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

[NYCValkyrie]

Excellent news

Shame Apple had to be forced to though

I think they have been planning this for a while. They are already on the iPads so it was just a matter of time for iPhones but guessing since iPhones are planned years in advance and contracts, supplies, etc are tied to them, that may be a factor in the delay.

 

[Virinprew]

Terrible news. This will stifle innovation and competition. For example, it will limit the desire to create connectors that are more efficient, faster, cheaper, easier to use than USB-C.

It will also increase costs for everyone because USB-C is significantly more expensive to implement than micro-USB or USB-A for cheap devices.

In addition, now we have to throw away countless e-waste from lightning cables, lightning chargers, and lightning accessories. It's not just lightning. There is even more e-waste coming from micro-USB and USB-A.

Once again, EU government is stepping into things that they shouldn't have. Thanks to them, I've had to click on cookie prompts at least 10,000 times already and I honestly could careless if websites used cookies.

I'm not against Apple using USB-C on all your devices. They're slowly getting there regardless. I'm against this kind of regulation because it will have unintended consequences.

Well. I vote for moving to usb-c. And don’t care too much about the future. It will work somehow. But right now they need to switch!!!

 

[bmustaf]

But politicians are advised (hopefully?) by experts in the arena. In more reality, they are lobbied by those who fund their campaigns and their cronies...

Nevertheless, I don't favor government intervention as a first-line solution or remedy, but when the unreasonable turns into the unforgivable, untenable insanity of things like Apple building an entire walled garden around their 10+ year old obsolete connector to keep control over the hardware accessory ecosystem (they can bless what companies and brands consumers can use to connect to Apple products, basically...if you don't pay the MFI tax to Apple, you are not only OUT you are blackballed from an entire consumer base who has no real recourse to that at scale), I think government intervention is wise.

Breaking up Ma Bell paved the way for the world we enjoy today in tech and there are just as many examples (or more) of government intervention working to set and maintain a competitive playing field when the players have started to collude as the ones where government intervention has gone sideways (there are tons).

But one thing I think is pretty clear: free markets do not know best any more than government knows best. Together, they can create pro-consumer and pro-innovation and pro-business environments. Too much of either extreme and the markets don't work.

Politicians are not competent in technical matters. So on what basis did they make this decision?

People may be happy that device makers will be forced to use USB-C. But the problem is that now all future interfaces in Europe will be dictated by politicians. It won’t be dictated by consumer preference or technical benefits. It will be dictated by who can influence politicians.

 

[BaldiMac]

But politicians are advised (hopefully?) by experts in the arena. In more reality, they are lobbied by those who fund their campaigns and their cronies...

Nevertheless, I don't favor government intervention as a first-line solution or remedy, but when the unreasonable turns into the unforgivable, untenable insanity of things like Apple building an entire walled garden around their 10+ year old obsolete connector to keep control over the hardware accessory ecosystem (they can bless what companies and brands consumers can use to connect to Apple products, basically...if you don't pay the MFI tax to Apple, you are not only OUT you are blackballed from an entire consumer base who has no real recourse to that at scale), I think government intervention is wise.

Breaking up Ma Bell paved the way for the world we enjoy today in tech and there are just as many examples (or more) of government intervention working to set and maintain a competitive playing field when the players have started to collude as the ones where government intervention has gone sideways (there are tons).

But one thing I think is pretty clear: free markets do not know best any more than government knows best. Together, they can create pro-consumer and pro-innovation and pro-business environments. Too much of either extreme and the markets don't work.

Lightning is only two years older than USB-C. Apple originally said that it would be around for a decade. This year is ten years. Apple was likely going to replace it soon anyway. All this directive does is force them to adopt a 10 year old connector. Maybe they would have anyway. Maybe they would have made something better like they did when they released lightning.

And MFi already includes non-lightning accessories. I doubt it will go away just because they switch connectors.

 

[justperry]

Yea, EU will get iphones with usbC or no ports at all...and US will get the new shiny microUSBC with faster and even more reliable data transfers.....people who makes these laws in EU, are old farrts i think that they cannot even make an complete and forward thinking law

I just had to....

Trump was/is so old he started to have symptoms of dementia.
Biden is so old he can barely walk/cycle.

 

[vladi]

Apple could have USB3 performance through lightning on the iPhone, they just choose not to. I presume data transfer speed via a cable is a fairly low priority for the iPhone since most things will be done wirelessly.

Havin the ability to record ProRes and not having a fast transfer speed is a fail.

 

[I7guy]

yeah - Apple turned into a silly company. Apple has an iron grip on Ligthning through MFI, it doesn‘t want to loose. MFI is a cash cow. Not matter if you want to create an accessory with a wired connection or Bluetooth, you need to be part of Apples MFI program. BLE is free, but only GATT services.

