Though Apple has gravitated from Lightning to USB-C for a number of devices, including its latest low-cost tablet, the iPad 10, its biggest revenue generator, the iPhone, continues to ship with the Lightning interface, so the EU was likely targeting the firm’s phone business when it came out with this legislation. A press release (via MacRumors) states that the new rules will be applied to mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, digital cameras, video game consoles, headphones, earbuds, portable loudspeakers, wireless mice, keyboards, and portable navigation systems. Since Apple sells multiple products in those categories, it will likely conform to those rules or risk having to exit a market, potentially losing billions in annual revenue. The EU believes that adopting USB-C will also benefit the environment and prevent consumers from having to carry around multiple cables and accessories to perform roughly the same task. With USB-C being touted as a ‘common port,’ wide adoption of this interface should also reduce electronic waste. Apple is already rumored to shift to USB-C in 2023 when it launches the iPhone 15 lineup in the fourth quarter, though its other products like iPhone SE and AirPods family, continue to feature a Lightning port. Unfortunately, for the company, that might not be the case in a couple of years.
