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02-09-2009, 02:59 PM
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#1
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Thumbs Must Hurt
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Minnesota
Model: 8130
PIN: N/A
Carrier: Alltel
Posts: 67
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Why did RIM change the power plug
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Why did RIM change the power port on the Storm away from the small USB connection that all of the other Blackberrys use?
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02-09-2009, 03:02 PM
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#2
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Thumbs Must Hurt
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Virginia
Model: Storm
OS: 5.0.0.328
PIN: N/A
Carrier: Verizon
Posts: 92
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The only reason I can share is so that they can make more money from selling more power cords (AC, car, etc.).
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02-09-2009, 03:09 PM
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#3
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Thumbs Must Hurt
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Minnesota
Model: 8130
PIN: N/A
Carrier: Alltel
Posts: 67
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That is what i was thinking. Just makes it a pain in the arce. I have a personal and a work BB and now I need different chargers. That sucks.
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02-09-2009, 03:16 PM
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#4
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New Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Model: 9530
PIN: N/A
Carrier: Verizon
Posts: 13
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Micro USB way of the future
According to what I heard from a Verizon rep and someone else (can't recall who right now...) is that not too long ago the FCC stepped in to get the phone makers to agree on a standard for adapters and apparently it is suppose to move towards the Micrso USB connection for phones.
I know - I have a couple of Mini USB cords laying around and my wife has a Pearl (Mini USB cord) and our kids phones all use the Mini USB as well - if that is the case it sucks to be "bleeding" edge now (sigh).
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02-09-2009, 03:17 PM
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#5
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Stuck In The '70's Mod
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: The 'burbs east of Seattle.
Model: 9810
Carrier: T-Mobile
Posts: 7,600
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Personally, I'm not crazy about it either, but I think we will see more plug in comptuer perephrials going this way in the near future. I just think RIM is a little ahead of the curve in introducing it.
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1st Step in Troubleshooting: Do you have a BlackBerry Data Plan?
2nd Step in Troubleshooting: Pull the Battery.
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02-09-2009, 03:21 PM
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#6
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Thumbs Must Hurt
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Minnesota
Model: 8130
PIN: N/A
Carrier: Alltel
Posts: 67
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I am totally fine with switching if all phones going forward are going to be the micro USB charge port. It would be nice to actually have a standard charger going forward.
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02-09-2009, 03:53 PM
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#7
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EPIC MOD
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Virginia Beach
Model: ZED10
OS: DOS 3.1
PIN: INK STICK
Carrier: Tmobile
Posts: 12,214
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Wirelessly posted (hope is everything!)
The major manufacturers are going to a single standard
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ZED 10
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02-09-2009, 04:32 PM
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#8
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Knows Where the Search Button Is
Join Date: Nov 2008
Model: 9530
PIN: N/A
Carrier: VZW
Posts: 23
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it does suck having all those different power cords, but for Blackberries i have been using a mini to micro usb adapter that works pretty good, and they far less expensive then a whole new cord
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02-09-2009, 06:10 PM
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#9
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Talking BlackBerry Encyclopedia
Join Date: Aug 2005
Model: 9650
Carrier: Verizon
Posts: 204
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I have probably 8 USB plugs for my Blackberry...
2 - Car Chargers
1 - Home Charger
1 - USB -> Mini USB in my briefcase
1 - Travel Charger that I leave packed
1 - USB -> Mini USB near where I use my laptop
1 - USB -> Mini USB at work
I ordered some Mini-USB to Micro-USB adaptors through my computer vendor...$4 each. Better than $20 - $30 for new chargers.
Same for the earpiece, < $4 for an adaptor on Verizon's website.
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Blackberry User since Feb 2004: 7250->8703e->8830->Storm->Curve->Storm (why?!?)->Tour->Bold->Touch
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02-09-2009, 08:19 PM
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#10
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BlackBerry Extraordinaire
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: USA
Model: 9630
Carrier: VZW
Posts: 1,813
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It's going to be the standard for all mobile devices within a year. Nokia's newest devices are microUSB, moto has a few, samsung is using it already. wave of the future folks.....
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02-09-2009, 10:30 PM
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#11
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Thumbs Must Hurt
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Model: 9630
Carrier: VZW/O2 (Intl)
Posts: 148
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The word from manufacturers: micro USB tends to be a stronger port with better "adhesion." Mini-USB is perfect for me, but apparently with long use the connection weakens, which could lead to a weak connection, no charging, etc.
Translation: more money (for RIM, etc.) for new accessories.
