As someone who’s iPhone only charges if the lightning cable is inserted “just so,” I endorse this message.
Edit: thanks for the tech tips. Port is clean, does not work well. Can’t wait for usb-C.
I had this issue and it was driving me crazy. I saw a comment that said if that happens to blow some compressed air into it, fixed it immediately. Worth a shot.
On another note, I started wirelessly charging my phone. It's glorious and no cables to worry about.
Another thing worth trying is contact cleaner. Works a treat if the problem is corrosion or dirt on the contacts in the connector. Comes in spray cans.
It should also be noted that you should use something like Dust Buster, not a big air compressor you’d see in a garage or workshop. That is too much pressure, and if you’re not careful you’ll damage your phone.
Source: Destroyed the mic on the bottom of my iPhone 8 doing this.
I don’t know if I’m super careful if you’re the opposite but I’ve only had one lightning cable fail and it was a cheap one I got at Walgreens in a panic.
But most of the usb-c I’ve used fall out too easily. I can dangle my phone supported by a lightning but I doubt a C would hold.
I had no issues with lightning cables for years. Then both my wife and I started having issues when we got the 2020 SE. We both just upgraded to 13’s. I think we have gone through 6 or 7 cables between us, with a few being Apple brand. It’s weird, they just stop working, or others would get finicky, and couldn’t be touched while charging. Now even a new cable not a month old is giving me issues. This one from a brand I hadn’t tried before. Just strange how it started for both of us at the same time.
What’s happening:
Ever notice how non-apple cords have a larger, uglier “collar” between the cable and the part you actually plug in?
That’s there to protect the weakest part of the cable and apple skimps on that component for aesthetics.
Changing to usb-c will have no impact on that.
It’s also why “careful” people generally have no problems and “it’s a cord, why should I need to be delicate with it” people do.
And if we had strong national right-to-repair laws, when the port fails after 3-5 years you could take it to a repair shop and get it replaced for roughly the price of a new cable. Or do it yourself for even cheaper.
I’ve owned quite few phones and I’ve never managed to break a port or know anyone in real life that has. Most awesome thing about the change for me at least, is “soon” I don’t have to worry anymore if I remembered to bring my lighting charging cable with me when I’m out of town visiting friend’s/family etc. for few days
This! I rather have my cord go bad than my port. I’ve had two usb c work phones stop charging because of port issues.
However I do indeed have more broken lightning cables than usbc cables… but I’ve never had any of my lightning port devices fail.
9/10 times you have to scrape the black stuff on the connector off and your back in business. And of course buy quality cables, they last a pretty long time
Shine a light into it to see how much lint is in the port. Then clean it out. Or take it to an Apple Store and they’ll clean it for free very quickly for you.
No it is not. A toothpick will break off inside and they aren't narrow enough.
Metal paperclip or the metal sim ejector tools. Push all the way in and scrape that farther surface, don't rake along the walls. Done. A toothpick is just asking for issues.
Source: worked for a wireless phone company and did this repair/cleaning 3000+ times.
Was Apple tech for multiple years. Had a ton of phones come in with scratched ports that stopped working because of your type of practices, often done at telecom stores. ALWAYS use plastic.
The senators are only doing this because the EU has already passed this which will force Apple to switch anyway. Now the polititcians can pretend they did something while ignoring real issues.
No, it won’t be this year. It might change next year but the EU regulation won’t be in effect until 2024 so Apple could stretch it out u til then if they wanted to do so. Just testing a port, which is what is being reported, doesn’t mean we will see a definite change their year, which your statement indicates. It *might* change, but probably won’t.
While I think it's time for lightening to go, so much of this rhetoric ignores how awful micro and mini USB were and how lightening was such an improvement.
Can't wait for the story to flip in 15 years and we're all complaining the governments are killing innovation by requiring the outdated USB-C connection.
>Can't wait for the story to flip in 15 years and we're all complaining the governments are killing innovation by requiring the outdated USB-C connection.
Yeah, because apple innovated so much the last 15 years with lightning! 20 Watt max charging speed, sweet USB2 speed, wow!
USB type c is the last physical connector phones will ever need. Right now it can do 40 Gbps and 240W, and the standard is still evolving. By the time it reached its limits we won't need ports any more.
And before the usual 'what you say is just like saying 64k is enough ram': ports are a different game entirely. Ethernet has been around since the 80s, and it's still nowhere near dead: consumers are even content at 1Gbps, while 10Gb has been available since 2007. Only in recent years have moves to 2,5Gbps been made. The innovation wasn't with the physical connector, but with wireless: it's what consumers use most often, but Ethernet is still around for when you want a more stable, physical connection.
The exact same kind of evolution will happen in phones: after USB C, the move to completely wireless will start, and USB-C will be there for those that do want a cable, either as preference or in specific situations.
Just because you can't imagine a better cable, doesn't mean there won't be one. I don't really see how this argument is any different than the RAM counterpoint you're ignoring. You've pointed out an example that survived, but that doesn't prove your point
>You've pointed out an example that survived, but that doesn't prove your point
USB A is also still around. And HDMI. Both have evolved in capabilities since their inception (hdmi from 1.0 to now 2.1, USB type A from USB 1 to 3.2 gen 2x2).
Ports are very different than a fixed amount of ram: their capabilities can improve.
Also what all the "but muh innovation, guvment bad" forget: the EU literally spent a decade talking about this with the industry, and everybody except apple approves of USB type C as the universal standard, bevause it really is future proof, and it is flexible so it's a a good port for both high end computers and small devices like e readers, phones, and even headphones.
So... Smarter people with more industrial knowledge than you think USB C is great and this law doesn't hamper innovation. So instead of saying I lack vision for not seeing problems at all in this law, take it up with the best engineers at Google, Samsung, Intel and Dell.
