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90% ???

Not!

Hence my sarcasm emoticon.

There are enough facts to support the case that Apple has their 2 proprietary cables for the iPhone because they provide the type of functionality that the standard USB did not at the time. How much those cables contribute to their revenue stream is is another matter.
 
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.

Huh? I'm from Austria and never was there EVER a micro-USB adapter included in any iPhone box whatsoever. What are you talking about?
 
Huh? I'm from Austria and never was there EVER a micro-USB adapter included in any iPhone box whatsoever. What are you talking about?

Correction: The adapter is available for purchase in Europe while it was not available on the US when the iPhone 5 launched. I must have misread when that was announced. http://www.cnet.com/news/apple-to-sell-micro-usb-adapter-for-lightning-but-only-in-europe/

What I'm hearing now though is that the EU will require all devices to use a standard input by 2017. So that might be the end of lightening. Whether it will be USB-C or micro USB I'm not sure though.
 
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.

External storage connected to an iPad ? I don't think so.
But maybe in a couple of generations Apple could switch from its proprietary format to USB-C.
 
micro-usb-adapter-iphone-5.jpeg


USB-C to lightning adapter... profit.
 
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The EU disagrees with you. And that is a big reason for Apple to adopt hardware they helped engineer on all their devices.

How so? Apple is a private company and if they see no need for it, there's no need for it. What does USB-C fix/solve?

You get a cable with every phone.....I've never understood why people are so against Lightning. USB-C is thicker is it not? Apple would then need to redesign the iPhone/iPad to fit a different connector.

They've likely been helping develop USB-C since they also developed Lightning. Wouldn't have done the latter if they knew the former would take it's place so quickly.
 
How so? Apple is a private company and if they see no need for it, there's no need for it. What does USB-C fix/solve?

You get a cable with every phone.....I've never understood why people are so against Lightning. USB-C is thicker is it not? Apple would then need to redesign the iPhone/iPad to fit a different connector.

They've likely been helping develop USB-C since they also developed Lightning. Wouldn't have done the latter if they knew the former would take it's place so quickly.

I'd they want to sell in EU they need to comply with the requirements. That's pretty much all there is to it.
 
I'd they want to sell in EU they need to comply with the requirements. That's pretty much all there is to it.

What are the requirements they aren't currently meeting? How have they been selling in the EU all this time?

Talk about government regulation run amok. It's one thing to regulate harmful materials out of products. It's another to tell a company how to design their own products.
 
What are the requirements they aren't currently meeting? How have they been selling in the EU all this time?
The requirement that by 2017 phones have to use a standardized connector.

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What are the requirements they aren't currently meeting? How have they been selling in the EU all this time?

Talk about government regulation run amok. It's one thing to regulate harmful materials out of products. It's another to tell a company how to design their own products.
Horrible that someone out there might look out for consumer interests.
 
The requirement that by 2017 phones have to use a standardized connector.

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Horrible that someone out there might look out for consumer interests.

Not the forum for this, but that's a load of crap.....somehow we've been duped into thinking greedy politicians have our best interest at heart rather than greedy corporations.

Apple provides the cable with the device....how is the consumer hurt? The consumer also has the choice of whether or not to buy a device with a different connector.

At least we can "vote" greedy corporations out of business with our wallets (though it seems many consumers are willing to give up this power in favor of letting someone else handle it). What happens when 58% of politicians run unopposed (which is what happens in the US Congress)?

At any rate, all that does is stifle innovation. When there is a government mandated standard, no one looks to improve the system because there's no point to it.

That's all I'll say on the matter as this isn't the forum for it. Thanks for the information. Will be curious to see how Apple approaches it. I don't see them releasing an EU-only variant of the iPhone and iPad....perhaps they will move completely to the USB-C.

Which means all the Lightning cables I've accumulated will once again be obsolete. Thanks EU for looking out for my interests :rolleyes:
 
Not the forum for this, but that's a load of crap.....somehow we've been duped into thinking greedy politicians have our best interest at heart rather than greedy corporations.

Apple provides the cable with the device....how is the consumer hurt? The consumer also has the choice of whether or not to buy a device with a different connector.

At least we can "vote" greedy corporations out of business with our wallets (though it seems many consumers are willing to give up this power in favor of letting someone else handle it). What happens when 58% of politicians run unopposed (which is what happens in the US Congress)?

At any rate, all that does is stifle innovation. When there is a government mandated standard, no one looks to improve the system because there's no point to it.

That's all I'll say on the matter as this isn't the forum for it. Thanks for the information. Will be curious to see how Apple approaches it. I don't see them releasing an EU-only variant of the iPhone and iPad....perhaps they will move completely to the USB-C.

Which means all the Lightning cables I've accumulated will once again be obsolete. Thanks EU for looking out for my interests :rolleyes:
Since we all needed to replace cables when Apple themselves decided to switch to Lightning...seems like that argument is rather moot.

Except that in this case instead of getting another proprietary connector and overpriced cables that have to be certified and aren't useful for any other devices that are not from Apple, we would actually get something that can be used in many different devices and can be obtained from more places for cheaper prices and in general be much more available when we need a cable and don't have ours with us.

But, sure, we should somehow hate this specific useful change for the consumers because of some oversimplified generalized biased views of governments and corporations. Gotta stand up for those random principles even when they are working against you.
 
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Since we all needed to replace cables when Apple themselves decided to switch to Lightning...seems like that argument is rather moot.

