The European Union has passed a new rule requiring smartphones to have batteries that users can easily replace

[Eric]

Progress.

 

[Cmaier]

hope you like your phones thick and heavy, like my soul.

 

[Citysnaps]

The solution is dilithium crystals.

 

[Eric]

The solution is dilithium crystals.

And a case made out of Tribbles.

 

[Katbel]

J. Ternus will have a new task to accomplish

 

[Herdfan]

While I loved it when the EU mandated USB-C on iPhones, not a fan of this one.

Maybe let Android go first.

 

[fischersd]

I really don't want our late 90's/early 2000's phones back.

Maybe with Tim gone one of the whiz kids at Apple will downsize the "Mr. Fusion Home Energy Reactor" for the iPhone 20 Ultra Pro Maximillion$.

Wasn't it the 3GS that was the last iPhone that you could replace the battery?

 

[leman]

Reasonable move, would essentially ban all these cheapo disposable Androids. For high-quality smartphones, nothing changes. Devices with decent batteries or waterproofing are exempt.

 

[KingOfPain]

The woman on the photo is German politician Ursula von der Leyen. Because she once (while still a politician in Germany) proposed to censure the internet, this earned here the nickname "Zensursula".
Unfortunatley, the German government has the tendancy to send unwanted politicians to the EU government instead. Great idea! What could go wrong?
Things like these are the result of that.

 

[leman]

Things like these are the result of that.

What do you dislike about this one? IMO it’s the most reasonable legislation in this direction they‘ve had in a while. Certainly more sensible than the ill-thought out gatekeeper one.

 

[throAU]

While I loved it when the EU mandated USB-C on iPhones, not a fan of this one.

Maybe let Android go first.

Mandating type C was retarded. Sure its ok today, but in 5 years when some way cooler connector is invented, we're screwed.

 

[Herdfan]

Mandating type C was retarded. Sure its ok today, but in 5 years when some way cooler connector is invented, we're screwed.

To be fair, I didn’t care which one got picked. I was just tired of needing Micro USB, Lightning, and USB-C to charge my phone, my earbuds, my Android tablet (my off-road mapping program was Android only).

And if USB-C gets replaced in the future, then let’s just hope whatever system replaces it will be just one type

I do suspect wireless charging will eventually take over most electronics.

 

[leman]

Mandating type C was retarded. Sure its ok today, but in 5 years when some way cooler connector is invented, we're screwed.

I agree. I don't understand why they mandated USB-C specifically, instead of mandating the most recent standard USB port or similar.

 

[Roller]

I agree. I don't understand why they mandated USB-C specifically, instead of mandating the most recent standard USB port or similar.

I suspect they did it that way because it meant that USB-C would be the only connector on new devices for a number of years, even if a better one appeared. They essentially mandated uniformity at the expense of not permitting manufacturers to switch to a faster or otherwise improved connector.

 

[throAU]

I agree. I don't understand why they mandated USB-C specifically, instead of mandating the most recent standard USB port or similar.

I really don't see the need to mandate ANY connector. Your phone comes with a cable and a charger, use that.

If its to use some random charger you don't know, DON'T go plugging cables that also carry data into your device, as it a security risk, and use inductive charging?

What next, we are standardising on IEC C19 for all electrical devices? No? Why not? Answer: because its not suitable for all circumstances!

 

[throAU]

I suspect they did it that way because it meant that USB-C would be the only connector on new devices for a number of years, even if a better one appeared. They essentially mandated uniformity at the expense of not permitting manufacturers to switch to a faster or otherwise improved connector.

AKA stifling innovation. gg

 

[Yoused]

… but in 5 years when some way cooler connector is invented …

My vision was for a 2-ring connector with a classic post-power plug in the middle. The inner ring would have serial data lines sandwiched inside and out, while the outer ring would have 2 stacked date lines inside and out, for a total of 6 data lines. A printer or other simple device would simply omit the outer ring, and a phone charger could omit both rings and just supply power. The point of this design would be that you just plug it in in any orientation. But, the standard these days is going less wired more wireless, so such a concept would be archaic before it even came out.

I did discover that I could plug my phone into my iPad Mini to get wired hotspot, and it worked quite well except for the fact that the phone was drawing power from the iPad, causing its battery to crater fast.

 

[DT]

Speaking of charging ...

Watch on the back of an iPhone ... when?

Sure, there are some nice combo chargers, we have a nice bedside setup from Belkin, and Anker MagGo that doubles for downstairs charging and our travel chargers, both handle a phone, a watch and Airpods. but I'd love to have a quick, handy, single cable charging setup that didn't require anything other than a USB-C cable. Plug in iPhone, set Watch on the back, everybody gets charged. It's the one device left with a unique, discrete, charging requirement (and I get the obvious design requirements for that).

At least we have the chargers above AND across the several Watches we've owned, the extra cables I've picked up, I've stashed Watch chargers everywhere (both cars, the "go bag", my roller, Portofino Bay room # 323 taped under the bathroom sink, etc. ...)

 

[Roller]

Speaking of charging ...

Watch on the back of an iPhone ... when?

Sure, there are some nice combo chargers, we have a nice bedside setup from Belkin, and Anker MagGo that doubles for downstairs charging and our travel chargers, both handle a phone, a watch and Airpods. but I'd love to have a quick, handy, single cable charging setup that didn't require anything other than a USB-C cable. Plug in iPhone, set Watch on the back, everybody gets charged. It's the one device left with a unique, discrete, charging requirement (and I get the obvious design requirements for that).

At least we have the chargers above AND across the several Watches we've owned, the extra cables I've picked up, I've stashed Watch chargers everywhere (both cars, the "go bag", my roller, Portofino Bay room # 323 taped under the bathroom sink, etc. ...)

I've had the older Anker 3-in-1 charger, which collapses into a cube, for a couple years. My only complaint is that you have to press on the side to reveal the pad for the watch. Over time, the release mechanism has become less reliable. I have a couple old standalone Apple Watch chargers, but they're USB-A, so I bought a few adapters.