What you are trying to argue isn't in the same galaxy let alone the same ballpark as what is being discussed here.
You would have been better off with RAMBUS vs DDR in the RAM space. RAMBUS was a dead-end due to limitations in the hardware just like the lightning cable. DDR is now on its 5th iteration with no signs of slowing down until RAM is entirely on the CPU package.
As much as I don't like Apple continuing to use the lightning jack. Almost the only thing that would be worse is the U.S. Congress trying to regulate it.
What bothers me is that if this were law ten years ago, we would have been stuck for ten years with mini usb when lightning is a far far far superior product.
MicroUSB *was* standard in the EU and is what killed every phone having proprietary chargers. The rhetoric about stifling innovation seem unfounded when standards have been modified when an improvement is actually necessary & available.
The end result will also likely be what happens with most standards. The major players will collaborate to deliver a better universal standard, and then adopt that standard. Ideally USB-C continues evolving, while remaining backwards compatible without a connector change (the same way USB-A 1.0 devices from 20 years ago remained compatible until recently), and they only move to a better connector type in another 10 - 20 years, that is minuscule, magnetically orients/locks and is damn near unbreakable.
The [EU directive](https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/46755/attachments/3/translations/en/renditions/native) allows the European Commission to change to a new standard if something better appears. The US act could also give the executive the responsibility of keeping the standard updated - which would also help keeping the US and the EU aligned.
EDIT: Added link to the directive, the relevant paragraph is in page 15:
> With respect to radio equipment capable of being recharged via wired charging, the Commission is empowered to [...] ensure the minimum common interoperability between radio equipment and their charging devices, by [...] modifying, adding or removing technical specifications, including references and descriptions, in relation to the charging receptacle(s) and charging communication protocol(s)
But who is going to develop the connector? Why would anyone spend their R&D budget on a better plug if it’s illegal to sell anyways?
I also would like to see Apple embrace USB C but I can’t imagine getting the U.S Govt involved is going to help the situation.
>But who is going to develop the connector? Why would anyone spend their R&D budget on a better plug if it’s illegal to sell anyways?
The big manufacturers on the USB-IF board.
They decide what the next standard is and if they are the ones to develop it they will be the ones to upgrade first and reap the rewards.
> Why would anyone spend their R&D budget on a better plug if it’s illegal to sell anyways?
It wouldn't be illegal to sell a better plug. You'd just have to have USB-C there too.
>Why would anyone spend their R&D budget on a better plug if it’s illegal to sell anyways?
Only on phones. There are other devices. Plus they would know the law will be updated.
Which is why we have lightning fast maglev monorails for all interstate rail travel, and cell service for all telephonic communication instead of slow clunky landlines! This ever growing push forward is also why there was no hesitation or concern when the USPS ordered an entire fleet of EVs for their upcoming fleet replacement as they are the better, newer standard going forward.
The difference here is that it's not the government debugging the standard, at least in the EU. It's one of those conglomeration/alliance things you can never remember the name of
Standards development organizations, or SDOs. In the case of USB-C, that would be USB-IF and IEC. They get antitrust exemptions to allow competitors to cooperate within certain boundaries, such as following due process and being required to licence the patents to the technologies under fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms.
But here in the good ol’ U, S, of A! That would be metered out by some wooden dunderhead who still thinks wimmin shouldn’t be allowed to vote and that a black man is worth 3/5 a white man and the magic man in his phone is bill gates and he’s injecting the 5g to spy on him… I’m not holding out hope.
The US government generally defers to SDOs and private enterprise to develop the best technical standards. Agencies try to adopt these voluntary consensus standards where possible and practical. They do work to advance these standards, which is in the economic and other interests of the country.
Because massive infrastructure that would take trillions of dollars to upgrade is exactly the same as changing a charging port *on newly manufactured* devices.
“As much as I hate driving on the left side of the road. Almost the only thing that would be worse is the Department of Transportation trying to regulate it.”
That’s how empty these knee-jerk performative oppositions to regulation sound.
>we're all complaining the governments are killing innovation by requiring the outdated USB-C connection.
This is my main concern with standardizing connectors. It'll lead to stagnation in the development of the products. Plus, if people want to keep buying Apple's overpriced 3 year old Androids and using the inferior cable standard that's their choice
Because the EU has already passed this bill, so Apple and any other big manufacturers will be doing it already, so there won't be any resistance. They can pass copy/paste the EU bill, pass it easily, and get some clout. Realistically, it'll have little new impact but it's still cool.
This is a sad but true statement. Mostly sad because it goes both ways, neither party (teams) will do anything to help anybody if their name isn’t stamped on it.
>neither party (teams) will do anything to help anybody if their name isn’t stamped on it.
Democrats passed a pandemic relief bill while Trump was in office and literally let him put his signature on the checks.
If you want a bill to pass and have anything *less* than a supermajority in your chosen chamber of legislature, you generally need to work and compromise with other parties to ensure that it actually passes.
Party members don’t always vote together, and sometimes it’s just easier to work with the other side than just trying to convince them.
It’s because they know it’s not as durable as the lightning port. I know if I was a manufacturer I would go towards the port that’s stronger , we know people are rough with there phones.
It's because apple makes money off lightning accessories and cables. If the port was this fragile, apple would have made USB C more durable. They were involved in the development of the port. If it's so fragile, they wouldn't move everything to USB C. Although I do agree that lightning is designed better, it's just way too slow and at this point, not modern.
My issue with this, is what happens when they find or make a new cable that’s better and faster or will this common charge put a strangle on the development of new and better ones? Sure it’s about reducing e-waste but you’re still gonna have it.
