Universal cell phone charger?

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: So
Micro-usb is the way to go - it's an open standard, chargers will be readily available, and five years from now you will love micro-usb, just like you hated mini-usb back when companies started putting that on devices.

I never hated it--in fact, I thought it was pretty handy that the same cable that came with my Fuji digital camera worked for my PSP, and then for my Motorola phone when I got it.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: coolVariable
Withouting thinking about this too long, I have the following mini-usb devices (probably more):
- 2 external HDD enclosures
- 2 cell phones
- 3 skype phones
- 1 web cam (I think)
- 2 digital cameras
- 1 multi-card reader

if you compare the pics the size difference is negligible.
It's just one more way to screw customers as long as they still can.

Honestly, in three years when this starts to take effect, how many of those will you still have? Your cell phones and digital cameras will be woefully out of date. Your other devices WILL STILL WORK with mini-USB. Your old parts are basically 100% unaffected by this. By the time 2012 rolls around and you have replaced many of those parts, you'll likely have many more micro-USB parts (it was released not too long ago so it isn't surprizing that you don't have many yet, but you will soon).

Micro-USB is half the height. 50% may be negligible to you, but not to everyone.

How are you possibly screwed at all in this? Your old stuff still works. Your new stuff will be micro-USB long before this takes effect.

 

[sdifox]

They are not coming to their senses. PRC mandated all cellphones be charged through USB. Guess what, they made most of the phones on the planet. What is the company going to do? Create a whole different line for market outside of PRC? Nope, issue a "pat self on back" statement saying we are green and sell the same phones worldwide.

 

[So]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: So
Micro-usb is the way to go - it's an open standard, chargers will be readily available, and five years from now you will love micro-usb, just like you hated mini-usb back when companies started putting that on devices.

I never hated it--in fact, I thought it was pretty handy that the same cable that came with my Fuji digital camera worked for my PSP, and then for my Motorola phone when I got it.

Well, not you, you're a reasonable sort of person.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: So

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: So
Micro-usb is the way to go - it's an open standard, chargers will be readily available, and five years from now you will love micro-usb, just like you hated mini-usb back when companies started putting that on devices.

I never hated it--in fact, I thought it was pretty handy that the same cable that came with my Fuji digital camera worked for my PSP, and then for my Motorola phone when I got it.

Well, not you, you're a reasonable sort of person.

You take that back! :|

 

[So]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: So

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: So
Micro-usb is the way to go - it's an open standard, chargers will be readily available, and five years from now you will love micro-usb, just like you hated mini-usb back when companies started putting that on devices.

I never hated it--in fact, I thought it was pretty handy that the same cable that came with my Fuji digital camera worked for my PSP, and then for my Motorola phone when I got it.

Well, not you, you're a reasonable sort of person.

You take that back! :|

I will not!

I'm telling mom! Aaaaaah! <runs off>

 

[Lotheron]

Originally posted by: dakels

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: dakels
Micro USB was probably chosen for its size and universal ease of use? I have seen many phones that could not fit a normal mini USB connector. Also, micro USb seems to have a more durable fit due to its shape. I see mini USB's breaking constantly. Just my observation. I'm not advocating micro USB, all my stuff is mini. I just can understand the rationale behind using it and frankly I think it may be a better standard even if it screws people like us who have a million mini USB parts.

Whaaa? Pics of a phone that can't accommodate a mini-USB connector, please...

I don't know off the top of my head. I just remember seeing phone jacks in thin places where I wouldn't think a mini usb would fit well. I'm not saying they couldn't accommodate it somewhere else.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wi...s/f/f4/USB_types_2.jpg

There is a significant different in size, height especially. Like my girlfriend's phone, I don't remember which it is but the thin location of the connector, I could see why they used micro over mini.

Whats the downside to micro? It does all the same stuff as mini but smaller?

Actually,

That is the "older" micro. The micro going into devices is a lot thinner.
micro

 

[erub]

iPod connector 4 life!!

err wait...

I don't really have any device that uses micro, and only the digital cameras that take mini, but not to charge (AAs or external Canon charger, which they somehow manage to change every time I get a new camera (2 years)). But cool..

 

[BornStar]

Originally posted by: Saga
I hope RIM tells them to go fuck themselves and keeps Mini-USB. I have more Micro break than Mini due to how fucking frail it is.

RIM already uses Micro-USB. That's what I have on my Storm.

 

[videogames101]

you've got it backwards, fuck the non-GSM industry and there non-compliance with near universal standards. cough verizon cough

 

[Leros]

Why are you so worried about micro-usb? Its not the standard now, but it will be in the future. Mini-USB wasn't a standard a few years ago. Standards change, get over it.

 

[Crono]

I just wish whatever standard is adopted really does become universal for at least a few years. Mini USB was just starting to grow on me, as most of the electronic devices I now own use it.

