EU Moves One Step Closer to Mandating Apple to Switch iPhone, iPad, and AirPods to USB-C

[BeatCrazy]

So? Apple has done almost nothing with Lightning in 10 years, they upped its speed to 10 Gbps in some devices, yay. The innovation argument would be more compelling if Apple actually used their control over the port to innovate. But really we don't care about innovation in ports and don't actually want changing ports every year or two. We want a consistent standard with data, power, and video, that's what we use ports on phones for right now. Could apple come up with something new?
Requiring a common wireless standard (3G,LTE,5G) hasn't stifled wireless innovation, why should a common port standard stifle it?

Common wireless standards are not the same thing as a product feature/function.
Governments control wireless spectrum, and governing bodies standardized the technology so disparate vendors can align in order to maximize profitability. Apple is a singular company that can make its own technology decisions regarding which hardware best serves it's technology, use cases, and customer preferences.

 

[akempf]

USB-C only supports video if the device itself supports DisplayPort over Alt mode.

Just the connector/cable itself doesn't give you that functionality. So the EU is not magically coming to save us from having to cary less adapters, if we want to watch video from our phones to some other device.

Come on - you wouldn't really by an iPhone that doesn't even support video over it's connector, would you?

 

[hcherry]

What point are you trying to make? My car only has usb-a charging ports, but a usb-a to usb-c cable works just fine for android and would do the same for an iPhone.

The bigger problem for me is I have a usb-c charger with 100W of charging. It has usbpd3.0 as well as PPS for super fast charging Samsung android phones. I can charge every device in my house with that charger and a usb-c to usb-c cable with no problems and at full speed. With the lone exception being my iPhone. I need to remember to travel with a separate lightning cable everytime I travel. And Apple’s lightning cables are garbage. They fray and break easily. My 6 foot long thunderbolt cable has been used for charging, display port, pcie tunneling and more for years and it has never frayed nor broken in all that time. But My apple lightning cables keep breaking. usb-c is a better solution in my lived experience. I’m over lightning.

All of this sounds like a perfectly good reason to be an unsatisfied customer.

However, I don’t see how this should translate into a law to force apple to adopt what you’d prefer as their approach to designing and manufacturing their devices.

 

[usagora]

It's not a mixed message - it's actually most consistent:
a) Interfaces must be standardized so that b) consumers can have a choice.
(A choice on either side of the interface, i.e. a choice of phone, on side A, and a choice of periphery side B - i.e. screens, chargers, headphones, storage, health devices, ...)

Without a standardized interface, consumers are usually stuck to one vendor. And without standardization, innovators cannot invest in product development, as their fancy new (periphery) device might become obsolete (due to a changing interface) before the new product has been sold sufficiently.
So, standardization of INTERFACES (e.g. connectors) enables free markets and free choice on both sides of the interface.

Huh? Are you telling me consumers can't choose to buy an iPhone because it uses a different charging port? LOL! The phone literally comes with the cable you need and the other end of the cable is a USB-C type connector, so you don't need to buy any additional equipment to be able to use it.

 

[TracerAnalog]

Claims to work in aviation and can only think of two aviation companies that manufacture aircraft, somehow ignores:

• Lockheed Martin
• Textron/Bell
• Bombardier
• Embraer

Also conveniently ignores the aviation companies involved in component design and innovation, such as

• GE
• Rolls-Royce
• Northrop
• General Dynamics

etc.

Aviation is extremely competitive. Standards and regulation have not prevented it from being competitive.

‘Claims to work…’ ?. I’m not going to react to this anymore, otherwise we end up having a pissing contest about who knows more about aviation, oversight and EU regulations... This topic is about the pro’s and cons of regulation for powering mobile electronics, and it’s perfectly fine to appreciate the benefits but worry about the downsides too. It’s not black or white.

 

[akempf]

People aren't clamoring for their phones to support USB 3.0 speeds. We have AirDrop and cloud for that. USB-C is relevant on iPads/Macs because that's a tool used for manipulating/creating media and content in a way where data transfer speed and external accessory throughput is important.
No one needs a USB-C hub for their iPhone.

Look, it's not 2015 anymore where people were still focused on transferring files...
People use their phones as mobile workstations (with external screens), media hubs, for giving presentations, for controlling all sorts of electronic devices, as a baby phone, ... all ideally while charging the phone at the same time.

It's time that Apple finally offers a modern connector to its customers - and enables consumers to have a free choice of periphery to use with iPhone...

 

[jz0309]

The largest iPhone battery is less than 17 watt-hours. If you drain it fully each day and charge it wirelessly with a very inefficient charger you are talking <6kwh a year. So worst case scenario, wireless charging is going to cost you a dollar/euro or two per year. If you binge watch a few seasons of a TV show on your iPhone instead of an LCD TV you saved your 6kwh right there.

