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Comment by jewel | Hacker News Reader

I've been using this magnetic USB-C adapter on my laptop to reduce the wear and tear on the port: https://a.co/d/4JCadfi.

I've been using it since March with no complaints. It'd be great if manufacturers could standardize on something like this so that the port could be flush.

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We bought a similar, “the last cable” and they all lost connection after the metal got worn down in a year. Yet they where supposedly the best of this type.

There’s also been reports of fire due to friction and dirt

They can't; Apple has a patent on Magsafe.

Since they already make it and sell it, they can (standardize too).

They just can't call it Magsafe (trademarked) or use the patented Magsafe design.

Just because someone is doing something, doesn't mean anyone can do something without Apple filing a lawsuit. The small players are small enough to fly under the radar. A consortium standardizing would be a target.

Looks like the magsafe patent will expire in 3 years: https://patents.google.com/patent/US7311526B2/en

Also lightning (the connector used in iphones starting in 2012) is different from magsafe (the connector used in macbooks starting in 2006).

MagSafe is derived from a magnetic power connection that deep fat fryers used to keep dangerous accidents from happening in the kitchen

First time hearing this, super interesting. Got any links to read more on how this prevents a dangerous accident? What does it do to stop the accident, from sparking the oil and ignoring it if the cord is accidentally sheered and exposed?

https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2001/CPSC-Announ...

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