Common Charging Cables
Discussion
For once I am genuinely torn on an issue. The EU has decided that it will help the environment if all devices have a common charging cable - which is deemed to be USB-C. Story here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-61720276
From one point of view, this seems sensible. If everything has the same cable, then the demand for chargers will fall away as old ones can be reused. This saves money, the environment …. surely this is all good?
The best argument against that I’ve seen is “what would the world look like if they’d implemented this 10 - 15 years ago” - arguably when it was really needed because every device out there came with a “wall wart” charger and some unique plug. Well, we’d all be carrying wall warts around with USB-A cables sticking out of them. That would be a pretty crap solution. USB-C would never have happened, we’d all be on some variant of Thunderbolt or (god forbid) FireWire for data transfer.
USB-C will be fine for 5 years, maybe a decade. What happens after that?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-61720276
From one point of view, this seems sensible. If everything has the same cable, then the demand for chargers will fall away as old ones can be reused. This saves money, the environment …. surely this is all good?
The best argument against that I’ve seen is “what would the world look like if they’d implemented this 10 - 15 years ago” - arguably when it was really needed because every device out there came with a “wall wart” charger and some unique plug. Well, we’d all be carrying wall warts around with USB-A cables sticking out of them. That would be a pretty crap solution. USB-C would never have happened, we’d all be on some variant of Thunderbolt or (god forbid) FireWire for data transfer.
USB-C will be fine for 5 years, maybe a decade. What happens after that?
kI don't think there's much issue with going with something like that now.
The vast majority of the time USB cables are used for charging and not much else. It's turning into a data transfer option if you need it, but a lot of the time Bluetooth or WiFi will do the job anyway, so I don't think we need to worry about losing out on the future progress of phone charging technology.
The vast majority of the time USB cables are used for charging and not much else. It's turning into a data transfer option if you need it, but a lot of the time Bluetooth or WiFi will do the job anyway, so I don't think we need to worry about losing out on the future progress of phone charging technology.
Mr E said:
Isn’t the answer the already standardised wireless charger?
Do apple simply drop the port entirely EU models?
I suspect they will - fewer holes in the phone make it more waterproof. Which is actually a good thing. Of course the specifics of wireless attachment will be different for every manufacturer….. (speed, position etc)Do apple simply drop the port entirely EU models?
rxe said:
For once I am genuinely torn on an issue. The EU has decided that it will help the environment if all devices have a common charging cable - which is deemed to be USB-C. Story here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-61720276
From one point of view, this seems sensible. If everything has the same cable, then the demand for chargers will fall away as old ones can be reused. This saves money, the environment …. surely this is all good?
The best argument against that I’ve seen is “what would the world look like if they’d implemented this 10 - 15 years ago” - arguably when it was really needed because every device out there came with a “wall wart” charger and some unique plug. Well, we’d all be carrying wall warts around with USB-A cables sticking out of them. That would be a pretty crap solution. USB-C would never have happened, we’d all be on some variant of Thunderbolt or (god forbid) FireWire for data transfer.
USB-C will be fine for 5 years, maybe a decade. What happens after that?
The whole "what if this happened 5 years ago" wheeze is the worst argument against it because it assumes that the standard will never be re evaluated. Also 5 years ago phones were using USB C. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-61720276
From one point of view, this seems sensible. If everything has the same cable, then the demand for chargers will fall away as old ones can be reused. This saves money, the environment …. surely this is all good?
The best argument against that I’ve seen is “what would the world look like if they’d implemented this 10 - 15 years ago” - arguably when it was really needed because every device out there came with a “wall wart” charger and some unique plug. Well, we’d all be carrying wall warts around with USB-A cables sticking out of them. That would be a pretty crap solution. USB-C would never have happened, we’d all be on some variant of Thunderbolt or (god forbid) FireWire for data transfer.
USB-C will be fine for 5 years, maybe a decade. What happens after that?
We already know what is next, USB4. The specification was released in 2019. USB was chosen as it has a strong emphasis on maintaining backwards compatibility. So we have a good chance of future USB standards maintaining the USB C form factor, especially now.
USB 2 and 3 didn't just pop out of nowhere... We knew they were coming years in advance.
speedy_thrills said:
rxe said:
USB-C will be fine for 5 years, maybe a decade. What happens after that?
A lot of manufacturers are working on improving power efficiency now. Unless there is a step-change in battery technology that requires higher current USB-C will likely be OK.I am torn on this for 2 reasons.
Will it restrict technology advancement in data rates, the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) implementation can pass data upto 40Gbps but USB-C isn't there yet. The power delivery isn't a concern as voltages can be increased upto the connector rating so some headroom.