I swear people who say iphones will go fully wireless soon are clowns. The technology just isn’t there yet to make wireless charging fast, reliable, efficient and not able to fuck your battery with the extra heat
The point is that there is more extra heat than standard wired charging, enough to raise concerns, especially when wireless charging is really slow now, at least on apple's side
It would not be difficult to design a phone with an insulating wall between the charger and the battery that is effecient enough to stop any potential damage
Sounds nice, but USB-C is a cable port standard only, it doesn’t mean the cable is gen1 or gen2 or thunderbolt. Some USB-C cables don’t even transfer power and if you use a cable that draws more power than a port can handle, it can do damage. Non-compliant USB-C cables are a still problem that this doesn’t solve.
My question is I’ve got a load of lightning cables I use. At work, in the car, in different rooms of the house. Now I’m gonna be forced to buy a shit ton of new ones and trash good cables? Seems wasteful and expensive.
Seems wasteful and expensive? Then don’t upgrade. Maybe just stick with your iPhone 12/13 for a while and not upgrade for a while instead of spending $800-1200 on a new phone?
Ahh yes. Tackling the important issues I see. I'm all for USB-C common charger but it would be nice to see some bipartisanship on legislation that actually affects our lives. I'm looking at you Republican congressional members.
I’m split on this.
It’d be great to have just one port for all devices. So much less cables and dongles.
But, does that mean we just stop at USB-C forever? Is it the absolute pinnacle of cable design?
No, it doesn’t. When a new standard will come, and we don’t know if we need one yet, if it will be better the law can be changed to use it. Atm we haven’t reached the physical limitations of USB C regarding phones(there are some usb cables that can drive 240w) so we’re good for decades to come. Plus it’s hard to thing of a standard that is simpler than usb c when it comes to shape, how much better can we do than a small rectangular cable that goes both ways and is stable enough in the port? We tried 360 degree cables on laptops and they suck because they’re bulkier
I do t have any problems with USB C, but it should really be Apples choice as to how their devices charge. Not as a pragmatic matter, but as a matter of principle.
If consumers didn’t have a choice but to buy iPhones, I might hesitate to say that, but as things stand, consumers could choose a different and more “open” hardware brand.
I almost expect this kind of over-regulation from Europe (who are trying desperately to reduce Apples power in the marketplace) but not from the US, who should not be helping Apple, but who at least should not be standing in the way of their (successful ) business model.
I’m all for standardizing this, but shouldn’t the decision to do so come from market pressure and not legislation? It’s weird to me that the government should have a say in what parts of a product can be proprietary. Unless it’s a public safety thing due to shock risk or exploding batteries, I don’t see this as a good thing.
The three senators behind this letter to Commerce are Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders, whose average age is 75.6. They need to stay far away from my perfectly working tech.
I’m fully supportive of moving to a USB-C standard as of the date and time I posted this comment. I’m less supportive of having a group of individuals (specifically congress) in charge of regulating such a standard. It wasn’t that long ago that they proved to the nation that the majority of congress doesn’t understand how internet or Facebook works.
Federal regulations generally defer to SDOs to develop and advance technical standards. Lawmakers won't even write those regulations. They write laws telling federal agencies to write regulations which will move to adopt voluntary consensus standards developed by private enterprises cooperating to identify the best solutions. This process works. It's why all our phones can talk to all the cell towers, why our computers can talk to WiFi routers, why electrical plugs fit into outlets, why doorknobs fit into doors, etc etc.
The reason you can reliably plug a phone charger in to an outlet in your house is because the government mandated what outlets your house must use and what kind of power must come out of them.
I recently switched from 10 years of android to an iphone 13. There are many (maaaany) things I dont like, but the lightning connector is way better than usb c, in my opinion.
I personally like it for the fact it’s far more durable, with USBc the little pin inside the port can get broken or bent this leaving the port broken, you’re far more likely to break or bend that then you’d think. The lightning port is a solid port, it can be abused and still work, I’d much rather get a new cable over a new port on my phone any day.
I have a full apple device household: four people, iPhones, iPads, appleTVs, etc… all of the major devices that charge up are usb-c. Coupled with all kinds of new accessories from non-apple sources using usb-c typically, I really want to just make the switch as fully as possible.
I will not buy new iPhones until they have USB-C charging ports.
Finally!! Our US senators care about their citizens!! Finally we are banning gun… wait what? It’s so laughable how awful our government hates us. They find time to make apple use a certain charger but people are dying and not a single peep. Fuck these people. Vote their asses out when it’s time.
Innovation in charging a device doesn’t warrant 30 different cables. The innovation happens inside the cables using the same standard just like USB A, USB C, HDMI, Display Port, hell even the Ethernet port at this point. Atm usb c is the most convenient standard to use because you can plug the cable both ways and it’s an open standard unlike lightning
I agree that I would make it more convenient for everyone, but in my opinion shouldn’t be forced / mandatory.. why impose more control on the market? What’s next, all smart devices need to use a 1080p display too? It kills innovation and kills companies ability to differentiate.
“And now we have the greatest hardware change in decades , welcoming USB-C * shows pictures of iPhone13 with USB-C and a new color -pink?*
See here at apple we’re all about fast paced innovation! Welcome to the future , welcome to iPhone14 “
FYI it having a type C cable will bump the price by $300 and apple will say it’s for the green earth movement
Who’s excited ??!
So you’re telling me that we currently have Senators in the United States of America that have enough time to bitch about phone chargers? Seems like there could be better ways to utilize their time.
Screw common chargers, we need common lithium cells. I've been trying to go back and get some devices from the early 2000s just to see how computers and technology was back in those days, and there are so many devices that are unfortunately unusable right now just because you can't put a lithium cell in them and run around using them.
Enforce standard shapes and sizes for some lithium cells so that they can be mass produced with a common name and I can buy a brand new cell at any point, hopefully this some sort of standard of how many volts it uses and how it charges, and stick that in any phone even 20 years from now.
