Next iPhone to have USB-C? (merged)

[chukronos]

USB-C port for the next iPhone? It could replace the lightning port for charging.

I hope so. I would love to be able to connect flash drives and additional storage to the phone or iPad when needed.

 

[LordQ]

I think it's more probable to see Force Touch than USB-C. Remember Phil saying that Lightning was "technology for the next 10 years" when they introduced the iPhone 5.

 

[Truefan31]

I think the countdown to the end of lightning is coming now with usb c. Music playback, charging, data transfer all in one. Get rid of hp jack to make it even thinner, then they'll push Bluetooth, usb c port headphones, or sell u an adapter. Again Apple at its business finest.

 

[cfedu]

USB-C port for the next iPhone? It could replace the lightning port for charging.

I hope so. I would love to be able to connect flash drives and additional storage to the phone or iPad when needed.

Its a hard call since USB C is superior in every way. The biggest benefit about lightning is that it's a smaller connector and looks more sturdy IMO. If Apple plans on making the iPhone thinner they will have to stick with lightning.

 

[hamiltonDSi]

I'm pretty sure the 6S and 6S Plus will not have USB-C but I can see it on the iPhone 7.

 

[KUguardgrl13]

Apple use a standard connection for iDevices? Doubtful. They haven't done that since the original iPod had FireWire and the first iPod Shuffle had built-in USB out. It's been 10+ years and only two devices out of many others.

 

[cfedu]

Apple use a standard connection for iDevices? Doubtful. They haven't done that since the original iPod had FireWire and the first iPod Shuffle had built-in USB out. It's been 10+ years and only two devices out of many others.

Who would have thought that apple would be the first power supply based on a standard? Apple went from suing people over magsafe to having a Standard as a connector.

 

[KUguardgrl13]

Who would have thought that apple would be the first power supply based on a standard? Apple went from suing people over magsafe to having a Standard as a connector.

Yeah but standard ports for anything on the Mac line aren't unusual. In terms of iDevices that's only happened twice and never with the iPhone and iPad.

 

[shenan1982]

Apple use a standard connection for iDevices? Doubtful. They haven't done that since the original iPod had FireWire and the first iPod Shuffle had built-in USB out. It's been 10+ years and only two devices out of many others.

Right now they make money if you:

- buy the lightning cable through Apple
- buy the lightning cable through anyone else (via licensing)

If they use a standard:

- you can buy it from anyone\anywhere
- Apple doesn't get licensing money for USB C

With those above, I'd say slim to none Apple will ever sway from proprietary cables\cable technology on their phones\tablets.

 

[cfedu]

Yeah but standard ports for anything on the Mac line aren't unusual. In terms of iDevices that's only happened twice and never with the iPhone and iPad.

I'm just saying, never say never. Apple ceases to surprise me everyday and not always in a positive way.

 

[Truefan31]

I'm pretty sure the 6S and 6S Plus will not have USB-C but I can see it on the iPhone 7.

This^^

 

[IpadSC400]

I see in 4 years there will be no such thing as a USB cord. We've been using USB cords forever...wireless charging is on the rise.

 

[RiddlaBronc]

I think we might see that charger used for the apple watch implemented on iphones. This will get rid of the ligthning cable. Its not impossible that apple drops the headphone jack all together and pushes bluetooth and wireless syncing with the new chargers etc

 

[recoil80]

The lighting connector is too young to be replaced. There are a lot of accessories and cables out there, so what's the point in changing the connector in 2015?
I guess lighting will be on iPhones as long as there will have a connector. When they'll move to a wireless charging technology or to a magnetic connector similar to the Watch they'll get rid of the connector.

 

[metsjetsfan]

Is Lightning Going away and replaced by USB C?

Does anyone think this will happen? maybe with the iphone 7 in 2016?

What are the specs in terms of size, if USB C is thinner then lightning is definitely done, but you can do more with USB C right?

 

[cpnotebook80]

I guess before they change it on the phones, they would have to change the ports in every hardware apple has from imacs to macbooks maybe?imagine a macbook pro with just one port! lol. maybe iphone 7 will have some radical changes and by then, usb-c would be widely adopted.

 

[madsci954]

Doubt it. Lightning has only been out a few years now, and I think it's thinner than USB-C. Now replacing the USB end of the cable with USB-C, yes that I see happening.

Edit: it is thinner, image from Arstechnica, CES 2015
USB-C on the left, Lightning in the middle.

 

[mtneer]

Well that will be something. A fully reversible cable with USB-C on either end. Yeah, I totally see Apple doing something like that - maybe by the 2017 or 2018 model.

 

[mtneer]

Right now they make money if you:

- buy the lightning cable through Apple
- buy the lightning cable through anyone else (via licensing)

If they use a standard:

- you can buy it from anyone\anywhere
- Apple doesn't get licensing money for USB C

With those above, I'd say slim to none Apple will ever sway from proprietary cables\cable technology on their phones\tablets.

They could still decide to insert a proprietary handshake chip in their cables and devices that would require a third party to have a licensing deal with Apple to work. Ka Ching!

