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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.
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
(Score: 3, Insightful) by KritonK on Friday September 24 2021, @12:08PM
No, it''s based on the assumption that the tech sector doesn't want their customers to be on one standardized port everywhere. Since they don't want this, they must be forced to do it via appropriate legislation.
Nevertheless, I'm sure there are ways for manufacturers to make more money by complying with this legislation. E.g., sell devices without a charger, as required by the new legislation, but without lowering the price (profit!), make sure that fast charging doesn't work on USB-C, then charge an arm and a leg for chargers that connect to some custom port (more profit!) where fast charging will work.