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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Apple may have to abandon Lightning connector cable | Apple may have to abandon Lightning connector cable |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| Apple could be forced to abandon its Lightning connector cable if European lawmakers get their way. | Apple could be forced to abandon its Lightning connector cable if European lawmakers get their way. |
| The cable is used to charge and sync many Apple devices, such as the iPhone. | The cable is used to charge and sync many Apple devices, such as the iPhone. |
| But members of the European Parliament urged the European Commission on Monday to force tech giants to adopt a single universal charging method. | But members of the European Parliament urged the European Commission on Monday to force tech giants to adopt a single universal charging method. |
| Two other charging cables - USB-C and micro-USB - are used on Android devices, and Apple has already stopped using Lightning on the 2018 iPad Pro. | |
| European regulators will vote on the matter on a yet to be determined date, but Apple says the proposed regulation would stifle innovation and be disruptive to consumers. | European regulators will vote on the matter on a yet to be determined date, but Apple says the proposed regulation would stifle innovation and be disruptive to consumers. |
| How likely is this to happen? | How likely is this to happen? |
| If the regulator enforces its proposed regulation, Apple devices sold in Europe would be required to have a new charging method. | If the regulator enforces its proposed regulation, Apple devices sold in Europe would be required to have a new charging method. |
| It is likely Apple would then adopt USB-C, considering the company's 2018 iPad Pro ditched Lightning in favour of the technology. | |
| Another possible option would be to remove charging ports and cables entirely and use wireless charging instead. | Another possible option would be to remove charging ports and cables entirely and use wireless charging instead. |
| A new cable would mark the tech giant's third in 13 years. | A new cable would mark the tech giant's third in 13 years. |
| The majority of newly-manufactured Android phones already feature USB-C ports. | The majority of newly-manufactured Android phones already feature USB-C ports. |
| Why does the EU want this change? | Why does the EU want this change? |
| The European Commission has been campaigning for a single charging method for the past decade. | The European Commission has been campaigning for a single charging method for the past decade. |
| There were more than 30 types of charger on the market in 2009, but that number has since been reduced to just three. | There were more than 30 types of charger on the market in 2009, but that number has since been reduced to just three. |
| The regulator is determined to cut down on electronic waste being created by obsolete cables, which it estimates generate more than 51,000 tonnes of waste per year. | The regulator is determined to cut down on electronic waste being created by obsolete cables, which it estimates generate more than 51,000 tonnes of waste per year. |
| "This is hugely detrimental for the environment," said European Parliament member Alex Agius Saliba. | "This is hugely detrimental for the environment," said European Parliament member Alex Agius Saliba. |
| "A common charger should fit all mobile phones, tablets, e-book readers and other portable devices." | "A common charger should fit all mobile phones, tablets, e-book readers and other portable devices." |
| Hasn't this happened before? | Hasn't this happened before? |
| Apple, along with 10 other leading tech giants such as Nokia and Samsung, signed a memorandum of understanding in 2009. | Apple, along with 10 other leading tech giants such as Nokia and Samsung, signed a memorandum of understanding in 2009. |
| They pledged to provide micro-USB compatible chargers for consumers. | They pledged to provide micro-USB compatible chargers for consumers. |
| However, Apple took advantage of a loophole that allowed manufacturers to continue using their own chargers if they offered an adaptor. | However, Apple took advantage of a loophole that allowed manufacturers to continue using their own chargers if they offered an adaptor. |
| Then, in 2014, the EU passed the Radio Equipment Directive, which called for a "renewed effort to develop a common charger". | Then, in 2014, the EU passed the Radio Equipment Directive, which called for a "renewed effort to develop a common charger". |
| Apple insisted that its slimmer devices would be unable to fit the then-new USB-C technology, and it claimed it would cost up to $2bn (£1.53bn) to meet the desired standard. | Apple insisted that its slimmer devices would be unable to fit the then-new USB-C technology, and it claimed it would cost up to $2bn (£1.53bn) to meet the desired standard. |
| Isn't wireless charging the future anyway? | Isn't wireless charging the future anyway? |
| Apple and many of its rivals, such as Huawei and Samsung, have already released products that charge their devices wirelessly. | Apple and many of its rivals, such as Huawei and Samsung, have already released products that charge their devices wirelessly. |
| Although the technology is in its infancy, new developments have meant that it is now able to compete with traditional charging methods. | Although the technology is in its infancy, new developments have meant that it is now able to compete with traditional charging methods. |
| Some analysts are even predicting that Apple could scrap its charging ports altogether by releasing future iPhone and iPad models that rely solely on wireless charging. | Some analysts are even predicting that Apple could scrap its charging ports altogether by releasing future iPhone and iPad models that rely solely on wireless charging. |