SwiftOnSecurityJan 4, 2023
Why did apple have a 30-pin dock connector if USB can do everything?
https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/yxrfu/comment/c5zw18d/
Why does Apple have a 30 pin connector anyway?

USB is a stack of protocols which is over complicated. Many USB implementations are riddled with bugs and people are used to just "disconnect and...

reddit
Show threadLinh Pham
@SwiftOnSecurity 30-pin dock era also dates back to when iPods supported FireWire and USB and still provided enough pins to support line-level audio (and later) composite video out.
Jan 5, 2023 at 12:21amWeb
Show threadR. L. Dane  Jan 5, 2023

@qlp @SwiftOnSecurity

Wasn't the 30-pin connector originally #Firewire-only, or am I just thinking of the #iPod models that had only a FireWire port?

Show threadLinh PhamJan 5, 2023
@RL_Dane @SwiftOnSecurity I think 30-pin dock connector came with the 3rd gen iPod, which included USB support for data but not charging.
Show threadLinh PhamJan 5, 2023
@RL_Dane @SwiftOnSecurity I only remember that because I had a cable with both USB and FireWire connectors.
Show threadR. L. Dane  Jan 5, 2023

@qlp @SwiftOnSecurity

Ahhh, yes, it was definitely 3rd gen; 1&2 were the same case and connector, but Gen2 changed the physical rotating wheel for a capacitive one.