Age of Lightning cable is coming to an end. This week, the European Union through the law requires all phones, tablets and cameras sold in the European Union to have a USB-C connector. It’s a big move that marks the end of Apple’s proprietary portal; Most phones sold in the world charge and connect to accessories using the USB-C standard, but iPhones do not.
EU law comes first proposed in September 2021 after the European Parliament said it had spent years trying to get companies to voluntarily agree to rely on a type of connector. USB-C, with its fast charging time and fast data transfer speed, emerges as best choice for consumers. Plus, if every device in a person’s home uses the same charging standard, that reduces waste and increases convenience. Now, the switch to USB-C across the board has been officially approved. The National Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of the change, with 602 votes in favor and only 13 against.
One of the biggest companies affected here is Apple. This ruling marks the end of the iPhone’s Lightning charger, as Apple has the ability to manufacture devices with separate ports for different geographies on such a large scale.
But this isn’t exactly a shock to Apple. Last year, an EU ruling on boosting the repairability of devices may have prompted Apple and other companies to set up their own repair programs in the US. Apple seems to be prepared for this action, as it has been reported as iPhone test with USB-C charger.
The USB-C requirements are expected to go into effect by the end of 2024. Starting in 2026, the requirement will also apply to laptops. Wireless charging devices are not yet subject to any specific standards, but most (including iPhones) are already compatible with the Qi charging system.
Here’s the other news this week about the world of consumer technology.
Ebikes under pressure
State Farm Insurance Company is event Rad Power Bikes after they said they had to give out $250,000 to a customer whose motorcycle caught on fire.
Recently, Ebikes are coming under more scrutiny for safety issues. The rapid growth of the microelectromechanical device market, coupled with the proliferation of substandard parts and the fact that the battery mounted in the chassis is prone to failure, has resulted in increase in number of fires from the energy cells of the bicycle.
It’s also not the only lawsuit that Rad Power Bikes has faced over safety issues. In 2021, one 12 years old died while riding a Rad Power bike, although the cause of the fatal crash was neither a battery problem nor a manufacturer defect. Parents say Rad Power’s marketing made the child go too fast on the motorized bicycle, leading to her crash. Both cases are still undecided.
Amazon Kills the Glow
Remember Amazon Glow? No? Well, that probably makes sense. The underperforming video chat device for kids was less than a year old, and now it’s gone. Like reported by GizmodoAmazon discontinued the Glow this week.
Glow looks like a more sophisticated version of Facebook’s Portal webcam/stationary tablet display and can play videos, display ebooks, and make video calls. But while the Portal is a sleek frame-sized device, the Glow is a rough, unappealing mass. It was designed primarily for families with children, but turned out to be a device for no one.
