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O2 plan to stop issuing chargers with new phones.
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Comments
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It makes a lot of sense.
Good for the environment.
Less weight to ship.
Less clutter when most ( non Apple ) phones can use micro USB.
Count the chargers you have that are now useless.
Bob0 -
So haven't bothered and took the opportunity to fleece their customers of more money in the form of an over priced adaptor.
Samsung, HTC and so on all charge a lot for original cables, a
USB to micro USB cable from HTC is £8.50, people can (and do ) use cheaper alternatives.
Apple include a Plug to USB adapter in the box and Apple lightning cables are now appearing cheap on ebay as the authentication chip has been cracked.
Apple no more expensive than the other brands for "official"
The issue is the EU recommended that phones must be chargeable by a Micro USB plug. What they didn't mandate is that had to be the socket on the device, or that it had to be a no cost option, or even that chargers should not be supplied with the phone unless the customer asks.
No doubt some lobbying watered the intended bill down0 -
Samsung, HTC and so on all charge a lot for original cables, a
USB to micro USB cable from HTC is £8.50, people can (and do ) use cheaper alternatives.
Apple include a Plug to USB adapter in the box and Apple lightning cables are now appearing cheap on ebay as the authentication chip has been cracked.
Apple no more expensive than the other brands for "official"
The issue is the EU recommended that phones must be chargeable by a Micro USB plug. What they didn't mandate is that had to be the socket on the device, or that it had to be a no cost option, or even that chargers should not be supplied with the phone unless the customer asks.
No doubt some lobbying watered the intended bill down
Thats the point I'm making, it's unenforceable. Apple is just a good example of how unenforceable it is.
Do you think O2s priority I'd the environment? Or saving itself some money, and then making money on something that used to be free?0 -
Samsung, HTC and so on all charge a lot for original cables, a
USB to micro USB cable from HTC is £8.50, people can (and do ) use cheaper alternatives.
Apple include a Plug to USB adapter in the box and Apple lightning cables are now appearing cheap on ebay as the authentication chip has been cracked.
Apple no more expensive than the other brands for "official"
The issue is the EU recommended that phones must be chargeable by a Micro USB plug. What they didn't mandate is that had to be the socket on the device, or that it had to be a no cost option, or even that chargers should not be supplied with the phone unless the customer asks.
No doubt some lobbying watered the intended bill down
While I agree with everything you have written I would add a clarification concerning your final point. There has never been legislation concerning the microUSB, the EU hasn't even issued a directive.
The whole microUSB policy is only a voluntary memorandum of understanding.====0 -
Yes, sorry. I was coming from the perspective of a Sixth Generation iPhone owner (which I refuse to call the "iPhone 5" as it just makes no sense whatsoever. The "iPhone 6," yes.) My bad.
But the point remains on 5th Generation (the 4S) iPhones and older - you can get a Micro USB to iPort adapter. It costs about £15!
Don't be sorry, I was just pointing out how Apple like to squeeze every last penny out of their customers.0 -
Don't be sorry, I was just pointing out how Apple like to squeeze every last penny out of their customers.
All the makers charge more for a spare part than the clone makers do. It's not just Apple as i said HTC charge more for a micro usb cable than the pound shop even though they do the same thing. The only difference is with Apples authentication chipset it was harder to get round but now has been and lightning charge/sync cables can be bought for a few quid now.
Apple charge more but that's because the position themselves at the premium end. No different to the fact a spare part for a premium positioned Bose system cost more than a mid priced sony system or a budget supermarket brand (if you can even get parts).0 -
While I agree with everything you have written I would add a clarification concerning your final point. There has never been legislation concerning the microUSB, the EU hasn't even issued a directive.
The whole microUSB policy is only a voluntary memorandum of understanding.
Your right. Not the best choice of phrase. Lobbying probably is why it won't get to be mandated...0 -
Thats the point I'm making, it's unenforceable. Apple is just a good example of how unenforceable it is.
It's not enforceable as it never made it to law. If it was made law then of course Apple would ship them with the right connecter or supply a converter cable.
Until then things will stay as they are.0 -
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