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The European Parliament is fed up with e-waste—in particular, charging cables. To fix the problem, lawmakers are debating a binding measure that would force gadget makers to use a standardised charging port.
This isn't the first time we've seen this from Europe. One reason why microUSB is so prevalent is back in 2009, the European Commission pushed for it as a universal standard on the continent. Even Apple, the notorious standout in the world of proprietary chargers, acquiesced and made available a microUSB adaptor. (Of course, it was Europe-only).
Once that initiative expired in 2014, European lawmakers tried again to force a common charger, reiterating that it would be not only convenient for consumers, but would also limit e-waste.
The only problem was the initiative called for a "voluntary approach"—a strategy that in a briefing, the European Parliament said has "not yielded the desired results" and "fell short of the co-legislators' objectives." And, while the briefing doesn't specify exactly what port type it has in mind, at this point, USB-C is the likeliest contender.
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In 2018, European lawmakers conducted an inception impact assessment [PDF] on the idea of a common charger and called for feedback from manufacturers. In January last year, Apple provided it.In its statement, Apple contends that "regulations that would drive conformity across the type of connector built into all smartphones freeze innovation rather than encourage it. Such proposals are bad for the environment and unnecessarily disruptive for customers."
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 16 2020, @08:39AM (10 children)
Apple has been replacing a superior charging connector on its Macbooks with inferior USB-C connectors. MagSafe was a really good idea that is superior to USB-C for charging laptops. I don't agree with creating proprietary connectors for the sake of being different than your competitors and driving accessory sales that way. For the sake of argument, let's say this was applied to laptops, where different manufacturers also have different chargers and connectors. Would it be good for consumers to replace a very good design like MagSafe with the uniformity of USB-C? In fairness, the advantages of MagSafe aren't as clear for phones. They may not be heavy enough to resist sliding off a table and causing the cable to disconnect, but it still isn't a bad idea. But let's say that Apple could make a connector like MagSafe for phones that would disconnect if the cable is tugged, rather than causing the phone to fall to the floor. Why should Apple be forced to use the USB-C standard that doesn't have that useful functionality?
(Score: 3, Interesting) by takyon on Thursday January 16 2020, @09:06AM
For me, USB-C is an improvement. I replaced a ~$100 laptop in part because the proprietary connector or port was failing and the connector had to be pressed in, draped over the laptop, or pulled tight in order to charge the battery. The Lenovo 100e replacement uses USB-C and feels sturdy. If I ever need to replace it, it will be easy to find generic versions or use one from another device.
I have tried MagSafe and I see the advantages, but it isn't universally loved [wikipedia.org] either. Since Apple has already killed off MagSafe, this complaint is more about Lightning [wikipedia.org]. Does Lightning have any clear advantages over USB-C?
Maybe we'll see a USB-CM standard. Same physical size, magnetic locking, etc.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Thursday January 16 2020, @11:10AM (5 children)
Not quite the same, is it?
The charging voltage can vary between different laptop models (even from the same brand) more than between the charging voltage for mobile devices.
There's no way you could use a USB charger to power a gaming laptop, the wires aren't speced strong enough (only 0.9A for USB3.1 [wikipedia.org] for the current you actually need in the 5V spec-ed as the voltage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 5, Informative) by Zinho on Thursday January 16 2020, @12:24PM (2 children)
That's why USB C chargers have USB PD [wikipedia.org] as a feature - the ability to ramp up to 20V neatly solves the issues of current across the cable and preferred charging voltage, since they're negotiated between the charger and the device. Granted, my 15W phone charger won't keep up with the power demands of a Crysis benchmark on your gaming laptop; however, 100W USB PD adapters [amazon.com] can be had for ~$50, and will also charge my phone just fine. Any PD compliant laptop should be able to eat power from any compliant USB-C charger without burning the cable or destroying the power supply.
Honestly, having the same power connector for both my phone and laptop is brilliant, and so far I have no complaints about the situation.
"Space Exploration is not endless circles in low earth orbit." -Buzz Aldrin
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 17 2020, @12:32AM (1 child)
At worst make it 2 or 3 charging ports. So if you use 1 then low power normal mode. Plug in second or third then more than snotty power.
No different then the extra leads hang off an internal PSU
(Score: 2) by Zinho on Friday January 17 2020, @01:03AM
Not a problem.
Want to buy it all as a standalone package? It'll cost about $100. [amazon.com]
Already have a 100W charger and want to split it out to charge multiple devices? That's about $40. [amazon.com]
Just want to charge a bunch of phones? You can get 60W split 4 ways for about $30. [amazon.com]
You can have what you want. Just remember that safe power handling costs money. You can probably get Chinese knockoffs of these products cheaper on eBay or AliExpress, but don't be surprised when you get shocked or your house burns down.
"Space Exploration is not endless circles in low earth orbit." -Buzz Aldrin
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Dr Spin on Thursday January 16 2020, @09:42PM (1 child)
The charging voltage can vary between different laptop models (even from the same brand)
This should be declared a crime against humanity, punishable by death.
The voltage goes directly into a voltage regulator device which can be programmed to convert any input to the required output. The sole purpose of this design feature is to ensure huge amounts of working high-tech kit goes to landfill, thus causing pollution and global warming in a single blow.
Never mind piddling about with the regulations on new vehicles, manufacturers should be forced to provide all the necessary info for third parties to replace the drive trains of all cars which they have manufactured where the total value of cars still in service exceeds $10 million with lower carbon alternatives.
Warning: Opening your mouth may invalidate your brain!
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Thursday January 16 2020, @10:29PM
For reasons, I'm unable to call a DC-2-DC converter "high-tech".
Besides, due to various power levels different laptops require, you kinda need to. That is, unless you want to see heaps of copper being used to transfer 100-150W of power at 5V without everything going into a ball of flame or fry your balls when you put the laptop in your lap (currents of 20-30A - use a trace-width calculator [google.com] to see the width required for the traces in your power section).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2) by TheGratefulNet on Thursday January 16 2020, @03:49PM
search on your fav shopping site for magnetic usb cables.
magsafe is now there for regular cable.
fuck apple.
"It is now safe to switch off your computer."
(Score: 3, Insightful) by ilsa on Thursday January 16 2020, @03:49PM (1 child)
The problem is Apple's motivations.
There was no reason whatsoever that Apple couldn't have kept going with Magsafe. It was, and still is, the single best power connector ever invented IMO. But Apple has high margins on their accessories, and forcing people to buy new power supplies instead of reusing old ones, makes them more money. They chose to move away from MagSafe by their own volition.
Look at their iPhones. They still use lightning cables that end in USB-A ports. Why? Because now you have to buy another accessory, either a USB-C to A adaptor, or a whole new cable.
Apple's connector choices have nothing to do with value or functionality to their consumers, and everything to do with lining their own pockets.
So as far as I'm concerned, they've forfeited their right to complain.
Also... You can get things like this: https://mashtips.com/magnetic-usb-c-adapters/ [mashtips.com]
(Score: 5, Insightful) by DannyB on Thursday January 16 2020, @04:45PM
I would add . . .
If Apple wanted the Mag Safe connector to become the standard, they would make it available royalty free without licensing. But Apple has never been about industry standards. It always goes its own way, sometimes a superior way, but doesn't encourage they way becoming a standard.
And I say that as a once long ago, longtime classic Mac developer and once card carrying Apple fanboy(tm). But no more.
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