So go and multiply that with the number of users… and be conservative and call it 100Million worldwide…

 

[Jimmy_Banks]

‘Claims to work…’ ?. I’m not going to react to this anymore, otherwise we end up having a pissing contest about who knows more about aviation, oversight and EU regulations... This topic is about the pro’s and cons of regulation for powering mobile electronics, and it’s perfectly fine to appreciate the benefits but worry about the downsides too. It’s not black or white.

Yeah, your claim seems unlikely given you only know two aviation companies.

For the port we will just have to agree to disagree.

 

[akempf]

Huh? Are you telling me consumers can't choose to buy an iPhone because it uses a different charging port? LOL! The phone literally comes with the cable you need and the other end of the cable is a USB-C type connector, so you don't need to buy any additional equipment to be able to use it.

Have you ever tried to use your iPhone with a modern USB-C screen, driving the screen (high resolution) and charging the phone at the same time? Which just works nicely with an iPad?

 

[akempf]

The largest iPhone battery is less than 17 watt-hours. If you drain it fully each day and charge it wirelessly with a very inefficient charger you are talking <6kwh a year. So worst case scenario, wireless charging is going to cost you a dollar/euro or two per year. If you binge watch a few seasons of a TV show on your iPhone instead of an LCD TV you saved your 6kwh right there.

So you carry a wireless charger with you wherever you go, because the phone doesn't connect to USB-C? Nice... ;-)

 

[akempf]

OK, then. My toaster should also be on USB-C.
And I want a Tesla that fast charges over USB-C too.
The Lightning interface was developed and marketed by Apple before USB-C became popular.
There are lots of people with peripherals containing Lightning connectors (Stereos, Speakers, cars, etc).
What are people going to do with these? Throw these away?

...buy a blooming adapter...

 

[Ferc Kast]

Is there anything that Lightning can do which USB-C cannot? (USB-C provides more power, faster data-transfer, connectivity to more devices.) How can that be the "lowest common denominator"?
In fact, Apple is finally forced to provide it's customers with a state of the art connector!

1) Lightning is more compact. (The MagSafe Duo Charger really highlights how thin Lightning is.)
2) Lightning is a strict standard, while USB-C has multiple variations that are not all the same. (e.g. Not all USB-C cables are Thunderbolt 3.)
3) USB-C has a center piece in the middle of the connector that makes it more fragile, while Lightning is more in line with regular input connectors with the connector being open. (And it has an audible click, so you know it actually went into the device.)
4) There is an audible click when a Lightning cable goes into a connector, while USB-C has no feedback to tell if it went in all the way. (Incidentally, it is the cause of my monitor's USB-C connector breaking since it was saying my computer wasn't detected, so I tried adjusting it until the connector detached from the monitor's motherboard with no way of reattachment...which brings me to...)
5) Apple can easily replace / repair a device's Lightning port. (e.g. My dad's iPhone 7 wasn't charging for some reason a couple years ago. So, he was able to take it in and got it working again while he was still in the Apple Store.)

TL/DR: Apple has been providing its customers a state of the art connector for years.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

Guys, this is ELECTRICITY we're talking. Not what App Store or cameras your smart phone can have, or what smart phone operating systems are fully compatible with Apple's latest AirPods.

We are talking, above all, electricity. Getting power from a wall outlet into the battery inside your smartphone.

Why on Earth would you want to carry more than one cable if our governments could mandate that the entire consumer electronics industry adopts one standard port regardless of brand or device?

Do you also want brands to compete creating the best, most high tech wall outlet? Because that would give us super-mega future electricity and not the boring old electricity we have today?

And then, to flip the question, why aren't you boycotting Apple for not doing Lightning on iPads Pro, Air and mini, MacBooks? If Lightning ports and cables are so superior for all the taxing stuff a smartphone goes through on the daily, surely Apple would, in its omnipotent wisdom and charity, make sure to do Lightning for all its devices for all time no matter what?

 

[bcortens]

Common wireless standards are not the same thing as a product feature/function.
Governments control wireless spectrum, and governing bodies standardized the technology so disparate vendors can align in order to maximize profitability. Apple is a singular company that can make its own technology decisions regarding which hardware best serves it's technology, use cases, and customer preferences.

It is exactly analogous, wireless standards serve a very similar function to a charging/data/video port. They provide a standardized way for different products to interoperate, that is exactly the point of the port on phones, keyboards, laptops etc... ports serve a simple function. Yes you can imaging that some magical future port might allow Apple to offer some future tech but there really isn't any evidence to support the idea that the ports on a device are somewhere Apple has provided unique innovation that would be stifled by a common port.

