EU Passes Law to Switch iPhone to USB-C by End of 2024 • Hacker News Board

Re: EU Passes Law to Switch iPhone to USB-C by End of 2024

#291

Post by rmccue » Tue, Oct 04, 2022, 1:32 PM UTC

whywhywhywhy wrote: post #272

I'd rather it hadn't come to this because I don't believe in regulation to this extent. But there honestly hasnt been any excuse for a long time for them not to do it. Especially when some other iOS products have it, same with the AirPods case. It's purely to make more money from cables and you can tell this from the lengths they go to that make sure non-legit cables are so unreliable and have DRM.

AirPods use Lightning cables for charging, not USB-C. (Potentially your sentence could be read the other way though so not sure if you intended to say that.)

Re: EU Passes Law to Switch iPhone to USB-C by End of 2024

#292

Post by staringback » Tue, Oct 04, 2022, 1:32 PM UTC

fullstop wrote: post #247

_trackno5 wrote: post #49

Why do people think it is a good thing to have this enforced by law is beyond me. I don't see any win besides a minor convenience. A lightning cable weighs almost nothing and it's not a big deal to have one around. As to lightning port limitations, I question whether usb-c will give average iPhone users any other advantage other than charging their phone. What are people gonna do with it other than charge their phone…

In 10 years, when we've moved from USB-C to something else, iPhones in EU could still be stuck on USB-C because they are forced by law. In terms of progression, my phones since 2004 have gone: proprietary flip phone stuff, 30-pin iPhone, micro usb, usb-c, usb-c. Time will tell if USB-C sticks around, I suppose.

Wow I Can't Believe My Android Phone Still Uses Micro-USB Since That Was Forced By Law!!!

Please think about what you're saying for a moment

Re: EU Passes Law to Switch iPhone to USB-C by End of 2024

#293

Post by lotsofpulp » Tue, Oct 04, 2022, 1:32 PM UTC

have_faith wrote: post #187

kypro wrote: post #34

I like USB-C and would even be in favour of the iPhone using USB-C, but I really dislike the idea that EU regulators would know what's better for consumers than consumer electronics companies and the consumers themselves. I do kind of get it though. It's probably better for a whole host of reasons if electronics all used the same cords, but I guess you could make that argument for a lot of things. There would be bene…

> I really dislike the idea that EU regulators would know what's better for consumers than consumer electronics companies and the consumers themselves What proportion of phone consumers have an informed opinion on charging technology? Why would the electronics companies work in a way that benefits everyone/the environment instead of themselves. > I guess you could make that argument for a lot of things We do, we have…

> Whereas cables can be made by anyone competent.

Like the myriad businesses already making lightning cables?

Re: EU Passes Law to Switch iPhone to USB-C by End of 2024

#294

Post by colejohnson66 » Tue, Oct 04, 2022, 1:32 PM UTC

vladvasiliu wrote: post #170

Hamcha wrote: post #150

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Why do people think it is a good thing to have this enforced by law is beyond me. It's not, we're glad SOMEONE is forcing them to take this direction, but it's really sad (and potentially damaging) it had to come to this. > As to lightning port limitations, I question whether usb-c will give average iPhone users any other advantage other than charging their phone. What are people gonna do with it other than charge…

Is the USB2 speed a limitation of the Lightning connector, or is it that Apple just doesn't care to improve this? Because if it's the latter, as you say, there's no guarantee we'll see improved speeds because of the port change.

The Lightning connector has 8 pins: 2 for power, 2 for ID/control, and 4 for 2 differential lanes of anything. Those 2 differential lines are used for all data transfer, and, IIRC, are bidirectional. So, in theory, the Lightning connector could carry USB 3.0's differential RX/TX lanes no problem.

My guess as to why Apple hasn't implemented that is a lack of demand. Syncing/backup is expected to be handled on the device now, and USB 2.0 gives enough bandwidth for the majority of the other cases. And on iPads where more bandwidth might be required (eg. external data storage), they already have USB-C connectors supporting the higher speeds.

Re: EU Passes Law to Switch iPhone to USB-C by End of 2024

#295

Post by donatj » Tue, Oct 04, 2022, 1:32 PM UTC

staringback wrote: post #278

donatj wrote: post #253

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Transfer speed seems like a non-issue. Wi-Fi 6 is faster than the the internal SSDs read speed. There's no reason to even plug it in for data.

