Tech News Roundup for June 7, 2022
Normally I like to highlight non Apple news after WWDC, but there are a few news items related to Apple that are relevant, among others. Here are a few of the stories I’ve found interesting over the last few days.
European Union to Make USB-C Mandatory in All Devices, including iPhones
EU members have reached an agreement on legislation that would require almost all electronic devices with wired charging to charge via USB-C, likely by the end of 2024. This notably affects the iPhone and iPad the most, as the base iPad and all models of iPhone currently charge via Lightning.
This law appears to have few loopholes, with it specifically saying that devices must charge via USB-C ports on the devices themselves. Previous attempts at similar laws resulted in Apple putting MicroUSB adapters in iPhone boxes. It does not appear the company will be able to do that this time.
One of the EU’s chief reasons for this is to reduce e-waste, but I should be pointed out that there are likely tens of millions of lightning cables in the EU that would go to waste should the iPhone be forced to switch away from lightning. I haven’t seen any reaction from Apple yet, but I would imagine the company will oppose this new law.
Lastpass Will Allow Users to Access Vault Without a Password
We are slowly moving towards a world without passwords, and now one of the premiere password managers is taking a step in that direction. In an update that begins rolling out this week, Lastpass will allow users to access their password vault on PC’s without needing to enter their master password. Users instead use the Lastpass authenticator app to confirm login, without entering the master password.
It will likely be many years before passwords become a thing of the past, but the baby steps continue.
https://www.engadget.com/lastpass-fido-passwordless-vault-152525387.html
Microsoft Announces Surface Laptop Go 2
Microsoft’s smaller, less expensive Surface Laptop Go has received an update. The Surface Laptop Go 2 (say that name five times fast) is a modest update to Microsoft’s entry level laptop. The processor has been upgraded from a 10th generation to 11th generation Intel Core processor, and the 64GB eMMC storage option is gone, with the base model starting at 128GB of storage. The device starts with ust 4GB of RAM, however, which seems a little light for a device that starts at $740. The display is also less than 1080p, which feels like something that shouldn’t be a thing in 2022. Otherwise, it is a good, if unremarkable upgrade.
https://www.engadget.com/surface-laptop-go-2-hands-on-new-specs-louder-speakers-price-130039326.html
IOS, iPadOS, MacOS device support
With every release of Apple software updates, we look at the older devices that get left behind. Some years, Apple maintains compatibility with every device from the previous year, and some years, older devices get dropped. This year’s update brings some of the biggest changes to device support in years, especially on the iPhone.
iOS 16 drops support for the iPhones 6S, SE 1st generation, and 7, as well as the 7th generation iPod Touch. The iPhone 6S was released in 2015, the iPhone SE and 7 in 2016, and the iPod Touch in 2019. Disappointingly the iPod Touch was being sold until last month, with Apple finally discontinuing the last iPod model for good. Now we know why Apple finally stopped sales of that iPod, but it does mean that there is an Apple product that someone could have bought in May 2022 that will not get any new updates, and will not support the update coming in September. That is a bad look.
iPadOS 16 drops support for the iPad Air 2 that was released in 2014.
The iOS and iPadOS supported devices list includes a couple oddities. On the iPhone side, the devices that had support ended were running the Apple A9 and A10 chip, but on the iPad side, the 5th generation iPad with the Apple A9 retains support. This possibly means the supported device list comes down to system ram, not processing power. But as always Apple is not clear as to why an A9 iPad retains support while A10 iPhones and iPods do not.
WatchOS 9 drops support for the Apple Watch Series 3, which apple still sells as of today. Apple should have stopped selling the Series 3 years ago, with significant issues running newer versions of WatchOS on it. But, Apple still sells it today, and now it won’t get the update coming in the fall. Another very bad look for Apple
Lastly, MacOS Ventura drops support for the 2015 MacBook Pro. That model was notable because it was the last model of Intel MacBook Pro that sported a normal scissor style keyboard, and ports like HDMI, USB-A, and magsafe charging. Many people held on to those aging laptops as Apple brought in the MacBook Pro with the faulty butterfly style keyboard and touch bar. Now that laptop is finally at the end of the line.
Surprise! Rogers and Shaw Disagree With The Competition Bureau Opposing Their Merger
This may shock everyone, but both Rogers and Shaw have filed opposition to the Competition Bureau of Canada’s ruling that the sale of Shaw to Rogers not go through. Shaw says that The Competition Bureau has a “fundamental misconception” of the deal. Rogers says that reducing the number of internet providers in the country by one won’t be bad for competition. Standard stuff.