EU Lawmakers Vote Overwhelmingly in Favor of Common Charging Standard, Despite Apple's Protestations [Updated]

[s1m]

I have a magnetic adapter that I connect to my different devices - that way any cable at home charges any device.

My issue isn't phones or iPads it is other devices - it is all the different charging connections like the two different charge for Dyson handhelds.

 

[maninhat]

I'd have no issues with an iPhone without wires. We cope just fine without it on the Apple Watch.

Edit - forgot to add that security should also be much stronger if there is no port to plug into and brute force passwords. I'm 100% for a fully wireless future.

You need exactly the same amount of cables to charge the apple watch. Just different.

 

[sirexilor]

I like the idea of this, but legislation isn't the way forward here IMO.

What happens if someone wants to release a phone with only wireless charging? And then there's the mess of USB-C chargers themselves. Different wattages, and sometimes the spec isn't exactly the same (e.g. Nintendo switch).

I mean, the next logical conclusion is that we ditch wires completely, how does that work with a mandated USB-C port.

Well, the wireless charger would have the USB-C?.

If manufacturer would just do how the USB-C specs are saying, no one would have problems (Rpi 4 fiasco).

 

[MEJHarrison]

Buy a dongle. I’m sure that Apple have loads for you to choose from.

So your solution to all the waste is to introduce yet more junk into the equation? There's too much waste as it is, so go buy more little plastic bits? I either toss cables that are perfectly fine, or I keep those cables and purchase even more crap that will ultimately become waste? How on earth does this help?

 

[kurosov]

No. Border control was the main impetus.

That was just one small aspect of a much bigger list of issues.

A trade union over-reaching and enforcing legal policy & laws they have no reason to do so was just as big a reason.

 

[jfremani]

It is time to drop lightning for sure
usb-c is superior in any way

It most certainly is not. The lightning cable is thinner, snaps in better, and is less prone to lint getting in the hole. In fact, usb-c is only superior in one way which is power delivery and that's really not that big of a deal for a phone. I pretty much only charge wirelessly by putting the phone on my nightstand and that's been more than enough. You know they're just going to go wireless-only if you force their hand, right?

Jesus Christ, people.

 

[PickUrPoison]

It most certainly is not. The lightning cable is thinner, snaps in better, and is less prone to lint getting in the hole. In fact, usb-c is only superior in one way which is power delivery and that's really not that big of a deal for a phone. I pretty much only charge wirelessly by putting the phone on my nightstand and that's been more than enough. You know they're just going to go wireless-only if you force their hand, right?

Jesus Christ, people.

Lightning does support USB-C PD 🙂

 

[beanbaguk]

What can lightning do that USB-C can’t?

Is it so hard to do your own research?

https://www.google.com/search?q=lightning+cable+vs+usb+c
[automerge]1580808486[/automerge]

Lightning does support USB-C PD 🙂

Not strictly true. It supports lower speed data transmission, but does not support full speed, nor the power capacity of USB-C.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Not strictly true. It supports lower speed data transmission, but does not support full speed, nor the power capacity of USB-C.

No. As I said, Lightning does support USB-C PD.

You can fast charge the following iPhone and iPad models when connected to an Apple 18W, 29W, 30W, 61W, 87W, or 96W USB-C Power Adapter:

• iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and later
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation and later)
• iPad Pro 10.5-inch (2nd gen)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd gen)
• iPad Air (3rd generation)
• iPad mini (5th generation)

Charging speed depends on the device, and a higher wattage adapter doesn’t necessarily mean faster charging. The 30W Charger is fine for iPad, and the 18W will pretty much max out the iPhone.

re: data transfer speeds, that has nothing to do with the PD spec. But Lightning can support up to USB 3.1 Gen 1 speeds (5 Gbps) on iPad Pro depending on the model (some are USB 2.0). iPhones only support USB 2.0 speeds, no iPhone supports USB 3 afaik.

 

[cocky jeremy]

What sort of an person wants to live in a dystopian society in which companies can do whatever they want to? That is as awesome idea as saying “alone is better than being part of great union”. But hey let’s split US and EU. That should create complete chaos so companies can do whatever they want. After all this world is made for corporations and not for humans.

