EU agrees to single mobile charging port

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RunningMan

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#296329 8-Jun-2022 18:31

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/468734/eu-agrees-to-single-mobile-charging-port-in-blow-to-apple

In summary, everything has to have USB-C. I can see both sides of this. Standardisation makes things easier and probably cheaper for the consumer, but does it stifle innovation?

After all, USB-C came about through innovation and development, so who's to say something better won't come around in the future? By mandating a particular connector does it discourage innovation and development of something better? USB-C is good, and would almost certainly be useable for the foreseeable future, but is it the be-all and end-all?

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#2924059 8-Jun-2022 19:20

I'm reminded of when the EU mandated that 900 MHz only be used for 2G GSM. I went to the UK in 2010 and was amazed by how little 3G there was. Is the same thing going to happen again in ~2030?

GregV

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#2924070 8-Jun-2022 20:00

https://xkcd.com/927/

RunningMan

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#2924073 8-Jun-2022 20:04

Yeah, that's kinda my concern. It's figuratively the latest and greatest right now but does mandating it act as a handbrake for something better in the future?

insane

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#2924076 8-Jun-2022 20:15

RunningMan:
Yeah, that's kinda my concern. It's figuratively the latest and greatest right now but does mandating it act as a handbrake for something better in the future?

Unless the physical aspects of the port change, I imagine backwards compatibility will be higher on the priority.

Nate001

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#2924078 8-Jun-2022 20:21

Considering there are really only two ports in use, Lighting and USB C, this seems to be a silly rule to enforce. Its not like it was 10-15 years ago when there were USB Mini, USB Micro, 30 Pin Apple and other proprietary connectors. I feel like there are bigger fish to fry. The EU love to regulate. Whats next on their list?

KiwiSurfer

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#2924085 8-Jun-2022 20:51

Behodar:

I'm reminded of when the EU mandated that 900 MHz only be used for 2G GSM. I went to the UK in 2010 and was amazed by how little 3G there was. Is the same thing going to happen again in ~2030?

Citation needed. I think the non-deployment of UMTS 900 was more a commercial decision by the UK operators rather than regulatory pressures from the EU. I went to the UK in 2015 and was surprised at the low levels of 4G and 3G coverage. There were big towns with only 3G/2G services and even a select few where 2G was the best available service from either Vodafone or EE, at a time where all similar sized towns in NZ had 4G from all operators! Yet when I went under the channel to France and traveled onward to Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Romania, etc I had 4G coverage 99% of the time (roaming using either my EE UK or Vodafone NZ SIM) even on the railways in rural low density countryside. The contrast between the UK and continental Europe was like night and day.

Anyway, back on topic... USB-C will be interesting to see how it fares in the long run. USB-A has survived for 20+ years despite being fairly limited in what it can do. Could USB-C outlast it USB-A? I'm certainty following a policy of not buying USB-A devices if there is a USB-C capable alternative. It's awesome being able to power/charge all my USB devices using the same charger/cable.

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alasta

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#2924091 8-Jun-2022 21:01

I think that what consumers purchase should be determined by consumers themselves, not by the government.

Bung

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#2924107 8-Jun-2022 21:47

RunningMan:
Yeah, that's kinda my concern. It's figuratively the latest and greatest right now but does mandating it act as a handbrake for something better in the future?

I was interested in why my wife's ipad pro had ended up usb c while other ipads and iphones stayed lightning. Apparently Apple then saw the future as wireless with no physical port if and when any change happens.

I find the lightning plug a poor design in that it bends rather easily at mid point.

Stu

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#2924111 8-Jun-2022 22:04

Apple already use USB-C/Thunderbolt architecture in other devices (MacBooks, etc). Once they sort their phones out, won't that only leave keyboards/mice/etc?

If so, what's the big deal?

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roobarb

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#2924142 9-Jun-2022 05:52

alasta:

I think that what consumers purchase should be determined by consumers themselves, not by the government.

While that might sound like a lovely idea, I can't think of any country where that currently applies. Every country has rules about goods and services.

The purpose of the EU rules are generally a balance between promoting free trade across the region and protecting the consumer.

wellygary

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#2924162 9-Jun-2022 09:08

RunningMan:

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/468734/eu-agrees-to-single-mobile-charging-port-in-blow-to-apple

In summary, everything has to have USB-C. I can see both sides of this. Standardisation makes things easier and probably cheaper for the consumer, but does it stifle innovation?

After all, USB-C came about through innovation and development, so who's to say something better won't come around in the future? By mandating a particular connector does it discourage innovation and development of something better? USB-C is good, and would almost certainly be useable for the foreseeable future, but is it the be-all and end-all?

This in big glowing letters,

In 2010 Europe was all gaga over micro USB as the standard, now its USB-C

https://www.engadget.com/2010-12-29-european-standardization-bodies-formalize-micro-usb-cellphone-ch.html

Apple got round the last remit with an adapter

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2011/10/apples-iphone-micro-usb-adapter-complies-with-eu-charger-standards/

But I think they might fall in line and actually manufacture phones with USB-C this time round , although its clear they don't like it

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MikeAqua

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#2924178 9-Jun-2022 10:28

I think this is good Innovation and choice are very important. It's also ridiculous for a few companies to persist with a proprietary USB format when there is no disadvantage in using a standard configuration. Future iPhone users shouldn't have to overpay for cords now.

If this goes global, it will make life easier in our household which currently has 4 charger formats in sue for electronic devices (USB-C, micro-USB, Apple's lightning and Microsoft's Surface plug). They could all be USB-C. Actually the surface will charge via USB-C, but still has a proprietary port and came with a proprietary charger. Waste of resources.

Mike

wellygary

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#2924181 9-Jun-2022 10:54

MikeAqua:

Actually the surface will charge via USB-C, but still has a proprietary port and came with a proprietary charger. Waste of resources.

We've got a bunch of Acer Laptops that all have a centre pin charging plug as well as a USB-C port that they will happily charge through,

You have to really wonder why the accountants haven't worked this out as another few $ in components they can reduce....

RunningMan

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#2924202 9-Jun-2022 12:26

Stu: Apple already use USB-C/Thunderbolt architecture in other devices (MacBooks, etc). Once they sort their phones out, won't that only leave keyboards/mice/etc?

If so, what's the big deal?

Not looking from an apple perspective, more stifling any development of something better

FineWine

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Nurse (R)

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#2924227 9-Jun-2022 12:54

Isn't WireLess Charging/Connectivity meant to be the next 'Bee-All-End-All' thing ??

Therefore the above is mute!

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

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