> First, market forces already standardized on two main standards.
EU sat down the manufacturers and told them that if they don't come to an agreement the EU will make the choice for them. Most of them came to an agreement. So you are right, market forces did make manufacturers to standardize on two main standards. That force is named EU.
> Is USB-C really the end-game of charging connectors?
No, and EU has no illusions that it is.
> Does a phone necessarily need a charging connector at all and might there not be advantages to not having one?
No, and the EU doesn't think that it does.
> As an aside, ewaste will increase in the short term, of course, as people will have to throw out their lighting stuff and buy USB-C stuff. (Don’t worry, it’s not a lot — small problem, remember.)
This is just stupid fearmongering. People won't have to throw their lightning stuff.
Even if they throw them out, it's better to pull off the bandaid than to go on creating more and more redundant cables and e-waste for the next 30 years
EU sat down the manufacturers and told them that if they don't come to an agreement the EU will make the choice for them. Most of them came to an agreement. So you are right, market forces did make manufacturers to standardize on two main standards. That force is named EU.
> Is USB-C really the end-game of charging connectors?
No, and EU has no illusions that it is.
> Does a phone necessarily need a charging connector at all and might there not be advantages to not having one?
No, and the EU doesn't think that it does.
> As an aside, ewaste will increase in the short term, of course, as people will have to throw out their lighting stuff and buy USB-C stuff. (Don’t worry, it’s not a lot — small problem, remember.)
This is just stupid fearmongering. People won't have to throw their lightning stuff.