Apple should be fined for still using proprietary port

[bignateyk]

the thing is micro USB isn't designed to deliver much power, it's alright for a phone but not so much for a tablet (it'll charge but slower) so it makes more sense to go with a single proprietary connector for all their devices rather than fragmenting the connectors in their own product line.

A cable is a cable assuming they are the same AWG, which basically all phone cables are. The thing controlling how much power is delivered is the wall adapter, which will take any standard USB cable, whether it's an apple cable, micro or mini USB, etc...

 

[Ichinisan]

Didn't even finish reading the first post.

• Lightning is FAR more durable than microUSB.
• Lightning standardizes more than the USB interface. Apple uses it for lots of special adapters.
• Lightning supports signaling a charger's output capability be modifying voltage / resistance on the data lines.
• Lightning is reversible.
• A microUSB-to-Lightning adapter is available.

 

[OCGuy]

Nobody will ever accuse me of being an Apple fan....

But you want Apple to stop selling something that people line up to purchase, because it inconveniences you?

I'm the asshole in my house, because my stupid Galaxy charger has to be on hand. She asks my why my phone cant use the same cord as her iPad, Iphone, and iPod.

 

[DesiPower]

Don't buy their product?

Did you read OP? we did not "buy" any Apple products. Nor do I EVER plan to, now my kids, when they grow up, might want the "hip-n-cool" crap, then I will try to persuade them to think otherwise but I will not force them.

 

[wholesalestunna]

I've used mini/micro USB cables for years and never had any issue. The crap iphone cable I had broke after a year.

I've never really had trouble with either... except the one that I scraped all the insulation off of. Not sure how I did that.

 

[xBiffx]

Micro USB is too difficult for the typical Apple user. Apple didn't have a choice if they are going to continue to market to the least common denominator.

 

[lxskllr]

Did you read OP? we did not "buy" any Apple products. Nor do I EVER plan to, now my kids, when they grow up, might want the "hip-n-cool" crap, then I will try to persuade them to think otherwise but I will not force them.

I don't see what the problem is then. Don't buy stupid products, and teach your kids to be leaders, not followers. If they end up followers anyway, you did your part. All that can be asked of you is to teach. You're not obligated to enforce your teaching for things you don't control.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Stop buying their CRAP. All they do is lure you into lifetime worth of Apple products and limit your freedom to go elsewhere.

Haven't you noticed? This was a newsflash 10 years ago....

 

[sdifox]

Did you read OP? we did not "buy" any Apple products. Nor do I EVER plan to, now my kids, when they grow up, might want the "hip-n-cool" crap, then I will try to persuade them to think otherwise but I will not force them.

You don't like their product, don't buy it. You don't get to bitch about their design since you don't own the company. Actually, no, you get to bitch about it, that is all you get to do.


So RAGE ON!

 

[DesiPower]

You don't like their product, don't buy it. You don't get to bitch about their design since you don't own the company. Actually, no, you get to bitch about it, that is all you get to do.


So RAGE ON!

Thanks for your approval, this thread was incomplete without it. No go count to potato

 

[Ksyder]

LOL fined - by who?

Is it annoying? Yes - but not worth crying over.

Actually-

http://www.technobuffalo.com/2013/09/29/microusb-mandatory-european-union/

I don't know about a fine but the EU has been on about this for awhile due to the chargers ending up as e-waste.

 

[wholesalestunna]

Stop buying their CRAP. All they do is lure you into lifetime worth of Apple products and limit your freedom to go elsewhere.

Have you noticed? This was a newsflash 10 years ago....

But their stuff is so nice and shiny....

 

[Ichinisan]

... Anyways I ended up buying 2 cables for $2.35 on ebay, will get them next week, I bought it because I know the same situation will arise again during Christmas...
...

Stick with MFi-certified cables. I have used cheap accessories that trashed my devices or caused serious issues. I was searching desperately for cheap Lightning cables online and bought one of the first that was available. The seller used pictures of an authentic / original apple cable, but the product I received was different. The connector itself looked so poorly made that I was afraid to connect it for even a moment.

I've had lots of counterfeit "ultra compact" USB chargers. Some were obvious fakes, and others were indistinguishable. I had to thrown my legit chargers away after finding out how dangerous the fakes were (because I couldn't tell them apart). Two of the chargers I gave to friends burned up and could have caused a house fire. Depending on where you used them, some of the fake chargers would completely disable the touch screen while they were connected to any device (even Android phones). After reading some teardown blog posts from electrical engineers, I'm now going to be extra vigilant in selecting quality charging accessories.

