[Macworld]

Post your comments for Universal chargers to finally become a reality here

[Speed_Racer]

They should have done this many years ago. If only they hadn't been such greedy bastards wanting to wring every cent from replacement charger sales.
Of course, the one phone that won't support this in the foreseeable future is the one phone most relevant to this site: the iPhone.

[arelny]

Funny, I didn't see Verizon on the list of operators. What are they thinking?

[lancelotlink]

The iPhone, and I believe likewise, Palm isn't on this list because their chargers are also tied to their data transfer cables. The iPhone's wire does more than just charging. I'm just assuming with palm, I have no idea.

[kirkmc]

They may have to go this route, if the EU has its way. Apparently, they're looking to legistlate on this.

[CanalNoises]

Wow, the EU is wayyy overreaching its purpose. Makes you grateful for the Free Market we have in the US.

[bjojade]

Why Micro USB? Why not the already standard mini USB? Motorola has been using that connector on their phones for a while, and it's been a good connection. Micro USB isn't much smaller.
Now, the key is to make cameras also use this same connector as a standard. No need for proprietary cables for every stupid device!

[TeaEarleGreyHot]

lancelotlink wrote:

> The iPhone's wire does more than just charging.
[/quote]


So, in reply to Speed_Racer's comment, for practical purposes, the iPhone has gotten rid of the charger entirely. And THAT seems more green to me than just using a standardized charger!

[maddoguk]

The EU are also forcing changeable batteries on all electrical equipment, making the iPhone & some Apple laptops unsellable. Will stop the awful lock-in forced by a few small minded companies.

[kirkmc]

The iPhone hasn't gotten rid of the charger. If you travel without a computer, you need to buy a charger that outputs USB to a dock connector. It's just that you don't need a charger most of the time.

[WarrenS]

If you think about it the USB slot is more of a universal charger than any new connector they can come up with.

[izod]

With the right cable, the iPhone charger IS compatible with any phone that charges off of USB. A friend of mine was in a bind with a dying Blackberry, and I was able to use a mini-to-regular USB cable to charge her Blackberry with the Apple Charger/adapter.
So Apple is already ahead of this trend (in a way), by using standard USB power to charge the iPhone and iPod Touch.

[shavingcream]

Praise the Lord!! Finally, someone is listening to the consumer. The question is, will Apple follow suit?
My old iPod Photo's charger fits the iPhone, but the iPhone quickly responds: "Charging is not supported by this device." Geez.!!
The other thing that needs to be addressed would also be the many types of USB/Firewire ports...but especially USB, what a mess!!

[hillstones]

arelny said:

Funny, I didn't see Verizon on the list of operators. What are they thinking?

They are talking about hardware manufacturers agreeing to a universal power charger, not telecom companies. Verizon doesn't make phones.