Apple Bids Lightning Cables Adieu As It Announces iPhones Will Get USB-C Ports
Apple’s Lightning cable is making a lightning exit from its iPhone after the European Union wrapped up approvals for legislation to standardize USB-C charging connectors.
The news was first announced at the Wall Street Journal’s Tech Live 2022 event, where Greg Joswiak, Apple’s SVP of worldwide marketing, said, “Obviously, we’ll have to comply,” when he was asked about the EU’s latest move towards sustainability.
The EU has been gunning for the tech giant to move to USB-C for 10 years, stating that asking people to have multiple chargers in their household eventually leads to tons of e-waste. This union pushed even harder after Apple’s iPad line moved to USB-C charging, but its phones remained stuck with Lightning cables.
Apple’s Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak (@gregjoz) join @JoannaStern at #WSJTechLive to discuss products, privacy and power at the tech giant https://t.co/fNo2JGwMB4 https://t.co/aGrTlZrUo4
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) October 26, 2022
Joswiak also notes how the company has always been compliant with government regulations. For example, he cited when Apple found a way to make its devices’ hearing aids compatible.
However, the move will only be made for the European market, and phones sold elsewhere will still carry the Lightning port.
Joswiak remarks that the move would have benefited the environment and its customers if the government had not been “that prescriptive.”
Apple has also made controversial moves in the past to streamline towards sustainability. One such way was by removing adapters in iPhone boxes to reduce packaging and shipping effects on the environment.
As a result, it is also being fined by the Brazilian government for doing as such.
The new ruling will take effect by the end of 2024.
[via Engadget and Tech Advisor, Photo 249187209 © Yalcinsonat | Dreamstime.com]
