Standardized Cell Phone Chargers by 2012

I’ve been celebrating the fact that my two cell phones charge from USB (HTC Fuze and Motorola Razr).

I’m happy that I need carry only one AC-to-USB transformer, one car-to-USB charger (with two USB ports) and a USB cable or two.  I now have room in my backpack for a paperback book (Fiendish-level Sudoko) .. that I simply didn’t have before.

This trend is catching on, it seems.  The AP (via the Mobiledia) reports a mobile phone industry group Tuesday said 17 wireless operators and handset makers have agreed to standardize chargers by 2012 for most cell phones shipped.

The group includes, AT&T, T-Mobile, Nokia, Samsung and others.

Besides the obvious benefit of fewer chargers to the end user, there are significant environmental benefits.  Here’s some fun facts from the article:

  • A French study estimates that 51 million cell phone chargers go obsolete every 20 months.
  • The GSM Association says cast-off chargers generate some 51,000 tons of waste per year (some of this must be hazardous; they are electrical components, after all).

I have a drawer full, I might add.  I see that my local AT&T store has a drop box for older phones; I wonder if they take chargers as well.

Read the whole article: “Mobile Phone Makers to Standardize Chargers by 2012”.

About Michael Coates
I am a pragmatic evangelist. The products, services and solutions I write about fulfill real-world expectations and use cases. I stay up-to-date on real products I use and review, and share my thoughts here. I apply the same lens when designing an architecture, product or when writing papers. I am always looking for ways that technology can create or enhance a business opportunity .. not just technology for technology's sake. My CV says: Seasoned technology executive, leveraging years of experience with enterprise and integration architectural patterns, executed with healthy doses of business acumen and pragmatism. That's me. My web site says: Technology innovations provide a myriad of opportunities for businesses. That said, having the "latest and greatest" for its own sake isn't always a recipe for success. Business successes gained through exploiting innovation relies on analysis of how the new features will enhance your business followed by effective implementation. Goals vary far and wide: streamlining operations, improving customer experience, extending brand, and many more. In all cases, you must identify and collect the metrics you can apply to measure your success. Analysis must be holistic and balanced: business and operational needs must be considered when capitalizing on a new technology asset or opportunity.

One Response to Standardized Cell Phone Chargers by 2012

  1. Pingback: :: gasp :: are we getting close to audio and power standards for devices? « OpsanBlog

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