 

[shenan1982]

They could still decide to insert a proprietary handshake chip in their cables and devices that would require a third party to have a licensing deal with Apple to work. Ka Ching!

USB is a certified standard. The whole concept of a certified standard is to prevent exactly that. If they were to do it, it would not be USB-C, it would be a proprietary cable, and they be violating every copyright in the book. It will never happen. They'll either go standard, or stay proprietary, you can't be both.

If you want to make a USB-C cable, it has to comply with the USB-C standards set forth by the specs.... otherwise it's not USB-C. There's no "half-way"... it's why for the longest time Apple was 30 pin, and now lightning... because if they went micro-usb, they'd be required to support ANY manufacturers' micro-usb cable... which means no more $$$ for Apple.

 

[mtneer]

USB is a certified standard. The whole concept of a certified standard is to prevent exactly that. If they were to do it, it would not be USB-C, it would be a proprietary cable, and they be violating every copyright in the book. It will never happen. They'll either go standard, or stay proprietary, you can't be both.

If you want to make a USB-C cable, it has to comply with the USB-C standards set forth by the specs.... otherwise it's not USB-C. There's no "half-way"... it's why for the longest time Apple was 30 pin, and now lightning... because if they went micro-usb, they'd be required to support ANY manufacturers' micro-usb cable... which means no more $$$ for Apple.

And who exactly are the people standing behind this USB-C standard? Can they out-lawyer $700B worth of lawyers? Apple is big enough in the tech industry to pretty much do whatever it wants.

 

[shenan1982]

And who exactly are the people standing behind this USB-C standard? Can they out-lawyer $700B worth of lawyers? Apple is big enough in the tech industry to pretty much do whatever it wants.

Really? Did you research it?

To answer your question: HP, DEC, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, NEC and Nortel are the ones standing behind the standard.

If you think for a second those companies wouldn't collectively fight Apple fragmenting an industry standard, you're dreaming, and should google "Samsung vs Apple" as an example of just ONE company protecting their interests.

Additionally, it would go against the very fundamental principal Apple has against fragmentation in technology. Look how they attack Android for having 1 OS with so many variations. Could you imagine the egg on Apple's face if they were to take an industry standard like USB and bastardize it with their own "modifications" ????

Just because Apple has more cash than any single company, they're still small peanuts compared to a consortium of companies like those who stand behind USB... and furthermore, they're not idiots... they're not going to challenge an industry standard that they themselves are trying to be a part of. Your argument seems to be for the sake of argument, and the fact that you would support Apple doing whatever they want because they're worth $700B is scary.

 

[mtneer]

Really? Did you research it?

To answer your question: HP, DEC, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, NEC and Nortel are the ones standing behind the standard.

If you think for a second those companies wouldn't collectively fight Apple fragmenting an industry standard, you're dreaming, and should google "Samsung vs Apple" as an example of just ONE company protecting their interests.

Additionally, it would go against the very fundamental principal Apple has against fragmentation in technology. Look how they attack Android for having 1 OS with so many variations. Could you imagine the egg on Apple's face if they were to take an industry standard like USB and bastardize it with their own "modifications" ????

Just because Apple has more cash than any single company, they're still small peanuts compared to a consortium of companies like those who stand behind USB... and furthermore, they're not idiots... they're not going to challenge an industry standard that they themselves are trying to be a part of. Your argument seems to be for the sake of argument, and the fact that you would support Apple doing whatever they want because they're worth $700B is scary.

Nortel and DEC are dead. The rest put together fall just short of Apple's market cap.

Maybe this has to go to PRSI - On a more fundamental level, what is the point of sustained success if you cannot enjoy the fruits of such success. Why should Apple equate and subjugate itself to every HP, IBM and Microsoft of the world. Might is Right. Maybe Apple is being an idiot by playing "nice" in a mean world.

 

[eclipse01]

Maybe USB C on one end and Lightning on the other...

 

[KUguardgrl13]

And who exactly are the people standing behind this USB-C standard? Can they out-lawyer $700B worth of lawyers? Apple is big enough in the tech industry to pretty much do whatever it wants.

I'm not sure about USB-C yet, but the EU has laws supporting USB, particularly mini and micro USB in smartphones. They have allowed Apple to keep their proprietary connectors as long as they include a micro-USB adapter with every iPhone sold in EU countries.

So not only would Apple be fighting the other tech companies if they tried to mess with USB-C standards, but they would also have to deal with one of the large government entities that they have to work with. Just because they're an American company doesn't mean they can ignore the laws of other countries they do business in.

The one wrench I'll throw in this is the cable Sony uses to charge a DuelShock3 controller with a PS3. It's USB to mini-USB but somehow only that cable will charge the controller. A standard USB to mini-USB won't charge the controller. So I'm not sure how Sony can mess with a standard while Apple has to include an adapter to its proprietary cable, but there you go. Although I believe Apple was made to include the adapters within the last few years while the PS3 has been out since 2008 or 2009.