The EU Wants a Universal Mobile Charger, but Apple Doesn’t
howtogeek.com
howtogeek.com
Is there some error in this sentence? It seems to say precisely the opposite of what would seem to make sense.
(Suppose they choose Cable Q, the sentence says that whoever owns Cable Q won’t be able to use it with future devices. I presume they meant anyone who owns anything other than whatever cable they choose to force.)
> We, who consider ourselves absolutely leading on privacy, see what we are doing here as an advancement of the state of the art in privacy, as enabling a more private world.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/08/apple-defends-ip...
Hoisted by your own petard, Apple!
It's for charging a phone, so data rate doesn't matter.
And that's about it for variations.
Thankfully they got away with it. USB-C is much better, still not as easy to plug-in as lightning, but at least you don’t have to think carefully about what the orientation is anymore. Wireless charging is even better, which is what I’m using right now. Cables kind of suck in general (though micro USB is probably the worse one in the last two decades).
I charge my phone every... 2 days? And Micro USB takes... 3 seconds to plug in? Type C maybe 1/2 seconds?
Is saving 2 or 3 minutes a year worth the environmental (and actual monetary!) cost of duplicate cables?
If you dislike having to plug things in then just buy one of those magnetic adaptors so it takes... 1 second.
But yes, I think magnetic adapters or wireless charging is the way forward. I’m pretty careful when I buy things now (eg the Bluetooth speakers I just bought has a wireless charging dock, and that’s why I bought them over the others).
I bought a magnetic USB-C adapter for my MacBook Pro charger but haven’t had a chance to use it yet (pandemic means I don’t move my laptop very much).
What's the most you'd be willing to pay per minute if you could just add more minutes to your life?
...and a cable just for my airpods.
If a cable fails, its easily swapped. Not great if it's proprietary, but it doesn't break the device itself.
If a non-replaceable battery fails, you're likely looking at a cumbersome repair/replacement, or (if the manufacturer gets their way) replacing the whole device. It's arguably the progenitor of planned obsolescence of modern electronics. Additionally, "Failure" here doesn't just mean 'no longer holds any charge at all', but also applies to a significantly reduced battery life/amperage that can result in your device no longer functioning as it once did - be it just not lasting the target usecase, or throttling or worse.
Non-replaceable batteries induce orders of magnitude more cost, inconvenience and waste than a lack of one charger cable to rule them all.
In that case whoever will exploit your phone first is the one who owns it, not you.
It is a shame that security is a popular fetish now, not all bugs are exploitable and there are mitigation, you don't need to kill my device unless it was 100% exploited and it causes problems.
Regarding phones, there'salso third party firmware like LineageOS.
I’m not convinced standardised batteries are required. The vast majority of people are using only a small number of phones. A battery store could easily stock the batteries for every iPhone model. The real problem is how hard it is for the average person to replace them.
It would be quite a bit thicker than most phones today, but not outrageously so--about as thick as my last pre-iPhone phone (a Palm Treo). We had no trouble carrying such thick phones around back then, and those were the days when we were also carrying our iPods or portable CD players around too.
Here are the battery capacities of various iPhones.
iPhone SE: 6.7 W h
iPhone X: 10.3 W h
iPhone 11: 11.5 W h
iPhone 11 Pro Max: 14.7 W h
Low self-discharge rechargeable AA MiMH batteries are available with capacities of 2.7 W h.
You'd need 3 of them to match an iPhone SE, 4 for an iPhone X, 5 for an 11, and 6 for an 11 Pro Max.
An AA battery is between 14 mm and 15 mm in diameter. That should be an upper limit on how much thicker you would need to make the phone.
Would there be enough people who would like the convenience of using off the shelve rechargeable NiMH AA batteries for such a phone to sell despite 14 mm more thickness?
I have no idea.
https://www.amazon.com/KENTLI-Rechargeable-Battery-Lithium-i...
Pixels have become so much worse than the iPhone ever was.
On that note, I hope something like this comes to the US: https://www.fairphone.com/en/
Really, we ought to just standardize on the Tesla plug as it can handle 250kW (perhaps upgrading it to allow higher voltage... gets you to 500kW). It's simply better (as long as we're not going to do 3 phase power anyway). Probably cheaper, too, as it's much smaller.
https://cdn.nettiauto.com/live/2021/03/10/9199ab21d7082c3d-l...
https://cdn.nettiauto.com/live/2021/08/06/66c771a8155706d1-l...
And in what way does it make sense to make the connector that one manufacturer uses the standard one when you could make the connector that everyone, including that one specific manufacturer, uses the standard?
https://electrek.co/2020/04/28/chademo-and-china-release-new...
It makes sense to standardize on Tesla’s plug because as far as I know Tesla built it before either of the other standards existed and Tesla was (and still is?) willing to let other manufacturers use the plug: I’ve never heard a good reason why the other manufacturers didn’t take up the Tesla plug and invest in the supercharger network when Elon invited them to.