So long as the port falls back to standard USB-C they can even layer whatever proprietary tech they want over top.

Again I'll reiterate another point though, if Lightning is the better connector, why didn't Apple try to make it the standard when helping design the USB-C port?

 

[I7guy]

Is there anything that Lightning can do which USB-C cannot? (USB-C provides more power, faster data-transfer, connectivity to more devices.) How can that be the "lowest common denominator"?
In fact, Apple is finally forced to provide it's customers with a state of the art connector!

Apple being forced? Sure…or if think there are better alternatives then vote with your $$$.

But I was really referring to was the EU will be stuck on usb-c while the world moves on. That is the LCD I was referring to.

 

[Powerguru]

Well! This is how socialist countries work. Government intervention in everything. I like the idea for usb C but mind you not all USB C is same. There are too many variations.
Wait until apple does go to USB C and make everyone pay $150 extra over the phone for the USB C cable and the charger.

 

[Suicidy]

….. or maybe Apple can run their own damn company without a bunch of idiot politicians and bureaucrats interfering. No one has to buy Apple.

 

[Suicidy]

Well! This is how socialist countries work. Government intervention in everything. I like the idea for usb C but mind you not all USB C is same. There are too many variations.
Wait until apple does go to USB C and make everyone pay $150 extra over the phone for the USB C cable and the charger.

I only wish I could upvote you more. +1000.

 

[I7guy]

Guys, this is ELECTRICITY we're talking. Not what App Store or cameras your smart phone can have, or what smart phone operating systems are fully compatible with Apple's latest AirPods.

We are talking, above all, electricity. Getting power from a wall outlet into the battery inside your smartphone.

Why on Earth would you want to carry more than one cable if our governments could mandate that the entire consumer electronics industry adopts one standard port regardless of brand or device?

Do you also want brands to compete creating the best, most high tech wall outlet? Because that would give us super-mega future electricity and not the boring old electricity we have today?

And then, to flip the question, why aren't you boycotting Apple for not doing Lightning on iPads Pro, Air and mini, MacBooks? If Lightning ports and cables are so superior for all the taxing stuff a smartphone goes through on the daily, surely Apple would, in its omnipotent wisdom and charity, make sure to do Lightning for all its devices for all time no matter what?

When it comes down to my finances, health, food and water supply, electricity plus a myriad more items for required for society to function and not implode or die out…I want government involved. On a port in a cell phone, not so much. Of course when government does insert itself, the people will be worse off.

 

[Houpla]

The EU engineers will no doubt offer their excellent technical advice to manufacturers on how to make the transition.

Oh, wait......

What false assumptions should you hold to consider that a joke or a smart comeback?…

 

[Suicidy]

"Apple warned that forcing a common charging port on the industry would stifle innovation and create electronic waste as consumers were forced to switch to new cable"

don't make me laugh.lightning is so old ,charging speeds and data transfers are beyond ridiculous.

as for the electronic waste,selling lightning accessories doesnt help the planet i'm afraid.it just helps apple making more money.what a shady company really

It’s just not the business of government to decide these things for all of us. No wonder the EU is in such sad shape.

 

[bcortens]

Well! This is how socialist countries work. Government intervention in everything. I like the idea for usb C but mind you not all USB C is same. There are too many variations.
Wait until apple does go to USB C and make everyone pay $150 extra over the phone for the USB C cable and the charger.

Its kind of funny how some people react to government intervention in anything. People in Europe keep voting for semi-socialist governments and yet somehow they manage to live healthy, happy, fulfilled lives... its almost as if some people want government intervention in society ... that it might help make society better...

 

[GermanSuplex]

I would love to see this happen because its good for consumers, but I also don't think a company should be forced to adhere to such a standard. Suppose a year down the line Apple develops a faster charging solution with a cable that has an even smaller connector than Lightning or USBG-C. Then what?

That said, I won't lose any sleep over it. Who knows if such a change will be implemented state-side. I'd like to see Apple do this on its own rather than have its arm forced.

 

[JosephAW]

Apple will just provide a dongle.

 

[usagora]

If Ever tried to use your iPhone with a modern USB-C screen, driving the screen (high resolution) and charging the phone at the same time? Which just works nicely with an iPad?

Then use your iPad. Or buy a non-iPhone smart phone. You have a choice. Do you think it's the government's role to step in to force Apple to change the iPhone so you can use it exactly how you want to? That's the issue here as I see it. I have no problem with people debating about USB-C vs. lightning, but that should be Apple's decision to make, not the EU's.