India May Exempt Certain Devices From Law That Would Force USB-C Port

[MacRumors]

India is considering exempting certain products from a proposed law that would force a selection of consumer electronic devices to adopt a USB-C port. Among the devices being possibly exempted, AirPods could be included.

According to a report from Mint, citing a senior Indian official, the government is considering exempting featurephones, wearables, and hearables from a proposed law that would require USB-C on devices. The official cites device makers and stakeholders as having shared concerns that mandating those products to adopt the universal port would result in costs increasing for consumers.

While the specific definition of the exempted devices has yet to be decided, the definition of hearables could include Apple's line of AirPods. The EU has already passed a law that requires devices sold in the region to have a USB-C port by 2024, including AirPods. Under the EU's regulation, Apple would be required to switch the AirPods to USB-C, even if the Indian requirement says differently.

Apple's vice president of worldwide marketing, Greg Joswiak, previously confirmed that Apple would have to switch the iPhone to USB-C. While reports suggest the iPhone 15 later this fall may make the switch away from Lightning, according to the EU's deadline for the USB-C law, Apple could wait until the iPhone 17 in 2025 before moving to the faster and more universal port.

Article Link: India May Exempt Certain Devices From Law That Would Force USB-C Port

 

[Realityck]

According to a report from Mint, citing a senior Indian official, the government is considering exempting featurephones, wearables, and hearables from a proposed law that would require USB-C on devices. The official cites device makers and stakeholders as having shared concerns that mandating those products to adopt the universal port would result in costs increasing for consumers.

Can’t stop progress. Soon USB-C chargers will be commonplace.

 

[Eorlas]

there's 0% reason for these exclusions to exist, unless a politician is trying to pander to tech companies that have not fully made this swap yet.

but what's the point, if the EU mandates it, apple will just fully make the switch. they're not going to design two sets of iphones and airpods that have different ports.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Just make the switch to USB-C across the board. It's time to move on Apple from the Lightning Port. It's outdated, 10 years old. Time for a change!

 

[vicviper789]

I wish my AirPods could use the 30 pin connector /s

 

[munpip214]

Just change ‘em all already!

 

[antnythr]

Apple: It would be a shame if we had to stop using those new factories you just built

 

[nostaws]

I’d really like it to be USB C.

That being said, I don’t think government should be telling private companies what to do/run their businesses (in most cases).

 

[bLackjackj]

there's 0% reason for these exclusions to exist

$$$$, quite clearly. What other reason would there be?

 

[Gudi]

Just make the switch to USB-C across the board. It's time to move on Apple from the Lightning Port. It's outdated, 10 years old. Time for a change!

Next year USB-C is going to be 10 years old. Time to move on!

 

[racerhomie]

Yes people have to remember India is a very poor nation, and most smartphones sold in India(less than $150) are still on microusb.

 

[unsynaps]

The only reason there would be a cost increase switching to USB-C would be the manufactures being asshats.

 

[racerhomie]

The only reason there would be a cost increase switching to USB-C would be the manufactures being asshats.

No usb c costs more to make compared to micro usb. Consumers should make their own devices if they think they know the best

 

[enterthemerdaverse]

Micro USB should be banned globally. The worst version of USB.

 

[Gengar]

There is no reason for AirPods charging cases to not be USB-C, considering the new Beats cases are...

 

[cyanite]

Apple: It would be a shame if we had to stop using those new factories you just built

That doesn’t make much sense seeing as Apple will have to switch to USB-C anyway due to the EU. India isn’t that large a market for them.

 

[one more]

I don’t think it makes any sense for Apple to make both USB-C and Lightening devices. My guess is that everything will go USB-C as soon as feasible.

 

[mxrider88]

Keep using lightning as long as you increase the production here. This is what India means

 

[alexe]

"The official cites device makers and stakeholders as having shared concerns that mandating those products to adopt the universal port would result in costs increasing for consumers."

Phony, corrupt bastards. Increased costs because of the switch from lightning to USB-C?! What a joke.

I can't believe to what lengths companies would go not to have to do something as basic as this.

 

[Vlad Soare]

Can’t stop progress. Soon USB-C chargers will be commonplace.

I don't know about that. If said progress were so unstoppable, then it wouldn't need to be imposed through legal mandates.

 

[d686546s]

I do appreciate that this site reports through an Apple lens as this is its remit, but you have to keep in mind that Android has a ~96% market share in India.

So while an exemption might also apply to Apple products, I strongly suspect any carve outs from the law are driven by AirPods.

 

[Eorlas]

$$$$, quite clearly. What other reason would there be?

the rest of that sentence already addressed that. quote the rest instead of chopping it off for quoting convenience.

 

[DFZD]

Whats the point of USB C law, if those ugly a&& lighting ports still manage to creep in from somewhere?

 

[hagar]

I’d really like it to be USB C.

That being said, I don’t think government should be telling private companies what to do/run their businesses (in most cases).

Governments need to be telling private companies what to do ALL the time. Or you end up with exploited employees, a polluted environment and scammed customers. All without paying taxes.

That’s just corporate greed.

 

[MajorFubar]

I’d really like it to be USB C.

That being said, I don’t think government should be telling private companies what to do/run their businesses (in most cases).

When you're such a stubborn gatekeeper like Apple, we sometimes need overarching legislation to forcibly make them do something that is clearly common sense, beneficial for most customers, and which they are otherwise refusing/ignoring.