Unauthorized Charger
Learning that I my iPod charger would not power my Motorola Razr V3M cell phone dismayed me today. The iPod charger comes with a removable cable. One end has a USB A-style male connector, and the other end has the iPod docking connector. So, innovative me, figured that I could substitute the iPod charge cable with a standard USB A-to-mini-B cable, because the phone accepts the mini-B connector. But when I connected the phone to the iPod charger in this fashion, and then plugged it in, the following message appeared on the phone’s back (smaller) screen:
Unauthorized charger
*Groan* Oh well, I’m thankful that this message was all I got. Indeed, this little experiment could have resulted in much worse; such as a burned out iPod charger or phone. Actually though, I’m not excessively reckless, for I did pre research this issue to minimize that chance, and I would not have considered trying this if it wasn’t almost time to upgrade my cell phone. In fact, both the phone’s charger, as well as the iPod’s, supplies the same voltage (5 volts), and I found that I can also charge my phone from the USB hub in my computer. I’ve tried different cables between the phone and the computer (both full USB and the charge-only variety), and the phone consistently charged in all of these arrangements. So too, does the iPod; all my iPods will also charge from the USB hub, just as the phone does. But, only the iPods will charge from the iPod charger.
Hmmmm. Perhaps the iPod charger provides insufficient current to charge the phone, and the phone squawks at that with the above message. Curious. Is the iPod charger at fault, or is the phone being just too picky about the chargers it will accept? IMWTK. It’d be great if all devices that provide a USB connector for power, could be run from any charger that, accepts a USB cable. I hear that there’s a movement afoot in electronics manfacturers’ circles to bring this about. But at least with my Razr phone and iPod charger, truly universal USB is not here yet. 
Take care.