Considering I have a total of... zero Lightning cables and accessories, but a ton of standard USB-C? I would consider the 2019 iPhone line totally useless (but given by my lack of Lightning accessories, you can assume I use Android phones and thus consider all of the iPhones useless).
No, he's a potential new customer, which actually makes him more valuable. He's someone who, in large numbers, would change the market-share of the product. Getting people off competitors' products and onto yours is a higher priority for businesses, or do you think it's just an odd accident people switching from one broadband provider to another get discounts and loyal customers get nothing? Or that people get bonus rebates at their local Ford dealer when they trade in a similarly-classed Chevy vehicle?
No, he's a potential new customer, which actually makes him more valuable.
There's a balance here. Switching to USB-C could mean gaining new customers but also losing existing customers.
What does anyone gain with USB-C over Lightning anyway? USB-C can handle more power but the battery in a cell phone is unlikely to take advantage of it. Lightning and USB-C can both give USB 3.0 speeds. USB-C can go faster because of more data lanes and such but, again, in a phone this is unlikely much of an advantage. Could USB-C mean the ability to use more accessories? Maybe, but that also comes with the cost of people complaining that Apple did USB-C "wrong" because their non-compliant USB device doesn't work. By sticking with Lightning they have some control on the accessories that makes the Apple "ecosystem" more user friendly, if perhaps more expensive, for the user.
There's a potential for losses on a switch too, not only gains. It sucks that Apple chose to stick with the wimpy 5 watt charger but that likely is also a compromise between cost, compliance with laws, user convenience, and so on.
Once you have a customer under your umbrella it's easier to keep them there, because many people don't want to go through the hassle change entails, so you can spend more energy trying to create churn that benefits you.
Right, people don't like change. Change too much and you lose your existing customers.
Rolling Eyes (Score:2, Interesting)
Most customers want to keep the same connector, because they already have chargers and cables, and sometimes even accessories, for it.
USB-C is better in the long run, but that doesn't make it better now.
Re: (Score:1)
Considering I have a total of ... zero Lightning cables and accessories, but a ton of standard USB-C? I would consider the 2019 iPhone line totally useless (but given by my lack of Lightning accessories, you can assume I use Android phones and thus consider all of the iPhones useless).
Re: (Score:5, Insightful)
Considering I have a total of ... zero Lightning cables and accessories, but a ton of standard USB-C?
Who cares? You’re not a customer.
Re: (Score:4, Insightful)
Who cares? You're not a customer.
No, he's a potential new customer, which actually makes him more valuable. He's someone who, in large numbers, would change the market-share of the product. Getting people off competitors' products and onto yours is a higher priority for businesses, or do you think it's just an odd accident people switching from one broadband provider to another get discounts and loyal customers get nothing? Or that people get bonus rebates at their local Ford dealer when they trade in a similarly-classed Chevy vehicle?
Once
Re:Rolling Eyes (Score:2)
No, he's a potential new customer, which actually makes him more valuable.
There's a balance here. Switching to USB-C could mean gaining new customers but also losing existing customers.
What does anyone gain with USB-C over Lightning anyway? USB-C can handle more power but the battery in a cell phone is unlikely to take advantage of it. Lightning and USB-C can both give USB 3.0 speeds. USB-C can go faster because of more data lanes and such but, again, in a phone this is unlikely much of an advantage. Could USB-C mean the ability to use more accessories? Maybe, but that also comes with the cost of people complaining that Apple did USB-C "wrong" because their non-compliant USB device doesn't work. By sticking with Lightning they have some control on the accessories that makes the Apple "ecosystem" more user friendly, if perhaps more expensive, for the user.
There's a potential for losses on a switch too, not only gains. It sucks that Apple chose to stick with the wimpy 5 watt charger but that likely is also a compromise between cost, compliance with laws, user convenience, and so on.
Once you have a customer under your umbrella it's easier to keep them there, because many people don't want to go through the hassle change entails, so you can spend more energy trying to create churn that benefits you.
Right, people don't like change. Change too much and you lose your existing customers.