Apple's propriety Lightning cable may offer cross-device compatibility
I may need to see the math on this. I thought the only devices it worked across were ones apple decided it would; devices within its own offerings, specifically after relenting on its decision to NOT let them.
It's less "hands across America" and more "stop hitting yourself" while still not playing nice with others.
Lightning is proprietary. Whatever they say about it offering being cross-device if not specifically talking about Apple products means big $$ to license it, whereas the USB standard is open, and much more flexible.