Gurman: Apple AirPods and Mac accessories may switch to USB-C interface by 2024

CTOnews.com, Oct. 9, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, all three AirPods series and Mac accessories, such as Miao Control Keyboard and Miao Control Panel, are likely to transition to the USB-C interface by 2024.

Earlier this week, the European Parliament approved a new directive requiring manufacturers to provide USB-C as a universal charging interface for various devices in Europe by the end of 2024. Gurman said in his latest "Power On" newsletter that Apple has been preparing for these new legal requirements.

Gurman believes Apple will have most of its products comply with the legislation by the end of 2024. He claims that Apple's iPhone 15 series will switch to the USB-C interface in the fall of 2023, a year earlier than required by the European Union. The entry-level iPad is the only iPad that still has a Lightning interface and is expected to switch to USB-C by the end of this year.

Gurman also speculated that Apple could release a new iPhone SE with a Lightning interface instead of USB-C in March 2024, which could be sold in the European Union before the new law takes effect.

CTOnews.com learned that Gurman pointed out that Apple will make several major Mac updates next year, including the new iMac and Mac Pro. The Mac accessories that go with this will also switch to the USB-C interface.

But Gurman believes that Apple will not stay on the USB-C interface for long. The previous 30-pin iPod and Lightning ports have been used for 11 years, while Apple aims to transition to the wireless era, such as a future version of the AirPower wireless charging board.