Drawers full of proprietary chargers are emptying. Every phone, tablet and headset sold in the EU now charges through the same connector. The downside is the connector itself: one shape, dozens of capabilities, and labels that most buyers never read.
Making sense of the port
Charging speed, data rate and video output all depend on the cable and the device. Industry logos help a little. The next regulatory push targets clear labelling, which manufacturers are resisting on cost grounds.
Key takeaways
- One connector across devices sold in the EU
- Capability confusion persists
- Labelling rules are next
This story is part of our ongoing coverage of gadgets. We will update it as more details emerge.
