I would love it too if Apple moved to USB-C but I think that earlier rumor was mistaken. The Lightning connector will stay, and if anything, they'll change the USB-A end to USB-C. Also seems like wireless charging will finally be available on the iPhone.

hahaha

with the certification process needed for airplane modifications, and the frequent non-compliant USB type C chargers AND cables, I doubt we'll see any usb type-C ports at all... airplanes will stick with plane old usb type-A

FYI, a 2-pack of Anker USB-A 3.0 to USB-C PowerLine cables are on sale at Amazon for $9.99 with code BEST8166

EDIT: never mind, sold out :(

I recently picked this charger up:
https://www.amazon.com/USB-Wall-Char.../dp/B06XR9JBM8

I was very hesitant because I've never heard of Grandstar, but the price was right. It charges my 2016 13" MacBook Pro at 60W without getting warm. I haven't tried the USB-A ports yet. I'm hopeful this will allow me one travel charger for all my devices.

Does anyone have the CARD adapter CA4 Pro with type-c support?
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...er-with-type-c

Can't seem to purchase it via their website, yet, but they've shipped the CA4 Pro to backers.

CA4 without usb-c is available here:
http://www.card-tec.com/worldshop/Adapter/CA4

I have one, but haven't used it yet. Will use it as a regular USB charger on my (domestic) trip next week. I figured by the time I got it that I would have a USB-C laptop but my old MagSafe MacBook Air is still running so I haven't replaced it yet...

Can't you just use a regular power bank if you have a USB-A to USB-C cable?

you can, but your device might charge slower.


"normal" USB-A delivers a max of 5V/2.4A.

qualcomm Quickcharge 2.0 USB-A can do more (5V,9V,12V)
but it's proprietary, both ends (charger+device) must support it, and requires certification/licensing from qualcomm

USB-C PD is supposed to be universal (don't need additional licensing from another company), but it's been implemented in a very confusing way

charger can support different profiles (base profile = 5V/3A, next profile allows 9V/3A and 15V/3A etc...). macbook wants 14.5V/2A, but your phone usb-c charger might only support 5V/3A, your macbook charges very slowly

Ah that makes sense that USB-A is limited.

But don't USB-C ports have different voltages depending on which cables you need, and those cables aren't always clear on which voltages they can support?

Though there are suppose to be more parts for USB-C ports and plugs so they will always carry a price premium.

my physics is rusty, but I believe voltage doesn't matter as much for cables as amperage.

amperage is definitely listed
eg:
3A - https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=24284
5A - https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=24285

I love USB C. My Mabook Pro and Google Pixel are all on the same plug. I also use USB C to charge my iPad Pro.

The annoying thing is: now that USB A plugs are FINALLY everywhere, the standard has shifted to USB C

This is why I still carry USB A > USB C cables only. USB A is still everywhere while USB C is no where to be found yet.

I bought one of these and have been traveling with it over the last month or so. The good news is that it seems to work quite reliably with my Spectre X360 and Switch, and the USB-A ports also charge devices as expected.

The bad news is that it is unreliable with in seat power on airplanes - it frequently fails to draw whatever amount of current is needed for the outlet to kick on reliably, so the outlet will often blink off 5 seconds after the Grandstar is plugged in. The other problem is that the blades appear slightly too small and the brick is a little heavy, so it keeps falling out of loose wall sockets.

As much as I love the size, I think I’m back to carrying the giant Anker 5 port adapter for now. If the grandstar had removable blades and a figure 8 connector underneath where I could add a power cord when necessary, it might be a different story...

Wouldn't it be more likely that airline seat power isn't putting out enough power to charge larger devices reliably?

That would be my guess. Most plane sockets max out at about 60-70 watts. Anything drawing greater than that will cause them to trip.

I have the exact same problem with my 130 watt (!) laptop power supply. I've found exactly one plane that it worked on (a United plane with a new seat fitout, so I'm not sure if they have increased the wattage or it was just luck)