Eric_WVGG

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Eric_WVGG
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  • Lightning versus USB-C: Pros and cons for the iPhone

    Eric_WVGGEric_WVGG
    This article doesn't mention two of IMO the most interesting properties of Lightning.

    The first is that Lightning isn't simply a proprietarily shaped USB connection. Instead, it's a system where the pins can be re-assigned to different communication protocols. For example, one might make a lightning-to-RGB-video cable. This wouldn't be like a dongle or a conversion cable, where a USB device is talking to an interface board (like the old style USB-to-serial or USB-to-PS/2 connectors of the nineties); rather, it would allow an iOS device to send a native RGB video signal down the cable.

    This move has its roots in how the old Apple Dock Connector could transmit raw video and audio signals, on top of the USB and other pinouts that were in that beefy plug. I've never seen any Lightning cables that did anything other than a USB signal in the wild, though.


    The other thing is regarding the design of the lightning connector. There's a little tab on the plug; that's the weak point in the connection, if it ever breaks, it's almost certainly going to be due to the tab breaking. It's not a big deal, though; the tab breaks, you just get a new lightning cable.

    Now most folks might not realize this, but USB-C has a little tab too; except that for USB-C, that tab is on the device. Look inside the port on your Macbook or iPad, you can see that little guy in there; the USB-C plug is actually a sleeve that fits over the tab. 

    The thing is, that tab is still the weak point in the connection; but now, when the tab breaks off, it's your Macbook or iPad that is damaged, and more likely than not it's a non-repairable part. (not the case with Mac Studio, actually, but I digress). Say what you will about industry compatibility or proprietary parts, but on a purely technical level, Lightning is a far better designed connector than USB-C.


    In an ideal world, Apple would have given away the license to the Lightning connector to the USB Consortium and said "hey, this should be your design for USB-C, have it, it's yours." USB-C would be a better plug, and Apple wouldn't be in this position of having to change ports and make an entire ecosystem of accessories obsolete. c'est la vie
    rob53appleinsideruserh4y3sregurgitatedcoprolitemaximaratwokatmewbshankAlex1Nanantksundaramauxio

  • The birth, life, death, and possible resurrection of the Thunderbolt eGPU in macOS

    Eric_WVGGEric_WVGG
    lkrupp said:
    Sorry, not going to happen except in the wet dreams of techies stuck in paradigms of the past.
    Alright, but…

    - there will be a new Mac Pro
    - there is no reason for the Mac Pro to exist beyond expansion cards
    - the only expansion cards anyone cares about are GPUs
    - Thunderbolt is just external PCIe; if AMD GPUs are ever supported on Apple Silicon, they WILL work on eGPUs
    - why would Apple go through all this work just for their best-of-the-best computers to remain second fiddle

    I think it’s 50:50. The more confusing question IMO is why the Mac Pro persists at all.
    doozydozenblastdoord_2atonaldenimspliff monkeykeithwsandorwatto_cobra

  • Apple Studio Display review: How badly do you want an all-Apple experience?

    Eric_WVGGEric_WVGG
    I just walked out of an Apple Store. The adjustable-height stand is much nicer than I expected! Huge fun to play with.

    Screen picture is visibly brighter than my LG 5k, even "feels" bigger. Definitely disappointing that it's not HDR or mini-LED, but… I dunno. It's not disappointing. 
    dewmewilliamlondonlolliverscstrrfrob53lkruppAniMillAlex_Vhammeroftruthargonaut

  • New MacBook Air to come in two sizes, but without miniLED & ProMotion

    Eric_WVGGEric_WVGG
    wood1208 said:
    Side note except lower price, iPhone SE3 needed real change(edge-to-edge screen, dual camera,etc) which didn't happen.
    SE3 is selling like gangbusters. The population of people who hate change, just want "the same thing but a bit faster and more battery" is much larger than you think. 

    regarding the topic at hand, I'm typing on this on an M1 Pro 16". It does feel like a bit of a tank and I take it on the road every day, so I would find that theoretical 15" Air very, very tempting… I'd probably stick with the Pro because it's my only computer, but I think they'd sell a crapton of them for sure.
    williamlondonronn

  • iPhone 14 Pro models to feature taller screen, Apple ditching 'mini' model

    Eric_WVGGEric_WVGG
    I'm also on the 12 Mini.

    If there's no 14 Mini, then I'll be in the awkward position of buying a new 13 Mini when the 14's come out this fall. If this is the phone I'm gonna be using for the next five years or so, I'm at least gonna need the model with the better battery. :\
    williamlondontshapibaconstangentropysbandits1