The EU is pushing new regulations to make Apple have iPhone batteries easily replaceable. Such regulations would also apply to the company’s other best selling consumer device, the iPod.

DailyTech had a writeup on the EU’s likely coming directives for Apple, coming right in the midst of another European country, Norway, attempting to make Apple open up its iTunes to other MP3 players. Apple has notoriously been protective of its products, with little tolerance for hacks and unauthorised meddling with its devices, even to change a battery. The first iPhone had a lot of bad press for its non-user replaceable battery, but all Apple did in response was to create a mail-in replacement program.

Why is Apple so resolute about not making batteries user replaceable? Other phone makers often find themselves competing with third-party battery makers who make cheaper versions of original phone batteries. Apple is probably attempting to control the pricing of its items and ensuring that customers pay fixed prices for such items, or find themselves buying new devices instead of just replacing a part. There’s also the expensive ‘care’ packages that are basically just extended warranties that help make Apple extra money from customers unwilling to have to replace a device should it break down after a warranty period expires.

When the RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) went into effect in 2006, manufacturers were forced to relook their manufacturing processes and often had to go back to the drawing board for certain products. Apple shelved its iSight camera rather than redesign it to meet RoHS. But it couldn’t afford to shelve its iPhone and iPods, both major sellers for the company.

If Apple does give in to meet European criteria, then users globally would benefit. It couldn’t possibly make user replaceable batteries for Europe and not for the rest of the world. Apple Insider quoted Gary Nevision of New Electronics:  "the requirement is clearly intended to ensure that users can remove batteries by opening a cover by hand or after removal of one or two screws.” Nevision also said that the producer will also need to provide the user with detailed instructions on removing the battery safely.

DailyTech is betting that Apple designs the phones with screws, to discourage users from replacing the battery themselves. Most mobile phones only require a slide or unsnapping of the cover to replace batteries. With Apple’s track record, DailyTech is likely right on the money. That’s really a shame for users who just want to be able to keep the device they like longer, and not be forced to buy a shiny new device because Apple’s counting on that.

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Entry was posted on Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 at 9:44 am under Legal, iPhone.  Print This Post

Read more entries by Erna Mahyuni.
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