Flashback: the Lightning connector was ahead of its time but is now obsolete

15 January 2023
The first devices with Lightning arrived several years before USB-C hit the scene - modern, sleek, reversible. But now it's almost time to say goodbye.

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Anonymous, 15 Jan 2023Wireless is the future,,, cables are obsolete Yes, because you have found a way to revive an unresponsive phone wirelessly. 10 years from now, wire will still be integral. Take that to the bank!

    "There are adapters, of course, but those are never ideal," yet they axed the 3.5mm jack on iPhones some 7 years ago and started selling adapters.

    Apple doesn't give a hoot about the inconvenience they'd cause to users. They simply care about their bottomline. Not just them, most companies do, but Apple is the torchbearer. The mentor. The patron of greedy companies.

      Lightning could've been the USB-C of today if Apple wasn't so greedy and didn't make it proprietary and let other OEMs use it royalty-free.

      Sure, USB-C is more universal but the fact remains that there's a slab/part sticking out in the middle that could break. Lightning doesn't have that problem. However, Apple made the cable itself too weak and easy to break.

      Apple cables are known for easily breaking whether its Lightning or USB-C because of the poor quality of materials they use on the cable itself. However, when other OEMs made their Lightning cables, they're more durable.

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        • Hyped
        • 0FS
        • 15 Jan 2023

        newflesh, 15 Jan 2023Everything where Apple has a hand is Bad. I've been pe... moreAndroid user myself, but...
        I've given my grandmother and android phone and she managed to screw it up on a weekly basis. Needed do drive and fix (teamviewer was an option, but she managed to delete the host 🥲)
        Decided to swap to an iphone, and it is 1 year and counting without any hiccups and problems.

        Just wanted to mention that people just buy things that work for them and saying that they are dumb is wrong. You dont know the reasons.

          Everything where Apple has a hand is Bad. I've been periodically using Macs and iPhones since 2007 and they always been horrible. Not the devices itself, mind you, they've got an excellent design. But their operating systems Suck. iOS is the worst ever and it just keeps getting worse. MacOs not far behind. I'll not even try explaining, if you know then you know what I mean. Windows and Android are light years better.

          But why are hundreds millions of people buying Apple products every year? Because people are dumb and can't think for themselves instead of what advertising tells them to.

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            • user
            • 3bk
            • 15 Jan 2023

            Unlike Micro USB and Type C, Lightning cables have always been unreliable

              Anonymous, 15 Jan 2023USB-C is better of course. That's why EU chose it over... moreMeaning, If not deployed USBc they ll send euro-fighter typhoon thats not an air dominance platform its air superiority.

              In english, USB is obsolete as its not ingress protection(IP68), all ports are subject to jamming as they are also antennas, typhon hates us because cant intercept Lightening which is TM of intel/Hotstar. wireless charging Mandalorian also cant do in andromeda galaxy.

              997

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                • Anonymous
                • KAp
                • 15 Jan 2023

                Anonymous, 15 Jan 2023No it’s not obsolete it’s just not universal. Technology-wi... moreUSB-C is better of course. That's why EU chose it over every other port. A big slap to apple's greedy face 🤡

                  Has anyone thought about a mini magsafe idea?

                    potato4k, 15 Jan 2023Lightning is not obsolete. It did support faster transfer s... moreLighting doesn't support no where near transfer rate as usb. Nor high wattage power supply. Neither is future proof but so unreliable and fragile. Stop the cap and get proper info.

                      Anonymous, 15 Jan 2023No it’s not obsolete it’s just not universal. Technology-wi... moreAll av ports are digital in the first place. So as type c. No wonder you're an Apple fanboy. Better than type c. Just sheer ignorance

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                        • Anonymous
                        • 3SI
                        • 15 Jan 2023

                        Anonymous, 15 Jan 2023No it’s not obsolete it’s just not universal. Technology-wi... moreConclusion: Apple should have made the Lightning port the USB C standard. But their greedy a** prevented them from doing so because licensing lightning made a lot of money.

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                          • Anonymous
                          • 3SI
                          • 15 Jan 2023

                          No it’s not obsolete it’s just not universal. Technology-wise, it’s still better than USB-C. It has
                          - a fully digital connection
                          - is easier to clean the port-
                          - has rounded corners and sides so it is easier to fit without scratching the device, including the metal ring around the port
                          - had no flimsy part in the middle that can break off
                          - still supports higher than USB 2, as seen with late home buttoned iPad Pros that support USB 3.0.

                          It’s a great port, arguably even better than USB-C, only problem is that it’s proprietary.

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                            • Anonymous
                            • 6kH
                            • 15 Jan 2023

                            Anonymous, 15 Jan 2023Wireless is the future,,, cables are obsolete Unlike wireless, wire has stability.
                            Wire can't be obsolete fully.

                              kek, 15 Jan 2023Honestly, this. Apple shot themselves on the footNo they didn't
                              It's all part of a bigger plan to dominate wireless gadgets market
                              Wireless is the future and they know it very well.

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                                • Anonymous
                                • xjH
                                • 15 Jan 2023

                                potato4k, 15 Jan 2023Lightning is not obsolete. It did support faster transfer s... moreThis is a business strategy.
                                How can you force customers to pay higher for new feature- make previous feature obsolete.

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                                  • Anonymous
                                  • KAp
                                  • 15 Jan 2023

                                  Anonymous, 15 Jan 2023Should also stop making cables that fragile. It has to be fragile and expensive. Good for business 🤑

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                                    • Anonymous
                                    • KAp
                                    • 15 Jan 2023

                                    The lightning cable was ahead of the time but now it takes a lot of time, because USB 2.0

                                      Anonymous, 15 Jan 2023Wireless is the future,,, cables are obsolete I'm seeing it this way although we don't have fast enough wireless charging coming from power banks. And the ones plugged to an outlet doesn't charge fast enough even with a USB-C on both ends. But it's great because I can charge my Androids and iPhones at the same time.

                                      I got my brand new iPhone 4S on iOS6 over 4 days ago and that 30-pin connector is awful. Glad Lightning made that obsolete. But the 4S is fun to use next to an SE1. Two of the best iPhone designs ever and the best size for one-hand.

                                        kek, 15 Jan 2023Honestly, this. Apple shot themselves on the footI believe Apple realized they can make much more money by going wireless when they removed the headphone jack and airpods selling like hotcakes.

                                        Making their own customers keep buying new accessories is the main goal. It's unfortunate that lightning becomes the black sheep, despite it being able to support USB3 speed and USB-PD charging.

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