'One size fits all' phone charger soon a reality
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Wednesday, 01 July 2009
A single "standard" phone charger that will be compatible across all makes and models is set to be made available, starting next year.
The initiative comes after major handset companies Apple, LG, Motorola, NEC, Nokia, Qualcomm, Research in Motion, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Texas Instruments, reached an accord with the European Commission. It came after the Commission threatened Europe-wide legislation to get the major handset makers to co-operate.
There are currently more than 30 types of phone chargers in circulation in member states of the European Union, with industry estimates saying more than 50,000 are lying around unused, due to compatibility problems between different handset manufacturers.
EU Industry commissioner Gunter Verheugen said: ''I am very pleased the industry has found an agreement, which will make life much simpler for consumers.
''This also means considerably less electronic waste because people will no longer have to throw away chargers when buying new phones,'' he added.
READERS' COMMENTS
Posted by Andy, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 2 July 2009 at 13:58 UAE time
A very welcome announcement. Common sense has prevailed!
Posted by Mohamed Zihar, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Wednesday 1 July 2009 at 07:26 UAE time
It is great that there phone chargers will be standardized at last. This should be extended all devices such as PDAs, cameras, bluetooth, MP3 players, laptops, etc.
Click here to post a comment
MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM
TOP IN MIDDLE EAST TECHNOLOGY
TOP MIDDLE EAST BUSINESS STORIES
ALSO IN MIDDLE EAST TECHNOLOGY
LATEST MIDDLE EAST BUSINESS NEWS
- Transportation: RTA unveil new plans for driver safety in Dubai
- Politics & Economics: Emerging markets 'havens for stolen assets' - World Bank
- Energy: Pressure seen easing on struggling Saudi power grid
- Travel & Hospitality: Dubai hoteliers 'need to get real on room rates'
- Politics & Economics: Al Habtoor chief upbeat on Dubai future
SHARE PRICE CHECK
RELATED STORIES
Apple Computers Inc.
- Apple updates iPod line up, launches new iTunes - report
12 Sep '09 | News - Apple's Jobs steps back into spotlight
9 Sep '09 | News - World in your hands
2 Sep '09 | Features
European Commission (EC)
- France ranked top in cardio care table
19 Aug '08 | News - Open skies
19 Jul '08 | Features
Motorola
- Zain Iraq signs three-year Motorola deal
4 Oct '09 | News - Mounting pressure
8 Sep '09 | Features - Minerva extends regional Motorola partnership
11 Aug '09 | News
Nokia
- World in your hands
2 Sep '09 | Features - Mobile giant Nokia to release 3G notebook
25 Aug '09 | News - Tech fit
3 Aug '09 | Features
QUALCOMM Incorporated
- Saudi Mobily teams-up with Qualcomm
13 Sep '09 | News - Quantifying quad play
26 Jul '09 | Interviews
Research In Motion (RIM)
- Who’s listening?
1 Aug '09 | Features - Du launches special offer for BlackBerry users
25 Jul '09 | News
Samsung
- Samsung Android phone first to call on the Middle East
26 Aug '09 | News - Samsung targets greater share of Egyptian display market
18 Aug '09 | News - Ex-Samsung chairman fined for illegal bond trade
16 Aug '09 | News
Sony Ericsson
- Fashion phones
16 Aug '09 | In Pictures - Sony Ericsson US head bails as company faces tough times
24 Mar '09 | News
RELATED LINKS
- Apple Computers Inc.»
- European Commission (EC)»
- Motorola»
- Nokia»
- QUALCOMM Incorporated»
- Research In Motion (RIM)»