But, even if I’m wrong about the history, I find the Tesla plug much more user-friendly than the alternatives.
Tesla's plug being the first one doesn't make any sense when it comes to standardization. That's like saying that we should standardise on the Lightning connector instead of USB-C because it was the first one.
The plug being smaller also doesn't really make sense. Are petrol cars superior since the nozzle is much smaller and more elegant than even the smallest EV plug?
>I’ve never heard a good reason why the other manufacturers didn’t take up the Tesla plug and invest in the supercharger network when Elon invited them to.
Why would the major car companies start investing into an unknown startup's supercharger network? It doesn't make business sense.
Didn't or couldn't? Especially due to some sneaky Tesla clause preventing use.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a35030461/why-other-car-co...
Is that the case in the EU?
This reads like an article from 10+ years ago, even the part where Apple objects.
1: See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_external_power_supply
It's not clear to me whether they simply want to update the regulation from micro-B to USB-C (which would require development of a lightning to female USB-C adapter, but would probably reduce the number of phones that still have micro-b ports), or whether they want to really mandate the port side this time.
They already exist - I've got one in a little charging kit that I got somewhere online. Tiny USB-C cable, C-female to Lightning, C-female to micro, USB-A with female-C, IIRC.
Nevertheless, from that Wikipedia: > Although compliance is voluntary[...]
Which sounds weird, because the Wikipedia describes Apple phones comming with an adapter to be compliant.
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD820AM/A/lightning-to-mi...
What I mean by that is that the springs are in the device not the cable.
So when the socket wears out you’re forced to get an expensive repair that only apple can perform (officially).
I’d like to see them go USB-C as per MacBook Pro and iPad Pro and be done with it.
Then when I travel it’s one cable for everything.
You see it poorly engineered, they see it as extremely well engineering (most likely).
The charging cables are cheap to manufacture and they can still charge you a bunch for them. Other manufactures still have to pay them licensing fee, so more money.
And when the in-device springs wear down and you need to repair them or change the device, they make even more money.
It's great engineering for their interests, not yours.
Some years later, Apple changed to lightning. Some years after that, "universal" changed to USB-C.
They've both changed once.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dock_connector#30-pin_dock_con...
So, since the start of the iPad in 2010, Apple has used three different connectors.
What's even more embarrassing: for a long time you would not be able to connect a brand new iPhone to a brand new MacBook, since the MacBook would only have USB-C connectors and the iPhone would come with an USB-A to Lightning cable.
I dunno about "long time" - I got the first USB-C Macbook when it came out and I think it was less than 16 hours after that before Amazon delivered me a USB-C to USB dongle (could have been quicker if I was in London instead of Manchester, I think.)
I see no technical advantage in Lightning over USB-C. So the only reason I can think of for Apple to prefer Lightning is profits. But then why relent on MagSafe? Is it because it sells so far fewer laptops than phones that laptop accessories are just a blip?
Also what makes Apple's history incongruous is that they were the ones who first embraced USB with gusto, putting no other kind of port on the iMac, in 1998.
Would make more sense to me to legislate that if they ever change from lightning it has to be to USB-C and to move all the USB bricks to USB-C on that end.
I can’t wait for the day I can ditch Lightning and micro USB cables.
What kind of innovation will Apple be stiffled from doing since apparently they are committed to never changing the Lightning port/cables in order to not create a mountain of electronic waste?
The magnet forces the iPhone into the correct position for optimal wireless loading. The new iphone has a ring magnet in it‘s back to the charger jumps into place.
There’s not much worse than having to snap your Apple Watch into that piece of crap.
Of course, this claim isn’t even true. You could have a device that is a magnetic ring which plugs into the USB charger, which then can charge your Apple Watch in the shitty non standard way Apple wants you to.
Also, this only applies to cell phones from what I can tell.
AKA lying:
* Privacy
* Innovation
* Repairability
Not sure I believe that, most existing Android phones use micro USB, only newer ones use USB-C. But they don't mention the mountains of other stuff that use one of these two plugs. What uses a Lightning cable?
MFi provides a firewall against Apple having to support external, 3rd-party USB-C devices directly on their handsets, as well as to address their power and data consumption and throttling.
MFi / Lightning also reduces the physical attack vector-not defending it per se, but calling it out.
Garmin also has proprietary watch and GPS charging cables.
Wireless charging is super slow and prone to miss connection if my iphone SE is anything to go by.
It just about ok for overnight but if it misconnects you want the option to be able to fast charge using PD.
Apple = manufacturer who has consistently offered what customers are willing to pay for
Which are also a major pain to replace in both phones and laptops due to the pin count and general construction.
