A new mobile phone charger that will work with any handset has been approved by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations body.

Industry body the GSMA says that 51,000 tonnes of redundant chargers are generated each year.

Currently most chargers are product or brand specific, so people tend to change them when they upgrade to a new phone.

However, the new energy-efficient chargers can be kept for much longer.

The GSMA also estimates that they will reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 13.6m tonnes.

"This is a significant step in reducing the environmental impact of mobile charging," said Malcolm Johnson, director of ITU's Telecommunication Standardisation Bureau.

"Universal chargers are a common-sense solution that I look forward to seeing in other areas."

The charger has a micro-USB port at the connecting end, using similar technology to digital cameras.

It is not compulsory for manufacturers to adopt the new chargers but the ITU says that some have already signed up to it.

"We are planning to launch the universal charger internationally during the first half of 2010," Aldo Liguori, spokesperson for Sony Ericsson told the BBC.

"We will roll it out with new products as they launch." 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8323018.stm

Applause....  There is nothing I hate more, than having a collection of different chargers, and them no longer being usable once I change my phone, or any electronic device for that matter.

Is there a down side to this?

 [ send green star]

It's about time!!

Nope, no downside.

 [ send green star]

The sell the "universal charger" part for about $20.  And then you can buy attachments for various phones for another $10. 

I forgot my charger when I was in CA a couple of weeks ago and had to succumb ...

I think I might repackage and return the pieces, though. 

 [ send green star]

How the manufacturers are going to get away from some sort of market domination, is by varying the voltage on the chargers.  I mean, if Nokia makes one and it fits my Motorola, and its cheaper...  then....

You get the picture... 

 [ send green star]

on some geek site - free shipping.  I bought two for my phone AND I have a car charger. 

And I still forgot to bring any of them. 

 [ send green star]

There will only be a downside if the manufacturers manufacture a downside. 

 [ send green star]

some cheap P.o.S., made in China...

 [ send green star]

But it does what it's supposed to ...

 [ send green star]

Burn up if not attended to? Remember the failed batteries for the laptops about a year ago?

 [ send green star]

or my phone does ... when it's fully charged ...

 [ send green star]

my $5 free-shipping phone charger, you heear? 

 [ send green star]

Where did you get that?

 [ send green star]

where else?  *shrug8

 [ send green star]

*hmm8 Need to get that one...

 [ send green star]

*thumbsup8

 [ send green star]