Universal standard uses microUSB connector
One common thread in many consumer electronics products produced
in America and around the world is that they usually have proprietary
accessories and technology. That means, for instance, that you often
can’t intermix chargers between most brands of cell
phones.
DailyTech reported in February that by
2012 GSM mobile phones would settle on a single charger standard
using microUSB. That would mean when users get a new phone, they
could keep the same charger, reducing waste. The universal charger
standard has been officially approved in Europe.
The
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has approved
the new standard. According to industry body GSMA each year,
there are 51,000 tons of redundant chargers produced. This is due to
the fact that most chargers are proprietary and are replaced when the
user upgrades to a new device.
The new universal chargers are
also more energy efficient and the GSMA estimates that they will
reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere by
13.6 million tons.
"This is a significant step in
reducing the environmental impact of mobile charging," said
Malcolm Johnson, director of ITU's Telecommunication Standardization
Bureau. "Universal chargers are a common-sense solution that I
look forward to seeing in other areas."
The move to
universal chargers is not mandatory for manufacturers according to
the ITU, though it reports some manufacturers have already signed up
to use the new universal format. Sony Ericsson told the BBC,
"We are planning to launch the universal charger internationally
during the first half of 2010. We will roll it out with new products
as they launch."
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