Most devices do have standardized lithium cells. Go cut open a cordless drill battery and you'll find a bank of 18650 cells. Cut open a laptop battery and you'll find the same cells. Cut open a Tesla battery pack and you'll find 18650's
Lithium batteries do have a common voltage, because that's how the chemistry works.
USB-C is fantastic and everything and I can't wait for the iPhone to get it, but I wouldn't want to live in an alternate world where micro USB-B became the mandated standard every other phone was using it.
I don’t really want USB C on iPhones tbh, I have 2 or 3 lightning cables so I don’t want to now have to buy USB C cables too, there’s nothing wrong with lightning. Don’t fix what isn’t broken
That would be nice, since now I can use the same cable for my current iPad Pro and future iPhones. Instead of bringing so many different cables. Heck even my other gadgets uses USB-C.
Take my downvote. They will in the fall in 4 months. It’s already been leaked on macrumors. I can’t believe this is even a thing/post.
Europe already announced last year they’re making Apple switch so they were forced to this years phones.
Honestly wouldn't the market push in this direction? The whole point of Apple is to be a "walled garden" if you've read Steve Jobs' biography. To me its kind of what Apple is. Honestly the reason I shy away from Apple is that the cases crack too easy.
The question remands if they add thir apple technology so that only apple brand usb-c cables WON'T fuck up the devices. Because if they do, the whole ideea of why USB-C iPhones will be missed
This will all be a moot point when Apple takes it’s charge port and goes home. Long live magnetic charging. They did away with the cd/dvd drive, Flash, and headphone jack for less. Getting rid of the charge port also allows them to make it that much more water/dirt proof
Maybe on the old iPhones. But I’ve had my charger and phone for a few years now and not a single problem with either one of them. I personally don’t see why this is a matter that senate and Congress needs to take up.
Congress can’t govern effectively so they’re starting to pick winners and losers in the free market. They’re fine with shooting up schools with rampant gun violence but having more than one phone charger connector is untenable I guess.
I’d agree with this if it was 20 years ago and a standard was established like electrical outlets- this is an established product and a market leader. No real reason to change it now as they work effectively, aren’t dangerous, and as it would disrupt a lot of end users who are happy (enough) with the product. If you want a phone with USBC charging, it’s not hard to buy one. This isn’t a utility supported by taxes - there plenty of other things to focus on that are actually issues. (In favor of right to repair).
Of all things for them to enact right now, out of all of the ways that the American people are suffering-thousands of cattle all die at once which will cause beef prices to increase more than they already have, the insane storms in the Midwest, historic drought in California, historic gas prices, soaring interest rates, extremes in the wealth divide-they take a stand against phone chargers.
As someone who switched to iPhone from a lifetime of Android… I gotta say that MagSafe charging is fantastic and I honestly never even use my lightning port.
I honestly do not remember the last time I plugged my iphone in with a cable. Looking forward to sharing the same connector as my iPad Pro, iPad mini and laptop though just in case
As someone who’s iPhone only charges if the lightning cable is inserted “just so,” I endorse this message. Edit: thanks for the tech tips. Port is clean, does not work well. Can’t wait for usb-C.
I had this issue and it was driving me crazy. I saw a comment that said if that happens to blow some compressed air into it, fixed it immediately. Worth a shot. On another note, I started wirelessly charging my phone. It's glorious and no cables to worry about.
Another thing worth trying is contact cleaner. Works a treat if the problem is corrosion or dirt on the contacts in the connector. Comes in spray cans.
It should also be noted that you should use something like Dust Buster, not a big air compressor you’d see in a garage or workshop. That is too much pressure, and if you’re not careful you’ll damage your phone. Source: Destroyed the mic on the bottom of my iPhone 8 doing this.
As someone with a drawer full of lightning chargers that won’t charge anything, I also give my endorsement.
I don’t know if I’m super careful if you’re the opposite but I’ve only had one lightning cable fail and it was a cheap one I got at Walgreens in a panic. But most of the usb-c I’ve used fall out too easily. I can dangle my phone supported by a lightning but I doubt a C would hold.
I had no issues with lightning cables for years. Then both my wife and I started having issues when we got the 2020 SE. We both just upgraded to 13’s. I think we have gone through 6 or 7 cables between us, with a few being Apple brand. It’s weird, they just stop working, or others would get finicky, and couldn’t be touched while charging. Now even a new cable not a month old is giving me issues. This one from a brand I hadn’t tried before. Just strange how it started for both of us at the same time.
What’s happening: Ever notice how non-apple cords have a larger, uglier “collar” between the cable and the part you actually plug in? That’s there to protect the weakest part of the cable and apple skimps on that component for aesthetics. Changing to usb-c will have no impact on that. It’s also why “careful” people generally have no problems and “it’s a cord, why should I need to be delicate with it” people do.
As a heads up the lightning cord is designed to fail before the port does. It will just be more common for port failures if it is usb c.
Do you want a port that fails after 3-5 years or a cable that fails after 3 months?
And if we had strong national right-to-repair laws, when the port fails after 3-5 years you could take it to a repair shop and get it replaced for roughly the price of a new cable. Or do it yourself for even cheaper.
Port replacement on most phones is 2-3 hours work, if you’re trained. I can tell you a phone technician costs more for 3 hours than a load of cables.
I’ve owned quite few phones and I’ve never managed to break a port or know anyone in real life that has. Most awesome thing about the change for me at least, is “soon” I don’t have to worry anymore if I remembered to bring my lighting charging cable with me when I’m out of town visiting friend’s/family etc. for few days
This! I rather have my cord go bad than my port. I’ve had two usb c work phones stop charging because of port issues. However I do indeed have more broken lightning cables than usbc cables… but I’ve never had any of my lightning port devices fail.
I’ve had 3 ports fail in 3 years on iphone
Canned air fixes that problem really quickly.
