Finally, cell phone makers have come to their senses. Some of the largest cell phone manufacturers, including Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, LG, T-Mobile, Orange, 3, AT&T and Vodafone are joining efforts to design a universal cell phone charger that will use 50% less energy.

The universal charger design will rely on a micro-USB connection and GSM Association project that by 2012, most of the cell phones sold around the globe, will use this universal charger. (And a personal opinion, they could also include the idea of a USB that charges the phone from one’s computer.)

But even greener than this idea is the Blue Earth touch screen phone that charges with a solar panel included in the back of the phone. The cell phone, which will be available in the UK during the second half of the year,  is also made of recycled plastic bottles, free of harmful substances.  Other cell phones manufacturers including solar panels in their models are LG, the Dutch company Intivation and China’s ZTE.

Nice options for the rest of us that can’t afford an iPhone!

This info was disclosed during the Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona, Spain this last February 16-19.