One plug to rule them all

The Mobile World Congress was abuzz this week when GSMA announced the possibility of having one standard charger for all mobile types. Instead of having a specific charger for each type of mobile phone, manufacturers can create one type that will charge all devices. This should not be too difficult to achieve since most cellular phones are 5 volt devices.

Benefits of having a universal charger is that it will be very convenient for consumers as well as create less waste for the environment. The organization Green Plug feels that this goal is not only attainable with mobile phones, but other electronic devices as well. The company has proposed a universal plug that will power not only mobile phones, but other devices like notebook PCs, printers, game controllers, power tools, portable DVD players, wireless routers that run off of different voltage. Their device converts the power source and communicates with the device in order to provide function without wasting energy.