As part of this agreement, companies don't have to make phones that match up to the standard - instead they can make an adapter. So when you need to buy a replacement power cable, you have the option to buy TWO pieces of equipment (standard cord, adapter) instead of one.

The joy of negotiated progress!

How is that any different than now? Every time I buy a new phone, my old chargers are obsolete and go in the trash.

The reason it took so long to implement is because of the markup the phone companies charge for accessories.

and will sellers allow you to buy a new mobile phone without a charger and you'll save a few bucks?

Sean, now it's not like all mobile phones not using this suddently will stop working. It will just be a gradual change when people buy a new phone - so the first new phone - little change as everybody needs the new charger. Only when there is more than 2 mobile phones in the house will the first purchase mean less chargers

so 66 Billion mobile phones will have to be thrown away on the heap of telephonic excrement to save the planet...

Given that this article is about the introduction/implementation of an across the board standard would it not have made sense to include details of when products are expected to start showing up? Presumably the people setting the standards have been talking to/include manufacturers.

I can't believe they had to wait all these years until Global Warming became a real concern before they come up with an idea like this one.

Guess there's just no denying the fact that Money Rules in this world.