Bye, Lightning cable. Hello, USB-C.
Apple is ditching its in-house iPhone charging plug and falling in line with the rest of the tech industry by adopting a more widely used connection standard. A big part of the reason is a European Union common charging rule that’s coming soon for the 27-nation bloc.
Here’s a look at the USB-C plug and what it means for consumers:
Photo: AFP 照片：法新社
WHAT IS USB-C AND HOW CAN I TELL IT APART FROM OTHER PLUGS?
The first part of the acronym stands for Universal Serial Bus, and it replaces earlier versions of the USB cables used on everything from printers and hard drives to computer mice and Kindle readers.
The USB-C plug comes in a different shape than its predecessors — an elongated oval. It’s also symmetrical and reversible, which eliminates one of the common gripes about previous versions like the rectangular USB-A connectors because there’s no wrong way to plug it in.
Photo: Reuters 照片：路透
WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT USB-C?
USB-C cables can carry more power so laptops can be charged faster, and they enable faster data transfer speeds, allowing a big trove of files to be copied from a computer to an external hard drive. At the same time, they can pump out a video signal to a monitor and supply power to connected accessories.
The USB-C connector also is designed to be future-proof. Its shape won’t change but newer versions — and the devices they connect to — will come with upgraded capabilities. That means users will have to beware because older devices might not be able to support the latest specs.
Photo: AFP 照片：法新社
It’s also slimmer than boxy USB-A plugs, making them a better fit for newer devices that keep getting smaller.
WHY IS APPLE USING IT?
Apple has long championed its proprietary Lightning connector for iPhones even though pretty much no one else used it. It resisted the EU’s common charging push, citing worries that it would limit innovation and end up hurting consumers.
Photo: AP 照片：美聯社
Apple held out even as others started adding USB-C connectors into their devices. But after the EU proposal won a key approval last year, the US tech giant gave in and didn’t look back.
A company executive unveiling the latest iPhone on Tuesday last week didn’t even mention the Lightning cable as she introduced its replacement.
“USB-C has become a universally accepted standard so we’re bringing USB-C to iPhone 15,” said Kaiann Drance, vice president of iPhone product marketing.
She said USB-C has “been built into Apple products for years” and can now be used on MacBooks, iPads, iPhones and AirPods.
WHAT ROLE DID EUROPE PLAY?
Apple’s shift is an example of how European Union regulations often end up rippling around the world — what’s known as the “Brussels effect” — as companies decide it’s easier to comply than make different products for different regions.
The EU spent more than a decade cajoling the tech industry into adopting a common charging standard. The push to impose rules for a uniform cable are part of the bloc’s wider effort to make products sold in the EU more sustainable and cut down on electronic waste.
The EU’s common charging rule won’t actually take effect until fall next year. It covers phones, tablets, e-readers, earbuds, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld video game consoles, keyboards and mice, portable speakers and navigation devices.
It also standardizes fast-charging technology and gives consumers the right to choose whether to buy new devices with or without a charger.
(AP)
再見，Lightning傳輸線。哈囉，USB-C。
