Europe/UK - Mobile phone manufacturers and operators have agreed upon a Micro-USB port as the new standard for mobile phones.By 2012, most mobile phones will support the universal charger according to the GSM association.Members include LG, Motorola, Nokia, Qualcomm, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson.Operators that have agreed in clued 3 group, AT&T, KTF, Mobilkom Austria, Orange, Telecom Italia, Telefonica, Telenor, Telstra, T-Mobile and Vodafone.The reason for this change? Environmental groups have campaigned for mobile phone companies to be made from recycled materials.Another solution would be to consolidate the chargers into one to reduce waste.Another push is to have solar-powered cell phones.The benefits of a universal cell phone charger? Not having to ask around for the right charger and also a 50% reduction in standby energy consumption.ZTE, China's largest mobile phone manufacturer, and mobile phone network Digicel has begun showcasing such a product.LG said it would remove brominated flame retardants from their phone and pledged to use green packaging across its entire line of mobile handsets.Their new solar line utilizes solar technology; exposing the phone to the sun for 10 minutes gives it enough power for a 3 minute call.Nokia sees the reduction of waste as the biggest advantage of the initiative but isn't ready to say when it will ship its first universal charger.The company will provide both the universal charger and standard charger during this transitional period.Until a universal cell phone charger standard becomes available in the United States, a multi tip universal charger for all cell phones is the solution.The average user needs to charge their phone everyday and some people almost 2-3 times a day.It makes sense to have chargers everywhere.Has your cell phone died when you needed it most? Free charging stations should be at every restaurant, bar, hotel, and cafe in the world.This is a pressing problem and often times people are in serious situations where a dead cell phone battery can lead to problems or danger.If this has happened to you, you've probably told your story online through Facebook or Twitter.A significant amount of research has been done linked to cell phone usage..Interesting statistics about the usage of from the Pew Internet & American Life Project..- 83% of American adults own some kind of cell phone.- 40% of owners said the found themselves in an emergency situation in which having their phone help.- 42% of owners used their phone for entertainment when they were bored.- 29% of owners turned their phone off for a period of time just to get a break from using it.- 13% of owners pretended to be using their phone in order to avoid interacting with the people around them.- 73% of owners use their phone to take and send pictures.- 54% of owners send videos - 44% access the internet.- 35% own a smartphone of some kind.A study by Google produced similar results..- 71% of smartphone users search after being exposed to ads online and offline.- 82% notice mobile ads and 74 percent make a purchase as a result of using their phone during the shopping process.- 88% of those who look for local information on their smartphones take action within a day.- 81% of smartphone users browse the Internet, 77% search, 68% use an app, and 48% watch videos on their device.- 72% use their smartphones while consuming other media, with a third claiming they use their device while watching television.- 93% of smartphone owners use their device at home.- 70% of consumers use their smartphones while in the store.

Cellular phones have come a long way since the time they began.There are models that allow you to play your favorite music in stereo whenever you like.There are also smartphones available so that the busy business person can have the convenience of a PC in the palm of his hand.If you are interested in one of these smartphones, AT&T offers several different models.The Apple iPhone combines an iPod, a phone, and the Internet all in one device.This phone has a Safari Web browser that allows you to view full Web pages and is connected to Wi-Fi or high-speed EDGE networks that will enable you to download data.It is equipped with Bluetooth 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rates (EDR).This model also has a large multi-touch QWERTY smart screen that is lit and has a proximity detector.It comes with built-in widgets so you can view YouTube, Stock, Weather, and Google Maps.This cell phone enables you to participate in conference calling as well as having access to Visual Voicemail and Text Messaging.A widescreen iPod is also a built-in feature that plays iTunes and music and displays TV and videos.This model comes equipped with a 2.0 megapixel camera and camcorder as well as a built-in speakerphone.Another smartphone that is offered by AT&T is the Palm Treo 680.This model has Bluetooth Wireless Connectivity with Palm OS interface.You can work with Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF documents.The Palm OS Organizer is also available that includes a calendar, address book, tasks, and memos.This phone connects you to Mobile Instant Messaging as well as Multimedia Messaging and has a mobile Internet browser.It comes with a QWERTY keypad and a Pocket Tunes music player with Bluetooth Streaming Audio.Conference calling can be performed with the help of a built-in speakerphone.The Moto Q Global is also available form AT&T.This smartphone has Windows Mobile 6.0 that allows you to work with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files.Microsoft Internet Express allows you to surf the Web easily while this phone's 3G capabilities make it possible for you to have access to simultaneous voice and data.This model has a Windows Media Player 10 that allows you utilize AT&T Music, Billboard, Music ID, XM, Napster, and Yahoo Cellular Video.This smartphone also has a 2.0 megapixel camera and camcorder and a built-in speakerphone.The Blackjack II by Samsung is another model of smartphone that is offered by AT&T.It has Bluetooth 2.0 Wireless Connectivity and Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.Again, this feature allows you to access Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files.A fast-loading HTML browser enables you to surf the Internet quickly and easily.This model also comes with a QWERTY keypad and a Windows Media Player 10 that allows you to use AT&T Mobile Music and Cellular Video.It has 2.0 megapixel camera and camcorder and Video Share calling support.These are just a few of the several models of smartphones that are offered by AT&T.To view its full lineup, you can visit your local AT&T office or visit one of their many Web sites.