Sprint

Sprint CEO Dan Hesse: microUSB charging to become standard in the US by 2012

posted by Alex I. / Mar 29, 2011, 7:27 AM

Sprint CEO Dan Hesse: microUSB charging to become standard in the US by 2012

There are many different charging and syncing cables out there - basically, all manufacturers ship their own charging and syncing cables, and they are not compatible with other manufacturers' devices.

This has been a real nuisance of ours, and it seems we are not the only ones who feel that way - Sprint's CEO Dan Hesse has described the problem as "a pet peeve of mine for a very long time" at CTIA 2011, and has announced that by January 2012, all US phones will use microUSB chargers - presumably, the idea behind the proposition is that these chargers should be compatible with all devices on the market.

We have seen a similar initiative in Europe, but as of now, there hasn't been a considerable progress with it, and it seems that the bottom end from this proposition will be that most phones will ship with microUSB chargers in Europe.

As things stand at the moment, there is nothing we can do about this issue, but to keep our fingers crossed - who knows, come January 2012, we may have a ubiquity standard for microUSB chargers, so we would need only one, which would be compatible with all our devices.

source: nexGadget and geek.com

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14 Comments

1. ding2134

Posts: 38; Member since: Dec 30, 2008

I thought that manufacturers agreed to make Micro USB standard about like two or three years ago. Does anyone else remember that?

posted on Mar 29, 2011, 8:07 AM 4

2. YouLostTheGame

Posts: 441; Member since: Dec 11, 2008

Yeah I do as well. Good luck getting Apple to ditch their 30 pin connector in favor of USB.

posted on Mar 29, 2011, 8:24 AM 3

5. PhoneLuver

Posts: 481; Member since: Jul 05, 2010

They are going to use adapters.

posted on Mar 29, 2011, 9:49 AM 0

6. heli777 unregistered

I worked at Verizon for about three years and left a year ago. I know it was about two years ago that the discussion was of switching to Micro. So... I don't see why the Sprint CEO had to make that announcement. And a lot of manufactures have already made a switch. Motorola and LG were the first to switch at Verizon. Then Blackberry. For the longest time, it was Samsung that didn't make the jump.

posted on Mar 29, 2011, 11:03 AM 0

3. Rawrzellers

Posts: 224; Member since: Aug 22, 2010

I don't need a microUSB I fucking hate those tiny things. I'm always afraid if I don't put it in carefully enough that it'll snap off.

posted on Mar 29, 2011, 8:35 AM 1

8. Fanboys Suck

Posts: 609; Member since: Dec 12, 2008

That's what she said...

posted on Mar 29, 2011, 12:53 PM 7

4. ding2134

Micro USB is definitely the best, most secure, and easiest to use connector I have ever used. Your right YouLostTheGame. I dont think Apple should really be included when I say "manufacturers" lol I wonder what they call theselves? Cell phone wizards maybe?

posted on Mar 29, 2011, 9:31 AM 2

7. SomeGuy unregistered

Hahaha, ding2134, so true. Apple doesn't count. They will always continue to do things the way they please... However, I'm not complaining at all. It is true though, everyone agreed a long time ago that MicroUSB is they way of the future for cell phones. Come one Sprint. Catch up.

posted on Mar 29, 2011, 12:10 PM 0

11. downphoenix

Posts: 3165; Member since: Jun 19, 2010

they already have, I dont think I've seen a new sprint phone without a micro usb port in over a year, even the crappiest feature phones seem to have 'em. Sprint's manufacturers seem to be doing their part and appears that's the case for the other major ones too (besides Apple).

posted on Mar 29, 2011, 3:54 PM 0

9. XxVerbalxX unregistered

dont really care for mircos, even if EVERYONE is using them. samsung gave in and even casio is using them now. i do see a lot of charging errors with them, not as much as minis though. i miss the old wide plastic ones. i never had one of those screw up. sure other people have.

posted on Mar 29, 2011, 1:33 PM 0

10. ibap

Posts: 867; Member since: Sep 09, 2009

I guess I'd just be happy if they were USB connectors at the other end, instead of hauling a bunch of those bricks around.

posted on Mar 29, 2011, 2:35 PM 0

12. InspectorGadget80 unregistered

Isn't already standard since Android hits Sprint Verizon AT&T network like 2yrs ago

posted on Mar 29, 2011, 5:30 PM 0

13. Wake Up Bitches unregistered

If I'm not mistaken, it was mandated by the government that this change happens. In fact, correct me if I'm wrong, but any NEW model phone after January 2011 has to have a Micro USB port. This announcement is a moot point.

posted on Mar 30, 2011, 1:23 PM 0

14. homineyhominey

Posts: 29; Member since: Mar 10, 2011

all but two phones on sprint have micro usb. HTC Hero (which is dying) and the BB 8530i on Nextel. Sprint is on the ball with this one, but it wasn't agreed upon by the carriers to only support micro usb chargers til recently.