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isaac7719Jan 3, 2011
I'm curious why this didnt happen sooner, to be honest. It's a very practical idea.
vooooltarJan 3, 2011
mobile wars?
arschgaudiJan 3, 2011
Has the charger ever entered into your phone purchasing decision?
I'm more surprised that phone manufacturers haven't just gone with a standard mini-usb and gotten rid of the charger just from the cost savings aspect.
vooooltarJan 3, 2011
Good point.
davecanadaJan 3, 2011
"Has the charger ever entered into your phone purchasing decision?"
Yes, for me it has. For digital cameras too.
cpostierJan 3, 2011
Affected my decision, iphone is a cool phone, and its nice that just about everyone i know has an ipod cable in their house somewhere.
valynJan 4, 2011
Me too. My first digital camera back in '03 or so HAD to be docked. Since then I buy nothing that does not use some form of USB cable. The iPhone is the non-USB (Mini/micro/etc) one Ive used since. Its annoying, but its common enough to be able to deal with.
fattestfootJan 3, 2011
The phone manufacturers make a load of money when they sell you extra chargers and car chargers. If there were a standard for every phone, they'd lose out on that extra cash flow.
arschgaudiJan 3, 2011
Most after market chargers are third party. The retailer may make money on after-market sales bu the original manufacturer isn't making a significant amount.
overstimJan 3, 2011
You're thinking like the educated consumer you are. But I bet for every one of you buying a $4 charger online, there are a bunch of poor uninformed consumers paying $40 for the Verizon branded one when they get their phone.
WreckedEmJan 3, 2011
It's not even that they're uninformed. Apple specifically tells you that using a non-apple charger will void your warranty. The guy at the ATT store tried to convince me that my old iPhone usb/ac adapter would blow up the battery on my new Focus.
luckigrl19Jan 14, 2011
I was thinking the same thing, I got a new phone for xmas, and bought a cheapy 3rd party car charger, and I loose my chargers all the time, so I know I will end up buying another charger for 15 bucks from Bartell's not making the Manufacturer anything.
ultramagnus0001Jan 3, 2011
Accessories for electronics has ridiculous markups. $100 HDMI cables anyone? Those have 80% markup at Best Buy, I used to work there.
weirddemonJan 3, 2011
You're living in the past. They're not so bad anymore.
Sure, there are still those expensive cables. But you now have a choice. You can buy the 20 dollar cable, 30, 40, 50 or whatever.
http://bit.ly/gqgREEComment is buried, click here to see the rest.
stockloneJan 3, 2011
@weirddemon
Or you could buy off of amazon or monoprice and get it for less than $10. $20 is still outrageous and still a rip off to me.
teh_techieJan 3, 2011
RTFA... they did choose micro-usb as the charger standard.
arschgaudiJan 3, 2011
My point was getting rid of the charger entirely and assuming people would charge of the USB computer port......and make more sales in wall wart usb chargers like the iPad forces you to use now.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
overstimJan 3, 2011
the problem there is, chipset manufacturers can't seem to agree on what wattage their USB ports should put out.
weirddemonJan 3, 2011
Yes. But I use iGO now. So it almost matters not.
WreckedEmJan 3, 2011
I just returned a new harmony remote that I got for Christmas because it used a different/non-std connector. My existing harmony uses mini-usb. I wanted this as a 2nd remote for another room, having to manage two different charging cables for practically the same model of remote was a deal breaker.
luckigrl19Jan 14, 2011
Really Good Point!
thegeek20Feb 1, 2011
Yes good point, I have never thought of the charger before buying a phone.
sevenvtJan 3, 2011
Some connections are proprietary, and pushed by their manufacturer for a plethora of devices and accessories. Everyone wants one up on the next guy, consumers suffer for it.
jermaineyJan 13, 2011
Cough cough. "I Phone"
wehauck3Jan 7, 2011
Money. Its always about the money.
luckigrl19Jan 14, 2011
Especially as GREEN as the world says it is, at least they should have done this YEARS ago! Glad to see someone finally got some logic!
ZanaAguilera3278Jan 3, 2011
nice..........
Closed AccountJan 3, 2011
nice article - I like it :)
giuuJan 3, 2011
Ha! Yeah, like Apple is actually going to follow...
mackenziepriceeJan 3, 2011
haha, Agreed. We won't be seeing a MicroUSB in the next iOS device. True Story.
idvdJan 3, 2011
I'll be interesting to see how Apple will handle the standardisation.