Wi-Fi 6 is faster than the internal SSDs read speed when there is direct line of sight and absolutely no cross channel interference*

AirDrop is dead simple device to device adhoc wifi. If you're close enough to plug it in, you're close enough to have line of sight.

Re: EU Passes Law to Switch iPhone to USB-C by End of 2024

#296

Post by blululu » Tue, Oct 04, 2022, 1:32 PM UTC

fullstop wrote: post #247

_trackno5 wrote: post #49

Why do people think it is a good thing to have this enforced by law is beyond me. I don't see any win besides a minor convenience. A lightning cable weighs almost nothing and it's not a big deal to have one around. As to lightning port limitations, I question whether usb-c will give average iPhone users any other advantage other than charging their phone. What are people gonna do with it other than charge their phone…

In 10 years, when we've moved from USB-C to something else, iPhones in EU could still be stuck on USB-C because they are forced by law. In terms of progression, my phones since 2004 have gone: proprietary flip phone stuff, 30-pin iPhone, micro usb, usb-c, usb-c. Time will tell if USB-C sticks around, I suppose.

When the law enforces a standard it is very likely to stick around even if better alternatives exist.

Re: EU Passes Law to Switch iPhone to USB-C by End of 2024

#297

Post by norman784 » Tue, Oct 04, 2022, 1:33 PM UTC

dom96 wrote: post #219

_trackno5 wrote: post #49

Why do people think it is a good thing to have this enforced by law is beyond me. I don't see any win besides a minor convenience. A lightning cable weighs almost nothing and it's not a big deal to have one around. As to lightning port limitations, I question whether usb-c will give average iPhone users any other advantage other than charging their phone. What are people gonna do with it other than charge their phone…

> What are people gonna do with it other than charge their phones or transfer files? It would at least save me from carrying one power brick + usb cable. Steam Deck (USB C), Switch (USB C), MacBook Pro (USB C) and iPhone is the only odd one out. This does make a significant difference to what I can take with me on holiday.

Can you tell me which standard does work with the switch? I have a few usb-c cables but only a few can charge it, while I can charge my iPad with every cable that I own, it a bit sad that ubs-c is a lie, I'd hope that at least a few things were not optional with usb-c standard, and also that it didn't have too much optional stuff that makes harder and harder to buy a cable, it the same with HDMI, that's why display port feels superior IMHO, less optional features.

Re: EU Passes Law to Switch iPhone to USB-C by End of 2024

#298

Post by flavius29663 » Tue, Oct 04, 2022, 1:33 PM UTC

_trackno5 wrote: post #245

jld89 wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A LOT of less waste maybe ? It is very inconvenient and a hassle to have 5 different cables for 5 different devices. It is a waste of space, materials... The economic gains by volume continent wide should not be underestimated.

Do you actually have data on that though? I see that kind of argument get thrown around but it is never substantiated. How will usbc lead to less waste? If you wanna make that argument, wouldn’t it be better to force companies to opt you out of getting chargers and cables unless you explicitly ask for them when you make the purchase?

> If you wanna make that argument, wouldn’t it be better to force companies to opt you out of getting chargers and cables unless you explicitly ask for them when you make the purchase?

That is a natural step forward after the cables are unified. Even today, 80% of the electronic devices I'm buying are coming without a charger and this is all due to the fact that the market stabilized to USB charging (mini and now USB-C).

I still remember we used to have drawers full of old phone chargers...

Re: EU Passes Law to Switch iPhone to USB-C by End of 2024

#299

Post by necovek » Tue, Oct 04, 2022, 1:33 PM UTC

I personally already have a number of USB-C cables that had their connectors detach at one point or another. They are mostly braided, rather thick, 100W-rated PD cables, but they generally suck and are quick to break (I keep a couple at my desk, a couple in my car, a couple stored away for travel, and a couple bedside — it's great they can charge both my laptop and my phone).

Connectors in my devices also look a bit fragile.

I am all for sharing connectors and standardization in this space (and I check if a device has an USB-C port before I consider it), but I surely hope this does not stop improvements to the charging port which are highly needed!

Re: EU Passes Law to Switch iPhone to USB-C by End of 2024

#300

Post by ReptileMan » Tue, Oct 04, 2022, 1:33 PM UTC

mensetmanusman wrote: post #6

I hope they ban the 90% of sold usb-c looking cables that aren’t actually usb-c compliant. Someone needs to build a simple device you connect a cable to that stress tests it and shows a green or red light.

In EU I think this is no issue. All the cheapo usb pd cables I have bought off the German Amazon recently have been quite good and compliant.