After complaints as to why iPhones do not have a USB-C, the European Union is mandating that all phones should use its standard. The Apple marketing lead Greg Joswiak said they have no choice but to comply.
Apple Will have to Abide to the USB-C Standard After the European Union's Mandate
According to the story by The Verge, the European Union is mandating that all phones that are going to be sold in its member countries should use a USB-C standard connector if they come with a physical charger.
Apple marketing lead Greg Joswiak was asked by The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern whether the company will replace the Lightning. He replied that "obviously we'll have to comply, we have no choice."
Timeline for the USB-C Standard is Up to Autumn 2024
Stern then brought the law up during a conversation with software VPO Craig Federighi and Joswiak at the Tech Live conference of the WSJ. After bringing this up, Stern asked about the USB-C's status on the iPhone.
Apple’s Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak (@gregjoz) join @JoannaStern at #WSJTechLive to discuss products, privacy and power at the tech giant https://t.co/fNo2JGwMB4 https://t.co/aGrTlZrUo4
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) October 26, 2022
Joswiak then said that the Europeans are the ones that are dictating the timing for their customers. So far, the law officially dictates that by autumn 2024, all phones and tablets should use the USB-C standard.
Apple Marketing Lead Shared How Apple has had a History of Trusting Its Engineers
The marketing lead did not answer whether the company would also offer the USB-C standard for phones sold outside of the European Union. As per the article by The Verge, it was specified that he made it clear that Apple was not happy about being legally pushed to make the switch.
Before saying that the company would comply with the law, Joswiak had a long explanation as to the history of Apple and how it had preferred to go its way and trust its engineers. Instead of being forced to adapt to different lawmakers' hardware standards.
Micro USB is an Example Where Apple had to Meet Requirements
An example of this was around the Micro USB and hearing aid compliance as situations where Apple needed to meet "ill-considered requirements." It was also suggested that charging bricks using detachable cables has already solved the standardization issue.
It was emphasized that switching from Lightning to USB-C for the iPhone would result in much e-waste. The article noted that what was not mentioned was a portless iPhone that would rely 100% on wireless charging.
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Apple Could Still Implement Portless iPhones
As to the legality of a portless iPhone that relies completely on wireless charging, the article by The Verge notes that this is something that would be theoretically allowed. Apple will comply with the requirement for a USB-C standard for all iPhones.
In the future, however, the company might not have to worry about this issue if it does release a portless iPhone that relies 100% on wireless charging.
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This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Urian B.
