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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."
You mean this iPhone battery replacement program?
$85.95! That's a lot of milk.
Slightly disreputable, albeit gregarious
This is the EU basically trying to protect its markets for its own cell phone makers. I would think Nokia might be pushing for a regulation like this.
Watch carefully! There will probably be some nice sounding safety or environmental standard coming out of Washington somewhere that is the tit for this tat.
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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.
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.]
Or it's a design thing. You know. No extra hinges, lines, anything.
Apparently after 400 recharges the battery is down to 80% of its life (I don't know how they've tested this). http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=327614
Given I've had to charge the battery twice a day on occasions and if you attach to a computer for itunes then that counts as a recharge, you can see how this would run out quicker than a normal battery.
Then again, you replace your phone every 18 months, why would you want a new battery when you're going to get rid of it soon?
The flip side of the coin is then Apple handheld products, like everything else, will be subjected to the usual flood of crappy, knock-off, sub-standard aftermarket batteries we've all come to know and hate passionately. Apple may have designed these devices in such a way that they've created a monopoly on battery replacement, but on the other hand at least you know you're getting a proper battery.
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.
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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.
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As far as extended warranty programs, most are a rip off. The apple programs, however, at least on the pro laptops and the iphone, have shown value to me. These are expensive pieces of gear, and even 20% over a few years is not out of line. It takes care of the battery, and any damage. When you consider that ATT will charge you $175 in the US to break a contract, the $69 applecare is put into perspective, though it does not cover loss.
In general I would hate to see laws that required or forbade removable batteries. What I would like to see is more retailers forced to take back electronics that they sell, perhaps with a small discount if you buy an equivalent device. Straight money back might encourage theft. Non replaceable batteries are not an environmental problem, they are an engineering decision and customer preference. The envronmental problem is that consumers throw batteries and electronics away because there is no easy way to dispose of them properly.
"She's a scientist and a lesbian. She's not going to let it slide." Orphan Black
How do you know they are not targeting the Zune?
Looks like another anti Microsoft move by the EU to me.
Where's my tinfoil hat when I need it.....
Replaceable batteries most likely end up in the trash and then the landfill and if a battery is replaceable the manufacturer of the device will most likely look for the cheapest source for those batteries since they assume that the consumer will simply buy a replacement placing the extra cost of a longer lasting battery on the consumer.
Jesus was a compassionate social conservative who called individuals to sin no more.
Could you please point me to the model you have? I can only find 4-8GB flash players. One review even has It's bulky for a flash player. as a "The Bad".
I just went to Insignia's website and found 2 models. A 4GB MP3 player and an 8GB Video/MP3 player. (Aside from their website seemingly written by 2 completely different groups, both had different units, 4GB in metric, 8GB in English)
4GB
Dimensions:
15mm X 46mm X 102mm (.59" X 1.8" X 4.0")
Weight: 0.068 kg (2.4 oz)
8GB
Dimensions:
10.16mm X 40.65 mm X 83.83mm (0.4" X 1.6" X 3.3")
Weight: 0.060kg (2.1 oz.)
This is the specs for the current Nano (which comes in 8 or 16 GB).
Dimensions:
6.2mm X 38.7mm X 90.7mm (0.24" X 1.5" X 3.6")
Weight:
0.037 grams (1.3 ounces)
And here's a "big ole" iPod Classic. .140 kg (4.9 ounces)
Dimensions:
10.5 mm X 61.8 mm X 103.5 mm (0.41" X 2.4" X 4.1")
Weight:
So by "not making the device any larger" you mean making the device larger? Not to mention the for the difference between the Nano and the Insignia, you could go up to a Classic and have 15X the storage space.
That's a business decision designed on purpose to make people want to upgrade more often than they need to. "oh well, this battery sucks now and the new models are out anyway, and..." That's how that works. Even larger ticket items with batteries like laptops that still have a good used market are almost invariably sold when the built in batteries are mostly hosed, it's a psychological deal there. Especially when the OEM replacement battery is half what the unit is worth, or even more. A variant on planned obsolescence. Anytime there is a hassle for user serviceability with any appliance or gadget, look in that direction. Look at cellphones, this is common as anything, the batteries can typically cost more than another brand new cheap phone of similar make/model. Here's a better analogy, inkjet printers and replacement carts. I don't know how many people just go get another cheap as heck printer once they get sticker shock on a black and white and color cartridge, compared to the cost of yet another cheap inkjet. I know it is false economy, but these manufacturers always seem to do this with parts and so on. I've never done the study but it would be intertesting to say take a car, and see how much it would cost to recreate it all with replacement parts at normal car parts store and then at dealers retail prices. I bet a 20 grand car would cost over a hundred grand if you tried to build one that way.
Anyway, I like that they are forcing the issue, sealed blackbox gadgets are not any sort of fav for me, just gives me the creeps being a long time nerd and tinkerer. If I can't open it up and play, I don't want the dang thing (probably why I don't own an ipod or iphone). I remember a long time ago going out and getting a long torx screwdriver just so I could take my mac (first computer I owned) 512k apart (still have it, BTW). That was annoying. Couldn't just use a normal phillips or anything. Just wanted to see the inside, hated not being able to do it easier without a special tool. Hate that "special tool" nonsense that manufacturers love..anything to gouge a few more pennies out of you or make it a hassle so you use their "special" repair shops.
Let me guess... You live in the EU? I live predominantly in Asia and sell into the US and the EU. And as a source from Asia (China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Malaysia predominantly) the rules and regulations and taxation of the EU are EXTREMELY protectionist. Much more so than the US.
Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!