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02-10-2009, 12:41 AM
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#12
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Talking BlackBerry Encyclopedia
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Alabama
Model: BOLD
OS: 4.6
Carrier: AT&T / Verizon
Posts: 380
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You can get adapters from Motorola that will convert your old style USB to Micro USB.....Cost about 6 or 7 bucks. And splitters that allow you to charge phone and bluetooth with one charger. I'll post part #'s and pics tomorrow
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02-10-2009, 01:03 AM
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#13
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Talking BlackBerry Encyclopedia
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Alabama
Model: BOLD
OS: 4.6
Carrier: AT&T / Verizon
Posts: 380
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Motorola Adapter USB to Micro USB & Moto Splitter
Here it is...USB to Micro USB and Charge Phone and Bluetooth with one charger...USe the USB to Micro USB adapter if applicable on the splitter too.
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02-11-2009, 07:11 AM
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#14
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Thumbs Must Hurt
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NNJ
Model: 9550
PIN: N/A
Carrier: VZW
Posts: 88
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andyn, thanks for the idea.
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02-11-2009, 10:34 AM
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#15
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CrackBerry Addict
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Orlando, Florida
Model: 9530
OS: 5.0.0.419
PIN: Ask
Carrier: Verizon
Posts: 844
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Maybe its my cynicism, but there is always some "new technology" emerging every time a company releases a new phone and changes the power cord / accessory / adaptor configurations.
It always translates into a growing myriad of cables in my home office desk drawer and more $$$ dropped to accessorize my new toy.
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Verizon 9530
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02-11-2009, 10:58 AM
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#16
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BlackBerry Extraordinaire
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: USA
Model: 9630
Carrier: VZW
Posts: 1,813
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XelhaBB
Maybe its my cynicism, but there is always some "new technology" emerging every time a company releases a new phone and changes the power cord / accessory / adaptor configurations.
It always translates into a growing myriad of cables in my home office desk drawer and more $$$ dropped to accessorize my new toy.
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I disagree. These changes lead to faster data transfer, lower power requirements and smaller device size. How is that not a good thing?
Companies don't change these connections just to sell more accessories. It costs tons of cash to research and develop these connectors. They don't just do it to make more $$.
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02-11-2009, 11:07 AM
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#17
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Talking BlackBerry Encyclopedia
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Boston area
Model: z10
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 416
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kjjb0204
I disagree. These changes lead to faster data transfer, lower power requirements and smaller device size. How is that not a good thing?
Companies don't change these connections just to sell more accessories. It costs tons of cash to research and develop these connectors. They don't just do it to make more $$.
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Micro USB uses the same USB 2 specification pinouts and voltage/current specs as Mini USB. It's just a smaller plug form factor.
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z10 on AT&T (plus an HTC One X)
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02-11-2009, 11:22 AM
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#18
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CrackBerry Addict
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Orlando, Florida
Model: 9530
OS: 5.0.0.419
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Kjjb, I am not noticing any faster data transfer and, as confirmed by the previous poster, the specs don't reflect any change in voltage specs.
Having worked for a corporation that sells vehicles, I can say this with 100% confidence. Newer models are designed to compel retooling in order to garner profit. Everyone makes money when new tools, software, and accessories are demanded as a result of a design change.
That's just capitalism baby.
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Verizon 9530
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02-11-2009, 11:41 AM
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#19
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Talking BlackBerry Encyclopedia
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Back Forty
Model: 96xx
OS: O+
PIN: Firing
Carrier: Southern Bell, PrimeCo, Omnipoint, United Telecom
Posts: 426
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Yep, it's all about the $$$
If they can squeeze out some meaningful performance increase due to a re-design, that's just an added and selling point.
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02-11-2009, 11:41 AM
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#20
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BlackBerry Extraordinaire
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: USA
Model: 9630
Carrier: VZW
Posts: 1,813
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Wirelessly posted
Quote:
Originally Posted by XelhaBB
Kjjb, I am not noticing any faster data transfer and, as confirmed by the previous poster, the specs don't reflect any change in voltage specs.
Having worked for a corporation that sells vehicles, I can say this with 100% confidence. Newer models are designed to compel retooling in order to garner profit. Everyone makes money when new tools, software, and accessories are demanded as a result of a design change.
That's just capitalism baby.
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I don't disagree that the profits with new associated products aren't a huge motivator, but I still believe innovation to build products that are safer, cleaner, smarter, faster is the goal.
It's progress, baby.
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