Universal charger with all these new phones?

Join DateOct 2003Posts117CarrierVerizon WirelessFeedback Score0


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I noticed that with the Thunderbolt and Incredible 2, the charger is essentially just a powered USB port. Does this mean that we've reached the utopia of universal charger, i.e. I can use the Incredible 2's charger with the Thunderbolt, and vice versa?
Or more broadly, use either of these chargers with ANY usb chargeable devices such as other smartphones, iPods, portable GPS units, etc?

Join DateAug 2002Posts965CarrierVerizon WirelessFeedback Score0

I noticed that with the Thunderbolt and Incredible 2, the charger is essentially just a powered USB port. Does this mean that we've reached the utopia of universal charger, i.e. I can use the Incredible 2's charger with the Thunderbolt, and vice versa?
Or more broadly, use either of these chargers with ANY usb chargeable devices such as other smartphones, iPods, portable GPS units, etc?
For the most part. Just make sure your device sees it as an AC charger and not a USB port from a computer, or the charge rate will be slower (ie. Droid Charge using iPhone plug).

Join DateJun 2003Posts584PhoneHTC ThunderboltCarrierVerizon WirelessFeedback Score0

Does this mean that we've reached the utopia of universal charger,Back in early 2009, PCWorld had an article about manufacturers and operators working on universal charging. It looks we've been seeing the results of that work. Excerpt: Moving to a universal charger will be a boon for both users and the environment by reducing the amount of waste, since fewer chargers have to be thrown away. It will make life a lot easier for users, who will be able to charge their mobile phones using any available charger, and when they buy a new phone they won't have to get a new charger.

Join DateOct 2003Posts117CarrierVerizon WirelessFeedback Score0

Nice! Good point drFunk about the charge rate. And yep CellH I remember reading about the move to universal charger. I thought it was toward microUSB, which I guess is true on the phone end. But adding another detachment point to put in regular USB is a brilliant idea.
And for future references, I checked the input/output ratings of both the thunderbolt and Incredible 2's chargers. Both have the same and are good for international travel as well. The Thunderbolt might need additional plugs depending on the destination.

Join DateJul 2005LocationUnited StatesPosts11,375CarrierVerizonFeedback Score0

Don't forget that not all charging cables are equal. Some cheaper charger cables will only charge the phone when connected to a computer USB port and will not allow data transfer. Just something to keep in mind.
I do agree that a universal power adapter should be a reality across the board with all cellular manufacturers and all models of cell phones. I am tired of having to buy all new charging accessories every time I buy a new phone.

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Join DateJun 2003Posts584PhoneHTC ThunderboltCarrierVerizon WirelessFeedback Score0

Don't forget that not all charging cables are equal.My old landlord learned that the hard way... The cable he purchased could do data transfers but couldn't charge the phone.

Join DateOct 2003LocationSan Francisco Bay AreaPosts2,244PhonesBlackberry Storm, Motorola Droid, W385Retired: Motorola V710,V9M, StarTac7868,T730, SC725, DPC550(analog), V325CarrierVerizon Wireless (since 1994 as GTE MobileNet)Feedback Score0

This issue comes up with the LTE MiFi. When plugged into a computer, the device thinks that it is going to be getting a firmware update, which is all you can do over USB data with this device (no USB tethering, like with the 3G MiFi), and turns off the WiFi. But if connected to the supplied charger, then it is fully functional. There seems to be some question whether the difference is the cable (only connecting the power wires), or that the particular charger has higher current capacity than most chargers.
In any case, as I understand it, the EU decreed that all mobile phones (even a certain one from Apple) use micro-USB for charging, but I don't know the effective date. The standardization seems to be also happening in the U.S., even without a government order.

Join DateNov 2006LocationNorth CarolinaPosts178PhonesSamsung A950verizon VoyagerG Zone BoulderCarrierVerizonFeedback Score0

I only buy phones with micro USB charger. Been like this since I bought the storm way back when. Also over in europe apple is suppose to be going micro soon
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Cell phones, devices biggest driving distractions - Reuters

A driver checks his phone while sitting in his car in New York City, December 10, 2009.