Will have both the microusb plus the their own connector, or just the microusb port with the microusb to iPod connector as an expensive accessory?
freepandaJan 3, 2011
The only reason I stick with my iPhone at the moment is because I have a dock, an alarm and car phone kit. They all use the normal iPhone connection. I'd love to get an Android phone, just to get a bit of change, but I don't want to replace all these accessories.
weeeezzllJan 3, 2011
They will ship with a iPod to microUSB adapter...lol
Closed AccountJan 3, 2011
The phone should have 2 connectors, micro usb and docking, exactly.
I am guessing the industrial design nazi's at Apple will never let that happen though.
aristotle0dudeJan 4, 2011
WTF? You want micro USB in addition to the dock connector which also carries USB, among other signals?
Micro USB is the most useless connector in the world. It is more fragile than standard USB and you need a special table with USB on the other end to make use of it anyway.
The current sync iPhone cable has standard USB plug on the other end of it which means you can charge it on any USB port be it on a computer or the headrest in economy or first class.
This standard offers no advantages.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
Closed AccountJan 4, 2011
Yes, and in a new world where a micro USB charger/cable is the standard, therefore available everywhere, people with dead iphones and no special iphone charger, or cable anyway, wont be charging their iphones. Phones with different random power connectors are analogous to every building in the world having different non-compatible AC outlets inside.
And calling micro USB more fragile than the docking connector??? Pot-Kettle-Black.
aristotle0dudeJan 4, 2011
What is more likely is that you will continue to see USB ports everywhere so you still need a cable with USB in the other end. How is micro USB to USB cables any better than dock connector to USB?Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
Closed AccountJan 4, 2011
Having a "USB A" jack available to me does me absolutely no good if I don't have the cable that adapts it to the docking connector with me. The whole point of standardization is to make that issue go away.
davidtcJan 3, 2011
Apple doesn't even standardize their own products from release to release. The charger from my sisters 2nd gen nano wasn't recognized on my newer 4th gen when I first got it. No clue if they all work together now or not, but I doubt it.
arschgaudiJan 3, 2011
No
wkrausmannJan 3, 2011
My iPad charger won't even work in the USB port of my computer. I MUST use the 12V adapter that came with it and charge it from a wall outlet
ultramagnus0001Jan 3, 2011
The iPad just uses more amperage, USB ports don't supply enough juice.
wkrausmannJan 3, 2011
Yeah, that's what I found out when I first tried charging it. I was kinda dumbfounded at first.
masivemunkeyJan 3, 2011
It will actually charge slowly if you shut off the screen.
jftitanJan 4, 2011
A standard USB port will push 500mA. at a 5v output. Thus on a phone with a 1500mA battery it would normally take about 6 hours to fully charge if the device is using any of that initial 500mA. Otherwise a higher amperage adapter will certainly handle the device being on while charging.
I have wall adapters that range from 500mA ~ 1700mA. I'll switch around from time to time by using two types of USB cables. The USB-mini and USB-mini-B plugs. Either way, all my devices work through just those two ports.
I'm very glad that there will be a standardization in our power adapters, so far I'll typically buy DC to USB(car) & AC to USB chargers because the USB cables that typically come with my devices will just suffice for connecting to any one of those.
metalcastrJan 4, 2011
I've read that USB 3 will up that to 900mA.
intertreutonJan 6, 2011
Yes, but USB has a new standart too: USB 3.0 will be very common in the near future, and this standart has higher output. So there will be less charging time if you use an USB 3.0 port for your devices.
taco767Jan 3, 2011
Well, if they want to sell iPhones in the European Union they will follow. It is about to become mandatory there to have mini-USB chargers on every new phone.
aristotle0dudeJan 4, 2011
Uh, not they don't have to do anything. This "standard" is not mandatory. BTW this is not mini-USB but rather the retarded cousin micro USB which can break more easily and is harder to use than either standard USB or mini-USB.
They would have been better off to standardize on the charger end with USB so that you could use your existing iPod sync cable with the third party charger.
bonestampJan 3, 2011
Apple signed on to this agreement, so they must intend to follow it. Hopefully they'll just add a microUSB and keep the dock connector for those of us who have a s**tload of compatible accessories.
ljseinfeldJan 3, 2011
I'm thinking they will have to do something similar. Not sure how you're going to output audio/video via just a cable over a micro USB connector.
dusanmalJan 3, 2011
Everything that can be done over Apple proprietary connector can be done via USB. Apple is just abusing its customers by refusal to standardize. I would bet that all they'll do is provide adapter for every device. Nothing more.
ljseinfeldJan 3, 2011
component video? analog audio?