Secondly, the EU are starting to interfere in technology rather than supporting a market place that drives innovation. This can be interpreted as another reason for getting away from the EU.
It does give the GOV.UK a headache because of Brexit, etc but being seen to just implement it will get them loads of grief. I suspect we will do nothing and we will get this by default as products will just have it.
Will it restrict technology advancement in data rates, the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) implementation can pass data upto 40Gbps but USB-C isn't there yet. The power delivery isn't a concern as voltages can be increased upto the connector rating so some headroom.
Secondly, the EU are starting to interfere in technology rather than supporting a market place that drives innovation. This can be interpreted as another reason for getting away from the EU.
It does give the GOV.UK a headache because of Brexit, etc but being seen to just implement it will get them loads of grief. I suspect we will do nothing and we will get this by default as products will just have it.
Luke. said:
We still use 3 pin plugs, so I think USB-C will be good for a while yet.
That's the challenge. This standard will be imposed on laptops as well, and probably pretty much any other similar device out there. I can see loads of scenarios where USB-C would be inadequate:- super capacitor type batteries - the EV mob keep promising them, so they must be coming. You can charge your laptop in 10 seconds ... er, if you can deliver 20 amps at 40 volts to it.
- the sort of connectivity required to drive some of Metas wilder metaverse dreams - goggles, haptic suit etc. I think it's all a pile of chuff, but they are investing billions.
With all this in place - who will invest in USB-D or E? At the time it was invented, USB-A could do more than anyone needed. We are deluding ourselves if USB-C is not going to become just as archaic.
IMO the market was doing this already - I wouldn't buy a laptop today without USB-C and it influenced a recent headphone purchase because of charger compatibility.
rxe said:
....
IMO the market was doing this already - I wouldn't buy a laptop today without USB-C and it influenced a recent headphone purchase because of charger compatibility.
This (including for laptops).IMO the market was doing this already - I wouldn't buy a laptop today without USB-C and it influenced a recent headphone purchase because of charger compatibility.
And if a good reason to change comes up, they'll (manufacturers and customers alike) change.
rxe said:
Luke. said:
We still use 3 pin plugs, so I think USB-C will be good for a while yet.
That's the challenge. This standard will be imposed on laptops as well, and probably pretty much any other similar device out there. I can see loads of scenarios where USB-C would be inadequate:- super capacitor type batteries - the EV mob keep promising them, so they must be coming. You can charge your laptop in 10 seconds ... er, if you can deliver 20 amps at 40 volts to it.
- the sort of connectivity required to drive some of Metas wilder metaverse dreams - goggles, haptic suit etc. I think it's all a pile of chuff, but they are investing billions.
With all this in place - who will invest in USB-D or E? At the time it was invented, USB-A could do more than anyone needed. We are deluding ourselves if USB-C is not going to become just as archaic.
IMO the market was doing this already - I wouldn't buy a laptop today without USB-C and it influenced a recent headphone purchase because of charger compatibility.
Why would we need laptops which charge in 10 seconds anyway..
Apple could produce two versions of the iPhone - a completely wireless version and one with a Lightning port. EU countries then miss out on the latter.
I prefer the physicalities of the Lightning connector, but regardless of which is better, not keen on a lethargic bureacracy meddling with consumer tech.
I prefer the physicalities of the Lightning connector, but regardless of which is better, not keen on a lethargic bureacracy meddling with consumer tech.
Edited by fido on Wednesday 8th June 01:15
I am sure the EU means well with many of these directives. The issue becomes the things they haven't thought about when imposing them.
Take the volume limits on MP3 players. This was imposed to save the hearing of EU users of personal MP3 players, which is a worthy aim. However many people plug MP3 players into the auxiliary input on older car stereos. So they need MP3 players set to a very high level in order to hear it properly. So many people then had to search online for ways to override this restriction.
It is the same here, there will be things they haven't thought about, and issues arising in the future from technological development. There can be a case for governments to guide common standards in many areas but it should not be so strict as to forbid technological innovation.
Take the volume limits on MP3 players. This was imposed to save the hearing of EU users of personal MP3 players, which is a worthy aim. However many people plug MP3 players into the auxiliary input on older car stereos. So they need MP3 players set to a very high level in order to hear it properly. So many people then had to search online for ways to override this restriction.
It is the same here, there will be things they haven't thought about, and issues arising in the future from technological development. There can be a case for governments to guide common standards in many areas but it should not be so strict as to forbid technological innovation.
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