Europe Gets Universal Cellphone Charger in 2010

The movement toward adopting a universal cellphone charger — that is, one type of charger that’s compatible with all cellphones — is becoming a reality in Europe as soon as 2010.

Several major mobile manufacturers, including Nokia, Apple and Research in Motion, have signed up for the universal charger initiative led by the Group Special Mobile Association (GSMA), according to Reuters.

GSMA announced the initiative in February with a goal of pushing manufacturers to use Micro USB as the charging standard for all cellphones by 2012. Europe is getting a head start, as several manufacturers have agreed to implement Micro USB in their phones next year.

The 10 cellphone manufacturers beginning Micro USB adoption in Europe are Apple, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, LG , NEC, Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Samsung and Texas Instruments.

Read more: wired.com