In a move that was long overdue, 17 mobile phone manufacturers and providers yesterday promised to introduce a single, power-efficient charger for new cellphones by January 2012.
As we revealed earlier this week, the commitment was announced by the GSMA trade organisation, which estimates that the changes should save the production of 600-960 million chargers each year, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 13.6 to 21.8 million tonnes annually.
The new universal chargers will use micro-USB as a common interface, and will enjoy a 4-star or higher efficiency rating.
Three times as efficient
That means the new chargers will be up to three times more energy-efficient than an unrated charger, and exceed the requirements of both European Commission efficiency codes for power supplies and the US Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star V.
The single charger will be able to power up future handsets and should allow consumers to charge their phones almost anywhere - even overseas.
The companies who have signed up to the universal charger commitment are: the 3 Group, AT&T, KTF, LG, mobilkom austria, Motorola, Nokia, Orange, Qualcomm, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Telenor, Telstra, T-Mobile and Vodafone.
Noticeable, and to our minds rather shameful absences, from the agreement include Apple, RIM, Palm and HTC. Come on, guys, if Nokia can make it work across its huge platform of handsets, you really have no excuse...
Your comments (5) Click to add a new comment
optimaximal
August 6th 2009
5. wadekerrick, did you miss the part where the article says that the listed companies just didn't sign up to the agreement, not 'don't offer it'.
Also, it's about bloody time Nokia start offering charging over USB - having to use a USB cable AND a Nokia charger is so 5 years ago.
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chrisn
February 22nd 2009
4. Wadekerrick, read carefully. The point is RIM, HTC and Apple refused to commit to ONLY using Micro USB as a standard for future phones.
Kind makes you the idiot, right?
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calcio
February 19th 2009
3. Micro*
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calcio
February 19th 2009
2. @wadekerrick It's Mcros USB not mini.
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wadekerrick
February 19th 2009
1. You're an idiot. RIM and HTC have used mini USB for years. If anything, shame on Apple for making people spend a fortune on something that should (and will) be universal. Please know what other other companies use before bashing them. I'd hate for you to come off as unprofessional.
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