No one will bother trying, so we'll never know. That's one of the worst things about this kind of interference.
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European Commission Moves Forward on Micro-USB Smartphone Charging Standard
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No one will bother trying, so we'll never know. That's one of the worst things about this kind of interference.
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I hate governments wasting time on stupid things but this actually seems like a good idea. If it leads to universal chargers, as you upgrade your phone the old charger still works etc. it could save consumers some money.
Not everyone needs or wants a smart phone and this seems geared to feature phone users.
cocky jeremy said:
I hate governments wasting time on stupid things but this actually seems like a good idea. If it leads to universal chargers, as you upgrade your phone the old charger still works etc. it could save consumers some money.
Not everyone needs or wants a smart phone and this seems geared to feature phone users.
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Of course there's no way the EC would ever allow for future innovation.
EC said:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/rtte/files/chargers/chargers_mou_en.pdf
This is a good example of the problem with the thread and many of the people here do not understand this new regulation and how it came about. The major phone manufactures wanted it not the government. They wanted it because they knew their users wanted to have a standard. Problem is no one wanted to go to a standard unless all the big players did so they agreed to micro usb and the went to the government to say hey make it a law so we all have to follow threw and can not back out later and new players can have a standard as well.
Apple I willing to be only went along for feel good and is showing they do not care and not following along in the spirit and I question legally as well but clearly not the spirit of the standard giving a huge middle finger to it.
How hard would it be for apple to put a micro USB port on the side of the phone that could handle data and charging. All the chàrging and data transferring is done over USB.
Yeez, the reactions to this article are really short sighted.
This is a standard to help the customer and you will see as many standards and regulations go in a year or two this will be the same in the USA. If not, the company's will do it on their own.
Really, in what way is this bad for me or any other citizen of the EU or many of the provokers; USA? In fact as stated above, no standars hurts more than less.
This is a standard to help the customer and you will see as many standards and regulations go in a year or two this will be the same in the USA. If not, the company's will do it on their own.
Really, in what way is this bad for me or any other citizen of the EU or many of the provokers; USA? In fact as stated above, no standars hurts more than less.
Blimey Rodimus, you accuse people of not understanding the regulation then come up with this.
Apple don't need to add a micro-USB to the iPhone, the standard doesn't even ask for it.
compatible?
And herein lies the problem of govt. interference with anything...
First of all, there was already a standard - regular USB. It's everywhere. All companies had to do was agree (on their own) to ship their devices that are capable of running on 5 volts with a cable that plugs into a standard USB port. The *optional* power brick would have a standard USB port on it.
Oh but no, the EU had to get involved and mandate the stupid micro-USB connector. Now instead of power bricks, we'll be living through adapter-hell.
And what happens when USB (all flavors) becomes obsolete? We'll be back to square one and going through another whole "mandated connector" fight all over again, and someone will probably mandate that it be backward compatible.
The whole thing is plain STUPID.
And herein lies the problem of govt. interference with anything...
First of all, there was already a standard - regular USB. It's everywhere. All companies had to do was agree (on their own) to ship their devices that are capable of running on 5 volts with a cable that plugs into a standard USB port. The *optional* power brick would have a standard USB port on it.
Oh but no, the EU had to get involved and mandate the stupid micro-USB connector. Now instead of power bricks, we'll be living through adapter-hell.
And what happens when USB (all flavors) becomes obsolete? We'll be back to square one and going through another whole "mandated connector" fight all over again, and someone will probably mandate that it be backward compatible.
The whole thing is plain STUPID.
If this was really a problem, the (apparently micro-USB loving) free market would respond by only purchasing phones that charged on already-owned micro-USB chargers. The astronomical sales of the iPhone prove this is a non-issue.
Government should have more pressing concerns.
Government should have more pressing concerns.
As a customer of Apple products, this is your biggest fear? Jobs decides everything for us in regards to use of Apple's products, even down to minute details like how to hold your friggin iPhone. What's one less decision/choice in a practically already dictatorical platform?
And besides, how are you losing choices by Apple going with micro USB? How many choices do you have with the 30-pin connector? Right now, for Apple products, it's either you have a 30-pin connector or...a 30-pin connector. Wow, the choices!
