Technologies
Everything We Know About the iPhone 15 and USB-C
There are still plenty of questions about how Apple will handle the iPhone’s switch to USB-C.
For the first time in more than a decade, you might need a different charger for your iPhone. Apple executives said the company plans to comply with European rules mandating that new phones all use the same common USB-C charging port. Most phones already use USB-C, with Apple being the main outlier.
When asked if Apple will move to USB-C, Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, said the company has «no choice.» Apple will «comply with local laws» as it does around the world, Joswiak said during an appearance at The Wall Street Journal Tech Live conference in October.
That said, there’s still a lot we don’t know about how Apple will execute the transition to USB-C for the iPhone. Apple rarely discusses new products before announcing them, meaning we don’t have much insight on details like whether all new iPhones will get USB-C, or just those sold in Europe.
Apple declined to share further details regarding future plans to bring USB-C to the iPhone.
Will the iPhone 15 have a USB-C charging port?
Today’s iPhones use the Lightning port to charge.
Stephen Shankand/CNETThere’s a chance the iPhone 15 could have a USB-C port instead of the Lightning connector, but it’s impossible to know until Apple releases its next iPhone. The EU’s rules say all mobile phones sold in the EU will need to have a USB-C charging port by the end of 2024. That means it’s unclear whether Apple will start the transition in 2023 with what will presumably be the iPhone 15, or wait until 2024.
But Chiew Le Xuan, a research analyst for Canalys, thinks the switch could come sooner rather than later.
«What we think is that Apple will bring Type C to the iPhone 15 series,» he said. «So, similar to what they did for the iPads [and] the Macs: They sort of just transitioned the whole product line.»
Apple has reportedly tested iPhone models with USB-C in the past. Bloomberg reported last May that Apple was testing future iPhone models with USB-C, as well as an adapter that would enable these iPhones to work with Lightning connections. Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst for TF International Securities known for his Apple predictions, also said Apple plans to convert the iPhone to USB-C in 2023.
It’s also worth noting that Apple is a member of the USB Implementers Forum, a nonprofit organization that was formed to further advance USB development and adoption.
What’s the reasoning behind the EU’s new rules?
The new mandate is part of an effort to simplify the charging experience for consumers and cut down on electronic waste.
«Under the new rules, consumers will no longer need a different charger every time they purchase a new device, as they will be able to use one single charger for a whole range of small and medium-sized portable electronic devices,» reads a European Parliament press release.
The shift is also meant to help cut down on the roughly11,000 metric tons (12,125 tons) of annual e-waste resulting from unused chargers in the EU, the release says.
Will all future iPhones adopt USB-C, or just those in Europe?
This is another question we won’t know the answer to until Apple releases future iPhone models. But Maurice Klahne, senior research analyst at Counterpoint Research, thinks it seems likely Apple will transition the iPhone to USB-C more broadly rather than keeping it region-specific.
«It’s just simply too costly to make different devices for different regions,» he said. «And so Apple will likely make the switch everywhere all at once.»
What benefits does USB-C offer over Lightning?
The transition to USB-C could result in more perks and conveniences for iPhone owners. For example, you’d be able to use the same charger that powers other devices, like your MacBook laptop or iPad, to charge your iPhone. There’s also a broad accessory ecosystem for USB-C, considering it’s been standard on most electronics for the better part of the last decade. Plenty of Apple’s own products already rely on USB-C rather than Lightning, such as the iPad Air, iPad Pro and Apple’s lineup of MacBooks.
It’s possible the switch to USB-C could result in faster charging and data transfers, specifically on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Kuo has reported that only the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will support high-speed data transfers over USB-C, for example.
Le Xuan agrees, saying Apple will likely do more to separate the regular iPhone 15 from its premium sibling this year.
«By then moving into a Type C switch, we will probably see some sort of differentiation between the Pro and Pro Max and the non-Pro Max in terms of charging speeds,» he said.
Will I need an Apple-specific USB-C cable?
You shouldn’t need an Apple-made cable to charge your iPhone when Apple makes the switch to USB-C. After all, that would defeat the purpose of the EU’s push toward a universal charging cable.
But the company could potentially make it so that Apple-certified USB-C cables offer benefits over noncertified alternatives. Kuo, for example, reports that Apple will likely optimize chargers that are part of the company’s MFi certification program to offer faster charging speeds. This follows a leak from ShrimpApplePro (who also leaked the Dynamic Island’s design early), which says cables without an MFi certification will be limited in charging and data transfer speeds.