And this is why Apple does it. Of they would comply with the standard they were in a situation where people had the expectation that all USB-C peripherals would work for Apple as well. Apple reduced the number of connectors on their macbooks not without reason, at first you got less PCB-space sure, but connectors are also expensive so you safe money and in the case of Apple you gain money by selling peripherals.
I never had or witnessed any issue with USB-C ports since they came out and I am working on PCBs under the microscope, people tend to come to me with their broken stuff privately and I repaired a number of USB-B micro jacks.
Even with those it rarely was the connector that failed but the PCB around it (lifted pads, broken substrate, etc). If you do something like the lockable USB-C connector mount from Neutrik I am pretty sure USB-C would win in a mechanical stress test.
I soldered USB-C connectors before (just never had to replace them yet) and they were ot weirder or harder to solder than any other current connector. And I would probably not have big troubles resoldering them of needed.
It seems Nokia never realized what power they had with their de facto market standards. They threw it all away for no reason at all.
They were also one of the few who had a chance to have a smartphone platform like android and apple. People would trust them,even if they were late to market. But their infighting made them blind to their own potential. The whole Microsoft thing at the end was just the cherry on top.
Other manufacturers don't put design functionality over styling and therefore add propper strain reduction even if it looks less elegant.
That's easily enough for 4k at 60 Hz, if the device is set up for HDMI output. I don't think any existing devices can output through passive HDMI adapters, but it would be easy to make it possible.
Even if you were stuck with USB 3 speeds, which some existing devices can definitely do, that's still more than enough for 1080p.
If you can't get either of those, the problem isn't the port.
You know that they ship USB-C ports on their laptops right?
Also, by the time EU finalizes its decision the USB Consortium is as likely as not to come up with a new version.
Android phones only ever had micro-usb and usb-c, AFAIK. You can rant about variations on usb-c, but you can still charge your phone with any usb-c cable you've got.
You have to go back to pre-iPhone days to find (non-Android) smartphone that had mini-USB.
With a USB cable you can use it with your camera, power bank, phone, earbuds, toaster so on and so forth.
I’ve had a grand total of 2 USB cables, a USB A to micro USB for legacy devices and a USB A to USB C for every other recent device.
For my iPhone I needed to buy an extra USB A to lightning in addition to the one provided by Apple, because the cable they provided does not fit with any existing chargers (except with my laptop).
I agree Lightning port feels much sturdier than USB C, not sure if this is an inherent design flaw of USB C.
It’s only if I need to pair my MacBook with an iPhone that I now need to different charging cables.
And realistically, how many had mini? The very first nexus had micro. The Droid had micro. LG's first one had micro. I see HTC had a couple nonstandard quasi-mini models before moving to micro?
And supporting Micro 3 via Micro is a non-starter for most people, one of the best parts of the 3.0 standard was a much sturdier connector. It's a terrible experience using a Micro with a Micro 3 port.
Noted, but I'm most worried about phones.
> And supporting Micro 3 via Micro is a non-starter for most people, one of the best parts of the 3.0 standard was a much sturdier connector. It's a terrible experience using a Micro with a Micro 3 port.
Even then, that's no worse than a micro 2.0 port. For someone that prioritizes the downsides of port proliferation, then only micro 2.0 and C really matter; they get to ignore micro 3. For someone that prioritizes sturdiness, there's more to discuss, but it's a separate issue.
> Even Apple uses USB-C on iPad Pro’s. Apple should just switch to USB-C everywhere out of their own volition and be done with it
They should and everyone will be better off, but they don't want to. Hence, regulators will force them. What's the problem here?
Surely those corporate lobbyists can help this process, if they want to.
Note: they probably don't, since they're the ones obstructing the normal legal process.
If you think the EU regulator is going to do a better job of deciding how consumers want their phones designed, you aren't making evidence based decisions. The more of this stuff gets locked in to be regulatory decisions, the worse the final quality is going to be.
The relationship isn’t the same as a phone case for instance. Thorough I would be worried if it occupied the lightning port and forced me to use USB variant to charge the actual case. In some sense, I do see that as the strategy behind some of the recent mag based accessories.
That aside, I do see NFC as one area where this becomes a gray area. Do we advocate for less wasteful wires and accept the power throughput loss of -ductive (I forget which one :P) charging?
More important is the loss of autonomy in NFC where a singular input / output interface is now replaced with whatever is within the vicinity or range of the device (usually the top or back)
I’m not sure what direction consumer technology will take us but I do hope there are people actively keeping up with the standards and what they mean for security, privacy, and choice; seeing as how they’re essential to user autonomy.
Lastly: you obtain autonomy - gaining and losing implies a binary state; where obtaining implies a relinquishing gradient- loosening of what should start as an iron grip.
This would be a good news for an Apple fan, he could use his platinum Apple branded cable to charge all his accessories like toothbrushes,stereos, laptops,tablets.
magnetic induction