Apple Losing USB Is a Loss for Music(pitchfork.com)
pitchfork.com
Apple Losing USB Is a Loss for Music
http://pitchfork.com/thepitch/1346-apple-losing-usb-is-a-loss-for-music/?mbid=social_facebook
13 comments
Whoever wrote this article appears to misunderstand what those ports on the new macbook actually are. They are USB ports!
USB-C to be specific
While yes it's an uncomfortable transition period, the idea of a common socket for all connections is amazing! This isn't Apple killing USB in favor of thunderbolt (which happens to run over the same connector), it's apple using the latest USB spec.
USB-C to be specific
While yes it's an uncomfortable transition period, the idea of a common socket for all connections is amazing! This isn't Apple killing USB in favor of thunderbolt (which happens to run over the same connector), it's apple using the latest USB spec.
They didn't lose USB. As I understand it, Thunderbolt 3 is completely compatible with USB 3.1 Type C and backwards compatible with adapters with all previous versions of USB.
Also, bam[1]! Problem solved.
[1] https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Type-C-Smartphones-Tablets-SD...
Also, bam[1]! Problem solved.
[1] https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Type-C-Smartphones-Tablets-SD...
A USB-C hub solves the dongles, and cheap high-capacity flash drives are already on the market. How is this a problem?
However, the removal of MagSafe is disappointing. I'm not even a Mac user and I would love to see a standardized version of that port, if not even a knock-off adapter for standard DC ports.
However, the removal of MagSafe is disappointing. I'm not even a Mac user and I would love to see a standardized version of that port, if not even a knock-off adapter for standard DC ports.
I'm thinking of something that adapts a USB-C port into a "magsafe" kind of attachment.
That's already a thing, apparently:
https://griffintechnology.com/us/breaksafe-magnetic-usb-c-po...
And while there are a few DC port adapters trying to fill this gap for non-Mac laptops, I haven't seen anything too convincing yet.
And while there are a few DC port adapters trying to fill this gap for non-Mac laptops, I haven't seen anything too convincing yet.
The big loss is to musicians who use iOS for creating music. This involves several often expensive hardware boxes, such as quality audio interfaces and most modern synthesizers, none of which are USB-C compatible. So we are looking at much more expense than mere single dongle hell.
USB-C should be backward compatible with these devices, you just need the right cable, right? Or am I misunderstanding what you're saying?
Wow, this is overwrought. Just buy another inexpensive USB-C stick drive and bam!, you're done.
Why can't Apple just make a magnetic USB-C?
Griffin already does: https://griffintechnology.com/us/device/laptops/breaksafe-ma...
"Please note that BreakSafe is for charging power only; data and video are not supported."
USB-C uses 24 rather small wires to transfer data and power, they probably have pretty tight tolerances, in terms of position (my magsafe 2 wiggles a little), and signal integrity. The port would be rather exposed.
USB-C is the future of USB, for very ease of use (reversible), size (phones are already transitioning), performance (multi-protocol capable), and power (up to 100W!!!) reasons.
Like all transitions to new ports, it will be a bit painful. But complaining about dongles for USB drives seems a bit silly since all of those drives will eventually use USB-C, like the many thumb drives available [0] (if you have existing drives, then sure, but obsolescence is a requirement of technology).
0: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&Is...