EU directive could change iPhone battery design
Getting at the iPhone 3G's battery is not as easy as a proposed directive from the E.U. might require.
(Credit: TechRepublic)The European Union is considering a requirement that all cell phone batteries be easily replaceable, which might cause a problem for Apple's iPhone.
AppleInsider spotted that particular directive in an article in New Electronics, a U.K. trade publication, on the latest set of computer-industry regulations under consideration in Europe. The EU is thinking about enacting a new directive on batteries similar to its RoHS (Reduction of Hazardous Substances) directives from a few years back that forced the computer industry to eliminate harmful chemicals and/or materials from its manufacturing processes.
The "New Batteries Directive" would require manufacturers to make sure their batteries can be easily replaced, either by sliding off the cover or removing a couple of screws. The iPhone and iPod, of course, don't fit that mold; Apple requires owners to send their iPhones and iPods into the company to replace the battery, which is buried under the main circuit board.
It's not clear that the directive--which is very vaguely worded at present--would force drastic changes in the design of the iPhone. As AppleInsider notes, the idea behind the directive is to prevent batteries from ending up in landfills, and if Apple is able to show the E.U. that its battery replacement program prevents that result, that might meet the requirements of the directive.
Still, the proposed wording does require that cell phone batteries be designed in such a way as to be "readily removed," according to New Electronics. As these teardown photos from our friends at Tech Republic show, that's not the case with the iPhone.
Tom Krazit writes about the ever-expanding world of Internet search, including Google, Yahoo, online advertising, and portals, as well as the evolution of mobile computing. He has written about traditional PC companies, chip manufacturers, and mobile computers, spending the last three years covering Apple. E-mail Tom. 
Just my two cents. But I think this one is worth a LOT more than two cents. How many mobile devices are out there again?
Just because everyone is using consumer disposable batteries, does not mean my argument holds water. In fact, quite the contrary ... I believe there should be some enforced recycling of these types of products, especially for the batteries. The iPhone batteries aren't wearing out at record paces. I still use the original iPhone that came out the day it was issued. No battery replacement, or marked decrease in battery life yet.
Since they isn't a huge outcry of dead iPhone batteries, your argument about the consumer being harmed is entirely hypothetical in nature. If the batteries had shortened lives, and were failing across the board, an argument for consumer protection would be valid. Given the simple fact that isn't happening, invalidates your cry for consumer protection.
A lot of people running over a cliff does not make it a valid thing to do. Your argument is simply that -> "They are going that way, so let's go to.". That's a limited view.
I can deal with taking a thin battery out of a piece of electronics and putting it in a standard envelope then dropping it in the drive-through USPS blue mailboxes. If I have to put the entire device into a bulky box, then go into the post office and wait in line to hand it off to a clerk to mail, forget it.
Apple seems to make very good very unique products, usually well tested and very user friendly, but, at least for portables, put in some limit to it's useful life - usually by this battery issue - sometimes by others, like starting out a new product with less then optimal memory (iphone 4GB model was functionally obsolete on the day it was introduced, but people had to have it, and many rebought the upgraded 8GB model soon after doubling the profit). In their position as the far and away leader they can afford this, but it is getting more and more obvious.
I also wonder about the iphone's screen. I use a flipphone partly to protect the screen, I wonder just how the iphone's will really hold up over time in that respect.
Also, my interest in a particular phone never outlasted the battery's life expectancy so I've never had to replace a old battery.
I think Apple understood that 'most' people view the battery issue similarly. And when considering the added weight and bulk of a removable battery mechanism, I'm glad they made the choice that they did. Gives more room for a bigger battery
Regarding the environmental impact of removable batteries, I agree David Thomas that the end would result could be a negative impact with more batteries being indiscriminately discarded. We need to be moving AWAY from more disposability.
(BTW, I also agree that part of what is also going on here is a built-in obsolescence, but honestly what lasts forever anymore. I think as far as modern products go, Apple's last longer than most. And I bet if you took a look at how long people actually hang on to a phone, the obsolescence point for most is moot.)
So if you make it easier for consumers to do the right thing (i.e., offer curbside recycling or widely available battery collection locations), then you increase the chance that people will keep hazardous waste out of the trash.
If a consumer is going to be irresponsible, then try to minimize the damage they will do. Either way, you're not going to make a responsible consumer out of someone by making the battery unreplaceable.
AAPL has lost over 50% of it`s market cap. in just a few short weeks.
BTW , I vote for Ron Popeil to replace Jobs as they are very similar.
I would like it if they had separate batteries. For every cell phone I have ever had, I have always bought a second battery to keep with me on trips when a charger wasn't available. With a power hungry device like the iPhone, this is a great benefit to consumers.
But that isn't the way Apple works. To allow users to replace their own batteries means losing control of the product.
So, while the Oral B is a good product, the sealed battery guarantees that the tooth brush, battery and all, will go into the landfill. It is much easier to keep a small container of expended batteries that dead appliances.
Three cheers for a good policy change.
- by jameskatt October 8, 2008 12:47 AM PDT
- The EU is so stupid. If they want removable batteries, they should require it of ALL portable electronic devices. I would love to see a removable battery on all electric shavers, for example.
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