Last year, my best friend bought me an HP Sprocket portable photo printer. This, she said, would take my journaling game to the next level. After a short demo and dozens of journaling TikToks, I was stoked. And then I unboxed the damn thing.Â
Another freaking Micro USB port. And right after I’d confidently gotten rid of all but one emergency Micro USB cable.
USB-C debuted in 2014. The whole point was to create a universal connector that would transfer data and power quickly, while also eliminating the scourge of proprietary chargers. The first HP Sprocket came out in 2016, a time when USB-C was mainly embraced by higher-end laptops and Android smartphones. But by the time my second-edition Sprocket debuted in 2018 — the last time this little printer was updated — the standard was starting to become mainstream.
It’s not just a random HP photo printer. A few weeks ago, I bought a cat nail grinder that unfortunately charges via Micro USB. I reviewed a stress calming wearable in 2023 that relied on Micro USB. Peruse social media, and you’ll find people griping about all kinds of newly purchased gadgets that still have the outdated connector: kitchen appliances, the latest …