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

[Stromos]

I’ve got two laptops, one from 2013 another from 2014, neither have USB-C. Two iPad Air 2’s, three iPhones (lightning ports), three Apple TV’s (lightning remotes). Anything we have that isn’t Apple (Amazon Echo, for example) has either micro-USB or a proprietary connector. We literally don’t have a USB-C cable. Where are we gonna use it?

Nope, none, have nothing that uses it currently. There's still a decent legacy ecosystem using Micro-USB and USB-A still, I guess it depends on how often you update devices or buy new tech. Even if I did have a cable, it's possible that I'd have it permanently attached to a device, so therefore would want a separate cable for charging devices.

Yes, a Macbook can charge with USB-C, but that is not its primary charging method, nor is a cable provided to do so.

It would be interesting to find out what a typical Apple user has for cables (outside of lightning), I don't think MacRumors users count as typical users though!

EDIT: I agree that not including cables should be the norm, I'm just not sure that Apple should be removing them during a company-wide transition to a new connector.

Same. If I got a USB-C cable, then I’d have to get a USB-C charging brick because I have nothing to plug it in to. Remember, Apple stopped shipping the charging bricks when they switched to a lightning-to-USB-C cable, forcing everyone to go out and buy charging bricks that accept the updated cable.

That was “environmentally friendly“ too, right? Forcing millions to go buy GaN chargers?

It will happen since I don’t own any USB-C devices.

Look I love Apple but they can be major hypocrites too.

No not everyone … please don’t speak for all of us.

I don't.

I have some TB3 cables, but they are currently being used.

It is just self-serving by Apple.


Yup.

I'll side with the folks who say it should have been included (regardless of whatever reason like Environment).

Let me put it this way... IF the remote could install batteries (AA or rechargable) or IF the remote could be charged via magnetic touch charger (like the Apple Watches), then Apple can easily say that they did not need to include the cables.

But because the remote can only be charged using a (USB-C) cable, then Apple really should have included it.

Huge congrats to all of you welcome to the Type-C standard. Remember the first time you bought an extension cord? It didn’t come with anything you bought but you use it whenever you need.

This is why many countries are forcing Type-C. It’s time for you to buy one or a few whatever you want and enjoy the fact that most technology you buy from now on will use it.

The best part is you can buy whatever one you want just like an extension cord. You can pick length style etc.

Enjoy. Welcome to the standard. This argument will never come up again because the cables are universal. Unlike lightning the cables will continue to be useful for many devices from many manufacturers for many years.

Try to cheer up.

 

[bruinsrme]

Fan less operation (perfect for out side), much Lower price, Amazon $3 cable. I’m wicked pissed it doesn’t come with a cable

 

[kerr]

would be good if you could charge the remote by simply placing it on the ATV

 

[omihek]

Just like when they switched the iPhone charging cable to USB-C the same year they stopped including AC adapters because "everyone already has them." Really? Everyone already has a USB-C adapter? Well where did we all get them cuz it sure wasn't with any of our previous iPhones.

Edit: Pretty sure I'm wrong about this. I think they started including USB-C charging cables and AC adapters the year before they removed AC adapters all together, so anyone who had bought the previous year's iPhone would have the correct AC adapter "already". My bad.

 

[TigerNike23]

Huge congrats to all of you welcome to the Type-C standard. Remember the first time you bought an extension cord? It didn’t come with anything you bought but you use it whenever you need.

This is why many countries are forcing Type-C. It’s time for you to buy one or a few whatever you want and enjoy the fact that most technology you buy from now on will use it.

The best part is you can buy whatever one you want just like an extension cord. You can pick length style etc.

Enjoy. Welcome to the standard. This argument will never come up again because the cables are universal. Unlike lightning the cables will continue to be useful for many devices from many manufacturers for many years.

Try to cheer up.

I’m all lightning and you’re telling me to switch to USB-C because some bureaucrats in Europe are forcing Apple’s hand, and I should just grin and bear it.