Correct, because we all base our electronic purchases solely on the docking connector. That's it, no other criteria is used.
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Apple will probably provide an adapter for micro USB if there is demand of it in Europe. But I have to say that I don't see the point of this standard at all given that the standard sync cable that comes with every iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad has standard USB at the end of it and that cable will work for charging with the USB ports found on many planes right now whereas micro USB would need an adaptor to standard USB in order for you to charge your device on a plane.
Standard USB is a much more prevalent standard than micro USB and it is less prone to break than micro USB. Apple already supports USB charging.
Standard USB is a much more prevalent standard than micro USB and it is less prone to break than micro USB. Apple already supports USB charging.
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The stupid is high in this thread, even for a main page story. This is such a minor deal for Apple, it is unbelievable. Nothing will change for a consumer except you'll have MORE charger choice.
The stupid is high in this thread, even for a main page story. This is such a minor deal for Apple, it is unbelievable. Nothing will change for a consumer except you'll have MORE charger choice.
For all those who don't understand or grasp what this is about, this is a micro USB charger...
http://tinyurl.com/37z87t7
Apple either needs to make the iPhone accept that micro USB connector directly, or via an adaptor into the 30pin dock connector. You'll be able to us any micro USB charger to charge your iPhone, but you'll always need the adaptor if Apple goes that route. The ideal solution is for them to implement a micro USB slot into the phone itself.
http://tinyurl.com/37z87t7
Apple either needs to make the iPhone accept that micro USB connector directly, or via an adaptor into the 30pin dock connector. You'll be able to us any micro USB charger to charge your iPhone, but you'll always need the adaptor if Apple goes that route. The ideal solution is for them to implement a micro USB slot into the phone itself.
I noticed you left out everything about the spirit of the requirement in the quote when you attack me....
I know they do not ask for it but I am going to attack apple on not following threw with the spirit of the law. Also looking at how the other manufactures have reacted to this new standard on their phones I would not be surprised if the only reason Micro USB not being required on the phone was just to get Apple to sign it.
Like I said Apple is not going along with the spirit of the law and showing how it is more all talk and no show when it comes to standards compliant in everything they do.
Yes, yes, yes, exactly!! The micro-USB plug idea is beyond stupid!! Who gives a flying F what type of connector is on the device?
All you need is a STANDARD USB plug on the other end of the 'syncing' cable, because standard USB ports are everywhere - on every computer manufactured currently, on many existing power bricks, in auto adapters, in power strips, in boats, in planes, in hotels, in airports... You can even buy electrical outlets that include USB ports along with the regular AC receptacles.
Micro-USB on the other hand is nowhere - on millions of portable devices, yes, but not on the power supplying end - and therein lies the problem. Now what we'll have is everyone filling up landfills with old chargers as they rush to buy the new mandated micro-USB charger, plus companies supplying a myriad of adapters to make their device comply with the new connector, and all these will eventually end up in landfills.
This mandate was brain-dead from the beginning... Stupidest thing I've heard of in technology in a long, long time, perhaps ever.
RedneckWalrus911 said:
but you dont see... it is his free (let me emphasize this: FREE!!11) choice to wear the straitjacket. his concerns are of a higher, philosophical nature ... dont bring real world arguments into this please. most importantly, dont point to the fact that the EU parliament is an elected body that owes its power to the FREE voters FREE vote and not the corporate giants interests.
im guessing micro usb was chosen cos of its footprint over standard usb, for those who are fitting or have already fitted it to there phones it takes up very little room.
i think a large percentage of manufacturer of phones are using this in Europe already.
no biggy for apple stick an adapter in the box will cost them coppers and im sure theyll pass on the cost to the customer as usual
better for me forget to take my charger can borrow someone elses to get my phone charged
i think a large percentage of manufacturer of phones are using this in Europe already.
no biggy for apple stick an adapter in the box will cost them coppers and im sure theyll pass on the cost to the customer as usual
better for me forget to take my charger can borrow someone elses to get my phone charged
Beg to differ about spirit of the law...silly comment "spirit of law"
If Apple gave up on the 30-pin now ALL iOS device accessories' owners would need to either buy new products or adapters for their Apple iPhones. (ok, not all but any new European who purchased a new iPhone where Apple "in teh spirit of the law" swapped for teh microUSB. unless you mean add yet another hole in the phone to just have both port available and thus available to be clogged, dirt-filled.)
