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

[Blackstick]

they won’t ship a different model in EU. this would mean different airpods cases, mouse, keyboard etc just for EU.

I’d want C on my next just as much as the next, but they can and have made distinct hardware models for different regions.

The EU’s regulation doesn’t apply to airpods, mice/keyboards… those would likely stay on lightning anyway. Much like they are today, while the iPads/Macs are on C.

 

[I7guy]

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Same is true when people keep arguing for an outdated Lightning port.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.

As of today, I have no issue with the lightning port with no desire to move to usb-c on my iphone. YMMV, of course. Would be nice if Apple applied to some nice innovation to the lightning cable and port, but ok, it works well for my needs.

The banter about carrying one cable? I don't buy it. When I travel, I have multiple cables of the same type for obvious rational.

As far as what Apple will say or not, we will just have to see as we don't know the end-game for the iphone 15 yet.

 

[danny842003]

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.

I would rather not be exploited with terrible working conditions.
I’ve had constant employment since I was 13 aside from a 3 month period when I migrated and couldn’t get a job on a temporary visa.
Nice try though.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Can they also please regulate how each cable is labelled? I have no idea what transfer speed and what power delivery an arbitrary USB-C cable has.

No, that would actually be useful As it is, the USB-IF states that any cable labeling is “optional” and the EU, while forcing USB-C are leaving off the step where they actually make it possible for customers to understand the thing they’re forced to buy!

 

[senttoschool]

I would rather not be exploited with terrible working conditions.
I’ve had constant employment since I was 13 aside from a 3 month period when I migrated and couldn’t get a job on a temporary visa.
Nice try though.

Spoiled. Come back to the real world where people earn to make a living.

This is why EU has incredibly high unemployment and the sole job of the EU government now is to suck money from American tech giants.

 

[danny842003]

Spoiled. Come back to the real world where people earn to make a living.

This is why EU has incredibly high unemployment and the sole job of the EU government now is to suck money from American tech giants.

I don’t live in the EU. One because I migrated and 2 I voted to leave.
I live in a country where people get paid at least something close to a living wage and service staff don’t have to beg customers to pay them because their employers don’t.

 

[Azzin]

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

You do if you want to put the MFI logo on your packaging.

 

[mrochester]

You do if you want to put the MFI logo on your packaging.

Talk about stating the obvious

 

[Azzin]

Am I the only one that doesn’t actually have a problem with Lightning?

Firstly, I’ve never had an issue with a cable and much prefer the fact that Lightning is a male connector (although I do agree that the speeds are poor when compared to USB C & that Apple should have upgraded Lightning to at least match USB C).

For clarity, I use wired CarPlay in my car (I’m a chauffeur) without issue.

I have tried various wireless CarPlay dongle boxes, but they all went back to Amazon due to the lag when using any of the map apps (i use Waze, but tried Apple Maps & Google Maps and they lagged just as much).

I charge my phone (14PM) nightly on a slow charger, so speeds don’t matter to me.

I know they’d never do it, but I do kinda wish Apple had just offered Lightning to the masses (with upgraded speeds to match USB C) as a port, but the money they’d lose from MFI royalties dictates them not seeing that as an option).

 

[Azzin]

I don’t live in the EU. One because I migrated and 2 I voted to leave.
I live in a country where people get paid at least something close to a living wage and service staff don’t have to beg customers to pay them because their employers don’t.

Where do you live now?

 

[fat jez]

I know they’d never do it, but I do kinda wish Apple had just offered Lightning to the masses (with upgraded speeds to match USB C) as a port, but the money they’d lose from MFI royalties dictates them not seeing that as an option).

There may be technical reasons. Going from memory (so probably wrong) but lightning uses 8 pins to usb-c’s 24. That may have held back speed increases.

I always see Apple as about control. It’s their App Store, their silicon, their operating system. Their data connector. They’ve not really licensed much of it out, other than lightning. But even then they keep control of it.

 

[icanhazmac]

How many USB-C ports have died on your Mac again?

THat's what I thought. 0. Do you know why? Apple doesn't nickel and dime on their stuff.

Both sides had to be replaced on my 2017 15" MBP and they received was less use than any of my phones and I was way more careful with those ports as well.

 

[deeddawg]

Am I the only one that doesn’t actually have a problem with Lightning?

Firstly, I’ve never had an issue with a cable and much prefer the fact that Lightning is a male connector (although I do agree that the speeds are poor when compared to USB C & that Apple should have upgraded Lightning to at least match USB C).

No, you're not alone. I've had no issues with lightning in the ten years I've been using it, and can't recall ever needing to replace a cable.

Past few years I've done nearly all my phone charging by Qi pads scattered around and rarely use a cable; mostly the lightning cables at my desk and in the kitchen side counter are used for airpods charging or other people's phones. Also can't recall the last time I did any data transfer over the wire either.

I personally don't much care what port is used, other than having to add yet another cable to my travel kit and charge points since I'll still need to accommodate micro-B and lightning for a few more years. I just dislike bureaucrats dictating technological standards, effectively sticking us with USB Type C connectors. At this this didn't happen during mini-B's heyday.

 

[kucharsk]

Apple should just stop selling phones in the EU rather than comply.

