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Upcoming USB-C AirPods Pro Not Expected to Include Any Other Hardware Changes
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USB-C has been on some Apple products since 2015. Literally the ONLY Apple products I currently own that needs Lightning, are older Apple TV remotes, mice, and keyboards. iPhones and AirPods use MagSafe, Macs and iPads use USB-C.
And of course it’s not just Apple. Kindle, Beats, hearing aid charger, flashlights, etc etc etc all used micro USB. Not all of those have been replaced, but I’m slowly making my way over to a single plug. I’m already to the point that when I’m taking a trip overnight, I just need USB-C and a MagSafe charging mat. It was a nightmare for a while, making sure I had the right “mix” of cables both for the hotel and for the event I was attending.
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Sure, it would be nice to have them all together. My point was just that those desktop accessories are probably lowest on their priority list. Even so, I expect them to make the change. Perhaps as soon as this Oct/November when we might see the next Mac updates.
BTW - I love your Castiel avatar. 🐝
Yes, I agree. They will probably wait until the release of the new iMac, Mac Studio for the accessories.
Thanks so much BTW 🥃
Why would I do that while I have no USB-C devices other than my MacBook and one other device? When I replace my iPhone 14 Pro in two years, that will be the first moment that I would even consider this. And at that time, I will be in temporary **** as I won't be updating all devices at once. My iPhone 14 Pro will go to one of my children, so for at least three years beyond that I will need to have both lightning and USB-C hookups. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against going to USB-C. I was initially responding to someone who made it feel like heaven to go to USB-C. I disagree, as there is this period where you need both. For me that is going to be a three year period. And I will need to spend the money on the new chargers (which is still way cheeper than replacing all the devices). My point: don't make it sound like heaven. It will only be heaven for those who are happy with just one charging station or those who are willing to replace everything at once.
There does not have to be. That’s my point. I’ve already have all my devices on USB-C except for iPhone and AirPods. And I’ll change them once USB-C version gets released. Then I’m finally passing all my lightning cables to someone else and keeping just USB-C in my home. No period where I need both. This period ends in few days once USB-C iPhone and AirPods gets released.
A lot of us have been in that mixed mode transition for several years and this year looks like the time when we can finally move beyond that and be able to only have one charging standard. I feel for you that this will be less convenient for you for now. My devices started switching about 5 years ago. Eventually we will both be through the turbulence and it will be a smooth flight again.
For you this does not have to be. I'm happy for you that you have no period where you need both. For me, I'm not replacing all devices at once, so I will have a couple of years where this is the situation. The reason I am having these discussions is that some people in these fora seem to think that everybody is like them. Obviously that is not the case, as you are not going to have this issue of having both USB-C and lightning at the same time, whereas I (and many others) are going to have this situation for one or more years.
I get your point. But iPhone switching to USB-C is not creating this problem! It's ending this problem. This problem already started when Apple did not switch to USB-C back then when others did. All devices are now using USB-C.
So this dual connector setup mess (created by Apple) applies to anyone, who is currently using iPhone or AirPods plus either of the following devices
- iPad
- MacBook
- any other non-Apple portable device (basically any headphones, power bank, PS5 controller, bluetooth speaker...)
I personally think that this whole “having to maintain both lightning and usb c” problem has largely been over exaggerated by the media and tech forums.
As it stands, charging my Apple Watch still needs a proprietary puck. Charging the microphone I use in class requires a micro-usb cable. My school laptop comes with a barrel-shaped charger (though it also has a usb c port, but I have to supply the brick myself). I have been charging my iPhone via MagSafe since the day I bought it.
One more or one less usb c port is not the salvation you are all making it out to be.
I don't agree with you.
It's your own setup holding you back from USB-C unification. I've switched from all microUSB devices while ago. I'm charging my phone with cable, I don't go to school anymore, so I don't have any specific school laptop and I don't have nor want Apple Watch (or any watch).
Devices I use daily are all USB-C
- Macbook
- iPad
- phone
- noise cancelling headphones
- Kindle
So yeah, for me it is truly USB-C only environment. And it's great. And it's very useful when travelling. No need to pack multiple cables and possibly forget one.
And you are telling me that you use only one usb c cable to charge all those 5 devices? I personally have dedicated charging bricks / cables / stands for all my stuff.
No, as I said in my previous post - USB-C chargers (multiple of them) in every room and they are with appropriate cables of course.
Still a lot easier and more effective to maintain one type than multiple types. I can grab any cable (charger) for any device and it works.
It appears you are suggesting the solution is to trash existing non-USB devices, adding to eWaste, and buy new stuff. Not exactly doable in lots of situations.
Some people are actually teachers…
Fiine, but that doesn’t address teh issue of watch chargers not using USB. Not using a device becasue it is not USB-C is not a solution.
While most of my stuff is USB-C, I still have things like my portable bluetooth speaker that is non-USB-C and phone. I am glad Macs will not have to giveup MagSafe as a result of the EU regulation as USB-C is a step back in that scenario.
One charging cable design is helpful when traveling; although I have a 3 headed dragon with C, Lightening and micro I carry so I always have one plug I need. I leave it in my go bag and don’t worry that I forgot a cable.
I agree. It does let them make a few Euros more by not including a cable since everyone has a USB-C cable…
Less eWaste that way.
Wireless may be the way of the future with a port limited to data only or portless with OTA transfer only, at least on the lower end of a lineup.
Dell laptop? That seem to be the school system laptop of choice.
I agree, especially since the standard only sets minimum power requirements and allows for proprietary ones along side the minimum.
Reading the spec, it sounds like the major players decided “The EU’s doing this, let’s ensure it’s done in a way that doesn’t screw up our future plans…”
I agree that at some point, USB-C is supposed to end the problem. No discussion there.
I just hope that we won't be in the same mess in 10 years when we find out that USB-C doesn't cut it anymore.
Yes but we will have had 10 years of commonality and standing connections -Whats not to like about that? Then we move on to the next “ big thing” and keep it for another 10 years.
I'm happy that you are already in the stage of commonality. I don't see me ever reaching that stage. I just got rid of the last mini usb device. By the time we go to the successor of USB-C, I'll still be in transition. Most of my friends and acquantances are in this like me. We don't have to agree, and various others in this forum are in it like you. Just don't think everybody is in it the same.
I mean, how old are your non USB-C devices (that you use daily)? And how many more years do you plan to keep using them?
Answers to those questions are your own deadline for ending this mess. And I somehow suppose majority of people would stop using non USB-C devices in less than 3 years from now - if they did not already. I'm talking about devices they use every day, not about some niche/professional tools which have long lifespan.
iPhones and AirPods CAN use MagSafe. The primary charger here is not MagSafe or USB-C. MagSafe is an optional, additional accessory to purchase if wanted. But, nice cover for Apple.
I guess that that is the difference between people celebrating this change and those who say it will not make life better. You would perhaps replace devices sooner than others.
Why should I use devices daily to not be bothered? I charge the devices below perhaps once a month. Nevertheless there is this mess with finding the right connector and charger.
My Bose Soundlink Revolve II is only 3 years old. I hope that it will last at least 5 more years.
My Bose QC 35 is 10 years old. My previous Bose QC lasted 15 years. I hope that this one will make it at least as long.
All my families e-readers are less than 10 years old. I hope they will last for many more years.
I can keep on going with many other devices around my house. All of these devices use micro USB, and all of these devices are in perfect shape. There is no reason to replace any of these devices other than to go to USB-C. I would rather keep the mess I have had forever than to replace these devices to only temporarily be done with the mess. Temporarily as there will be a successor for USB-C at some point, and we will start over again.