News & Rumors, BlackBerry Accessories

First Look: New BlackBerry USB Power Plug is Hot! Ships with BlackBerry Pearl 3G (and future devices)...

by Kevin Michaluk

on 6 May 2010 08:10 PM

120

New BlackBerry USB Power Plug

At WES 2010 I sat down with Mike McAndrews, RIM's VP of Product Marketing, who in addition to talking shop (follow-up story to come) walked me through the new BlackBerry product announcements made at the event, including the white BlackBerry Bold 9700, the Bold 9650 and the Pearl 3G. In addition, Mike also showed me the little beauty shown in the photo above (more photos below) of the new BlackBerry USB Power Plug.

The new OEM BlackBerry USB Power Plug is going to replace the standard BlackBerry wall charger that has traditionally shipped with a new BlackBerry device. Instead of shipping a wall charger and also a separate USB cable for syncing, this new design simply utilizes the syncing cable as part of the charger. When it comes to traveling, you now have a lot less to lug around. RIM actually used to have this sort of USB styled charger (view pic) but went away from it some time ago, so are making a return here in a slimmer, updated design. The new BlackBerry Power Plug is definitely similar in look and feel to what Apple currently does with their chargers, though I'd argue the new BlackBerry one is sexier.

Mike told me the new BlackBerry USB Power Plug will make its debut with the new BlackBerry Pearl 3G, which further ups the consumer feel of the new Pearl. From there we should see RIM roll this out with most new devices (not sure that the Bold 9650 will get it at launch though - since it's a "world phone" I think it will ship out with the standard wall charger/adapter - but will inquire for more details here) and it will become available as a standalone accessory available for purchase so you can buy extra to keep everywhere you go.

More BlackBerry USB Power Plug Photos

New BlackBerry USB Power Plug

Filed Under: News & Rumors, BlackBerry Accessories; Tags: BlackBerry USB Power Plug, power plug

120 Comments

Posted by mlm5em Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

This Looks Amazing!!! I want one!

Posted by gatorboi352 Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

I had a charger just like this 3 years ago for my LG Dare. It also used the same micro usb hook ups too ironically enough. Playing catch up RIM?

Posted by Jay_eS_Iye Friday, May 07, 2010 657 days ago

RIM has been using microUSB for a little while now, can't remember which was the first to use it (my guess is Storm) but the 8900 definitely came with it. Nice try for a clever comment though

Posted by devGOD Friday, May 07, 2010 657 days ago

you missed what he was referring too... the usb power plug adapter where you can use it as a standard USB or a power plug as in the picture. What RIM is showing is nothing new other devices Apple, LG, and even Motorola have been doing that for years. So yes he is right RIM is playing catchup again.

Posted by fatfat935 Friday, May 07, 2010 656 days ago

The BlackBerry Pearl Flip was the first to use it.

Posted by The Legendary Friday, May 07, 2010 657 days ago

Well I am most likely the youngest person who still remembers this (16), but I would like to welcome back the original blackberry charger just more compact.

http://www.traderscity.com/board/userpix30/22690-blackberry-generic-blac...

THATS WHAT EVERY BLACKBERRY CAME WITH. Still have a few in my house their great for charging Blackberrys but iPods never charged well for some reason. If one more person says RIM is copying apple its actually the 100% opposite. RIM switched it (no idea why loved this way) and now they are switching it back and much more compact (hmm wonder why apples is so big still... just as big as the old blackberry ones from 5 years ago ;)) I'm gonna hope in a Blackberry loving community I'm not the only one who remembered this.

EDIT: Here is another angle incase you don't believe its actually RIM's

http://www.pacificgeek.com/productimages/xl/psm05r-050q.jpg

Posted by evilcaptain Friday, May 07, 2010 656 days ago

I still use the one I got with my BB 7230. I now use it for my 9700.

