Cell Phone Companies' Universal Appeal

Some of the world's leading technology companies are coming together for a common cause. World hunger? Endangered whales? We wish. But the effort the companies are backing will have universal appeal.

It was announced yesterday, according to this CNET story, that mobile phone companies in Europe — including Apple, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Research In Motion, Samsung and Sony Ericsson — are all going to sell phones with universal chargers. The change will take effect January 1, 2010. According to this CNN story, now that Europe has the technology, it's unlikely the rest of the world can lag behind for long.

The change was a long time coming as many phone makers balked at the idea of having a charger that would allow people to switch more easily to other handsets brands. Until they realized that it's also good for business. The new chargers, which will use micro-USB plugs, can actually reduce manufacturing expenses by lowering packaging and shipping costs. The one-size-fits-all charger is also more eco-friendly because it will help reduce electronic waste in the form of obsolete or unused plugs.

As for consumers? We can finally stop running around the office asking who else has that weird two-pronged plug for Sony Ericsson phones.