Your comment is the kind of anti-apple zealotry mentioned. Lightning was superior to what was out there at the time (in some ways it still is). But, Apple went full in on usb-c awhile back, and has been walking their largest selling lightning product towards usb-c for awhile. It's like everyone just forgot the complaints Apple received when they changed from the 30-pin connector. I've already heard from non-tech friends, "why is Apple is making me buy new cables?!" By including usb-c to lightning with the last couple iPhones and moving other lower volume products to usb-c, Apple has tried to make the switch easier on customers. But yeah, the EU forced them.