Saudi Arabia Announces Standard USB-C Charging Ports for All Electronic Devices From 2025 (khaleejtimes.com) 74
Saudi Arabia has announced its plans to standardise charging ports for all electronic devices to USB-C connectors. From a report: The decision will be put into effect from January 1, 2025 (for all except portable computers or laptops). It was announced by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization and the Communications, Space and Technology Commission. The standardisation is set to happen in two stages. The first stage (from January 1, 2025) will cover mobile phones and other electronic devices such as headphones, keyboards, speakers, routers, etc. The second stage, (from April 1, 2026) will apply to laptops and portable computers. According to the authorities, the decision has been taken to improve user experience and reduce costs.
YAY (Score:2)
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I don't mind having a standard for consumer gear power delivery (USB-C in this case), as long as there is a sunset clause so that they can review upcoming tech and change / add other possibilities as needed.
USB-C may be all good now, but may not be all that great in a decade's time.
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Exactly this, once something is entrenched getting rid of it is hard even once something clearly superior is available. You often need a push in the form of some government mandate to make any kind of progress happen.
Saudia Arabia (Score:2, Insightful)
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> Is a barbaric hellhole and should not be included in civilized world news. Savages...The pinnacle of evil.
That's the way ALL civilizations used to be. The acceptance of the idea of human rights is only a few hundred years old.
Rather than "evil", can we just say "immature"? Some just don't like to grow up. We even have a degree of that in the USA, per GOP, who still have 1800's view of gender.
Re: Saudia Arabia (Score:2)
I strongly resist any effort to label slavery as something other than evil. We have it here too, and it's evil here, too.
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You have a Foxtoon view of it all.
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Perhaps protests against such brutality would have a stronger effect if directed at the participa
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Saudi Arabia is a key ally to the USA in the region & their murderous campaigns against Yemen are fully supported by Washington, e.g. Washington won't allow US arms companies to sell smart-bomb targeting technology directly to the Saudi govt. so the Saudis have to rely on US warships for targeting such bombs. So in effect, the US military is participating in Saudi war crimes & crimes against humanity.
Perhaps protests against such brutality would have a stronger effect if directed at the participants in a more democratic country, like the USA?
Sadly Europe can't claim the high moral ground here either as we're happy to keep selling weapons to them, the only reason France might get upset with them is because the last weapons contract went to the UK instead of them. Sadly we tolerate all kinds of murderous bastards just because they have something we need... Hell, half of our governments would sell them the stones they use to kill innocent women.
Doesn't mean that as a citizen of an ostensibly liberal and free democracy that I have to silently li
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Is a barbaric hellhole and should not be included in civilized world news. Savages, playing with technology produced by advanced civilizations. Fuck Saudi Arabia. The pinnacle of evil.
How many weddings have they droned?
Next up (Score:4, Funny)
Mandated lock screen widget showing the direction of Mecca.
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A spare GPS, excellent, we need one.
I saw a man praying at the base of a stairwell (Score:1)
I saw a man attending to what appeared to be one of the 5-times of daily prayer. It involves standing up and laying face down according to someone who showed this to our class in middle school with the aim of cultural understanding. .
I guess because he didn't have a private office, he was doing this at the bottom of a stairwell. Thing is, the dude was facing due west. The man in the stairwell was white and didn't appear to be Middle Eastern, but there are Muslims of all races and nationalities. But I
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I guess because he didn't have a private office, he was doing this at the bottom of a stairwell.
You do it wherever you can. If you're in a Muslim shop at prayer time you'll seek shopkeepers doing it behind the counter. If you're in the street you'll do it in a corner.
Thing is, the dude was facing due west. The man in the stairwell was white and didn't appear to be Middle Eastern, but there are Muslims of all races and nationalities. But I assumed on the basis of his race that he might be a convert and hadn't yet learned all of the fine points. I thought he should be facing southeast.
Ummmm.... "facing the Qibla" can literally be any direction, depending on where you are.
Maybe it's you who needs to learn the "fine points".
Spherical trig (Score:2)
This is quintessential Slashdot to be scolded that I am ignorant about spherical trigonometry? Trust me, Mecca is southeast of my location, either at the starting point of a great-circle course or of a constant compass direction course.
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Na, mate you got it al wrong!!
Suppose you are on the other side of the planet.
Yeah, *that* other side! then you lay down on your face and face through the planets core towards the Qibla!! Simple.
If I was religious and my religion had such an habit, I simply would move to the other side of the planet. Put my bed there, and rest a bit when it is time.
Or do things where a bed is handy for ...
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Naturally, there's already an app for that [apple.com].
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Would there be money in such a app?
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Well, not long ago we had a cross in every class room in schools in Germany at the wall facing to Jerusalem.
I think in most federal states of Germany that was abolished and only Bavaria somehow managed to keep the law up have such a cross.
