Tag: Eu
UK set to adopt new EU speed-limiting rules for cars
Huawei opens Brussels security lab in bid to reassure EU
Proposed changes to controversial EU digital copyright laws finalised
Digital copyright reforms move a step further after approval of text
Google fined £44m under EU data privacy law
EU copyright directive risks cutting people off from YouTube videos, site boss warns
The Digest: Social media told to simplify terms… and 4 other things people are talking about today
iOS and Android face EU clampdown on location logging
New, stricter EU regulations relating to "personal data" could soon force Apple and Google to overhaul the way their iOS and Android devices respectively use location data. The updated Data Protection Directive, due later on in 2011, would tighten the…
Volume cap headed to iPod and MP3 players
A new EU restriction may see the volume levels across all iPods and MP3 players capped. EU officials believe that as many as 10 million EU residents risk permanent damage to their hearing from listening to music played too loudly…
Mobile phone companies agree on universal charger for EU
The 10 companies who control 90% of the European phone market have signed a deal which will see mobile phone chargers become universal by 2010.
The group, which includes Apple, Sony Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung, LG and NEC, has agreed to a harmonisation that will see mobile phones charged by mini-USB adaptors. The move is not only good for people who have drawers full of various charges – it’s great news for the environment too.
Every year there are 185million phones sold in the EU and therefore around 185million chargers as well. The majority of these chargers become useless after upgrading to a new phone – even, in some cases, if users stay with the same brand.
The idea is that, after an unspecified time following the release of the universal charger, chargers and phones will be sold separately. The move only applies to smartphones and is only for the EU at the moment.
Hopefully, the rest of the world will follow suit soon after. They should do – not only would it save them money because they won’t have to manufacture and package chargers for every phone they sell (I can’t see them reducing the price of phones just because it ships without a charger) it will also be good for their green-credentials.
(via Reuters)