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European Union Legislation May Force Apple and Others to Include USB Type-C Port on Phones

posted by martyb on Thursday September 23 2021, @06:59PM   Printer-friendly
from the any-port-in-a-storm dept.

takyon writes:

EU Proposes New Legislation That Would Force Apple to Bring USB-C to iPhones, iPads, and AirPods

Apple has shifted nearly every portable device to tout a USB-C port, except for its iPhone lineup, its AirPods family, and low-cost iPad. Why the company does not shift to an all-USB-C affair might have to do with receiving royalty payments from partners that manufacture third-party accessories of the proprietary port, but that arrangement might come to an end, thanks to a legislation from the EU.

The proposed legislation would force all consumer electronics, not just Apple, which sell devices in Europe, to incorporate USB-C ports in a variety of products, ranging from smartphones, tablets, headphones, cameras, portable speakers, handheld consoles, and others. Calling it the 'common port,' the European Union claims that switching all products to USB-C would not just have benefits to the environment, but annual monetary savings for consumers that mount to $293 million.

Pulling the plug on consumer frustration and e-waste: Commission proposes a common charger for electronic devices

Impact assessment study on common chargers of portable devices

Also at Reuters, NYT, BBC, AppleInsider, and Politico.

Previously: The Dream Of A Common Charger Is Alive, Despite Apple's Complaining

Original Submission

 
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  • (Score: 3, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 23 2021, @07:03PM (5 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 23 2021, @07:03PM (#1180809)

    It's long past time for this. AC wall outlets in homes are regulated and standardized, so it makes sense for DC plugs on electronics to receive the same standardization.

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  • (Score: 2) by EvilSS on Friday September 24 2021, @02:32AM (4 children)

    by EvilSS (1456) Subscriber Badge on Friday September 24 2021, @02:32AM (#1180979)
    Yep. I can take any AC appliance and plug it into any AC outlet anywhere in the world and it will just work.

    oh, wait….

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 24 2021, @08:27AM (3 children)

      by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 24 2021, @08:27AM (#1181057)

      That is becoming true more and more. With international trade the way it is, it is easier to just have one universal power supply that takes all inputs and makes all the rails you need. I have coworkers that move internationally and they take all their favorite things when they move. A very large majority of them don't even need any active power adapter because they already have a universal wall wart or just take a simple IEC cord swap.

      • (Score: 2) by EvilSS on Friday September 24 2021, @12:40PM (2 children)

        by EvilSS (1456) Subscriber Badge on Friday September 24 2021, @12:40PM (#1181094)
        Guess you have never tried plugging a UK plug into a US outlet before.

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 24 2021, @06:02PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 24 2021, @06:02PM (#1181182)

          Use a bigger hammer.

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 24 2021, @11:15PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 24 2021, @11:15PM (#1181270)

          I've plugged a number of UK devices into US outlets and they worked just fine.