Kindle Paperwhite cable, is it a regular mini USB cable?

[sjfan]

Originally Posted by rcentros

Maybe for their more expensive phones. But the Motorolas and LGs that I've seen lately are still using microUSB ports. My nieces just picked up new Moto E4s at Christmas with microUSB ports. So I guess I should substitute "Apple" for "Expensive" (which, in the case of Apple, is redundant).

Yes, it's a gradual process. I expect in 3-4 years most new smartphones will use USB C, but it definitely started at the higher end and has only recently started appearing in some mid-range products.

There's certainly no burning reason to switch overnight, micro USB chargers are going to be around for the foreseeable future and are still pretty great (especially compared to the nightmare of proprietary chargers that preceded mini/micro USB chargers).

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by sjfan

I phrased it that way because (like with all versions of USB—and Firewire, Lightning, and wall plugs, and most other electrical interfaces) it’s definitely theoretically possible that a bad cable could damage your equipment. Saying it's flat-out impossible would be a lie. ...

Okay. I get it. I was trying to be a bit facetious on this particular subject (hence the smiley). As for original post in this sub-thread, I really don't want to worry about a whole new set of cables and chargers on any new Kindles I might buy (or eReaders, in general) but I'm guessing they'll come sooner or later. At this point in my life almost every small electronic device I own uses microUSB ports (including Bluetooth speakers, Bluetooth keyboards, etc.) so I'm really not looking forward to having to come up with new cables for everything. Since I stay well behind the curve (by choice) none of this will be an issue for me until (probably) at least another three or four years.

In the big scheme of things, none of this means squat. If the monks in the Middle Ages could look forward in time, they would probably drop their discussions about how many angels could fit on the head of a needle long enough to giggle at this particular dissertation about the "superiority" of one USB cable over the other. You do realize that, at about the time USB-C becomes the "standard," USB-D will be the new cutting edge, right?

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by rcentros

Okay. I get it. I was trying to be a bit facetious on this particular subject (hence the smiley). As for original post in this sub-thread, I really don't want to worry about a whole new set of cables and chargers on any new Kindles I might buy (or eReaders, in general) but I'm guessing they'll come sooner or later. At this point in my life almost every small electronic device I own uses microUSB ports (including Bluetooth speakers, Bluetooth keyboards, etc.) so I'm really not looking forward to having to come up with new cables for everything. Since I stay well behind the curve (by choice) none of this will be an issue for me until (probably) at least another three or four years.

In the big scheme of things, none of this means squat. If the monks in the Middle Ages could look forward in time, they would probably drop their discussions about how many angels could fit on the head of a needle long enough to giggle at this particular dissertation about the "superiority" of one USB cable over the other. You do realize that, at about the time USB-C becomes the "standard," USB-D will be the new cutting edge, right?

From what I have read USB will be obsolete and it will be wireless charging which is on the latest and greatest smartphones both Apple and the singer named Sam.
*Ok technically I didn't read it, I saw it on a TV ad.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

From what I have read USB will be obsolete and it will be wireless charging which is on the latest and greatest smartphones both Apple and the singer named Sam.
*Ok technically I didn't read it, I saw it on a TV ad.

Wireless charging was standardized with Qi in 2010. USB c was standardized in 2014. I had a phone that would charge wirelessly years before I had a phone with a USB c connector.

"With the addition of both fast charging and wireless charging to Apple's 2017 iPhone lineup, there are more ways than ever to charge your iPhone. Every method is different -- some are faster and more expensive, while others are slower but more convenient. "
https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ipho...eeds-compared/

"The absolute fastest way to charge an iPhone 8, iPhone X, or iPhone 8 Plus is with a USB-C power adapter and an accompanying USB-C to Lightning cable. Charging with USB-C activates a "fast-charge" feature that's designed to charge the iPhone to around 50% in 30 minutes, and I saw about that level of charge in all of my USB-C tests.

5W wireless charging and 5W wired charging with the standard iPhone adapter were the slowest methods that I tested. 7.5W wireless testing was faster than 5W wireless charging, but not by much."

I have a friend who spends almost his entire day sitting at a desk. A wireless charger he can put his Samsung Note8 on is great for him. I move around a lot during the day. I like being able to recharge quickly wherever I have access to an outlet. For example, a few days ago I forgot to charge my phone when I went to bed. The next day I was in a fast food restaurant when I realized I had a problem. I picked a table near and outlet and by the time I'd finished breakfast, and reading a bit on my Kindle, I had a half-charge on my phone. Wish I could do that with my Kindle.

[JSWolf]

The main problem facing USB-C is cheap cables and accessories which can cause physical damage to devices. Google engineer Benson Leung has been on a personal crusade for the past year warning against the dangers of sub-standard cables and how they could potentially destroy products.

The issue is caused by the amount of power that USB-C cables can now carry, which can be dangerous not only to devices but people as well. For the most part you’ll want to avoid cheap, no-brand items from China that you often find on eBay and instead opt for established, trusted brands.

USB-C can deliver more power so if the cable has a problem, the power can damange some devices.

[JSWolf]

Will known brand and yet it's deemed unsafe,

GoPro USB-C Supercharger deemed unsafe

The Best USB-C Chargers: What’s Safe and What’s Dangerous?

The second article really shows that even major names (including Apple) can have unsafe USB-C chargers.

[patrickt]

I have bought a variety of chargers and cables for USB c and have yet to have any problems. Some are known brands and some aren't. Benson Leung did say he lost an Apple device to a bad cable.

I'm happy with USB c and suspect the problem of bad cables and chargers has passed.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I have bought a variety of chargers and cables for USB c and have yet to have any problems. Some are known brands and some aren't. Benson Leung did say he lost an Apple device to a bad cable.

I'm happy with USB c and suspect the problem of bad cables and chargers has passed.

The second article I linked was put online November 30, 2017. So no, the problem of bad cables and bad chargers has not passed. It's just gotten more confusing (IMHO).

The first article I linked shows a well known brand's USB-C charger not being safe. Even if the problem is fixed, how do you know that the charger you buy is a new one or an old one? You don't.

[GlenBarrington]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Will known brand and yet it's deemed unsafe,

GoPro USB-C Supercharger deemed unsafe

The Best USB-C Chargers: What’s Safe and What’s Dangerous?

The second article really shows that even major names (including Apple) can have unsafe USB-C chargers.

Interesting! Many Thanks! The takeaway, for me at least, seems to be don't buy cables from the pharmacy or supermarket for USB-C cables. Those little $5 blister packs next to the check out don't sound so inexpensive at this point!

I noted in the 2nd article that Amazon has banned non certified USB-C cables from their offerings. That's good in my eyes, since a Prime member and a K.U. subscriber, that is where I am likely to buy my cables anyway.

I do think the convenience of USB-C still outweighs the small risk associated with it. I'm still thinking I want all my replacement devices to support USB-C.

[Tarana]

Doesn't help the OP, but thanks guys, for explaining that some cords only charge and some allow data transfer. That explains why I can't get my ereaders to mount sometimes. Think I will mark those that don't data transfer with bright green duct tape.