Apple forced to ditch iPhone lightning charger::Apple confirms new iPhone 15 will have a common USB-C charging port after EU forces it into the change.
Apple forced to ditch iPhone lightning charger::Apple confirms new iPhone 15 will have a common USB-C charging port after EU forces it into the change.
I would’ve been too. The EU flexes too hard on some of this stuff. It was obviously on Apple’s roadmap.
I guess if a new/better connector comes along we have to wait for the EU to give everyone permission to move the technology forward? How does this even work going forward?
I like the idea of 1 port for everything, but a regional government effectively mandating what the whole world must use is fucked.
I don’t know any reason why switching to USB-C would’ve been on Apple’s roadmap. Controlling the lighting ecosystem is far too valuable for them. Apple’s refusal to switch to the common USB-C is one of the reasons this law exists in it’s current form.
If it’s all about pumping up Lightning, why did the iPad leave it?
I have to assume the revenue around Lightning falls into the “ Wearables, Home and Accessories” bucket on their earnings report. This whole category makes up about 10% of total sales. This includes Apple Watch, HomePod, AppleTV, AirPods, phone cases, etc. Lightning is a rounding error. The iPhone on its own makes up almost 50% of their sales. They aren’t going to shoot themselves in the foot with their cash cow to save some accessory revenue. That makes no sense.
Because Lightning is too slow and low-power for the functionality they felt necessary for the iPad.
You can’t do real video output over USB2.0, charging current is limited, and you can’t effectively use it for data and charging at the same time outside of limited configurations.
Your mistake is overlooking the fact that Lightning is woefully outdated.
iPhones have been able to get away with it this long by doing most everything wirelessly and convincing users like you that it’s somehow better to have a slower, less powerful connector on their phone.
They couldn’t get away with the same limitations on a tablet.
To be clear, I don’t think moving to USB-C is a bad thing. I think governments getting involved to dictate timelines is a bad thing, and I think it was going to happen anyway due to Lightning getting old and the needs we have now, as you outlined with the iPad.
The only reason the EU got involved was because Apple didn’t want to regulate themselves into being non-anti-consumer.
Regulations are only necessary when a market is unable to regulate itself.
They made a cable that was better than others that existed 10 years ago, said they would use it for a decade, and used it for a decade. They did exactly what they said they were going to do.
The EU is mandating open standards, not specific open standards.
If a new and better connector comes around they are welcome/encouraged to use it. As long as it’s an open standard and not proprietary e-waste generating junk
Theyre not stupid if you read it before writing about it on Lemmy you’d see they’re required to review regularly with stakeholders to agree and amend requirements ‘in line with scientific and technological progress, consumer convenience and environmental developments’
Oh good, bureaucracy… that always produces great results.
You’re trying too hard.
Apple would have implemented USB-C ages ago if they had any intention of ever doing it willingly.
Everything they make uses USB-C except the iphone which uses lightning and funnily enough they get a substantial cut out of every accessory and cable sale.
The EU has a FAQ somewhere addressing this, can’t find it though.
And calling the EU a regional government is underplaying their power and international influence a LOT.
The iPad used to use Lightning, why did they move that over if it’s all about getting a cut of accessory sales?
We saw with the iPad that they took their time, starting with the high end of the market with the Pro and eventually releasing it to all. It took several years.
The iPhone being their biggest volume product, it made sense to do it last. Let people get other USB-C stuff in their house before the iPhone moves so fewer people complain about having to buy all new chargers.
Is the EU not a government over some, but not all of Europe, a region of the larger Eurasia continent? What else would I call them?