Just wait... (Score:2)
Until usb-d comes out. "Sorry, we're sticking to usb-c."
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Probably not for some time, though. USB-C just refers to the port, not the protocol. USB-C works for everything from the current USB 4.x implementation all the way back to USB 2.0. The port seems small enough (peoples' hand dexterity plays a part, here), so it doesn't seem like there's much reason to rush to change the USB-C standard.
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That's not entirely correct, the USB-C connector has many standards, including PCIe (ThunderBolt), audio and DP modes and USB 1 through 4, even long-distance optical, and proprietary charging protocols, some of which are not compatible and may not charge or could even damage equipment (https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/smart-office/using-the-wrong-usb-c-cable-can-damage-your-tech-heres-how-to-avoid-that/).
You really need to provide a bit more detail, the way most people see it and politicians have imple
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The real question is: will USB-D (or whatever competing standard) will good enough to be worth the cost of breaking standardization? Usually, keeping a standard is worth a lot more than "upgrading" to something that is marginally better. That's how we get these unsafe US (NEMA) power plugs, cigar lighter plugs in cars that can power anything but cigar lighters, USB-A from the 1990s that need 3 tries to plug in the right way, video RCA connectors that are the wrong impedance, etc... All of them are bad, but
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An obvious solution is to mandate USB-C for now, but later also allow USB-D if it has significant advantages.
Over time, manufacturers will migrate to USB-D, and then when it gets the majority market share, mandate it for new devices, and phase out USB-C.
But there is no good reason any new devices should be using USB-B, USB-Mini-B, USB-Micro-B, or Lightning. Those need to die.
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There's nothing really wrong with USB B full sized and it's always been niche enough that it's a bit a problem than needs fixing. It's never been used for charging ports
USB-C charging laptops is amazing (Score:2)
why did apple feel the need to go backwards back to magsafe? Makes no sense to me.
Also you can get magnetic breakaway usb-c charging wires, so it's not a safety thing.
I get for gaming laptops (with beefy GPUs) you need something more than 100w, but apple doesn't make those.
With laptops, having charging on both sides is the real game changer.
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For the breakaway usb-c charging cables, that would require the user to opt in. Apple may have decided to mitigate their accidental damage repair costs by forcing mag-safe. Besides, I once had a breakaway magnetic usb-c cable, but it managed to ruin the usb-c port on two monitors. My guess is that the magnetic mating connected the pins in an unexpected order.
I would prefer a standard, but can understand why Apple would have gone with integrated magnetic coupling as there doesn't exist a standard for magn
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MacBooks have both MagSafe and USB-C.
You can use either to charge.
Nobody should be complaining about this.
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Ok, was taking the complaint at face value. Though I'd imagine it'd be nice to position the charging at opposite sides because that is really nice on laptops that do.
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why did apple feel the need to go backwards back to magsafe? Makes no sense to me.
They also charge by USB-C. The MagSafe port is an additional means, not the only one.
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why did apple feel the need to go backwards back to magsafe? Makes no sense to me.
People like the idea of Magsafe cords. You can charge the same Macbooks over USB-C, too. I use a ThinkPad charger with mine all the time.
It is a little odd to build in that extra bit of technology, though, when the battery life of those same laptops is long enough that you'll never need to do worry about running out of battery in a cafe (where people will trip over the cord—the classic use case). I have an M1 Pro Macbook and I've literally never left the house with the Magsafe cord.
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Breakaway USB-C cables are proprietary tech and still require a "dongle" sticking out of your port which can severely damage the port on the hardware. MagSafe is nearly flush with the enclosure and still has data transfer capabilities.
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After breaking 2 iPads with usb-c cables because usb-c's plug design is backwards, I bought several of those magnetic dongles. The non dongle side on some cheaper ones will die when the pins bend off but the dongle side on the device is rock solid and way fucking better than jamming a shitty usb-c plug directly into a port that is not repairably attached to the main board so the whole device has to be replaced when the stupid little port breaks. Twice.
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After breaking 2 iPads with usb-c cables because usb-c's plug design is backwards
You didn't break 2 iPads because the USB-C plug design is backwards, you broke them because you're an idiot.
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And moron steps up to talk shit about things he knows nothing about. As usual.
The delicate part of the usb-c is on the device. You _might_ be able to figure it out from there.
Or not.
Because you're a moron.
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The Dell Precision dock still uses USB-C charging - two of them side-by-side. Arguably that's worse than one of the old barrel-shaped charging connectors, except those two USB-C connectors also provide all the data bandwidth you could want for monitors, hard drives, etc.
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Apple makes a 140 watt USB-C charger.
https://www.apple.com/shop/pro... [apple.com]
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The MacBooks with the new magsafe connector can still fully charge via usb-C. It’s primarily there because the connector is more robust than usb-c, and being breakaway, less likely to drag your laptop onto the floor if someone trips over the cable.
