While Apple’s Lightning cable is a familiar sight to most users, the connector cable may become a thing of the past if European lawmakers get their way, according to an article on the BBC site.
Members of the European Parliament urged the European Commission on Monday to force tech giants to adopt a single universal charging method, the BBC reported.
The stage may have already been set. Two other charging cables - USB-C and micro-USB - are used on Android devices, and Apple has already stopped using Lightning on the 2018 iPad Pro.
According to the BBC report, European regulators will vote on the matter on a yet to be determined date. Apple is reportedly already up in arms over the proposed regulation, stating the move would stifle innovation and be disruptive to consumers.
Passage of the proposed regulation would reportedly force Apple to adapt a new charging method for its products sold in Europe, most likely USB-C, as Apple’s 2018 iPad Pro is using this technology.
The proposed regulation could also prompt Apple and other vendors to do away with charging ports and cables entirely and use wireless charging instead, the article said.