Tired of Cord Spaghetti…I Want My Green Plug
Every device I buy seems to comes with way too many cords, many of which are incompatible with any other device I own. Today I was looking for a power cable for my Logitech Air Mouse , which I haven’t used for a long time, and had to comb through a giant ball of cords to find it. Luckily it was in the first ball of cords (pictured) I looked through and I didn’t have to go hunting for it in my attic.
I realize I should be more organized, but does every notebook, camera and phone really need its own cables? Do we really need five different USB connectors, which kind of defeats the purpose of having a universal standard?
Many manufacturers don’t even bother to make chargers compatible with more than one device. For example, my mom’s Samsung Blackjack charger isn’t compatible with my dad’s Samsung Blackjack 2. This means they have to double up on car and home chargers. The four HP notebooks and tablets I’m using right now require a trio of adapters.
I’m not the only one fed up with all the unnecessary cords. Green Plug is trying to change things by getting manufacturers to adopt its Universal Charging Solution technology, which consists of a universal power connector and smart chargers that communicate with devices to reduce energy consumption.
The CTIA and other industry associations are on board with the concept. Within a few years cord spaghetti balls like mine could be a thing of the past. If you are sick of multiple adapters you can support the cause by visiting iWantMyGreenPlug.com and telling them which devices should be part of the program. You can learn more about Green Plug at GreenPlug.com.
Here’s an image of what the Universal Charging Solution may look like:
Do you have a pile of cords laying around?
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About the Author: Xavier Lanier is a mobile technology enthusiast and avid photographer. Based in San Francisco, he uses various mobile devices between 10 and 20 hours per day. Xavier is the publisher of GottaBeMobile.com and Notebooks.com
blash | Apr 28, 2009 | Reply
Don’t look at me, I got one of the Lenovo Travel adapters that’s derivative from the iGo stuff so I’ve got 1 adapter for any Thinkpad made pretty much, as well as for my iPhone. Don’t really need anything else.
Sumocat | Apr 29, 2009 | Reply
I agree… you should be more organized. Might I suggest zipper lock bags. Works great for me. I have my cables and adapters split roughly between USB, A/V, and misc, plus a few devices and their accessories in their own bags.
Xavier | Apr 29, 2009 | Reply
@Sumocat-so I have a lot of my cables stored in one of these-
http://www.kangaroomstorage.com/product/charging-%2B-organizing/290/kangaroom-cord-keeper.html
The cord ball is stored in a clear plastic box that was very organized at one point. Before throwing it back in there I’ll try your zipper lock bag technique and use a Sharpie to label them w/the device they belong to.
Icee | Apr 29, 2009 | Reply
I use Sumocat’s technique of ziplock baggies for storing various adapters and cords. Usually one bag per adapter. For things that I don’t use very often, the baggies keeps the cords from getting all tangled. Its really great for when you sift through the bags to find a specific cable. Just dig through a box of baggies and pluck what you need.
However, if I use the cables a lot, I find that I have empty baggies all over the place and I’m back to cord spaghetti. =(
Gordon Cahill | Apr 29, 2009 | Reply
My days of spagetti are long gone. I use a Kensington 120w universal power supply and tips. It literally charges every device I own. Now when I get a new toy (sorry WORK DEVICE) I throw the AC adaptor and cables in a big box with the rest and use the Kensington. It will even charge two devices at once with the splitter. I currently have 5 computers and two phones. The Kensington charges them all.
I also have a Belkin cable kit. One retractable USB cord with multiple tips, network and crossover cables all in a nice little case. 1 set of BT headphones (Blue Ant X5 will pair to multiple devices) and a BT mouse and I’m done.
The whole lot packs into a Road Wired Case.
Gordon
Sumocat | Apr 30, 2009 | Reply
That cord keeper looks appealing, but the problem I see with it is lack of flexibility. Should be fine someone with unchanging cable/adapter needs, but guys like us need to be able to swap and expand and sometimes contract. I don’t see a case with fixed compartments as contributing towards that.