Apple Pulls Lightning-Equipped iPhones From Swiss Stores Ahead of EU USB-C Mandate (macrumors.com)
- Reference: 0175712713
- News link: https://apple.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/1839234/apple-pulls-lightning-equipped-iphones-from-swiss-stores-ahead-of-eu-usb-c-mandate
- Source link: https://www.macrumors.com/2024/12/20/iphone-14-iphone-se-unavailable-in-switzerland/
The devices, which use Apple's proprietary Lightning port, disappeared from Swiss online stores today. Switzerland, while not an EU member, follows EU market rules. Apple-authorized resellers can continue selling existing stock until depleted. A new USB-C compatible iPhone SE is expected in March.
[1] https://www.macrumors.com/2024/12/20/iphone-14-iphone-se-unavailable-in-switzerland/
[2] https://tech.slashdot.org/story/22/12/08/150216/eu-sets-december-28-2024-deadline-for-all-new-phones-to-use-usb-c-for-wired-charging
I think it’s funny (Score:2)
I have no problem with the EU doing this. Sovereignity and all that. If they want to enforce a plug standard, it’s much like requiring all power outlets to be the same. No problem.
But Apple is laughing their a$$es off all the way to the bank. Oh no, you’re forcing us stop selling all our entry-level devices that use slightly older tech! Guess we’ll just *happen* to forget to update the plugs on all those low-profit product lines. Want an iphone? No cheap options now, baby! You can buy
Re: (Score:2)
Everything says the contrary
1. If Apple thought these devices were not profitable, they would not have marketed them in EU in the first place
2. If Apple was looking to remove these older products from the shops, they would not wait until the last possible day, and they would certainly would not wait until after Christmas purchases. They would have removed them last month, such that people would have to buy the "iphone 27 pro max ultra" this Christmas! TFA says they will remove these phones from sale in EU o
Re: (Score:1)
> If they want to enforce a plug standard, itâ(TM)s much like requiring all power outlets to be the same. No problem.
I like the analogy but like all analogies it breaks down at some point.
On the back of many of my electronic devices in my office there's a 120VAC input that's a standard IEC C14 inlet. Some of my equipment have a different kind of 120VAC inlet. It's not a big deal, and I think little of it, because I'll certainly find a cord included with that piece of equipment to connect whatever inlet that may be to the standard outlets I'll find on the walls of my office. To carry that analogy to the iPhone Apple sho
Errm, Switzerland isn't in the EU (Score:2)
You bloody moron.
Re: (Score:1)
From the fine summary:
> Switzerland, while not an EU member, follows EU market rules.
Yep, not in the EU but they decided to play along with some EU rules to be a good neighbor.
USB requirement, not USB-C (Score:4, Interesting)
Note that the EU is not requiring Apple to use USB-C, that sort of regulation would create a permanent lock-in to what may be a great connector now but might be superseded by improved options in the future. Instead, the EU is requiring the use of a USB standard. The USB-IF has a great track record of developing and standardizing improved technologies as the needs and capabilities of the industry change, and if Apple finds that none of the USB-approved standards fit their needs, they'll be able to propose new designs for standardization. Of course, if they come up with something really great and standardize it, they won't be able to prevent others from using it.
I'm generally opposed to government regulation that might block innovation, but I think the EU's approach here strikes a good balance between preventing vendor proprietary lock-in (and the resulting proliferation of connectors) and the freedom to innovate and improve. The goodness of this balance depends heavily on USB-IF continuing to be a well-functioning standards body, of course, but they have a good track record and I see no reason to expect that to change.
I think the EU did a similarly good job with mandating GSMA-approved standards for cellular communications and banning carrier lock-in (technological or contractual). This resulted in better, faster, cheaper cellular communications technology in the EU as compared with the US. GSMA innovated and improved GSM over the years, but the requirement that everyone use a GSMA-approved standard kept all the carriers competing on a level field.
Re: (Score:1)
The parent post sounds like a suggestion that Apply submit Lightning as a standard connector for USB. This does contradict the next point that if Apple does this then Apple could not enforce quality of the products like they do with Lightning. Lightning predates USB-C, and it was because of the shortcomings of USB and their own 30-pin connector that they developed Lightning. I suspect Apple had prior knowledge of USB-C coming to market at some point as they were working on getting Lightning to market, an