Posted by Mark_Venture Friday, May 07, 2010 656 days ago

Right... I have a few of them too... and they even had the CHANGEABLE international tips on them!

I don't understand why RIM went away from them.. I'm glad they are back.

But right, RIM did NOT copy Apple, LG, Moto, etc... RIM had it first. My 7230 and 7290 came with them.. that was 2005/2006?

Posted by AJFSTORM Friday, May 07, 2010 656 days ago

I hope they come out with one in white too ! LOL

Posted by _X_ Friday, May 07, 2010 656 days ago

Not happy here. I really like their two USB charger solution. I currently have the charger at home and the USB cable at work.

This means now I have to buy another cable or start carrying the USB between commutes.

The wall charger also charges much faster than the USB adapters.

=X=

Posted by Lumberman Thursday, Jun 10, 2010 622 days ago

Well even though that is true I am glad that the standard is now micro USB. Now I can go and snatch my kid's charger at home or charge in my buddy's car and I know that when I get my next BB it will still have the same plug.

Posted by noobuser Friday, May 07, 2010 656 days ago

Looks great but I wish it had 2 usb slots so I could charge my headset.

Posted by wangster Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

With my Storm, I received a few extra connectors (or prongs or whatever you want to call them) to use when I travel overseas. I wonder if RIM is going to stop providing those.

Posted by Kevin Michaluk Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

I didn't ask this (will try and follow up and inquire), but my guess is that for "consumer" focused phones you'll just receive the connector/prongs for your local country. And you can likely be an adapter separate...

I think maybe that's why a device like the Bold 9650 won't get this to start - since it's a world phone, they'll ship the standard wall charger/adapter unit. Will see if I can find out the deets on this.

Posted by freddymartinez9 Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

Thats because the S2 is a world phone. Any news about if the Pearl 3G? the 9650 is.

Posted by Bla1ze Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

The only thing abt the 9650 that makes it a world phone is the inclusion of GSM, so ya...9100 is world phone out of the box, lol. Practically no one besides US and Canada use CDMA anymore. Even Canada's CDMA providers are ditching it quickly as they all offer HSPA.

Posted by renzokuken.tan Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

Don't know about others country, but here in Indonesia, CDMA is growing it's own market. We have quite numbers of provider that almost match the GSM/EDGE/3G Provider.

Posted by ba_hamilton Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

I want one of these for my Storm real bad.

Posted by CDubNY Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

That is a sexy charger. WANT!

Posted by TheVillageIdiot Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

ok but how long is the sync cable going to be? If its not as long as the power cord that comes with current S2, C2, etc then its going to piss some people off

Posted by SirThale Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

I hadn't considered that. You're right, I hope it's a longer cable - I use the entire length of my wall charger's cable!

Posted by JiveMasterT Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

You can get longer USB cables if you REALLY want to.

Posted by supermann423 Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

hopefully it will come with the 9650

Posted by SirThale Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

I wonder how fast of a charge this will provide? The wall charger is much faster than the trickle charge through the USB cable plugged into my computer, and on my 8530 if I turn wifi on the wall charger can barely keep up. Hopefully the charge will be similar to today's wall charger!

Posted by adrianyoung Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

It looks good, but wait until they stick the massive UK plug on it

Posted by RRF985 Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

That is nice. I want one for my 8900.

Posted by pipotobe Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

Rim is going the Apple way:(

This is a way to not ship the wall charger, which I liked. Are the BB price going to be lower? I don't think so.

I'm pretty sure the charge is going to be much slower now.

Posted by Bla1ze Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

Why would it be slower? It's still a wall charge @ approx 1500mAhr.

Posted by pipotobe Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

I think it's going to be slower. It's only a feeling that I have don't take it personal :)

Posted by Lil Blackk Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

"RIM is going the Apple way :("

If you're concerned that RIM is turning into Apple, then you may just want to get out the Smartphone 'game' now. Most, if not all Smartphone makers are adopting things from the iPhone, and vise versa. I personally think this charger looks better and is by far more practical than the previous BlackBerry wall & USB charger(s).

