In an attempt to lower the amount of garbage finding its way into European landfills, the European Union moved to embrace a universal cable for mobile devices, instead of allowing companies to continue to create proprietary charging cables. Starting in 2010, the micro USB cable was ratified as the industry standard. Today Apple has moved to make that transition, but instead of re-designing their iPhone to make use of the micro USB plug, the Cupertino company has begun selling a micro USB to Dock Connector adapter for the iPhone and iPad. The connector will be available on October 14th, and will weigh in at £8.00.
It won’t break the bank, and thankfully it’s cheap enough that it may encourage people to pick up the connector instead of purchasing numerous cables. However, I’m not exactly sure how the EU thinks creating connectors will help the problem, despite allowing companies to create adapters instead of changing their devices to meet the new standard. In addition to shipping all iOS devices with a dock connector cable, Apple will also begin shipping a Dock to USB conversion connector. Doesn’t that just double the stuff going into landfills?
Apple met their requirements in the EU, but something tells me the EU folks calling these shots didn’t exactly realize that they could be making the problem worse. Instead of looking for a new cable, customers will begin looking for a new dock connector conversion adapter. What’s the difference? Really?
Source: TUAW
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What I really really would like to see from apple, is a port protector for iPods, iPhones and iPads, to keep crap out of the port. I have a few iPods that are worthless little 'door stops'. A sliding door would work for me. Of all the accessories for these devices, NOT one port protector/cover!!
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LikeI think you (Mr. Schnell) are missing the point. Establishing a standard connector/charger for mobile devices will result in multiple benefits...
1. Consumers can use one charger/cable to power/connect all their mobile devices
2. Manufacturers are no longer required to ship a charger/cable with new devices (though they will probably continue to do so for a short time), and consumers no longer end up with multiple redundant chargers/cables. However, even if the consumer has redundant chargers/cables, at least they're interchangeable and thus less likely to be discarded.
3. Manufacturers of related peripherals/accessories will be encouraged to adopt the MicroUSB standard for connectivity/charging purposes
Personally, I think it's an awesome idea. When I travel, I can carry a single charger with a USB socket, a mini-USB cable, and a micro-USB cable, and those will allow me to charge/connect all my mobile devices... my phones, my MP3 player, my eReader, my Bluetooth headset, and my wireless headphones.
Why would Apple create an adapter rather than change their connector? Because of all the vendors that have created products that feature a built-in, non-interchangeable Apple connectors. Yes, the iPod alarm-clock docks, the iPod boom-boxes, the iPod BMW audio system connectors, your local gym's treadmills and elliptical machines with iPod docks... the list is ENDLESS. Apple's custom connector has been adopted by virtually every manufacturer that makes a product large enough to hold an iPod/iPhone.
Yes, this new law now requires Apple to create an adapter, but that won't add to the problem, because - let's face it - iPod/iPhone consumers are incredibly brand loyal, so they'll never NOT have an iPod/iPhone, and thus the adapters will never be discarded.
Now, if someone decides to upgrade (or downgrade) from an HTC phone to an iPhone, they won't need to throw away their old charger, they can just buy the Apple adapter, and there's one less item in the trash!
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LikeDon't get me wrong I love my ipad/portable digital design studio....
So even though I have the ipad camera kit set- that has a USB port-I now have to buy another USB connector? Seriously- Toshiba Thrive/Android tablet is starting to look good.....
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