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EU Wants Removable Batteries In iPhones
MojoKid writes "Current regulation, introduced with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) in July of 2006, primarily
sought to prevent the unnecessary use of toxic metals in batteries as well as making it easier to recycle and dispose of used batteries. The updated 'New Batteries Directive,' as
discussed in
New Electronics by Gary Nevision, would go much further. Article 11 of the
directive, as currently written, would require that devices must be made in such a way as to allow batteries, either
for replacement or at end of life for disposal to be 'readily removed.' Of course, Apple's iPhones and iPods wouldn't meet this requirement, as it stands. It's obvious that an iPhone battery replacement program could be considered a cash cow for Apple as well."
Sounds like both slashdot and hothhardware are using the iPhone to get clicks. The regulation is not targeting the iPhone. The iPhone would just have to meet any new regulations that come out. Just like any other electronics device that uses batteries.
Unbelievable isnt it. $85.95 to have your paid for and under contract toy taken away from you for 3 days and have the data wiped while you get the battery replaced and have to re sync everything. How have Apple managed to persuade people this is what passes for "it just works" in this day and age?
Do not try to read the dupe, thats impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth
What truth?
There is no dupe
Apple should have designed both devices with removable batteries. Not doing so was a disservice to the consumer as well as being eco-unfriendly.
I'm actually quite surprised at Apple's decision to lock the batteries in the device. The only thing I can think of is planned obsolescence to spur more sales. Which would be a pretty sleazy thing to do. [Or maybe a pretty profitable thing to do.]
While it may be a cash cow for the company, isn't an official battery replacement program a "good thing" environmentally?
Placing the responsibility to replace batteries on the corporation allows it to be monitored and regulated. Leaving battery replacement in the hands of users makes it easy to throw out the old battery with your weekly garbage collection. I have to be honest - I'm not sure what sort of battery programs are in my area and it seems like going out of my way considerably to find out. Besides, I doubt most people have any awareness of how its bad to dispose of batteries in the garbage... Until its made a priority on a large scale, what worth exists in wasting my time to do some small part?
Overclockers
Or it's a design thing. You know. No extra hinges, lines, anything.
Apple is obsessed with thin packaging. Look at the iPhone, nano, or iPod touch. A removable battery would add a good 2mm of thickness, which may not sound like much, but thats a good 30% increase in thickness.
Test your net with Netalyzr
And it's not what the EU's looking for anyway. It has to be easily removable (I'm assuming with common or garden tools) by the end-user or any old electronics recycling facility. They're not going to take "you can send all the phones to us and pay us to take the batteries out" as an acceptable solution.
No kidding!!! What do you say at this point?
Don't get confused, what the EU are after is a removable battery that can be safely disposed of. It is not the same as replacable.
ie, it might be perfectly acceptable to have the battery fitted in such a way it can easily be ripped off the surface mount on the motherboard for disposal but in the process destroying the ipod/iphone.
What we (the ipod using public) have wanted is a user-replaceable battery - but we're unlikely to get this because not only does it add to the cost, complexity and size of the product, it also more importantly makes it less easy for Steve to sell us a newer ipod in 2 years time when the battery is still working but at that annoying "just not quite enough battery to last me the day" level.
Please read my Canon EOS tech blog at http://www.everyothershot.com
So? Nothing stops you from buying a replacement battery from Apple.
Yes, and no.
While they can spin it very positively, the truth is, at that price you're better off buying a new player... and that's probably what they're hoping too (they are a business, after all...). And what do you do with your old player when you get a new one? ... chuck it. Very environmentally friendly.
If you want people to do the "right thing", you don't charge them through the nose to do it, you have to give them the fewest reasons *not* to do it... and in my book, an outrageous replacement price = reason not to replace.
Besides, when Apple had that massive battery recall a few years back, they sent my gf her new battery but with no way to return her old one (we're on Canada here). When she contacted them to ask how she could return it, they just responded "do whatever you want with it". Nice.
I agree about the lack of easily-accessible programs for recycling :( Our local enviro-coop has their own, but its not obvious...
Have you met kettle? Just because it doesn't suit your personal needs, doesn't mean it's junk. Clearly Jobs was able to divine what would be good for a lot of people—I'm sure he's fine with losing out on your business because it sounds like you don't value the same types of features.
~ I am logged on, therefore I am.
It's why I'll never buy an ipod, or an iphone for that matter. In any case, I still fail to see why I should pay a premium for an mp3 player and a phone....
-- Fuck Beta
Wow, so instead of letting Apple replace the battery for free within the one year warranty, you bought a new device - yeah, you sure showed us what an clever, money-conscious guy you are.
Lars T.
To the guy who modded me down from perfect to terrible Karma - Apple haters still suck
Wow, so instead of letting Apple replace the battery for free within the one year warranty, you bought a new device - yeah, you sure showed us what an clever, money-conscious guy you are.
He ended up spending 'a few bucks more' to get a device with twice the storage & three times the battery life.
Its called not throwing good money after bad.
There are shills on slashdot. Apparently, I'm one of them.
This is positive legislation. It is going to ensure that customers have cheaper and competitive ways to replace batteries.
And just throw the old ones in the trash.
Lars T.
To the guy who modded me down from perfect to terrible Karma - Apple haters still suck