From CNN/Tech:
Europe getting a universal cell-phone charger
(CNN) — The frantic hunt for the right cell-phone charger will soon be a thing of the past — in Europe at least — as major manufacturers on Monday agreed to introduce a universal adaptor within six months.
Most cell phones currently rely on different chargers, causing mountains of waste electronics.
Industry leaders, including Apple, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson, have struck a deal with the European Union to introduce the one-size-fits-all charger by January 1, 2010, offering a solution to one of modern life's chief frustrations.
As the number of cell phones has exploded over the past few years, so have the number of chargers — generating mountains of waste technology as users change or upgrade handsets.
Now the cell phone industry has agreed to standardize its chargers, making all handsets compatible with a micro-USB plug already standard on handsets such BlackBerrys.
This will be a breath of fresh air. There are several people that drive the store van and most of their cellphones have a mini-USB jack but there are some electronic incompatibilities. Our Motorola phones will not charge with the Sprint/Nokia charger even though it plugs in just fine.
I thought there were supposed to be some standards here…
Posted by DaveH at June 29, 2009 09:26 PM | TrackBack