USB-C is now effectively mandatory in Europe as the new charging era begins

[HardReset]

I don't understand this law. I live in the EU, and there are still tons of devices selling with usb-a, and they aren't going anywhere! So the article doesn't clearly state is this only applied on some devices, because clearly it doesnt apply to cars, audio equipment, televisions got no usb-c

Charging port must be USB-C, other end might be something different. Old inventory is allowed to have something else, just new parts must have USB-C. Yeah, it does not apply on all devices.

 

[Mark Fuller]

I truly hope that's sarcasm.

"Regulatory innovation" is at the expense of actual, useful innovation. You can think of these as rivalry species competing for the same resources. In Europe, the "regulatory innovation" is definitely winning big time, because real innovation is in the endangered species list.

IMO the reason for regulation in the first place is that there are already enough junkyards and factory fires in the first place. That is the reason for organizations like UL and IEEE.

 

[user478318]

Charging port must be USB-C, other end might be something different. Old inventory is allowed to have something else, just new parts must have USB-C. Yeah, it does not apply on all devices.

Oh I get it now, it's only for ports used for charging!! That's too bad - EU is typically useless. Thanks for your reply

 

[pnntmp]

Do you think electrical outlets being standardized was a bad thing? Its the same principle that only prevents companies from locking you into a product ecosystem.

Electrical outlets are standardized for safety reasons.
Standardizing chargers serves no purpose, it's just bureaucracy inventing arbitrary restrictions.

 

[pnntmp]

Think outside the phone market. Ever tried buying a replacement power brick for a laptop? I have, cost me €80. Now if my laptop had usb c instead of MSIs odd barrel plug I could have my power brick for half or even nearly a quarter of the price. Plus it would charge any USB device, not just my laptop.
If the power adapter for my beard trimmer breaks in a couple of years I don't have to cross my fingers and hope the manufacturer sells replacement adapters, I can just plug it into adapters I already have.

There's nothing different outside the phone market. Just like there are cheap universal chargers for phones, there is the same for laptops. If you buy an original charger or power brick from the manufacturer, it costs a lot no matter if it ends with USB-C or lightning plug or round plug or something else. If you buy a cheap universal thing, it's both more functional and costs substantially less.
The market solved the problem without committees, reports, meetings, panels, negotiations and whatnot. And most importantly, without arbitrary restrictions and demands to manufacturers.

 

[Mark Fuller]

There is also the fact that adaptors are available for any type of port or slot in any kind of computer you can manufacture.

 

[Axeia]

There's nothing different outside the phone market. Just like there are cheap universal chargers for phones, there is the same for laptops. If you buy an original charger or power brick from the manufacturer, it costs a lot no matter if it ends with USB-C or lightning plug or round plug or something else. If you buy a cheap universal thing, it's both more functional and costs substantially less.
The market solved the problem without committees, reports, meetings, panels, negotiations and whatnot. And most importantly, without arbitrary restrictions and demands to manufacturers.

And then the next device comes around and the dance starts again. That's why they standardize it.
I did end up getting a universal laptop adapter but cheap it was not. (Needed it asap and bought it from a local store)
Also ended up with a ton of extra tips for the 14 or so other 'standards'. I end up paying for all that extra crap.

Everyone just using a standard is far more convenient. I'm all for standardisation, what does anyone lose out on other than Apple users that had already invested in lightning accessories? The replacement accessories might even be cheaper as they don't have to get Apples MFI certification.

 

[Mark Fuller]

And then the next device comes around and the dance starts again. That's why they standardize it.
I did end up getting a universal laptop adapter but cheap it was not. (Needed it asap and bought it from a local store)
Also ended up with a ton of extra tips for the 14 or so other 'standards'. I end up paying for all that extra crap.

Everyone just using a standard is far more convenient. I'm all for standardisation, what does anyone lose out on other than Apple users that had already invested in lightning accessories? The replacement accessories might even be cheaper as they don't have to get Apples MFI certification.

Apple users do not need to lose out anything for their lightning accessories Like I said, there's there's always adaptors no matter what computer you have. They work for any port or slot on any computer.