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European Commission Set to Adopt Universal Micro-USB Smartphone Charging Standard in January

-SD- said:
Totally agree with this. It's about time we had a standard wireless charging format instead of messing around with MiniUSB. I look forward to the day when all A/V remotes, phones, console pads etc. do wireless charging straight out of the box.

:apple:
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The problem with wireless charging is it is horrible in efficiency. A lot of power is wasted running the base station that never makes it into the battery. On top of that those type of station that can out put enough power to charge a phone are pretty expensive to buy and make. Now they are great add on people can get and I honestly am tempted to get one. I like something powermat is putting out which you will not even need a special case to use it. Sadly it will never be out for the iPhone as it is a replacement battery that can charge threw the case.
 
BaldiMac said:
Yes, they will be affected exactly the same. The policy affects the connector to the charger. Both Android phones and iPhones connect to the charger using full USB. The connector on the phone does not matter.
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I know its hard for you to accept that iphone may be lagging behind its competitors, but quit spreading BS. The memorandum clearly says "based on the micro USB" interface. Android phones already use micro USB. iphones dont. Android phones are already compliant, iphones arent. They are not affected exactly the same.
 
wreckshop said:
I know its hard for you to accept that iphone may be lagging behind its competitors, but quit spreading BS. The memorandum clearly says "based on the micro USB" interface. Android phones already use micro USB. iphones dont. Android phones are already compliant, iphones arent. They are not affected exactly the same.
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It's not about the phone, it's about the charger.

As NightFox explains, the iPhone charger already confirms to the Standard.


NightFox said:
OK, here's my existing UK iPhone charger. Note the USB 'A' port in the base into which I currently connect my iPhone's charging cable.

And here's the part of the EU MoU that deals with chargers with detachable cables: (I've numbered the sections for reference)

1. An EPS provided with a detachable cable shall be equipped with a USB Standard-A receptacle.

2. Standard detachable cable assembly, supplied for use with the EPS, shall have Standard-A and Micro-B plugs and meet the USB-IF Cable Assembly Test Requirements for Compliant Usage of Connectors and Cables in Micro-USB 1.01. (http://www.usb.org/developers/compliance/cable/).”

3. Above requirement also applies to detachable cables used as adaptor i.e. where the Micro-B is replaced by a proprietary plug​

So, Requirement 1: existing charger already meets this requirement

Requirement 2: refers to the 'standard detachable cable' which has to terminate in a Micro-USB plug. However, where a non-standard charging port exists on the phone, the manufacturer can supply an adapter, which can actually be this cable. In other words, the detachable cable can terminate in a proprietary plug and itself be classed as an adapter; the adapter doesn't need to be be a removable one stuck onto the end of a Micro-USB plug. So requirement 2 is not relevant in this case.

Requirement 3: this is the type of adapter cable Apple already uses for charging: the Micro-USB plug is replaced by a proprietary plug.

In other words, Apple's existing iPhone charger already meets these requirements by having a USB A socket in the charger and a detachable cable adapter with its proprietary connector on the other end.

Damn Brussels and its fascist, innovation stifling, market-killing legislation.
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OllyW said:
It's not about the phone, it's about the charger.

As NightFox explains, the iPhone charger already confirms to the Standard.
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No it doesnt. That interpretation by whoever you quoted is wrong. It clearly says that requirement #2 applies to #3, not that #3 is exempt from #2.

How is the specification based on micro USB, if all handset manufacturers had to be compliant is to put a USB A plug on one side and keep using their proprietary connector on the other?
 
wreckshop said:
No it doesnt. That interpretation by whoever you quoted is wrong. It clearly says that requirement #2 applies to #3, not that #3 is exempt from #2.

How is the specification based on micro USB, if all handset manufacturers had to be compliant is to put a USB A plug on one side and keep using their proprietary connector on the other?
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It fullfills Micro-B electrical requirements. The memorandum allows adapters.#2 defines a standard cable but #3 says that the standard cable can be replaced with a cable without a micro-B plug but that it must contain a USB-A plug.

