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

Xials said:
I would guess that the rumor is partially true, but interpreted incorrectly.

I see a big hurdle in the fact that CarPlay generally relies on MFi, and if they switch from authenticated cables to non, you would lose CarPlay if you bought a new phone with an older car. So my guess is that they have USB-C cables with MFi that allow for backwards compatibility with existing systems. CarPlay would not be the only one, but it is probably by far the most prominent.

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"

Both are "correct", but the second one is missing the point. The first is correctly including the context that prior systems will expect MFi authentication, and are not designed to work without it, while the second excludes that important context.

It could be that apple is intentionally excluding an embedded MFi authentication in its USB-C implementation, but there could be engineering reasons why doing so might compromise non-MFI connections.

I used to have access to many of the MFi docs, and always hoped to see something about MFi over USB-C, but never did.

Imagine, the EU forces apples hand and from 2023 on, you simply can't buy a new iPhone without buying a new car if you want CarPlay because for most new cars, aftermarket head units are no longer a reasonable option.
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GM agrees with you. No CarPlay (nor Android)
 
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OnTheTrail said:
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.
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So what you're saying is that USB-C on the iPhone is such a risk that either Apple or government needs to certify every USB-C cable, apart from your USB-C to USB-C iPad cables, where you don't use Apple cables or chargers and where MFI or certification of third-party-cables doesn't exist, because it's totally fine and you've never had a problem?
 
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Freida said:
Please explain
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Boomers rent seek, and voted for laws that kept their life very comfortable throughout their lifetime at the expense of future generations (i.e., us). Now that they are all retired, they advocate for more social programs, which they didn’t pay into (their social security money was spent elsewhere by them) and less on programs that benefit the younger generations, such as education, housing, consumer protection, etc. They also voted for tax laws and loopholes that benefited them throughout their lifetime, and kicked the deficit and inflation buckets down the line. They spent all the resources in their generation and 5 generations down, which means we started out not only with 0 resources, but also titanic debts. Yet at the same time, they hold equities that future generations must rent or buy from them, which has appreciated in value exponentially. Basically, we are enslaved to them at birth economically, and they will rent seek to keep things as is.

BTW, this is not just for America, same in Canada, Japan, China, everywhere with a developed economy.
 
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My question is, I hardly see USB-C ports in public. My cars (2022 models) have USB-A. Airports have USB-A. I already have lightning to USB-A. Now I have to buy USB-C to USB-A. Yikes. For home, I use mag safe.
 
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KPOM said:
Remember that the next time you complain about how much more expensive things are in Europe than the US.
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This is not fully true.
Cosmetics, drugs and food is cheaper here.
Rent “can” be cheaper there, if you’re living outside the main cities.
 
Crzyrio said:
With ****** $2 cables floating around that could potentially cause harm to the users, I don't see anything wrong with a limitation if the device does not have a way to verify it is capable of handling the power.

We are close to more then tripling the amount of power running through these cables from what the original USB was capable off.
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Let some people sue these morons when their house burns down. Apple will just smile and say, "Told you so."
 
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MNGR said:
Many lawyers would jump at the chance.
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I’m not a lawyer, but everything about this scenario sounds like a case that nobody with half a brain would take up. It’s a losing battle. Why would a lawyer take that case?
 
coolfactor said:
Those popups are annoying and many people have come to dismiss them without reading, but I think it's a good idea. Let the cable utilize the full capabilities, but warn the user first that they are using a cable that has not been certified, so use at their own risk. Seems like the right solution. The annoying popup may be enough to keep them buying certified cables.
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This. It's what HP does when you put non-HP branded ink cartridges in one of their printers. You can choose to bypass the message and still use the cartridge, but it puts you on warning that there may be issues.

I choose to buy knockoff ink cartridges at my own peril because printers are cheap. And since ink is much more consumable than USB-C cords, I literally save enough to buy a new printer with every pack of new cartridges I buy on Amazon. But I woudn't risk my $1,000 iPhone to a $2 cable, when I could buy a reputable one for less than $20.

We can all choose what is important to us.
 
mrat93 said:
This is why knockoff Lightning cables don’t exist. MFi made it so all Lightning cables are safe.

/s

Also, what’s wrong with $2 cables? I just got a 3-pack from Monoprice on sale for $3 shipped. Apple has really swayed public perception on the actual cost and value of cables.
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I am a computer technician who has seen numerous devices break because of cheap charging cables.
 
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mrat93 said:
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?
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First, Monoprice FTW!!

Second, have you met lawyers? There's an ambulance chaser around every corner. Not saying they'd win, but there will absolutely be a bunch that will take on any such case (should it ever happen).
 
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The problem with this directive is that there's no actual way to tell what a USB-C cable can actually do until you plug it in. How would they actually enforce this "requirement?"
 
HobeSoundDarryl said:
Ahh the good old "different use case" counter-point.

So please, AFTER Apple rolls out new iPhones with USBc, be sure to post how wrong Apple is for embracing USBc in the last of the major offerings. Because the "use case" will still be exactly the same and EU law is not global law... just as countries forcing a SIM slot in iPhone is not global law either.

Let me guess: the "use case" will evolve AFTER Apple launches iPhones with USBc so that USBc is finally fine in iPhone. Few if any will be in those post-launch threads making cases of how wrong Apple is for going USBc OUTSIDE the EU.
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they're rolling out USB C iPhones BECAUSE of the law. designing products take years of work and they had no idea when the law was going to pass 2 years ago.

what you think Apple can just delete the port and stick a USB-C version overnight? that's hilarious.

look at the joz interview with WSJ. you can see his absolute dissatisfaction with a USB-C iPhone
 
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mrat93 said:
Or — hear me out — entry-level iPads should use USB-C as well.
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i think you completely ignored what i said.

entry-level iPads at the time couldn't do usb-c because that would be too costly to use the newer design and to support apple pencil 2.
 
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Love the doomsday people thinking every building will burn down if Apple doesn’t sign of on a cable. News flash: we already have safety regulation and labels. There are devices that draw much more power than an iPhone and I don’t see buildings burning…
 
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Kierkegaarden said:
I think the EU looks for opportunities to throw its weight around. They can get their kicks now, but it won’t last forever. As more self sufficient countries leave the EU, it will end up being made up of mostly Eastern European countries. I just don’t see countries like Italy, Spain, and France wanting to continue being ruled by a dictator from the EU.
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I disagree, for now. The continental Europeans have looked with horror at the Brexit situation in the UK and they don't want a repeat.

Anyway, if you saw my suggestion earlier for compatible USB Type C cable types, that should be the way that Apple should go.
 
matt_and_187_like_this said:
Love the doomsday people thinking every building will burn down if Apple doesn’t sign of on a cable. News flash: we already have safety regulation and labels. There are devices that draw much more power than an iPhone and I don’t see buildings burning…
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They are probably just jealous that the EU will have the best iDevices ever made! :D

Actually the EU is helping Apple to innovate.
 
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