Cell phone makers agree on industry standard, but only for Europe
Europeans are about to reduce the number of cell phone chargers crammed into their landfills and junk drawers. In an effort to cut costs and reduce waste, Apple, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Sony and Texas Instruments have signed a deal with the European Commission to create a single, standard charger for all new cell phone batteries. The voluntary, non-binding agreement was signed under the threat of the commission passing legislation that would force companies to adopt a universal charger. The new standard should see the production of chargers cut in half, and the commission hopes to further reduce waste with a future agreement on universal chargers for laptops and digital cameras. Unfortunately, the tangle of cables in Canadian cupboards will continue to grow, as the deal has no impact in North America.