AT&T moving to one phone charger fits all, plus conserve power
March 17th, 2010, 2:45 pm · 7 Comments · posted by Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress
A special new phone charger from AT&T could help customers save money on their electric bill and waste less energy to boot.
The AT&T Zero Charger automatically senses when a mobile phone is no longer plugged in and cuts off power from the wall socket. Another eco-friendly aspect? It has a mini-USB port so it can be reused with a customer’s next phone.
AT&T worked with Irwindale-based Superior Communications on the charger, which will sell for $29.99 beginning in May. Interested customers can sign up HERE to be notified when it becomes available.
The world will likely see more of these chargers. It’s part of an effort by GSM World, a global organization supporting wireless technologies used by companies like AT&T. The Universal Charging Solution Initiative, which launched in February 2009, aimed to create a universal power supply for all cell phones (thank goodness!). No more searching for the right cable or adapter.
The new universal charger standard, approved last October, relies on USB technology to connect a phone to a charger. The technology inside reduces standby energy consumption.
Of course, iPhone owners won’t be able to use it unless they buy a micro-USB adapter cable. Perhaps Apple will join the effort and offer a universal power adapter as well.
More on AT&T cell, mobile services:
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Good, all chargers should be universally mini-USB.
Sweet!
“Of course, iPhone owners won’t be able to use it unless they buy a micro-USB adapter cable. Perhaps Apple will join the effort and offer a universal power adapter as well.”
Wouldn’t they be able to plug their ” Apple Dock Connector to USB” cable into the proposed USB power adapter? The trick to these adapters is to make the cable between the power adapter and the device interchangeable so you can use the power adapter for any device.
Let’s hope there aren’t voltage issues though – Motorola and Blackberry used to use the same mini-USB port adapter cables, but the power adapter voltages were different – you couldn’t power a Motorola PDA on a Blackberry power adapter.
FYI: The Universal Charger Standard includes these specs:
Full details at GSMWorld: LINK
In response to on the other hand, a micro USB is a micro USB etc.. I have powered my Blackberry’s and Motorola’s for years. ONly probably you would have is if the manufacturer can’t handle the standard amperage.
For this discussion, “over” amperage is never a problem.
In this case, amperage relates to the amount of electrical current that an adapter can supply, and the amount of electrical current that a device needs.
For example, if you have an adapter that supplies 850mA, and a phone that needs 1000mA to charge the battery, that adapter won’t supply enough current to charge the battery.
On the other hand, if you have an adapter that supplies 850mA, and a phone that needs 400mA, that’s fine. The device is only going to draw what it needs – in this case 400mA.
My phone will charge from a USB port, but since a standard USB port will only supply 500mA, the charging is slow.
On the other hand, the normal adapter for my phone will supply 1000mA (or 1A, same value). It charges the battery in a fraction of the time.
With any adapter, there are three things to consider:
- Voltage. This matters. If the device says 12v DC, then the adapter needs to output 12v DC.
- Current (amperage). What the device needs, or more. If the device says 5v @ 850mA, then you need an adapter that is 850mA or greater.
- Proper physical connection. I knew somebody who crammed a “keyed” connector in backwards. The charging circuit was damaged.
Cool thanks fir the heads up Tamara.