/lameminirant

You got THAT right!

 

[wholesalestunna]

Actually-

http://www.technobuffalo.com/2013/09/29/microusb-mandatory-european-union/

I don't know about a fine but the EU has been on about this for awhile due to the chargers ending up as e-waste.

Interesting..........

 

[DesiPower]

Actually-

http://www.technobuffalo.com/2013/09/29/microusb-mandatory-european-union/

I don't know about a fine but the EU has been on about this for awhile due to the chargers ending up as e-waste.

Yeah, iirc, Europeans do not get chargers with phones by default anymore, they have to ask for it...

 

[xBiffx]

But their stuff is so nice and shiny....

Yep, your typical Apple consumer....

Kudos to those who know the line.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Stick with MFi-certified cables. I have used cheap accessories that trashed my devices or caused serious issues. I was searching desperately for cheap Lightning cables online and bought one of the first that was available. The seller used pictures of an authentic / original apple cable, but the product I received was different. The connector itself looked so poorly made that I was afraid to connect it for even a moment.

I've had lots of counterfeit "ultra compact" USB chargers. Some were obvious fakes, and others were indistinguishable. I had to thrown my legit chargers away after finding out how dangerous the fakes were (because I couldn't tell them apart). Two of the chargers I gave to friends burned up and could have caused a house fire. Depending on where you used them, some of the fake chargers would completely disable the touch screen while they were connected to any device (even Android phones). After reading some teardown blog posts from electrical engineers, I'm now going to be extra vigilant in selecting quality charging accessories.


You got THAT right!

Do you own Monster cables too?

:biggrin:

 

[Broheim]

Bullshit. 2A is 2A whether delivered over Apple's bullshit cable or over microUSB.

Apple's thing is non-conformity through conformity. It's the hipster way.

if I remember correctly then anything over 1.8A is technically out of spec for USB 2 whereas lightening can provide 2.1A at least (the connector can probably provide more).

 

[mugs]

As much as I hate that Apple uses a non-standard cable, I'll take Lightning over MicroUSB or MiniUSB any day of the week. The connector is superior to pretty much every computer cable ever made because it's bi-directional.

I bought a couple of extra cables so I can keep one at my computer, one in my car, and one plugged into the wall.

 

[JackBurton]

As much as I hate that Apple uses a non-standard cable, I'll take Lightning over MicroUSB or MiniUSB any day of the week. The connector is superior to pretty much every computer cable ever made because it's bi-directional.

I bought a couple of extra cables so I can keep one at my computer, one in my car, and one plugged into the wall.

Exactly.

 

[lxskllr]

The connector is superior to pretty much every computer cable ever made because it's bi-directional.

It's inferior because it's proprietary. All hardware should be open, but at the very least, core peripherals like cables should have open standards, and be freely available to everyone. It's a blatant money grab by Apple(shocker!)

 

[Fingolfin269]

As much as I hate that Apple uses a non-standard cable, I'll take Lightning over MicroUSB or MiniUSB any day of the week. The connector is superior to pretty much every computer cable ever made because it's bi-directional.

I bought a couple of extra cables so I can keep one at my computer, one in my car, and one plugged into the wall.

I hate proprietary as much as the next guy but I agree this cable is superior to the Micro/MiniUSB. My fingers are now burning.

 

[alkemyst]

As much as I hate that Apple uses a non-standard cable, I'll take Lightning over MicroUSB or MiniUSB any day of the week. The connector is superior to pretty much every computer cable ever made because it's bi-directional.

I bought a couple of extra cables so I can keep one at my computer, one in my car, and one plugged into the wall.

QFT...

Then IMHO I wish every non-mobile device had the ability for a replaceable cable that locked.

My Eye-one's USB cable got cut and there is no service option available. I am looking at a $200 replacement cost over what's probably a .10 cable unless I take it all apart and fix it which isn't worth my time the 3-4 times a year I use it max.

 

[mmntech]

Apple has always LOVED proprietary ports. It really pissed me off when they went from the 30pin Dock Connector to the "Lightning" port. Yeah, it makes the phone thinner but also made everybody's docks and accessories obsolete.

 

[gorcorps]

The old 30-pin apple port was annoying. The new lightning connector is well thought out and is the better option anyway. I actually wish they'd license it out and maybe we'd start seeing it on other devices.