🔮 I foresee a usb c to lighting port dongle in Europes future.
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EU Gives Final Approval to Law That Will Force iPhone to Switch to USB-C
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HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
And those purchases will work with EVERYTHING instead of only one product line from one company. And you'll only need to do that as your existing Lightning-based stuff is retired, not necessarily all at once.
If you believe this is a really big deal, make or seek out a USB-C to lightning dongle so you can keep using those cables with USB-C ports. Then as each finally fail, you can slowly embrace the (hopefully) ubiquitous standard that USB-C might be by then and we'll finally reach "one cable to rule them all", "one port to rule them all" that we all spun to each other when trying to rationalize Apple going USB-C on that first MB many years ago.
I know many see this as government meddling, but truly I see almost only positive sides: it forces dirty-cheap products to adopt the type-C, and accelerates Apple’s transition (which had already started).
Feels like a good step forward, until the next standard comes along and we’re back in the same situation. I’ve got a whole bunch of devices with variations on USB and some proprietary connectors (eg Garmin which is different again to my previous Garmin).![]()
The European Union today gave final approval to legislation that will force technology companies like Apple to switch to USB-C across a wide range of devices.
![USB-C-Over-Lightning-Feature.jpg]()
Outlined in an official press release, the European Council today gave the European Parliament's common charger directive approval, finalizing the legislative procedure that will make a USB-C port mandatory across a wide range of consumer electronic devices, including the iPhone and AirPods, by the end of 2024. The directive has now been officially adopted and is set to be published in the official journal of the European Union. It will come into force 20 days after publication, and the rules will apply exactly 24 months after that date. Products that go on sale before the date of application will be exempt and can continue to be sold after that point.
USB-C as a legally mandated "common port" is a world-first statute and will likely impact Apple in particular since it widely uses the Lightning connector instead of USB-C on many of its devices. MEPs claim that the move will reduce electronic waste, address product sustainability, and make use of different devices more convenient.
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, with a power delivery of up to 100 Watts, will have to feature a USB-C port. Exemptions will apply for devices that are too small to offer a USB-C port, such as smart watches, health trackers, and some sports equipment, but the legislation is expected to expand to other devices over time. Companies will also have to ensure that dedicated labels clearly inform consumers about the charging characteristics of devices they buy.
In addition, the EU seeks to ensure that wireless charging solutions are interoperable as the technology evolves over time. The directive empowers the European Commission to develop delegated acts by the end of 2024 that force companies to make their custom wireless charging solutions more open and meet interoperability standards, helping consumers to avoid getting locked into proprietary charging solutions while preventing fragmentation and reducing waste. It is not clear if this would include Apple's MagSafe charging system for the iPhone and AirPods since it is based on the Qi wireless charging standard.
In 2018, the European Commission attempted to reach a final resolution on this issue but it failed to come into law. At the time, Apple warned that forcing a common charging port on the industry would stifle innovation and create electronic waste as consumers would be forced to switch to new cables.
The EU's effort resumed last year, with the European Commission spearheading a refreshed version of the directive. In April, the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee voted to support the directive, with 43 votes in favor and just two against. In June, the EU's Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection reached an agreement to introduce the directive to the European Parliament, which then voted overwhelmingly in favor of it.
Both Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believe Apple is testing a version of the iPhone that has a USB-C port instead of Lightning. Kuo believes that Apple could switch the iPhone to USB-C starting with 2023's iPhone 15, before transitioning AirPods and other accessories at a later date. This timing would allow Apple to switch many of its affected devices to USB-C ahead of the EU directive coming into force.
Last week, Apple launched a new Siri Remote for the Apple TV and the 10th-generation iPad, both of which replace the Lightning ports on their predecessors for USB-C, seemingly indicating that Apple's transition toward the common port is already well underway.
Article Link: EU Gives Final Approval to Law That Will Force iPhone to Switch to USB-C
My point though is that this ruling is not just aimed at Apple with lightning. There’s a lot of phones still being made that DON’T have usb-c on them.
Only downfall to the legislation, the connector has to be the same. If the USB organization decides to make a new style of connector, then it would have to be approved by the EU to be sold in its member nations. USB has changed their connections about three times (not counting hard drives and printers) for devices: Mini, Micro and (now) Type C. I wouldn’t put it past USB to come with another one in a few years. Type C is already over 6 years old too.
Would’ve been nice if the organization itself was brought in for the legislation, let alone
Microsoft, Apple or Google for consultation.
Lightning served its purpose. I’ll be happy if my next iPhone has USBC/4/TB4.
Would’ve been nice if the organization itself was brought in for the legislation, let alone
Microsoft, Apple or Google for consultation.
Lightning served its purpose. I’ll be happy if my next iPhone has USBC/4/TB4.
As it is now, USB-C is such a mess, one has no idea if any particular USB-C cable is charge only (no data), USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB4.0, which gen of USB 3 and 4, how many watts of charge any cable is capable of, and does a cable charge AND do data at the same time? Does it do DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, HDMI, Etc. It's truly a mess.
We need some sort of universal labeling of USB-C cables.
Why bin your chargers? You’ll still be able to use them. They’ll either have usb-a or usb-c on them, not lightning. It’s just new cables that will be needed.
This is my big bear. I have a load of usb-c cables and other than the ones that have blue usb-a connectors on one end (I.e. usb 3.0), I have no idea what they are capable of.
Which major brands? I'm guessing (I don't care enough to research) that they are giveaway phones in 3rd world countries.
You butted into a conversation about durability of the USB-C connector. 1B or 800M doesn't matter. The connector is in 3x more phones than Lightning is (and in magnitudes more devices in general than Lightning).
