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

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

#531

Post by matwood »

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.

It seems many are confused about what the iPhone Pro comes with today - a usb-c to lightning cable. So right now you only need to carry a single power brick and 2 cables. So after this law you can carry a single cable. A big win...I guess.

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

#532

Post by xienze »

BurningFrog wrote: post #453
ben_w wrote: post #398

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I'm not so sure that will be the case. The particular issue with this one is the insistence of using a proprietary connector when a perfectly acceptable standardized connector exists. How quick we are to forget that the reason basically every phone (except one!) no longer uses its own proprietary connector is because of similar legislation.

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

#533

Post by rswail »

dionidium wrote: post #342
tgv wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thank God nobody ever standardized electrical plugs. I'd hate being able to plug my vacuum cleaner and laptop in the same outlet.

This is a great example in that residential electrical systems evolve at a snails pace. There's almost no innovation and most houses are full of dangerous legacy systems because regulation makes updating difficult and expensive. Also of note: you aren't required by national or state law to use any kind of electrical system in the U.S. The National Electric Code is not a binding document. It's up to individual municip…

Except electricians and the companies that insure them for professional liability, or the companies that insure houses against electrical fires use that national code as a reference, same for building codes, etc.

It's interesting to read the comments here from people that have equipment and stuff in their houses and cars and workplaces that are constrained by regulations and laws all around them, but are worried about a connector on their phone.

A "free" market needs regulation otherwise it develops into monopolies. Setting standards is a way to regulate to ensure a level playing field for competition.

It's not like the EU has rushed this decision, or that anyone is proposing some other standard that wasn't considered.

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

#534

Post by nottorp »

CGamesPlay wrote: post #378
jayd16 wrote: post #323

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They're not incompatible. They make bootleg magsafe USB-C cables.

Beware, there is a lot of actual safety equipment that goes into a MagSafe connector that probably isn’t in the knock-offs. Moving 5 A of current can cause a spark and start a fire right in your lap. - http://www.righto.com/2013/06/teardown-and-exploration-of-ma... - http://www.righto.com/2016/03/counterfeit-macbook-charger-te...

I have a "bootleg" magsafe usb-c cable for my 2018 "worst model in history" mbpro with emoji keyboard.

When I bought it i did the research and random magnetic cables on amazon were reviewed along the lines of "this burned my laptop". I ended up getting an (expensive-ish) one from my local apple dealer.

I'd rather have Apple do it thank you.

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

#535

Post by runarberg »

Hippocrates wrote: post #361

USB-C is inferior from the hardware/form standpoint. It's a larger, more fragile and flimsy connector (than lightning) which is very un-apple. It can be crimped shut if rolled on by a chair. Additionally the charging standards are a total mess, with PD and QC requiring compatible chargers and cables, which are often unlabeled. I'm all for a great charging standard but USB-C ain't it.

Then have the cord part removable and replaceable from the brick (which is already the case with most phone chargers). If the connector gets damaged, buying a replacement would be easy and cheap.

E.g. I hate it when the 3.5mm audio jack cord of expensive headphones is soldered stuck to the headphones. When it breaks, and it will, I have to replace the entire headphones (or do a lousy soldering job) rather then just the cord. Computer chargers are the same.

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

#538

Post by schmuelio »

logicalmonster wrote: post #311
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.

This law might have actually encouraged more waste than would have otherwise existed. Cables (generally) don't go bad in a year or two and can last for quite a few years. Most long-term iPhone users probably have at least a few spare cables throughout their desk, house, car that they've bought over time that they'd now have no substitutes for and would need to replace. You might have dictated a situation where people…

> You might have dictated a situation where people now have to throw away a pile of perfectly usable cables/accessories and buy a bunch of new ones.

I mean, or Apple could do the one thing they've done absolutely tons of recently (so it wouldn't be a surprising or unheard of move from them) and sell a dongle for lightning -> USB-C?

Now you don't have to do any of what you just said would be a guarantee.

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

#539

Post by truculent »

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?

They are referring to the original Apple Pencil which used a lightning port at the end.

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

#540

Post by electroly »

jupp0r wrote: post #506
axlee wrote: post #411

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know, did government mandating electricity plugs standards stifle innovation?

Yes, have you ever visited the United States? Their AC wall plugs are extremely bad. They wiggle out all the time and expose hot connectors before falling out. You can literally shock yourself by partially unplugging a wall connector and putting your finger on exposed connectors.

The result of the same sort of regulation in the UK is the opposite; they have excellent plugs and sockets. It doesn't seem that regulated standardization inherently stifles innovation, but you do run the risk of standardizing on the wrong thing.
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