http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/ Engadget Comments for The $1.94 reason micro-USB is the new phone charging standard http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 9:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 9:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 9:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/
Oh and that part about "micro-USB's supposedly more robust connector can handle something like 10x more disconnects"-- I don't think so. I've had my ZN-5 for about a month and even though I've been reasonably careful with it, that "robust" connector is already to the point where it won't charge unless I prop the phone up in just the right position.]]>Feb 23rd 2009 2:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/
Anyway, I don't get what the issue is here. The industry for the most part was on the mini-usb standard for almost 4 year now. From about the time the RAZR came out. That's a long time in tech terms. Now they are moving to another standard and the great news is it's a standard that they are all agreeing on. Before 2004 it was crazy everybody had their own little connector and wires ran everywhere.

The article didn't mention it, but it's kind of an important point.... Micro-USB is smaller and a Mini-USB connector. This means smaller thinner gadgets.

To top it off look at the image of the article. Those little dongles from Motorola come with their micro-usb devices. This means that your mini-usb car charger and wall charger will still work with your new micro-usb device and your old mini-usb one. Digital cameras (video and still) will then start to take cues from the phone industry and migrate to the micro-usb.

Change happens people. So what's the problem?!]]>Feb 23rd 2009 4:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Yes that evil empire across the Atlantic that Americans constantly whinge about actually did something good for consumers worldwide.]]>Feb 23rd 2009 9:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/
http://www.telecompaper.com/news/article.aspx?cid=658155
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7894763.stm]]>Feb 23rd 2009 9:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/
@Sockatume: ding - this is closer

Actually, the standard was written by OMTP and adopted by GSMA. It was completely independent from any EU pressure, although it didn't take a genius to guess that they were going to start complaining about it if the industry didn't sort this out on its own.]]>Feb 23rd 2009 10:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 9:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 9:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 9:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 9:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 10:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 10:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/
I did. I recognize the iPhone's talents, but it either a.) lacked features that I needed, or b.) clumsily implemented features that I needed. I suppose I could have done my research and not bought the iPhone in the first place, but I wanted to try it. And it was a fun phone. But the iPhone does not suit everyone's needs.]]>Feb 23rd 2009 11:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 3:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 9:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/
It's not for this generation of devices anyhow, it's for tomorrow.]]>Feb 23rd 2009 9:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/
Tomorrow has arrived...]]>Feb 23rd 2009 9:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 10:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/
but lets use your number, just for giggles

$7
10,000,000 people (low estimate of how many people this will effect in the first year)
-----------------
$70,000,000

huh, looky there, almost 3/4 of a Hundred million dollars.. for a cable change

Greedy Bastards]]>Feb 23rd 2009 11:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 11:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 1:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 9:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/
]]>Feb 23rd 2009 12:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 25th 2009 11:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/
(Nothing's to stop phone manufacturers putting out a Mini-USB connector that also supports USB 3.0, but they'd be forbidden from using any of the USB-IF logos.)]]>Feb 23rd 2009 9:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 9:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 10:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/
Because the poster is incorrect... A connector is a connector, plain and simple, the number of wired connections is the same, just the form factor has changed.

While I am not going to scream greed like alot of posters are, I do find it annoying that I will need another adapter/cable, for my already cluttered rats nest of a computer table and car....]]>Feb 23rd 2009 10:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 10:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/
The proximity of data-carrying pairs determines their characteristic impedance, an imbalance of which affects signal to noise ratio. With low-voltage differential signaling, you'll find it doesn't take much distortion in the signal to introduce errors. This is why you're not supposed to kink 10-base-T cable, for example, as it distorts the twists per inch, altering the SNR, which can (though not always) render a cable useless.

The length of the ground pins (as distinct from the +5V or data pairs) determines how much time a peripheral has to recognize it's coming onto the bus and to self-configure. Smaller connectors necessarily means shorter differences in lead lengths, which means the protocol responses have tighter real-time constraints.

The smaller the contacts, the more likely corrosion will introduce errors on the bus. (Expect to replace these micro-USB cables more often because of this, since the contacts are too far recessed to clean manually.)

The size of the pins also determines their current-carrying capacity. Forget hub-powered peripherals. Not really an issue for cell phones or digital cameras, thankfully.

The list goes on from here. Anyone who thinks that connectors are just engineered for the sake of being different has only a fraction of the big-picture. I won't deny this doesn't occur. But to say that ALL connectors are effectively equivalent is just plain ignorant of the unbelievable engineering effort that goes into these things.
]]>Feb 23rd 2009 12:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 9:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 1:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 9:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/
Of course...as noted earlier on Engadget, Apple is not a part of this, so no micro-USB on the iPhones (and ipods too if they ever standardize mp3 players).]]>Feb 23rd 2009 9:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 9:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/
I agree with you on the USB connector. It will help charge the devices from computers (and laptops on the go). Lets hope all this happens.]]>Feb 23rd 2009 10:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/
Which is exactly what the standard specifies :o)]]>Feb 23rd 2009 10:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/
$1.94 for an adapter is basically the cost of designing, manufacturing, packaging, and putting the device through channel. You aren't being ripped off here.

Please, educate your readers about the actual reasons for the change.]]>Feb 23rd 2009 9:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 9:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/
The greed issues abound when you have companies all trying to make people buy more chargers, one in the car, one at work, one at home, and this just makes it a bit easier for charger sharing across the board. ex. me & my girlfriend both have to have two different chargers in the car when we go to work, and i like to have a charger at the office just in case, this will allow us to share our chargers.
either way, I just think its great. ]]>Feb 23rd 2009 1:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/
So let me get this reasoning straight... we're not being ripped off because the company that supplied the device had to spend money to implement the feature? You think they paid for that on their own dime? We probably get charged $5 for that $1.94 in "added functionality" when we buy our phones. It's hilarious that there are people here that deny that greed played any part in a decision made by profit-seeking companies (not that there's anything wrong with that).

And yeah it's great to have a standard, but I'm sure there will be a new standard for some reason or another in 2012.]]>Feb 23rd 2009 2:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Now I'm pissed I'm not using a Nokia phone.]]>Feb 23rd 2009 9:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 10:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 24th 2009 5:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/
Was it greed? No. R&D costs money and putting microUSB on every phone is going to cost the manufacturers plenty of R&D effort.

Was it microUSB's robustness? Perhaps it was a factor in the decision but not the main concern.

So what does that leave? Perhaps the blindingly obvious fact that microUSB is the smallest standardised charging+data port around! Of course DSLRs don't use microUSB. Why would they? Phones are small, DSLRs are not.]]>Feb 23rd 2009 9:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 10:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/Feb 23rd 2009 10:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/the-1-94-reason-micro-usb-is-the-new-phone-charging-standard/
Brilliant and I hope it catches on to other types of devices.]]>Feb 23rd 2009 10:12AM