Really my point was just that Apple designed the lightning connector instead of working collaboratively toward a USBc-like standard
They did work collaboratively towards a standard. They just also in parallel worked on their own project, because they know standards can take an indefinite amount of time, so it could have been a decade to get USB C fleshed out, while they had already been working on Lightning in the background.
That's true, but if Apple was heavily invested at the time, you'd think they'd show up in the "opening credits" :p
Apple has been a member of the USB-IF (the group that creates USB specs) since at least 2009. https://www.loopinsight.com/2009/07/24/palm-reports-apple-to-the-usb-implementers-forum/
https://www.engadget.com/2009-07-24-palm-complains-about-apple-to-usb-governing-body-while-pre-it.html
https://www.macrumors.com/2009/07/24/palm-reports-apple-to-usb-compliance-organization-over-itunes-syncing-issues/
Really my point was just that Apple designed the lightning connector instead of working collaboratively toward a USBc-like standard
They did work collaboratively towards a standard. They just also in parallel worked on their own project, because they know standards can take an indefinite amount of time, so it could have been a decade to get USB C fleshed out, while they had already been working on Lightning in the background.