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Google 'Strongly' Recommends Against Third-Party Fast Charging Technology On Android (techcrunch.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the fast-charging dept.

An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch: Everyone, it seems, is going the fast charging route these days. Thanks to the nearing ubiquity of USB-C on flagship devices, the feature is quickly becoming a standard -- "standard" in the sense that everyone is doing it, not so much that there's any consistency to the tech. All in all, it's a nice addition to manufacturers' newfound focus on battery life. And while Google has embraced its own version on its new Pixel devices, the company's not so keen on letting everyone implement their own version. In newly released Android Compatibility Definition papers issued for Nougat, the company stops short of an outright ban on technologies like Qualcomm's Quick Charge, though it does take a pretty clear stand, "strongly recommend[ing]" against it. At issue, among other things here, is potential compatibility issues with standard USB chargers. Google said in its latest revision of the Android Compatibility Definition Document, "Type-C devices are STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to not support proprietary charging methods that modify Vbus voltage beyond default levels, or alter sink/source roles as such may result in interoperability issues with the chargers or devices that support the standard USB Power Delivery methods. While this is called out as "STRONGLY RECOMMENDED," in future Android versions we might REQUIRE all type-C devices to support full interoperability with standard type-C chargers."

3 of 90 comments (clear)

  1. Never fast enough will lead to disaster. by geekmux · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Today it's fast charging. Tomorrow that won't be good enough, so we'll go to hyper charging. Then ludicrous charging. Given the prevalence of these devices in society, I see this as a disaster waiting to happen.

    Fast charging is also the result of procrastination. It's the same justification that created a multi-gallon buffer between the low fuel warning light and idiocy. The human body needs a few hours rest at least once every 24 hours. This is the time to safely charge these devices that maintain that charge for as least as long as you do, if not longer.

    1. Re:Never fast enough will lead to disaster. by Big+Hairy+Ian · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I wonder how many of the Galaxy Note 7 fires were using rapid charging. Basically all google is really saying is follow the USB-C standard

      --

      Build a Man a Fire, and He'll Be Warm for a Day. Set a Man on Fire, and He'll Be Warm for the Rest of His Life.

  2. Trust but verify by sjbe · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I wonder how many of the Galaxy Note 7 fires were using rapid charging.

    Interesting question though it wouldn't top my list of possible explanations I don't think it could be ruled out either.

    Basically all google is really saying is follow the USB-C standard

    It is incredibly naive of Google to trust that third parties will follow the USB-C standard if there is money to be made in not following it. There is an old saying that "people generally don't do what you expect, they do what you inspect". Or as another put it "trust but verify". If it is important enough to worry about then Google should be implementing measures to ensure that it will not work unless they follow the USB-C standard. If the USB-C standard provides no means to check if it is being followed then it is a flawed standard and should (in principle) be scrapped for a better one.