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EU Votes For Universal Phone Charger
SmartAboutThings writes "The European Union has voted in favor of a draft legislation which lists among the 'essential requirements' of electrical devices approved by the EU a compatibility with 'universal' chargers. According to a German MEP, this move will eliminate 51,000 tonnes of electronic waste. The draft law was approved by an overwhelming majority: 550 votes to 12. At the moment, according to estimates, there are around 30 different types of charger on the market, but manufacturers have two years at their disposal to get ready for the new restriction."
"This is a backwards step because imposing a single charger stifles innovation, curbs research, and may impose extra costs on the consumer. The alternative and better action is to encourage diversity, competition and greater development..."
Seriously? How much "diversity" and "innovation" do you need in terms of a charger?
Yep. Apple has been the most significant holdout.
At this point every other phone I've worked with that's newly produced has either had mini-USB or micro-USB connections.
Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
The EU mandated microUSB charging ports on phones, thus reducing the "cable clutter" that existed 5-odd years ago.
Now, the EU is mandading the other end of the charging cable, the actual, physical charger is plugs into. Meaning, you'll only need a single charger, with a USB port in it, to charge your flip phone, your 4" mini-smartphone, your 6" phablet, and your 10" tablet.
Right now, each device has it's own charger, with it's own specs (how many volts at how many amps). And you generally can't charge a tablet using an older phone charger.
So you end up with a handful of different chargers in your drawer that you have to pick through to charge each device, or you end up with a drawer full of chargers you never use as you just plug everything into the most power charger you have (generally the one for the tablet).
Standardising on a single charger would eliminate all the extra chargers gathering dust in people's junk drawers.
BS. Android phones would use USB charging anyway, it's the cheapest path.
The problem with MicroUSB is that it has three sides.
You put it in, and it doesn't fit, so you turn it over.
You put it in again, it doesn't fit, so you turn it back over.
Now it fits.
Apple complied in 2011 by including a Lightning->micro-USB adapter in the box with all of its European models, and has done so for the last three years.
They certainly sell an adapter, but it is not supplied in the box, at least in my experience of devices bought from Apple stores in the UK.
Why do they think this is a matter for governments to decide?
Same reason each country has a standard railroad track, a standard power outlet, etc. Letting industries decide on mutually incompatible standards largely serves to lock in consumers and also creates great inefficiencies in the economy due to incompatbility. Standardization would allow business like cafes & airports to offer charging solutions that fit all their customers, and it would produce less physical waste.
If it's for-profit but free, you're not the customer -- you're the product (e.g., the Slashdot Beta's "audience").
Wait, isn't this the SECOND time this standard was imposed, and didn't apple get a pass last time?
Why will it be different this time?
I'm betting Apple will issue another "E-waste" adapter to their ridiculous 30pin, and thumb their nose at this rule just like the last time.
Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.
My coworker assures me that this a known case of quantum superposition at macro scales. The USB plug is simultaneously in two different orientations at the same time. It was formerly only thought to happen to SVGA connectors when viewed from the side while uncomfortably squatting under a desk.
Someone had to do it.