EU: Call to introduce common charger for all mobile phones • Hacker News Board

Re: EU: Call to introduce common charger for all mobile phones

#51

Post by zaarn » Mon, Jan 13, 2020, 12:47 PM UTC

Renaud wrote: post #32

Apple really dropped the ball on this and the argument they make (thing about all of the old accessories!) is pretty moot for the consumer. I want all phone to standardise on USB-C. No adapter for Apple, no exception. The point is not just about charging: accessory manufacturers have to develop 2 physical versions of their equipment, for Apple devices and for Android devices. This increases development and manufactur…

The EU simply told the manufacturers to agree on a single port or else they would have to regulate one. Apple ruined the party for everyone.

Re: EU: Call to introduce common charger for all mobile phones

#52

Post by ForHackernews » Mon, Jan 13, 2020, 12:47 PM UTC

alperakgun wrote: post #39

gambiting wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, at least one reason for different connectors is the fact that USB-C cannot support more than 100W(20V at 5amps). But I agree that literally every single laptop on the market that's below 100W should just use USB-C for charging.

For laptops there's a true cacophony when it comes to connectors. I hope USB-C meets requirements for most laptops/CPU/GPU configurations.

Modern Macbooks and Thinkpads are both USB-C, so it looks like things are moving in that direction.

Re: EU: Call to introduce common charger for all mobile phones

#53

Post by zaarn » Mon, Jan 13, 2020, 12:48 PM UTC

Mindwipe wrote: post #23

jacknews wrote: post #10

Didn't the EU force phone makers to standardize on USB a couple of decades ago? It was an absolute nightmare before that with every brand having completely different connector, voltage etc. I'm not sure how Apple got (and are getting) around this.

Apple got them to water it down so manufacturing a Lightning to USB adaptor was sufficient. It appears to the EU have tired of this.

The EU strongly recommended that manufacturers would agree on a single charger standard, no actual regulation was put in place (just a large "or else" invisible attached to those announcements).

So now the EU has watched the farce with Apple long enough and it will be forcefully regulated.

Re: EU: Call to introduce common charger for all mobile phones

#54

Post by oliwarner » Mon, Jan 13, 2020, 12:49 PM UTC

gambiting wrote: post #35

fierarul wrote: post #25

Why stop at mobile phones? Is there a reason laptops need so many different connectors? I am willing to bet many random connectors are just planned obsolescence or a secondary revenue stream for producers. Also, let's take this further. Any reason laptop displays can't internally have a rather standardised connector? We are throwing away perfectly good displays on broken laptops. What if I could buy a $20 adaptor and…

Well, at least one reason for different connectors is the fact that USB-C cannot support more than 100W(20V at 5amps). But I agree that literally every single laptop on the market that's below 100W should just use USB-C for charging.

5A is a huge amount of current. For anything. We're talking microwave oven or a couple of desktops.

And FWIW, my laptop charger is 2.25A output. There is plenty of room within a 5A envelope for higher current, faster charging battery tech of the future.

Re: EU: Call to introduce common charger for all mobile phones

#55

Post by agumonkey » Mon, Jan 13, 2020, 12:50 PM UTC

Kuinox wrote: post #37

fierarul wrote: post #25

Why stop at mobile phones? Is there a reason laptops need so many different connectors? I am willing to bet many random connectors are just planned obsolescence or a secondary revenue stream for producers. Also, let's take this further. Any reason laptop displays can't internally have a rather standardised connector? We are throwing away perfectly good displays on broken laptops. What if I could buy a $20 adaptor and…

Some brand get the same connectors, and it's been for years, for example, dell has the same big connector for laptops, and a smaller one for ultrabooks. They are switching to usb-c charging, but keep their old connector. Laptop displays have already a standardised connector it just need an LCD controller! https://www.amazon.fr/s?k=LCD+controller So yes, you are throwing perfectly fine laptop screen when you could hav…

I wonder if TV lcd panels also have some kind of standard or if it's completely random

Re: EU: Call to introduce common charger for all mobile phones

#56

Post by mvanbaak » Mon, Jan 13, 2020, 12:52 PM UTC

I think it's about time all this can/is easily fixed with QI. No more need for a cable to charge your battery!

BTW: the title is a bit misleading, as the article states a lot more products then just mobile phones.

Re: EU: Call to introduce common charger for all mobile phones

#57

Post by martin_a » Mon, Jan 13, 2020, 12:54 PM UTC

agumonkey wrote: post #43

guilamu wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

95 % of laptops have less than 100W chargers.

I don't even expect more than 60W chargers ..

My retired W520 got a 170 W one. So, they're out there. But probably only a few.

Re: EU: Call to introduce common charger for all mobile phones

#58

Post by pjc50 » Mon, Jan 13, 2020, 12:56 PM UTC

oliwarner wrote: post #54

gambiting wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, at least one reason for different connectors is the fact that USB-C cannot support more than 100W(20V at 5amps). But I agree that literally every single laptop on the market that's below 100W should just use USB-C for charging.

5A is a huge amount of current. For anything. We're talking microwave oven or a couple of desktops. And FWIW, my laptop charger is 2.25A output. There is plenty of room within a 5A envelope for higher current, faster charging battery tech of the future.

You cannot run a 700W microwave from a 20V 5A power supply.

Re: EU: Call to introduce common charger for all mobile phones

#59

Post by martin_a » Mon, Jan 13, 2020, 12:56 PM UTC

mytailorisrich wrote: post #3

Obviously a common charger would simplify things. We are already almost there. But if the main goal is to reduce electronic waste then it won't change anything by itself because every device we buy comes with a charger, anyway. In order to reduce waste, purchases of devices and chargers should be decoupled (I don't need a new charger every time I change my phone). A universal charger would thus just be an enabler for…

I think this is what will happen over time: As everybody will have at least one USB-C charger at home, from the last two to three smartphone generations, vendors will stop giving you one with each new phone.

Re: EU: Call to introduce common charger for all mobile phones

#60

Post by 45ure » Mon, Jan 13, 2020, 12:57 PM UTC

Renaud wrote: post #32

Apple really dropped the ball on this and the argument they make (thing about all of the old accessories!) is pretty moot for the consumer. I want all phone to standardise on USB-C. No adapter for Apple, no exception. The point is not just about charging: accessory manufacturers have to develop 2 physical versions of their equipment, for Apple devices and for Android devices. This increases development and manufactur…

Apple intially exploited the loophole, which was ironically created to help them. But it was the EU that dropped the ball by letting them get away with it for so long. The entire saga is documented in the link below, which is probably best explained by this excerpt.

The EU's failure to regulate, in essence, provides Apple with an argument to keep their own solution.

For Apple, the common charger is a success story – of regulation avoided. For the next commission, it could serve as a cautioning tale on the limits of self-regulation.

https://euobserver.com/science/144538