Mobile phones to adopt smaller micro-USB connector

Just when you think another protocol change couldn't possibly surface and force you to purchase more adapters in order to operate your gadgets, it does. Sure enough, the USB Implementers Forum has recently announced that we loyal consumers will all be shelling out a few extra bucks as new mobile handsets, PDAs, and digital cameras adopt a new, smaller "micro-USB" adapter for syncing / charging. As the RAZRs of the world get thinner and thinner, so too must the port with which we charge it. While there's no apparent size specification just yet, all we know is that it'll be smaller than the current implementation, and inevitably require additional purchases in order to use. Additionally, the USB-IF stated the new standard would support USB On-The-Go, and will feature a "stainless steel shell" to reportedly yield "more than 10,000 insertion cycles" before your charging port is rendered completely inutile. No word on when to expect the ultra-diminutive port to start showing up on handsets, but look for it on the first mobile barely thicker than a credit card.

[Via Mobileburn]

[bill @ Jan 5th 2007 1:04AM]

Its likely due to the recent Chinese and So. Korean announcement from their governments that they would now be mandating that all devices use a common charging, data,earphone et al connector.

Which as about time. We are tiring of buying all new car hardwire kits, chargers, data cables etc.

[Ben @ Jan 5th 2007 1:20AM]

Uhm, isn't it a form factor change, not a protocol change?

[me duh @ Jan 5th 2007 1:26AM]

no time for the old insertion cycle luv!

bezoomny, give them egsex good tolchoks, right horrorshow.

[John Doe @ Jan 5th 2007 1:31AM]

Way to go Engadget. Try and stir up a controversy over a port design change. Because I don't know about you guys its the end of the world if I have to go out and buy a new cable for my new cell phone, camera, etc. Oh wait. Most of those things already come with cables. Crap. Ummm yah! DAMN THOSE PROTOCOLS!

[Eric B @ Jan 5th 2007 2:22AM]

Don't worry, Best Buy will try to sell you a 6 foot gold plated cable for $40.

[bill @ Jan 5th 2007 2:25AM]

Its likely due to the recent Chinese and So. Korean announcement from their governments that they would now be mandating that all devices use a common charging, data,earphone et al connector.

Which as about time. We are tiring of buying all new car hardwire kits, chargers, data cables etc.

[Ratface @ Jan 5th 2007 3:06AM]

Inutile - that's a word of the day if ever I saw one.

And imagine my surprise when I looked it up and found that it's actually middle english - not just made-upish!

[wamphyri7 @ Jan 5th 2007 3:10AM]

I have already seen this new connection. It came with my Lumix digital camera DMZ FZ1. They were nice enough to supply the cable.

[Chris @ Jan 5th 2007 4:10AM]

Pretty sure you didn't get this new connector on a camera. You have a mini connector - the micro connector just completed the specification phase. it will be some time before it appears on consumer devices.

[Eric M @ Jan 5th 2007 4:27AM]

WTF? Mini USB isn't small enough? Horray for more confusion!

[KC @ Jan 5th 2007 5:21AM]

Why can't they agree on a wireless charging method, like those used for the electric toothbrushes? Imagine if you could have a charging mat, like the size of your mouse pad, where you can charge your phone, mp3, camera, etc, just by placing the device on the mat.

[bl0nde @ Jan 5th 2007 5:50AM]

Check out Splashpower...

http://www.splashpower.com/Products

[Matt @ Jan 5th 2007 8:56AM]

Well its about fucking time!

I just hope the phone companies stick with this so that we don't need to go hunting for random cables on our vacations.

[Chris @ Jan 5th 2007 10:38AM]

I'm really surprised manufactures haven't gone to a contact patch type of setup. Much like what is used on Garmin's Foretrex 201 line of GPS units. Hell, the new Blackberry 8100's have something similar for charging, just add data (tx/rx) points.

[William C Bonner @ Jan 5th 2007 2:08PM]

The real advantage of the Apple MagSafe connector is that it doesn't require any significant depth, and the connector itself should be fairly resistant to breaking. This would be a perfectly good use for that type of technology.