Apple may have to abandon Lightning connector cable

BBC ^ | 16 Jan 2020 | BBC

[Theoria]

Apple could be forced to abandon its Lightning connector cable if European lawmakers get their way.

The cable is used to charge and sync Apple devices, including the iPhone.

But members of the European Parliament urged the European Commission on Monday to force tech giants to adopt a single universal charging method.

Apple products do not accept the other two non-wireless types of charger which are available - USB-C and micro-USB, which work on Android devices.

Regulators will vote on the matter on a yet to be determined date, but Apple says the proposed regulation would stifle innovation and be disruptive to consumers. How likely is this to happen?

If the regulator enforces its proposed regulation, Apple devices sold in Europe would be required to have a new charging method.

It is likely Apple would then adopt USB-C, considering the company's 2019 iPad Pro ditched Lightning in favour of the technology.

A new cable would mark the tech giant's third in 13 years.

[Army Air Corps]

Ping.

[JohnBrowdie]

It would be nice if everything in the world didn’t have its own @&$%£¥ charger. I’d rather drink battery acid than it be an act of galactic governmental coercion.

[Dr. Sivana]

Apple will simply toss in an external adapter module on products sold in Europe. This reminds me of the Mac IIlc, which was screwless, but there was one optional screw hole on the lid because Canada had a rule that stated that electronic devices had to be held together with screws. The Coleco Adam Computer also came with a three-to-two outlet adapter for houses without grounded outlets, but they did not include it in Canada versions because those adapters were (and are) illegal there.

[Track9]

Just make an adapter from one to the other. No need to change the phone.

[untenured]

Why do people who use Apple devices need a charger that works with Android devices?

Why is the EU wiser than Apple and their customers, who actually have skin in the game?

[Dr. Sivana]

It would be nice if everything in the world didn’t have its own @&$%£¥ charger.

Most rechargeables can use a simple USB cable, and you can upgrades heavily used outlets to include a couple of USB ports.

[ilgipper]

Apple can just sell an add on for another 29.95.

[2111USMC]

I really like the idea that all the Android manufacturers have accepted the USB-C as the standard.

It’s not asking that much for Apple to adopt what is/has become the industry standard. I’m all for capitalism but proprietary charging cables is just plain greed.

[JohnBrowdie]

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Nanny State PING!

[JohnBrowdie]

Apple can just sell an add on for another 29.95.

---

exactly. but it’s apple — they don’t sneeze for less than 49.95.

[JayGalt]

So don’t buy an Apple product. We don’t need mediocrity imposed across the world by the EU. In America consumers vote with their $ in Europe the bureaucrats decide.

[Widget Jr]

NSFW, especially if you are a Apple fan: Why Every New Macbook Needs A Different ******* Charger.
"Until you realized we changed the port halfway through this commerical."
Is using standard USB or DC chargers really that hard?

[livius]

Actually, I read that Apple had already been considering the USB-C for whatever is going to be the next generation of iPhones.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Lightning to USB Female Camera Keyboard Adapter Cable For iPhone iPad Apple -US

[JohnBrowdie]

Why is the EU wiser than Apple and their customers, who actually have skin in the game?

---

because the EU has wet dreams about the day it’s as fascist as apple upper management, and the EU isn’t a cult. yet.

(kidding. slightly. sort of. I think)

[2111USMC]

Mediocrity? We’re talking about a damned USB cable for data transfer and charging.

Right here in my home office I bet I could pull out at least six to eight different phone charging cords we’ve collected over the years because there never used to be a standard.

[Dr. Sivana]

Actually, I read that Apple had already been considering the USB-C for whatever is going to be the next generation of iPhones.

MacRumors has been posting that for the last three rounds of product launches. The problem is that Apple will not change all the phones at once worldwide.

[untenured]

Well OK, but no one has to buy Apple stuff. But no one living in an EU country is exempt from EU rules,

And that makes all the difference.

😉