Live data from Hacker News

EU: Call to introduce common charger for all mobile phones

europarl.europa.eu

21–30 of 185 posts

Re: EU: Call to introduce common charger for all mobile phones

#21

Obviously a common charger would simplify things. We are already almost there. But if the main goal is to reduce electronic waste then it won't change anything by itself because every device we buy comes with a charger, anyway. In order to reduce waste, purchases of devices and chargers should be decoupled (I don't need a new charger every time I change my phone). A universal charger would thus just be an enabler for…

Battery without a phone would be even better...

Re: EU: Call to introduce common charger for all mobile phones

#22
post #20
post #12

Good. Let's also make 3.5 mm jack mandatory on any device that outputs audio - without dongles.

No, let's not force your particular preference on everybody else.

Would you also say that about wheel-chair ramps? Accessibility is not a preference.

Re: EU: Call to introduce common charger for all mobile phones

#23

Didn't the EU force phone makers to standardize on USB a couple of decades ago? It was an absolute nightmare before that with every brand having completely different connector, voltage etc. I'm not sure how Apple got (and are getting) around this.

Apple got them to water it down so manufacturing a Lightning to USB adaptor was sufficient.

It appears to the EU have tired of this.

Re: EU: Call to introduce common charger for all mobile phones

#24
post #21

Obviously a common charger would simplify things. We are already almost there. But if the main goal is to reduce electronic waste then it won't change anything by itself because every device we buy comes with a charger, anyway. In order to reduce waste, purchases of devices and chargers should be decoupled (I don't need a new charger every time I change my phone). A universal charger would thus just be an enabler for…

Battery without a phone would be even better...

It used to be the case, but replaceable batteries disappeared in the race to flatness...

Re: EU: Call to introduce common charger for all mobile phones

#25
Why stop at mobile phones? Is there a reason laptops need so many different connectors? I am willing to bet many random connectors are just planned obsolescence or a secondary revenue stream for producers.

Also, let's take this further. Any reason laptop displays can't internally have a rather standardised connector? We are throwing away perfectly good displays on broken laptops. What if I could buy a $20 adaptor and use that laptop display as an external screen?

The amount of anti-consumer and anti-reuse measures the hardware industry does is baffling.

Re: EU: Call to introduce common charger for all mobile phones

#26
post #2

Feedback from Apple: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/initiatives/... Roadmap and other feedback: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/initiatives/...

Isn't Apple putting crazy rules on its store to freeze innovation tho?

Re: EU: Call to introduce common charger for all mobile phones

#28
post #22
post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, let's not force your particular preference on everybody else.

Would you also say that about wheel-chair ramps? Accessibility is not a preference.

Phones are still able to output analog (and digital!) audio using a dongle.

Ducking behind accessibility because you don't want to use a dongle seems a little disingenuous.

Re: EU: Call to introduce common charger for all mobile phones

#29

Didn't the EU force phone makers to standardize on USB a couple of decades ago? It was an absolute nightmare before that with every brand having completely different connector, voltage etc. I'm not sure how Apple got (and are getting) around this.

Yes, and it worked out pretty well for all manufactures sans Apple.

Now as we see a shift from Micro-USB to USB-C form factor the whole discussion really is more of customer adoption and fading out of old hardware.

The case with Apple is and will be their claim that they are not willing to encumber their power interface for the sake of standardisation when their interfaces are oh so more advanced than those of the others.

Re: EU: Call to introduce common charger for all mobile phones

#30

Why stop at mobile phones? Is there a reason laptops need so many different connectors? I am willing to bet many random connectors are just planned obsolescence or a secondary revenue stream for producers. Also, let's take this further. Any reason laptop displays can't internally have a rather standardised connector? We are throwing away perfectly good displays on broken laptops. What if I could buy a $20 adaptor and…

Let's take this further still. Why not mandate identical car tire sizes, having the fuel door in the same spot on every car, all the controls inside the car be universal... How about actually just making one car that embodies every European's needs?
Post reply on HN