About effing time too
title says it all.
EU plays catch up on mobile single charger standard
The EU Commission has welcomed the mobile industry's commitment to using a single charging standard, only 18 months after the industry agreed it and two years after the Chinese government mandated it. This time it's a Memorandum of Understanding to use Micro-USB signed by Apple, LG, Motorola, NEC, Nokia, Qualcomm, RIM, Samsung …
-
Monday 29th June 2009 15:12 GMT Ben Tasker
LOnger charging times?
Why would charging take longer? My phone can charge from a wall charger or a USB connection. The Wall charger is a lot faster than the USB connection, so why would micro-USB be any different?
Just because it has USB in the name, doesn't mean the phones will only accept USBesque voltages, most phones can now tell exactly what's been plugged into them
-
Monday 29th June 2009 15:12 GMT Anonymous John
Why?
I've currently got three devices that charge by Mini-USB (Phone, ebook reader, and MP3 player).
What extra benefit does Micro-USB offer?
Charging is only slower if charging from a computer. If it's not enough, buy a charger with a USB socket. And the phone came with a lead that fits a car cigarette lighter socket.
-
Monday 29th June 2009 15:12 GMT dr_forrester
But...
Motorola already uses a standard mini-USB SHAPED charger (as do Blackberry and HTC, they're intercompatible), but on the charger (or when using their program on your PC so you can charger that way), the two data lines are shorted together. Are they actually going to change to use a spec USB connection without any software having to be installed? Plus, I still can't get an answer on what that deliberately out-of-spec short will do to other devices I plug into their charger.
-
Monday 29th June 2009 17:42 GMT Anonymous Coward
some relevant detail
Its a very good idea, apart from the stupid micro-USB where mini would be so much better.
However its not quiet that simple,
with USB enumeration and a capable host port, upt to 500mA is available.
without USB enumeration, the phone can draw only 100mA,
- unless the data lines are shorted together (USB charger-only) - in this case 1.5 Amp is available.
with USB3 round the corner, up to 1.5 Amp will be available from a PC (i.e. with enumeration)
So, the only real disadvantage is that low-end phone chipsets which do not have USB, will not be able to fast charge from a PC.
Totally flat batteries will need to charge at 100mA until there is enough to boot the USB engine.
Your new phone will be at risk from cheapo USB charger-only devices, which i have seen fail nastily, putting 12V out.
-
Monday 29th June 2009 17:42 GMT John Thorn
What saving?
It's all very well to talk (as on the radio this morning) about the tons of chargers being thrown away. But if this is to stop it means that at some point the phones' boxes will say "This phone doesn't come with a charger, use your old one". But that won't be 2011 because there won't be any old micro-usb chargers to re-use. So the earliest savings look like about 2015 to me.
-
Monday 29th June 2009 17:42 GMT Anonymous Coward
@dr_forrester
The reason for the short on the data lines is also the reason charging from pure USB is slower than with a mains charger - the USB specs limit the current draw to 500mA (although rarely enforced)... the short on the dedicated power supplies indicates that it's a dumb power supply and thus the power available is higher... thus the phone draws more power and charges quicker.
Also, is shouldn't affect other devices because the USB spec mandates a short on the data lines indicates a device has been plugged in. Devices shouldn't try to do anything clever until the device-induced short is acknowledged, which will never happen when the supply includes a short also.
-
Monday 29th June 2009 17:42 GMT Stuart Archer
@AC No Apple I See?
"This time it's a Memorandum of Understanding to use Micro-USB signed by Apple, LG, Motorola, NEC, Nokia, Qualcomm, RIM, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Texas Instruments."
Look at the first one on the list.... I hate it when people comment on here without first reading the article properly!!
-
Monday 29th June 2009 17:42 GMT Anonymous Coward
Charging times
I've got a Blackberry 8700, and my wife has possessed various Motorola phones through the years. They both use micro-USB, but the motos won't charge with the BB charger - and the Blackberry charges like a raped ape on the moto chargers. It can go from next-to-dead to full charge in about 40 minutes, but takes three times as long with the original charger...
Presumably I'm running some kind of enormous risk that the phone will explode, but since it's never on my while I'm charging it, I figure it's a double bonus - new phone, plus I'll get mentioned in el Reg!
-
Tuesday 30th June 2009 09:08 GMT Tim Schomer
Micro USB
My Camera uses Micro USB, not for charging but for data transfer. I tried to get a spare data lead for it (so I could use it at work without having to remove the memory card every time) and I couldn't get one anywhere.
The sooner more micro USB leads etc are available, the better for me.
To answer the question of why micro USB not mini USB, has anyone else seen the size of micro USB? it's seriously thin so a natural for phones since they're getting thinner all the time.
The other question is will adaptors be available so those of us with older phones can use the new default micro USB chargers? (bit like the adaptors available for older Nokia chargers to fit the new smaller connector on the newer phones).
-
Tuesday 30th June 2009 10:34 GMT Anonymous Coward
@ AC 17:07
Sorry AC, but there are a number of errors in your post:
- the USB specs limit the current draw to 500mA (although rarely enforced)...
Rubbish i'm afraid, the 500mA is enforced by all computers, though for tolerancing reasons you will get away with 600mA most of the time.
- the short on the dedicated power supplies indicates that it's a dumb power supply
its a short across the D+ and D- lines, on the host (i.e. dedicated charger) end.
-Also, is shouldn't affect other devices because the USB spec mandates a short on the data lines indicates a device has been plugged in.
USB does no such thing, device attachment is signalled by a pull-down resistor on one of the data lines, they are never shorted together by a USB device.
- Devices shouldn't try to do anything clever until the device-induced short is acknowledged, which will never happen when the supply includes a short also.
like i say, USB would not release a spec that had this fundamental flaw, assume it works and that you don't understand it, rather than the opposite.
-
Tuesday 30th June 2009 10:34 GMT Simon Rockman
Micro USB in the wild
Motorola has had some phones with micro USB, there was a cheap version of the Pebble that used it.
There are however multiple micro-USB 'standards' and it might be hoping for too much common sense to assume that everyone is talking about the same one.
We can also assume that the vast majority of phones by volume, those price sensitive sub $50 phones will continue to use dumb chargers and barrel connectors.
I wonder who will jump on this band-wagon next and claim it as theirs?
Simon
-
Tuesday 30th June 2009 15:38 GMT dr_forrester
Why Micro?
Read the story. The reason it's micro USB rather than mini USB (or just "use a USB spec plug to charge, people can get USB cables with the right plug) is because the Chinese mandated it first. Very few devices in the West currently use micro USB, so where do you think all these cables, converters, and adapters are going to be built?
This topic is closed for new posts.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
