Major Cellphone Manufacturers Supporting MicroUSB Standard
Well, it's about time... While it's never been a huge problem for me, having only owned 5 cellular phones (3 of which sharing the same charger), I know it's been and endless source of aggravation for many other cellphone owners to try and match up chargers. When it comes to computers and machinery, I know the pains of proprietary parts, so I can at least relate to those who have struggled to figure out what charger goes with what phone or grabbing the wrong one and not realizing until it's too late to go look for the other. So, it's cool that the GSM Association and Open Mobile Terminal Platform (OMTP) group have finally agreed to implement a universal cellphone charger, among the major handset manufacturers.
And, the winner is... MicroUSB! Half the thickness of MiniUSB, featuring a stronger connection between plug and receptacle, and rated for 10,000 connect-disconnect cycles, I really like the MicroUSB over MiniUSB. Already, many phones - my Virgin Mobile TNT (Kyocera Adreno S2400), included - use MicroUSB to recharge or for data transfer. By 2012, most handsets should then feature the MicroUSB port for recharging. I can now recharge my phone from my computer or surge protectors with USB power, using a MicroUSB cable, or share a charger with 3 other people at the office (with one lone iPhone user, which will likely remain with a proprietary hookup).
And, the winner is... MicroUSB! Half the thickness of MiniUSB, featuring a stronger connection between plug and receptacle, and rated for 10,000 connect-disconnect cycles, I really like the MicroUSB over MiniUSB. Already, many phones - my Virgin Mobile TNT (Kyocera Adreno S2400), included - use MicroUSB to recharge or for data transfer. By 2012, most handsets should then feature the MicroUSB port for recharging. I can now recharge my phone from my computer or surge protectors with USB power, using a MicroUSB cable, or share a charger with 3 other people at the office (with one lone iPhone user, which will likely remain with a proprietary hookup).