Credit: Reuters/Jessica Rinaldi

By Molly O'Toole

WASHINGTON, July 7 | Fri Jul 8, 2011 5:07am EDT

WASHINGTON, July 7 (Reuters Life!) - Driving distractions, primarily by cell phones and other electronic devices, are associated with up to 25 percent of U.S. car crashes, according to a report released on Thursday.

The study by the Governors Highway Safety Association GHSA.L, a nonprofit group that works to improve traffic safety, assessed research from more than 350 scientific papers published since 2000.

It showed that drivers are distracted up to half the time and that crashes caused by distractions range from minor damage to fatal injury. Cell phone use raises the risk of crashing, but texting is likely to increase crash risk more than cell phone use.

"Despite all that has been written about driver distraction, there is still a lot that we do not know," GHSA executive director Barbara Harsha said in a statement.

"Clearly, more studies need to be done addressing both the scope of the problem and how to effectively address it."

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that in 2009 alone, nearly 5,500 fatalities and about half a million injuries resulted from crashes involving a distracted driver.

Deaths due to distracted driving presented 16 percent of traffic fatalities in 2009, a rise from 10 percent in 2005.

"When it comes to distracted driving, one thing is clear: any activities that take extended focus away from the primary task of driving are both unsafe and unwise," Lynda Tran, spokeswoman for the NHTSA, said in a statement.

The GHSA suggested measures for states and organizations to reduce distracted driving.

The report said laws banning hand-held cell phones while driving reduced their use by roughly half since they were first implemented, but cell phone use increased subsequently.

There is no conclusive evidence on whether hands-free cell phone use is less risky than hand-held use, the report said. Evidence is also lacking on whether cell phone or texting bans have reduced crashes or injuries.

The GHSA suggested a complete ban on cell phone use, hands-free or not, for novice drivers, who are the highest-risk. It also recommended a texting ban for all drivers.

Thirty U.S. states and the District of Columbia have prohibited the use of all cell phones by novice drivers and 41 states and Washington, D.C. had prohibited texting by novice drivers. Thirty four states and the District of Columbia have enacted texting bans for all drivers. But the report said texting bans have proven difficult to enforce.

Because the research and data on these laws' effectiveness is not definitive, the report recommends the 41 states without handheld cell phone bans hold off and monitor existing laws before enacting their own.

The GHSA represents the state and territorial highway safety offices. Its members are appointed by their governors. (Reporting by Molly O'Toole; Editing by Jerry Norton and Patricia Reaney; For the latest Reuters lifestyle news see: www.reuters.com/news/lifestyle))

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Top 5 HTC Phones - Summer 2011 - infoSync World

When you take a rock solid company like HTC, builder of some of the finest smartphones in existence, add in the latest HTC Sense 3.0, and lay it on a plush bed of Android 2.3 Gingerbread goodness, awesome things are bound to happen. Our top 5 HTC phone countdown is almost not fair. One could argue our #1 phone over our #4 phone, our #3 phone over our #5 phone, our?well, you get the picture. But that's the mark of a company that is headed in the right direction. There are no definitive borders between each model you're about to see, but we do know that all five performed at the top of their game, and certainly deserve their respective places at the top of the smartphone totem pole.

#5 ? HTC Droid Incredible 2

Are you ready for an Incredible piece of smartphone machinery? Well, the HTC Droid Incredible 2 may not be the most incredible phone on the market, compared to our top picks, but it proved itself as a worthy upgrade from last year, thanks to its 4-inch SLCD screen, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, front-facing camera, and improved W-Fi. The Droid Incredible 2 retained the same lovable size and a revamped version of HTC Sense. Although the phone shipped with Android 2.2, a 2.3 upgrade should be rolling around the corner soon. Best of all, the phone gave us 720p HD video recording to play with the big guns. If you're in 3G territory and want an Android phone that's the size of an iPhone, then the HTC Droid Incredible 2 might be an Incredible choice to make. Full Review ?

#4 ? HTC Inspire 4G

When the Inspire 4G came out, we thought it was quite the inspiring phone. And why is that? Well, the HTC Inspire 4G for AT&T is only $100 with a two-year contract! Yes, this is quite a bargain, considering that less capable feature phones like the Pantech Crossover can be found for a similar price. The HTC Inspire 4G gave us Android 2.2, a 4.2-inch WVGA screen, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, and full Google suite. Plus, we got some love from AT&T's HSPA+ network, and the phone was the first to support HTC cloud service for Sense. One of the Inspire's most Inspiring features was its 8-megapixel camera that produced some impressive images. Overall, you can't go wrong for a Benjamin. Full Review ?

