Will Apple Adopt the "Universal Phone Charger"?

[Michael Essany]

Image via CNET

Apple has made it very clear that it wants to go green.

If that's the case, some are suggesting that Apple may get a "charge" out of the standard for a universal phone charger that has just been approved by the International Telecommunication Union.

Although it seems highly unlikely that future iPhone/iPod Touch models will be completely revamped to accommodate this "universal" endeavor, many are hopeful that Cupertino will take notice of this development, which, according to a story this weekend on CNET, is aimed at reducing our collective carbon footprint.

The Universal Charging Solution will enable the creation of one-size-fits-all chargers that can be used on any future phone, according to the ITU. "Universal chargers are a common-sense solution that I look forward to seeing in other areas," Malcolm Johnson, director of ITU's telecommunication standardization bureau.

If you think the environmental impact of our glut of phone chargers is minimal, think again. It's estimated that the adoption of the universal phone charger could eliminate 51,000 tons of chargers, which translates to approximately 13.6 million tons of annual greenhouse gas emissions.

Based on Micro-USB, the new chargers will also be energy efficient.

Obviously, cell phone makers and other tech companies are not required by law to actually do anything with the universal standard adopted. However, Sony Ericsson is already on board. And you just have to expect environmental groups to press the issue with the likes of Apple and Microsoft until they each give a definitive thumbs up... or thumbs down.

Since phone chargers are such big business, the issue of adopting a universal charger will impact more than just the environment. It will also impact the bottom line for any company that adopts it. And that's exactly why Apple and Microsoft could decide against the universal charger for the time being.

[CaptainChaos]

I use a micro with mine right now. It was included with my battery pack/case. (Mophie)

[cssoz]

I use a micro with mine right now. It was included with my battery pack/case. (Mophie)

i use to have same USB charger for my "Creative" mp3 player back in 2005 and i don't think Apple would make any Universal adapter =\

[Vandam500]

Why not? Go Apple go!:P

[CaptainChaos]

Creative makes some great players!

Apple will do what ever the European Union wants them to do Over here in the states is a whole different ballgame through.

[niqolas619]

The last two lines of the story, unfortunately, are the only words that matter to companies in general. If they can't make money off of it, and they aren't forced to do it through regulations, they feel no personal responsibility to do it.

It sucks and is the main cause of EVERY environmental problem we have.

[awesomeSlayer]

As long as it is energy efficient and doesn't impact the environment to bad, go adopt it.

[ddonuts4]

Unless there's a law requiring it(there isn't yet) then apple will probably never do that. Mayr they'll start making a dock to micro USB adapter or something though

[enjoylife]

So there goes my Bose wave radio, my richard solo batteries, all my griffen, kensingston car adaptors..
that is just me.. now multiple that by the population around the world.. that will be filling the land fills with useless $1000s of dollars of electronics in the name of USB standard..

Dumbest law / or suggestion in the name of environment. Yet another scam in the name of green.

[CaptainChaos]

How is it a scam? One charger to rule them all and they are more energy efficient. It won't negate the chargers you have now, but think of how many fewer chargers will have to be made in the future. It wouldn't hurt my feelings to carry around one charger for everything.

[sziklassy]

I hardly see how this would be "going green" unless of course to MAYBE reduce people's need to buy an ipod specific cable for every room of the house and their car. No matter what kind of cable they adopt, these products will come with said cable and so will anything else that uses that cable.

[zatpgw]

Microsoft doesn't make any phones so I'm not sure why they are mentioned so many times in this article...

[sziklassy]

How is it a scam? One charger to rule them all and they are more energy efficient. It won't negate the chargers you have now, but think of how many fewer chargers will have to be made in the future. It wouldn't hurt my feelings to carry around one charger for everything.

I really don;t think fewer chargers will be made. Fewer types, yes. Fewer in number, not really. As I said above, everything that needs a charger will probably still be packaged with a charger wether you need it or not.

[CaptainChaos]

Not necessarily. How many printers come with the cable?in the past 2 years I have purchased 4 and none of them had the USB included in the box.

[ncnyxx13]

Im sorry but i personally love the dock connector for the iPhone/iPod's
when i see the universal connectors i think of a cheap old "mp4" player that costs like 99 cents.
i think apple should stay with the dock connector and to go "green" then make a plugin universal adapter that goes into the dock?
think of all the things we would be losing....
like the docks and plugin connectors and stuff like that???
idk just saying

[tudtran]

I like the iPhone charger. Universal would be nice, but I rather have unique Apple charger.

[GIRLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL]

Yeah.. I want to be different just for the sake of it.

It will NEVER happen, it would make all iPod and iPhone accessories that use the Dock connector obsolete because if I'm not mistaken.. it would have to change for this.

[alek]

I doubt they'll ever remove the dock and might just release a 30 dollar adapter. Also i think the cable second connector end will be USB as it's the computer standard, and the iphone is more computer then cellphone.

[madczech]

come on apple! Stop changing the ports all the time!! kind of anoying when you bought one of the first iPod that was synced with firewire, now you cant use your cable anymore... same with the screen ports on your macs! Changeing them all time, and you always need to buy one of those adapters costing a fortune!!! Just follow your lines please!

[SupaMonkey]

Is it a good idea? Yes.

Will it happen? Doubtful.

They profit off their 'unique' chargers and such, in fact - I throw up in my mouth just a lil each time I look at the price of a new usb cable for the iPhone and hope that mine will never break.

Doing something logical like using a mini usb would benefit everyone because most devices (some phones, camera's and other usb devices) already use such a cable and so would help with the 'mobility' and 'use/connectivity' of the product (eg: I could go to a friends house and not have to worry about taking my cable).

Doubt it would happen though cos it will cost them profits at the end of the day. So sad...