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How is this going to affect devices like Airpods, where having replaceable anything would mean increasing the size of the device itself to allow for the physica

How is this going to affect devices like Airpods, where having replaceable anything would mean increasing the size of the device itself to allow for the physical moving parts for that? Or will companies just stop selling those in Europe?

TaylorAlexander 3y ago
Sounds like this is specific to smartphones. Though I would love to see user replaceable batteries in smart watches.
- crooked-v 3y ago
  Nope, it's everything. From the EU document: > Any natural or legal person that places on the market products incorporating portable batteries shall ensure that those batteries are readily removable and replaceable by the end-user at any time during the lifetime of the product. That obligation shall only apply to entire batteries and not to individual cells or other parts included in such batteries. > A portable battery shall be considered readily removable by the end-user where it can be removed from a product with the use of commercially available tools, without requiring the use of specialised tools, unless provided free of charge with the product, proprietary tools, thermal energy, or solvents to disassemble the product. > The obligations laid down in paragraph 1 shall not apply where continuity of power supply is necessary and a permanent connection between the product and the respective portable battery is required to ensure the safety of the user and the appliance or, for products that collect and supply data as their main function, for data integrity reasons.
  - Dig1t 3y ago
    >That obligation shall only apply to entire batteries and not to individual cells or other parts included in such batteries. 2024 will be the year that Apple stops selling the iPhone and releases the all new iBattery. It's a special battery that's also a revolutionary communications device!
    - miki123211 3y ago
      There's no need for that, Apple can just implement Reverse charging for the iPhone, which would actually make it a battery.
    - layer8 3y ago
      Not sure they’ll be able to maintain profits if they sell replacement batteries at a “reasonable” price as required by the regulation.
  - classified 3y ago
    By 2027 our smartphones will be even more data sucking surveillance monsters so that your last paragraph will save them from having their batteries made replaceable.
mensetmanusman 3y ago
Apple could certainly develop a screw on cylindrical battery with their manufacturing prowess.
burnished 3y ago
You seem to assume that presents some insurmountable design challenge, I think you should justify that before moving on to any other point.
- sonicshadow 3y ago
  [flagged]
praisewhitey 3y ago
The Sony XM3 earbuds have easy to replace batteries so it's not impossible Apple does something similar https://www.ifixit.com/News/35377/which-wireless-earbuds-are-the-least-evil https://www.ifixit.com/News/35377/which-wireless-earbuds-are...
- ValentineC 3y ago
  I've tried the XM3 once upon a time, and they were quite bulky for in-ears compared to the AirPods.
pgeorgi 3y ago
In-ear hearing aids do quite well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oU0RnYxrK4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oU0RnYxrK4
xdennis 3y ago
Headphones is where replaceable batteries would be most useful as you can carry multiple with you like with a GoPro.

TaylorAlexander 3y ago

Sounds like this is specific to smartphones. Though I would love to see user replaceable batteries in smart watches.

crooked-v 3y ago
Nope, it's everything. From the EU document: > Any natural or legal person that places on the market products incorporating portable batteries shall ensure that those batteries are readily removable and replaceable by the end-user at any time during the lifetime of the product. That obligation shall only apply to entire batteries and not to individual cells or other parts included in such batteries. > A portable battery shall be considered readily removable by the end-user where it can be removed from a product with the use of commercially available tools, without requiring the use of specialised tools, unless provided free of charge with the product, proprietary tools, thermal energy, or solvents to disassemble the product. > The obligations laid down in paragraph 1 shall not apply where continuity of power supply is necessary and a permanent connection between the product and the respective portable battery is required to ensure the safety of the user and the appliance or, for products that collect and supply data as their main function, for data integrity reasons.
- Dig1t 3y ago
  >That obligation shall only apply to entire batteries and not to individual cells or other parts included in such batteries. 2024 will be the year that Apple stops selling the iPhone and releases the all new iBattery. It's a special battery that's also a revolutionary communications device!
  - miki123211 3y ago
    There's no need for that, Apple can just implement Reverse charging for the iPhone, which would actually make it a battery.
  - layer8 3y ago
    Not sure they’ll be able to maintain profits if they sell replacement batteries at a “reasonable” price as required by the regulation.
- classified 3y ago
  By 2027 our smartphones will be even more data sucking surveillance monsters so that your last paragraph will save them from having their batteries made replaceable.

mensetmanusman 3y ago

Apple could certainly develop a screw on cylindrical battery with their manufacturing prowess.

burnished 3y ago

You seem to assume that presents some insurmountable design challenge, I think you should justify that before moving on to any other point.

sonicshadow 3y ago
[flagged]

praisewhitey 3y ago

The Sony XM3 earbuds have easy to replace batteries so it's not impossible Apple does something similar https://www.ifixit.com/News/35377/which-wireless-earbuds-are-the-least-evil https://www.ifixit.com/News/35377/which-wireless-earbuds-are...

ValentineC 3y ago
I've tried the XM3 once upon a time, and they were quite bulky for in-ears compared to the AirPods.

pgeorgi 3y ago

In-ear hearing aids do quite well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oU0RnYxrK4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oU0RnYxrK4

xdennis 3y ago

Headphones is where replaceable batteries would be most useful as you can carry multiple with you like with a GoPro.