It was recently revealed that Ikea and Samsung have paired up to create wireless charging furniture. The furniture is for both the workplace and the home and can wireless charge your gadgets.
The news was announced at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) and it was further detailed that Ikea furniture will very soon benefit from Samsung hardware and embedded Qi technology.
Qi is an interface standard that was developed by the Wireless Power Consortium for inductive electrical power transfers over distances for up to 1.6 inches (4 cm). The system is made from a power transmission pad and a compatible receiver that is attached to the user’s device. The device is them placed on top of the pad and it gets charged via resonant inductive coupling.
McDonald’s has been using this type of wireless charging with success and it is expected that more companies incorporate Qi into their systems thanks to the low power rates.
Ikea and Samsung will bring wireless charging to Ikea customers in the form of lams and desks. Qi technology is just one standard available to hardware designers and manufacturer.
The prices for a lamp that will charge your mobile phone wirelessly will be around $40 and in case you simply do not want to buy a piece of furniture, Ikea will also offer charging pads that users can place on their furniture at home.
Business area manager for Ikea, Jeanette Skjelmose, revealed that the company’s innovative solutions will make life a home much simpler.
Deputy president for European telecoms operations at Samsung Electronics, Jean-Daniel Ayme, stated:
Mobile devices have become a natural part of our lives. Our ability to pair a simple wireless charging process with Ikea’s household furniture gives everyone the opportunity to be more comfortable and conveniently enjoy their smartphone experience like never before.
Qi and Samsung do not have exclusivity over the wireless charging system, so the furniture that Ikea is going to build will also charge Apple products, such as the iPhone and the iPad.
A representative for Ikea stated that Ikea has also added a large selection of wireless charging covers for iPhone 4/4S, 5/5S/5C and 6 and also Samsung Galaxy S3, S4 and S5.
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