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: 2) by DannyB on Monday September 27 2021, @05:41PM
It should be USB-C on both ends of the cable. Thus the charger should also have USB-C instead of USB-A.
With USB-C, you can use either end of the cable, and plug that end in either way without (in theory) needing to flip it over to get it to fit.
USB-C chargers and devices negotiate the voltage (not current!). You can use a USB-C laptop charger on your phone, and the phone will fast charge, but only at the 15 watt rate the phone charges at. You can use a USB-C phone charger on the laptop, and the laptop will charge, but not at the 45 or more watt rate the laptop wants. The laptop displays a message that it is charging at a slower than normal rate.
There's not much price difference between a USB-C laptop charger and phone charger. So I just carry a spare laptop charger in my computer bag, and realize that I could use it on my phone any time. And have.
If you think a fertilized egg is a child but an immigrant child is not, please don't pretend your concerns are religious