Anyone hear anything about apple moving to a USB?

[thelatinist]

So it seems like if they switch to USB, a lot of current accessories won't work without putting a computer chip in THEM to decode digital signals that, right now, the iPod itself decodes.

Exactly. Your iPod would basically become a USB hard drive as far as accessories are concerned. They would have to do their own A/V decoding and would have to have not only their own processors but also USB controllers, CODEC licensing, etc. It would be incredibly expensive. And every existing iPhone/iPod accessory would become obsolete overnight.

 

[djltoronto]

I think whatever they do, we should break away from having to install a driver to charge the phone.

??? what are you talking about?

Question:

What do those 30 pins do?

If you were to go from a 30 pin dock connector to a 5 pin USB connector what would you be giving up?

What do those other 25 pins do?

I honestly can't have an opinion on this matter without knowing that. Does anyone here know?

You would be giving up quite a lot.

 

[flash144]

That quote is from a prior news release, dated February 2009. The follow-up release from June 2009 states that Apple had changed its mind and signed on to the agreement.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10274953-94.html

While companies such as Nokia have already been using micro-USB connectors on some of its phones, it's surprising that Apple has joined the group. The company, which has seen great success with its iPhones, uses its own Dock Connector for the iPhone and other iPod devices. The company has licensed the connector technology to accessory makers, and there are thousands of third party products on the market that uses the Apple connector. Apple had not been listed as a company in February that backed the GSMA initiative for universal cell phone chargers.

It's not clear yet if Apple will only include the micro USB adapter in Europe or if it will include the micro-USB connector in addition to its own Dock Connector.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

I would not be happy if apple did the micro charge only in EU and if it requires an adaptor because the adaptor would just be a joke and well would be worthless because who the hell would carry an adaptor with the phone.

The point of the micro USB charging port is so one charger works with everything. Means easier borrowing. My GF has seen co-worker having to go around looking to borrow someone iPod/iPhone charger to charge there iPhone because they killed the battery with Pandra at work. Even funnier when no one has one to use. On the other hand a Micro USB connector is a lot easier to find one to borrow. Having more phone use this standard means a easier time for find spare chargers.

 

[thelatinist]

On the other hand a Micro USB connector is a lot easier to find one to borrow.

Where I spend my time iPod cables are ubiquitous, but micro-USB cables are not to be found. I'm pretty sure I've never seen a micro-USB cable in person.

 

[-aggie-]

I feel like the EU was making some sort of standard involving a universal plug for mobile devices... Maybe this is where he is coming from?

Yes, that is where it's coming from. Personally, I hope they do it here in the U.S.

OP, please edit your title by going to Edit>Go Advanced and change the "gear" to "hear," unless you simply don't care.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Where I spend my time iPod cables are ubiquitous, but micro-USB cables are not to be found. I'm pretty sure I've never seen a micro-USB cable in person.

chicken and the egg. If all smart phone and most dumb phone start using micro USB regardless of manufacture find a spare charger would be a cake walk in a year or 2.

I pointed out in other thread when I was cleaning up my apartment I found out I had a lot of random chargers for several different phones. Piratically every time I replaced my phone I had a new charger. Add in any car chargers and more problems. All those chargers just added up.

Go visit some one and I forget my charger I am screwed because guess what unless they have almost the EXACT same phone as I do they do not have a charger I can borrow.

Now most of the major players are going micro USB across the board with their phones that problem is ending. Also buying a car charger of any type is not so bad because you know you can use it on the next phone and it does not have to end up in the garbage when the phone is replaced.

Now I have no problem if they make a dock charger as well. That can be manufacture specific. Just look at blackberry. All there phones since the at least the curve 8900 all have micro USB charger but you can still get a dock that charges off the connectors in the back. Apple could do the same. Put the micro on the side and then use the 30 pin on the bottom. Solves both problems and it still in the spirit of the law. Hell all the would need to include is a micro USB cable and a wall port for it and call it good.

 

[thelatinist]

If all smart phone and most dumb phone start using micro USB regardless of manufacture find a spare charger would be a cake walk in a year or 2.