#3 ? HTC Thunderbolt

The HTC Thunderbolt was the phone that struck after a cloudy expanse of hype. Verizon's first 4G LTE phone whipcraked out of the starting gates with a fierce set of specs, including an obscene 40GB of storage, front-facing camera with skype, kickstand, and giant 4.3-inch WVGA screen. The Thunderbolt rivaled a flash of lightning with its 1GHz Snapdragon processor with Adreno 205 GPU, and the phone now has Android 2.3 for enhanced performance. Add in Verizon's 4G LTE network, which is the quickest 4G network out there, and the HTC Thunderbolt is one mother of a phone. Full Review ?

#2 ? HTC Sensation 4G

The HTC Sensation 4G is part of a Sensational new wave of HTC phones that are being churned slowly in a cauldron of quality. The HTC Sensation 4G stepped out of nowhere with its beautiful qHD screen, 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor with Adreno 220 GPU, 768MB of RAM, latest HTC Sense 3.0, and 1080p HD video recording. This is pure smartphone power on T-Mobile's HSPA+ network. Not only did the HTC Sensation fly through every task, but its 1500mAh battery pack was a decent performer and it featured one of the best cameras on the market. The phone also featured an unconventionally refreshing design. If you're looking for pure hardware, software, and design sex, then the HTC Sensation 4G is about as hot as you can get by today's standards. Full Review ?

#5 ? HTC EVO 3D

Yes, we know, the HTC EVO 3D is debatable, but heed our reasoning. The HTC EVO 3D is basically a Sensation 4G with a bit more memory (12GB out of the box), larger battery pack (1730mAh), and 3D recording capability. Although the EVO 3D did not give us a matching battery performance, and the 3D recording was a bit gimmicky, we found that 3D games and movies were quite the mutt's nuts. The HTC EVO 3D's 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor and 1GB of RAM gave us the fastest performance on a phone to date, and its ability to switch from 2D camera action to 3D via the switch was nifty. Overall, the HTC EVO 3D is about as good as you can get in the smartphone world at the moment, but that will probably change next month, given the erratic nature of the mobile industry. Full Review ?

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Skype Brings Video Calling to Android Phones

Skype today announced an updated version of its Skype for Android app – Skype for Android 2.0, bringing Skype Video Calling to the currently fastest growing mobile OS(1).

With the new version, users will be able to make and receive free(2) 1-to-1 video calls over Skype between their Android phone and other Skype contacts on the iPhone, Mac, Windows PCs and even TVs(3). Skype for Android with video works over Wi-Fi or 3G data connections and can be downloaded for free from the Android Market or Skype.com/m using any phone browser.

“We are committed to bring Skype Video Calling to as many platforms as possible and are delighted to deliver on this with our new updated Skype for Android app,” said Neil Stevens, Skype’s vice president and general manager for product and marketing. “With approximately 30 million concurrent users logging into Skype at any given time(4) and making up to half a million simultaneous video calls(5), Skype for Android with video makes it even easier for users to share moments with their contacts wherever they are.”

In addition to video calls, users can also make calls to landlines and mobiles around the world, as well as send SMS’s to friends and family anywhere in the world at great Skype rates. All this comes with a complete redesign of the Skype for Android user interface. There's a new main menu on the Skype app for Android where users can navigate easily through their contacts, access their Skype profile to change personal details or see the balance of their Skype Credit. Finally a new mood message box at the top of the Skype app menu makes it easier than ever for users to share how they are feeling, what they've seen, or what they're up to.

For this first phase of launch, handsets that support video calling include the HTC Desire S, Sony Ericsson Xperia neo, Sony Ericsson Xperia pro and the Google Nexus S.

1 Source: Gartner report "Market Share Analysis: Mobile Devices, Worldwide, 1Q11"

2 Additional data charges may apply

3 iPhone, iPod Touch (4th gen) with iOS4 or higher, Skype for Windows version 4.2 and above, Skype for Mac OS X version 5.0 and above

4 As of March 2011

5 At peak times as of June 2011

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