fwiw, there are two "flavors" of "standard" mini usb connectors... one with 4 pins and one with 5 pins.
It _appears_ that the primary difference is that the 4 pin connectors (physically different from the 5 pin) are used only for usb data connections, where the 5 pin connectors can also provide power and battery charge from the usb port to the device.
the above is observation only... I have no supporting data other than from my experience with various devices.
Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]