Free market. If a company is soooo terrible, people will stop using them and better alternatives will come along.

 

[Jury]

Make a micro-USB-C and Apple might consider switching if it is smaller than the lightning connector.

 

[Gerard Campeau]

I am ready to completely switch to USB C. Still don’t get why Apple is fighting this.

We build off grid generators using thermoelectric Technology. Take heat and directly convert to DC power for LED and cell phone charging IPOWERTOWER

. Do you know how frustrated our client base gets when they cant charge apple products because each new phone has a different charging protocol, Just so apple can sell you a new cable and charger!!!

 

[I7guy]

...Do you know how frustrated our client base gets when they cant charge apple products because each new phone has a different charging protocol, Just so apple can sell you a new cable and charger!!!

Which new iphones since 2012 have had a different charging protocol?

 

[MEJHarrison]

Do you know how frustrated our client base gets when they cant charge apple products because each new phone has a different charging protocol, Just so apple can sell you a new cable and charger!!!

It might ease their frustration if you were to inform them that all new phones come with a new cable and charger. Just tell them to dig a little deeper into the box.

I'd also look for a smarter client base if that's an option. Sounds like you're working with some real dummies.

 

[AndyMacAndMic]

It might ease their frustration if you were to inform them that all new phones come with a new cable and charger. Just tell them to dig a little deeper into the box.

I'd also look for a smarter client base if that's an option. Sounds like you're working with some real dummies.

Wow. Your customer-friendliness knows no bounds

 

[TopherMan12]

I don't want lawmakers choosing tech standards. Not even a little bit. What happens when a better standard comes around?

"Prior to 2009, the Commission considered mandating that all smartphones use only USB Micro-B connectors which would have restricted the advancement to Lightning and USB Type-C. Instead, the Commission established a voluntary, industry standards-based approach that saw the market shift from 30 chargers down to 3, soon to be two -- Lightning and USB-C, showing this approach does work. "

Exactly.

 

[Gerard Campeau]

It might ease their frustration if you were to inform them that all new phones come with a new cable and charger. Just tell them to dig a little deeper into the box.

I'd also look for a smarter client base if that's an option. Sounds like you're working with some real dummies.

You know ignorance is bliss! My clients are smart and technical. Unlike you who knows only to say bad things and cast stones!You rae obviously and Apple groupie. If you only know how they control there customers with technology, you tune would change. All we are saying is we spent better part of a year circumventing the specialized charging protocol. Ever notice that IF you ever buy a $4 Generaic charger it doesn't work on Apple product!! Then you have to go spend 30 to 40 on their charges. Doesn't that make you wonder at all how they have you by the short and curlies !

 

[ItchyRat2160]

Apple developed Lightning long before USB-C was available. A fair comparison would be Lightning vs. micro-USB. Lightning is better.

The Apple Lightning Connector was introduced Sept 2012. USB-C spec was published in Aug 2014. So it's safe to say they were both in development at the same time, and Apple would have known this.

 

[TopherMan12]

You know ignorance is bliss! My clients are smart and technical. Unlike you who knows only to say bad things and cast stones!You rae obviously and Apple groupie. If you only know how they control there customers with technology, you tune would change. All we are saying is we spent better part of a year circumventing the specialized charging protocol. Ever notice that IF you ever buy a $4 Generaic charger it doesn't work on Apple product!! Then you have to go spend 30 to 40 on their charges. Doesn't that make you wonder at all how they have you by the short and curlies !

That's just not true. I've used multitudes of chargers, generic or otherwise, on all my iPhones in the past and they work fine. Why wouldn't they? It is a standard USB port on the charger. Not sure what you are talking about here.

 

[deeddawg]

Ever notice that IF you ever buy a $4 Generaic charger it doesn't work on Apple product!!

Nope, never noticed this.

I use non-apple USB charger ports all the time. I don't think I've used an Apple branded phone charger in years.

Why are you making plainly false claims?

 

[deeddawg]

The Apple Lightning Connector was introduced Sept 2012. USB-C spec was published in Aug 2014. So it's safe to say they were both in development at the same time, and Apple would have known this.