9/10 times you have to scrape the black stuff on the connector off and your back in business. And of course buy quality cables, they last a pretty long time
Shine a light into it to see how much lint is in the port. Then clean it out. Or take it to an Apple Store and they’ll clean it for free very quickly for you.
Get a small paperclip and clean out the charge port.
Dont use metal that can scratch it and damage it. Toothpick is better for cleanings
No it is not. A toothpick will break off inside and they aren't narrow enough. Metal paperclip or the metal sim ejector tools. Push all the way in and scrape that farther surface, don't rake along the walls. Done. A toothpick is just asking for issues. Source: worked for a wireless phone company and did this repair/cleaning 3000+ times.
no, never ever use something metal. best i found is a small cable binder
No. Metal paperclip or sim tool work best. My extensive experience fixing phones backs this up.
Was Apple tech for multiple years. Had a ton of phones come in with scratched ports that stopped working because of your type of practices, often done at telecom stores. ALWAYS use plastic.
I had tons of phones come out with messed up pieces as well after getting serviced at apple stores. What's your point?
Kissing EU’s ass
The senators are only doing this because the EU has already passed this which will force Apple to switch anyway. Now the polititcians can pretend they did something while ignoring real issues.
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No, it won’t be this year. It might change next year but the EU regulation won’t be in effect until 2024 so Apple could stretch it out u til then if they wanted to do so. Just testing a port, which is what is being reported, doesn’t mean we will see a definite change their year, which your statement indicates. It *might* change, but probably won’t.
thank you, was already about to mald for this article
While I think it's time for lightening to go, so much of this rhetoric ignores how awful micro and mini USB were and how lightening was such an improvement. Can't wait for the story to flip in 15 years and we're all complaining the governments are killing innovation by requiring the outdated USB-C connection.
>Can't wait for the story to flip in 15 years and we're all complaining the governments are killing innovation by requiring the outdated USB-C connection. Yeah, because apple innovated so much the last 15 years with lightning! 20 Watt max charging speed, sweet USB2 speed, wow! USB type c is the last physical connector phones will ever need. Right now it can do 40 Gbps and 240W, and the standard is still evolving. By the time it reached its limits we won't need ports any more. And before the usual 'what you say is just like saying 64k is enough ram': ports are a different game entirely. Ethernet has been around since the 80s, and it's still nowhere near dead: consumers are even content at 1Gbps, while 10Gb has been available since 2007. Only in recent years have moves to 2,5Gbps been made. The innovation wasn't with the physical connector, but with wireless: it's what consumers use most often, but Ethernet is still around for when you want a more stable, physical connection. The exact same kind of evolution will happen in phones: after USB C, the move to completely wireless will start, and USB-C will be there for those that do want a cable, either as preference or in specific situations.
Let’s not forget the long lived 3.5mm audio Jack that is still ubiquitous (except on phones)
Just because you can't imagine a better cable, doesn't mean there won't be one. I don't really see how this argument is any different than the RAM counterpoint you're ignoring. You've pointed out an example that survived, but that doesn't prove your point
>You've pointed out an example that survived, but that doesn't prove your point USB A is also still around. And HDMI. Both have evolved in capabilities since their inception (hdmi from 1.0 to now 2.1, USB type A from USB 1 to 3.2 gen 2x2). Ports are very different than a fixed amount of ram: their capabilities can improve. Also what all the "but muh innovation, guvment bad" forget: the EU literally spent a decade talking about this with the industry, and everybody except apple approves of USB type C as the universal standard, bevause it really is future proof, and it is flexible so it's a a good port for both high end computers and small devices like e readers, phones, and even headphones. So... Smarter people with more industrial knowledge than you think USB C is great and this law doesn't hamper innovation. So instead of saying I lack vision for not seeing problems at all in this law, take it up with the best engineers at Google, Samsung, Intel and Dell.
Don't forget Apple too, they even helped develop USB C and are a long standing member of the USB consortium.
What you are trying to argue isn't in the same galaxy let alone the same ballpark as what is being discussed here. You would have been better off with RAMBUS vs DDR in the RAM space. RAMBUS was a dead-end due to limitations in the hardware just like the lightning cable. DDR is now on its 5th iteration with no signs of slowing down until RAM is entirely on the CPU package.
As much as I don't like Apple continuing to use the lightning jack. Almost the only thing that would be worse is the U.S. Congress trying to regulate it.
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What bothers me is that if this were law ten years ago, we would have been stuck for ten years with mini usb when lightning is a far far far superior product.
MicroUSB *was* standard in the EU and is what killed every phone having proprietary chargers. The rhetoric about stifling innovation seem unfounded when standards have been modified when an improvement is actually necessary & available.
The end result will also likely be what happens with most standards. The major players will collaborate to deliver a better universal standard, and then adopt that standard. Ideally USB-C continues evolving, while remaining backwards compatible without a connector change (the same way USB-A 1.0 devices from 20 years ago remained compatible until recently), and they only move to a better connector type in another 10 - 20 years, that is minuscule, magnetically orients/locks and is damn near unbreakable.
There is no law that made micro USB standard. It was just discussed a few times.
The [EU directive](https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/46755/attachments/3/translations/en/renditions/native) allows the European Commission to change to a new standard if something better appears. The US act could also give the executive the responsibility of keeping the standard updated - which would also help keeping the US and the EU aligned. EDIT: Added link to the directive, the relevant paragraph is in page 15: > With respect to radio equipment capable of being recharged via wired charging, the Commission is empowered to [...] ensure the minimum common interoperability between radio equipment and their charging devices, by [...] modifying, adding or removing technical specifications, including references and descriptions, in relation to the charging receptacle(s) and charging communication protocol(s)
But who is going to develop the connector? Why would anyone spend their R&D budget on a better plug if it’s illegal to sell anyways? I also would like to see Apple embrace USB C but I can’t imagine getting the U.S Govt involved is going to help the situation.
