EU plans to force OEMs to use a common charger for all phones

Post by space_ghost » Thu, Sep 23, 2021, 1:50 PM UTC

sidewndr46 wrote: post #287

Does anyone feel it is a little strange to have a government entity mandating a physical interconnect? I guess it has worked out well enough for receptacles. But on a phone it acts as a data connection as well. I guess I just wonder if in 20 years will every device still have a USB-C port on it in some odd location? No one is using it anymore, but it is still mandatory on everything.

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Sep 23, 2021, 1:51 PM UTC

walterbell wrote: post #278

They need to mandate the presence of a physical cable, otherwise Apple will drop the port and move to wireless charging. Wired cable remains important for high-quality audio and secure data transfers. Both WiFi and Bluetooth have a long and storied history of vulnerabilities. While they are at it, can we please have a dedicated physical cable port for audio? It doesn't have to be TRRS 3.5mm, but it must be possible t…

Post by grepfru_it » Thu, Sep 23, 2021, 1:52 PM UTC

arghwhat wrote: post #335

sidewndr46 wrote: post #312

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know enough about the EU to say if the laws will adapt. But in the US, I very much view it as once something is legislated it becomes a permanent fixture of our society.

It might mean that it won't change as often as through a free market, but laws adapt. On the other hand, things also become permanent fixtures without law. Like USB-A connectors having been stuck on laptops and desktops for more than 20 years.

Post by jjcon » Thu, Sep 23, 2021, 1:53 PM UTC

esseeayen wrote: post #304

Wait does this mean that the EU will also prevent the USB-if from charging licensing fees? Or is someone in the EU getting some kickbacks?

Post by MagnumOpus » Thu, Sep 23, 2021, 1:54 PM UTC

danpalmer wrote: post #106

josefx wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Good, though in practice it's not the charger the problem, I use the same USB plug everywhere This isn't the first time the EU mentioned those plans, the current situation is basically the phone manufacturers regulating themselves to avoid an explicit regulation by the EU. > it's Apple and their cable. Of course there is always that one greedy asshole ruining it for everyone else. > What's Apple reasoning for not a…

> They probably considered Lightning to be superior but couldn't make it the industry standard without loosing their ability to charge absurd amounts of licensing fees for it. I don't think it's this. Lightning was superior to micro-USB, but it's certainly not superior to USB-C. I think the problem is that everyone remembers the transition from the 30 pin dock connector to Lightning. Apple has a huge reputation for j…