Borrowing chargers from friends and neighbors for your smartphone could soon be an ancient history if Ikea has its way according to reports from DigitalBrand. The Swedish furniture giant has recently disclosed a new range of products that come with built-in Wireless charging capabilities — just pop your Smartphone or Tablet on the surface, and watch the battery level start to hike. Interesting right?
The unique assortment comprises floor, table, work lamps and two bedside tables that come with integrated Wireless charging pads. The company is also selling separate Wireless charging adapters that you can fit in with your existing home setup. The new furniture is going to go on sale in the U.K.and U.S. in April, possibly this year, with pricing set to be confirmed by the time. We will try and endeavor to keep you well up-to-date.
Based on Ikea research, it is using the Qi standard for its new line of products, which means it is well-matched with Nokia phones and Google’s Nexus line. If you’ve got a recent phone from Apple, Samsung, HTC or LG, it’s unlikely to support Wireless charging natively, though inexpensive adapters are available.
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“Through research and home visits,
we know that people hate cable mess” said Ikea’s Jeanette Skjelmose in a press statement. “They worry about not finding the charger and running out of power. Our new state-of-the-art and ground-breaking solutions and remedy, which integrate Wireless charging into home furnishings, will make life at home simpler”, she said.
Wireless charging protocols have
wriggled to gain widespread acceptance, comparatively because no one can decide on one standard to twig to (and Apple refuses to come down on any particular side). Of the phones that natively support wireless charging, Qi is the most common.
Starbucks, in the interim, has rolled
out Wireless charging spots using the alternative Powermat or PMA technology, which very few phones support out of the box (though several can be made compatible with a replacement back cover). Let’s hope more handsets natively support one or even both of the standards in the years to come.