Ken Pillonel has experience developing smart projects that add USB-C support to gadgets with less common and outdated port types. After creating the first-ever iPhone with USB-C in 2021, the engineer returned to this concept. He created an iPhone case that can provide older device models with a USB-C port.
For several generations, Apple has equipped its smartphones with proprietary Lighting ports. This connection technology required the use of a frankly frustrating number of adapters and dongles. A solution like Pillonel can help keep these older devices functional in a time when USB-C has become the standard for most gadgets, including Apple’s.
“The goal is to give extra life to these old devices by making them less obsolete,” he explains in the video announcement. Pillonel has designed cases for all 20 models of Lightning-era phones that can run on modern iOS. The design promises fast charging as well as full data transfer to both computers and CarPlay. It also adds more color options that will be released in September.
The video is worth watching for anyone interested in product design and engineering. You can also read the background of other products Pillonel has worked on, including Apple’s AirPods and AirPods Max.
