Time For Lightning To Fade Away
It Had Its Time, Now It's Over
Apple has stuck with the Lightning connector for far too long. And as an Ars Technica piece discusses, Apple will have no choice to support USB-C on the iPhone to be compliant with the EU. I’m not a fan of mandating a specific technology, since it now means a formal process is required when new technology eventually displaces it. But Apple has held on to Lightning well past it’s “best before” date, mandate or not.
It Was A Leader, For A While
When the Lightning connector replaced the old 30-pin connector on iPhone, that was a big leap forward. Here was a far smaller connector that was reasonably durable, and most importantly, didn’t care which direction you inserted it into the slot. It worked either way. It was easier to connect and disconnect (getting that 30-pin to let go of some devices could be a challenge).
Until USB-C arrived, it was a solution worthy of emulation. It’s just that no one bothered. The rest of the technology world had to deal with mini-B or micro-B connectors that, bizarrely, wouldn’t go in on the first go. Ever. And it always seemed like it took three tries to get it right (as if the damn thing was 5-dimensional or something). That we always had to drag around at least 3 cables (a mini-B, a micro-B, and first a 30-pin, later Lightning) was another minor annoyance.
Then Came USB-C
Things changed, for the better, when USB-C (which also supports Thunderbolt 2 and up) arrived on the scene. Here was a connector that was more durable than Lightning, and also “insert either way” capable. Over time, the data speeds and power levels it could support increased. You can drive high-resolution monitors with it, not just connect peripherals like keyboards and external hard drives.
More and more product is moving to USB-C. Personally, the only Lightning device I still take with me when I travel is my iPhone. On my desk, my keyboard and trackpad also use Lightning. But my mouse (a Logitech) uses USB-C, as do a few other peripherals I use. I have made a point of replacing older gear with similar product that uses USB-C. This has cut down the number of cables and dongles needed around the office and when I travel.
It’s Time
Lightning had it’s time. But that time is up. It’s done. And it shouldn’t have taken an EU mandate for Apple to wise up and dump the thing. Lightning as a connector makes no sense in the presence of a global standard, USB-C, that is ubiquitous and more capable.
It isn’t just iPhone that needs to drop it. Apple’s keyboards, mice, trackpads, the Apple Pencil, and AirPods cases all need to move as well. It would simplify things for Apple, and it would make things simpler and easier for the rest of us. USB-C just works. It’s time to move everything to it.