Dexim

We’ve all been there. You board an airplane and suddenly realize your phone charger is plugged-in…at the hotel. You fumble around inside your carry-on bag and find nothing. You stop at an airport store during your layover, but they carry only Blackberry chargers. You finally get to the airport’s parking garage, dig deep into your car console, and realize you’ve found a charger…from two Christmases ago.

Seriously, wouldn’t life be easier if our power solutions were universally compatible? We’re now one-step closer to making this a reality! On Tuesday, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) released a statement on positive effects of using micro-USB cables as the universally compatible mobile device charging standard.

The commission stated, “We all have drawers full of chargers that became obsolete as soon as we buy a new phone. Today, we have a truly operational global standard that will allow the industry to end this waste and significantly reduce environmental impact. This is something millions of consumers have been waiting for…”

Currently, 14 companies have signed the IEC’s memorandum, suggesting they support the initiative. Thus far, producing compatible micro-USB cables is voluntary, but Apple’s signature on the IEC’s standard shows companies are taking this seriously. A one-size-fits-all approach is exactly what mobile users need. Imagine the possibilities: lower shipping costs, the ability to borrow a friend’s cord without difficulty, purchasing a replacement cord for a fraction of its current price, and protecting the environment by producing less waste.

If companies adopt the suggested standard, it’s a win/win situation for all parties. For the manufacturers, it’s cost-savings in production, packaging, and shipping, and it reduces waste. For consumers, it’s a matter of convenience. At Dexim, we continue to incorporate both mini and micro-USB cords in many of our products.

Do you support micro-USB cords as the universal charging standard?