Nokia, Apple, RIM and others agree on micro-USB phone charger standard for Europe

While the free-market works pretty well when, uh, left alone to be free, sometimes it needs a push from a visible hand. Case in point, phone chargers; at the moment some 30 different types of chargers are used with handsets throughout Europe. Today, the European Commission received industry backing of its phone charger standard that relies on a micro-USB socket. The standard is now backed by all the majors (representing 90% of the European mobile market) including Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Apple, LG, NEC, Qualcomm, Research in Motion, Samsung and Texas Instruments with compatible devices starting to appear in Europe next year. Or course, the micro-USB charger standard already has the blessings of CTIA, OMTP, and GSM Association which implies a broader adoption beyond Europe, someday. One charger for any mobile phone... where's the catch?

[rv @ Jun 29th 2009 8:22AM]

One charger to rule them all, One charger to find them,
One charger to bring them all and in the darkness bind them

[Brian @ Jun 29th 2009 10:08AM]

Don't listen to the punkass. He knows not what he speaks.

[Agent .25i @ Jun 29th 2009 1:25PM]

Enjoy your brokeback to midgets saga then. We all wait through all the sexual tension, and they dont even show Frodos baggins Samwise's gamgee at the end.

[Evoss @ Jun 29th 2009 6:06PM]

MOTOROLA HAS GOT MICRO USBALREADY ..

[wikwakka2 @ Jun 29th 2009 8:23AM]

It's about bloody time.

[purezerg @ Jun 29th 2009 11:25AM]

awwww. HTC not following? shucks


oh wait.. HTC IS already using microUSB.

[sr @ Jun 29th 2009 3:11PM]

^^^ So is Nokia.

[Art @ Jun 29th 2009 4:17PM]

um, no they're not. they're using microUSB-BASED port. huge, huge difference

[djbentley @ Jun 29th 2009 8:22AM]

Was mini-USB *THAT* bulky?

I have like 15 of those cables around my apartment. My last HTC phone used it, my Blackberry Pearl uses it, all my cameras use it.

[poke @ Jun 29th 2009 8:33AM]

why not go for the smallest standard? Smaller footprint either means slimmer profile gadgets or extra space for components. Either way I don't see an issue.

[Fnuky @ Jun 29th 2009 8:39AM]

It's something in the region of twice as big in terms of volume

[mrspiteri @ Jun 29th 2009 8:50AM]

Micro-USB can survive a significantly larger number of connect/disconnect cycles too.
I have an old phone here that is a bit wobbly on its mini-usb socket so i'm pleased about that.
Bring on micro-usb everywhere!

[MJZimmer88 @ Jun 29th 2009 9:14AM]

With the micro-usb, they can still lock the chargers to your specific phone model (or atleast, carrier)... when you tried to use a Sprint RAZR's mini-usb charger to charge an AT&T mini-usb compatible RAZR (remember... the most awesomest dumb-phone ever?) you would receive an error saying incompatible charger.

Expect something of this nature to lock away your hopes and dreams... for a little while longer atleast

[tuaamin13 @ Jun 29th 2009 11:24AM]

I'm waiting for a proprietary charger that charges faster than if you use microUSB. 2 charging ports, one better than the other, so everyone still buys proprietary.

[SimbaDogg @ Jun 29th 2009 12:08PM]

@ MJzimmer

yeah, they could do that...but dont you think that would completely defeat the purpose of having/agreeing to a universal charger spec?

[jimmy @ Jun 29th 2009 1:16PM]

micro usb is far more durable than mini-usb, and it is a tad smaller. I do agree, though. I have dozens of mini-usb cables around, so is it really more efficient and better for the environment to discard all of these and switch to a new standard?

How long will it be until portable hard drives switch to this, so I can carry one cable?

More importantly, does this mean new devices will not include a charger? One of the big selling points of standardizing is that less old chargers will go to the landfill. If you get a new device and a new charger, won't the old one be useless? I think this is an opportunity for device manufacturers to halt the inclusion of chargers, and they won't (presumably won't) pass the savings on to consumers.

I'm a huge fan of USB charging. Give me a USB cable and a 5V wall plug adapter. The iPhone/iPods, my Kindle, the Mophie Juicepack guys, and more are starting this trend, and I love it. I can carry one tiny wall-wart around and plug whatever USB cable i need into it to charge several devices. At home, I have a 7-port USB hub that is hooked to nothing. It simply charges my Juicepack, iPhone, Kindle, MotoRockr headset, and more. All from one outlet.

USB chargers FTW!!

[Leindurstit @ Jun 29th 2009 8:25AM]

APPLE?

[Eastman @ Jun 29th 2009 8:27AM]

APPLE ? wow .. they must be planing something else to replace their "all is" plug they use now..
Wireless Syncing via Wifi ? :-) yeahhhh

[BeyondtheTech @ Jun 29th 2009 8:29AM]

My thoughts exactly... I'm all for standardizing, but if Apple ditches their 30-pin connector, what will happen will all those third-party accessories built with the connector? From in-car attachments to the upcoming devices that the iPhone 3.0 SDK is allowing developers to create hardware for... This is a serious game changer.

