CTIA follows industry trend, throws weight behind micro-USB
The EU's already given micro-USB its blessing as the preferred charging standard for all things mobile, and now, CTIA has done the same in the States. The move makes perfect sense considering that the OMTP and GSM Association have both endorsed it -- and if there's one thing the entire universe can agree on, it's that proprietary connectors suck. Micro-USB is being lumped together with Energy Star compliance to form the Universal Charging Solution initiative with the goal of getting everyone on the same page by the beginning of 2012. We think that's a pessimistic goal, truth be told; tons of modern phones are already rocking micro-USB, so why can't we make this happen by, say, the beginning of 2010 instead?[Via Phone Scoop]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
yaniv.chokron @ Apr 23rd 2009 9:21AM
AWESOME! Now Ill just try to understand why this took so long, why MicroUSB when MiniUSB is so much more prevalent, or for that matter why not HTC's 11 Pin ExtUSB supporting data and voice.
Now Im not saying I would do it, but one day someones gonna get really upset at the fact that consumers just keep getting the shaft.... and do something about it.
I mean doesn't any company actually care to listen to its bosses (that would be us)?
In the great words of Frank Costanza...... SERENTIY NOW!!!!!!
Eddie @ Apr 23rd 2009 9:33AM
I'm surprised they went with Micro over Mini as well.
Ahmed Eltawil @ Apr 23rd 2009 9:43AM
Micro USB is smaller and thinner than Mini USB. As you can see cellphones are getting smaller and having a Mini USB as its main power connector will limit the manufacture to certain measurements which may be larger than what they intend.
yaniv.chokron @ Apr 23rd 2009 10:18AM
@Ahmed Eltawil while this may be a very valid point, I would imagine the next obvious step for mobiles would be OLED's. That being the case mini vs. micro wouldn't make a difference. If the manufacturer intends on making it smaller, neither would be a solution.
Besides I cant foresee in the near future any batter thinner than a mini USB connector.
l3it3r @ Apr 23rd 2009 10:50AM
Micro vs Mini - the micro connectors have more succesful connects and disconnects over time. Durability. I prefer Mini since I own so many things that use Mini USB, but hey- we can't win EVERY battle.
Tom @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:40PM
"if there's one thing the entire universe can agree on, it's that proprietary connectors suck."
Then how come, after carefully reading both your articles yesterday about the new Jawbone, I still have no idea whether it uses some sort of standard USB connector or a proprietary connector like the previous jawbones?
I'm really surprised that the engadget articles never addressed this.
Chris @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:49PM
Good luck getting Apple away from there crappy 30-pin connector. I'm all for a standard plug type!
WhatADouche @ Apr 23rd 2009 5:26PM
Apple feels they're too cool to adopt industry standard practices and if they do then they'll do so in a "fashionably late" manner. Case and point, NO REMOVABLE BATTERY ON THE IPHONE!
SimbaDogg @ Apr 23rd 2009 7:13PM
would u expect anything less than the, "we scoff at the rest of you, we're apple" approach to all things CE related. they're the "decider" of electronics companies, they do what they want, when they're gah'd damn good and ready.