I must have over 15 Lightning cables that just get tossed in the trash if they switch, not to mention various accessories (because I also won't buy 15 Lightning to USB-C adapters.)

This is insane Government overreach, but that's what the EU does.

 

[danny842003]

Apple should just stop selling phones in the EU rather than comply.

I must have over 15 Lightning cables that just get tossed in the trash if they switch, not to mention various accessories (because I also won't buy 15 Lightning to USB-C adapters.)

This is insane Government overreach, but that's what the EU does.

Not quite as insane as stopping selling to 447 million people though.

 

[Zest28]

EU is dumb as hell as you still need a lightning cable for airpods and other stuff. So now you need to carry both a USB-C cable + lightning cable.

And lightning cable offers better protection for your iPhone. USB-C is more likely to damage your iPhone.

 

[ericwn]

EU is dumb as hell as you still need a lightning cable for airpods and other stuff. So now you need to carry both a USB-C cable + lightning cable.

And lightning cable offers better protection for your iPhone. USB-C is more likely to damage your iPhone.

Any travelling person using more Apple products already has to carry two or three cable types. My MacBook Pro and iPad already use USB-c, then the Lightning stuff and the Apple Watch again uses a different cable. But your point is valid, this should be covering way more small tech device types to have greater overall benefit.

 

[danny842003]

EU is dumb as hell as you still need a lightning cable for airpods and other stuff. So now you need to carry both a USB-C cable + lightning cable.

And lightning cable offers better protection for your iPhone. USB-C is more likely to damage your iPhone.

Just bought a pair of beats fit which is usb C so apple is already creating the situation you’re describing.

 

[addamas]

EU is dumb as hell as you still need a lightning cable for airpods and other stuff. So now you need to carry both a USB-C cable + lightning cable.

And lightning cable offers better protection for your iPhone. USB-C is more likely to damage your iPhone.

USB-C port fitting connector wears over time but you have to use it for a really long time.

Latest AirPods Pro 2 can be charged via AW charger, any QI or MagSafe charger so what is a problem?

(Not my photo)
1 Gen also had option with MagSafe and QI. I charged wirelessly several times.

 

[AndiG]

Tony Fadell wants to see iPhone move to USB-C​

Tony Fadell wants to see iPhone move to USB-C | AppleInsider

The inventor of the iPad believes that Apple should move the iPhone to USB-C, claiming that it is "the right thing" to do.

appleinsider.com

„I can’t see a problem. The world has converged on USB-C. The physical & user limits have been hit. Next up is wireless per, not a diff physical connection. So I’m not too worried about this regulation. They’re simply forcing Apple to do the right thing… it’s overdue frankly.“

„Not in this case. This is only happening because Apple hasn’t been doing the right thing. Period. This is about a monopolist like position not about technology. I hope after Apple is forced to change the regulations will be removed to allow innovation to continue.“

Word!

 

[teh_hunterer]

Tony Fadell wants to see iPhone move to USB-C​

Tony Fadell wants to see iPhone move to USB-C | AppleInsider

The inventor of the iPad believes that Apple should move the iPhone to USB-C, claiming that it is "the right thing" to do.

appleinsider.com

„I can’t see a problem. The world has converged on USB-C. The physical & user limits have been hit. Next up is wireless per, not a diff physical connection. So I’m not too worried about this regulation. They’re simply forcing Apple to do the right thing… it’s overdue frankly.“

„Not in this case. This is only happening because Apple hasn’t been doing the right thing. Period. This is about a monopolist like position not about technology. I hope after Apple is forced to change the regulations will be removed to allow innovation to continue.“

Word!

The bit I've bolded there is the problem I have with this. It's just naive. You should never accept an overreach of power, even if it is for a good cause. The next time, it probably won't be.

Sure, Apple should have put USB-C in the iPhone, but they should have done it by their own choice and/or from pressure from the customer base. Solving the problem with EU regulation is just trading one bad situation for a worse one.

 

[danny842003]

The bit I've bolded there is the problem I have with this. It's just naive. You should never accept an overreach of power, even if it is for a good cause. The next time, it probably won't be.

Sure, Apple should have put USB-C in the iPhone, but they should have done it by their own choice and/or from pressure from the customer base. Solving the problem with EU regulation is just trading one bad situation for a worse one.

Overreach of power is overstating things a little. It’s well within their power to regulate such things, this isn’t infringing in anyone rights.

 

[teh_hunterer]

Overreach of power is overstating things a little. It’s well within their power to regulate such things, this isn’t infringing in anyone rights.

It's an understatement. They might be within their legal rights but it's not morally right.

 

[danny842003]

It's an understatement. They might be within their legal rights but it's not morally right.

But it is morally right.

 

[teh_hunterer]

But it is morally right.

I don't see why the EU should be able to force an American tech company to put a certain charging port on their devices. If they want to control how phones are designed they should make their own tech company. They didn't earn that, and shouldn't have anything to do with it.

Do you also enjoy encountering the ridiculous cookie popup banners on every website? Doesn't look like either of us are European but we have to deal with that. Absolute stupidity.

People seem to be unable to grasp the difference between:

a) Apple should do this
b) A government power should force Apple to do this

Government forcing people to do things you'd prefer them to do is a dangerous road...