Are you still trying to buy a gadget with a microUSB port?

Bad industry habits.

I was about to buy a Kindle for my wife as a Christmas present. I remember all Kindles, including the top model Kindle Oasis, have microUSB ports. But I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like, as a tech enthusiast, to give a gift that would be tied to a microUSB cord for the next five years or more.

Admittedly, the transition to USB-C has been slow and rough. But the gadget is the latest, but the port is old... I think.

All modern smartphones (with the exception of cheap smartphones) use USB-C ports. Everything from Apple's MacBooks to iPad Pros is USB-C. Many wireless earbuds also charge via USB-C, and even Logitech is switching from microUSB to USB-C.

Then why are gadgets that use microUSB ports still being made? When you ask these questions to corporate PR, the usual answer is "because there are already a lot of microUSB devices out there." But this way of thinking sounds somewhat defeatist. Because if there are many companies to follow around, it will not be possible to switch to new ones.

I also believe that one of the reasons companies don't like USB-C is because it costs money. Adopting USB-C is 4-10 times more expensive than microUSB. It costs roughly 15-25 cents extra per device, so if you're spending tens or hundreds of times as many devices, you might be tempted to go the cheap route.

It's time to stop putting old microUSB ports on brand new gadgets, as if following industry practice, and move on to USB-C. And the good news is that the signs are starting to appear.

Amazon is adding USB-C to one of its Fire HD 10 tablets this year (while using microUSB for e-readers). There's also been a similar move in the gamepad industry, with standard PS4 and Xbox One controllers adopting microUSB, while Microsoft has included USB-C in its latest Xbox Elite Controller Series 2. However, the price is 19,778 yen including tax, which is about three times the standard Xbox One controller, so be careful.

In the current situation where options are limited like this, it seems important to carefully examine how much you need it and how often you use it.

In 2020, more devices should come standard with USB-C. Personally, I would love to see Amazon bring USB-C to the Kindle and many other devices. Gamers can also wait until next fall when Sony and Microsoft plan to release new controllers.

When it comes to Christmas presents for my wife, I decided to take the plunge and open up about my conflicts. She agreed that it would be better to keep her current Kindle (with a dent in the screen) than to get a brand new Kindle (with microUSB that should be eliminated). Hopefully we'll see a Kindle with USB-S soon.