So I’ll need to get multiple USB-C GaN chargers, USB-C to lightning cables for my iPhones because Apple hasn’t made the switch yet, USB-C cables for items I purchase from Apple in the future, and if I get the new iPad I’ll need to get an adapter for their genius idea of making the iPad USB-C but the accessories lightning.

And this is courage? It’s insanity.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

So they change the port and don't include a cable that supports it? Not cool.

The whole argument for USB-C is that it's so ubiquitous that you either have cables for it already or you will shortly.

I don't mind it. I have USB-C for my laptop and my Switch - I could charge this remote with the cables from either of those.

The remote only needs to be charged for, what, 10 minutes every other month?

Did Apple even give me a charging cable for my current Apple TV remote? Every few months when it needs to be charged I do so with my bedside charger that I charge my 8+ with every night.

If I'm going to talk about outrageous greed, how about that Apple charges $59 for a sliver of aluminum with 14 plastic buttons, a mic, a battery, bluetooth, and a USB-C port? I know it sounds like you're getting a lot when I spell it all out that way, but I doubt Apple is paying more than $10 to make these.

 

[TigerNike23]

I’m all lightning and you’re telling me to switch to USB-C because some bureaucrats in Europe are forcing Apple’s hand, and I should just grin and bear it.

So I’ll need to get multiple USB-C GaN chargers, USB-C to lightning cables for my iPhones because Apple hasn’t made the switch yet, USB-C cables for items I purchase from Apple in the future, and if I get the new iPad I’ll need to get an adapter for their genius idea of making the iPad USB-C but the accessories lightning.

And this is courage? It’s insanity.

Oh yeah, forgot. I’ll need to have a USB-C to USB-A cable because I still backup my devices to iTunes.

 

[Gasu E.]

This is the kind of attitude I’m sick of on this site. Making stupid excuses for bad behaviour in the most thoughtless way.

Isn't this the entire reason why the EU is forcing Apple to support USB-C? To end the requirement to have additional, extraneous cables? So you can share cables between devices? So you only have to have one cable even if you have multiple devices? To reduce wasteful consumption of resources? If you really feel they should have included a cable, then why not stick with lightning?

 

[cupcakes2000]

I’m all lightning and you’re telling me to switch to USB-C because some bureaucrats in Europe are forcing Apple’s hand, and I should just grin and bear it.

So I’ll need to get multiple USB-C GaN chargers, USB-C to lightning cables for my iPhones because Apple hasn’t made the switch yet, USB-C cables for items I purchase from Apple in the future, and if I get the new iPad I’ll need to get an adapter for their genius idea of making the iPad USB-C but the accessories lightning.

And this is courage? It’s insanity.

Well no, you won’t need to get any of that for the stuff you own already. The EU isn’t magically making all your stuff usbc.

I don’t think anyone said it’s courage either.

 

[Gasu E.]

Oh yeah, forgot. I’ll need to have a USB-C to USB-A cable because I still backup my devices to iTunes.

Relax. The EU says you already have plenty of USB-C cables; and they invented Western civilization, so they must be right.

 

[genovelle]

Greedy. Stingy.

More like, being forced to switch to a more expensive solution that they didn’t develop, so sell it separately, so if some other countries come up with different rules about cables. They are not involved.

 

[steve09090]

Isn't this the entire reason why the EU is forcing Apple to support USB-C? To end the requirement to have additional, extraneous cables? So you can share cables between devices? So you only have to have one cable even if you have multiple devices? To reduce wasteful consumption of resources? If you really feel they should have included a cable, then why not stick with lightning?

Good point. If anyone wants to buy one of these, I’ll post you my lightning remote if you post the usb-c remote.

 

[genovelle]

Well no, you won’t need to get any of that for the stuff you own already. The EU isn’t magically making all your stuff usbc.

I don’t think anyone said it’s courage either.

