Finally...Cell Phone chargers to become universal...

[JANdad]

Well, that was quick. This morning at the GSMA Mobile World Congress conference taking place in Barcelona, a mammoth pile of cell phone manufacturers have agreed to a universal cell phone charger standard. That format? Micro USB (pictured).

Only days ago, the European Union announced it would be pursuing stronger means of forcing cell phone makers to get together on a charging standard that would work across a range of different handsets.

The target for transition to micro USB -- which is smaller than the more commonly used mini USB connector but has already been adopted in a few handsets, including the BlackBerry Storm -- is to have "the majority of all new mobile phone models" supporting the new connector by January 1, 2012. As well, the chargers are set to be designed to use half as much power while operating on standby.

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/123296
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Well that only took, what...15 or 20 years?

At this rate, We can get laptops done by the turn of the next century...

[SacredCow]

1. As a person with two wireless phones.....

I very much look forward to this...

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

2. I saw a news story on universal chips in cell phones in South Korea yesterday.

That was really interesting. It lets you use your cell phone to replace all your credit cards, debit cards, bus passes, etc.

[SacredCow]

4. That is where I think wireless phones are going....

Your entire life is on your wireless device- financial, passport, medical history, etc... Perhaps THIS is the mark of the beast that the fundies are talking about...

[damntexdem]

6. But will it work on your cell door at Gitmo?

[bertman]

7. damngoodquestion, damntexdem.

I certainly hope so.

[Renew Deal]

3. The Blackberry Storm uses micro-USB

We'll see if this actually happens.

[damntexdem]

5. The stupid picture doesn't give enough info.

By calling it a mini USB, I assume that it is a USB-like connector, like I have for my phone, rather than the single prong, like cellphones used to all have. But I can't tell from the picture.

[yodoobo]

9. I don't care what the format is.

It could be a totally brand new, previously unseen format and I would be happy.

In 4 years, it'll be universal for 99% of all working cell phones.

[ejpoeta]

13. about friggin time

[Stinky The Clown]

11. Mini and Micro USBs ......

[NeedleCast]

8. Until This Happens, if you lose your charge, check with a local hotel

As a former frequent business traveler I know many hotels are chocked full of lost chargers. It's one of the things people frequently leave in their rooms. Twice I was able to find chargers that fit my (fairly common) phone when I managed to leave mine at home.

[conscious evolution]

10. Great tip there

I have also borrowed lost chargers from front desk clerks on business trips.A lot of people leave them behind.
People also leave them in rental cars.

[karynnj]

12. That also means no longer buying new car chargers

every time I get a new phone.

[Initech]

14. About damn time!!!

[TahitiNut]

15. Unfortunately, however, that charger will only work in certain European outlets.

:dunce: