Apple Puts Authentication Chip In Lightning Cable Ensures No Cheap Third-Party Option

[CZroe]

I still don't see why it couldn't do that over usb. It's just a data stream.

Of course it can. The problem is that a standard was never made to go along with it. If they ever make a new connector to alleviate the physical concerns, it could use a companion standard that every device with it is expected to work with for audio and track info and charging capabilities. It's terrible that I can't charge an iPad and a TouchPad off the same charger.

 

[Bill Brasky]

I had 3 uUSB cables cables fail. Those things are crap. I'm not saying lightening cables are the second coming, but people defending uUSB as a standard have their bar set a little low.

 

[zsdersw]

You know what? I don't believe you. I think you are deluding yourself. I might have believed you if you didn't claim to be surrounded by so many devices.

Between myself, my coworkers, and my friends, I've experienced numerous failed-or-loosened microUSB connectors that developed the problem from normal (careful) use. Every other day, someone asks me about fixing a mobile device. I usually direct them to someone that has more time than I do. Overwhelmingly, these devices have a cracked screen. Sometimes it's a blank screen. Sometimes the device won't charge. At work, at home, and everywhere I go; I'm surrounded by Android devices and iDevices every day. I still haven't come across a worn-out 30-pin connector. I know that wear-damaged 30-pin connectors are out there, but there just aren't enough for me to have encountered one yet.

With each wear-damaged microUSB connector I encounter, this observation becomes more and more concrete. MicroUSB isn't just inferior, it's absolutely awful.

Go ahead and tell me that your anecdotes out-weigh mine. You're living in denial.

Why should I tell you that? You've obviously convinced yourself that your anecdotes outweigh anyone else's... in spite of the very likely possibility that we can both be correct.

 

[zsdersw]

Then you have no "experience."

You're in no position to make any assertions about anyone's experience but your own.

 

[zsdersw]

Who? Me?! I don't Think anyone nags manufacturers' feedback systems more than myself. Me, my brother, and a particular friend frequently call each other just to bitch and moan about poor user interfaces and hardware limitations. We take turns bitching and venting while thinking of other technology / UI limitations to bitch about.

What complaints do you have about the iPhone 5 and/or iPad Mini? If none, then you're not paying attention. Neither of them are perfect.

I make that claim from extensive personal experience. Oh, well. I guess I shouldn't share my experience because it conflicts with your delusion.

Your experience is your experience. It doesn't make everyone else's that isn't the same a "delusion", no matter how much you may think so.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

What complaints do you have about the iPhone 5 and/or iPad Mini? If none, then you're not paying attention. Neither of them are perfect.



Your experience is your experience. It doesn't make everyone else's that isn't the same a "delusion", no matter how much you may think so.

I spend plenty of time bitching about technology and bad UI/design. There's far more issues with Android phones than my iPhone 5.

 

[zsdersw]

I spend plenty of time bitching about technology and bad UI/design.

Good for you, but I don't care.

There's far more issues with Android phones than my iPhone 5.

There's also more kinds of Android phones from more manufacturers, too. That doesn't make the iPhone 5 perfect or Android phones necessarily inferior.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Good for you, but I don't care.

I know. You're a fanboy. What do you care about except for negative Apple PR?

There's also more kinds of Android phones from more manufacturers, too. That doesn't make the iPhone 5 perfect or Android phones necessarily inferior.

From an OS perspective, Android itself has many issues. iOS is still more polished. You can argue about how it's a grid of icons or whatever, but iOS has a very cleaned up.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/09/18/ux-things-i-hate-about-android/

This article details JellyBean issues. I've noticed at least a couple like the Gtalk button that does nothing, different app icon sizes, contact photos looking like ass, inconsistent menu button location, etc.

4.2 has the vibration issue where in-app vibration is completely ignored. Gchat and Gmail all vibrate in vibrate mode now despite not doing so in 4.1 and obeying the in-app vibrate settings.

On top of that let's not talk about how everyday is a different beast. Sometimes apps remain open. Sometimes GPS continues to drain battery long after Maps has closed. Sometimes Facebook gets stuck syncing. You can blame the apps themselves, but there's also a part of the OS that isn't very good at battery management unless you spend the effort.

I understand iOS lacks features we have in Android. I can't backup my Temple Run progress easily. I can't have fancy widgets. I can't customize the hell out of my lock screen. These are inherent limitations in the OS itself, but it's not so much a lack of polish.

So yeah, it's inconsistency, bad design, etc that continues to plague Android. We've come a long way since 2.x, but Android 4.x was what Android should have been. It's like a fresh start like when Apple was at iOS 1. 6 years later it's a very polished OS, but Google still needs some time to clean up 4.x.



Warning for using the term fanboy. Dlerium, please don't do it again.
Moderator PM

 

[zsdersw]

I know. You're a fanboy.

Stop talking about yourself.. no one cares.

From an OS perspective, Android itself has many issues. iOS is still more polished. You can argue about how it's a grid of icons or whatever, but iOS has a very cleaned up.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/09/18/ux-things-i-hate-about-android/

This article details JellyBean issues. I've noticed at least a couple like the Gtalk button that does nothing, different app icon sizes, contact photos looking like ass, inconsistent menu button location, etc.

4.2 has the vibration issue where in-app vibration is completely ignored. Gchat and Gmail all vibrate in vibrate mode now despite not doing so in 4.1 and obeying the in-app vibrate settings.

On top of that let's not talk about how everyday is a different beast. Sometimes apps remain open. Sometimes GPS continues to drain battery long after Maps has closed. Sometimes Facebook gets stuck syncing. You can blame the apps themselves, but there's also a part of the OS that isn't very good at battery management unless you spend the effort.

I understand iOS lacks features we have in Android. I can't backup my Temple Run progress easily. I can't have fancy widgets. I can't customize the hell out of my lock screen. These are inherent limitations in the OS itself, but it's not so much a lack of polish.

So yeah, it's inconsistency, bad design, etc that continues to plague Android. We've come a long way since 2.x, but Android 4.x was what Android should have been. It's like a fresh start like when Apple was at iOS 1. 6 years later it's a very polished OS, but Google still needs some time to clean up 4.x.

You said there's far more issues with Android phones, not Android. A list of Android glitches/quirks is a comment on a topic no one raised in this thread.

 

[gorcorps]

Has anybody that complains about micro-USB actually spent the money to get a good one? You can't complain when your $5 cable breaks... it was made cheap. Spend the $15-20 on a cable like Apple charges and you'll find some much better cables.

 

[Ichinisan]

Has anybody that complains about micro-USB actually spent the money to get a good one? You can't complain when your $5 cable breaks... it was made cheap. Spend the $15-20 on a cable like Apple charges and you'll find some much better cables.

I don't care much about the durability of the cable (and even some nice ones have quickly gone bad). I care about the durability of the port on the device.

 

[Phokus]

Meh, i buy my micro-usb cables from ebay for 99 cents each, haven't had a problem yet.

 

[Red Storm]

Meh, i buy my micro-usb cables from ebay for 99 cents each, haven't had a problem yet.

Me either.