This week: How Apple could unify its confusing connector strategy, good luck finding an Apple Watch Edition (if you actually want one), and Covid continues its impact on Apple’s operations.
The Starters
Believe it or not, if you’re lucky enough to have an iPhone, iPad Pro, Apple Watch and, soon, a next-generation Mac laptop with the new MagSafe connector, you’ll be using four different charging cables to juice up your Apple devices. For a company that prides itself on simplicity and making all of its technology work seamlessly together, that is an anomaly.
Let me break down Apple’s different connectors and you’ll see how confusing this is:
- Lightning: Apple uses Lightning as the connector for all of its iPhones, the entry-level iPad, the iPad mini (but not the iPad Air or iPad Pro), iPod touch, and accessories like the Apple TV remote, MagSafe Duo and Battery Pack, all AirPods products and cases, and keyboards, mice and trackpads.
- USB-C: Apple uses USB-C for the charger on the current MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iPad Pro and iPad Air.
- MagSafe for iPhone: Apple launched its large puck-shaped MagSafe charger for the iPhone 12 line last year.
- MagSafe for Apple Watch: The Apple Watch has used the same MagSafe charger since the first model in 2015.
- MagSafe for Mac: MagSafe started its Mac comeback earlier this year with a new round connector on the revamped 24-inch iMac. Expect another MagSafe design to make its way to the new MacBook Pro this year and a redesigned MacBook Air next year.
The closest Apple has gotten to simplifying its connector strategy was going all-in on wireless charging a few years ago. Apple tried and failed to launch its AirPower mat in 2018, which would have given the iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch a single mat to wirelessly charge. Last year, Apple launched the MagSafe Duo, which lets you charge an Apple Watch and iPhone 12 together, but that product doesn’t really move the needle.
I believe Apple should shake up its connector lineup and slim down from five different chargers to as few as three. That would go a long way toward simplicity and better management of multiple Apple products. That should start with transitioning from Lightning to USB-C.
Lightning served Apple well since 2012, but USB-C has clearly won out across the industry and has become the default connector for new devices. Apple has pushed back on such a move because of the large array of third-party Lightning accessories. But the pros are stronger than the cons, I think. By moving the iPhone to USB-C, Apple will have a unified connector with its Macs and countless other devices.
It should also move its non-USB-C iPads over to the connector, as well as the Apple TV remote, AirPods and MagSafe for the sake of consistency.
Further, having Mac accessories charge via Lightning, which was never available on the Mac itself, makes little sense. So Apple should move its keyboard, mouse and trackpad charging system over to USB-C, too.
That takes care of standard chargers. What about wireless charging? A single magnetic charger that works across the iPhone, Apple Watch and Mac isn’t feasible. But making the Apple Watch compatible with the same MagSafe puck that is used by the iPhone could be a possibility. On the Mac, the company should simply ensure it uses the same MagSafe connector across all of its laptops and desktops.
That gets us down to a single wired connector for all Apple devices, a single MagSafe connector for the iPhone and Apple Watch, and one MagSafe connector for the Mac. That sounds a lot more like Apple.
The Bench
Apple runs out of its high-end Apple Watch Editions. If you’re looking to buy the priciest non-Hermes Apple Watch Edition less than two months before the new ones launch, good luck. That’s because the titanium model, which starts at $799, appears to be sold out on Apple’s website in most major markets for every size, color and band configuration. The device is listed as “currently unavailable” and doesn’t appear orderable at most physical Apple retail stores either.
Apple hasn’t said that the Apple Watch Edition is discontinued, so here’s my theory. With just weeks to go until the next version of the Apple Watch, Apple has nearly run out of the titanium models. Given the high price point, Apple probably only made a small amount expecting they wouldn’t sell very well. They likely stopped manufacturing them months ago and are finally running out of supply.
We’ll see if Apple chooses to keep titanium for the Apple Watch Series 7, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the company ditched the pricier Edition material, as it did in the past with both ceramic and real gold. Seriously, what’s the point of spending $800 or more on a watch that will be outdated in one year and nonfunctional in under five?
Covid protocols continue their return at Apple. Remember my column about Apple delaying its office return until October at the earliest? Well, that was just the beginning. A few days ago, Apple restored its mask mandate at most of its retail stores in the U.S. for both customers and staff. It’s also asking corporate employees to mask up while indoors. As Covid-19 cases continue to climb, I’d expect that the October return date will be short by a few months. We saw Lyft and others delay their office returns until February 2022. The expectation in Cupertino is that Apple will eventually follow suit. One question: Will Apple require employees to get vaccinated? So far it’s a “no,” but of course that could eventually change.
Don’t expect back-to-back blockbuster quarters for Apple. Apple reported one of its strongest non-holiday quarters ever this past week, saying that it made over $81 billion in the fiscal third quarter due to strong iPhone, iPad and services sales. But about halfway into its quarterly earnings call came the bad news: While Apple is expecting double-digit growth in the current quarter (Q4), the growth rate will be slower than in Q3. As always, Apple had its own explanation prepared. Services growth has slowed as lockdowns subside, and the chip shortage is catching up with the iPhone.
The Schedule
Alphabet Inc.’s Google plans to launch multiple new phones this year. Its 5a, lower-cost smartphone, is coming later this month, while you can expect the revamped Pixel 6 in October.
Samsung Electronics Co.’s next Unpacked event is scheduled for Aug. 11. Expect new foldable phones, earbuds and smartwatches.
Post-Game Q&A
Q: What’s the status of a foldable iPhone?
Q: Do you think Apple will be able to complete its Apple Silicon transition within the two-year timeline it’s given?
Q: When do you expect to see the new AirPods?
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Why Can't Apple (AAPL) Use Same Charger for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch? - Bloomberg
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