Actually the market does want this. And the market decided that USB-C is the superior standard. Everyone except Apple uses USB-C.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
EU Reaches Agreement to Force iPhone and AirPods to Adopt USB-C by Fall 2024
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I really don't like the idea of this sort of intrusive government, but until the EU implemented rules regarding cell phone chargers, everything came with a different charging cable. Every cell phone, every audio or video player, every laptop had it's own little take on the charging port.
It's time for this nonsense to end. It's clear it's only done to maximize profits and it's just crappy for consumers, and the environment. Apple should have implemented USB C a long time ago.
It had no problem blazing the way in eliminating ethernet connections and optical drives from laptops when it suited their motives, but when it comes to phone chargers, they're a crew of luddites.
I won't buy another new iPhone until it has a USB C port in it. Which admittedly won't be hard because I have a 13 PM and it's just fine for me.
It's time for this nonsense to end. It's clear it's only done to maximize profits and it's just crappy for consumers, and the environment. Apple should have implemented USB C a long time ago.
It had no problem blazing the way in eliminating ethernet connections and optical drives from laptops when it suited their motives, but when it comes to phone chargers, they're a crew of luddites.
I won't buy another new iPhone until it has a USB C port in it. Which admittedly won't be hard because I have a 13 PM and it's just fine for me.
Perfectly said..
Really no reason for it anymore, even for Apple, now that they are already using USB-C in many places. They just need to get on with the transition already.
That tongue design is atrocious. Cool engineering but just looks and feels fragile every time. USBC has some advantages and some disadvantages.
Thats a long way to say "I really DO like the idea of this sort of intrusive government."
There's nuance being lost there
It's ok to like some forms of intervention and not others or "all"
They literally are? This is a law for Europe. Apple doesn't have to comply, they can just not sell in Europe. Or they can make a version of the iPhone to sell only in Europe.
We know, but it's not going so well over there.
The only goal of a politician is to expand their power, the only goal a bureaucracy is to expand its fiefdom....and on and on. The worlds not simple....everyone has lots of competing motives.
The new software rarely offers anything that will make it reasonable to upgrade your hardware. Wait until september when the next generation of iphones comes out and that’s when you’ll really know if it’s reasonable to upgrade your hardware.
You could just have the battery replaced for much less. Don’t fall in Apple’s trap to sell more devices by buying a new iphone just because the battery on your current one is failing.
What if another country and/or union decides to require a different standard?
I think the EU needs to be careful. They could instigate backlash by the rest of the world if they make too many more requirements like this.
I think they should have instead enacted an environmental tax on non-compliant devices.
I think the EU needs to be careful. They could instigate backlash by the rest of the world if they make too many more requirements like this.
I think they should have instead enacted an environmental tax on non-compliant devices.
That is for Apple to decide, they can either do a different version or simply walk away from the EU Market and that other country/union.
An environmental tax would be just another thing to be passed to EU customers.
The EU of course knows that the EU internal market is just too juicy to pass by.
To all those pontificating about EU 'tyranny' or 'overreach': Let's not forget that the EU is a collection of democracies (plus a few quasi-democracies like Turkey, Hungary, and Poland) and, as such, is subject to the will of its citizens. From everything I've read, public sentiment in the EU is in favor of this. Plus it's good policy, since it's in the public interest: It provides direct benefit to consumers, and general benefit to the environment. So the EU passing this legislation is just good government, and is how democracies are supposed to work. It would have been arrogant for the EU to ignore the will and interest of its citizens and not do this.
The issue is how will they handle this when the next better cable comes along. We know USB is good because the marketplace decided it. So when industry comes up with the next better thing (or what they think is the next better thing), there needs to be a provision to allow that to be tested in the market (a pilot program) to see how well it actually works. Then a consensus needs to be reached. This will require some very smart thinking, and often neither government nor industry is smart enough, and insightful enough, to get these things right.
The issue is how will they handle this when the next better cable comes along. We know USB is good because the marketplace decided it. So when industry comes up with the next better thing (or what they think is the next better thing), there needs to be a provision to allow that to be tested in the market (a pilot program) to see how well it actually works. Then a consensus needs to be reached. This will require some very smart thinking, and often neither government nor industry is smart enough, and insightful enough, to get these things right.
As others have already mentioned, Apple should've implemented the change years ago away from lightning but kept it most likely because it was a money maker for Apple whenever a Made for Apple (MFi) accessory (Lightning cable) was sold.
Instead, the EU had to step in and Apple lovers are going ballistic with its typical 'Apple can do No wrong!' rhetoric.
WSJ has a good write up and video explaining it, "Apple Is Fighting the EU Over Charging Cables. Here’s Why." [see video marker @ 2:08].
www.wsj.com
Instead, the EU had to step in and Apple lovers are going ballistic with its typical 'Apple can do No wrong!' rhetoric.
WSJ has a good write up and video explaining it, "Apple Is Fighting the EU Over Charging Cables. Here’s Why." [see video marker @ 2:08].
Apple iPhone Charging Port Faces Threat of EU Ban
A new EU deal is aimed at setting a common charging standard for mobile phones and other portable electronic devices, potentially hitting the U.S. tech giant in one of its biggest markets.
www.wsj.com
Last edited:
Corporations can buy up the influence of regulators because they know they can get favorable outcomes from overreach like this. I think it is hilarious that people think governments and regulators are noble. Humans are flawed. There has never been and never will be angelic legislators or regulators. The best bet is to limit the amount of power they can wield - not give them more power!
It sounds like you don't understand the difference between a physical connector vs. a communication protocol.
Your examples are simple... the companies are liable for the outcomes from not adhering to established safety standards.
It.
Is.
A.
Charging.
Port.
The user I was replying to didn't want any standards (of any kind) being forced upon companies
Absolutely agree. So if the port is mandated, how does the industry more forward to newer tech years down the road? They would need to run either multiple ports or get authorization from the government. What an incredibly short-sighted move by the EU.
Standards development is a collaborative process -- which Apple themselves often participates in
It's nowhere remotely similar to the "killing innovation!", "goverment control!" FUD that is being passed around in this thread.