OK, here's where the confusion surrounding this whole deal is coming in.
Depending on how you read the EU paper, it could either mean that
1. microUSB is mandated on the device so that a standard charger like the one you linked to can charge the device either directly or with an adapter.
OR
2. microUSB is mandated on the other end of the syncing cable so that it can plug into a standard power adapter with the appropriate female microUSB end.
I've read the EU paper twice and I'm still confused.
Personally, like I mentioned before, it makes no sense to dictate the connection type on the device. Since this regulation only applies to smartphones, wouldn't it be simpler to mandate that the syncing cable be terminated with a standard USB plug? Then all you would need to bring with you is your syncing cable since standard USB ports are so prevalent.
ft
EDIT - OK I've re-read the MOU again and the basis is that a universal power adapter is exactly the type that is linked in mrochesters post. Basically, it's a power adapter with an electrical plug on one end and a microUSB plug on the other. To be in compliance with the regulation, a smartphone would need to have a microUSB port capable of charging (or an adapter that can provide the microUSB port).
Even still, this is silly. They're forcing manufacturers into design decisions. Since this regulation is for smartphones only, they're forcing manufacturers into using microUSB as the syncing method. If a manufacturer has a better connection, then they'll either have to include an adapter or have two ports on the phone.
I still contend that power adapters for smartphones should be designed to have a standard USB port on one end and the electrical plug on the other. Then the syncing cable used for charging. If a manufacturer wants to use microUSB on the phone, then fine. But don't force it.
ft
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hmm
Couldnt apple do what htc did. Make a port that accepts micro usb but also accepts say micro hdmi and other adapters?
MY touch pro has a port that accepts mini usb and a proprietary htc cable.
Couldnt apple do what htc did. Make a port that accepts micro usb but also accepts say micro hdmi and other adapters?
MY touch pro has a port that accepts mini usb and a proprietary htc cable.
It is absolutely not consumer friendly! As posted by others, the USB connection alone is far less capable than the 30 pin connector on iPhones. More importantly, moves like this impede the freedom for technology to progress. This is a classic case of government regulation being extremely stupid and counterproductive and I am very proud that the US has nothing to do with this. I'm ashamed of you though that as an American you are against liberty.
The good news of course is that the misguided European regulators at least agreed that compliance with their stupid standard can be achieved by supplying an adapter plug instead of handicapping the device itself.
Sure. Let's take it further though. The government should also specify what features all devices will have. If a company like Apple comes up with an innovative feature they should have to apply to the government to allow this feature to be added. If approved Apple must then also release any patent claims it has on this feature, allowing all manufacturers to include it. That way all devices will have the same look-and-feel, the same features, same controls in the same place. Same price too. This will eliminate confusion for the end users as they can switch between any brand and have it be exactly the same as the device they just replaced. In fact this would help the environment even more than universal charging ports. Fewer people would be encouraged to buy new equipment as there would be no reason to do so. We could carry this over to clothing, automobiles, appliances, homes, you name it. Then we would be all one-and-the-same, all equal. No jealousy, no worry, just joyous satisfaction at the knowledge that your neighbor is exactly the same as you. Mother Earth will be pleased, more green than ever with a balanced chi.
That's just the point, you won't need any adaptors as the devices will support a micro USB charger natively. At the moment it seems that it's only Apple who are heading towards the adaptor route, which does somewhat negate the spirit of the standard. Who knows, Apple may surprise us by including a micro USB socket on the device itself? However, that would mean giving up £££ in dock licensing fees.
My understanding is that it's number 1, except the micro USB port doesn't have to be on the device itself, but the device must be able to accept a micro USB charger, whether natively or via an adaptor. Really, they should mandate that the device must accept a micro USB charger natively, which would force Apple to put a micro USB port on the phone itself instead of lumbering us with an adaptor.