Resolved Why a "Smart Connector" instead of "USB-C"?

How in the world would you use USB-C to connect to e.g. The Apple Smart Keyboard without significantly compromising the ergonomics?

Besides, the "smart connector" really isn't a new idea. Both the Nexus 10 and the Surface Pro have similar connectors.

 

My view for Apple not giving the Ipad pro a USB-C port is for consistency across IOS devices, size and aesthetics.

It would also be too soon to change over to USB-C; people moaned forever about the change from the 30pin to lighting port even though there was an adapter.

 

Apple won't change from a licences connector to an unlicensed connector.

They have however revised the inside of the Lightning port on the pro and hopefully this year all the devices will get the revision with a push to usb3 for an increase in data transmission rates.

As for the smart connector itself it's a smart move for quick connecting accessories.

 

I'm guessing because USB3 isn't required and/or the left-over bandwidth is not available in the SOC for USB3.

Apple generally do their own connectors because they do stuff that the standard ones don't.