Universal phone charger OK'd
Summary
The Universal Charging Solution will enable the creation of one-size-fits-all chargers that can be used on any future phone, according to the International Telecommunication Union, a branch of the United Nations.
Topics
A standard for a universal phone charger was approved this week by the International Telecommunication Union, a branch of the United Nations.
The Universal Charging Solution will enable the creation of one-size-fits-all chargers that can be used on any future phone, according to the ITU.
The standard is based on input from the GSM Association, which expects the shift to eliminate 51,000 tons of redundant chargers, or 13.6 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year. Based on Micro-USB (left), the new chargers will also be energy efficient.
For more, read "Universal phone charger OK'd" on CNET News.
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It seems that this is an idea whose time has come. Now how about looking at other things like laptops, entertainment devices and other electronic gadgets.
We already have a "semi-universal" charger in that many devices (phones, cameras, mp3 players) can charge from a USB port. The problem is that the USB port has very limited power capabilities so a similar charger device could not deliver 50+ watts to charge laptops or other high power devices. At best we might be stuck with two or three power classes of chargers (IE: low for phones and such, medium for laptops, high for power tools, etc).
Yippie ka yay! The stupid phone charger racket might finally be over soon.
Who would've thought that coming up with a standard connection might actually make sense?!
But did it really need to come from the UN? Pathetic...
Who would've thought that coming up with a standard connection might actually make sense?!
But did it really need to come from the UN? Pathetic...
I agree -- about freaking time! I think the reason it came from the UN though is the fact that they're seeing it as a way to get rid of 55,000 tons of electronic waste. Also, it is an international problem, since phones are used around the world, and the vast majority are NOT made in the US. (In fact, I don't know if there are ANY US manufacturers of cell phones these days.)
Why not wait until USB 3.0 is mainstream so the standard for chargers will also allow high-throughput data connection to your computer. I guess the standard could just be a minimum requriement of mini-usb 2.0, and the manufacturers can choose to use 3.0 if their phone makes use of it. Guess I answered my own question too lol. Thoughts?
It took 'em two decades but they got it!
At last...
I hate all these different chargers I have, i dont know which is for what!
I hope it gets forced upon all kinds of small devices like cameras, mp3 players, gps etc.
A'
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