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> Imagine if they had done this a few years ago, and the micro-B connector was mandated. We would never have gotten usb-C. They did, you don't have to imagine

> Imagine if they had done this a few years ago, and the micro-B connector was mandated. We would never have gotten usb-C. They did, you don't have to imagine it. In 2009 they've signed a memorandum of understanding with 14 phone companies, which is why micro-B was the standard before type C. Apple was within those that signed it, and used a loophole in the text to ship a lightning-to-micro-B adapter instead. Around 2016 they've realised micro-B was outdated and notified the signatories that they should switch to type C. https://www.macrumors.com/guide/eu-charging-standard-proposals-and-apple/ https://www.macrumors.com/guide/eu-charging-standard-proposa...

dahfizz 5y ago
A Memorandum of Understanding is a far cry from the legislation they are trying to push through. A MoU is not legally binding. From your link: > The recent 582-40 parliamentary vote in favor of a common charging standard came about because the European Commission's previous approach of merely "encouraging" tech companies to develop a standardized solution "fell short of the co-legislators' objectives," according to a briefing on the European Parliament website. The first phones with USB-C came out in 2015. If this MoU was instead binding legislation, those USB-C phones never would not have been allowed.
- input_sh 5y ago
  Almost as if they've seen a shortcoming with signing just a memorandum of understanding and took it a step further this time around. > To address the challenges for consumers as well as the environment, the Commission has supported a common charging solution for mobile phones and similar electronic devices since 2009. The Commission first facilitated a voluntary agreement by the industry in 2009 that resulted in the adoption of the first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and led to reducing the number of existing charging solutions for mobile phones on the market from 30 to 3. Following the Memorandum's expiration in 2014, a new proposal by industry presented in March 2018 was not considered satisfactory in delivering a common charging solution or meeting the need for improved consumer convenience and e-waste reduction. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_4613 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_...
  - dahfizz 5y ago
    > Almost as if they've seen a shortcoming A shortcoming for _their_ goals. Their goals are at odds with what is best for us. It is a good thing the micro-b MoU did not have any teeth.
    - input_sh 5y ago
      I can't speak on behalf of anyone but myself, but when that goal is less e-waste, their goal sure does align with mine, even if it may take me 20 extra minutes to charge my devices when something better than type C comes around. If I can charge my laptop with it, it's surely good enough for charging devices with a much smaller battery at least for the next decade or so.
      - admax88qqq 5y ago
        Are chargers really a significant source of e-waste? E-waste is a direct consequence of technology progress. We're not still all using 486s. Technology advances, people want that new stuff. I would wager charging ports are insignificant.
        Ygg2 5y ago
        Hey on my Android, I'm happy to reuse my old chargers. It would be another thing if I was on Apple ecosystem.
        kergonath 5y ago
        All the Apple chargers are compatible, and have been for quite a long time. They’ve had a standard USB-A port since at least 2004, and they now have a standard USB-C port. The only reason to get a new charger is if you need more power, but that’s exactly the same situation as with Android. Where did you get the idea that you had to get new chargers?
        Ygg2 5y ago

dahfizz 5y ago

A Memorandum of Understanding is a far cry from the legislation they are trying to push through. A MoU is not legally binding. From your link: > The recent 582-40 parliamentary vote in favor of a common charging standard came about because the European Commission's previous approach of merely "encouraging" tech companies to develop a standardized solution "fell short of the co-legislators' objectives," according to a briefing on the European Parliament website. The first phones with USB-C came out in 2015. If this MoU was instead binding legislation, those USB-C phones never would not have been allowed.

input_sh 5y ago
Almost as if they've seen a shortcoming with signing just a memorandum of understanding and took it a step further this time around. > To address the challenges for consumers as well as the environment, the Commission has supported a common charging solution for mobile phones and similar electronic devices since 2009. The Commission first facilitated a voluntary agreement by the industry in 2009 that resulted in the adoption of the first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and led to reducing the number of existing charging solutions for mobile phones on the market from 30 to 3. Following the Memorandum's expiration in 2014, a new proposal by industry presented in March 2018 was not considered satisfactory in delivering a common charging solution or meeting the need for improved consumer convenience and e-waste reduction. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_4613 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_...
- dahfizz 5y ago
  > Almost as if they've seen a shortcoming A shortcoming for _their_ goals. Their goals are at odds with what is best for us. It is a good thing the micro-b MoU did not have any teeth.
  - input_sh 5y ago
    I can't speak on behalf of anyone but myself, but when that goal is less e-waste, their goal sure does align with mine, even if it may take me 20 extra minutes to charge my devices when something better than type C comes around. If I can charge my laptop with it, it's surely good enough for charging devices with a much smaller battery at least for the next decade or so.
    - admax88qqq 5y ago
      Are chargers really a significant source of e-waste? E-waste is a direct consequence of technology progress. We're not still all using 486s. Technology advances, people want that new stuff. I would wager charging ports are insignificant.
      - Ygg2 5y ago
        Hey on my Android, I'm happy to reuse my old chargers. It would be another thing if I was on Apple ecosystem.
        kergonath 5y ago
        All the Apple chargers are compatible, and have been for quite a long time. They’ve had a standard USB-A port since at least 2004, and they now have a standard USB-C port. The only reason to get a new charger is if you need more power, but that’s exactly the same situation as with Android. Where did you get the idea that you had to get new chargers?
        Ygg2 5y ago