EEVblog #578 - Proprietary Connector Rant

[Insoft]

I think this is the best example of a proprietary Universal Serial Bus cable


This is Apple's USB extension cable - you can't even connect two of them together. Plug on one end doesn't physically fit into a jack on the other.

They is a good reason for that cable, first it came with the Mac and could only plug the keyboard in it so the user did not make the mistake of using it for the Mouse, as the mouse plugged into the keyboard and the keyboard plugged into the computer.  After all it was referred to as the keyboard extension cable

[Insoft]

One connector that should of never have been invented is the micro USB, it is so prone to damage as users tend to damage it by not knowing the correct way round

Everyone keeps harping on about them breaking etc.
I've never broken or damaged a single one, or had one fail, ever.

I have never broken one, I would like it better if it had a decent key to it.
But have seen a lot of devices come in for repair because of battered micro USB ports.

I like the mini USB best, decent key on it and small.

[Frost]

And phone manufacturers in the EU only use micro USB because of the stupid EU law

There's no such law in the EU

[Monkeh]

And phone manufacturers in the EU only use micro USB because of the stupid EU law

There is no such law, do some research.

we know that can't happen as not all devices are rated the same amp and were no better off, just loads of chargers with the same micro USB just waiting for some consumer to plug in a low amp rated micro USB charger to a high rated amp device.

You.. apparently don't know much. We know that it works just fine and there's no problem, as devices can detect how much current the charger can supply. Fires do not result.

[Monkeh]

One connector that should of never have been invented is the micro USB, it is so prone to damage as users tend to damage it by not knowing the correct way round

Everyone keeps harping on about them breaking etc.
I've never broken or damaged a single one, or had one fail, ever.

I've never broken one, but I've seen the result of SMT-only ones being broken, and it's pretty catastrophic.

There are versions with through-hole pins which greatly improve the strength of the connector.

I've also never had a dodgy connection with mine.. might be that I keep them clean? Odd thought, taking care of one's property..

[bluejonah]

I've never broken a micro usb. But I went through two *absurdly* expensive apple branded iPad connectors before buying a belkin brand that was *lightyears* better than the crap apple version. And it's never broken. Also, it was half the price of the apple brand.

Also, why does Dave refer to himself in the third-person on vid posts? lol did I miss something?
Finally, it was, um... a little disturbing seeing Dave this angry. I've never seen an Aussie get angry. It was odd; very odd.

[EEVblog]

Also, why does Dave refer to himself in the third-person on vid posts?

It's fun.
And it really pisses off some people who complain about it, which of course makes it ever more fun!

[vikpc]

i 100% agree with this video... i have lots of gadgets with proprietary connectors.. and this is get me angry too.
I have Olimpus Pen EPL-3 i lova this camera but i need wear bag with charging dock usb wires.. card readers
btw.. 99.9% china products have normal Mini or Micro USB charging sockets... only big companies make  strange sockets.

[electrolux]

Don't get under Dave's skin,it's dangerous!

[EEVblog]

Someone must have sent the video to Panasonic AU:

Dear Dave,
 
Thank you for taking the time to contact Panasonic with your enquiry regarding the digital still camera.
 
Could you please supply a contact number that is able to be used during business hours? We will need to speak to you direct in regards to your email.
                                   
Kind Regards,       
Gavin                                     
Customer Service Representative
Customer Care Centre
P 132 600   
E ccc@panasonic.com.au     
W www.panasonic.com.au     

Yeah right, I'm going to call them...

[mikeselectricstuff]

Someone must have sent the video to Panasonic AU:

Dear Dave,
 
Thank you for taking the time to contact Panasonic with your enquiry regarding the digital still camera.
 
Could you please supply a contact number that is able to be used during business hours? We will need to speak to you direct in regards to your email.
                                   
Kind Regards,       
Gavin                                     
Customer Service Representative
Customer Care Centre
P 132 600   
E ccc@panasonic.com.au     
W www.panasonic.com.au     

Yeah right, I'm going to call them...