You said, "On the other hand a Micro USB connector is a lot easier to find one to borrow." Present tense. I am pointing out that micro USB is nowhere near the ubiquitous technology you suggest. It may be in the future, but right now iPod cables are far more common. And it strikes me that they will continue to be quite common the world over, since iPods will undoubtedly continue to use them.

Put the micro on the side and then use the 30 pin on the bottom. Solves both problems and it still in the spirit of the law. Hell all the would need to include is a micro USB cable and a wall port for it and call it good.

Actually, all they need to do to stay within the spirit of the law is to provide an adapter compatible with micro USB. This law is about reducing the need for duplicate chargers (and their resultant waste), and an adapter would accomplish that handsomely. You will still need to have only one charger for all your devices, with a small reusable adapter. You might not find it as convenient you'd like, but that's not what the law is about.

 

[Applejuiced]

The adapter thing sounds like a good idea.
Hope one day all chargers, car chargers and sync cables are the same.
Like mentioned above it would cut down on the junk and wasted wires we all have at our homes and wont have to purchase all brand new ones each time we buy a new cellphone.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Actually, all they need to do to stay within the spirit of the law is to provide an adapter compatible with micro USB. This law is about reducing the need for duplicate chargers (and their resultant waste), and an adapter would accomplish that handsomely. You will still need to have only one charger for all your devices, with a small reusable adapter. You might not find it as convenient you'd like, but that's not what the law is about.

The law is about reducing waste chargers when you get a new phone.

If you use the adapter like devices that is not in the spirit of the law because it still leaves apple with it property crap for its main charger. No one going to carry the adapter with them. It will just end up in the trash. Put a micro USB on the side no extra adapter. Will work with all required chargers out of the box.

Right now phones manufacture are still including a charger with the phone but the long term goal of this is to have them stop suppling chargers and you can either buy your own or use an old one.

Adapter is not in the spirit because apple would still be using its standard 30 pin.

 

[thelatinist]

If you use the adapter like devices that is not in the spirit of the law because it still leaves apple with it property crap for its main charger.

I have no idea what this means, sorry.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

I have no idea what this means, sorry.

Translation. Not putting the micro USB charging port directly on the phone is breaking the spirit of the universal charging port is not the agreement as well.

It would not be hard for apple to just put the port on the side and connect it into the USB function of the 30pin. That would allow apple only ship Micro USB cords and chargers with the phone. More than like would be a cost savings to apple over all.

 

[creon]

I think whatever they do, we should break away from having to install a driver to charge the phone.

You dont need to install a driver to charge the phone. I can charge my iPhone with my Xbox360!

 

[aristobrat]

The law is about reducing waste chargers when you get a new phone.

Wonder if they're going to do a law that targets replacement batteries, and how they rarely fit when you get a new phone (at least in regards to the BlackBerrys we get at work).

Chargers are an inconvenience. Batteries are that + a mess to dispose of properly.

 

[biggrim]

While I can see the point in this new legislation in terms of reducing the waste created by having so many different chargers (I've got about 6 lying around the house), where is it going to stop?

Are they going to say that all phones have to be the same size/shape to reduce the waste from protective cases and car mounts/hands free kits etc?

I might be taking this to the Nth degree here but what's to stop it?

 

[Rodimus Prime]

While I can see the point in this new legislation in terms of reducing the waste created by having so many different chargers (I've got about 6 lying around the house), where is it going to stop?

Are they going to say that all phones have to be the same size/shape to reduce the waste from protective cases and car mounts/hands free kits etc?

I might be taking this to the Nth degree here but what's to stop it?

Well the manufactures all pushed for this as well wanting a universal charger. They listen to the people complain about having all these extra chargers laying around and no use for any of them. Now they would like it if they can reuse old chargers.
The manufactures like this because they are looking farther down the road to were they can stop including them in the package means cheaper for them. The only group that might be a little unhappy about are the 3rd party makers because instead of people want to have a car charger/2nd wall charger will no longer be buying new ones every 2 years.

Batterys, phone size and those can easily be explain why they different and the people seem to understand those reasoning a lot better.

As for a charging port I have yet to hear a good argument on why manufactures should all have there own type. Not like they eat up any less room than micro USB.

The universal charging port was push by the major players in the cell phone market as a requirement for smart phones. Most of them are using the same ports on their dumb phones as well.