We have a deal on the common charger! 🇪🇺
This means more savings for EU consumers and less waste for the planet:
🔌 mobile phones, tablets, cameras… will all use USB type C
🔌 harmonised fast-charging technology
🔌 unbundling of sale of chargers
@rumo @EU_Commission Yes. Apple will have to abide by these rules. All manufacturers will have until 2024 to prepare.
@TomEtty @rumo @EU_Commission I heard a rumour about Apple wanting to ditch wired charging altogether, just to defy the EU.
@altim @rumo @EU_Commission I imagine that the wireless charging pads would still have to use usb-c, though I’m not sure if they are specifically mentioned.
@EU_Commission @TomEtty @rumo You’re right. Still cables needed.
@altim @TomEtty @rumo @EU_Commission I wouldn't pay much attention to rumours. If Apple does make the iPhone portless it will have more to do with easier and cheaper design and reclaiming the space for extra battery than spite.
@TomEtty @EU_Commission @rumo @ianbetteridge You’re probably right but big tech is always trying to fight or avoid market regulation.
@TomEtty @EU_Commission @rumo @ianbetteridge The great disadvantage of wireless charging is that it requires a considerable amount of energy and more time.
@altim @TomEtty @EU_Commission @rumo Yep. It would be great to trade a port for more battery for most people -- but not if it means adding an extra hour to charging and a bigger electricity bill.
@altim
And it's annoying on the go, like in a train, or when you keep using while charging. No wired would be a dealbreaker for me.
@TomEtty @EU_Commission @rumo @ianbetteridge
@altim @TomEtty @EU_Commission @rumo Only where it can win. See also the response of car companies moving to electric - which is mostly down to emissions standards and regulations set by the EU (and NOT to compete with Tesla, who are a rounding error compared to the big guys)
@TomEtty @rumo @EU_Commission
Notice how charging with a cable is not optional, therefore Apple can't just nope out of this one by removing all ports from the iPhone :)
,(v )°˃
@rumo @EU_Commission I mean they already have usb c on their mac books and ipads. Also Thunderbolt which usb c is based on was developed by Apple (and Intel) so it would be weird if they wouldn't use it.
https://www.androidauthority.com/apple-lightning-vs-usb-c-3043836/
This is great! And if the EU requires it, manufacturers will probably include the same compatibility in other markets (as it's cheaper to just make one kind of device).
@EU_Commission Hi! It would be super helpful if this post linked to a press release or the text of the updated directive. I'm happy about this but having a hard time finding anything but news articles, or documents from last year.
Thank you @EU_Commission !
#fuckApple and all companies that lobbied against it.
Next, maybe force end of life hardware to be made #opensource? There are millions of devices out there that cannot be used because they aren't supported anymore. It's an #environmental problem with all #eWaste out there.
No support = no closed source
Yes!
Also, user-replaceable batteries and standard battery sizes etc would be great next goals. That's how the entire electronics industry used to work for decades, it would be very easy to go back to that.
@loveisgrief @EU_Commission "Open source" is a washy term, but I completely agree with what I *think* you mean.
@mastodon
😄
What do you think I mean?
@EU_Commission
@rwmpelstilzchen @EU_Commission
Yes, it includes laptops.
"Laptops will also have to be adapted to the requirements by 40 months after the entry into force."
IMHO USB-C should have been the first, default and possibly only USB connector back when USB got released in the 90s.
@EU_Commission
Great!
Has Apple finally accepted to comply?
@stefan @EU_Commission I guess they will add a USB-C to Lightning dongle to iPhones and iPads ;). The iPad Pro already has USB-C, BTW.
@jwildeboer @stefan @EU_Commission
As far as I can tell, Apple will be forced to have USB-C built in on all iPhones, not just a dongle:
"(Portable electronic devices) will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port, regardless of their manufacturer."
@FediThing @stefan @EU_Commission But I am sure: only for new devices, not existing models.
@jwildeboer @stefan @EU_Commission
Oh yeah, these rules will only come into effect in 2024, it doesn't cover current models.
Manufacturers have a couple of years to get USB-C integrated into their upcoming devices.
@EU_Commission WHAT IF I LIKE OLD STANDARD WITH USB MINI ?!
@EU_Commission Just wait for only one vendor to not comply.
@holgerjakobs @EU_Commission should be interesting to follow ..
@ishadowx @holgerjakobs @EU_Commission
They can come to Berlaymont ...
@EU_Commission Haha, fuck Apple!
@EU_Commission now please make vendors to release HW&SW under public licensing after warranty's end. Less waste just because SW is not supported after 3-5 years in production.
@EU_Commission That would have been worth boosting if it hadn’t been for the animation without alt text
@EU_Commission Finally, HELL YEAH!
What’s the status on mandatory user-replaceable batteries for smartphones?
@EU_Commission Congrats!!!! Let’s keep the momentum going 🎉🎉🎉
@EU_Commission also, for those who want to learn more
“By autumn 2024, USB Type-C will become the common charging port for all mobile phones, tablets and cameras in the EU, Parliament and Council negotiators agreed today.“
@EU_Commission you just HAD to pick the USB-C bullshit, huh?
@amberage @EU_Commission what is your issue with USB-C?
@EU_Commission this is a great news! Finally
@EU_Commission
I'm not sure if all the Apple users out there are ready to be connected to the rest of the society yet. We might need to spend some effort on integrating them, so they don't drop out of society now that their little bubble will be popped 😅
@sigsegv @EU_Commission I've never bought a Lightning accessory, I only have iPhone because Android is such a security nightmare. Will be happy to be back on standard cables. ;)
@ocdtrekkie @EU_Commission Yes, it really is 😅
I think Android phones could be a lot better thugh! If we just removed the OS, stretch these USB-C cables between people's houses until we have an international wired telephony system, and just transmit audio over these wires 🤔 Food for thought.
@EU_Commission That's cool! But are you really focusing on phones? Most phones does this already. The main problem is not phones, but laptops, smart watches and all kinds of medium to small electronics. What does the "..." in your toot entail?
It covers everything portable and electronic:
"We are proud that laptops, e-readers, earbuds, keyboards, computer mice, and portable navigation devices are also included in addition to smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers. "
@FediThing @EU_Commission Thank you! That's amazing! I really don't understand why all the media coverage I've seen on this focus on phones. This is so much better!
www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en…
/via tech.lgbt/@FediThing/108436118… @FediThing
@EU_Commission
@EU_Commission I understand that lots of cables can be inconvenient. But does the European government really need to get involved in this? Are there no other things you can occupy yourselves with than these pettifoggery issues? This is why I think the European Union is seriously overreaching and a superfluous institution.
@EU_Commission EU skansen on it again!
@EU_Commission Very important…..😜 How about time change???
@EU_Commission 💃💃💃 Finally!
@EU_Commission
That means Apple has finally relented and doesn't get special treatment?