Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

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

macrumors.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

451–460 of 1001 posts

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

#451

Post by Mindwipe »

imoverclocked wrote: post #416
pimterry wrote: post #351

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, it won't. As parent points out, the EU previously mandated micro-usb support ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_external_power_supply ) which worked fairly well, and hasn't stifled the innovation that's resulted in USB-C.

> Although compliance is voluntary, a majority of the world's largest mobile phone manufacturers agreed to make their applicable mobile phones compatible with Europe's common external power supply specification (EN 62684:2010). Is compliance voluntary for this new ruling?

TBF, it was "voluntary" for the old spec too. Everyone agreed to it in writing because otherwise they were told legislation would be swiftly passed.

That's not really voluntary.

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

#452

Post by dtech »

norman784 wrote: post #297
dom96 wrote: post #219

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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 p…

The Switch USB-C connector is notorious for being non-complaint to the spec, making charging it finicky. However I did not encounter as much trouble as you, 9 out off 11 chargers I try work. This problem is unique to the Switch however.

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

#453

Post by BurningFrog »

ben_w wrote: post #398
Krkrmfnfmmd wrote: post #335

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Government mandates on how you can charge your phone won't stifle innovation?

What exactly is genuinely innovative about the iPhone connector at this point? It's 10 years old, and the only selling point I can see it having over USB (even when it was new) was the rotational symmetry (which is now also possible with USB C, which is what's being mandated).

The point is that the next connector innovation will have to be ratified by the European Parliament.

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

#454

Post by csmpltn »

emaro wrote: post #218

I agree with the overall tone in the comments here: yay in general, but what a shame a law needs to specify a specific port for ~iPhones~ devices. I really like USB-C. It's sooo convenient to charge my notebook, my headphones, my phone, my everything with the same cable. However what bothers me since someone pointed it out to me: for phones, which are used all day in all kind of situations, lightning has a big andvan…

> "what a shame a law needs to specify a specific port for ~iPhones~ devices."

The only shame here is that companies consistently chose lock-in over open standards, even when it's clearly detrimental to the user's experience and the environment.

If the "adults in the room" can't figure it out (out of greed), it's fair game for governments to step in and make a choice for everybody. That's what a government should do: create clarity and accountability where there is none.

This idea that we need dedicated connectors for every little piece of hardware we own is simply not sustainable.

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

#455

Post by emaro »

jorvi wrote: post #287
emaro wrote: post #218

I agree with the overall tone in the comments here: yay in general, but what a shame a law needs to specify a specific port for ~iPhones~ devices. I really like USB-C. It's sooo convenient to charge my notebook, my headphones, my phone, my everything with the same cable. However what bothers me since someone pointed it out to me: for phones, which are used all day in all kind of situations, lightning has a big andvan…

Quoted post unavailable.

At the time I wrote my comment, I read/skimmed to the greater part of the comments and the pattern was pretty clear. Maybe now there are more voices who beleive the market (tm) would've done it's part.

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

#456

Post by BurningFrog »

nulld3v wrote: post #412
pimterry wrote: post #351

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, it won't. As parent points out, the EU previously mandated micro-usb support ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_external_power_supply ) which worked fairly well, and hasn't stifled the innovation that's resulted in USB-C.

> the EU previously mandated micro-usb support No they didn't, compliance is voluntary, just read the linked wiki page. I agree with the point that it won't stifle Innovation though. The swift passing of the USB-C mandate has proven to me that the EU can move quickly, so if a new connector comes along they will be able to switch the law reasonably quickly.

If you've followed the EU for a few decades, you'd know they occasionally move quickly, but not often, and the movement is rarely in the best direction.

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

#457

Post by amluto »

coffeeblack wrote: post #240
emaro wrote: post #218

I agree with the overall tone in the comments here: yay in general, but what a shame a law needs to specify a specific port for ~iPhones~ devices. I really like USB-C. It's sooo convenient to charge my notebook, my headphones, my phone, my everything with the same cable. However what bothers me since someone pointed it out to me: for phones, which are used all day in all kind of situations, lightning has a big andvan…

Very much agree. The port design of lightning is superior, too bad that now a law mandates Apple to sell the inferior solution. But that’s what you get when laws eliminate competition.

Superior how?

Lightning ports have springs that wear out inside. They have issues with arcing, which damages the plug (look at a charging cable that has been in use for a bunch of cycles. One pin on each side will be burnt.).

But hey, the plug part is pretty, so it must be better

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

#458

Post by Fiahil »

givinguflac wrote: post #429
fy20 wrote: post #347

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you old enough to remember the early 2000s when every phone and portable media player had it's own charger, which often wasn't even transferable between devices by the same manufacturer? It led to lots of old chargers when devices were replaced, which were useless for anything else (I remember having bags of cables and chargers). And if you wanted a second charger for whatever reason (this was before you needed t…

| Even amongst Apple's own devices it is a mess. To charge an Apple Pencil with an iPad Pro you need not one, but two adapters. I’m curious what you’re referring to. I charge my Apple Pencil while connected to my iPad, and my iPad chargers via usb c. No adapters for me?

He's referring to the pencil v1, which had to be charged via lightning.

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

#459

Post by jollybean »

ben_w wrote: post #398
Krkrmfnfmmd wrote: post #335

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Government mandates on how you can charge your phone won't stifle innovation?

What exactly is genuinely innovative about the iPhone connector at this point? It's 10 years old, and the only selling point I can see it having over USB (even when it was new) was the rotational symmetry (which is now also possible with USB C, which is what's being mandated).

The iphone uses the 'thinnest' connector of all, which I find nice.

All phones use 'thinner' and better chargers than they did 10 years ago.

It's unbelievable how people are default supporting this completely unnecessary intervention.

This is exactly the kind of bad regulation we worry about, because it might have immediate populist appeal, it's ultimately not really a win.

There are so many other things that need regulation aka app store rules, pay pal taking your money.

There's nary any real advantage in 'single charger' and it'll make evolution that much harder.

Post reply on HN