Apple's European USB Plans: A Shrewd Business Move

Recently, Apple joined a consortium in Europe aimed at standardizing power connections on cell phones to the micro USB standard. It was a bit of a surprise as Apple's iPhone and iPod have used a 30-pin proprietary connection for years. Was Apple abandoning the connector, and all the versatility that comes with 30 pins for data/audio/video/power, etc?

In short, no. Apple announced that they could be part of the consortium by providing an adapter to connect to micro USB accessories (mainly power adapters) In doing so, the world will most likely be left with two connectors on all cell phones within a few years: micro USB, and Apple's 30-pin connector. In a way, it helps Apple hedge their bets. This way, if car/wall chargers standardize to micro USB, Apple is still "in the game". The 30-pin connector, if you include iPods, is probably the most used proprietary connection in the world. Of course if the world standardized on it, Apple could miss out on all those "Made for iPod" licensing agreements, and competitors would gain valuable insight as to current and future plans from Apple, while also gaining use of the Apple accessory ecosystem.

In supporting micro USB, Apple squelches competing devices from being as likely to create their own connector, while making sure there are two connection types: One for iPhone/iPod, and one for everybody else, that the iPhone can also use. Well done.