aristotle0dudeJan 4, 2011
Really? Component video? VGA? HDMI? Audio input? Audio output? You can do all of that with a standard USB cable? Really?
womentobeautyJan 3, 2011
That's a good news. in my house, there are about 5-6 different mobile chargers
WreckedEmJan 3, 2011
You must live alone.
womentobeautyJan 4, 2011
I don't own all chargers lol. They belong to my sis, bros and father.
neotechniJan 3, 2011
And iphone will still use that crappy dock connector...
aristotle0dudeJan 4, 2011
That connector transmits not only USB data and power but also audio input, audio output, composite video, component video, VGA, HDMI and other control signals. USB cables transmit USB.
nronezJan 3, 2011
very nice bravo
richnrockvilleJan 3, 2011
great idea
cme884Jan 3, 2011
I fail to see how this would prevent people from accumulating more chargers. When you buy a new phone, you're going to get a new charger anyway, so instead of having a bunch that don't match, you'll still have a bunch, only those extras you won't use actually do match.
breadfredJan 3, 2011
Good point - do you think they will stop supplying chargers with the phone, stating this is for environmental reasons, but forget to lower the price for the phone itself?
cme884Jan 3, 2011
I doubt any manufacturer would state it for any other reason than to make more money by selling the chargers separately for the few schmucks that need them.
breadfredJan 3, 2011
So, you are basically agreeing with me
cme884Jan 3, 2011
except for the environmental reasons, yes.
breadfredJan 4, 2011
Ah, I said that the manufacturer would STATE they would do it for environmental reasons - I never said that was their true intention.
cme884Jan 4, 2011
And I'm saying they never would even bother to do that.
WreckedEmJan 3, 2011
For whichever phone I happen to have, I use 1 bedside charger, 1 sync/charger cable for my laptop at home, 1 sync/charger cable for my pc at work, 1 car charger for each of my 2 cars. I buy the cheap crappy ones from eforcecity/ebay/amazon etc, so I usually pick up a spare or two in addition to the above. My wife does the same.
cme884Jan 3, 2011
Your battery must be really s**tty to need that many.
stevendavisJan 3, 2011
This is for Europe only, and companies will probably be able to get around it by including a dongle that will chance proprietary connections to microUSB.
This is not going to get rid of connections like those found on Apple's iDevices, and I'm not sure, at this point, why Apple or Apple customers would want this change. There's an entire ecosystem of accessories that work with the 30-pin connector, most Apple customers already have a lifetime supply of iDevice connection cables... and I'm willing to bet *most* have more 30-pin cables then microUSB at this point.
So at this point, for Apple customers, the dongle is probably the better answer to solve the "drawer full of useless old cables and accessories" problem. As getting rid of the 30-pin, at this point, would just create another drawer full of useless s**t.
superkendallJan 3, 2011
Apple devices also charge over USB so it's not like there's really an issue there either. When all power for small devices comes over USB you can plug in anywhere, regardless of device.
dusanmalJan 3, 2011
Mistake (better called customer abuse) happened at the Apple side. Instead of well defined standards they chose to make their own connectors which do not provide any additional ability (everything 30-pin can do USB can do as well). Problem is than intensified by droves of mindless fan-boys willing to buy intentionally crippled devices. Best solution would be US following EU standardization and raising the bet requiring every phone/*Pad device to have fully functional standardized USB port and thus permanently end proprietary "handcuffs"-connectors.
stevendavisJan 4, 2011
I know there is little use in replying to this, as you clearly have your mind made up about all Apple customers, but I'll attempt to explain this anyways.
No one is saying Apple, or any other manufacturer of personal electronics, choice to go with a proprietary charging/transfer cable was a good decision. But unless you've got a DeLorean handy, we're already multiple years and generations into a very popular (I know that makes you mad, but you're gonna have to get over it) product line that is using this proprietary connection. So scrapping it altogether isn't getting rid of those drawers full of old cables and accessories, it's just creating a new drawer full of stuff we can't use any more.
If going forward, this legislation and others like it in North America, prevent companies from creating *new* proprietary cables, than great. But demanding companies get rid of current one's doesn't help anyone...
joan1911Jan 3, 2011
All Phones, Camera Equipment, Video, Laptops and PC's should standardize onto one platform, it would be Oh so helpful.
nerdsturmJan 3, 2011
You can't get close to enough power to a 400-800W power supply on a PC with a microUSB, and the plugs required for that type of power would be as large as some MP3 players and about twice as thick as most phones.
