Please, I just red a short news, and I have some doubts and want to ask a few question of it.

This is the link of news I just red : http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1403/140318-phone-charger.html#ixzz2wprzLLjy

Have you ever wondered why every smartphone manufacturer makes a charger for its phone that is different from the rest? Lawmakers at the European Union have also been pondering the same mystery. Consumers should welcome a new, common-sense initiative voted for by European politicians. The EU has decided that all smartphone companies will soon have to make the plug adaptor that connects to the electricity supply the same. They did not vote on making the other end of the cable, the part that connects to the phone itself, the same. This will leave many consumers feeling somewhat perplexed. They may well view the upcoming law as a half measure. There were calls to also standardize the connector that fits into the phone.


The dizzying variety in designs of current adaptors is detrimental to the environment. Every time someone buys a new phone, they usually end up throwing away their old charger and paying for another one that fits their new device. EU politician Barbara Weiler said the new law would help the environment by cutting down on electronic waste. She told reporters: "It will put an end to charger clutter and 51,000 tons of electronic waste annually." She added: "The current incompatibility of chargers for mobile phones, smart phones, tablets, digital cameras and music players is a nightmare and a real inconvenience for consumers." Manufacturers have until 2017 to comply with the new directive.

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From the news, my question are as below :

1. Have you ever wondered why every smartphone manufacturer makes a charger for its phone that is different from the rest?

From this sentence, I don't know why 'that is' being put in the sentence, is it necessary, can it be omitted?

- Have you ever wondered why every smartphone manufacturer makes a charger for its phone different from the rest?


2. Manufacturers have until 2017 to comply with the new directive.

'have until 2017 to'
I'm not sure whether I have seen this style of using 'have to' before.

Can I apply it into my sentences below?

- I have until next 2 hours to stay in this room.
- I have from 2010 to stay in this town.
- I have since 2010 to stay in this town.
- I have since last month to stay in this town.



3. what does it mean be 'half measure' ?

- They may well view the upcoming law as a half measure. There were calls to also standardize the connector that fits into the phone.