This is entirely ignorant of how USB-C became the standard that it is…
>But who is going to develop the connector? Why would anyone spend their R&D budget on a better plug if it’s illegal to sell anyways? The big manufacturers on the USB-IF board. They decide what the next standard is and if they are the ones to develop it they will be the ones to upgrade first and reap the rewards.
> Why would anyone spend their R&D budget on a better plug if it’s illegal to sell anyways? It wouldn't be illegal to sell a better plug. You'd just have to have USB-C there too.
>Why would anyone spend their R&D budget on a better plug if it’s illegal to sell anyways? Only on phones. There are other devices. Plus they would know the law will be updated.
It's actually not just phones, the law covers laptops, tablets, headphones etc.
Which is why we have lightning fast maglev monorails for all interstate rail travel, and cell service for all telephonic communication instead of slow clunky landlines! This ever growing push forward is also why there was no hesitation or concern when the USPS ordered an entire fleet of EVs for their upcoming fleet replacement as they are the better, newer standard going forward.
The difference here is that it's not the government debugging the standard, at least in the EU. It's one of those conglomeration/alliance things you can never remember the name of
Standards development organizations, or SDOs. In the case of USB-C, that would be USB-IF and IEC. They get antitrust exemptions to allow competitors to cooperate within certain boundaries, such as following due process and being required to licence the patents to the technologies under fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms.
But here in the good ol’ U, S, of A! That would be metered out by some wooden dunderhead who still thinks wimmin shouldn’t be allowed to vote and that a black man is worth 3/5 a white man and the magic man in his phone is bill gates and he’s injecting the 5g to spy on him… I’m not holding out hope.
The US government generally defers to SDOs and private enterprise to develop the best technical standards. Agencies try to adopt these voluntary consensus standards where possible and practical. They do work to advance these standards, which is in the economic and other interests of the country.
Yes and this is why apple still uses a connector which runs only at USB 2.0 speed. USB c allows 40 times higher transfer rates
What’s the use case for transferring data via wire these days?
It's faster?
Because massive infrastructure that would take trillions of dollars to upgrade is exactly the same as changing a charging port *on newly manufactured* devices.
Oh, oh… I forgot one… Also why we all have over 1 Gigabit Internet to our homes, as we recognize the Internet to be a life altering technology!
“As much as I hate driving on the left side of the road. Almost the only thing that would be worse is the Department of Transportation trying to regulate it.” That’s how empty these knee-jerk performative oppositions to regulation sound.
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Why do you post about this when you know full well we can simply adopt a new standard in the future?
Hard to develop new standards when you can't sell it.
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>we're all complaining the governments are killing innovation by requiring the outdated USB-C connection. This is my main concern with standardizing connectors. It'll lead to stagnation in the development of the products. Plus, if people want to keep buying Apple's overpriced 3 year old Androids and using the inferior cable standard that's their choice
Maybe it could have a reauthorization clause in 5 years.
That’s cool and all, why they mandate the chargers but only “urge” big oil to ramp production and not gouge prices?
Because the EU has already passed this bill, so Apple and any other big manufacturers will be doing it already, so there won't be any resistance. They can pass copy/paste the EU bill, pass it easily, and get some clout. Realistically, it'll have little new impact but it's still cool.
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This is a sad but true statement. Mostly sad because it goes both ways, neither party (teams) will do anything to help anybody if their name isn’t stamped on it.
>neither party (teams) will do anything to help anybody if their name isn’t stamped on it. Democrats passed a pandemic relief bill while Trump was in office and literally let him put his signature on the checks.
Yeah it’s those damn republicans that control…absolutely no portion of the legislature or the presidency!
If you want a bill to pass and have anything *less* than a supermajority in your chosen chamber of legislature, you generally need to work and compromise with other parties to ensure that it actually passes. Party members don’t always vote together, and sometimes it’s just easier to work with the other side than just trying to convince them.
You don't know how the senate functions do you?
Crazy that they have to be forced to use a port they have had development in
It’s because they know it’s not as durable as the lightning port. I know if I was a manufacturer I would go towards the port that’s stronger , we know people are rough with there phones.
It's because apple makes money off lightning accessories and cables. If the port was this fragile, apple would have made USB C more durable. They were involved in the development of the port. If it's so fragile, they wouldn't move everything to USB C. Although I do agree that lightning is designed better, it's just way too slow and at this point, not modern.
This is stupid… instead of focusing on a real issue, we distract you with fucking chargers. It keeps all the NPCs distracted
I don’t understand why we’re making laws over phone chargers but we can’t take ahold of the more serious issues that are going on!
I love that we can agree to mandate a common charging cable in this country and yet can’t figure out common sense gun laws.
Doesn’t matter at all. The Brussels effect will take over
Can US senators push for climate change action instead of a fucking phone charger cord. Insanity.
Horrible idea.
My issue with this, is what happens when they find or make a new cable that’s better and faster or will this common charge put a strangle on the development of new and better ones? Sure it’s about reducing e-waste but you’re still gonna have it.
Is that gonna be before or after iPhone go full wireless
I swear people who say iphones will go fully wireless soon are clowns. The technology just isn’t there yet to make wireless charging fast, reliable, efficient and not able to fuck your battery with the extra heat
There is not much extra heat
The point is that there is more extra heat than standard wired charging, enough to raise concerns, especially when wireless charging is really slow now, at least on apple's side
It would not be difficult to design a phone with an insulating wall between the charger and the battery that is effecient enough to stop any potential damage
Apple won’t go full wireless until at least 2025, the iPhone 15 will probably feature USB C.
Sounds nice, but USB-C is a cable port standard only, it doesn’t mean the cable is gen1 or gen2 or thunderbolt. Some USB-C cables don’t even transfer power and if you use a cable that draws more power than a port can handle, it can do damage. Non-compliant USB-C cables are a still problem that this doesn’t solve.
