European Commission gets first universal phone charger
updated 11:35 am EST, Wed February 9, 2011
First universal phone chargers arrive at EC
The European Commission has now received the first samples of the universal phone charger it has finalized a standard based on a microUSB connection. A press conference was held on Tuesday to celebrate the milestone, and the charger will be compatible with more than 90 percent of cell phones. Fourteen companies in all support the standard, including Apple, LG, Motorola, Nokia, RIM, Samsung and Sony Ericsson.
The benefits include lower prices, less waste as obsolete or lost phones don't require losing the charger as well, and lower power consumption, the European Commission says. Retailers will also have the option of selling phones without chargers, resulting in savings for them and the consumer.
The participating members will begin manufacturing the chargers this year, though what they will cost hasn't been revealed. Apple will require an adapter for its iPhones. [via RegHardware]
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industry, Nokia, LG, Motorola, Samsung, RIM, European Commission, Sony Ericsson, mobile phones, Apple
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2007
Huh?
Retailers will also have the option of selling phones without chargers, resulting in savings for them and the consumer.
Sure it will. What's going to happen is phone prices will stay the same, but chargers will no longer be included. It's foolish to think otherwise.
What I don't understand is why this is magical news. Most phones already charge via USB, so any USB power adaptor and MicroUSB cable does the trick, as long as the USB adaptor provides enough power.