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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

#641

Post by dghlsakjg »

revelio wrote: post #434
seanmcdirmid wrote: post #399

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Those laptop also support USB-C charging however, you don’t have to use MagSafe. They brought back MagSafe because customers weren’t satisfied with USB-C charging.

Yes ... exactly ... they reintroduced a non-standard connector because people preferred it to the standard one. See the problem?

They reintroduced the non-standard connector because usb-c limits were slowing down the charging time. Its not just a preference thing, its a functionality thing. Macbooks charge faster with magsafe.

Magsafe delivers 140 watts compared to 100 watts for usb-c. That difference is not insignificant for people who aren't plugged in all day.

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

#642

Post by revelio »

anigbrowl wrote: post #620
revelio wrote: post #552

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Commission staff who signed these contracts are clearly idiots. Why do you assume they aren't paying 10x what the natural market rate would have been? Pfizer realized the EU would sign literally anything to be able to say it was going to save the day by purchasing vaccines. That's the absolute perfect time to set prices well above what you normally could charge!

Seems like a problem with Pfizer exploiting its monopoly position to hold public health hostage as much as bureaucrats choosing to have a signed contract with an overly-generous safety margin over getting the best possible price over some unknown timeframe.

Pfizer didn't have a monopoly!

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

#644

Post by anigbrowl »

rkagerer wrote: post #240
crote wrote: post #220

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The law explicitly states that it has to be reviewed every couple of years to determine whether USB-C it is still the best choice, or there has been sufficient technological progress to warrant a switch to a newer standard. The fear for a "lock-in" is completely unfounded, as the EU previously quasi-mandated Micro USB and switching to USB-C was no issue whatsoever. Besides, nothing is stopping manufacturers from incl…

But if enough governments of the world mandate one technology... no innovator will have the appetite to market something better (whether that be Apple or a startup).

You just sell to industrial customers first. Look at AC power outlets, they're heavily standardized but also regional. It doesn't inhibit the existence of other power delivery options for customers with special needs, there just isn't much consumer demand because standard outlet designs as Good Enough for most people's actual needs.

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

#645

Post by vetinari »

sammax wrote: post #508
GuB-42 wrote: post #375

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If your connector really is better, so much as to obsolete USB-C, then you may be able to get the authorities to make your connector the new standard. So there is still incentive, and an incentive to make something that is genuinely better, not just for vendor lock-in. Also to keep in mind that this regulation is a consequence of how the market developed in the last 20 years. The EU gave the industry a chance to sort…

> cables haven't improved since USB-C, 9 years ago Not to distract from your point, which I agree with, but that is just plainly untrue. A USB-C cable from 9 years ago almost certainly doesn’t support current standards for power delivery and data transfer.

> A USB-C cable from 9 years ago almost certainly doesn’t support current standards for power delivery and data transfer.

Neither do most of the current chargers or devices :-(

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

#646

Post by scarface74 »

sitkack wrote: post #597
scarface74 wrote: post #584

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And there are 10 different patent holders according to the article and Sony had the most

None of that changes my argument, and Apple was in control of FireWire.

How was Apple in control when it only had 48 of the 220+ patents? That’s not how patent pools work.

Sony shipped computers with FireWire for years and I had an old Dell from 2012 with FireWire.

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

#647

Post by anigbrowl »

detourdog wrote: post #244
croes wrote: post #223

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because you can't have different ports on a smartphone? You aren't forced to use only USB-C but to provide at least USB-C without artificial disadvantages. Without those standards the users are stuck or need to rebuy all accessories.

The lightning cable has whatever you want on the other end. The only thing needed is a cable. I only want 1 port on my phone. I don't really care what that port is. I'm very uncomfortable with government mandated ports.

I only want 1 port on my phone.

OK, just buy phones with one port. I think you're just experiencing FOMO because it's possible that you could end up with a port that's not The Best or having to buy a less aesthetic phone.

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

#648

Post by dghlsakjg »

croes wrote: post #467
worrycue wrote: post #446

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, let’s waste space that could be used by battery and compromise water/dust proofing by install another port.

If you can have one water/dust proof port you can have two. How about making phones thicker again? More place for a battery, less risk of the next bend gate. That's a bogus debate because there are more than enough possibilities.

If you have one weak spot, its fine to add more?

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

#649

Post by anigbrowl »

detourdog wrote: post #531
oittaa wrote: post #489

Earlier quoted context omitted.

More than 30 watts of power, more than USB 2.0 data rate, etc... These apple fanatics are so funny when they keep insisting that their shitty 2010 tech is bleeding edge.

Nobody is insisting the cutting edge technology from 10 years ago is superior to today’s. I’m arguing that whatever company should be free to choose I/O interfaces without supervision.

But you were given specific examples of where your preferred tech falls short of others - examples that you asked for - and you chose to ignore them and switch to a different argument. That's kinda rude.

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

#650

Post by summerlight »

rocketbop wrote: post #168
epolanski wrote: post #125

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

> The regulations get updated, you aren't stuck on usb-c. Isn't there a chicken and egg problem there - no one will release products with new power interfaces, because they aren't releasable in Europe. I suppose such products might get released first in the US, but which large tech company if going to ignore the EU market when releasing important products?

Don't worry too much, USB has been steadily making a progress even if it's not expected to be mass adopted for several years. In fact, it was too much to the level that now it brought all the fragmentation headaches to everyone. If this regulation can slow them down and give vendors time to improve their implementation quality, it would be actually better for everyone.
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