Because then people would complain that Apple isn't innovating.

Also, there are function keys if you hold down the function button, just like the default behavior of the function buttons on the current macbooks

Apple was never much into slow adoption.

True, but on the laptops they did it on already declining technologies, like removing the CD/DVD drive. I don't think that USB is dying any time soon, no matter how great USB-C is.

I'm actually kinda surprised that they didn't remove the headphone jack. That would actually be a really effective way to push the adoption of USB-C :)

The removal of optical drives was accompanied by all this same hand-wringing and prognostication of doom, but if there's one thing I've learned over the last 20+ years, it's that nerds on nerd forums have no idea what people want and no ability to stop themselves from asserting they do.

Nobody except five Apple dorks in the world gives a damn about advising companies about how best to exploit their markets. We all just want a product that suits our needs.

No USB-A ports (and no Ethernet) really sucks for a lot of people. Apple will continue to be a profitable company. These things are not contradictory.

Yes, I well understand that you and others are engaged in hand-wringing that has no real impact on anything. Hence my comment.

So was the absence of floppies in the original iMac. USB keys weren't exactly a common thing back in 1997.

A bit like how the iPod would never have a radio because Apple knows what's best for people... and then it did?

Or how the iPhone was the perfect ergonomic size and all anyone should need or want... and then they embiggened it?