It’s make new stuff incompatible with accessories like speakers clocks and more that people already own and have worked after getting a new phone. That’s millions if not billions of previously reusable accessories going into the trash. Apple maintaining the same cord has actually minimized waste.

 

[cupcakes2000]

It’s make new stuff incompatible with accessories like speakers clocks and more that people already own and have worked after getting a new phone. That’s millions if not billions of previously reusable accessories going into the trash. Apple maintaining the same cord has actually minimized waste.

This will be the 3rd transition Apple has made, so not really.

But anyway, things move on. But thankfully Apple will now need to abide by the rest of the industry, so moving forwards everything should be in a more compatible place. Which is the goal.

Edit: no one needs to trash anything, adaptors are widely available.

 

[whatgift]

More like, being forced to switch to a more expensive solution that they didn’t develop, so sell it separately, so if some other countries come up with different rules about cables. They are not involved.

My understanding is that Apple was part of the USB-C development.

 

[SnappleRumors]

Standard excuse #1: It’s for the environment and nothing to do with revenue.
Standard excuse #2: Covid.

 

[TigerNike23]

Relax. The EU says you already have plenty of USB-C cables; and they invented Western civilization, so they must be right.

Next the EU will ban VGA, DisplayPort and any other technology that isn’t HDMI because wE hAvE tOo MaNy CaBlEs!!1!1

 

[cupcakes2000]

Relax. The EU says you already have plenty of USB-C cables; and they invented Western civilization, so they must be right.

Do you really think they’re saying that? Or is it more likely they’re pushing to have a single standard to stem the flow of unnecessary sets of proprietary cables? I think its obvious which it is, but I suppose it may not be so obvious to some.

 

[Gasu E.]

Do you really think they’re saying that? Or is it more likely they’re pushing to have a single standard to stem the flow of unnecessary sets of proprietary cables? I think its obvious which it is, but I suppose it may not be so obvious to some.

They're saying a lot of things; and both what I said, and what you said, are among those things. Having to acquire two of the same cables is marginally better than having to acquire two different cables; but the benefit is so small, it was hardly worth passing some massively disruptive law to make it happen. In contrast, having a single cable that serves two purposes provides much more value; it literally cuts the use of resources in half.

 

[steve09090]

This

versus this.

hmmmmmm..

 

[trip1ex]

I still haven't got over Apple not including a tv in the box.

 

[ian87w]

So Apple now copied Sony.
Trillion dollar company still cutting corners on a $130 product. Is chasing revenue for this quarter that bad Tim?

 

[I7guy]

So Apple now copied Sony.
Trillion dollar company still cutting corners on a $130 product. Is chasing revenue for this quarter that bad Tim?

Think, the environment. USB-C is a standard. Almost every poster here has said so. Should be cables galore at every nook and cranny. Nothing to do with cost cutting and everything to do with practicality.

 

[getmac]

I am ok with no charging cable. Every time I get a new Apple device I get a new cable/charger I don't need. I have unwrapped chargers and cables everywhere. As a matter of fact I have had the current Apple TV for a couple of years and the charging cable still has the wrapping on it never used. They don't come with an HDMI either.

I do agree with some posters who said it should be wireless charging. That would be awesome.

 

[Fiona FTW]

Multiple opposing ideas can be true at the same time.

1. Yes, Apple will save money not including the cable - but they did take a haircut to the ATV price so margins might be unchanged.
2. Yes, it’s good for the environment that more unused cables won’t be produced
3. Yes, Apple’s bow to “for the environment“ is self-serving
4. Yes, USB-C is fairly ubiquitous in 2022 even if you are a Luddite and don’t own a single USB-C device
5. Yes, if you are savvy enough to buy from Apple.com you have all the know-how to buy a $3 cable from Amazon too
6. Yes, if you can afford a $130 streamer you can afford a $3 cable too If you need one
7. Yes, if $133 breaks the bank the 2nd gen is still $109, cable included