No company holds themselves back from viable improvement because of a timeline thrown out at the beginning. What a weird take.

What is more likely “more blood can’t make a change yet, this better product is out on every other price of tech we and our competitors used, but someone said 10 years 2 years ago so we’re gonna wait another 6 to begin development”

Or

“This product is so serviceable enough for charging a phone and as long as we keep it we can continue to make significant money off of proprietary connectors”

They upgraded the iPad because the lightening was no longer a viable charging cable, the tech couldn’t keep up. And the EU has been threatening to establish a standard since the 30pin was in service, because it locked out competition back then. It became a serious issue to deal with after dongles became standard.