In February, at the 2009 Mobile World Congress, some of the world's leading handset makers came together in support of a Universal charger. This announcement received many accolades but one major phone company was missing, which was Apple.
Now with the recent deal between GSMA and European Union, which requires phone companies to support 'single charger 'in Europe, Apple has agreed to support the single charger requirement by the European Commission.
Apple is among the 10 companies that represent 90% of the European Mobile market. Other companies include big players such as Nokia, RIM, SamSung, Sony Ericsson etc. All of them have agreed to support a single Micro-USB connector, which will be used across all their phones in Europe.
This micro-USB based universal charger is expected to be implemented by 2012. This is a welcome news mainly for users who use multiple mobile phones as they will not have to carry multiple chargers.
This move is also good for the environment as this will allow users to reuse their chargers and will avoid the wastage and will help reduce the carbon footprint.
The initial rejection from Apple was ironic, considering their publisized 'Apple and the Environment' message. There could be various reasons behind why Apple was not willing to join the 'Universal Charger' group earlier:
Reason 1:
Apple uses a 30-pin connector in the iPhone, and is already licensed their connector technology with the accessroy manufactorers. Apple extracts royalties from companies for allowing their accessories to interact with Apple's devices.
Companies such as Nokia, RIM, SamSung etc have been supporting micro-USB connectors in their products and hence, their support for this technology does not come as a surprise.
Reason 2:
The roaring success of Apple's iPhone and iPod might have given Apple enough reason not to follow the standards and a reason to stand out of the crowd.
Reason 3:
The cell-phone industry could not force this upon Apple. But with EU stepping in with the 'single charger' requirement it might have become difficult for Apple to ignore the call.
It is still not clear if Apple will completely switch to the micro-USB connector or come up with a micro-USB to 30-pin converter for its iPhones and iPods. Apple's approach towards this is yet unknown and will only become clear with the passage of time.
A universal charger is just one of those things that seems logical and with Europe pushing for standardization, it might just make others to follow suit.
Please let us know your thoughts in our comment section below.
Its all about saving money and increasing profit: phone makers have also agreed to stop including chargers with their new handsets in Europe once the new micro-USB chargers become commonplace.
Anyway, I think they are working in an already obsolete solution. It is a pity they have not agreed to use a wireless charger instead.
So, are we to se 'regionalised' iPhones then?
Euro ones with micro usb & USofA /Asia ones without?
That would annoy a lot of people.
Why back down to Euro tossers when they have a superb product already?
Just supply an adapter and stick Brussells etc, once they get their fingers in the pie, the pie goes bad very quick.
It's going to be an adapter isn't it. No way they will redesign the hardware just for the EU.
nah they will make EU only version and bump up the price.
I think they will include both of micro charger and 30 pin connector in one device. Because the 30 pin connector is not only there for charging purposes, it is essential also to sync with iTunes and to be hooked with third party accessories (FM transmitter, TV out cable, etc … These are just few examples) so yes, I think we will see them both on future iPhones.
I think an adapter would be the best bet, at least in the way of profits. Too much money to invest in the complete redesign of a product just for charging purposes.
If so then I'll definitely buy that adapter!
I think there will be a micro USB and 30 pin dock connector on new iPhones. Apple has to keep the dock connector as they have so much in it.
the 30 pin connector was always stupid. I've yet to see a product it connects to that couldn't technically be done with a mini-USB connector and some SW logic.
Anyone?
A universal adapter is one of my top 5 remaining features for the iphone. Thanks, EU. At least someone has the grapes…
Now about your dumb-ass AC plug situation…
What? That daft 110V two prong thing, yeah, c'mon EU, force them onto 240/3 pin lol
Sorry, wasn't clear. The "your" meant EU, not US. They can come up with a uniform plug on one end, but not the other.
I prefer 120V. Light bulbs last longer.
The US 2 prong polarized plug sucks. But the three prong is great. Can't plug it in wrong.
Most things meant for 220V will last longer when plugged into a 120V outlet…
They will come out with an adapter and make more money, and the new docking stations might have a micro connector to connect to a charger, though that would be redundant as the normal cable can also charge the phone whilst in the docking station.