EU Warns Apple About Limiting Speeds of Uncertified USB-C Cables for iPhones

[diskrisk]

Framing is everything here.
You can say, "Apple is making special USB-C cables with MFi to ensure compatibility with existing 3rd party MFi systems"

OR you can say, "Apple is artificially limiting certain functionality over USB-C cables"

You got it. It's an intentionally inflammatory framing of the situation, because it gets tech fans riled up to defend their side. "Apple is making special USB-C cables with MFi to ensure compatibility with existing 3rd party MFi systems" doesn't get the clicks

 

[compwiz1202]

This is NOT a problem when a 5 min charge gets you days of work and an overnight charge gets you over a month. Seriously, as the previous poster commented: plug it in before next bathroom break and carry on.

The placement of the port is really silly, I totally agree, but IMO it is nowhere near the problem people make it out to be.

Is it easy to see the current charge? That's the thing I don't like about my MS Bluetooth. And is there a warning at a reasonable time, and not where the mouse is on death's door. Tell me at like 20 like with the iPhone, not at 5

 

[Freida]

Please explain

Great, that day may come even sooner 😂

 

[genovelle]

I’m glad there is an adult in the room to put Apple on notice.

Que the exploding devices

 

[Razorpit]

Moving from EU to NA made me realise how much consumer protection I had a privilege to get when being in EU. Here in NA its shocking how badly the consumer is not protected. Starting with warranty to delayed flights etc. Its a mess.

I wish EU was in NA too. Maybe called NAU

All of us would benefit

While it goes by various names, the EU is here. You might know it as, the People's Republic of California.

 

[diskrisk]

Que the exploding devices

The device probably wouldn't explode, but the port would. We're not talking about Samsungs here /j

 

[bobbie424242]

Typical Apple dragging their feet in bad faith whenever there is some regulation...

 

[Princejb134]

apple doesnt have to limit the cable itself but they can limit how much power the phone can charge at a time

 

[Will Co]

For once, good work EU. Apple is completely wrong, for many reasons, to pursue this line, if indeed they intend to. Make it easy for people, Apple. For heavens sake, they've paid enough to buy your hardware and into your eco-system. No need to nickel-and-dime every last cent out of cables, connectors etc. Just comply with the law. You know you want to look good, eco-wise.

 

[MNGR]

If you cheap out on cables, it's on you.

nope. They will sue Apple if things break

 

[deebinem]

So they need an Airpower mouse pad where it charges no matter where it is on the pad

I thought leaving things in a perpetual charging state weren't good for batteries? I guess you could then just have optimized charging like other Apple products.

 

[OnTheTrail]

As a USA Consumer where we have few consumer protection and data privacy laws, I appreciate a lot of what the EU does. However in this case, unless the EU is going to step in and test/certify every USB-C cable sold on the market, or is going to warranty my iPhone, then I don’t really think the EU should get involved in how Apple chooses to implement. If Apple has a USB-C charging port, and accepts cables that are certified to a USB-C standard (which Apple should clearly identify), I have no issue with Apple either defining higher standards for MFi cables, and or defining what its warranty coverage is in the case of using not Apple-certified USB-C charging cables. Personally I have three Apple iPads that have USB-C Charging ports. And I’ve never had a problem. Usually I use non-apple chargers and cables. But I always look for a MFI certified cable, because there is no other USB certified testing service, either in the market or that I trust. I would never use a non-certified cable with my Apple devices — they are too expensive of a device to use $2 cables to charge. And have seen fires or damaged charging ports from non-MFi certified cables. So its a real issue. If the EU want to ensure anyone can charge their phone with a USB-C cable, that’s fine, but any manufacturer sould have the right to limit high speed charging to clearly certified cables given the device price & safety risk. ANd if consumers don’t agree with that they should buy a phone from another manufacturer with lower safety standards.

 

[klasma]

What are the chances of the EU stepping up and telling Apple not to remove the current Mute Button from iPhone 15?

As far as I'm concerned, the EU should require Apple to not discontinue the iPhone mini.

 

[Realityck]

For once, good work EU. Apple is completely wrong, for many reasons, to pursue this line, if indeed they intend to.

