- IKEA's home furnishings embed charging spots and propel
Qi further into mainstream adoption
BARCELONA, Spain, March 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Global home
furnishings retailer IKEA today announced a product launch of
Qi-powered bedside tables, lamps and desks that eliminates cable
mess and makes it easier to stay connected with always-charged
mobile devices.
IKEA said the wireless charging home furnishings will be
available in Europe and
North America this April, followed
by a global rollout. The announcement girds support for Qi – the
leading global wireless charging standard from the Wireless Power
Consortium.
"IKEA is delivering on its vision of making life at home better
with this innovative, stylish and useful new collection that show
consumers the beauty and simplicity of wireless charging," said
Menno Treffers, WPC chairman. "We
applaud IKEA for its unmatched insight and their unique passion for
making wireless charging affordable and simple for consumers."
Qi is the most widely deployed wireless power standard,
available in 3,000 hotels, restaurants, airports and public
locations worldwide. There are now more than 80 Qi-enabled
smartphones, 15 models of Qi-enabled cars and countless Qi mobile
accessories in the market today.
"Our belief is that mobile phones are vital parts to people's
lives at home and their desire to stay connected, and Qi addresses
an unmet need to keep devices powered," said Bjorn Block, Range Manager for Lighting and
Wireless Charging, at IKEA. "As a member of WPC, we value the
access to the leading and most advanced global standard for
wireless charging."
During Mobile World Congress, WPC will showcase the latest
Qi-enabled products at booth 5C41, Hall 5.
About the Wireless Power Consortium and Qi
Established in 2008, the Wireless Power Consortium is an open,
collaborative standards development group of more than 200 company
members. WPC's members include Belkin, ConvenientPower, Delphi,
Freescale, Haier, HTC, IKEA, LG, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia,
Panasonic, PowerbyProxi, Royal
Philips, Samsung, Sony, TDK, Texas Instruments, Verizon
Wireless and ZTE. These companies -- large and small competitors
and ecosystem partners, from all parts of the industry and all
parts of the globe -- collaborate for a single purpose: to design
and evolve the world's most useful, safe and efficient standard for
wireless power. This global standard is called Qi, and it has
become the world's leading method for transferring electrical power
without wires. Qi is designed into 80+ mobile devices, 15 models of
cars, has more than 700 registered products that are enjoyed by
more than 50 million users worldwide. For more information, visit
www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com.