蘋果正捨棄自家的iPhone充電接頭，採用更廣泛使用的連接標準來與其他科技公司一致。很大一部分原因是歐盟27國即將實施的共同充電規則。
以下為USB-C接頭概觀，及其對消費者的意義：
什麼是USB-C？它跟其他接頭如何區分？
該縮寫詞的第一部分USB代表的是「Universal Serial Bus」（通用序列匯流排），它取代了用於印表機、硬碟、電腦滑鼠和Kindle電子書閱讀器等各種設備的早期USB電線。
USB-C接頭的形狀與其前身不同，而呈細長的橢圓形。它也是對稱的，且兩面都可用，這去除了過去的形式（如矩形USB-A接頭）常為人詬病的一個缺點，因為不會插錯方向。
USB-C有何優點？
USB-C線材可承載更多電量，因此筆記型電腦可以更快充飽電，資料傳輸的速度也會加快，從而可將大量文件由電腦複製到外接硬碟。同時，USB-C可將影像訊號輸出到監視器，並為連接的配件供電。
USB-C接頭的設計也具有未來性。它的形狀不會改變，但其新版本及連接設備的功能將會升級。這表示用戶必須注意，因為舊設備可能無法支援最新的規格。
它還比方方角角的USB-A接頭更細薄，更能適用於體積不斷縮小的新型設備。
蘋果為何採用它？
蘋果的iPhone長期以來一直擁護其專有的Lightning接頭，儘管幾乎沒有別的廠商用過Lightning。蘋果抵制歐盟統一充電接頭的措施，理由是擔心它會限制創新，且到頭來會傷害消費者。
即便其他公司開始在其產品上設置USB-C接頭，蘋果仍堅持己見。但歐盟的提案在去年獲得關鍵批准後，這家美國科技巨頭屈服了，且不再回首。
最新款iPhone上週二發表，蘋果高層主管在介紹替代Lightning的傳輸線時，甚至沒有提及Lightning一詞。
iPhone產品行銷副總裁凱茵．德廉斯說道：「USB-C已成為普遍接受的標準，因此我們將USB-C 引入iPhone 15」。
她說USB-C「多年來一直內建於蘋果產品中」，現在可以在 MacBook、iPad、iPhone和AirPods上使用。
歐洲發揮了什麼作用？
蘋果公司的轉變是歐盟法規最終擴散至全球的一個例子，即所謂的「布魯塞爾效應」，因為公司認為遵守法規比為不同地區製造不同產品更容易。
歐盟花了十多年的時間勸導科技業採用共同的充電器標準。推動實施統一線材的規定，屬於歐盟政策大方向之一，為了使在歐盟銷售的產品更具永續性，並減少電子廢棄物。
歐盟統一充電器的規定要到2024年秋季才會真正生效。它涵蓋手機、平板電腦、電子閱讀器、耳塞式耳機、數位相機、耳機與耳麥、手持電玩控制器、鍵盤及滑鼠、可攜式喇叭與導航設備。
它還標準化了快速充電技術，並賦予消費者選擇權，購買新機時可自行決定是否購買充電器。
（台北時報林俐凱編譯）
A: When is the Lantern Festival? B: The festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar, which fell on Feb. 12 this year. A: Oh no! Did I miss the 2025 Taipei Lantern Festival? B: Yes, you did. But you can still go to the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taoyuan, which will run until this Sunday. A: Let’s go admire the exuberant lanterns. A: 元宵節到底是哪一天？ B: 就是農曆1月15日啊，今年則落在國曆2月12日。 A: 喔不，我是不是錯過了2025台北燈節？ B: 是的，但你還可以去桃園的2025台灣燈會，活動將持續至週日。 A: 那我們去欣賞豐富的花燈秀吧！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
A: What’s the theme of the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival’s main lantern? B: The theme is “Paradise,” and the main lantern is a snake-shaped “infinity” symbol that features a lighting show every half an hour. A: Cool, I heard that there are over 300 lanterns. B: There are even giant lanterns in the shape of Pikachu and some other popular Pokemon characters. A: Let’s go now. A: 2025台灣燈會主燈的主題是什麼？ B: 主題是「無限樂園」！主燈的造型則是蛇形的數學「無限號」，主燈每半小時還有一次燈光秀。 A: 酷喔，聽說總共有300多件花燈作品。 B: 甚至還有皮卡丘和其他熱門寶可夢角色的巨型花燈呢。 A: 哇我們現在就出發吧！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
本文由生成式AI協作，本刊編輯編修。 Tucked away in southwestern Taiwan, Yunlin County is a treasure trove of cultural heritage, rich history, and natural beauty. From its stunning temples and glove puppetry to historical architecture and picturesque landscapes, Yunlin rewards those who venture off the beaten path. Yunlin is renowned for its flourishing temple culture. Temples in this region are not merely places of worship but also communal centers where people gather for festivals, rituals, and social functions. One of the most notable temples here is the Beigang Chaotian Temple, which was built more than 300 years ago and is dedicated to Matsu, the sea
After steel and aluminum, US President Donald Trump has set his sights on slapping 25 percent tariffs on semiconductors, cars and pharmaceuticals. Trump has already slapped additional 10 percent tariffs on goods from China and has also threatened tariffs on Canada and Mexico, plus ordered a study into putting into place reciprocal tariffs. Here’s a look who would be hit the hardest if US import tariffs on semiconductors, cars and pharmaceuticals go into force. SEMICONDUCTORS: ASIA IN THE CROSSHAIRS Semiconductors, or microchips, are the brains in our electronic devices and demand has soared with the development of AI, which
RSS