The European Union is considering a law that will effectively force handset makers to make phone batteries be easily replaceable. The so called “New Batteries Directive” would require manufacturers to make such devices where batteries are replaced either by sliding off the cover or removing a couple of screws. The idea behind the directive is to prevent batteries from ending up in landfills.
As you can guess for yourself, this would affect Apple and an array of their products, iPhone included. Apple will have to rethink its iPhone/iPod design, at least for those devices that would sell in Europe, if this ever becomes a law.
Apple could try to show the EU representatives that its battery replacement program prevents filling up landfills and could potentially keep designing its devices the way it does. We’ll see where this goes…
[Via: CNet]