Universal cell phone charger may be on the way
In the 2004 thriller “Cellular,” there is a scene where the young hero is forced to rob a cell phone store to get a charger that matches his phone. (He’s trying to keep from losing his connection to a kidnapped woman who accidentally dials his number seeking help.)
That scene may become rather dated very soon. The GSMA wireless trade association announced today that the world’s leading phone makers have agreed to a universal charger - using the micro USB format.
Seventeen mobile operators, including Vodafone, Orange, and Telofonic, announced they are committed to implementing the standard for the universal mobile phone charger.
The GSMA said that going to this single standard will not only make life easier for the more than 3 billion mobile phone users in the world today, but it will also help the environment.
This seems like such a great idea. Every time I buy a new cell phone, I find myself wondering why this hasn’t already happened.
Tim has covered a wide range of topics, including tourism, crime, aviation and gambling, since becoming a reporter in 1990. The Oklahoma native joined the Post-Dispatch in 2007 after spending nine years in Orlando. In his spare time, he's often exploring one virtual world or another. He can be reached at tbarker@post-dispatch.com. 
It’s about time. Wonder when they’ll make a car charger that fits all cell phones?
This should have been done years ago.
This is not good news for me…i sell cell phones.
It isn’t that bad for those that sell cell phones: Phones will no longer come with chargers, they will be cheaper and people will churn their handsets faster. There is also a chance that people will purchase additional chargers for multiple locations (office, home, friends home) if they do not have to worry about buying multiples when they change out their phone.
Poor Adam isn’t going to be able to run up your bill with extra crap you already bought for your other cell phones. Booo Hooo maybe you will have to actually know something about your product to make equal commissions. When are they going to stop charging for text messaging that cost them nearly nothing.
Next I want one of those wireless chargers. Set it on a panel and let it juice itself up. But this will be a great next step (unless you’re that poor guy who sells cell phones. Sorry about that).
I agree that this wouldn’t be bad for those that sell phones. A lot of people I know won’t buy a new phone because of all the “bells and whistle” accessories that they will also have to buy for a different type of phone.
Now, people will change with ease which will improve business.
Diane, I would assume that if they make one type of charger sprocket that they will also make car chargers for the same.