Although I don't want to go through the upheaval and cost, changing from UK-style BS1363 three "square" pin plugs would be a blessed relief.
They are too big. They are a pain to pack in luggage, in manufacturers' boxes, anything.
I do like them having fuses, though there is less of an argument for that protection now.
I do like them having shutters on sockets.
I do like the insulated legs (but they didn't always have those).
Irony, it wouldn't really be the EU making a change, it would be the UK! I guess Ireland would also change in time.
But if my lamp, router, switch, HDMI switch, Mac mini could all connect to power using USB-C, a lot of the argument about mains sockets would fade away, at least for lower power devices.
In my house, we already have one Schuko socket. We got a new refrigerator which had an adaptor wrapped round the factory Schuko plug. Trouble was, it was so bulky, the refrigerator wouldn't fit back into its recess. Easiest answer was to change the socket.
While Apple switching to USB-C. It's never a good idea to have this type of gov't involvement. This is what stops innovation.
1. I'm wondering about people writing something with any background.
2. The Anti Apple Law was made to stop Apple from bypassing.
3. An EU wireless charging standard is next.
No matter what, proprietary Apple charging technology is dead. D E A D.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Hooray! What a terrific opportunity for a big dominant dog like Apple to lead the way by producing clearly-marked cables/connectors/color keys to bring clarity to the mess. When the copycats follow Apple's lead- as we know they always do- the whole mess will get cleaned up fast... and Apple can take ALL of the credit.
To me, this seems better than clinging to an old, slow & proprietary standard incapable of the mess because it is locked to USB 2.0 limitations from upwards of 10+ years ago.
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I'm not sure why this is even news. It's been clear for years Apple was moving to usb-c. Heck, they went all in very early with the portable Macs, and people complained. I think Apple learned some lessons when they switched from the 30 pin to lightning, so they are following a staged strategy this time. Think about it...by the time the iPhone changes over, pretty much every Apple customer will have a usb-c charger and will only need a usb-c to usb-c cable - if that.
I completely disagree with the EU mandating anything. If they had had their way we'd be using micro-usb which was garbage. When lightning came out, the usb plug situation for small devices was mess. Usb-c is certainly fine now, but I can't predict the future where a different plug may be needed.
I completely disagree with the EU mandating anything. If they had had their way we'd be using micro-usb which was garbage. When lightning came out, the usb plug situation for small devices was mess. Usb-c is certainly fine now, but I can't predict the future where a different plug may be needed.
Nobody is forcing any smartphone-company to adopt USB-C outside of the EU.
Apple can use Lightning in the US, no problem.
Apple has been using USB-Power Delivery (PD) for charging via Lightning for several years.
No idea which way you mean that. If there's a port in the device for charging, at least one of them must be USB-C. An adapter is not allowed.
USB-IF is, once again, trying to logo its way out of USB-C confusion
Core issue remains: USB-C cables can look the same and act totally different.
USB-IF says goodbye to confusing SuperSpeed USB branding
USB-IF drops 12-year-old USB branding representing 5Gbps and faster speeds.
I absolutely agree with you. But sometimes exceptional situations require exceptional measures - and it was necessary to stop a monstrous company like Apple.
There are only three things that Apple needs to switch to USB Type C connector: the iPhone, the wireless keyboard and mouse that normally come with the iMac, and the AirPods charging cases. I expect the wireless keyboard and mouse to switch to USB Type C charging by March 2023, Apple to offer AirPods charging cases that support USB Type C for April 2023, and finally the iPhone switching to USB Type C by fall 2023.
Sorry, Apple will NOT get rid of the ports on the iPhone. Reason: the new EU regulations may not allow this.
Sorry, Apple will NOT get rid of the ports on the iPhone. Reason: the new EU regulations may not allow this.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
While I'm generally a GOV "hands off"-minded guy myself, there are times when GOV is last resort to address things like this.
Besides, Lightning 1 launched what- about 10 years ago or so? Without the influence of GOV at all so that innovation can flourish, what version of Lightning are we on now? How much faster is it now than it was then?
Apple started this USB-C thing with that MB many years ago. It was "the future" then. They've since embraced it instead of Lightning in pretty much everything else. Why have they dragged their feet with the iPhone line?
If Apple believes that Lightning is genuinely better than USB-C, why isn't Lightning THE port on Macs and iPads too? Why did they embrace USB-C on that first MB instead of an unhindered, innovative, superior port like Lightning?
In (objective minded) answers to questions like those, one can find themselves better understanding why this move- fully endorsed by Apple too in their other product lines- is beneficial to us consumers. It's a very tangible shot at "one cable to rule them all", "one port to rule them all."
Yes, it is too bad it is taking GOV actions to get this finished... but there was abundant opportunity for many years for the biggest of big tech to finish what THEY started on their own.
And somehow the European bureaucrats are even more arrogant.
And USB-C is physically inferior to Lightning.
I don’t know why Americans keep repeating this narrative of the E.U. now being stuck with USB-C for the next several millennia.
-The legislation clearly states that the standard will eventually be shifted towards whatever would be considered superior to USB-C and then voted on. Companies and politicians will collaborate and agree on the next I/O standard.
This is slower than if some company just puts out some new proprietary standard without any regulations to adhere to.
But this way we avoid the mess that we’re in now with companies like Apple and others who for any or no reason are not doing USB-C.
I'm assuming you're looking at this through a technological progress lens?
I say we also need to consider looking through an ecological lens. With a lot of things wireless these days, that connector is less of an issue. I for one would prefer them to preserve the environment in this instance.
In ten years they may have move to an NFC that can transfer data securely and quickly and only use this old connection for power. I'm pretty happy with that compromise I think
Everything is a compromise after all.