I still use 3.5 wired headphones. I prefer them over my bluetooth sets. I have to use those 3.5 to lightning dongles.

Regarding magsafe connector on MacBook, it was part of the reason I traded after it became available. I had to pay for a very expensive repair on my older MacBook pro after it slipped off my lap when I dozed of and bent the USB-C port connection. I know, stupid of me to fall asleep with the computer on my lap but I did it and had to pay the price. FWIW, the magsafe cables with the braided covering are a big improvement over the USB-C with the plastic sheath.

quote:

Originally posted by .38supersig:
Do people still use cables for charging?

I just bought a new Samsung A14 5G about 4 weeks ago and it doesn't support wireless charging.

How else am I supposed to charge it?

Everyone that wants a smartphone now has a smartphone, they are a commodity just like what happened with PC's

New iPhones Don't Create As Much Buzz As They Used To

I have an iPhone 12 Pro Max and it's going on 2.5 years or so old and I started thinking about replacing it with a 14 until I started comparing them and there is very little difference between the 12 and the 14 except for a slightly better camera and a slightly better processor. That's it. Nothing new.

I'm getting off this merry-go-round of upgrades and will get the battery replaced and keep it another 3-4 years.

quote:

Originally posted by 1967Goat:

quote:

Originally posted by .38supersig:
Do people still use cables for charging?

I just bought a new Samsung A14 5G about 4 weeks ago and it doesn't support wireless charging.

How else am I supposed to charge it?

My phone has wireless charging, and I still use a cable to charge it 95% of the time.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
I'm getting off this merry-go-round of upgrades and will get the battery replaced and keep it another 3-4 years.

We've never been on it.

Only reason we ever upgraded to smart phones in the first place was Sprint's network was going downhill fast and it was easier to go with supported smartphones on T-Mobile than try to hunt down non-smart phones that would work.

Only reason we upgraded our original HTC smart phones to newer Motorola phones was added carrier bands for better coverage.

Only reason we moved to iPhones was Android phones and the Android app store were getting 0wn3d right-and-left, the O/S updates were erratic--if they happened at all, Google has seriously pissed me off, and I'd had enough of it all.

Only reason we upgraded our iPhone 6S' to SE (2020)s was, again, to get a new T-Mobil band for better coverage.

I was just thinking about upgrading my 2017 10.5 in. iPad to an iPad Air. Decided the current tablet was still serving me well, so I didn't need to spend $500 on something I didn't need to upgrade.

I'm still using my Samsung S7 that I got in 2017. I must be a dinosaur.

I've never owned an iPhone but am finally switching with the USB-C charged 15.

There are certainly other reasons for the switch but USB-C is a very big reason.

FWIW, I use wireless charging overnight but when I need some quick juice I use my wired USB-C (Samsung S20+) and it will charge from 0 to 100% in one hour.

I don't see upgrading soon, we have the 13pro and 13proMax, it does everything I need it to, unless we get some kind of super deal on zero cost trades there really isn't a tech reason to upgrade, like Ensigmatics iPad decision, figure I can hang with what I have.

I do like the new flip/fold phones from Samsung, but the CS experience on my TV has just about pushed me away from future Samsung purchases.

The Fold would be a nice unit, like a mini tablet and phone combined.

Figure there will be an iFlip at some point...

The iPhone 15, non pro uses USB-C 2.0 and the pro models use USB-C 3.0. The main difference is transfer speed

2.0 = 480 Mpbs
3.0 = 4.8 Gpbs

You can connect either to the other but the result will be the speed of the slower connecter.

However eventually when all things are USB-C carrying one cord will be a big benefit transfer speed not withstanding. Of course by the time other connectors have worked their way out of usable gear, newer and better connector system will surely be in play.

^^^^^^
Re: “Of course by the time other connectors have worked their way out of usable gear, newer and better connector system will surely be in play.”

I think USB-C (and its Thunderbolt variant) is the last wired connection for phones. It’s the end of the line for wired charging and data transfer.

quote:

Originally posted by Nismo:
I still use 3.5 wired headphones. I prefer them over my bluetooth sets. I have to use those 3.5 to lightning dongles.

They make FireWire headphones. I like wired headphones myself because they never run out of power at an inopportune time and if one pops out while walking on the treadmill I don’t have to go looking for it.

It will be interesting to see what the Tesla phone will offer. I hate switching phones and don’t need the latest greatest but it seems Apple has figured out how to slow down the batteries effective use.

I don’t use anything but wireless charging unless it’s a rental vehicle and I NEED directions. Soon all the mfr’s will put “wireless” charging in all the vehicles seeing that most people’s lives revolve around a smartphone. I’ll wait until my carrier, AT&T, has trade in deals to make it a net zero upgrade. That will be late next year.

Wireless charging is black magic and each time you use it, it summons Lucifer.

quote:

Originally posted by Prefontaine:
I don’t use anything but wireless charging unless it’s a rental vehicle and I NEED directions. Soon all the mfr’s will put “wireless” charging in all the vehicles seeing that most people’s lives revolve around a smartphone. I’ll wait until my carrier, AT&T, has trade in deals to make it a net zero upgrade. That will be late next year.

I've got built in wireless charging on my Tacoma and never have used it. I do0n't normally take long enough trips for it to even move the needle. I tried it once on a 3 hour trip to Austin, and gained only 50% t0 85%.

quote:

Originally posted by NavyGuy:
The iPhone 15, non pro uses USB-C 2.0 and the pro models use USB-C 3.0. The main difference is transfer speed

2.0 = 480 Mpbs
3.0 = 4.8 Gpbs

The USB-C port on the 15 Pros go to 10 Gpbs.

This will be my last go around on the upgrade cycle for a while. The notch is gone, the stainless steel frame is gone, I haven't filed up my 512 GB model, and I can use one cable to charge everything without Apple MFi bull shit that won't let me load data on the phone because I didn't buy a certified cable.

The only feature I'm looking for now is lossless Bluetooth audio like Qualcomm introduced with aptX lossless, but I'm sure I'll fill up my storage before that happens.

quote:

Originally posted by BurtonRW:

quote:

Originally posted by DanH:

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by KevH:
USB-C is mandated by the EU.

Even more reason to think this is shit.

Broken clocks are still right twice a day. This is one of them.

No. A government mandate due to no other reason than what amounts to consumer convenience (the mandate being the result of whining to .gov rather than the manufacturer) is absolutely wrong.

I agree that the move to USB-C is a good one, but not because any .gov is meddling in industry. That’s still bullshit.

-Rob

If I recall, I believe some of this related to landfill/waste. I certainly understand the predilection to dislike all things .Gov born, but in this case, I agree that USB-C is the right move. And IMO any hesitation to make that move by Apple was an ecosystem barrier, and not a choice driven by the luvz of the customer.