O2's first trial of selling charger-free phones has seen a take-up rate of 82%.

The operator launched the trial with HTC in September and had previously announced plans to remove all chargers by 2015. O2 had a target that 70% of purchases of the HTC One X+ would be without a charger. The operator said that if the results of the pilot were repeated across all handsets, 24 million fewer chargers would be sold in the UK each year out of the 30 million annual sales of new phones.


http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/News/23832/Four_five_of_consumers_decline_charger_in_O2HTC_campaign.aspx

With USB connectors, and derivatives thereof, being standard place these days there is no reason to provide mains power supplies with phones.

Dave wrote on Jan 22^nd, 2013 at 8:24pm:

With USB connectors, and derivatives thereof, being standard place these days there is no reason to provide mains power supplies with phones.

Not all phones use the new standard usb charger but most do.

I'm sure I read that apple refused to adopt this standard.

bbb_uk wrote on Jan 22^nd, 2013 at 8:39pm:

Dave wrote on Jan 22nd, 2013 at 8:24pm: With USB connectors, and derivatives thereof, being standard place these days there is no reason to provide mains power supplies with phones. Not all phones use the new standard usb charger but most do. I'm sure I read that apple refused to adopt this standard.

Is it not the case that Apple is a perverse company? It has its own "standards" like its own music format rather than MP3.

I don't understand. How do you connect an Apple phone to a computer? Does it not have a USB plug on the end?

Dave wrote on Jan 22^nd, 2013 at 8:49pm:

Is it not the case that Apple is a perverse company? It has its own "standards" like its own music format rather than MP3. I don't understand. How do you connect an Apple phone to a computer? Does it not have a USB plug on the end?

It does but the other end that plugs into iphone is not mini usb like most phones.

I did read that apple didn't want to adopt the new charging standard.

You are correct they do like to make their own "standards" lol.

So I'm to take it all that is missing is the actual 3-pin uk socket adapter, not the actual cable from phone to socket (ie data cable)?

How about all the people that cannot afford a Computer or are too Elderly and dont want to know. I bet the only ones with chargers will cost the earth and not be Pay and Go that these people mainly use.

It is the same as the Benefits going digital - and the Council Rent Desks closing. I have to try and explain this to a Vulnerable Adult I help, a double dyslexic who is now having mental issues.

I hate being forced into doing something just to suit a Government or Commercial Jobsworth.

When are new laptops going to standardise Batterys - now that would be really useful, then you would not have to dump laptops because you can no longer get their batterys.

speedy wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2013 at 12:11am:

How about all the people that cannot afford a Computer or are too Elderly and dont want to know.

There is a point about reliance on computers, but it does not really apply in this case - see these examples of alternative "chargers".

speedy wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2013 at 12:11am:

How about all the people that cannot afford a Computer or are too Elderly and dont want to know.

The point is that the connection between the phone and the "charger" (strickly speaking a power supply) is universal.

USB connectors are not just used to attach devices to computers; they are often used purely for providing power only.

The examples SilentCallsVictim has given are those that plug into a 13 amp mains socket. Other ones are available that plug into a cigarette lighter socket in a car which have a USB socket on.

Because it is a universal connection, there is no longer the need to supply new "chargers" as many people already have one. They just plug in the USB lead to the "charger".

I take speedy's point entirely; it's also an issue when one goes on holiday etc, not everyone (I hope!!!) takes a computer or laptop.   Taking SCV's point, if these universal ones exist, why doesn't 02 supply one of these free with new handsets for those who need them?  Oh, could it be that it's all about saving money for 02??

Barbara wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2013 at 6:48pm:

I take speedy's point entirely; it's also an issue when one goes on holiday etc, not everyone (I hope!!!) takes a computer or laptop.   Taking SCV's point, if these universal ones exist, why doesn't 02 supply one of these free with new handsets for those who need them?  Oh, could it be that it's all about saving money for 02??

This has nothing to do with requiring everyone to charge their phone from their computer or laptop!  ::)

Why would people charge up their phone only when their computer is switched on?

The point is that up until a few years ago the connection between the power supply and mobile phone was a plug/socket peculiar to the handset in question (even across manufacturers they varied). This meant that each phone had to come with a power supply.

Today the connection is a USB one which contains power contacts/conductors. Thus in order to connect it to the mains one simply has to use a power supply that has a USB socket on. You don't need a new one if you get a new phone as the existing one performs the same function.

Outlets that sell handsets are likely to sell power supplies with USB sockets on ("chargers") for which one will work with any phone.

Barbara wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2013 at 6:48pm:

...Oh, could it be that it's all about saving money for 02??

And the mobile company.

That's the real reason I think under the guise of saving the environment.

Will the saving be passed onto the end consumer in cheaper handsets I wonder  ;)

If the handsets are cheaper and the option of buying a usb charger mains charger was available for a pound or two then that's fair in my opinion.

At a guess though, the phones r prob not cheaper and any usb mains chargers are prob not priced as low as that in the o2 shop.

I have one of those 3 pin sockets - but I also get a charging lead/cable for each phone to be kept in the car, I had to use this a few weeks ago because I dont use my mobile much so missed its routine check and had to use the Lead in the Cigarette socket to make a call.

What about the Modern cars that dont have cigarette sockets, do they still have the Socket without the Lighter.

Are phone companys going to offer only USB lead ends or do you get an option for Lighter Socket ends?

speedy wrote on Jan 24^th, 2013 at 2:11am:

What about the Modern cars that dont have cigarette sockets, do they still have the Socket without the Lighter.

Do they have USB sockets now? Or perhaps they might do in the future.

This reminds me of a recent documentary on a well-known haulier. The driver had forgotten the cigarette-lighter adapter for his satnav and thought he wouldn't be able to plug it in. He then noticed that there was a USB socket in the cab to supply power to which he successfully connected his satnav.



speedy wrote on Jan 24^th, 2013 at 2:11am:

Are phone companys going to offer only USB lead ends or do you get an option for Lighter Socket ends?

Do they not already do?

I thought that this was the point: by having a USB plug on it can be connected — for power supply purposes — to a mains adapter or to an adapter that plugs into a cigarette lighter socket, such as below.

http://www.coated.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/car-lighter-usb-port.jpg

In the past the lead that connects to the phone was hard-wired into the plug-in power supply. This has been replaced with a plug-in connection and where the power supply can be used with any phone, or indeed any USB device such as a digital camera.

I had no idea there were ciigarette lighter to USB or USB to cigarette lighter adapters available now because I only have my Mobile for emergencys e.g. breakdowns and because my cars are 1989 and 1969 I have never had to bother. When I got my son's phone (also for emergency only) I asked for cigarette socket lead - I had better look at his 08 for USB or Lighter socket I may have to get him one of those adapters.

Thanks Dave - I didnt have any idea there may be a problem, anyway Mum's system of checking and noting charging on all phones still works best, even my first phone a Bosh bought in 93 and it still works.  8-)

speedy wrote on Jan 26^th, 2013 at 1:56am:

I had no idea there were ciigarette lighter to USB or USB to cigarette lighter adapters available

These ones are good, 2 for the price of one. Can be a bit tricky to remove. I'm not recommending this particular seller (I got mine from another) but there are plenty available.