Pals, some good news: current stories counsel Apple will ditch the Lightning port and embrace USB-C on its devices from subsequent yr.
There’s an issue although. If this information is wonderful (which I’m sure it’s), then why do I really feel so unhappy?
Earlier than we try to unpack that mess, let’s suckle on just a little slice of context.
For the previous a number of years, the writing has been on the wall for Apple’s proprietary Lightning standard. Arguably, the most important driver behind this has been the EU, which has been pushing for a single smartphone charger normal throughout the union.
Apple, after all, fought again. It claimed that altering iPhone charging cables would lead to an enormous quantity of e-waste.
That is in all probability true, however the true cause the corporate’s reticent about switching to USB-C is that it’s certain to lose a piece of money not promoting its proprietary cables.
Nonetheless, Apple is nothing however pragmatic, and it is aware of it may well solely maintain out for therefore lengthy.
In truth, the change is already underway. The corporate has been slowly introducing USB-C into a few of its devices, with the MacBook, iPad Professional, iPad mini, and iPad Air all sporting the usual.
That is all nicely and good, however, symbolically, it’s the iPhone that’s most vital. If Apple’s flagship product has a USB-C port, it’ll sign that it has lastly cosigned Lightning to the trash heap.
1. Portless iPhone could trigger extra issues as a consequence of present limitations of wi-fi applied sciences & the immature MagSafe ecosystem.
2. Different Lightning port merchandise (e.g., AirPods, Magic Keyboard/Trackpad/Mouse, MagSafe Battery) would additionally change to USB-C within the foreseeable future. https://t.co/KD14TgBmtr— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) May 15, 2022
Most of us can agree that Apple gadgets having USB-C will likely be a superb factor. It means we’ll carry fewer cables and be freer to cost the iPhone after we need — not to mention all of the technical positives that shifting to a extra up-to-date format will deliver.
However, as I kind this, a tear is rolling down my face.
Look, I do know the Lightning connector isn’t that good. It’s a decade-old normal that has been left within the mud by USB-C. However you understand what? It’s my decade-old normal that has been left within the mud by USB-C.
There’s a passion I’ve in direction of the Lightning cable. I recall the enjoyment of it changing the dreaded 30-pin dock connector, the miraculousness of by no means having to flip the cable, of it slotting in each time. It was easy, elegant, and compact.
The approaching finish of the Lightning connector feels just a little like dropping a pet. Not a superb pet, thoughts, or one you notably favored, however one thing that was part of your life all the identical. Possibly a sibling’s carnival goldfish, or a snail they discovered within the backyard, or pet rock.
Time continues its merciless march.
Am I trying ahead to iPhones and AirPods and each different Apple product beneath the solar having USB-C ports? You betcha. It’s simpler and can ship me a greater expertise. However I’ll additionally need to pour one out for all of the years the Lightning cable has supported me.
When the change comes, it’ll be a superb day — and it’ll even be a nasty day. Actually, it’s the duality of humanity.