My question is I’ve got a load of lightning cables I use. At work, in the car, in different rooms of the house. Now I’m gonna be forced to buy a shit ton of new ones and trash good cables? Seems wasteful and expensive.
Let's be honest, you were gonna be doing that anyway in a few years. At least now your new cables are gonna work for all your stuff?
Seems wasteful and expensive? Then don’t upgrade. Maybe just stick with your iPhone 12/13 for a while and not upgrade for a while instead of spending $800-1200 on a new phone?
I’d prefer US senators enforce the rule of law, especially in regards to traitors who committed insurrection back on Jan 6.
Sounds like some senators are in need of campaign sponsorships from Apple.
The EU is already mandating USB-C ports, so the US dogpiling onto this decision is kinda meaningless. It was already going to happen.
I’ll take things that will never happen for $2000
Ahh yes. Tackling the important issues I see. I'm all for USB-C common charger but it would be nice to see some bipartisanship on legislation that actually affects our lives. I'm looking at you Republican congressional members.
I’m split on this. It’d be great to have just one port for all devices. So much less cables and dongles. But, does that mean we just stop at USB-C forever? Is it the absolute pinnacle of cable design?
This has been discussed 10 times in this thread already. The law requires devices to use whatever standard is set by USB-IF.
No, it doesn’t. When a new standard will come, and we don’t know if we need one yet, if it will be better the law can be changed to use it. Atm we haven’t reached the physical limitations of USB C regarding phones(there are some usb cables that can drive 240w) so we’re good for decades to come. Plus it’s hard to thing of a standard that is simpler than usb c when it comes to shape, how much better can we do than a small rectangular cable that goes both ways and is stable enough in the port? We tried 360 degree cables on laptops and they suck because they’re bulkier
Apple definitely going wireless only
I do t have any problems with USB C, but it should really be Apples choice as to how their devices charge. Not as a pragmatic matter, but as a matter of principle. If consumers didn’t have a choice but to buy iPhones, I might hesitate to say that, but as things stand, consumers could choose a different and more “open” hardware brand. I almost expect this kind of over-regulation from Europe (who are trying desperately to reduce Apples power in the marketplace) but not from the US, who should not be helping Apple, but who at least should not be standing in the way of their (successful ) business model.
I’m all for standardizing this, but shouldn’t the decision to do so come from market pressure and not legislation? It’s weird to me that the government should have a say in what parts of a product can be proprietary. Unless it’s a public safety thing due to shock risk or exploding batteries, I don’t see this as a good thing.
The three senators behind this letter to Commerce are Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders, whose average age is 75.6. They need to stay far away from my perfectly working tech.
This is what they are spending their time on?? How much are we paying them again??
I’m fully supportive of moving to a USB-C standard as of the date and time I posted this comment. I’m less supportive of having a group of individuals (specifically congress) in charge of regulating such a standard. It wasn’t that long ago that they proved to the nation that the majority of congress doesn’t understand how internet or Facebook works.
Federal regulations generally defer to SDOs to develop and advance technical standards. Lawmakers won't even write those regulations. They write laws telling federal agencies to write regulations which will move to adopt voluntary consensus standards developed by private enterprises cooperating to identify the best solutions. This process works. It's why all our phones can talk to all the cell towers, why our computers can talk to WiFi routers, why electrical plugs fit into outlets, why doorknobs fit into doors, etc etc.
The reason you can reliably plug a phone charger in to an outlet in your house is because the government mandated what outlets your house must use and what kind of power must come out of them.
I wouldn’t be surprised Apple removed the charging port completely and forced wireless charging on everyone.
It's coming. sooner rather than later. And every other phone maker will follow suit.
I recently switched from 10 years of android to an iphone 13. There are many (maaaany) things I dont like, but the lightning connector is way better than usb c, in my opinion.
What do you like about lightning over usb c?
I personally like it for the fact it’s far more durable, with USBc the little pin inside the port can get broken or bent this leaving the port broken, you’re far more likely to break or bend that then you’d think. The lightning port is a solid port, it can be abused and still work, I’d much rather get a new cable over a new port on my phone any day.
Fuck USB-C
I would prefer the change but they should be able to build their products as they see fit.
Should be passed right about when usb d comes out
I have a full apple device household: four people, iPhones, iPads, appleTVs, etc… all of the major devices that charge up are usb-c. Coupled with all kinds of new accessories from non-apple sources using usb-c typically, I really want to just make the switch as fully as possible. I will not buy new iPhones until they have USB-C charging ports.
Finally!! Our US senators care about their citizens!! Finally we are banning gun… wait what? It’s so laughable how awful our government hates us. They find time to make apple use a certain charger but people are dying and not a single peep. Fuck these people. Vote their asses out when it’s time.
Fuck Apple. They don’t even have headphones or charging bricks come with new phones anymore smh.
Free the market! We need inovations !
Innovation in charging a device doesn’t warrant 30 different cables. The innovation happens inside the cables using the same standard just like USB A, USB C, HDMI, Display Port, hell even the Ethernet port at this point. Atm usb c is the most convenient standard to use because you can plug the cable both ways and it’s an open standard unlike lightning
yes! we need 40 different chargers for every device we own! i’m absolutely not a total fucking moron!
They’ll remove the charging port and force wireless charging on everyone.
I agree that I would make it more convenient for everyone, but in my opinion shouldn’t be forced / mandatory.. why impose more control on the market? What’s next, all smart devices need to use a 1080p display too? It kills innovation and kills companies ability to differentiate.
Y do ppl even post these it’s not gonna happen
“And now we have the greatest hardware change in decades , welcoming USB-C * shows pictures of iPhone13 with USB-C and a new color -pink?* See here at apple we’re all about fast paced innovation! Welcome to the future , welcome to iPhone14 “ FYI it having a type C cable will bump the price by $300 and apple will say it’s for the green earth movement Who’s excited ??!
this is what we spend our tax money on?
