In short, that's because Apple flat-out refuses to license the patent to anyone.
Never mind that magnetic power connectors had already been invented, and that Apple's patent is essentially another "this already existing thing except on a computer" patent.
It won't be patented by Apple. Which is a hindrance to a 'universal' connector design. Of course Apple started patenting its connectors in part to give it a weapon against inferior cable/accessory makers (or so I'm told).
Wait, why does Apple even have the power to do this...?
It's a connector... Why on earth is it possible to patent a connector that doesn't involve any particular innovation (take wires, rearrange a bit, tweak shell shape) in the first place...?!?
Hypothetically speaking, if Apple had a patent on the 'magnetic power adaptor' and discontinued it in their own products, would this mean that nobody could produce such a thing. That seems like it would be a ludicrous situation.
Re 6: Apple has a patent for magnetic charger connections. Whether Apple isn't willing to license the patent or other manufacturers aren't willing to pay to license it I don't know.
Re 1: Absolutely true, and it's something that might make me go back to a mac (from Ubuntu) in the future.
I am guessing they have licensed magsafe from Apple. Pretty sure they would get a call from Apple lawyers otherwise. There are universal chargers and batteries with all sorts of connectors which are not patent encumbered.
Kind of makes me wonder if Apple would cooperate at this stage and then consider buying the company later.
I suppose it wouldn't be that hard to work around if people really wanted to.
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