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EU lawmakers snub Apple's pleas, vote to push for charging cable standard

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Re: EU lawmakers snub Apple's pleas, vote to push for charging cable standard

#281

Post by swilliamsio »

scarface74 wrote: post #187
sho_hn wrote: post #180

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I carry two phones, my private Android phone (my personal preference) and an iPhone imposed on me by work. Not having to bother with two sets of cables would be a welcome improvement. As for "not moving the needle", every little thing sums up. Also, it's not just the cables - manufacturing lines, shelf space, redundant labor, ...

So because it would be more convenient for you we need government intervention?

Because it would be more convenient for everyone who has ever or will ever own more than one phone, or ever upgrade their phone. Imagine if you needed an adapter to refuel your car, or to plug an electric device into a wall. Genuinely, how is this any different?

Re: EU lawmakers snub Apple's pleas, vote to push for charging cable standard

#282

Post by oxfordmale »

filoleg wrote: post #163
ClumsyPilot wrote: post #140

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The standard can be changed, it's just that manufacturers have to agree between themselves on the new standard. No involvement from the government is required. They can make USB 4, 5,6, connector C, D,E,Z, whatever. That's fine. What's not cool, is creating proprietary connector and not letting anyone else use it. Mind you they only have to agree on charging, not data transfer. As to whether it's worth it: hard to te…

>The standard can be changed, it's just that manufacturers have to agree between themselves on the new standard. If an agreement of all manufacturers is needed before introducing a new standard in production, it means that it will be delayed by the lowest common denominator of manufacturers until many years later. Which isn't good for the consumer, because they could've gotten a new superior charging standard on thei…

Apple can still implement proprietary technology in an USB-C charging cable that allows their phones to be charged much faster than others, as long as their device can still be charged by a generic cable and vice versa (without the added benefits).

Re: EU lawmakers snub Apple's pleas, vote to push for charging cable standard

#283

Post by kmlx »

oh man, after countless examples of EU regulation gone haywire (cookies, gdpr, vat, link tax, copyright, bananas, diabetics, olive oil refills, epileptic lightbulbs etc etc) one would have thought that the EU bureaucrats would have finally taken a step back and pause a bit.

let's just hope Macron's push for an EU refresh come sooner rather than later. because it's not normal looking more towards the UK removing a bunch of these regulations than looking forward to yet another round of EU bureaucrats messing everything up.

Re: EU lawmakers snub Apple's pleas, vote to push for charging cable standard

#284

Post by defnotashton2 »

wyattpeak wrote: post #190
veeralpatel979 wrote: post #127

I'm with Apple on this one. Apple has kept working on improving the charging experience for its phones over time. The original iPhone cable, then lightning, then wireless charging. This stifles innovation. Also: doesn't the government have more pressing concerns to worry about? I doubt Apple's lobbying against this for some nefarious reason, like locking users into their proprietary technology.

I think Apple genuinely believe that they can provide a better product, and I believe they can too. I just don't care. The inability to borrow cables or swap them between devices in the past was a not insignificant hassle. Keeping boxes of cables, not being able to borrow a friend's charger when visiting, not being able to replace cables except by ordering a new one from the manufacturer half a world away. Constant m…

I don't understand how you can think this is needed in the slightest unless you literally can't make a decision yourself. I'm sorry but you can buy a USB cable or adapter to charge any phone in the world at any gas station, or corner convince store. This just simply isn't a problem, it's not a quality of life issue. It's just not. Buy cables with breakout mini, c, and tbunderbolt for 5$. Solved.

This type of regulation will kill the west. The amount of money and waste it cost to create this regulation will far exceed any value it ever adds in terms of measurable productivity.

Not to mention that innovation is killed with this type of approach... USB standards change for reasons..

But hey I'm glad you can borrow 100% of all of your friends cables to charge your phone rather than 90% today.... ️

Re: EU lawmakers snub Apple's pleas, vote to push for charging cable standard

#285

Post by kmlx »

jonplackett wrote: post #279

I thought all these EU tech regulations might do some good But now when I arrive at any website I have to accept cookie policy, then I have to accept that they will invade my privacy and log my data (or waste half an hour un-checking boxes) and only then can I get down to the business of not signing up to their newsletter and not downloading their app. Maybe this is simpler but tech companies seem to find loopholes f…

if you start looking into the CVs of the people that decide these sort of things you will understand why things are the way they are.

