Apple was set to unveil its new iPhone 15 series on Tuesday and all signs point to another major hardware change – the switch to USB-C.
The company is known for not necessarily being the first in introducing certain technology on its devices. Apple is famous for taking on existing tech and improving it before using it on its own products.
But when it does something, it's a big deal, as it sets the direction for other companies and user adoption. Arguably the most infamous instance was in 2017 when Apple made the decision to kill off the 3.5mm headphone jack port in 2016’s iPhone 7. After initial uproar, its competition soon followed suit and users accepted it, proving Apple was right.
Nothing is official until Apple's announcement. We take a look at what exactly this technology is and how it all came to this point.
What is USB-C?
In simplest terms, USB-C – universal serial bus type C, in full – is a technology and standard used to connect computers and similar devices to peripherals for the purposes of data transfer and charging.
It is part of a wider range of USBs in the market – A, B, C, 3.0, Mini, Micro and Micro B – all with distinct designs, speeds and purposes. In terms of size, USB-C, Mini, Micro and Micro B are the thinnest, giving them more versatility to be included in smaller devices.
Why is USB-C so popular?
Because of the one distinct advantage it has over the rest of the USB types – it has rotational symmetry, meaning it is reversible and can be plugged in any way without worrying about its orientation. It quickly became a popular choice because of this, aside from being slim.
It's difficult to quantify how many devices use USB-C ports, as well as the number of compatible cables, but it should definitely be in the billions.
Which smartphone first used USB-C?
USB-C was introduced in 2014, but it was in 2015 that the first smartphones to use it emerged – and it's probably something you may not have heard of: it was a series of mobiles from China's Le – the Le 1, Le 1 Pro and Le Max – back in 2015.
However, it's important to note that Apple was also one of the earliest adopters of USB-C, but not on the iPhone – the company integrated USB-C into its 2015 MacBook, joining Google's Chromebook Pixel.
How does it compare to Apple's Lightning?
Apple introduced its proprietary Lightning port in 2012 in the iPhone 5, replacing the bulky 30-pin dock connector, and, like USB-C, has rotational symmetry. It was also used in iPads and the now-discontinued iPods.
The most obvious difference between USB-C and Lightning is that the latter is exclusive to Apple products. Lightning also became an additional revenue stream for Apple as it licensed third-party companies to make Lightning accessories iPhones, iPads and iPods.
USB-C, meanwhile, is more versatile. Aside from being the standard for Google's Android smartphones, it is now widely used in other electronics, including headsets, speakers, tablets, laptops, desktops, digital cameras, video game consoles and computer peripherals like mice and keyboards.
However, converters/adaptors can be bought to make these connectors compatible with each other.
The main difference lies in their data transfer and charging speeds.
Lightning cables have a transfer rate of 480Mbps, which meets the USB 2.0 standard, while USB-C clocks in at 640Mbps, which falls under the USB 3.0 standard. In terms of charging, Lightning supports 20W of output, while USB-C can go up at 240W.
What is Thunderbolt?
Thunderbolt is a hardware interface developed by Intel in collaboration with Apple. It looks like USB-C and Apple uses it heavily on its Macs.
True, the latest iterations of Thunderbolt – 3 and 4 – take the form of USB-C. But its initial versions, 1 and 2, utilised the MiniDisplay port.
Thunderbolt is one of the key features of Macs and is used mainly for high-resolution media and high-speed transfers. It isn't exclusive to Apple, but only a very limited number of devices use it.
So, why is Apple switching to USB-C?
As previously stated, Apple began using USB-C ports on its MacBooks since 2015, and has gradually integrated the technology not only within its MacBook line-up, but also to the rest of its portfolio.
Rumblings of another major hardware change at Apple began in 2018 when the company decided to, for the first time, use a USB-C port in that year's iteration of the iPad Pro.
Since then, talk of iPhones switching to USB-C gained steam – and only gathered further momentum when the EU started pushing for a common charger for technology devices in September 2021, which was eventually approved by the EU Parliament in October 2022.
A few weeks after this decision, Apple senior vice president for worldwide marketing Greg Joswiak said Apple would comply but did not give any specific time frame.
Mr Joswiak also argued that by standardising the USB-C port, billions of Lightning cables – Apple's proprietary port – would be rendered useless and would cause “a bunch of e-waste”.
Apple is known to be overly protective of its proprietary technology, but it would not want to risk legal complications, particularly with the EU, as well as disruption in its supply chains and customer base.
The EU's argument is simple: a common charger would reduce the need for owning more than one cable. In the EU alone, consumers bought about 420 million electronic devices in 2020 and, on average, own three chargers to charge them, latest data shows.
It is unclear how this legislation would affect the rest of the world, given there is still a substantial amount of devices that use older USB versions. This would also affect tech giants such as Samsung and, of course, consumers.
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The 10 Questions
- Is there a God?
- How did it all begin?
- What is inside a black hole?
- Can we predict the future?
- Is time travel possible?
- Will we survive on Earth?
- Is there other intelligent life in the universe?
- Should we colonise space?
- Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?
- How do we shape the future?
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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A general guide to how active you are:
Less than 5,000 steps - sedentary
5,000 - 9,999 steps - lightly active
10,000 - 12,500 steps - active
12,500 - highly active
The Rub of Time: Bellow, Nabokov, Hitchens, Travolta, Trump and Other Pieces 1986-2016
Martin Amis,
Jonathan Cape
ARABIAN GULF LEAGUE FIXTURES
Thursday, September 21
Al Dahfra v Sharjah (kick-off 5.35pm)
Al Wasl v Emirates (8.30pm)
Friday, September 22
Dibba v Al Jazira (5.25pm)
Al Nasr v Al Wahda (8.30pm)
Saturday, September 23
Hatta v Al Ain (5.25pm)
Ajman v Shabab Al Ahli (8.30pm)
The specs: 2018 Renault Megane
Price, base / as tested Dh52,900 / Dh59,200
Engine 1.6L in-line four-cylinder
Transmission Continuously variable transmission
Power 115hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 156Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.6L / 100km
MATCH INFO
Azerbaijan 0
Wales 2 (Moore 10', Wilson 34')
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The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
The Baghdad Clock
Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld
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