 

[coolVariable]

Originally posted by: Lotheron

Originally posted by: dakels
I don't know off the top of my head. I just remember seeing phone jacks in thin places where I wouldn't think a mini usb would fit well. I'm not saying they couldn't accommodate it somewhere else.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wi...s/f/f4/USB_types_2.jpg

There is a significant different in size, height especially. Like my girlfriend's phone, I don't remember which it is but the thin location of the connector, I could see why they used micro over mini.

Whats the downside to micro? It does all the same stuff as mini but smaller?

Actually,

That is the "older" micro. The micro going into devices is a lot thinner.
micro

This is just priceless. Already there are 2 standards for micro-USB!

Originally posted by: Crono
I just wish whatever standard is adopted really does become universal for at least a few years. Mini USB was just starting to grow on me, as most of the electronic devices I now own use it.

And I couldn't agree more with Crono! That's why I am complaining.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: So

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

You take that back! :|

I will not!

I'm telling mom! Aaaaaah! <runs off>

:laugh:

Cheers So! :beer:

 

[gorcorps]

Well fuck... I hope the mp3 players adapt the same thing (except for apple who will forever use proprietary BS) so I can at least have a chance at using one cable for everything like I do now. My phone and mp3 player both take mini-usb and it's great.

 

[boomhower]

My wife got a new phone that uses micro-USB. It kind of sucked because we already have God knows how many A\C and car mini-USB adaptors. But I will say it does seem much more secure connection and durable.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

You know what's MORE annoying? Fucking out of spec microUSB-esque chargers. Can't plug a fucking RAZR into an HTC charger because you'll fry the phone's mainboard! Can't plug a fucking HTC Dash into a BlackBerry (older, like 7000 series) charger because you'll fry the Dash! Can't use the Dash charger for much actually because although you can plug a microUSB cable into it, ITS cable has one completely perpendicular end as opposed to the two curved ends. Can't charge a BlackBerry with anything but it's charger because nothing is powerful enough. But at least they all use the same connector :roll:

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: gorcorps
Well fuck... I hope the mp3 players adapt the same thing (except for apple who will forever use proprietary BS) so I can at least have a chance at using one cable for everything like I do now. My phone and mp3 player both take mini-usb and it's great.

I like my proprietary ipod charger, I can hang my Touch upside down and shake it and it stays plugged in. USB & especially Micro/Mini-USB become disconnected far too easy. I wish even my Ipod cable was a bit more secure. I'd want the standard cable to be something that snaps in but that'll never happen.

and to MrSHEiK124 when I plug my Blackberry into my PC it says insufficent power to charge. MAYBE the cable isn't the right one. It pisses me off to no end. I've never heard about what you mentioned until you mentioned it. I must be using a MicroUSB that came with something else I own, great just fucking great.

 

[fleabag]

Originally posted by: mrSHEiK124
You know what's MORE annoying? Fucking out of spec microUSB-esque chargers. Can't plug a fucking RAZR into an HTC charger because you'll fry the phone's mainboard! Can't plug a fucking HTC Dash into a BlackBerry (older, like 7000 series) charger because you'll fry the Dash! Can't use the Dash charger for much actually because although you can plug a microUSB cable into it, ITS cable has one completely perpendicular end as opposed to the two curved ends. Can't charge a BlackBerry with anything but it's charger because nothing is powerful enough. But at least they all use the same connector :roll:

You know, maybe that's why they're doing this, because it'll help reduce confusion/resentment you've just experienced. HOPEFULLY, by making everybody agree to this standard of micro-usb port, it'll allow interoperability with other adapters opposed to now where you have the majority of devices on mini-usb but they don't work.

I hate that they change standards but hopefully this will stick for a long while. One thing that REALLY concerns me is that they haven't figured in USB 3.0 which has ADDITIONAL PINs, making this standard useless for USB 3.0!

 

[dakels]

Oh I think my GF's phone is a Razr 2 with micro USB. I got her a Nikon Coolpix with a micro USB as well. Those things were purchased in the last 2 months and are both Micro. My older (backup) MP3 player is mini usb, my older Blackberry 8830 is also Mini, and my portable 2.5" HD's are also mini. As much as I hate it, its not hard to keep a few $2 converters around the house and office. Complaining about change in technology is like complaining about the rain. You can hole up and choose to ignore the inevitable and unavoidable for only so long. I'm glad the overall benefit of a universal standard is being adopted. Now the better concern is what was pointed out by mrSHEiK124 about out of spec/voltage chargers using the same connector.

 

[coolVariable]

Seems like even engadget agrees with me:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/0...one-charging-standard/

Yep, we're all gonna get squeezed for accessories again as the member companies of the GSM Association begin standarizing on micro-USB chargers, and while we're happy that the madness is over, we can't help but feel the decision to use micro-USB over the already-ubiquitous mini-USB was purely greed-driven -- sure, micro-USB's supposedly more robust connector can handle something like 10x more disconnects, but if mini is good enough for everything from pro-level DSLRs to rugged portable hard drives, it's probably good enough for your average flip phone, don't you think? Sigh.