Greg Joswiak: Apple Will Have to Comply With the EU and Switch iPhone to USB-C

[Gudi]

I don't follow how you came to this conclusion, but I can see from your posts that you are firmly set in your position. Agree to disagree, and we can let the facts speak for themselves.

No, they need to be discussed. Facts don't mention themselves. Every talk about Apple eventually leads to the big question. What even is an invention? Did Apple invent any of their products? Or are they just an overpriced luxury brand, who sells mediocre tech at fashion prices? If you're around long enough, than this isn't your first debate over Lightning versus USB-C. This doesn't mean you can't change my mind with a good argument. But letting the facts speak for themselves only ends in silence. You're by no means the first to "agree to disagree" when he runs out of arguments. I do not agree that abandoning a debate is a convincing stance. Make up your mind! Then talk again.

 

[PopeOfChiliTown]

I've wondered this myself. I definitely want USB-C on the iPhone and wish Apple would just implement these things on their own, but forcing them to use a certain connector does bring up the obvious question of what happens when a company invents a faster, better connection. How can they implement such a connection if the law says they have to use a certain one? I'm sure its been discussed and maybe there are provisions allowing such a thing, but it is an obvious question to ask.

The USB standard gets updated all the time, enabling increased speeds and power delivery, without changing the physical form factor. And they're always backward compatible.

 

[Powerbooky]

There won’t be a replacement for USB-C. It’ll be USB-C and then wireless protocols. There is no need for a new standard connector as USB-C (assuming 3.0 speeds or higher) has enough data and energy bandwidth that will be sufficient for 99% of users and devices for the next 30 years.

If a better connector comes along, do you think that Apple would be in a rush to adopt it given they’ve stuck with Lightning for so long?

30 years? Maybe, but I wouldn't bet on it.

 

[PowerButton]

Although not a fan of government regulations, this is a welcome change. The Lightning port just isn’t as fast as USB-C and with the capability of shooting video in ProRes it’s doesn’t make sense to have a slow port.

 

[AdonisSMU]

I dont like this simply because it doesnt allow for any innovation. The government overstepped IMO.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Oh thank god they're not going portless. We're saved.

This is something that should've happened years ago.

And to everyone saying "this doesn't allow for any innovation" the law has provisions for future better connectors. If this legislation didn't happen we would've still been on Lightning.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

they're not going portless

Not yet anyway.

 

[Macintosh Quadra 840av]

Keep in mind the law doesn't go into effect until the end of 2024 and any device released before then is exempt and can remain for sale.

That means Apple won't be required to include USB-C until the iPhone 17 release in late 2025.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Keep in mind the law doesn't go into effect until the end of 2024 and any device released before then is exempt and can remain for sale.

That means Apple won't be required to include USB-C until the iPhone 17 release in late 2025.

Right but it is coming in iPhone 15 in 2023 anyway according to leaks

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Keep in mind the law doesn't go into effect until the end of 2024 and any device released before then is exempt and can remain for sale.

That means Apple won't be required to include USB-C until the iPhone 17 release in late 2025.

Honestly with them announcing the iPhone will go USB-C, it's highly likely the iPhone 15 will get USB-C now, because if it didn't they'd sabotage their sales hard as a lot of people who don't need new phones would just wait for the USB-C iPhone.

 

[darngooddesign]

I dont like this simply because it doesnt allow for any innovation.

Yes it does. The law allows for new standards.

 

[AdonisSMU]

Chinese sellers on amazon just love selling their terrible non-compliant unsafe USB - c and lighting connector cables year after year. Then amazon sends out a warning that they can and will cause fires or explosions.

Amazon can just not sell chinese made products or label them appropriately.

 

[iOS Geek]

Although not a fan of government regulations, this is a welcome change. The Lightning port just isn’t as fast as USB-C and with the capability of shooting video in ProRes it’s doesn’t make sense to have a slow port.

