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Lightning could have its days counted in Europe. It is the characteristic cable connector to charge and synchronize many Apple devices.
Members of the European Parliament (the legislative body of the European Union) urged the European Commission (the Executive) on Monday to force technology giants to adopt a Unique universal charging method.
Android devices, for example, use two other charging cables, the USB-C and the micro-USB.
What the Legislative wants is that all manufacturers use the same and that users do not have to have different varieties for each device.
European regulators will vote on the matter on a date not yet determined, but Apple says the proposed regulations It would stifle innovation and be harmful to consumers.
How likely is it to happen?
If the regulator applies the proposal, Apple devices sold in Europe would have to have a new charging method.
It is Apple will probably adopt the USB-C, considering that for the iPad Pro 2019 he opted for this technology and set aside lightning. This is also the type of port that comes in most newly manufactured Android phones.
Another alternative would be to completely eliminate the ports and cables and use wireless charging instead.
Why the change?
The European Commission has been campaigning for the last decade to have a single charging method.
In 2009, there were more than 30 types of chargers in the market. Now that number It has been reduced to only 3 types.
The European regulator is determined to rEducate electronic waste generated by obsolete cables, which according to their calculations generate more than 51,000 tons of waste every year.
“This is very damaging to the environment,” said European MP Alex Agius Saliba.
“A common charger would fit all cell phones, tablets, e-book readers and other portable devices.”
Has this happened before?
Apple, along with 10 other great technology leaders such as Nokia and Samsung, signed a memorandum of understanding in 2009.
In the circular, it promised to provide consumers with compatible chargers with micro-USB ports.
However, Apple took advantage of a legal vacuum that allowed it to continue using its own charger cable sI also offered a micro-USB adapter.
In 2014, the European Union approved the “Radio Equipment Directive”, which called for a “renewed effort to develop a common charger”.
Apple insisted that its thinner devices could not adapt to the new USB-C technology. The company warned that meeting the desired standard would cost up to 2 billion dollars.
And the wireless charging?
Apple and many of its rivals, such as Huawei and Samsung, have already launched products that charge their devices wirelessly.
Although technology is still in diapers, new developments have made it now able to compete with traditional loading methods.
Some analysts even predict that Apple could completely eliminate its charging ports and, in the future, launch iPhone and iPad models that rely solely on wireless charging.
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