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EU Reaches Agreement to Force iPhone and AirPods to Adopt USB-C by Fall 2024
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Well - "pick one" I guess
Apple seems to refuse to do it on their own and the EU has had enough and I don't blame them.
Corporations don't get to "do whatever they want" if a jurisdiction disagrees.
I applaud the EU here.
Unlike in the US, where corporations have bought up all the influence of regulators and they go largely unchecked (which ends up screwing over consumers... you know... "us"?)
so Tesla decided on its own to open up their super charger network?
good argument for government not needing to step into a market like data port connectors for electronic devices.
IN the US, every gas car can use the same gas pump because of standards. Unclear to me if they was mandated by government or industry saw the practically if not outright need for that.
I don't think that standards logic in infrastructure transfers completely over to standards in data ports.
It is pretty obvious lightning was used because it was a much better connector than others like micro-usb etc available at the time. That's why I don't think the government should be dictating what is the best connector for a company's phone. Also I don't see a big inconvenience or cost to the consumer here. And I think a company like Apple would move to USBC if it proved the cheaper/better/more environmentally friendly option for the iPhone. It's not like they didn't already move from lightning to USBC for the iPad.
Would you say that about car safety standards?
What about aviation rules, safety and standards?
Air quality?
Water quality?
Toxic materials in products?
Electrical plug shape and interoperability?
It's nonsensical to argue that companies can't and/or shouldn't be forced to adhere to a standard
Have you noticed that every residential and commercial builder in the same country or region uses power outlets with the same standard plug type. It would suck having to buy all new appliances if you moved to a house with a different power outlet.
Yes, in fact it is still closed in several countries.
I believe (and that is just that) that economies of scales are just stacked against them as normal chargers can charge any car (including Teslas).
But without the common Euro CCS plug all these developments would be a lot more difficult to say the least.
It's nonsensical to compare a data transfer/charging port to safety standards.
So what happens when Apple eliminates the charging port entirely in favor of truly wireless charging?
This legislation is completely asinine
This legislation is completely asinine
They don't. Every region has a wide selection of power receptacles for different, ground, voltage, and amperage needs. That is why in the US, major appliances like dryers and stoves have removable power cords so you can switch them to use your home's appropriate outlet. Even 110v outlets have different features. Ground / no ground, Polarity / no polarity. Even the gauge wire in the wall and size circuit breaker determines what you can plug into it. Standards? yes. Ubiquitous? no.
That's a distraction
If they are going to have a physical port, it needs to be USB-C
Let's worry about wireless charging only if/when that ever happens.
Why? Where does the money come from for by back programs? The tax payers.
I swear...
Some folks could literally be personally on fire and inside a burning building...
...and still be bent out of shape about a government wanting to mandate fire sprinklers, extinguishers and tax folks to provide literal fire services to come rescue them
People are so irrational sometimes ... it's sort of hilarious
Some folks could literally be personally on fire and inside a burning building...
...and still be bent out of shape about a government wanting to mandate fire sprinklers, extinguishers and tax folks to provide literal fire services to come rescue them
People are so irrational sometimes ... it's sort of hilarious
So the US is going to get the latest iPhones first again. The EU will get theirs when they get theirs.
What if the EU had said this when the old micro and mini usb were a thing? How would people feel then? I just think the EU didn't need to force this issue. Apple and other device makers were already heading in that direction.
What if the EU had said this when the old micro and mini usb were a thing? How would people feel then? I just think the EU didn't need to force this issue. Apple and other device makers were already heading in that direction.
Yeah but that means you can't be snarky about it.
I applaud the move. About time and if they didn't want to do it, then legislate. Apple are perfectly fine to go sell lightning still, just not in the EU.
People could have lost all their family in a building fire and legitimately be upset that regulations prevented the use of modern fire suppression technology that could have saved them and instead enforced the use of antiquated sprinkler technology that was known to be ineffective in modern high-rises.
Saying there are "no disadvantages" to switching to USB-C is disingenuous, making such an absolute statement is naive. It's well noted that:
- USB-C is more fragile of a connection than lighting, as has been documented by folks who operate repair shops, also by the inherit design where there is a central pin that can break off. A more fragile port is a clear disadvantage on a device that gets everyday abuse and where durability is prized
- USB-C is less waterproof of a connector than Lighting. Water damage to phones is something consumers care about greatly, especially those with kids, etc.
- USB-C is a bigger port, while I think with the growing-in-thickness iPhones we've seen recently it won't be a limitation on device design, the more space internal taken up is less space for other things (including bigger batteries) which also has consequences to the consumer
I'm not saying necessarily that a move to USB-C is bad, and there are upsides:
- Speed (for those who still do transfers over a cable, I haven't done that in years but I know some folks do)
- Higher speed charging (I like many wirelessly charge so doesn't impact me, but I know a lot of folks wired charge)
- Charger inter-op across devices which is what the EU is targeting
I agree that the move to USB-C is likely a net benefit but there are definitely advantages and disadvantages that are very real. I'd personally love to see a port-less iPhone above all, I wirelessly charge and do data transfer over wireless. Would love to have an even more waterproof device with more internal space for bigger battery/new tech/etc.
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Dude, no offense, but just because you like bureaucrats who've never worked an honest job in their lives telling you what to do doesn't mean the rest of us do.
Despite any specialist high voltage plug, and those also have standards, there is a 120V plug standard in US homes with 3rd-prong grounded vs ungrounded being the obvious difference. If I move to a new home my Mac or TV, for example, can plug into any 120V outlet there because it is a standardized outlet.
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I guess they won’t - Apple etc has zero incentive now to develop an improved connection because these mandates either force them to share with their competitors and make it a “standard” or won’t be allowed to introduce it.