Tomorrow’s Apple keynote with new iPhones will (also) be marked by a long-awaited change: Apple is giving up the proprietary Lightning port on its smartphones and switching to USB-C. What is being forced on Apple here under pressure from the EU Commission also results in conversion measures for other products. This is reported by Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, who has good contacts in Cupertino.
Advertisement
Just a new AirPods product?
He assumes that Apple will also present a third generation of AirPods Pro at the keynote. The only innovation: The USB-C port, but “any other major new hardware functions” are not planned. It remains unclear whether the battery case will also be available separately for owners of the previous version. However, Gurman does not expect new variants of AirPods (then generation 4) and AirPods Max (then generation 2) before next year.
Apple continues to plan new USB-C accessories. This includes – finally – a new variant of the MagSafe Duo double charger, which Apple had not revised for years. There is also reportedly a new MagSafe battery pack in the pipeline that relies entirely on USB-C. This should also support daisy chaining to connect multiple batteries. There are also apparently plans to support charging multiple iPhones – because the new MagSafe Battery Pack has magnets on both sides.
Apple wants to bring USB-C accessories to men and women
Apple will also revive its magnetic charging dock for the Apple Watch, which was discontinued a year ago – according to Gurman, this will also get USB-C instead of Lightning. Apple is also planning new USB-C to USB-C cables and also plans to train its employees Sales of USB-C accessories related to the purchase of an iPhone 15 to drill.
Apple Store sellers should explicitly make customers aware that they may need a new charger if they do not already have a USB-C-capable power supply. This will then be offered for purchase straight away. Because: Despite the USB-C switch, Apple will still not include it with the iPhone, just as the company hasn’t done for several years. Instead, there is only a USB-C to USB-C cable in the box.
(bsc)