The complexities surrounding USB-C standards can be daunting. As outlined in a recent talk by Temporel, an engineer from DegenTech, the situation is largely attributed to Apple’s early innovations in charging via USB. This led to a proliferation of unwieldy standards that complicate usability today.

“To cut a long and surprisingly fascinating story short, the problem comes down to charging,” Temporel stated.

His insights reveal how Apple’s decision in 2007 to adapt USB for charging created inconsistency, leading to various iterations that disregarded original specifications, thus spawning a multitude of unstandardized methods of connecting devices.

From the roots of USB-A, originally designed solely for low-power connections, to the modern complications seen with USB-C, each progression added layers of complexity, prompting discussions about the future standardization of USB protocols.