It is worth emphasizing that Apple potentially limiting the functionality of uncertified USB-C cables connected to iPhone 15 models is only a rumor for now, so it remains to be seen whether or not the company actually moves forward with the alleged plans.

Do we see anything factual? It's like you're guilty before you committed a crime with these articles.

 

[sdf]

While the letter is not a bad thing, there's pretty much no chance that rumor was ever true.

 

[Wildkraut]

Moving from EU to NA made me realise how much consumer protection I had a privilege to get when being in EU. Here in NA its shocking how badly the consumer is not protected. Starting with warranty to delayed flights etc. Its a mess.

I wish EU was in NA too. Maybe called NAU

All of us would benefit

Not to mention, poverty, healthcare, higher tendency to violence and guns, hire and fire philosophy, flawed democracy, etc.

But I’m envy that there are class action suits in the U.S., the EU needs something like this, too.

 

[jlc1978]

I could see Apple making iPhone with a Thunderbolt port. It would still work with USB-C but it would be better with an iPhone cable, just like AirPods versus non-Apple Bluetooth headphones.

Quite possible and fully with the EU regulation.

Limiting speed is just fine. For instance, it could only support USB 2. The common charger legislation doesn’t address that. Limiting USB PD charging capabilities would not be fine.

Exactly, and teh spec allows for chargin protocols beyond USB PD. Not sure what the EU is complaining about beyond rectangle like a poster on a rumor ite.

bro keep it down, you’re scaring the boomers and letting them know our evil plans.

Nah, they're too busy spending all teh social security trust fund money.

The EU has the CE certification which is the validation that the product is safe to use for the consumer. In the US a consumer is expected to verify themselves whether it is safe.

UL is the NA version.

If it has a CE logo but fails, the manufacturer is liable. If it is counterfeit, well it is counterfeit.

Unfortunately, counterfeiters have no qualms about including all the certification logos.

 

[KPOM]

Moving from EU to NA made me realise how much consumer protection I had a privilege to get when being in EU. Here in NA its shocking how badly the consumer is not protected. Starting with warranty to delayed flights etc. Its a mess.

I wish EU was in NA too. Maybe called NAU

All of us would benefit

Remember that the next time you complain about how much more expensive things are in Europe than the US.

 

[MNGR]

You just made up that scenario.

First of all, the cables I bought are Monoprice brand — arguable THE most reputable cable manufacturer.

Now, not everybody will buy cheap cables from reputable manufacturers. I’m sure that people will buy cheap cables which are dangerous! And that’s why there have been warnings over fake Lightning cables which are prone to starting fires. Just because Apple has a proprietary connector, doesn’t mean that they’re immune to dangerous knockoff cables.

Who in their right mind would sue a phone manufacturer for a fire started by a third party cable? What lawyer would take that case?

Many lawyers would jump at the chance.

 

[vipergts2207]

Im sure apple will comply with the letter of the law. I want to thank the EU for equate that will accrue due to people throwing out their lightning cables.

On the plus side, I'll now be able to charge my iPhone using the same cables I already have for my MBP and iPad.

 

[JM]

Lol. Really. Lol.

What a joke… even the EU knows what’s up over at Apple. 🤣

 

[tan.shu]

Stop being greedy, please, for the earth.

 

[omihek]

I wish I could just warn Apple about something and have them actually listen.

Hey Apple, you need to start having in-person WWDCs again. Some of us couldn't attend before, but now we can. It's not fair to those of us who never had a chance before you stopped doing in-person. You have till WWDC 2024 to make these changes. Consider yourself warned.

 

[tarkeybear]

My only concern will be for any non MFi cables with malware embedded in the chip. I wouldn't mind Apple devices saying that the attached cable is not an Apple approved cable and ask me if I want to allow communication and power to flow through it (ideally before the malware can come across), then it is my decision if I want to use a "safe" cable instead. Not sure if the tech could work like that.

 

[compwiz1202]

As far as I'm concerned, the EU should require Apple to not discontinue the iPhone mini.

And a bigger screened SE still with TouchID, preferrably on the power button.