"Are the BB price going to be lower? I don't think so."

Actually, when you think about it, yes; in theory the price of the BlackBerry would be cheaper using the new charger. Comparing this new charger to the old one, the new charger uses far less cable material for the USB & wall charger. Instead of using two different cables, they've combined both into one cable, that fits both a computer USB port, and the wall charger. It sounds minute, however when you think about how many BlackBerry phones are sold with wall & USB chargers, this could very well save RIM costs in the amount of cable they would use.

And can you justify why the charge would be slower using this charger than the previous one? As Bla1ze said, it should charge at the same speed as the previous one.

...Think about it.

Posted by CeluGeek Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

I hate all of this iCopying. And yes, Lil Blackk, I bought my 9700 as the last good anti-iPhone ever made; with the mentality that it is going to be my last smartphone and that my next phone is going to be a dumbphone. Until then, I'm going to hold on to my 9700 with its OS 5 and separate charging cables for as long as people held onto their copies of Win XP after Vista was released.

I'd rather keep my charger and sync cables separate and not go the iDiotic way of Apple. I hate how everybody is copying Apple! (looking cooler but with less functionality)

Posted by Skeevecr Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

This isn't copying apple, rim have had chargers like this in the past, all that has really changed is they are not going to have a wasted power cable in the box.

Posted by pipotobe Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

My thoughts exactly, just explained better:)))

Posted by silver Friday, May 07, 2010 657 days ago

this isnt copying. Not only is it saving RIM money but convenience for customers. As a business owner, you have to continue to think, search and research methods of saving company money in every aspect. This will save RIM money just like how they transitioned from trackball to trackpad.

Posted by pipotobe Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

... and I really mean it:)

But to get back on my point, I meant that Apple renew their products every year. A little update here and a little update there.

However every year there is a new box. That box is smaller... meaning that there is less accessories. So yes you'll have to buy another charger if you don't want to carry the usb cord with you.

I do not care if this charger looks better now than the previous ones, I certainly didn't buy a blackberry to have cute accessories.

Posted by Jake Storm Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

Hahaha, have you seen the size of box the iphone comes in?

Combining the USB and power cord is a great idea. Stop whining.
If you don't like it, hold onto your current power cord when you get a new phone.

Posted by xeju Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

So it looks like now you get one charging cable instead of two. It's clearly a cost cutting measure. What would make up for it is if they included a mobile adapter for car lighters (or whatever they're called now that it's not cool to smoke).

Posted by mi_canuck Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

Wow!! Awesome!!! Finally!!!

So... When can we buy one?? :)

Posted by hskater26 Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

looks like they copied palm?

Posted by Bold_until_Hybrid_Comes Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

Definetely better overall, however since I travel a lot it was nice to have the prongs that folded in. Doesn't look like the block has that

Posted by mjbesen310 Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

looks really really nice!

Posted by r7mr7m Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

USB spec doesn't allow for longer than 5 meters but that is quite a bit longer than the standard charger so this shouldn't be an issue if you get a usb cable online.

Posted by IrocD Sunday, May 09, 2010 654 days ago

a USB cord that's just being used for charging however could be as long as you wanted.

Posted by papped Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

Boo.... why did they adopt one of the sucky aspects of Apple products.

Posted by mangcool Friday, May 07, 2010 656 days ago

Actually, RIM made this kind of charger before Apple. It came with the old models, so it's not really new to RIM.

Posted by Passepartout Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

Am I the only one who prefers to have their charger and sync cables separate?

Posted by wangster Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

I prefer separate too. I can leave the sync cable plugged into my computer (with the cradle connected to it) and use the wall charger to charge at night.

Posted by SQ609 Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

Woopty doo... How about some better phones already!

Posted by belfastdispatcher Thursday, May 06, 2010 657 days ago

How is this new? I have an old blackberry 8707v that has this setup.