Who needs 'em? 82% of O2/HTC customers refuse USB chargers.

File this under "trends in mobile".

A three-month trial launched in October by mobile network O2 constitute that the vast majority of customers who participated were happy to buy their HTC One Ten+ without a charger. The airplane pilot offers the HTC One 10+ handset with but the USB-to-micro USB connection lead to plug into existing chargers. Buyers who did not already accept a charger had the option to purchase a charger separately from O2 at toll toll.

Much similar OEMs opting to not include headphones with current purchases, especially in the Usa, articles may soon opt to not include a charger as well. Read on for the details...

In the last few years, O2 has made progress towards a universal charging choice in hopes to eventually encourage consumers to cut downward on unnecessary ecology waste matter, which could also mean the emptying of manufacturing a considerable number of duplicate chargers. The company had previously stated that it would phase out in-box chargers by 2022.

Ronan Dunne, CEO of O2 said of the pilot:

"More than four-in-five of our smartphone customers who have participated in the trial are willing to buy a new phone from united states of america and to use an existing charging device to attach it to the mains.

"The results of the trial demonstrate a clear willingness amid consumers to consider and answer to the environmental argument for taking a telephone charger-free. I now hope that as a result of this study the rest of the manufacture volition now consider joining us in our campaign to take chargers out of the box for practiced."

There are 30 one thousand thousand new phones sold in the U.k. each year, with as many as 100 million unused chargers. If all the chargers were thrown away, it would have a landfill volume equivalent to filling four Olympic swimming pools, O2 said.

Phil Roberson, regional director of the UK at HTC, said:

"A unified approach beyond all manufacturers and retailers would dramatically subtract the industry's carbon footprint, not but in terms of manufacturing but also packaging and send."

If the results of this airplane pilot were repeated with all handsets, there would be 24 1000000 chargers fewer sold annually in the UK – a huge environmental saving.

With the tedious rise of Qi Wireless charging and the ubiquitousness of micro USB chargers in the mobile world, is this a good move? How practise you feel about "just ownership a telephone" with no accessories? Let us know in comments.

Source(south): Environmental Leader, O2

New report reveals Microsoft's future AR strategy; HoloLens 3 is dead

Oh Love

New report reveals Microsoft'due south future AR strategy; HoloLens 3 is dead

Business Insider has today published a follow-upward written report with more details about Microsoft'due south canceled HoloLens three augmented reality headset. The partnership with Samsung is said to include a headset with a set of screens inside, powered by a Samsung phone in your pocket.

Keeping it affordable

Review: Surface Laptop SE is the new standard for K-8 Windows PCs

Starting at just $250, Microsoft's first foray into affordable laptops for the education market is a winner. With a gorgeous design, excellent thermals, and a fantastic typing experience, Microsoft would do right to sell this direct to consumers too. Permit'due south only promise Intel can make a better CPU.

Our top picks for Xbox headsets below $100

Best deals on Xbox headsets

Our elevation picks for Xbox headsets beneath $100

Do you fancy a new Xbox One headset? Do yous fancy non spending more than $100? Let usa help! At that place's a big range of solid audio options without breaking your budget. And here are our acme picks that we've personally used.