advertisement
Facebook
X
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Reddit

To nobody’s surprise, Apple doesn’t want to change its iPhone charging port

Last week the European Parliament picked up its fight against proprietary charging ports once again.

Having already asked manufacturers to consider adopting one, standardised charging port those efforts appear to have failed. So now the European Commission has been asked to force manufacturers to adopt one standard.

As one of the manufacturers who still uses a proprietary charging port, it should come as no surprise that Apple is not keen on changing its Lightning ports.

Apple’s argument is that forcing it to adopt a new charging standard would negatively impact customers and have the adverse effect of “creating an unprecedented volume of electronic waste”.

“We do not believe there is a case for regulation given the industry is already moving to the use of USB Type-C through a connector or cable assembly. This includes Apple’s USB-C power adapter which is compatible with all iPhone and iPad devices. This approach is more affordable and convenient for consumers, enables charging for a wide range of portable electronic products, encourages people to re-use their charger and allows for innovation,” wrote Apple.

Apple goes on to point out that in 2009 the European Commission considered forcing manufacturers to adopt USB Micro-B as standard connectors. The Cupertino colossus says had that happened, innovation would have been stifled and Lightning and USB Type-C could have taken far longer to reach the critical mass they have today.

“Instead, the Commission established a voluntary, industry standards-based approach that saw the market shift from 30 chargers down to 3, soon to be two — Lightning and USB-C, showing this approach does work,” added Apple.

Whether Apple’s argument will have any effect on the European Parliament’s amended draft law remains to be seen.

If we were the betting sort we wouldn’t put our money on Apple. European lawmakers seem particularly unmovable once they’ve decided on something but stranger things have happened and this is something we’re watching closely.

[Source – Engadget][Image – CC 0 Pixabay]

advertisement

About Author

advertisement

Related News

advertisement