Geneva: The UN telecoms agency said today it
has approved technology for a universal cell phone charger
that aims to reduce the confusion, clutter and waste caused by
today's proliferation of devices.
The new chargers will use a micro-USB plug, similar to
that used for digital cameras, to enter the cell phone for
charging, said Sarah Parkes, spokeswoman for the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Some manufacturers may also allow the cable to be
disconnected from the adaptor at the plug-in end and inserted
into a computer through a USB port instead. The power from the
computer, however, would be smaller than from a wall socket
and would take longer to charge a phone.
Some manufacturers already are using the new system, said
Parkes. A number of companies have signed on to the new deal
either with the ITU or earlier with the European Union.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, October 23, 2009, 22:16