Apple created a cash cow this way, it doesn‘t want to loose. USB-C is a standard and this is why Apple doesn‘t like it. Everyone can build USB-C cables, wholy s**t!! If you want to build Ligthning cables you have to be a certified Apple partner and you have to buy chips from Apple to identify as a valid cable.

Use of one’s intellectual property usually requires royalty payments. See cellular chips.

 

[panzer06]

Would the EU really enforce a directive that makes all products made before the late-2024 e-waste? That seems to run counter to what they are trying to achieve. Presumably would just be for new products released on or after a certain date?

It says if the item was made b4 the directive it can continue to be sold

 

[Azzin]

It would not surprise me if Apple just goes portless. The issue for iPhone users would be that a port is better than wireless for charging in many cases, it would be iPhone users who would be hurt with an "inferior" product.

Portless also prevents wired CarPlay users upgrading, so I can’t see it happening.

 

[bmustaf]

Portless also prevents wired CarPlay users upgrading, so I can’t see it happening.

That is courage, though. As is the $300 CarPlay AirPort dongle they'll then market to convert wired CarPlay set ups into wireless ones.

 

[rhett7660]

It says that you can not sell phones without USB-C charge connection from late 2024 and onwards.
So if apple wants to sell the previous generations of iPhone by then, they need to have USB-C. So I hope they will add it next year. But knowing Apple, they probably wait until the very last moment and then just adjust the current lineup to comply with the laws.

I read it as to all "new" devices from 2024 onwards will have to have the new USB-C... those prior to are not impacted by this.

Regardless of their manufacturer, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, earbuds and laptops that are rechargeable via a wired cable, operating with a power delivery of up to 100 Watts, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Lightning is only two years older than USB-C. Apple originally said that it would be around for a decade. This year is ten years. Apple was likely going to replace it soon anyway. All this directive does is force them to adopt a 10 year old connector. Maybe they would have anyway. Maybe they would have made something better like they did when they released lightning.

And MFi already includes non-lightning accessories. I doubt it will go away just because they switch connectors.

Strange that they wouldn't have put it on the iPads..

 

[BaldiMac]

Strange that they wouldn't have put it on the iPads..

Not really. I’m sure Apple knew this was coming. Or like I said, maybe they already chose USB-C because it’s the best option.

 

[sahajesh]

Oh great, now I have to throw away all my lightning cables and buy usb-c when I replace my devices.

How awful for you! You must have cried when the 30-pin dock connector was replaced.

 

[lartola]

2024? It means we'll have to stomach Lightning until iPhone 16? Ugh.

Perhaps even the iphone 17. 24 months from now means the iphone 16 will most likely still come out 1-2 months before that new law goes into effect, so it may as well still come with lightning.

 

[lartola]

It says that you can not sell phones without USB-C charge connection from late 2024 and onwards.
So if apple wants to sell the previous generations of iPhone by then, they need to have USB-C. So I hope they will add it next year. But knowing Apple, they probably wait until the very last moment and then just adjust the current lineup to comply with the laws.

No they don’t. According to the article, the new law will not affect devices that went on sale before that law went into effect. Apple can continue to sell previous iphone generations with lightning.

 

[danny842003]

So much misinformation in your post.

1. USB-C is 4-10x more expensive than USB-A. This is a disaster for inexpensive devices.
2. Apple is getting ready to move off lightning without this regulation. The last major device is the iPhone. Apple would be ready to move off with or without this regulation.
3. Google "lightning accessories". You'll find plenty.
4. Correct, vast majority of Apple's ecosystem are already USB-C. This regulation is pointless.
5. The e-waste for USB-A and micro-USB comes from the fact that all those cables will have to be thrown out in the near future and perfectly working devices will have to be replaced by USB-C versions as support USB-A and micro-USB are forced to shutdown.

EU is not that smart. Look at their protectionist policies. Look at how the vast majority of new big companies are either American or Chinese. Look at the unemployment rate in EU. Regulation has destroyed innovation in Europe.

Do you accept this cookie?

Just for clarity I voted for Brexit and despite successive governments messing it up believe in the idea still. However thats another issue I won’t be debating in this thread. So don’t quote me on it.

I would much rather be unemployed in the EU than employed in many blue collar jobs in either the US or China. Regulation works.

 

[AndiG]

MFi isn't going away when they switch to USB-C. It already includes non-lightning accessories. The "cash cow" isn't in danger.

I just think your claim of greed is reductive. Of course a business has a profit motive. But they upgrade to more expensive technologies all the time, so obviously other factors are involved.

I don‘t think that things have changed much. You have to be part of Apples MFI program in order to buy Apples crypto chips. You have to integrate those chips in your accessory and those chips are part of Lightning cables as well.