Apple hasn’t spoken about its plans for the iPhone 15 or future USB-C charging cables beyond the comments made at The Wall Street Journal’s conference. But a move like this could help Apple boost its accessory ecosystem by maintaining some level of exclusivity as it embraces the switch to a universal iPhone charger.
«Even though their walled garden isn’t as walled anymore,» said Klahne, «they can still make these little adjustments to keep their iOS base more walled off from the general Android market.»
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 15 lineup in the September timeframe during its usual annual product launch event. Other than USB-C charging, rumors suggest new solid-state buttons are coming to the Pro models, while the Dynamic Island is expected to expand to non-Pro versions.
Technologies
Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for Jan. 16, #950
Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for Jan. 16 #950.
Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.
Today’s NYT Connections puzzle has a very intriguing blue group. You’ll notice some band names, but can you locate what they have in common? Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.
The Times has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including the number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.
Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time
Hints for today’s Connections groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: Worn on heads.
Green group hint: Nighty-night.
Blue group hint: Bands with something alphabet-related in common.
Purple group hint: Like great.
Answers for today’s Connections groups
Yellow group: Kinds of hats.
Green group: Components of a kid’s bedtime routine.
Blue group: Musical acts with «A» as the only vowel.
Purple group: Grand ____.
Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words
What are today’s Connections answers?
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is kinds of hats. The four answers are derby, fedora, Panama and porkpie.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is components of a kid’s bedtime routine. The four answers are bath, brushing, pajamas and story.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is musical acts with «A» as the only vowel. The four answers are Alabama, Bananarama, Kansas and Santana.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is grand ____. The four answers are Bahama, Canyon, piano and slam.
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Quick tips for Connections
#1: Say the clue words out loud, pausing before and after each. That helps you hear the words in the context of a phrase. The Connections editors love to group words together that are used in similar phrasing, like ____ Up.
#2: Don’t go for the obvious grouping. These editors are smart. Once, they offered SPONGE, BOB, SQUARE and PANTS in the same puzzle. None of those words were in the same category. If you like, hit the «shuffle» button to give yourself a different perspective on the words.
#3: Break down any compound words and look for similarities. «Rushmore» was once in a puzzle where the connection was that each word started with the name of a rock band.
.
Technologies
Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Jan. 16, #480
Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Jan. 16, No. 480.
Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.
Today’s Connections: Sports Edition is a tough one, with some odd words and bizarre categories. If you’re struggling with it but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.
Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.
Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta
Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: Don’t get hurt!
Green group hint: Exaggerated language.
Blue group hint: Ouch!
Purple group hint: Not northern.
Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups
Yellow group: Protective gear.
Green group: Hype.
Blue group: Sharp things.
Purple group: «Southern ____» schools.
Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words
What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is protective gear. The four answers are gloves, helmet, mouth guard and shoulder pads.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is hype. The four answers are anticipation, ballyhoo, buildup and buzz.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is sharp things. The four answers are dart, hairpin turn, ice skate and javelin.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is «Southern ____» schools. The four answers are California, Illinois, Methodist and Miss.
Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.
Quick tips for Connections: Sports Edition
#1: Don’t grab for the easiest group. For each word, think about other sports categories it might fit in – is this a word that can be used in football, or to describe scoring options?
#2: Second meanings are important. The puzzle loves to use last names and even college names that mean other things, to fool you into thinking they are words, not names.
#3: And the opposite is also true. Words like HURTS might seem like a regular word, but it’s also the last name of at least one pro athlete.
Technologies
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Friday, Jan. 16
Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Jan. 16.
Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.
Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? I thought it was exceptionally tough today, and was convinced 1-Across was «MAD» Max. (Spoiler, it’s not.) I also figured 1-Down was BOOZE, which did not work with 1-Across, and was wrong either way. Read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.
If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.
Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword
Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.
Mini across clues and answers
1A clue: ___ Max
Answer: HBO
4A clue: Where Marco Polo is played
Answer: POOL
5A clue: Overwhelming amount, metaphorically
Answer: FLOOD
6A clue: Reason for success in games like Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders
Answer: LUCK
7A clue: «That’s just the worst»
Answer: UGH
Mini down clues and answers
1D clue: Liquor, informally
Answer: HOOCH
2D clue: Winner of a Booker prize, fittingly
Answer: BOOK
3D clue: Antiquated
Answer: OLD
4D clue: Give a short promotion for
Answer: PLUG
5D clue: Winter malady
Answer: FLU
Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.
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