Standardizing all laptops and all small devices separately would be great, but power requirements mean you can't make everything to a single standard. Desktop PCs are pretty much all standardized anyways I think since all the ones I've gotten have just used the 3-prong plugs identical to the ones used in wall outlets here in the US.
david4041Jan 3, 2011
"All Phones, Camera Equipment, Video, Laptops and PC's should standardize onto one platform, it would be Oh so helpful."
Just got back from a trip. Chargers take up a fair amount of space in my suitcase. Chargers for cell phone, iPod Nano, iPod shuffle, camera, laptop, and bluetooth head set.
RexoffJan 3, 2011
Finally!!!
mdrum5Jan 3, 2011
i knew something was up when my phone charger started working with everyone elses around. (who had a smartphone)
yodaguy5Jan 3, 2011
I thought this happened like 2 years ago...
satori3000Jan 3, 2011
I live in Canada and I'd swwear this has been the case for the last year to year and a half here with the exception of iPhones, but including Androids
sithlrdJan 3, 2011
Will believe it when I see it on my new iPhone/Pad
ultramagnus0001Jan 3, 2011
I want everything to work the those charging mats.
exploit67Jan 3, 2011
Wheres the list??
francotorresJan 3, 2011
It's about time.
LynneChicaJan 3, 2011
Finally!!!!
scastileJan 3, 2011
how difficult was this?
roy5000x2Jan 3, 2011
I've never had a problem keeping track of my phone chargers. I just throw the old ones out when I get rid of the phone.
Closed AccountJan 3, 2011
Doesn't surprise me that Apple won't change their chargers. Saw that coming a mile away.
gapotterJan 3, 2011
Terrible story - no details were given, don't waste your time
harrisbradleyJan 3, 2011
It's nice to see this was an industry agreement as opposed to a government requirement.
erfmanJan 4, 2011
The agree was prompted by the European Commission, a branch of the EU. The company's don't want this so it's not a triumph of the free market, merely a good example of light-handed government power guiding things without employing a hammer.
dfrankzorJan 3, 2011
this took way to long
superkendallJan 3, 2011
USB is the standard for phone charging now, except for the very simplest of phones. Apple devices all charger over USB, so do most other smart phones... it makes sense that every other small device will end up charging over USB as well.
kingfogJan 6, 2011
Except the interfaces used on the phones themselves aren't standard... Nokia have one, Samsung have another, Apple have a different on etc... That's the whole point of this, that the connection on the device itself is standardised, meaning that a cable for charging a Nokia device will also charge a Samsung device and a Sony Ericsson etc etc...
ophelloJan 3, 2011
bout f**kin time
TimochenkoJan 3, 2011
about time! i have too many charges laying around my house and cars. - Kevin Timochenko
lavaynJan 3, 2011
Finally manufacturers are realizing USB is intended to be universal.
antoineanceauJan 3, 2011
Very Good News
burak1299Jan 3, 2011
oh finally
thomasjosephslaJan 3, 2011
about time
psperson5Jan 3, 2011
Just phones? why not go further?
drewz52Jan 4, 2011
cool
gabe805Jan 4, 2011
If anything this will help with Androids fragmentation issue.
dralezeroJan 4, 2011
And for those with phones now that aren't miniUSB, when they replace them in a few years with a miniUSB phone they will be like "omg why can't they just standardize these things".
toryssJan 4, 2011
Chargers are one of the reasons I've stuck with Sony Ericsson phones, so I have spares. Wait..I probably shouldn't admit on Digg that I don't own a smartphone.
hijack32Jan 4, 2011
I still don't see why we have more than one kind of screw...
rsterkenburgJan 4, 2011
Because people in the US refuse to accept that Robertson is superior to both slot AND their precious philips!
cantholditdownJan 4, 2011
I say don't standardize chargers, but don't respect patents of unique chargers. If generic competition comes in this will dramatically decrease prices of iphone cables and such.
dteleJan 4, 2011
I accidentally connect my new phone to an old charger from another company (I have no idea why they had the same connection) and fried it.
Slight voltage differences will FRY your phone!
oliviawilson11Jan 4, 2011
i am waiting for this for a very long time
utp216Jan 4, 2011
I cut the cord so to speak a few months ago. I'm using the Powermat three device board at home that I paid $50 for on sale. That came with a receiver with nine or so different tips for a bunch of different phones/devices. I bought the case for my iPhone 3GS for $20 and that included it's own single device board. I leave that at work on my desk if my phone needs a charge. So much easier!!
Check it out!
cncincoJan 4, 2011
Good news for human beings I think. I will reduce the pollution alot.
kawaiwawiJan 4, 2011
cool
bridgeburnerJan 4, 2011
I thought for sure this was going to be a The Onion article...