This really shouldn’t come as any form of a surprise since Apple has been under a lot of heat within Europe to switch to USB-C in an attempt to enforce universal compatibility between devices. This pressure would likely spread to other locations. Thus it was smart for Apple to consider getting a head start at just moving away from Lightning altogether. After all, it would be expensive to manufacture two different variants of each affected device.
As for the affected devices (coming from Apple), this is really just a focus on the iPhone models since everything else has already made the switch to USB-C. So, hopefully, sometime next year you will begin to see models rolling out with the new change.
It’s nice to see Apple move away from Lightning as proprietary connections are annoying. On top of that, Apple is notorious for blocking or limiting the use of many third-party Lightning cables in an attempt to draw more sales into its direction. With a move to USB-C, the company would be forced to play fair. Allowing support for the general USB-C specifications.
I personally am tired of juggling between cables as I sync data back and forth or charge throughout the day. Magnetic cables have been a staple solution for this purpose (at least, for me). But then the restrictions Apple made eventually limited my use of the cables I had which really pissed me off (sorry, it had to be said).
As mentioned, you likely won’t see the new change until sometime next year as it will take time for Apple to put the iPhone hardware and iOS through various tests to make sure Apple can deliver USB-C support the best way possible. So it won’t be happening overnight. I do have to thank the European Union though for lighting a fire under their seats.