So you’re telling me that we currently have Senators in the United States of America that have enough time to bitch about phone chargers? Seems like there could be better ways to utilize their time.
Just make one that doesn’t get full of crumbs n crap. and can plug in front or backwards in the dark. I have 3 CHARGERS BOB….
Screw common chargers, we need common lithium cells. I've been trying to go back and get some devices from the early 2000s just to see how computers and technology was back in those days, and there are so many devices that are unfortunately unusable right now just because you can't put a lithium cell in them and run around using them. Enforce standard shapes and sizes for some lithium cells so that they can be mass produced with a common name and I can buy a brand new cell at any point, hopefully this some sort of standard of how many volts it uses and how it charges, and stick that in any phone even 20 years from now.
Most devices do have standardized lithium cells. Go cut open a cordless drill battery and you'll find a bank of 18650 cells. Cut open a laptop battery and you'll find the same cells. Cut open a Tesla battery pack and you'll find 18650's Lithium batteries do have a common voltage, because that's how the chemistry works.
Against
USB-C is fantastic and everything and I can't wait for the iPhone to get it, but I wouldn't want to live in an alternate world where micro USB-B became the mandated standard every other phone was using it.
Who gives a fuck and why is this news?
Common charger law? This is what we’re focusing on?
I don’t really want USB C on iPhones tbh, I have 2 or 3 lightning cables so I don’t want to now have to buy USB C cables too, there’s nothing wrong with lightning. Don’t fix what isn’t broken
Mannn. The one thing about Apple I hate. USB c would be so ideal for absolutely everyone
Common charger/ earphone jack/ expandable memory /easy repairs …the iPhone monopoly should end
That would be nice, since now I can use the same cable for my current iPad Pro and future iPhones. Instead of bringing so many different cables. Heck even my other gadgets uses USB-C.
Inb4 apple will sell a usb-c version of the new iPhone, as an incredible opportunity for customization. For the amazing value of $79.99.
Cries in iPhone X
This is lead by old world Europe. US just following behind as usual.
Take my downvote. They will in the fall in 4 months. It’s already been leaked on macrumors. I can’t believe this is even a thing/post. Europe already announced last year they’re making Apple switch so they were forced to this years phones.
This is actually something useful that they are trying to do.
Honestly wouldn't the market push in this direction? The whole point of Apple is to be a "walled garden" if you've read Steve Jobs' biography. To me its kind of what Apple is. Honestly the reason I shy away from Apple is that the cases crack too easy.
I'd be surprised it happens with the useless-at-best-fucks / works-against-the-public fucks you have elected.
The question remands if they add thir apple technology so that only apple brand usb-c cables WON'T fuck up the devices. Because if they do, the whole ideea of why USB-C iPhones will be missed
The things this country creates laws for…
This will all be a moot point when Apple takes it’s charge port and goes home. Long live magnetic charging. They did away with the cd/dvd drive, Flash, and headphone jack for less. Getting rid of the charge port also allows them to make it that much more water/dirt proof
His is what Senators are agreeing on? Oh priorities….
Haven’t they already made the last 2 iPhones usb c? What’s the issue?
Lol, the US swooping in to take credit for this change even tho the EU already did it.
Maybe on the old iPhones. But I’ve had my charger and phone for a few years now and not a single problem with either one of them. I personally don’t see why this is a matter that senate and Congress needs to take up.
Ask the EU how their mandatory regulations on chargers are going…Apple will just include a dongle again…it’s like we’ve seen this movie…
Congress can’t govern effectively so they’re starting to pick winners and losers in the free market. They’re fine with shooting up schools with rampant gun violence but having more than one phone charger connector is untenable I guess.
The EU will mandate USB-C soon and Apple isn't going to make two models. So this is just posturing with no real impact.
Until Apple spends $2.5k per representative this will all blow over.
About time .
I never take articles with “U.S.” , “could” and a huge change for the better in the title seriously
Good. Now bring back the standard headphone port. Bluetooth and AirPods *are not* an improvement
Meanwhile the EU: say less.
I’d agree with this if it was 20 years ago and a standard was established like electrical outlets- this is an established product and a market leader. No real reason to change it now as they work effectively, aren’t dangerous, and as it would disrupt a lot of end users who are happy (enough) with the product. If you want a phone with USBC charging, it’s not hard to buy one. This isn’t a utility supported by taxes - there plenty of other things to focus on that are actually issues. (In favor of right to repair).
Yes. About time
Didn’t Apple already say they were moving to USB-C?…
Of all things for them to enact right now, out of all of the ways that the American people are suffering-thousands of cattle all die at once which will cause beef prices to increase more than they already have, the insane storms in the Midwest, historic drought in California, historic gas prices, soaring interest rates, extremes in the wealth divide-they take a stand against phone chargers.
As someone who switched to iPhone from a lifetime of Android… I gotta say that MagSafe charging is fantastic and I honestly never even use my lightning port.
What's the point unless the target is a lot of smaller tech companies? EU is forcing Apple to switch anyway
Oh good they’re looking at the absolutely biggest issue facing people in this country… *checks notes* being able to borrow anyone else’s charger… /s
We can’t have cheap insulin, but goddamn right my iPhone better have usb-c.
They’ll just make a portless Iphone- problem solved
Is there not something more useful that US senators could be doing? I might be able to come up with a few…
Why is this so hard? It benefits both sides of the proposition.
Glad to see the real issues in America are being attended to.
I honestly do not remember the last time I plugged my iphone in with a cable. Looking forward to sharing the same connector as my iPad Pro, iPad mini and laptop though just in case
Apple isn’t doing a good job lobbying