Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

The Great European Micro-USB Adaptor Rip-Off

Veinticinco said:
Not sure why everyone is talking about a "free cable"??

I appreciate those in the US probably haven't seen one of these things given they're not sold Stateside (either in store or online) so here you go, here's what 20€ buys you...

p.s. the scale is centimetres not inches ;)

p.p.s. Of that 12mm connector, around 6mm is 'hollow' micro-USB socket.


Image
Click to expand...

The iPhone we receive stateside is already standard USB and requires no adapters.

Our iPhones come with a wall wart equipped with ordinary USB and compatible mix and match with other devices.
And our iPhones come with a USB cable that can plug into a PC or many other wall warts... Garmin, Kindle, etc.
 
Veinticinco said:
1] Ah, the good old days. No longer the case sadly. Money laundering legislation and global pressure citing terrorism put paid to that. Not to mention the very strong likelihood of your neighbour reporting you to the tax authorities if you park a new Audi S5 up your drive.
Click to expand...

You couldn't be more wrong. You're talking about Bank Secrecy for foreign citiziens. The Swiss Citizien still enjoy full Bank Secrecy, and we have one of the worlds most "friendly" tax agency. We're not Italy, if you call the tax authorities about the neighbour Audi S5 they will probably tell you "thanks", hang up and have a nice long laugh at your face. :cool:

2] True, based on canton/region. But doesn't stop me and the vast majority of my colleagues preferring to drive a few miles home over the border into France :p
Click to expand...

We are you from?

6] Ah, but can you take a shower after 10pm at night without breaking noise pollution laws? ;)
Click to expand...

Some of these laws are excessive, but others are legit.

BTW you can take a shower whenever you want, you just can't mow your lawn at midnight.
 
Menel said:
The iPhone we receive stateside is already standard USB and requires no adapters.

Our iPhones come with a wall wart equipped with ordinary USB and compatible mix and match with other devices.
And our iPhones come with a USB cable that can plug into a PC or many other wall warts... Garmin, Kindle, etc.
Click to expand...

He is talking about the other end
 
Veinticinco said:
Absolutely my point. I have no issue with Apple using the 'adapter' model as a legal interpretation to circumvent the micro-USB EU directive whilst pushing their own (now, a new) proprietary connector.

But to charge for it, and at DOUBLE the price of the previous adapter, is just extracting the urine. It's nothing short of extreme arrogance telling the EU Commission where to shove it, and punishing consumers in the process.
Click to expand...
They simply don't want to manufacture them, because it is wasteful and not green. They want to discourage that market. Its sad that the EU erroneously forced them to provide it.

The iPhone already supports the much more common USB connection. On the via the included power cord, EPS, and is cross compatible with many aftermarket chargers and PCs.

They followed the letter of regs, no interpretation necessary. They made it available to purchase for those that vehemently hate the environment.

4.2.1 In order that compatibility of as many Mobile Phones as possible with a Common EPS may be enabled, if a manufacturer makes available an Adaptor from the Micro-USB connector of a Common EPS to a specific non-Micro-USB socket in the Mobile Phone, it shall constitute compliance to this article.

4.2.3 As described in article 3.4, in the event that relevant innovation is not reflected in updates to this MoU as described in article 4.5, or if the related standards and specifications change outside their control, Signatories retain the right to place Mobile Phones & EPSs on the market which do not meet the requirements of this article.
Click to expand...
 
Can you provide any citations to confirm the fact that this is actually a law? As far as I remember, it was just a voluntary agreement between smartphone manufacturers.

I am, however, in full support of this law. If only Apple would comply...
 
badman89 said:
Can you provide any citations to confirm the fact that this is actually a law? As far as I remember, it was just a voluntary agreement between smartphone manufacturers.

I am, however, in full support of this law. If only Apple would comply...
Click to expand...

It's an EU agreement between smartphone companies and Apple does it just because it was suggested. It's not law.
 
Veinticinco said:
...But the Lightning-micro-USB adapter is simply a point to point connector to allow charging via a standard USB cable. Nothing more. There's no "special" circuitry in there and the thing is smaller than a fingernail. So please explain the 20€ charge to me, other than Apple's greed and arrogance?
Click to expand...

If it's reversible, it requires a special chip. Breakdowns of the 30pin > Lightning adapter shows that there is a lot in there.
 
Last edited:
I'd also love to know why you can't buy this adapter in the US.

I'd love to modify one to have on my keychain because no matter where you go it's fairly easy to find someone with a MicroUSB charger.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back