The European Union‘s legislators have chosen USB-C type charging port as the universal charging point and all the devices now should have one.
USB-C port is mandatory:
According to EU authorities, all mobile gadgets which are available in the EU, and which are sold in the EU must have a USB-C port. And the deadline for it is the fall of 2024. Rechargeable mobile gadgets such as phones, tablets, laptops, portable gaming consoles, headphones, and cameras are all affected by the new rule. This initiative to standardize charging connections was made not just to reduce e-waste (consumers will be able to purchase gadgets without a charger in the package if they so choose), but mainly to make it easy for individuals to manage the energy demands of their numerous devices.
CCS Insight’s principal analyst, Ben Wood said that this is a win for common sense. “Consumers are tired of having a plethora of various chargers and connectors”, says Ben Wood
It took a long time for USB-C to become the major connection interface in the IT industry, with many companies making the switch years ago. After all, USB-C connections are simple to find and use, and the recharging and transmission speeds are typically quicker than rival protocols.
Apple faces problem:
Nonetheless, there is one major participant that will be adversely affected by this decision: Apple. The Lighting port, which is specific to Apple products, is mainly found in iPhones. Over 1 billion iPhones have been sold worldwide, and all iPhone model launched by Apple since 2012 has had a Lightning connector.
Apple can simply change to USB-C on all products. It’s not like the firm didn’t see this coming. MacBook’s and the majority of iPad devices already have USB-C ports. Apple has already been trying new iPhones with USB-C connectors since last month, according to Bloomberg.
After years of conjecture, there’s a chance we’ll see a USB-C iPhone soon now that the EU has forced Apple’s hand. A more extreme outcome, on the other hand, is just as plausible.
There is another option for apple. They can eliminate charging connectors and can completely focus on or use wireless charging.
On all iPhone models, wireless charging is already available. Even though a slew of accessories and dongles connect to iPhones via the Lightning port, Apple has demonstrated that it can take major design changes that break device compatibility. The company faced widespread backlash when it removed the iPhone’s headphone jack, but it persisted.
A request for a response from Apple has gone unanswered.
This isn’t the only time in modern history that an EU judgment has had a significant impact on consumer technology firms. The GDPR, the EU’s comprehensive online data protection regulation, resulted in a complete overhaul of the web’s user experience. Last year, a rule in France mandating gadget makers to provide supporting and sustaining ratings on their goods prompted Apple and Samsung to launch their customer repair schemes.
“What’s fascinating is that European lawmakers may practically create global technological trends,” Wood argues. “Whether it’s the right to repair, the safety and environmental rules they enforce, or something like this with the universal connection, the sheer size of the European Union as a 500 million client market means that no significant consumer electronics industry can ignore it.”
Source: Wired
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