Per the following articles it seems that USB Type-C was initially submitted in 2012, a concept in July 2013, and finalized spec in August 2014.

With Lightning hitting store shelves in September 2012, the tooling and production line setup would've been occurring in the months prior. So while USB Type-C and Lightning may have overlapped somewhat, it would appear to be an overlap of production-ready vs initial-idea.

Newsroom Home

Intel Newsroom home page

newsroom.intel.com

Did Apple invent USB Type-C? Maybe a little bit - 9to5Mac

Yesterday on his Talk Show podcast, Daring Fireball’s John Gruber suggested that his Apple sources told him that Apple invented USB...

9to5mac.com

 

[MEJHarrison]

All we are saying is we spent better part of a year circumventing the specialized charging protocol.

Since I'm getting the feeling that there's a language barrier here, I'll ask the obvious. What do you mean by "circumventing the specialized charging protocol"? Why circumvent anything? Why not use the included accessories for charging? Do new phones not come with new charging cables in your country (honest question)?

Ever notice that IF you ever buy a $4 Generaic charger it doesn't work on Apple product!! Then you have to go spend 30 to 40 on their charges. Doesn't that make you wonder at all how they have you by the short and curlies !

Never noticed that. I have so many spare Apple charging cables and charging blocks, I don't need a $4 cable (because I get new ones with every device purchase). The couple of times I've tried a cheap cable in the past, they were trash that didn't last a month. Apple's cables might be nearly 10x the price, but they last 10x longer too. In my experience of course.

 

[I7guy]

I imagine thewatch makes wearers feel like they're less addicted to their phones, much like nicotine gum makes smokers feel they are less addicted to cigarettes. Personally, I found the watch's utility unimpressive. Someone gifted me their previous watch and I returned it to him a week later.

Hyperbole. Ymmv and many, many customers disagreed with this assessment.

 

[ItchyRat2160]

Per the following articles it seems that USB Type-C was initially submitted in 2012, a concept in July 2013, and finalized spec in August 2014.

With Lightning hitting store shelves in September 2012, the tooling and production line setup would've been occurring in the months prior. So while USB Type-C and Lightning may have overlapped somewhat, it would appear to be an overlap of production-ready vs initial-idea.

Newsroom Home

Intel Newsroom home page

newsroom.intel.com

Did Apple invent USB Type-C? Maybe a little bit - 9to5Mac

Yesterday on his Talk Show podcast, Daring Fireball’s John Gruber suggested that his Apple sources told him that Apple invented USB...

9to5mac.com

Yes that’s what I said.

 

[TheIntruder]

Per the following articles it seems that USB Type-C was initially submitted in 2012, a concept in July 2013, and finalized spec in August 2014.

With Lightning hitting store shelves in September 2012, the tooling and production line setup would've been occurring in the months prior. So while USB Type-C and Lightning may have overlapped somewhat, it would appear to be an overlap of production-ready vs initial-idea.

Newsroom Home

Intel Newsroom home page

newsroom.intel.com

Did Apple invent USB Type-C? Maybe a little bit - 9to5Mac

Yesterday on his Talk Show podcast, Daring Fireball’s John Gruber suggested that his Apple sources told him that Apple invented USB...

9to5mac.com

Apple filed the patent for the Lightning connector in January 2012, and as you note, it reached consumer hands in September 2012.

Type-C was publicly announced in December 2013, first renderings revealed April 2014, finalized in August 2014, sampled in September 2014, and hit CES 2015. Apple shipped the 12" Macbook in April 2015 which was one of first products to employ Type-C. It also took some slings and arrows for making it the only connector, similar to what it experienced with USB-A and the original iMac.

One clearly came before the other, and whatever overlap exists between the development of the two is manifested mostly in the fact that Apple is a board member of the USB-IF (then Promoters Group), and assigned engineers to contribute to the project.

What most seem to miss is that Apple had a hand developing both, and employs both in its products. It also has its own criteria as to which connector is suitable for which product, and clearly doesn't feel compelled to use Type-C where it doesn't feel it provides enough benefits over the existing design, short of government regulation.