>> DEVICE CONNECTIVITY CABLES - WHEN CAN WE STANDARDIZE?

Anyone into portable devices; knows this pain - which USB cable should I use?

It is a common problem that only seems to be getting worse as more and more devices, especially wearables, are being introduced into the market. At least USB is used typically universally used - unfortunately we cannot say the same around the end-point connectors to actually connect your computer or power source to charge or synchronize the data contained on them.

Exactly how bad is this getting? Even sticking with the same hardware company isn't safe.

Apple recently announced it'll be launching a new 12-inch model that will drop its inbuilt SD card, two full-size USB and thunderbolt port for a single USB Type-C connector to compliment the wireless 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.0 standards for complete wireless usage. Let's not forget the 30-pin, lightning and headphone connectors they use for their existing portable products.

It gets worse; just take a look at the wearable market. FitBit, Samsung Gear, Jawbone Up and the Apple Watch all use completely different connectors - not to mention the efforts of the greater community to unravel the secret USB connectors for devices like the Moto 360.

Once upon a time; there was an standardize a universal power adapter for mobile devices - that seems to have stagnated after a great stream of monthly meetings between 2010 and 2012. It probably is also hindered by IP whores who try to patent such ideas as well in a means to eventually gain financial gain or hinder the development of technology.

It is time that consumers fought back and pushed for universal connectors and non-platform specific tie in for hardware. Why should you have to own an iPhone just to use an Apple Watch? Why should FitBit have full access to my fitness information when I may consider that private?

Sometimes you just want to back to the day without a mobile phone and/or technology unless you could be 100% certain you had control over your own data and the companies making such technology were transparent and open so you could use their products independently of them.