AT&T launches the 'Zero' green charger

Posted on 18 Mar 2010 at 11:19

American telephone specialist AT&T has announced the impending release of its 'Zero' charger - designed to draw absolutely no power when it's not actually charging a handset.

At first glance, it's a standard-looking mains-to-USB converter, providing 5V on a single USB connector - but AT&T is looking to get some of the green dollar with an automatically disconnecting charge circuit, meaning that when a device isn't actively drawing power neither is the charger.

Consumers are always told that it's a good idea to unplug mobile 'phone chargers when they're not in use, but it's often too much of a hassle - no matter how kind to the environment it might be. AT&T's latest release could well provide the answer to that problem, and while the total power savings are minimal, if the device takes off it could result in substantial national - and global - savings.

As Digital Trends points out, however, the device's green credentials might be the only reason to buy it: at current prices, the Zero charger is likely to save you less than a single pound every year off your electricity bills - so it's a device which will make you feel good, but isn't exactly likely to pay for itself in energy savings.

So far AT&T has yet to announce exactly how much doing your bit for the environment is likely to cost, but has confirmed that the Zero will hit their retail and online storefronts some time in May.

Author: Gareth Halfacree

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