

[Pezimak]

I mean it's USB-C, if you get an Apple TV with a USB-C remote and you don't have a single USB-C cable to charge it with, there is a bigger problem...lol

You have an iPhone, you have an Apple Watch, you have an older mouse and a Mac and keyboard, all using none USB C, you buy the new Apple TV, you need to buy a new USB C cable.

 

[steve09090]

Didn't expect the change to USB C. But not including the cable is no biggie.... not too many people who are in the ATV market don't have a USB C cable lying around.

Last thing I want is another 30 cm USB C cable lying around.

So do I but it only hurts the movement when Apple lies about this being for the environment.

Just to clarify, are you saying having less cables is worse for the environment?

OR,

Are you saying the environment is better off by mining more resources so you you can stuff another cable in the back of your drawer?

Which is it?

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Oh no. I live in a jungle and have never had a USB-C cable.

My aversion to anything environmentally friendly that comes at my real or imagined cost makes me so angry that I will ditch every Apple thing I own. Here in the jungle.

Yeah the environment is definitely helped by me and others buying a USB-C cable from Apple or Amazon now instead of getting one in the box since some of us don't have extra USB-C cables laying around.

 

[cupcakes2000]

So do I but it only hurts the movement when Apple lies about this being for the environment.

I, like all of my friends, like my entire family, like most people on this board, like even my partners grandmother, have boxes and boxes of unwanted and unknown cables lying around for eternity in lofts and cellars. Draws in kitchens full of them. Only a fool can’t see that supplying less of them in the willy nilly fashion that still prevails will result in less waste.

 

[steve09090]

Well you need a USB-C cable for this remote so I hope you have an unwound one of those as well

I have too many stupid 30cm ones so I bought some 2 m ones that serve my purpose along with the 1 m ones that i already have.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Giving Apple $20 or whatever they charge for a USB-C cable now and having it shipped separately instead of getting one in the box helps the environment according to some here. I've heard it all now.