Except that in this case instead of getting another proprietary connector and overpriced cables that have to be certified and aren't useful for any other devices that are not from Apple, we would actually get something that can be used in many different devices and can be obtained from more places for cheaper prices and in general be much more available when we need a cable and don't have ours with us.

But, sure, we should somehow hate this specific useful change for the consumers because of some oversimplified generalized biased views of governments and corporations. Gotta stand up for those random principles even when they are working against you.

Ok......good luck with all that.
 
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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.

How is it "superior in every way"?

Lightning is smaller, more sturdy as you mention. It can also be used for various things other than charging.

Remember - the pins on the cable can be programmed and dynamically changed. There has already been talk of doing away with the 3.5mm jack and forcing headphone users towards bluetooth or lightning connected headphones.

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They will after 2017.

Interesting solution to a problem I was "discussing" with another person in another thread on this subject.

Instead of redesigning their products, Apple could simply include said adapter with each phone/tablet purchase in the EU.

I'm really not a fan of governments dictating how private companies should design their products (save for the elimination of harmful chemicals/materials of course).

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lol @ people thinking Apple would even entertain the possibility of putting usb-c on their idevices and give up the millions from selling overpriced lightning cables and adapters.

Yes - I'm sure Apple would never part with such a large portion of their revenue.....:rolleyes:

Apple's cash reserves likely make hundreds of times more money than they do off of "overpriced" cables.

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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.

How much money do you people think Apple makes on these cables/licensing of said cables?
 
How is it "superior in every way"?

Lightning is smaller, more sturdy as you mention. It can also be used for various things other than charging.

Remember - the pins on the cable can be programmed and dynamically changed. There has already been talk of doing away with the 3.5mm jack and forcing headphone users towards bluetooth or lightning connected headphones.

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Interesting solution to a problem I was "discussing" with another person in another thread on this subject.

Instead of redesigning their products, Apple could simply include said adapter with each phone/tablet purchase in the EU.

I'm really not a fan of governments dictating how private companies should design their products (save for the elimination of harmful chemicals/materials of course).

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Yes - I'm sure Apple would never part with such a large portion of their revenue.....:rolleyes:

Apple's cash reserves likely make hundreds of times more money than they do off of "overpriced" cables.

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How much money do you people think Apple makes on these cables/licensing of said cables?
And the downside (in particular from consumer point of view) of Apple using a standardized port and cable that are certainly no less capable and likely more, is what again?
 
How is it "superior in every way"?

Lightning is smaller, more sturdy as you mention. It can also be used for various things other than charging.

Remember - the pins on the cable can be programmed and dynamically changed. There has already been talk of doing away with the 3.5mm jack and forcing headphone users towards bluetooth or lightning connected headphones.



If we where talking about a normal usb I would agree. Type A usb had 4 pins, USB C has 12 pins 4 more than lightning.

Lightning can not do 1080P whereas USB type C can do 4K, and to even get that sub 1080P res an adapter is required that has a little computer integrated to do it.

http://www.iphonehacks.com/2013/03/apple-lightning-av-adapter-arm-soc-256-mb-ram.html

USB C has the ability to become much more than lightning.
 
Apple is obliged to use the USB standard on all phones Sold in Europe after 2017. So unless they want to run with two standards it is a given which way they are going.

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Huh? I'm from Austria and never was there EVER a micro-USB adapter included in any iPhone box whatsoever. What are you talking about?
Actually it was for a little while and then they left them out and started selling them. At least they were in the Box in London.
 
And the downside (in particular from consumer point of view) of Apple using a standardized port and cable that are certainly no less capable and likely more, is what again?

I don't know that there are any. Just saying that government interference with the design of private companies' products isn't a good precedent to set.

It sounds like, though, Apple will likely move this way. And that USB-C has quite a bit more capability than Lightning does. So when the time comes, I'll get my cables from my devices and buy 1 or 2 extras and move on.

But that doesn't mean I need to be ok w/ government meddling in the private sector. If I don't like what a company does or what they stand for I simply stop purchasing their products.

Sam Walton said "The only people capable of firing all of us are our customers." As we cede more control to governments, that statement becomes less and less true. Because there will always be corporations that are in the pockets of politicians and those corporations will remain protected.

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If we where talking about a normal usb I would agree. Type A usb had 4 pins, USB C has 12 pins 4 more than lightning.

Lightning can not do 1080P whereas USB type C can do 4K, and to even get that sub 1080P res an adapter is required that has a little computer integrated to do it.

http://www.iphonehacks.com/2013/03/apple-lightning-av-adapter-arm-soc-256-mb-ram.html

USB C has the ability to become much more than lightning.

Cool - thanks for the info!
 
I think that the switch will have to be made, simply from a user standpoint. The benefit of USB-C is that it can work both directions. If you continue to have lightning on the iPhone and iPad, it will be the ONLY cable that is not reversible, and you will have almost 0 visible indicator as to why. USB-C and Lightning look darn similar from even a short distance. People will (and reasonably) not look closely at which end can plug into the phone and which end plugs into the plug or laptop. That will get annoying very fast.

Heck, looking at these two photos, and hearing from everyone that the lightning cable is slightly smaller, it seems almost inevitable that people shove the lightning into the USB-C connector and break the small chip inside the female end of USB-C.

They just look too similar.
459862-what-is-usb-c.jpg

apple-lightning-cable.jpg
 
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