{"id":28213,"date":"2020-02-24T16:10:33","date_gmt":"2020-02-24T21:10:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/?p=28213"},"modified":"2020-02-24T16:10:33","modified_gmt":"2020-02-24T21:10:33","slug":"eu-wants-all-phones-to-work-with-interoperable-chargers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/2020\/02\/24\/eu-wants-all-phones-to-work-with-interoperable-chargers\/","title":{"rendered":"EU Wants All Phones to Work With Interoperable Chargers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tim Hardwick<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Despite pushback from Apple, the European Parliament in January voted overwhelmingly<\/a> for new rules to establish a common charging standard for mobile device makers across the European Union. This article explores what form the EU laws might ultimately take and how they could affect Apple device users in Europe and elsewhere.<\/p>

To reduce cost, electronic waste and make consumers’ lives easier, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) want “binding measures” that ensure chargers fit all smartphones, tablets, and other portable devices.<\/p>

[…]<\/p>

A progress report provided by the MoU signatories in February 2013 indicated that 90 percent of the new devices placed on the market by the signatories and other manufacturers by the end of 2012 supported the common charging capability. But that statistic was so high only because it took into account the fact that Apple offered a Lightning to micro-USB adapter.<\/p>

One member of the Commission would note: “[…] The future MoU must be clear in its outcome, we cannot afford to admit adaptors.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n

Matt Birchler<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

Second, this is addressing a problem that I think we all suspect is going away shortly anyway. Every Apple laptop charges with USB-C. The new iPad Pros released in 2018 use USB-C. Every Mac they sell is all in on USB-C (some would say to a fault). It’s just the iPhone that’s not using the standard, and we all pretty much agree that it’s only a matter of time (1-2 year max) before they switch over there too.<\/p>\n

Third, what do we do in 5 years when there is a successor to USB-C that is better in every way? Are phone makers expected to wait for the EU to approve that new connector before they can use it?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Previously:<\/p>\n