The text "above requirement" refers to USB-IF Cable Assembly Test Requirements for Compliant Usage of Connectors and Cables in Micro-USB 1.01 (http://www.usb.org/developers/compliance/cable/) which contains a passage whih defines alternative cables without micro-B connector.

"Captive cables are defined by the USB spec to be cables that do not have a B connector at one end, that include both soldered in place cables and cables with some other connector at the end opposite the A connector."

That is, an adapter.
 
Great charging idea

This is a VERY GOOD IDEA.

I just came back from a vacation trip and had forgotten the charger for my Palm Treo, so I was not able to make or receive a phone-call the entire time. I'll be getting an iPhone when my current contract ends next year. Guess it'll be a Verizon iPhone by then. ;) :apple:
 
Total Convergence

I pray to my own personal God, Bob Dylan, that some day all adaptors, cables, electric do-dads, and what have you, will meet in perfect harmony.
 
wreckshop said:
I know its hard for you to accept that iphone may be lagging behind its competitors, but quit spreading BS. The memorandum clearly says "based on the micro USB" interface. Android phones already use micro USB. iphones dont. Android phones are already compliant, iphones arent. They are not affected exactly the same.
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The only reason that what you are saying is hard for me to accept is that you are wrong. :rolleyes:
 
I think the confusion here comes from the fact some people interpret the new regulation to mean Apple MUST have a Micro USB connector on the iPhone itself. But a more careful reading of the rules indicate that what rules the REALLY mean is the the charger must have a cable that has a Micro USB connector that connects to the cellphone or the charger has a female USB A connector to allow connecting a connecting charging cable that has a male USB A connector on one end.

I think the European Commission did this because there are so many Apple devices out there with iPod dock connectors that it has pretty much become its own de facto standard for connecting a device to a computer for data sync and charging purposes.
 
SactoGuy18 said:
I think the European Commission did this because there are so many Apple devices out there with iPod dock connectors that it has pretty much become its own de facto standard for connecting a device to a computer for data sync and charging purposes.
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I'm confused as to what you mean there; how can it be a de facto standard when it's a non-licensed, proprietary connection used only by one company (Apple)? :confused:
 
So, if I understand correctly, there will be two types of chargers that meet the standard:

- "All in one" chargers with micro-USB plug.
- Separate chargers & cables, where the cable plugs into the adaptor via standard USB. (Apple's adaptors are already this type, so they're kosher.)

Is that correct? If so, it sounds a little odd. You'd still need to buy an adaptor to use the first type of charger to connect the micro-USB to the iPhone's dock connector.

I wonder how long before we see devices being sold with chargers optional.
 
whooleytoo said:
So, if I understand correctly, there will be two types of chargers that meet the standard:

- "All in one" chargers with micro-USB plug.
- Separate chargers & cables, where the cable plugs into the XXadaptorXX charger via standard USB. (Apple's adaptors are already this type, so they're kosher.)

Is that correct? If so, it sounds a little odd. You'd still need to buy an adaptor to use the first type of charger to connect the micro-USB to the iPhone's dock connector.

I wonder how long before we see devices being sold with chargers optional.
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You got it, although I've made a slight correction to what you said, though I think that's what you meant. It does sound a bit odd at first until you remember what this agreement is about, i.e. reducing the amount of chargers that get thrown out instead of re-used. So yes, you would need to buy the appropriate cable (although I assume manufacturers will always supply these, maybe they have to under the full terms of the agreement), but you'll be able to re-use your existing charger, maybe having to buy a Micro-USB -> Apple adapter is you've got a fixed cable charger.

And yes, I think we will eventually move to the situation where you don't get a new charger every time you buy a phone. That might sound like a massive step now, but a few years ago if you told me I was going to have to start sorting my household waste into two different bins I wouldn't have believed you.
 
aegisdesign said:
Actually, I think Nokia are allowing charging via their normal 2mm connector AND MicroUSB. The 2mm pin connector is more robust and carries a higher current than USB allows so charges quicker. So, don't chuck out those chargers.

