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

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461–470 of 751 posts

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

#461

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.

Imagine how great it would be if everything was USB-C

Need a cable? Grab one. Sorted

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

#462

Why is this so important to the EU? The stated purposes of this proposal are to reduce e-waste and improve consumer convenience, but it's easily argued that the actual impact of the proposal is the exact opposite.

Please argue the opposite because I don't see what you mean.

Existing iPhone owners (and there are a lot of them!) throwing away their Lightning cables/chargers when purchasing a new phone?

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

#463

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They would block all shipments of Apple devices at the border of the EU after a certain point. The EU controls the customs rules for most of Europe.

So, it's the latter. They will have another excuse to increase the prices further. "We had to spend $BILLIONS to change the design of the iPhone, so this is why the new iPhone EU Edition is going to be 1400€". This is the kind of thing that really makes me understand Brexit.

If Apple thought they could charge more they would be already doing it, based on their considerable margins. If this makes you understand Brexit I doubt you really understand Brexit.

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

#464
post #401
post #333

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The problem is that after years of everyone pulling their own shit we finally have USB C. Yet it seems as if a dozen companies still do their best to remain incompatible in various ways. No one wants USB C as permanent solution but the alternative hasn't worked out.

USB C is a huge mess. I have at least 3 types of USB c cables. Standard USB C cables, Cables that can charge my MacBook Pro, and cables that can hook my pro to a dock. I understand the differences but try explaining the differences to your parents.

And soon there will be USB4... https://old.reddit.com/r/UsbCHardware/comments/mjz2pu/usb4_a... and https://old.reddit.com/r/UsbCHardware/comments/mjz2pu/usb4_a...

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

#465
post #388

I can see the good and bad in this. But as of right now USB C looks like the future with both the amount of power it can deliver as a port, as well as speed in terms of Thunderbolt 4, plus thunderbolt 4 will open up to not just intel if I understand correctly. Every single device in my house now uses USB C. From phone, laptop, tablet, to keyboard, air monitor, even my flashlights charge via USB C.

Actually Apple is moving a way from USB-C-only charger on the next gen laptops, because it does not provide enough power(to get even better charging speed). (Physical size limits that) So, maybe for phones it is enough in the future, but not for all devices.

That's bullshit. You can carry 240W over USB-C. Physical size limits current, not voltage, and you can increase voltage.

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

#466

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So, it's the latter. They will have another excuse to increase the prices further. "We had to spend $BILLIONS to change the design of the iPhone, so this is why the new iPhone EU Edition is going to be 1400€". This is the kind of thing that really makes me understand Brexit.

I'm not sur if you know, but Apple complies with various local laws, and it impacts their margins. Interoperability favors competition, the EU is all about fair markets, not protecting Apple's margins.

> EU is all about fair markets.

If you really believe that, I have a bridge to sell you.

The EU, just like any political entity that has grown beyond the original intended responsibilities, has become the stage for cronies and the elites to play their power games.

If the EU was really for "fair markets", Dieselgate alone would have been enough to wipe the German auto industry off the Earth. That is certainly something that has caused more environmental damage and stopped healthier market competition than a fucking power connector.

And don't even get me started on the subsidies given to French farmers and the market quotas for eastern countries that kill any chance for them to develop their industries.

But, hey, at least the EU is giving Apple fans another way to greenwash their consumer behavior, so that counts for something...

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

#467

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.

The FAA approach to something like this would be to incorporate an industry-defined standard by reference (e.g. altimeters "shall meet the standards set forth in SAE Aeronautical Standard AS 392C") which has the benefit of requiring that there be a standard component while leaving it up to an industry group to figure out specifically what that component should be. It's not perfect but in cases like this I think it's a better approach than explicitly requiring a particular technology, and it gives industry the freedom (within the constraints of its standards body) to redefine the standard without overly onerous regulatory machinations. I'll note though that new revisions still have to be incorporated by the regulatory body; they aren't automatic.

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

#468
post #457

This is silly. Apple's just going to add a $5 converter to their boxes that no one is going to use. They will also sell the converter for $75 just in case you do use it and lose it.

> Unbundling the sale of a charger from the sale of the electronic device: consumers will be able to purchase a new electronic device without a new charger.

Maybe not, depends how this gets interpreted.

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

#470
post #388

I can see the good and bad in this. But as of right now USB C looks like the future with both the amount of power it can deliver as a port, as well as speed in terms of Thunderbolt 4, plus thunderbolt 4 will open up to not just intel if I understand correctly. Every single device in my house now uses USB C. From phone, laptop, tablet, to keyboard, air monitor, even my flashlights charge via USB C.

Actually Apple is moving a way from USB-C-only charger on the next gen laptops, because it does not provide enough power(to get even better charging speed). (Physical size limits that) So, maybe for phones it is enough in the future, but not for all devices.

Yeah I don't know where you're getting this info. The most an Apple laptop pulls right now is 100w because the intel chip pulls a ton of power. 240w in lab testing now. And with Apple chips they are going to sip power. Unless Apple puts a 6900XT into a laptop they won't be hitting that charging limit.
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