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

[MandiMac]

What comes to mind here:

- the EU was the same commission that enabled the Internet to become that cookie notification hell that it is today, thank you very much.
- if the wall chargers are all USB like it is nowadays, does the port on the phone really matter?
- and if this goes into effect, does this effectively prevent Apple or anyone from creating a smartphone without any ports?

 

[TallManNY]

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

USB C is great. But once that is selected as the official and mandated charging means, how will the EU ever allow it to be changed? If they don't grandfather in older device designs, then Apple won't be able to sell any of its phones designed around lightning. And that may include the iphones already designed for introduction in 2020 (and maybe 2021 is already well on the way toward being designed).

Also, this is not really an issue that consumer are actually complaining about. There are only three common charging systems out there and consumers have the cables for them.

 

[iPadified]

True innovation would be to solve the current cable hell. When the private sector cannot do it, the governments need to point in the right direction. Don't blame EU for this, blame the lack of innovation of companies.

I remember EU enforcing cheaper roaming cross EU not so many years ago. Since then I believe EU is generally on the consumers side and USB-C seem to be another example.

 

[mazz0]

If the commission does draft this law is it then passed automatically or does it need ratified by member states (which isn't us anymore, as of today😢)?

 

[mat3141]

To my eyes, having the possibility to plug in a different cable into the power adapter is enough.

Enforcing a particular jack in a phone, to my eyes, is beyond what politics should be able to regulate.

 

[kurosov]

there's no reason any future ports can't be the same shape and compatible usb-c. Look at the improvement from usb 2 to 3 using the same shape port.

Another great thing from the EU that I really hope the UK adopts. I'm fully ready for a usb-c only life.

USB-C is already a mess when it comes to combined standards to the point that despite having the same connector the cables are not all the same and they aren't all cross compatible.

Forcing the use of the same connector by law is a terrible idea implemented by technologically illiterate bureaucrats.

 

[Dezmond]

Good development! And about time. I only use USB-C nowadays except for the always breaking lighting connector cables from Apple. So would save most consumers a lot of hassle and money.

 

[ItchyRat2160]

Apple also claimed that such a move would "create an unprecedented volume of electronic waste and greatly inconvenience users."

And that's because instead of adopting USB-C like the rest of the industry, Apple insisted on creating it's own proprietary charging ports. So this is entirely their own fault.

 

[Reason077]

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

The only advantage of lightning is that the port is slightly thinner. But Apple’s trend recently has been for thicker devices anyway. USB-C would easily fit on any current iPhone.

 

[nikaru]

Why invest in innovation that you can not differentiate your business and increase your sales. A company that is smart will shift their resources in a different direction. Apple’s commitment is to the customers who they serve. Not other makers. I want them to be able to improve my product options without being restrained by ports Europe thinks are important. They should start with an international wall plug standard

What you are saying does not make any sense. USB is already a consortium created and developed by multiple companies who put their resources together to benefit all, and ultimately benefit the customer through a single standard plug. For example, Intel is now granting Thunderbolt royalty-free so that more companies could adopt it. For the sake of the customers, and not to make money.

Actually, your point is quite absurd. Apple dumped all ports from its laptops in order to use USB-C saying that it is the future, and all port rule them all, it is in the best interest of its customers, looking into the future and so forth. Now, when regulator want the iPhone to have also USB-C, it is suddently a problem.
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And that's because instead of adopting USB-C like the rest of the industry, Apple insisted on creating it's own proprietary charging ports. So this is entirely their own fault.

When Apple adopted Lighthing port, USB-C was still in development.

 

[imom]

It was deeply irritating that Apple was pushing USB-C on the Macbooks and at the same time dragging its feet with the iPhones.

USB-C on iPhones? Can't happen soon enough!

 

[Abazigal]

Doesn’t this simply apply to the end of the charging cable which plugs into the charger? So Apple needs to bundle their iPhones with usb-c to lightning cables and they would be in the clear, no?

 

[FaustsHausUK]

Great news! Finally Apple will be forced to do something it should’ve done 3 years ago.

Not just Apple: as USB-C is the likely winner, we’ll stop seeing garbage mini and micro USB ports on competing devices, too. Reversible connectors for all devices!

 

[Jim Lahey]

The EU just cannot help themselves. They have to meddle in absolutely everything. Legislate, legislate, legislate. Control, control, control. Still, anything to keep everyone busy. Godda keep that gravy train rolling down the tracks.

 

[FaustsHausUK]

I don't see a problem having both USB-C PD and Lightening at home. What annoys me is that toothbrush, Karcher window vac, Hoover cordless vac, Dyson humidifier all have their own power adapters. A solution could be to force appliance manufacturers to sell devices without power adapters so that consumer could buy power adapter independently or reuse an existing one.

Friend, having to buy a power adapter separately feels like a second sales tax. Nintendo started doing this with pre-Switch handhelds and I hated it.

 

[gstevie]

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.