..maybe if someone explains to them one-to-one exactly why they messed up, it might get fed back.

[rsjsouza]

Finally, it was, um... a little disturbing seeing Dave this angry. I've never seen an Aussie get angry. It was odd; very odd.

It is a known feature of his blog; this other one came to mind, but there are other rants if you watch the complete series...

[bitwelder]

Yeah right, I'm going to call them...

or rather you can go with Rant^2 : It ticks me off when I get unsolicited invitations from customer support...
 

[bluejonah]

ROFL Why do they think calling them will solve anything!? What? Are they going to recall all of panasonic's equipment with the stupid connector? Baha! Yom K! *SarcastaFace*

Finally, it was, um... a little disturbing seeing Dave this angry. I've never seen an Aussie get angry. It was odd; very odd.

It is a known feature of his blog; this other one came to mind, but there are other rants if you watch the complete series...

 Oh yeah totally forgot about the near-death multimeter! HA!

[EEVblog]

..maybe if someone explains to them one-to-one exactly why they messed up, it might get fed back.

Because they are customer support drones, and from backwater Australia no less. The best they can do is file an internal feedback form that just gets lost in the thousands of others from every crackpot who calls.
My video and the thousand of likes and comments stands on it's own.

[amyk]

Now don't get me started on the lack of lithium battery size standardisation! 

18650? BL-4C?

An interesting side-effect of all the cloning that goes on in China is that it has created a lot of pseudo-standards, and quite practical ones too, because the mentality of "copy someone else's design because it works" is just very conducive to standardisation. E.g. you can find a lot more soldering iron tips with the original Hakko 936 dimensions than anything else, 858D-style rework stations use one of very few heater types, generic smartphones almost all use one of very few sizes of batteries (probably a clone of some major brand's...). And no one really uses anything besides USB.

[Dave Turner]

Don't like proprietary connectors myself; it ends up needing a bigger bag when traveling.

Having said that I do prefer to carry a battery charger and spare batteries. That way I can continue working rather than have to wait while the camera is on charge.

[nitro2k01]

Accept their offer and record the call. Though, as you're saying, you'll likely just get to talk to a customer support drone.

[bluejonah]

..maybe if someone explains to them one-to-one exactly why they messed up, it might get fed back.

Because they are customer support drones, and from backwater Australia no less. The best they can do is file an internal feedback form that just gets lost in the thousands of others from every crackpot who calls.
My video and the thousand of likes and comments stands on it's own.

I know this sounds stupid... but there's a backwater of Australia? Like, the Mississippi of Australia?

[ludzinc]

Yeah.  It's called Adelaide.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/rain-falling-in-adelaide-causes-widespread-flooding-and-commuter-chaos-and-is-our-wettest-day-in-45-years/story-fni6uo1m-1226825879645

**Disclaimer.  I'm from Adelaide.  I can say it, but you watch it chief

[hikariuk]

..maybe if someone explains to them one-to-one exactly why they messed up, it might get fed back.

Because they are customer support drones, and from backwater Australia no less. The best they can do is file an internal feedback form that just gets lost in the thousands of others from every crackpot who calls.
My video and the thousand of likes and comments stands on it's own.

I know this sounds stupid... but there's a backwater of Australia? Like, the Mississippi of Australia?

Isn't most of Australia a backwater?

[SeanB]

Most of Australia is a desert, except in the north where there is a jungle and crocodiles.

[bluejonah]

I live in the middle of nowhere in Kentucky. So when someone says "backwater" I'm like "wait.... backwater as in 'just outside the suburbs' or backwater as in 'it'll take several driving hours to get there because that's the only way to get there' backwater?". I live in the latter. lol

[Macbeth]

Most of Australia is a desert, except in the north where there is a jungle and crocodiles.

Don't forget the Cassowary! 

[SeanB]

So there are small birds there as well... Who would guess.