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I've written a few times about how Google's products seem to assimilate many technologies into one, even if they may seem perpetually locked in beta stages. Google Voice bundles all your phone numbers into one, and Google Wave will (potentially) bundle everything we do on the Internet into a single application. With yesterday's development in the mobile phone industry, I'm beginning to wonder whether all this "bundling" is becoming a trend.

Two days ago, the world's biggest mobile phone manufacturers struck a deal with the European Commission to come up with a standard charger. It will have a mini-USB port and be usable between different brands of phones. To us consumers, that means no more drawers full of useless mobile phone chargers.

Taken at face value, it's obviously a good move -- not only do manufacturers enjoy lower packaging and manufacturing costs, but the world will also benefit from considerably less electronic waste. The Commission and the companies that made the agreement are confident that the new charger will be available by 2010.

What's surprising about this move is that Apple, which has enjoyed considerable success licensing its Dock Connectors to accessory makers, also signed up for the agreement. We all know how Apple can be pretty touchy with intellectual property. It leaves me wondering whether Apple's going to make a total switch to the mini-USB charger, or offer one in addition to its Dock Connector or maybe a mere adapter.

Is it just me who thinks Apple has something up its sleeve with this? :)

Then again, I have a feeling many of the other mobile phone companies -- which include powerhouses Research In Motion, Nokia, Samsung, LG, and Sony Ericsson -- would have been more reluctant to sign up for the agreement if Apple hadn't.

As usual, most of the reader commentary I saw on this topic turned into flame wars between Apple fans, Internet trolls, and everyone else...

In any case, I'm sure the furor will die down once this "standard charger" idea makes its way to other digital devices, such as laptops, digital cameras, and netbooks. There's just one problem with the idea though -- what if you have to charge two or more devices, each with different wattage specs, at the same time? You can't manage with one, right?

I jest.