[CJ @ Jun 29th 2009 8:31AM]

Nah, I'll bet they just include a peripheral that is a 30-pin-to-Micro-USB in the next iPhone.

For everyone with a last-or-current gen, 30 Euros!

[Major4Play @ Jun 29th 2009 8:31AM]

I think a combined micro-Usb and dock connector or both on the iPhone, or an adapter they will never dump the dock connector

[Intrepid @ Jun 29th 2009 8:32AM]

EU-Fear.

[Totalfixation @ Jun 29th 2009 8:33AM]

My guess would be a tiny ipod connector to micro usb adapter.

[JZ @ Jun 29th 2009 8:33AM]

Still doesnt mean anything, they can simply insert an extra authentication like recently with batteries that if it isnt an AAPL it wont do a single thing. And ofcourse in order to get your products to work with AAPL you need a license to let it actually function, so yes.. maaaaybe you get a charger but further its still a useless thing.
Nah.. this sounds to good to be true, for sure there will be some catch. Lets just wait to see the actual products emerge.

[Jonathan @ Jun 29th 2009 8:34AM]

Got to love dongles!

[zfurie @ Jun 29th 2009 8:37AM]

that's what HE said!

[airmanchairman @ Jun 29th 2009 9:13AM]

Think about it - firmware 3.0 brings a slew of API's that address the dock for further customisation and functionality.

Functionality you will only get added to your charger if you go Apple branded or "made for the iPhone/iPod Touch"

There, fixed that, niche uniqueness re-established.

Of course, if you don't like the exciting, innovative new goodies ("you don't?") you can always go for the bog-standard micro-USB standard charger.

Win-win all round...

[OmiMoAK @ Jun 29th 2009 10:09AM]

Dont know if anyone said this already but think of it this way for apple and Sony (only 2 companies who use their own plug to my knowledge). The iPhone 3GS came out this month, the EU requirements are for next year, by which time another WWDC and that other tech expo (I forgot the name of it). where you will see a plethora of new iPhone mini usb stuff. So what do you say, "Crap now I can either wait to get another iPhone next year or get one out of contract now so that I can use the new stuff."

Apple + AT&T wins by selling phones off and on contract...

And for SonyErricson well their plug just sucks, should of been changed long ago. Same goes with Memory Stick
(JUST DIE ALREADY)

[synn @ Jul 1st 2009 4:16AM]

@OmiMoAK : Ever tried looking for a Nokia replacement charger? How about Samsung? You'll find half a dozen different ones, I'll assure you. The thing about Sony Ericsson's Fastport is that almost any phone in their lineup can be charged with the same charger and the same accessories and docks work across the entire portfolio. Not to mention the fact that Fastport is a locking type of connector while MicroUSB isn't.

Proprietary charging slots are hardly the big bad evil that many claim it is. I'd gladly trade "openness" for docking conveniences, thank you.

One of the main things that keep the DSLR world exciting and competitive is the proprietary lens mounts. What onus does Nikon or Canon have to develop new lenses if their brand new, super awesome lens is a straight fit in a competitor's body? Same difference. Memory cards are the only things that should stay the same across the brands. As long as one can make calls, send messages and e-mail across brands, this "open everything" BS amounts to jack squat.

Trust me, even if every manufacturer uses MicroUSB chargers, they're still gonna bundle proprietary solutions for docking and you're still gonna buy manufacturer specific docks and accessories. Even if every handset in the world runs on Android like the average Engadget blog post wants them to be.

[Lougle @ Jun 29th 2009 8:28AM]

Apple? I believe it when I see it... DOCK CONNECTOR FOREVER!

[hangfire @ Jun 29th 2009 9:25AM]

30 pin to micro usb adapter will be enough to meet requirements,
maybe they would be free for the eu,
remember the 30 pin goes to the usb anyways

[Adam Zey @ Jun 29th 2009 11:40AM]

Not to mention that a microUSB connector isn't really big enough to reliably support the phone (since the iPhone is on an angle in a universal dock or iPhone dock and the connector secures it). I'd tend to agree that an adapter is more likely from Apple, although it doesn't really help consumers in any way since you'll need to carry around the adapter.

[solmar @ Jun 29th 2009 11:48AM]

The word "free" is not in Apple's vocabulary. If there was a dock-to-usb adapter, it would cost an arm and a leg, and wouldn't be included as a standard accessory. It would probably look cool and sleek, tho, if that's any consolation.

[MS @ Jun 29th 2009 8:29AM]

How many more times is this going to be 'announced' before the manufacturers start 'doing' it?

[Major4Play @ Jun 29th 2009 8:30AM]

What's that I hear my American cousins, listen closely......

HURRAH FOR THE EU !

