Functionally, yes — governments do that stuff all the time. I just think it’s often an overreach on their part. And often fails to solve the stated problem they use to justify their use of political force.
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EU Moves One Step Closer to Mandating Apple to Switch iPhone, iPad, and AirPods to USB-C
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If these were all valid concerns I'm sure Apple, one of the companies who spearheaded and first adopted USB-C, would have used their expertise to push the standard in a different direction. Apple clearly doesn't share your concerns.
We should have a Wiki with this comment stickied up top, for the once-every-two-months discussions that come up on Lightning vs. USB-C here on Macrumors.
If Apple felt USB-C was a superior option for the iPhone they’d use it. Clearly they don’t.
That would mean to effectively prohibit tracking e.g. for news sites like this one, because they are not even allowed to ask the user, since there’s no “action” other than reading the articles. While I personally would like for tracking to be prohibited, I don’t think that would fly.
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Don't forget to include a reminder that Apple was one of the main proponents who designed, and first adopted, USB-C and that they clearly don't share these concerns.
Of course Apple shares these concerns, which is why they still offer Lightning on some products.
Different ports for different products/use cases. You don't need TB4 on an AppleTV, even though it would "work" for a lot of connection choices.
They ought mandate this to be solved... if they doing something with the power of law they should be writing in enough specificity to prevent the problems you highlight with USB-C. Additionally there are benefits to USB-C, the flexible pins being in the cable rather than the device means the fragile pins are in the part of the system more likely to break.
You are literally defending USB-C and the EUs move to make Apple use it. All I had to do was read your posts. But if you think Apple should be allowed to continue using Lightning, great! Welcome to the side of rationality and sanity.
I’m in favor of industry groups that work to establish voluntary standards. Companies should still be able to develop alternatives to the standard and operate accordingly if they believes it’s a better business decision.
"If Apple felt USB-C was a superior option for the iPad they’d use it."
How far back into your post history do I have to look for this comment?
Yeah I know, I can dream though... I just hate having to spend the first few seconds tapping in to get to the reject all button.
No, I answered a persons question, and never defended the EU's opinion whatsoever.
Try rereading my post, maybe a little bit slower this time.
And governments are free to regulate those companies and force a common standard if those governments decide that the common good outweighs those companies business decisions.
Now but not when the standard was created. The government wasn't involved in companies choosing to standardize.
When even Nintendo have adopted a universal standard and you yet haven't you know you're falling behind.
Its time for Lightning to die.
Its time for Lightning to die.
This is 100% an assumption on your part.
Apple once shared those concerns about the iPad too according to you, but you'll conveniently ignore that.
Ever get involved at all with any kind of standards group? The ones I (fortunately) have had little interaction with are even more political than elected politicians. OK - maybe not more, but just as bad. It's hard to quantify badness.
Most of the participants want to promote their own vision which implies either fame, licensing fees, or both. Simple is not part of their vocabulary. Vague attachment to reality is a generous description.
Personally, I'd like having some common standard. I have way too much junk that were defacto standards from over the years. But, what should it be?
But even the cable will be an extra accessory when everything uses USB-C.
The goals of each are different. In this case the government is doing to reduce waste. That means a better standard that's faster or offers better advantages (for instance, USB-C isn't overly robust and does break more than other connection types), they won't be able to move to it. It'll take getting everyone together and pushing for a new standard. More red tape holding technology back.