Is Microsoft forcing specific port placement on its OEMs?
Hey guys, it has been a while since I last wrote anything here, but it is hard not to with the influx of news these past few days and the coming week. So far we have already seen some highly exciting leaks of devices, but I just came across something potentially interesting; standardized placement of the charger/syncing port.
WPCentral has received a tip that Microsoft has made some changes to the chassis specification and is now demanding a standardized place for the port, at the bottom center of the device. This rumour by itself seems like nothing interesting, but I beg to differ. Dull as it might be, the iPhone has had a standard place for its charger port for years. This has spawned a lively industry of third party accessories, from simple audio docks to full blown extensions that make your phone do more than what it was ever intended to do.
So, even though we can file this whole thing strictly under rumours, it is exciting to say the least. It can create an incentive for accessory manufacturers to start looking at Windows Phone as well besides only the Iphone. After all, they can create one accessory and sell it for practically all Windows Phones at once. It can also create a good business for Nokia themselves, Nokia has traditionally made a lot of accessories, just look at the Play360 for one. You might even see an ATIV S owner with some rocking great Nokia accessory that easily beats the phone it is attached to in terms of quality etc.
I for one hope this turns out to be true, the potential this standardized port placement can be pretty big.
Thanks to al who tipped this, seems we are all looking at the WP/Nokia related blogs at the same time 
Category: Nokia
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Very good points. I absolutely LOVE that there are so many accessories available for the iPhone and iPod touch – from automobiles making ports specifically for the iPhone/iPod to docks for desktop radios and standalone speakers, etc.
If this is the direction that Microsoft is going, I agree that it will be great for WP, and to your point, Nokia, since they do make decent accessories.
Yep. I’m guessing Microsoft will start building its own set on accessories.
“Very good points. I absolutely LOVE that there are so many accessories available for the iPhone and iPod touch – from automobiles making ports specifically for the iPhone/iPod to docks for desktop radios and standalone speakers, etc.”
At the same time, it does strike me as pathetic that the majority of accessory manufacturers focus entirely on the iPhones. If not iPhones, then it is Samsung Android phones. Outside of those two, good luck trying to find any ‘fancy’ accessories. It’s safe to assume that this is one of the reasons why a lot of people buy iPhones and Samsung Android phones.
Personally, I view the majority of the accessories for them as next to useless (aside from the car docks) while their cases which range from glitter to fluffy ears, or animal themed ones, as plain tacky. Not to mention a myriad of bumper cases for iPhone 4 onwards since it suffers from the dreaded ‘Death Grip’. :p
It also means more annoyance to the designers and engineers making the phones, and more potential wasted space. but I guess the end result would be better for everyone.
It depends… what can be done in Windows Phone 8 using the port? Audio or Video Out? Media Control?
There was a story on pocketnow about MS adding ac support to the USB port (can’t recall how exactly but I do recall a story on that).
There was a story on pocketnow about MS adding AV support to the USB port (can’t recall how exactly but I do recall a story on that).
I’ve said for years it seems daft all the other phone manufacturers can’t get together and standardise some form of charge port placement so enabling docking stations for multiple devices.
I’m convinced one of the reasons iphones sell so well is the overwhelming choice of docking stations etc. on offer, yet all the other brands seem happy to leave Apple with this monopoly(mind you, these days Apple would probably be ready with a lawsuit).
Agree.. E7 was on the side, though that was better than the 808 having it on the Top.. Worse place you could put it.. Horrible when using in portrait for Navigation etc.
Cant get products like you can with iphone because of this.
Std is a good move.
it makes me feel that a battery case will be launched soon………..
A Lumia with a Mophie juicepack case? I don’t think so.
Why not make the port standardized for landscape docking? Shape would matter less, volume rockers and camera button would always be exposed. Put the micro HDMI port right next to it. This is how the Moto ATRIX is set up for use in the Laptop Dock and Media Dock. Awesome accessories, but so much money for them
you have to be rich to have a futuristic/modern lifestyle
Correction on my own comment: the ATRIX does not have both connectors on one side.
However, power can be supplied over HDMI, negating the need to have USB power.
Remember back when the N8-00 was coming out, they were showing how S^3 with full connectivity could be setup like a a pc? Mirrored display on monitor, extra storage through USB OTG, Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. That was awesome and I hope we can do it with Lumia on WP8 as well. That was 2010. Moto tried to capitalize on it with the ATRIX and ATRIX 2. There isn’t a laptop dock for the ATRIX HD.
That said, as opposed to a Nokia W8 tablet, I’d rather an accessory to turn the Lumia into a netbook
This news is interesting. Can’t wait to see.
Update now please! I’ve been refreshing this blog for 8 hours now hoping for a new update about anything related to Sept 5.
Same here.
Standards are good, but specifying where to put a port in the handset is just just silly and will limit the designs to a large extent. Another blow for Nokia! Only few people have seen this limitation coming…