[Acinyx]

I don't think you understand: It has to be USB-C or better. So if USB-D (or a worse name knowing the consortium) comes out, the idea behind the law is that it should also be allowed _instead_ of a USB-C port.

IANAL though, so I am unsure how well they legally described that requirement.

[JumpCrisscross]

> the idea behind the law is that it should also be allowed _instead_ of a USB-C port

Indian courts are notoriously inefficient. “Better” would take a decade to define through case law. Anyone who can afford that is better served removing physical ports.

In any case, I see no evidence of this in current releases [1].

[1] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1876583

[pretext-1]

"Better" is irrelevant to the law, the requirement is a USB standard that's USB-C or newer. Apple is in the USB-IF so they can innovate there together with other vendors.

[marmetio]

So there's no way for a startup to create a new connector because they'd have to go through the USB implementor's forum.

[piva00]

"Think of the startups" is the standard flavour of "think of the children" on Hacker News.

No, there's no way for a startup selling handheld mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, handheld videogame consoles, portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, earbuds or laptops to invent their own shiny new connector for charging without providing support for USB-C at the same time.

What exactly is lost if a startup is not able to shove their proprietary connector instead of using the standard? A startup selling floor lamps can't sell their own proprietary power plug and outlet either.

[marmetio]

> What exactly is lost

I know that historically most chargers are just a way to hide the true total cost of ownership. But the electronics industry is now shifting towards innovating in more areas than just shrinking the digital parts. Consumer electronics are a big part of how new stuff gets funded.

> A startup selling floor lamps can't sell their own proprietary power plug and outlet either.

Nobody forbids them from doing that.

[tsol]

So it still has to be a wire produced by the USB consortium. And if another group comes up with a superior design, then are we just hurdled by regulations? Seems there should at least be a way for another standard to be chosen.

[dmitriid]

> It has to be USB-C or better

What's the definition of "better". If Lightning is worse, then based on which criteria?

[Semaphor]

> then based on which criteria?

Based on "It’s not USB".

[angio]

IIRC the law just requires the port to be backward compatible with USB-C for charging.

[djbebs]

So apple doesnt have to change because their ports are already better?