It seems we can't get away from talk of new ways to charge electronic devices this weekend – the latest being one that will bring a smile to the lips of anyone with a drawer full of mobile phone adapters.
The Geneva-based International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which is part of the UN, has just approved a universal phone charger that will work with all kinds of handsets.
Just take one adapter
By forging an agreement among its 191 member states and more than 700 sector members and associates, the ITU has effectively killed the proliferation of chargers that work with only one particular handset or line of phones.
Its report says that the 51,000 tonnes of unnecessary phone chargers made each year meant it was time for action.
Greenhouse gases
It also adds that promoting a newly energy-efficient AC adapter has the potential to cut over 13 million tonnes of annual greenhouse gas emissions.
The new USB-based chargers are expected to start appearing in the first half of 2010. Although it isn't compulsory for phone makers to use the new device, it's likely to quickly gain wide acceptance.
Via BBC
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anteaus
October 24th 2009
3. This is a good idea in principle. However, the real 'wastemaking' concern is the vast range of special batteries these phones (and other small gadgets) use.
Yet, most of these batteries contain nothing exotic, just a 3.7 Li-ion cell of around 1Ah capacity. There is no technical reason to have so many different packages, so many different connections, and so many different charging circuits.
Like the older AA and AAA standards, what is needed is a range of accepted standard sizes and shapes for lithium batteries which phone makers could adhere-to.
When you think about it, this would bring enormous advantages for the consumer - one set of batteries and one charger to cover all of your gadgets -and you only need carry ONE spare battery around with you instead of a sackfull.
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himynameissam
October 24th 2009
2. @optimaximal actually apple was one of the first companies to agree to it..
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10274953-94.html
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optimaximal
October 24th 2009
1. £5 says Apple won't follow suit!
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