USB-C on the iPad is great, but it leaves Apple stuck between two worlds

Apple is in dongle heaven

If you followed yesterday's Apple event, you may have noticed that they went all-in on USB-C. From switching the MacBook and MacBook Air to the iPad Pro, they have embraced the universal standard that is USB-C...but only on "computers".

Not two months ago, Tim Cook happily announced the second iteration of the new iPhone X in the Xs as well as the lower-cost Xr, and those devices proudly sported Lightning charging ports; for the record, last year's iPad Pros all had Lightning ports. So, is Apple in the middle of full scale shift? Probably not.

More likely, Apple sent a message: they are doubling-down on the iPad Pro as a computer replacement. By switching to USB-C, Apple leaves the iPad open to peripheral connections such as displays, input devices, et cetera (if they aren't Thunderbolt 3); there is little need for manufacturers to make devices that are Lightning compatible. Even though it still runs iOS, Apple clearly views the Pro as Microsoft does the Surface: it is not just a tablet.

However, that is of little consolation to those wrapped up in the Apple ecosystem. I have not owned an iPhone or iPad since the 4 and 2 respectively, but I certainly enjoyed using the same charger for both if I was away from home. In addition, back in the days of headphone jacks, taking one set of headphones was certainly convenient. However, now that is all gone.

With the headphone jack gone, Apple is happy to include Lightning headphones in the box...except that won't work with the USB-C iPad. If you happen to find some good USB-C headphones (reviews are saying Google's new wired buds are excellent), they will not work with the iPhone. Apple, in its switch to USB-C, happily touted the new charge-out feature by showing an iPad charging an iPhone...but that is not so easy as they use different connectors.

Because of this, we are left with Apple's solution to everything since the initial loss of the 3.5mm port: the dongle. From 3.5mm to Lightning, Lightning to USB-C, USB-C to 3.5mm, Apple is proudly living the dongle life, and they are happy to sell you one for all of your connection needs. Intentional or not, Apple has not only shaped your wiring needs, but they are happy to help you fill the void they created (for a price).

Since the switch from 30 pin to Lightning, I have been begging Apple to think about the consumer and compatibility, and the USB-C MacBook and iPad is a great step in the right direction. It opens the door for everyone to finally use all of their tools from their manufacturers; however, for now, it leaves Apple in an awkward place of being half-open and half-closed. That is until they switch the iPhone to USB-C next year?