Re: EU lawmakers snub Apple's pleas, vote to push for charging cable standard

#286

Post by oxfordmale »

eanzenberg wrote: post #59
SiempreViernes wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why? The resolution states that the commission should make sure the standard can be updated as technology develops: "[...] the Commission, without hampering innovation, should ensure that the legislative framework for a common charger will be scrutinised regularly in order to take into account technical progress; reiterates the importance of research and innovation in this domain to improve existing technologies and…

Because gov't moves as fast as innovation /s

Apple could define an USB-D standard tomorrow and use it for their phone charging cables, as longs as they allow other companies to use the same standard.

Re: EU lawmakers snub Apple's pleas, vote to push for charging cable standard

#287

Post by defnotashton2 »

dTal wrote: post #31
young_unixer wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"I know what is best for you and me, so I'll force you to make the chargers I want" I don't think Apple are the biggest assholes in this situation.

So, to be clear, your position is that the very concept of regulation is illegitimate? "I know what is best for you, so I'll force you to make the car safety features I want".

Yes, that is in fact my argument, what is your counter?

Regulations are centered around equality of outcome not equality of opportunity. People are not the same. Regions are not the same. They have localized, nuanced for better or worse problems and solutions. It's crazy to have completely separate input factors and expect the same outcome..

Re: EU lawmakers snub Apple's pleas, vote to push for charging cable standard

#288

Post by oxfordmale »

microtherion wrote: post #53
martin-adams wrote: post #37

Let’s say this rule was in place 10 years ago and we standardised on micro USB. How would it have been possible to advance to the next generation of technology like USB-C. This feels that it’s banking on USB-C being forever future proofed or wireless connections does everything we ever need.

Micro USB would be kind of mediocre. But if the rule had been in place 20 years ago, cell phones today might be featuring SCSI connectors. And of course, all laptops would be mandated to have VGA connectors, eliminating a ton of conference room presentation guesswork.

The law doesn't define the protocol. Apple could introduce USB-D as superior standard provided it is not proprietary. If this is a superior standard, other companies will adapt it too, becoming the new standard charger.

Re: EU lawmakers snub Apple's pleas, vote to push for charging cable standard

#289

Post by DangitBobby »

djannzjkzxn wrote: post #268
DangitBobby wrote: post #263

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Aren't these cables notorious for fraying and breaking? https://frayedlightningcables.tumblr.com/ Anecdotally, my friends' cables always seem to be frayed. I personally have not owned an apple phone in many years, but I recently bought an apple brand usb-c to 3.5mm adapter at an airport because that's all they had and I forgot mine at home... It stopped working after about a month of very gentle use. It's in perfect…

Is this any better than the cables that come with non-Apple devices? I’m skeptical.

I have the dongle that came with my phone, and I ordered a second of the same kind from the website. No issues with either of them. I've personally never broken a charging cable of any sort, except for micro USB where the little prongs stop latching properly. I may just be unusually careful with mine.

Re: EU lawmakers snub Apple's pleas, vote to push for charging cable standard

#290

Post by Lio »

jonplackett wrote: post #279

I thought all these EU tech regulations might do some good But now when I arrive at any website I have to accept cookie policy, then I have to accept that they will invade my privacy and log my data (or waste half an hour un-checking boxes) and only then can I get down to the business of not signing up to their newsletter and not downloading their app. Maybe this is simpler but tech companies seem to find loopholes f…

Those are dark patterns on the part of the webmasters of those sites though.

They want to make it as hard for you to protect your privacy as possible. It’s the same reason they bug you install an app instead of using the web. In an app you have even less control.

Notice the number of sites that have an enable all but no disable all button?

Thing is if they’re using dark patterns at this stage how can you trust the content of the page you’re trying to view?

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