Yes as well as oppressing foreign American business interests they also do useful things LOL

[Kelmon @ Jun 29th 2009 9:04AM]

"Yes as well as oppressing foreign American business interests they also do useful things"

Aren't those the same thing?

[Setnev @ Jun 30th 2009 12:54AM]

Seriously if the US had anything like the EU we would all have GSM phones, free-market with cell phones, blazing fast internet providers, no caps on internets, fast mobile phone networks that have features that everyone wants, etc. etc. Like seriously, someone needs to tell these companies what to do because in the US, it needs to be our way or the highway and if they dont like it, they can find another country that they can sell to. Seriously, the FCC and the FTC are doing jack shit for our markets here and that is why we are using communication technology that is years old and have no universal standards in the technology market where everyone can make proprietary this and exclusive that. I'm sick of it.

[teenpspjunkie @ Jun 29th 2009 8:30AM]

The same talks happened in 2007 but we all can see that never paned out. >_>

http://gizmodo.com/302320/cell-makers-agree-on-a-single-charging-plug

[elan @ Jun 29th 2009 8:32AM]

Wait a minute... "...backed by all the majors including...APPLE?!?!?!?!" something about this doesnt sound right. Everyone knows that apple NEVER uses a standard ANYTHING. We're lucky enough that they havent gone to a 3.3mm headphone jack just to make people buy another set of earphones every time and now they want to go to a normal microUSB cable for charging that anyone can pick up for 5 bucks?

I guess they'll have to put a chip in so that you still have to buy an apple endorsed one like the stupid shuffle headphones

[Eastman @ Jun 29th 2009 8:48AM]

"apple NEVER uses a standard ANYTHING"

mmhhhKay .. someone needs to check the facts before talkin ... right ?

[Valerio Paris Mitritsakis @ Jun 29th 2009 8:50AM]

You mean nothing standard like USB, or SATA, or IDE, or Ethernet, or Firewire, or SoDimm? Dude the 90's called and they want their "Non standard Apple rants" back. It's like since 1998 and the iMac Bondi Blue that they've had USB, ATA-3 etc.

[Kelmon @ Jun 29th 2009 9:18AM]

Well, in all fairness, Apple is a mixed bag. On the one hand it does support standard interfaces like USB but on the other hand they have introduced their own proprietary interfaces, such as the MagSafe and the headphone controls interface on the new iPod Shuffle, plus "standards that others don't really use", such as Mini DisplayPort.

I'll be interested to see how Apple marries the Micro-USB standard with the Dock Connector, which I am absolutely certain isn't going away anytime soon unless they fancy breaking their entire accessories eco-system. I can't see a second port appealing to Apple so those suggesting that an adaptor will be sold (Dock Connector to Micro-USB) are probably most likely to see their prediction come to life.

[Beastage @ Jun 29th 2009 10:02AM]

Guy is semi right, Apple joined the DisplayPort alliance... then "invented" or "innovated" the costly and bugged MiniDisplayPort which isn't even a full DisplayPort.

So yea, Apple tend to bend the standard rules when they want.

[Mr. Picklesworth @ Jun 29th 2009 9:13PM]

My guess is Apple will hop on and start using "Mini MicroUSB" within a single generation of their devices. They are incapable of sticking to standards without being carried away by the bizarre obsession to make them smaller than necessary. (Then charging through the roof for the adapters).

[CJ @ Jun 30th 2009 10:26AM]

Ugh, mini display port, the bane of my existance.

"Hi, I'm looking for DISPLAYPORT to DVI adaptors"

"Sure, all the apple stuff is over-"

"no, FULL SIZE DisplayPort"

"... What's that?"

[JimScar @ Jun 29th 2009 9:21AM]

Except that most of these manufacturers will place a chip in their chargers so that you have to use THEIR charger only. I tried to charge my LG Incite (CT810) with the micro USB wall charger from my Plantronics 855 bluetooth headset. The phone wouldn't charge. I don't know whether it's a chip ID issue, or if it was due to the slightly lower voltage output of the Plantronics, but we should throw away hope of a "universal" charging solution. These companies make too much money selling a $0.50 (US) piece of wire and plastic for $15-$30.

[drathos @ Jun 29th 2009 2:54PM]

Precisely. I've got 4 devices that charge via mini-USB and access to several others at work. Out of the bunch of them (probably a dozen in total), there's only 2 devices that I can swap charges with. The others will only work with the chargers from their manufacturer.

Until they get the devices to work with generic chargers, making it a standardized port won't help reduce the cluster-f**k of chargers we currently have to deal with.

[216 @ Jun 29th 2009 8:36AM]

I garuantee that Apple will release a "Dock to USB" Connector, and not just have it directly on the device

[mitt @ Jun 29th 2009 8:49AM]

i'm not seeing HTC on that list....typo or are they not signing up for this?

[wywywywy @ Jun 29th 2009 9:04AM]

Yea thats worrying. All the phones I have from the last few years are all HTC.