SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
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.
...
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: 4, Insightful) by ilsa on Thursday January 16 2020, @05:58PM (5 children)
The problem is that most electronic devices that have batteries today, are sealed and unmaintainable. Most bluetooth headphones, eg Apple AirPods, *cannot* have their batteries replaced without destroying the product in the process.
And all batteries have finite lifespans, so once the battery goes, you only option is literally to throw them away.
And this doesn't factor in all the extra circuitry required to run those wireless devices.
By comparison, regular headphones are cheap, simple, and can last indefinitely if you don't break them. They are infinitely more economical to the consumer and better for the environment. Which is why gadget makers hate them.
(Score: 2) by petecox on Thursday January 16 2020, @10:52PM (4 children)
I bought the best of both worlds - a Bluetooth headset that has a 3.5mm jack that I can use as an antenna for my phone's FM Radio.
When the battery dies, it reverts to just being a wired headset.
(Score: 2) by ilsa on Friday January 17 2020, @10:18PM (1 child)
Aww c'mon, you can't tease us with a post like that and not include a link to what you bought!
(Score: 2) by petecox on Friday January 17 2020, @11:03PM
(Score: 2) by toddestan on Saturday January 18 2020, @01:45AM (1 child)
But....why? Unless the DAC on your phone is absolute garbage (I suppose possible), the wired connection is going to sound better than the Bluetooth one.
(Score: 2) by petecox on Saturday January 18 2020, @06:27AM
Multiple devices.
I went with Bluetooth for my streaming box because it's a long mess of tangled cables when watching a movie. (Headphones still better for understanding foreign accents than external speakers)
I do plug the cord in when I'm on my phone, for the reason you mentioned.