The problem is though that this doesn't necessarily mean faster speeds. Not all USB-C are created equal. Apple very well could make the switch to USB-C and keep it at the same speed as Lightning. As I said in an earlier post...they could give you USB-C in looks only. That would be an absolute petty to the max move. But nothing says they can't do it. In terms of functionality, USB-C is kind of a free-for-all. You could go out and buy two cables that look exactly the same and don't have the same capability.

 

[Gudi]

Well, yes, because, overnight, they went religiously USB-C only on full sized laptops that had plenty of space for a mixture of connectors back in 2016 when USB-C devices were like hens' teeth.

The cue is in the name Universal Serial Bus (USB). It makes no sense to conceptualize a universal port and then go on with a mixture of connectors. The first ever iMac G3 abandoned all other ports in favor USB (12 MBit/s) in May 1998. That's why longtime Mac users don't even (need to) know, what the colors turquoise and violet of a PS/2 port mean?

 

[AdonisSMU]

Yes it does. The law allows for new standards.

Which part? Quote/Link the passage that allows for new better technology?

 

[ZebraDude]

A more robust connector that transfer data at USB 2.0 speed. No, airdrop is way worse for sustained transfer.

My 2015 iPad Pro 12.9 (still in use) has a lighting USB 3.0 speed connector so...it can be done.

Except free market rarely do what people hoped them to do. Government regulation makes sure free market functions as it should be, and (try to) protect Smaller players from being priced out of the market.

Had Apple not restricted the shape design of lightning for other use, USB-C might take that physical shape instead of what we have now. And we would end up with a better USB-C port designed for durability.

 

[nicolas_s]

It is thinner for sure but how is it better besides that?

Easier to plug it in. I can feel the difference with my iPad, with the USB-C cable you have to be perfectly aligned with the connector to plug it in, while the Lightning connector is slightly curved at the tip so it's easier to plug it in without looking.

First world problem for sure, but still better.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Easier to plug it in. I can feel the difference with my iPad, with the USB-C cable you have to be perfectly aligned with the connector to plug it in, while the Lightning connector is slightly curved at the tip so it's easier to plug it in without looking.

First world problem for sure, but still better.

Interesting, I am not going to dispute your personal experience with it. Just adding mine though, I find the USB-C cables easier to insert.

 

[Shirasaki]

My 2015 iPad Pro 12.9 (still in use) has a lighting USB 3.0 speed connector so...it can be done.

Which begs the question, why it is not also implemented On iPhone? Or they have 1000% confidence that airdrop is working flawlessly, which is not?

 

[FreedomPenguin]

Which begs the question, why it is not also implemented On iPhone? Or they have 1000% confidence that airdrop is working flawlessly, which is not?

I’m happy w lightning
You usb c lovers can pound sand as far as I care

I just buy a power line anker cable w lifetime warranty, when breaks, get a free replacement. Now you guys crying for usb c I’m going to have to re order cables

Repeat cycle.

I think lightning is better than c for plugging in etc, speed is fine for me, charging is fine for me. It’s small and thin. I prefer it

 

[ZebraDude]

Haha 🤣

Perhaps Apple could offer a new iPhone with a 30-pin connector too, so I can finally use that crappy speaker dock I bought back in 2009 again.

This I understand! I have a high end DENON S-52 that has a unused 30 pin connector....

 

[darngooddesign]

Which part? Quote/Link the passage that allows for new better technology?

It's been covered many times; google it.

 

[Bustycat]

Lightning is so much better as a connector, and thinner too. I bet USB-D will look like this.

Lightning sacrifices a lot. The connector is exposing directly, and the receptacle has only one side of pins. It is naturally a downgrade of USB-C with worse protection.

 

[sracer]

Apple has been dragging their feet so that they would get portless charging ready. I would not be surprised if Apple produces an iPhone for the EU that uses USB-C while they ship iPhones to the rest of the world with portless charging.... just to prove their point that technology, not governments, should drive technology standards.

 

[JapanApple]

Amazon can just not sell chinese made products or label them appropriately.

um...... let's see I have been buying cables on amazon for 5 years. get notices from amazon at times to be aware of products I bought that can and are fire hazards. So Yes So inadvertently do allow Chinese sellers to sell said items.