European Union Directive could force Apple to re-design iPhone, iPod

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A new set of EU Directives could force Apple to re-design its iPod and iPhone in Europe. And if it did that, it might as well re-design them for every market, right?

The Directives would force manufacturers to design their products so that batteries are easily replaces—unscrew one or two screws, flip a tab, etc. Seems the EU wants to make it easier for people to dispose of their old electronics without endangering the environment with leaky, dangerous batteries littered about the countryside.

As such, Apple, whose iPod and iPhone don’t have easily removable batteries, would have to do a little re-designin’.

Of course, other manufacturers would similarly have to design their products; it’s not like Brussels is picking on Apple specifically. Everyone knows it hates Microsoft.