With USB-C the time of those crypto dongled Lightning cables is over. If you want to use an USB-C stick, no strange Apple connector is needed anymore. Same may be true if you want to connect a monitor or TV - may also be the same, compared to an iPad with USB-C.

Of course Apple keeps MFI to protect it‘s secret protocols that you need to interface with the iPhone. But many things will become easier and many connectors (esp Apple connectors sold with Apple tax) will vanish. So also a part of Apples cash cow and adapter hell will vanish, too.

All of this is a good thing. No matter if some Apple fellows want to protect their mothership by any means necessary. Apple also brought back ports to MBPs. The same Apple fellows have stated for several years that you do not need these ports.

 

[senttoschool]

I would much rather be unemployed in the EU than employed in many blue collar jobs in either the US or China. Regulation works.

And that my friend, is why EU is so desperate. You would rather be a non productive, blood sucking member of a state than to earn a living.

 

[mrochester]

I don‘t think that things have changed much. You have to be part of Apples MFI program in order to buy Apples crypto chips. You have to integrate those chips in your accessory and those chips are part of Lightning cables as well.

With USB-C the time of those crypto dongled Lightning cables is over. If you want to use an USB-C stick, no strange Apple connector is needed anymore. Same may be true if you want to connect a monitor or TV - may also be the same, compared to an iPad with USB-C.

Of course Apple keeps MFI to protect it‘s secret protocols that you need to interface with the iPhone. But many things will become easier and many connectors (esp Apple connectors sold with Apple tax) will vanish. So also a part of Apples cash cow and adapter hell will vanish, too.

All of this is a good thing. No matter if some Apple fellows want to protect their mothership by any means necessary. Apple also brought back ports to MBPs. The same Apple fellows have stated for several years that you do not need these ports.

You don’t have to be in the MFI programme to make lightning devices.

 

[I7guy]

[…]

All of this is a good thing. No matter if some Apple fellows want to protect their mothership by any means necessary. Apple also brought back ports to MBPs. The same Apple fellows have stated for several years that you do not need these ports.

Proof? Or is it that people on a discussion board have various opinions and you are conflating them?

 

[Frantisekj]

Terrible news. This will stifle innovation and competition. For example, it will limit the desire to create connectors that are more efficient, faster, cheaper, easier to use than USB-C.

It will also increase costs for everyone because USB-C is significantly more expensive to implement than micro-USB or USB-A for cheap devices.

In addition, now we have to throw away countless e-waste from lightning cables, lightning chargers, and lightning accessories. It's not just lightning. There is even more e-waste coming from micro-USB and USB-A.

Once again, EU government is stepping into things that they shouldn't have. Thanks to them, I've had to click on cookie prompts at least 10,000 times already and I honestly could careless if websites used cookies.

I'm not against Apple using USB-C on all your devices. They're slowly getting there regardless. I'm against this kind of regulation because it will have unintended consequences.

There is question if EU will exists at that time. In 2023 we may be solving if there is any power in wall plug not what connector we have thanks to USA and its slaves in EU.

 

[AndiG]

You don’t have to be in the MFI programme to make lightning devices.

Then, go ahead. When you communicate with an Apple device, the device sends you a challenge request. To solve the challenge you need an Apple crypto chip, after that you send back the result to the Apple device and it will recognizes you as a valid accessory.

Without MFI membership you don't get those chips. Additionally if you want to communicate using Bluetooth (not BLE) or if you want to interface with the Apple device (like streaming music, get Album artwork - whatever) you need the communication protocol. You don't get access to those protocols without MFI membership.

 

[mrochester]

Then, go ahead. When you communicate with an Apple device, the device sends you a challenge request. To solve the challenge you need an Apple crypto chip, after that you send back the result to the Apple device and it will recognizes you as a valid accessory.

Without MFI membership you don't get those chips. Additionally if you want to communicate using Bluetooth (not BLE) or if you want to interface with the Apple device (like streaming music, get Album artwork - whatever) you need the communication protocol. You don't get access to those protocols without MFI membership.

Ok great.

 

[AndiG]

Proof? Or is it that people on a discussion board have various opinions and you are conflating them?

No. While I agree with you at least somehow, it feels more like those people keep nagging against valid arguments. When someone writes a blog or just surfs the web and keeps arguing that you do not need ports on a MBP, this is just wrong from e.g. a developers point of view. But those guys keep arguing and telling you the same s**t over and over again.

Finally, at least Apple acknowledged that there IS a need for ports on a "PRO" laptop. Also the Esc key reappeared and the Touch Bar vanished. I understand the fact that a lot of people can do nothing with those things, but those people just do not need a "Pro" machine.
Same is true when people keep arguing for an outdated Lightning port. And in September/October 2023 Tim will enter stage and tell you that there was no life on planet earth before USB-C.