Skip to content
HearingTracker
Log in

USB-C only in EU from today?

This topic is closed.

135 replies3k viewsLast reply

Jump
Link to this topic

In reply to @Flyboybob

Nothing stopping Apple, or anyone else, using a different charging system outside the EU, India, Saudi Arabia and, I think, California if they want. These are only a minority of the world’s population.

In reply to @markoo355

Of course, they have to so they can sell their products in Europe. My point is that there’s no incentive to develop a better product. The EU government just stifled any new development. Maybe even longer than 10 years.

Edited

In reply to @Flyboybob

@Flyboybob said:

Imagine the EU mandating VHS video tape in the 1980s. Had that happened the DVD would never had been developed. When governments interfere with free enterprise, progress stops.

What has that got to do with power cables?

My VHS player, Betamax player, DVD player, Blu-ray player, HDTV, internet 4K HDR / Dobly Vision video streamers all use/used the same 120V power adapter in the wall…

Edited

In reply to @Flyboybob

@Flyboybob said:

Why two different plugs? Apple developed the Lighting plug years ago. Maybe they were working on something better than USB-C. But, now they would stop developing it because of the stupid decision by the EU mandate.

Apple is using USB Type-C cables for its Thunderbolt connections for power, data interfaces and displays on its laptops / computers. A smart move, they innovate but use a standard cable that can also connect USB Type-C external devices.

My actual experience tonight in a hotel on trip with my wife.

We are trying to charge our various devices (including a couple of difference wireless earbuds) along with iPads, iPhones, laptops, Eargos, Airpods, etc and were scrambling around to find cables for the wireless earbuds. Search through our cables we were going what do you needs USB Type A to USB micro and USB Type A to USB Type C - as we went through the cables…(found the combination we needed - but we also had many other cables in our travel kits - of for USB Type C to USB Type C!)

@coastal_california said:

My actual experience tonight in a hotel on trip with my wife

Over Xmas, same deal - 1 Anker 4 port USB wall plug, 3-4 USB unbranded (Inui LED leads) USB C.

The only ‘other’ lead we needed was a lighting cable for the wife’s older IPhone.

Says it all really.

In reply to @markoo355

@markoo355 said:

If Apple is not satisfied with Usb C, it can develop a new one with other manufacturers to make the next generation of cable.

Not exactly Apple’s policy. Usually have to be different for being different’s sake

I don’t think anyone has mentioned this yet: the main reason for introducing this regulation is to avoid unnecessary electronic waste. It is no longer necessary (indeed permitted) to include a charger with every new device. The EU estimates that this will avoid around 11,000 tons of electronic waste per year.

@Flyboybob said:

Why are they involved at all?

Because it’s their job. Obviously. Same as it is to force “innovators” to clean the snouts and tails before they put them into the hot dog that you voted on with your pocketbook. Want to take your chances on things like that? Then you’re free to find a backyard guy storing his wieners in the sun, just so long as you can afford the bill from the emergency room which the regulators are charged with keeping unclogged by the helpless. Same as you’re free to buy a phone that has USB-C plus whatever “innovative” connector you want to pay for, just so long as you’re willing to pay to clean up the extra waste which the regulators are charged with keeping a lid on. But if you think you know more than they do about these things then I’d like to see your evidence.

Forcing people to use a specific, and at some point outdated plug is stupid. It’s not a health and safety issue, like your hot dog analogy. Why are they involved? This is a perfect example of why the EU is a mess. And, why the British voted themselves out. Unlike the U.S., where there’s a definite federal relationship between the 50 states and the Federal government. The EU doesn’t have that kind of relationship. So, if Germany decides they don’t want to comply with the USB-C mandate, then there’s nothing that the EU government in Brussels can do about it. Maybe, they can level a fine, I don’t know. Apple decided that it wasn’t worth the time nor the money to not comply and fight it in the courts. However, in 2099, people in the EU will say, “Why are we the only people in the world charging our batteries with this old, and stupid USB-C plug.

Related discussions