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The EU wins the charger war
Apple is known for playing by its own rules. If, like me, you’re a long-term Apple customer, you’ll likely have a drawer filled with obsolete white cables and connectors for iPads, iPhones and Macs.
In September 2021, the European Commission (the executive arm of the European Union), called time on the confusing mess of charging cables we find in today’s world, choosing to adopt USB-C, as the standard for all smartphones, tablets and other devices. EU lawmakers predict having a common standard for chargers will avoid 11,000 tons of e-waste annually in Europe alone.
Apple unsurprisingly resisted these changes, pushing back by stating it would “stifle innovation”. But this week the tech giant capitulated with the launch of the latest iPhone, complete with USB-C charging.
Is this a case of overbearing regulators or a victory for consumers and common sense? Time will tell, I for one, look forward to clearing out my cable drawer. But I have a feeling, knowing how fast tech moves, I’ll be filling it back up again sooner than later.
Five Things We Learned
Criminals are allegedly using Apple AirTags to track illegal weapons. Seasoned travelers already use Apple’s AirTags as a smart way to track their luggage on flights. Forbes can reveal criminals are allegedly using Apple’s tracking devices inside innocent-looking packages containing drugs and guns.
Airport security could be cut down to just minutes thanks to promising new tech. Startup Micro-X’s new automated screening pods could process up to 400 travelers per hour, compared to 150 travelers in a standard security line. With the backing of the US Department of Homeland Security, this futuristic tech could be coming to airports sooner than you think.
British pubs will charge more to drink at ‘peak’ times. ‘Dynamic pricing’, similar to the systems used by low-cost airlines, will be rolled out to over 800 pubs across the UK, adding up to an extra 20p (25 cents) per pint during peak times. Unsurprisingly, British drinkers aren’t thrilled about the idea…
New Covid boosters are recommended this winter. American regulators signed off the latest generation of booster shots, designed to tackle the latest XBB variants of coronavirus. Hospital admissions are increasing across the U.S., but remain significantly below the peak in January 2022.
Lionel Messi closed in on a $11m mansion in Florida. The Argentine soccer star has put down roots in Fort Lauderdale, following his 2.5 year deal with Inter Miami, rumored to be worth up to $150 million. His new ultra-modern pad boasts two boat docks, a spa and a whopping 1,600 square-foot primary bedroom.
The Good
E-scooter rental companies are rethinking how they operate in Europe’s biggest cities. After Paris banned rental scooters earlier this month, the President of Bolt, one of Europe’s largest mobility startups, told Forbes the sector must now take stock and improve how they operate to avoid another public backlash.
The Bad
2023 is the worst year on record for billion-dollar climate disasters. That’s according to one US agency, citing 23 separate weather or climate-related disasters so far this year that have caused at least $1 billion in estimated damages. The list includes wildfires, tropical cyclones and severe hailstorms, claiming 253 lives in the United States alone.
Watch
Saudi Arabia’s Golf War. Understand the fascinating rift between the PGA tournament and Saudi Arabia’s challenger brand LIV, which shocked the golf world by signing some of the sport’s biggest players. Wendover Productions, YouTube, free to watch worldwide.
Listen
How to avoid ‘lifestyle creep’. Enjoying an inflation-busting salary increase? Learn how to avoid ‘lifestyle creep’, the inevitable temptation to fritter away your hard-earned money on luxuries and upgrades that only lead to even more spending. Life Kit, NPR, free to listen worldwide.
Read
Is Elon Musk a genius or a jerk? Walter Issacson’s long-awaited biography of the world’s richest man offers a rare glimpse into Musk’s polarizing persona and the numerous people left wounded in his wake. Simon & Schuster, from $35.
Taste
The Espresso Martini reimagined. Why not mark International Coffee Day (Oct 1) with a fresh take on coffee-based cocktails. From vegan horchata blended with tequila, espresso, coffee liqueur and a hint of chili liqueur all the way to the Haymaker, a tantalizing combination of espresso, moscatel cask whiskey, orgeat syrup and instant coffee cream. Read our guide to the finest coffee-based cocktails.
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