The change is that they allow you to charge from the MicroUSB port now as well.
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Not on my wife's phone (Nokia 5310 or something). MicroUSB does not charge. Very annoying. This might be the phone that precipitated this EU action.

BaldiMac said:
Yes, they will be affected exactly the same. The policy affects the connector to the charger. Both Android phones and iPhones connect to the charger using full USB. The connector on the phone does not matter.
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I'm assuming you mean "The connector on the Iphone" does not matter, since it appears to follow the rules. You keep saying phones will not be affected. I'm sure many non-Apple phones will simply switch to MicroUSB rather than fight with adapters and whatnot. (this is what I was pointing out a few days ago in this thread, also)
 
JAT said:
I'm assuming you mean "The connector on the Iphone" does not matter, since it appears to follow the rules. You keep saying phones will not be affected.
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No, I meant phone, not iPhone. The connector on the phone itself is not affected by this policy. Only the connector on the charger.

I'm sure many non-Apple phones will simply switch to MicroUSB rather than fight with adapters and whatnot. (this is what I was pointing out a few days ago in this thread, also)
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I agree most non-Apple phones will be micro-USB. Seems like most already are. I'm not sure what point you are making here.
 
rlmccormick said:
I would think they would simply include an adaptor that would allow you to connect the phone to a micro-usb charger. An adaptor wouldn't be that costly.
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I don't think an adapter would be acceptable by law. The whole point is that if you forget your stupid adapter, you're screwed whereas an actual micro-USB port means you can charge it anywhere with a standard connector. Apple should never have created a custom connector to begin with, but seeing as they are control freaks, it shouldn't surprise anyone. I'm shocked they aren't still trying to push AppleTalk. You certainly can't expect USB3 any time soon from them (let alone BD).
 
MagnusVonMagnum said:
I don't think an adapter would be acceptable by law. The whole point is that if you forget your stupid adapter, you're screwed whereas an actual micro-USB port means you can charge it anywhere with a standard connector. Apple should never have created a custom connector to begin with, but seeing as they are control freaks, it shouldn't surprise anyone. I'm shocked they aren't still trying to push AppleTalk. You certainly can't expect USB3 any time soon from them (let alone BD).
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If you read this (old) thread, it's been pretty well explained that Apple does not need to make any changes to comply with this agreement. They do not even need to include an adapter.

Apple's proprietary connector is irrelevant, because the agreement only makes requirements to the connector on the charger, not the connector on the phone. Apple's charger is already standard, full USB which is one of the alternatives described in the agreement.
 
NightFox said:
How about left hand side of the iPhone 4, about 1cm up from the bottom? There's some sort of pointless black line across it right now...

Best thing is we'd all still be able to charge our phones whilst using them since Steve pointed out how we'd all been holding our phones wrong for the last few decades.
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I'm gonna recommend you read this.

http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone-4-Teardown/3130/

The pointless line? You mean the connection cable for the SIM card reader?
 
I'm happy with the new law (disclaimer - I work at the European Commission - but not the bit that makes policy!) but one weekend I needed to transfer data from my Nexus One android, couldn't find my USB cable. I went to the local mall and they still haven't any HTC accessories, but the latest Nokia branded smartfone Data Cable looked interesting, bought it, plugged in - data transferred OK and my phone charges as well! I have 4 previous historic Nokia PSUs and now finally the world, or EU at least is going compatible. I've been cruel to my micro-USB cables and connectors over the last 8 months - and they've held up very well.
I will be buying an iPad rev.A when the .B comes out! I have enough Apple adapters to keep it fed.
 
One big market mandating a Micro-USB charging standard is enough; if manufacturers have to honour the standard there, they will start selling the same mobiles in other countries.

Reportedly, there's a Chinese law. That's probably the reason the European Commission could so easily reach a voluntary agreement: The manufacturers had to implement it anyway due to the Chinese law.

Most GSM/UMTS phones in the US will probably soon follow the Micro-USB standards, too.
 
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