Nokia, RIM, Apple to standardize European phone chargers

guiseppewv · 06-29-2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Gadget makers have talked about standardizing their chargers for years. This time, they have a plan to finally do it: Ten smartphone makers who control 90 percent of the European mobile market have agreed to ship a standardized charger with their phones starting next year.

Motorola, Nokia, Apple, Sony Ericsson, LG, NEC, Qualcomm, Research in Motion, Samsung and Texas Instruments announced their plans Monday through the European Commission.

“People will not have to throw away their charger whenever they buy a new phone,” EU Industry Commissioner Guenter Verheugen told Reuters.

The chargers will be usable only on “data-enabled phones” that access the Internet, going beyond voice calls and SMS. Nearly half of the 185 million estimated mobile phones projected to be sold in Europe 2010 are expected to be data-enabled, and hence compatible with the charger.

A Reuters article on the new chargers focuses on the green angle: Consumers will no longer toss another charger into the trash every time they buy a new phone. The real benefit, of course, is convenience and effectiveness. European BlackBerry and iPhone users will be able to borrow each other’s chargers. Buying a replacement will be easy. With only one model, supermarkets and corner shops will be able to carry and sell them as easily as they do cigarette lighters.

“We’re assuming this new European initiative will have a knock-on effect globally,” Verheugen said.

http://venturebeat.com/2009/06/29/no...hone-chargers/

This is a great start. I am so glad that there is a light at the end of the tunnel with respect to buying new car chargers and an extra house charger every time I buy a new phone. I never have understood why they all didn't adopt the mini-USB style data and charger connector.

Also, this should reduce the number of unusable/obselete phone accessories that get turned into e-waste.

kame · 07-01-2009, 01:58 PM

Thats cool!

I wonder how apple going to apply this.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

07-01-2009, 01:58 PM	#2
kame Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 532	Thats cool! I wonder how apple going to apply this.

User Name
Password
Remember Me?