Robert Triggs / Android Authority
TL;DR
- iPod inventor Tony Fadell has criticized Apple for sticking with Lightning ports instead of USB-C.
- He also threw his weight behind EU legislation mandating USB-C ports on smartphones.
Apple is sticking with its proprietary Lightning port for charging and data transfer on its iPhone 14 family, despite the rest of the smartphone industry and even iPads moving to USB-C. Nevertheless, the EU has passed legislation this week which mandates that all phones offer a USB-C port by the end of 2024.
It turns out that this legislation is also supported by iPod inventor Tony Fadell (h/t: 9to5Mac), who has issued a number of tweets in support of the move.
“They’re simply forcing Apple to do the right thing,” Fadell said of the EU’s new law, adding that it was overdue. The former Apple engineer then doubled down on the assertion.
“This is only happening because Apple hasn’t been doing the right thing. Period. This is about a monopolist like position not about technology (sic).”
I get it. Frankly forcing Apple to make this brain dead change for the planet through regulation is a much lot easier than a monopolistic legal trial. Again, Apple is abusing their market position & this is coming from the guy who made the 30 pin connector happen! https://t.co/mrVqOpHXJ3
It’s interesting to see a person who played such a big role in Apple’s success pushing for USB-C on iPhones. This is particularly noteworthy as Fadell also noted that he led the team behind Apple’s MFi program for licensed Lightning accessories.
For what it’s worth, rumors point to the iPhone 15 series gaining USB-C connectivity next year. So we might finally see USB-C iPhones this time next year.