We get on just fine with the Apple Watch until software gets corrupt and or an update fails for some reason. Then the whole device needs to be taken to Apple for service / replacement. Just what we all need for our ~1000 devices we rely on. If the watch breaks and needs sent away, you can get on fine for a while, not your phone these days.

 

[mppn]

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

be tight and solid in the port. After 1 year of USB-for on my iPad, it’s wobbly and disconnect too easily.


edit: removed video because that’s not the one I was expecting.

 

[ckorhonen]

Imagine being able to charge your phone with the same charger as your MacBook and iPad.
USB-C iPhone, yes please.

Technically you can already do this. I can take my Lighting <> USB-C cable, plug it into my Macbook USB-C charger and charge my iPhone.

The prior, voluntary, EU legislation was all about the wall charger and not the end of the cable which connects the charger to the device, the industry just happened to be converging around micro USB. Not sure about this latest one, but it wouldn’t surprise me if similar loopholes exist which will allow Apple to effectively maintain the status quo.

Honestly, I’d say I’m pretty happy with the current state of things - ever since the MacBooks have gone USB-C my charging life, especially when traveling, has been vastly simplified. I have a single wall charger which can charge my iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch and USB-A powered devices all together. Sure, I need USB <> whatever cables but it has greatly reduced the things I need to lug around and the e-waste generated when charging standards change.

 

[opeter]

Finally, this is a good thing from the EU.

 

[justperry]

Despite criticism from Apple, EU lawmakers on Thursday voted overwhelmingly in favor for new rules to establish a common charger for all mobile device makers across Europe (via Reuters).

The Commission should adopt new rules by July, the lawmakers' resolution said, calling for "an urgent need for EU regulatory action to reduce electronic waste, empower consumers to make sustainable choices, and allow them to fully participate in an efficient and well-functioning internal market."

The proposed charging ports for portable devices include Micro-USB, USB-C, and the Lightning connector. Thursday's resolution didn't specify what the mobile charging standard should be, but non-Apple mobile devices and increasingly laptops and tablets are charged by USB-C. Even Apple's own 2018 iPad Pro models adopted USB-C wholesale, so the EU is highly unlikely to choose Apple's Lightning connector.

Apple last week pushed back against proposals for binding measures to make smartphones, tablets, and other portable devices use a standardized charging port such as USB-C. Responding to the proposals, the company issued the following statement:
The European Commission, which acts as the executive for the EU, has been pushing for a common charger for more than a decade. However, the latest resolution makes legislation more likely, with the EU executive having included the common charger standard as one of the set of actions it plans for this year.

Update: There has been some confusion regarding the EU's resolution for a common charger standard, and whether the proposed legislation would cover just the charger brick or both the charger and connector cable - and thus the mobile device's port.

While the EU hasn't been particularly clear on this point, their recent Impact Assessment Study on Common Chargers of Portable Devices does suggest any regulation should cover the port as well as the connecting cable and charger. The key passage reads:
Whether the commission accepts the recommendation of its impact assessment and enshrines it in EU law remains to be seen.

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

I tipped them (MR) of on this, cheers.

As for Apple's comment, I do understand them but to say it creates more waste is utter non sense, it creates less, why do we need a new charger with each and every phone.
The same applies to a lot of electronic devices, like remote (TV) controls for instance.

 

[gavroche]

Once again Good Guy Europe showing the right path...

Be it warranties, consumer rights etc, Europe is always leading in these things. Apple now is pressed even more to adopt USB C

I have no problem with Europe making such choices. I just wish we could stop hearing people in Europe complain when products cost more there than they do elsewhere. Recognize that your choices result in additional cost, and accept it.
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I tipped them of on this, cheers.

As for Apple's comment, I do understand them but to say it creates more waste is utter non sense, it creates less, why do we need a new charger with each and every phone.
The same applies to a lot of electronic devices, like remote (TV) controls for instance.

Do we really need a new charger with each and every new phone? Seriously? Correct me if I’m wrong, but there have been only two styles in the entire of existence of the iPhone.

 

[justperry]

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.

USB C on the charging mat.
I don't think the EU has a problem with wireless charging, as long as the Qi/wireless charger conforms to USB C norm they try to implement.

 

[opeter]

Somebody tell the EU to fix their sockets in all member countries then start giving lessons

Only some EU members have their own variants, all others have this standardized one:

This is a good website for seeing different sockets:

Plug & socket types

Plug & socket types

www.worldstandards.eu

Here, where I live, we are using Type F sockets, which works witch Type C and E too.

 

[Bokito]

It's a stupid rule. What about displays? There is HDMI, mini-HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort, mini-DisplayPort, USB-C (Thunderbolt) and maybe even more. DVI might be on the way out, but VGA still isn't completely dead either. It's a complete mess, but I haven't heart anyone about that either.

I just don't want a certain government (that most Europeans don't agree with anyway) to force me to use certain things.

 

[UltimaKilo]

This is nuts. The reason why Europe is so far behind.