Tech | February 17, 2009 | 14 comments

Cell phones to get universal charger

source: http://www.pcworld.com/article/159630/universal_chargers_to_finally_become_a_reality.html

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An initiative backed by both mobile phone manufacturers and operators will result in a universal charger based on the Micro-USB interface for new mobile phones.

Moving to a universal charger will be a boon for both users and the environment by reducing the amount of waste, since fewer chargers have to be thrown away. It will make life a lot easier for users, who will be able to charge their mobile phones using any available charger, and when they buy a new phone they won't have to get a new charger.

The group agreed that by the January 2012, most mobile phones will support the universal charger, according to the GSM Association, which is leading the initiative.

Members on the phone and chipset side include LG, Motorola, Nokia, Qualcomm, Samsung and Sony Ericsson.

Members on the operator side include 3 Group, AT&T, KTF, Mobilkom Austria, Orange, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Telenor, Telstra, T-Mobile and Vodafone.

Nokia sees the reduction of waste related to chargers as the biggest advantage with the initiative, but isn't ready to say when it will ship its first universal charger. The company will provide both the universal charger and its standard charger during a transitional period, according to a spokeswoman at Nokia.

The GSM Association expects the first chargers to ship this year, according to its chief marketing officer Michael O'Hara.
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14 comments // Cell phones to get universal charger

  • ClareW
    • 0
      ClareW  

    • Yeah I guess it has taken a while for this to be developed. What are they going to look like though, I might just stick with my good old non-universal charger

    • 3 years ago
  • sammysoul
    • 0
      sammysoul  

    • Hallelujah! After 15 years they realized that a proprietary charger does not keep people from changing to another brand...
      Now extend that micro-USB idea to ALL portable devices please!!!

    • 3 years ago
  • plusaf
  • SuperToaster
    • 0
      SuperToaster  
    • plusaf:

      This, right here. My father has been working in communications electronics for years, so I know perfectly well universal chargers and the like are plausible. The only reason we don't have them is because of a greedy industry.

    • 3 years ago
  • Commentor
    • 0
      Commentor  

    • It should be the same as the car end of a car charger.

      Lets hope they do it for laptops soon as well ... you don't need a different brick for every laptop

    • 3 years ago
  • stopnoise
    • 0
      stopnoise  

    • Different connectors and cables It is all about the money and ways to create and develop an economy by force. Sure there are some limitations but electronics should be standardize cross the border. When companies start to trick their costumers too much, it is time to live their products behind or where they belong. In the stock shelve.

    • 3 years ago
  • Joe_Leo
    • 0
      Joe_Leo  

    • I'm pretty sure a guy invented the unversal phone charger at least a few ears ago. Nokia bought it off of him because they didnt wanna lose out on money. Thats why no one has done it since, because its patented.

    • 3 years ago
  • Tommyjolly
    • 0
      Tommyjolly  
    • Joe_Leo:

      I think they are more on about a connector that is universal instead of a patent for some weird thing.

      Just imagine all the phones using the same connector that's the main point.

    • 3 years ago
  • Mr_Costello
    • 0
      Mr_Costello  

    • Putting the world of secondhand goods and flea markets out of Business? My fellow crooks from Chapel Market - i say we spark an uprising!

      Nah, awesome move.

    • 3 years ago
  • mattbrawn
  • irishman909121
  • AnnieMole
  • superfinet
    • 0
      superfinet  
    • AnnieMole:

      I found myself in this situation for the first time in years not a few days ago. No one had an XXXX charger matching my phone, or a charger at all for that matter. A single Universal one purchased for an office would be an invaluable investment.

    • 3 years ago
  • stopnoise
    • 0
      stopnoise  

    • It is just obvious that the competition war on cable should end. There should be totally compatibility with products and cable. This thing of one cable fits here but does not fits there it is a nightmare when you lose it.

    • 3 years ago
  • itdango
  • maisry
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