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EU sends Apple stark warning over USB-C charging on new iPhones

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Re: EU sends Apple stark warning over USB-C charging on new iPhones

#121

Post by a13o »

Gigachad wrote: post #98
a13o wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The last time they changed their connector (to lightning) they invalidated a lot of third party accessories designed around the old connector. Not simple stuff, like cables, but docks galore; many in expensive long-term purchases like luxury cars and stereo equipment. It stressed a lot of partnerships that define Apple's luxury brand status.

I remember there used to be a huge number of these speakers where you would sit the phone or ipod on the connector/stand. And all of those got obsoleted by the switch to lightning, but I don't think I've seen a single design like that since the 30 pin connector was dropped. It's all bluetooth now. And with the more even split between iphones and android these days, no hardware maker would put a fixed lightning stand…

I think between Bluetooth for data and Qi for power delivery, many consumer use-cases have been able to avoid the same trap as last time. But there's still a fair amount of devices in the point of sale space that dock directly to the lightning port. You'll see them if you look for them at the farmers market. So Apple isn't fully out of this bind yet.

Re: EU sends Apple stark warning over USB-C charging on new iPhones

#122

Post by f_devd »

blurrybird wrote: post #109

As somebody who last night got an Apple stem out of their daughter's lightning port using a SIM card ejector tool, I'm torn. You can't do that (safely) with USB-C because of the female plug design.

You can clean USB-C the same way (I have before) but you need a needle or a very thin sim ejector

Re: EU sends Apple stark warning over USB-C charging on new iPhones

#123

Post by ad133 »

blurrybird wrote: post #109

As somebody who last night got an Apple stem out of their daughter's lightning port using a SIM card ejector tool, I'm torn. You can't do that (safely) with USB-C because of the female plug design.

This is one of the strongest pushbacks against USB-C that Apple have:

USB-C: You break the stem, you have a useless device and functioning cable

Lightning: You break the stem, you have a functioning device and useless cable.

One of these is clearly more optimal considering the cost difference between the two. Anecdotally, I have had problems with USB-C ports that I did not have with Micro-USB and (so far) with Lightning (admittedly I have only been an iPhone user for a year or so).

Of course, this directive is the correct stance and direction - having a standard and forcing it on everyone. It's just a shame the one they chose may be inferior.

Re: EU sends Apple stark warning over USB-C charging on new iPhones

#124

Post by CrimsonRain »

ThatPlayer wrote: post #74
blokey wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You do realize that Apple designed the connector for USB-C and donated it to the consortium.

So why not do that with Lightning too? It's still proprietary to this day.

I've read rumors that they actually did that first but due to politics, the USB consortium decided to use a new physical port design.

Re: EU sends Apple stark warning over USB-C charging on new iPhones

#125

Post by epolanski »

taf2 wrote: post #118

What happens when there is a better USB-C plug - isn't there a concern that locking into the current standard means in 50 years the EU is still stuck. I imagine we're in uncharted territory given in less then my lifetime USB was invented and has gone through at least 14 iterations e.g. it's been changing very fast. Unfortunately I fear even asking this question probably angers some, but I think it's an interesting qu…

The regulations get updated, you aren't stuck on usb-c.

What EU wants to avoid is Apple giving "unfair" advantages to their own chargers (which could either come from Apple making better chargers or artificially slowing third party ones) defeating the purpose of having less electronic waste.

Re: EU sends Apple stark warning over USB-C charging on new iPhones

#126

Post by hardware2win »

taf2 wrote: post #118

What happens when there is a better USB-C plug - isn't there a concern that locking into the current standard means in 50 years the EU is still stuck. I imagine we're in uncharted territory given in less then my lifetime USB was invented and has gone through at least 14 iterations e.g. it's been changing very fast. Unfortunately I fear even asking this question probably angers some, but I think it's an interesting qu…

This has been discussed like bilion times in threads like this

The concept was iirc that industry will be reevaluating what needs to be standard

Re: EU sends Apple stark warning over USB-C charging on new iPhones

#128

Post by prox »

phist_mcgee wrote: post #120
echelon wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thank you for this! Next up: make "side loading" apps a thing. Do it with these stipulations: 1. Make it easy, part of the normal flow. Not hidden in an obscure panel or behind three or four dialogues. 2. Make it non-scary (no negs from Apple saying you'll destroy your device or safety) 3. Make it so it isn't called something negative like "side loading", but a part of normal user behavior: "download app", "web insta…

And when old grandma gets hit with a fake banking app download that steals her life savings all will be right with the world as well?

Yeah these suggestions often come from a place of “this is what I want” instead fully think it through. Those 4 steps and 5 warnings you need click through? Please! I don’t want to manage my family’s apple devices collection when things go wrong.

Re: EU sends Apple stark warning over USB-C charging on new iPhones

#129

Post by epolanski »

phist_mcgee wrote: post #120
echelon wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thank you for this! Next up: make "side loading" apps a thing. Do it with these stipulations: 1. Make it easy, part of the normal flow. Not hidden in an obscure panel or behind three or four dialogues. 2. Make it non-scary (no negs from Apple saying you'll destroy your device or safety) 3. Make it so it isn't called something negative like "side loading", but a part of normal user behavior: "download app", "web insta…

And when old grandma gets hit with a fake banking app download that steals her life savings all will be right with the world as well?

That would happen also on a browser by going on a fake website.

Actually pulling it off through a fake app sounds to me even harder to do.

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