A consortium of the world’s biggest mobile phone manufacturers are embarking on a joint effort to create a universal mobile phone charge system.
The move will see devices from the likes of Nokia, Apple and Sony Ericsson use a Micro USB connector on new products from 2010. The participating companies together represent around 90 per cent of the mobile phone market.
It means that numerous handsets can be charged using a single plug, ending a common complaint which has hung around for over ten years, ever since mobile phones mushroomed in popularity in the late nineties.
Though a universal charge system marks a breakthrough in convenience, the ten participating mobile phone manufacturers had submitted a Memorandum of Understanding to the European Commission apparently on the grounds of improving environmental standards.
“I am very pleased that industry has found an agreement, which will make life much simpler for consumers,” said Guenter Verheugen, the EU industry commissioner.
“They will be able to charge mobile phones anywhere from the new common charger. This also means considerably less electronic waste because people will no longer have to throw away chargers when buying new phones.”
Micro USB connectors are not o be mistake with the current Mini-USB interface, with Micro USB connectors being visibly smaller. However, the universal standard could mean that the vast majority of future mobile phones could be charged through the PC.
The companies involved are Apple, LG, Motorola, NEC, Nokia, Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Texas Instruments.
Advertisement
Related Stories
- USB takes on HDMI with new AV spec Dec 14th 2011 at 7:13AM
- Toshiba launches USB powered display Oct 26th 2011 at 11:40PM
- Apple grudgingly offers iPhone USB micro adaptor Oct 4th 2011 at 11:22PM
- Combined mains and USB charge outlets on the way Aug 5th 2011 at 5:51AM
- EC adopts universal micro USB phone charger Dec 31st 2010 at 6:17AM
- USB banned by Brazilian Christian group Nov 17th 2010 at 5:49AM
- Steve Jobs: No USB 3.0 for Macs Nov 2nd 2010 at 1:35PM
- Tribeka launches in-store USB manufacture Oct 25th 2010 at 1:21PM
- Man cooks dinner on 30 USB ports Oct 18th 2010 at 7:12AM
- Wireless USB standard 1.1 released Sep 30th 2010 at 8:12AM
Follow Follow this article if you would like to receive notifications of updates.
Add a new comment
You need to be logged in to post comments. If you do not have an account then please register.
Comments
0 comments
There are no comments yet, be the first to add one!