User:Pugetbill/Sandbox

Lightning vs Micro-USB
There are several reasons suggested by industry observers as to why Apple chose to develop Lightning instead of using micro-USB. Most of these center around the perceived advantages to users and to Apple of Lightning over micro-USB:


 * Reversibility  - The ability of a Lightning connector to be inserted into a socket in either direction (e.g. "upside down").
 * Control / Authentication  - Apple's ability to control 3rd party accessory quality, capabilities, and availability through Lightning licensing.
 * Revenue  - Apple’s ability to charge licensing fees to accessory and peripheral makers.
 * Power Capacity  - Conventional micro-USB cables/connectors do not support the higher electrical currents used by larger mobile devices like the iPad  (although future USB-PD-compliant chargers with PD-certified micro USB cables/connectors may support up to 2A or 3A @ 5V (10W or 15W)).
 * Size/"Density" - Lightning connectors are smaller than micro USB 3.0 connectors and can support more "lines" / more data channels than the similarly-sized micro USB 2.0 connectors.
 * Flexibility  - With eight-dynamically assignable pins, Lightning connectors can potentially support existing and future high speed interfaces more easily than the micro USB 2.0 connector.
 * Durability  - Some have speculated that the Lightning connector will be more mechanically robust than micro USB connectors.