all smartphones to adopt USB-C ports for charging in an effort to reduce e-waste

[Mike Mercury]

The European Commission shook the iPhone world to its roots this week, announcing a new policy that would require all smartphones to adopt USB-C ports for charging.

https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/24/2...ng-mfi-magsafe

Apple, of course, doesn’t offer a USB-C iPhone, having argued to the European Commission in the past that “Legislation would have a direct negative impact by disrupting the hundreds of millions of active devices and accessories used by our European customers and even more Apple customers worldwide, creating an unprecedented volume of electronic waste and greatly inconveniencing users.”

Switching to USB-C, Apple says, would actually be more wasteful than sticking with Lightning, since customers would need new cables and adapters — despite the fact that Apple already offers USB-C ports on its iPads and its MacBooks and has managed to switch over those popular products without major issues or customer revolts.

Notably absent from Apple’s argument, though, is the fact that cutting out a Lightning port on an iPhone wouldn’t just create more e-waste (if you buy Apple’s logic) or inconvenience its customers. It also means that Apple would lose out on the revenue it makes from every Lightning cable and accessory that works with the iPhone, Apple-made or not — along with the control it has over what kinds of hardware does (or doesn’t) get to exist for the iPhone and which companies get to make them.

Apple’s MFi program means that if you want to plug anything into an iPhone, be it charger or adapter or accessory, you have to go through Apple. And Apple takes a cut of every one of those devices, too.

Want to connect an external display? You’ll need an Apple-approved adapter. Import photos and videos from an SD card or flash drive? An Apple-approved adapter. Want to use a DAC to take advantage of Apple Music’s new hi-res lossless audio? Again, you’ll either need an MFi device or an Apple-approved USB dongle.

The same, of course, isn’t true of Apple’s USB-C-based devices, which have a robust ecosystem that can broadly be defined as virtually every product that uses USB-C. With a USB-C iPad, you can simply plug in flash drives and keyboards and displays and any number of useful additions that make those devices better. Apple even made a point of that fact during its latest keynote when announcing the new iPad Mini. And of course, USB-C iPads can be charged by any standard USB-C cable that’s capable of putting out enough wattage.

The European Commission's rule could theoretically do the same for iPhones by forcing into existence the USB-C iPhone that Apple has adamantly refused to make thus far. But the new change may mean that Apple could shift towards (or accelerate its plans for) a completely portless iPhone instead. Rather than give into USB-C ports, the company could eschew ports entirely in order to shift customers towards using its proprietary charging methods.

Switching to USB-C, a standard that’s used by virtually every other major tech product (including many of Apple’s own, like its recent MacBook and IPad lineups) would make sense. The iPhone is possibly the most popular device in the world that uses a proprietary charger, and a switch to USB-C would simplify charging setups for the millions of iPhone owners around the world. And USB-C would still allow for similar waterproofing, data transfer, and charging speeds compared to Lightning (as evidenced by any number of Android phones or Apple’s iPads.) There’s a reason the European Commission is looking to institute the new change, after all.

[dvarapala]

Originally Posted by Mike Mercury

Apple, of course, doesn’t offer a USB-C iPhone, having argued to the European Commission in the past that “Legislation would have a direct negative impact by disrupting the hundreds of millions of active devices and accessories used by our European customers and even more Apple customers worldwide, creating an unprecedented volume of electronic waste and greatly inconveniencing users.”

Switching to USB-C, Apple says, would actually be more wasteful than sticking with Lightning, since customers would need new cables and adapters — despite the fact that Apple already offers USB-C ports on its iPads and its MacBooks and has managed to switch over those popular products without major issues or customer revolts.

Except Apple is the one who keeps switching the connectors on its iPhones and iPods in order to sell more proprietary cables and accessories. Where was its concern for e-waste then?

**** Apple.

[73sbVert]

Yup. "Proprietary" is the exact reason I hate Apple, and never own anything made by them.
I'm forced to use a iPhone for work, but I use it only minimally. Everything else I do on my own Android/Samsung phone.

**** Apple indeed!

[Rodnok1]

Of course none of us remember all the proprietary cell chargers of the past.... Apple is the only one IIRC who didn't adopt a standard plug.

[Mike Mercury]

[sublime1996525]

Originally Posted by Mike Mercury

That guy is a genius.

[Aerovette]

I read this thread yesterday and as of right now, I am unable to determine why this matters.

[Torqaholic]

I don't do mobile phones (or whatever you people call them these days) but if I did I'd prefer stand alone for the security aspect. Plug one into a computer and you have no idea what is happening to it outside of the battery. You could be set up to spend the rest of your life in prison faster than you can snap your fingers.

[Mike Mercury]

Originally Posted by aerovette

I read this thread yesterday and as of right now, I am unable to determine why this matters.

the AlGore nazi's have a 3 hr PowerPoint presentation for ya; it ends with the need to
raise taxes and limit freedoms.