It’s one of the things that’s causing me to consider upgrading my old MBP, as magsafe is a far superior connector.
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why did apple feel the need to go backwards back to magsafe? Makes no sense to me.
Because the users demanded it.
Are you really that stupid?
I delayed my new purchase for a Mac nearly 5 years:
a) to get my Function keys back - I do not care if there is an extra touch bar above them, if there is: cool, if there is not: oki
b) to get a magnetic adaptor back
I'm not ever again buying a laptop that does not have an magnetic power connector. I really wonder how fucking dumb you are. Actually I do not wonder that much
Saudi Arabia: Thought Leader (Score:2, Flamebait)
In the technology realm, MBS' illustriousness may be gleaned by seeing
Exclusive? (Score:2)
Does this mean they have to eliminate laptop barrel connectors, or is it okay as long as USB-C charging works too?
Apple Mag-Safe for laptop is way better (Score:2)
which will also happily pull your laptop off the table when someone walks into the cord.
As long as the rule allows additional charging mechanisms in addition to USB-C, I guess it's alright, except for the inefficient duplication of components/circuits in the laptop.
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All speakers? And routers? (Score:1)
The news item mentioned just requiring the USB-C connector, but nothing about if it is going to lead to a imcompatibility mess with different standards allowed.
Routers are a "set it up and forget about it" sort of thing. Non-portable speakers are the same. They shouldn't need USB-C power delivery input where a basic AC to DC wallwart or brick will do the job (and do it reliably at a good price). USB-C PD requires handshaking between all the devices (cable included) — wallwarts or a AC to DC "brick" w
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The MSI Titan GT77HX 13VH has a 330Watt power adaptor.
https://www.msi.com/Laptop/Tit... [msi.com]
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Yes, speakers and routers using usb-C is a good thing.
Currently they most commonly use 5.5mm barrel connecters, but that is a total mess. Some are centre-negative. They can be 5V, or 12V or anything. The centre pin comes in different sizes. So mixing up your devices and chargers can not work, work unreliably (worse), or release the magic smoke.
> USB-C PD requires handshaking
And this is a bad thing?? The chips cost a few cents, and save much pain.
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Currently the USB-C plug commonly follow USB 3.x wiring, but that is a total mess for different standards speeds and power rating. Some are not even USB, but Thunderbolt. Volgages can be 5 V, 9 V, 15 V and 20 V. 12V support is optional and is more of a convention. So mixing up your devices and chargers can not work, work unreliably (worse), or release the magic smoke.
> And this is a bad thing?? The chips cost a few cents, and save much pain.
It can be when done wrong [theregister.com]. Phones cost many hundreds of dollars,
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Our of spec power adapters have always been able to break devices.
And just about all of the things being powered will have a switching regulator anyway, so again a few cents more for one with variable input. I wouldn't be surprised if there are already chips weigh take in USB C on one end and emit several rails of different voltages on the other. Possibly even a programmable voltage.
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USB-C doesn't put randomly put out voltages over 5V, smoking your devices. The device has to communicate with the charger and ask for a specific voltage and current. If the charger can't provide it then the device can either accept less or simply not charge.
The latest revision of Power Delivery supports up to 240W. The maximum voltage has been extended to 48V, at 5A.
There is also the option to support variable voltages up to 21V, on 20mV steps. It is designed for battery charging, where by providing a volta
How about bone-saws? (Score:2)
Still 'A'?
The EU makes it mandatory in 2024 (Score:2)
Cars? (Score:2)
I want USB-C charging for cars, too.
Re: Cars? (Score:2)
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You have it there already, they just placed it inside the car.
That is one of the great things about USB-C. It is bidirectional!
So *that* is the what's behind the Tesla rumors! (Score:2)
Many articles in recent days about rumored upcoming new Tesla model.
Now we know why: it's going to have 20,000 usbc female connectors so that in can be charged under these new regulations!
4 hours for a full charge, but that doesn't count 12hours plugging it in (to unplug, just drive off!)
good luck... (Score:2)
It'll take months to charge your electic car.
Already Here (Score:2)
Sometimes I have a choice, but from headphones to rotary shears to pocket radios, eeverything I've bought in the past year has been USB-C except for an impact wrench (Makita-compatible high-amp)
Often USB-C was the only option.
Socialists usually wait for a market solution and then mandate it. Great Success!!!
Connector may be USB-C, but not charging (Score:2)
I have a lot of electronic items that have USB-C ports for charging, but that won't charge when connected to a USB-C power supply. Instead, they require the use of a USB-A to USB-C cable. Europe already requires USB-C charging ports, but apparently doesn't require working with USB-C supplies. I am not sure this is an improvement.
suboptimal (Score:2)
USB-C is still suboptimal. The best user experience would be a rotationally symmetric connector. This could be achieved, e.g., by the contacts being rings with a bottoming contact that keeps the rings inactivated until the connector bottoms out, with a detent.