04/20, 12:15pm
Inductive charging now effective up to 40mm away
Inductive wireless charging may have taken another step toward wider adoption today, with an announcement from the Wireless Power Consortium. The group announced an update of the Qi wireless charging standard, allowing for charging from up to 40mm away. The updated standard greatly exceeds previous limitations, which capped charging distance at 5mm between device and charging platform.
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04/09, 2:20pm
Panasonic QE-QL301 to power iPads and more
Panasonic took an unusual step into mobile accessories Monday through the unveiling of a new external battery pack. The flagship QE-QL301 can share its maximum 10,260mAh of power between two USB devices at once. At four times the power of even a well-equipped smartphone, it has both the power to give meaningful extra battery life to two devices, including to tablets like the iPad.
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03/01, 2:55pm
LG shows off WCD-800 wireless phone charger
LG introduced a wireless charging pad for its smartphones, the WCD-800, at Mobile World Congress. It can charge phones placed within its grasp horizontally or vertically, so users can navigate the menus, watch videos, or hold conversations using the speakerphone. All of the company's phones unveiled at MWC, such as the Optimus 4X HD, will be compatible with the charger, as well as those from third parties that use the Qi standard.
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02/14, 2:35pm
Sony developing smart outlets that ID users
Sony is working on power outlets that could restrict flow of energy based on who plugs in, The Verge has learned. Sony would apply its NFC-based FeliCa payment tech and use it to determine identities and permissions, with applications likely to include selling power in public areas, preventing theft, and in large corporate buildings for employees. Each outlet would be equipped with an IC chip that could be made to read information from a similar chip built into the plug or a portable device with an NFC chip.
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07/07, 7:50am
iPhone 6 charging plans teased in updated rumor
An update to an earlier iPhone 5 leak has given what could be even more ambitious plans for the sixth-generation model. Experiments for the 2012 version of the phone would have it use a "new way" to charge the phone. The WSJ source didn't say what it would entail, but it would most likely be inductive, wireless charging akin to HP's webOS devices.
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05/16, 10:20am
Sharp Aquos SH-13C first with Qi wireless charger
The biggest Japanese wireless provider, NTT DoCoMo, on Monday announced the upcoming release of a number of new handsets, including the Sharp Aquos Phone f SH-13C. Chief among the phone's features is its out-of-the-box Qi wireless charger and pod, a first of its kind for smartphones. Users just need to place the phone onto a pod or any other Qi charger for cable-free power.
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04/18, 6:25pm
Ti unveils ultra-small Qi wireless power chips
Texas Instruments started the week by promising a very small wireless power chip, the bq51013, that could lead to the technology spreading to other devices. Its design measures just 0.12 inches at its longest point, 80 percent less than TI's previous version, but can still provide the 5W of inductive power needed for smartphones, MP3 players, and most other mobile devices. It backs the official Qi power standard and should work with any charger that supports the standard.
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04/09, 9:35pm
We review Energizer's Qi wireless power pad
Inductive charging is theoretically the holy grail for convenience, and the young-in-the-tooth Qi standard promises to make it relevant for nearly any low-power gadget. With that in mind, Energizer is stepping up with the Inductive Charging Pad, a plate that can potentially power anything while going wire-free. We'll find out in our full review if it's the breakthrough it's meant to be or if there's still some big caveats at hand.
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03/24, 2:15pm
Fulton Qi power tech hands-on at CTIA
Fulton Innovation had a surprisingly deep presence at the just-wrapping CTIA show this week and showed off some new technology using the universal Qi wireless power standard. This included not just LG's new wireless charging station but a rumored similar back for the Thunderbolt. Read on for a first-hand look as well as a check on Fulton's unique light-up, Qi-powered product boxes.
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03/18, 2:30pm
Energizer shows single-zone Qi handset chargers
Energizer detailed plans to soon release a universal single-zone charger based on the Wireless Power Consortium's Qi standard. This will include a single-zone inductive charger that can work with the company's recent iPhone 4 sleeve. A Qi adapter will attach to most phones through mini or micro USB to make it compatible with the Qi standard.
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09/07, 1:35pm
Energize Inductive Charger ready for Apple and RIM
As promised, Energizer today rolled out the Inductive Charger. The plate uses the Qi standard to charge the BlackBerry Curve 8900 and the iPhone 3G/3GS without wires. Both smartphones need a special add-on, either a battery door for the Curve or a full case for the iPhone, but never need to switch back; the iPhone case appears to block the Dock Connector, however.
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09/03, 11:15am
Qi wireless power now ready for BBerry and iPhone
The Wireless Power Consortium said that its Qi format was ready to be built into hardware. Following earlier approval, Energizer is developing a wire-free charging sleeve for the iPhone 3G and 3GS as well as for the older BlackBerry Curve 8900. Polished versions of either are due in the fall.
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07/26, 5:35pm
WPC greenlights wireless power for phones and more
The Wireless Power Consortium in a low-key move has approved the Qi standard for charging devices over the air. Hardware producers can now design devices to use the technology and expect them to work with other Qi equipment. Those in the alliance didn't say when they expected the first devices to reach shops.
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12/03, 4:05pm
Wireless Power Consortium gets RIM, Energizer
The Wireless Power Consortium on Thursday announced it has added BlackBerry maker RIM and battery maker Energizer, furthering the organization's mission of developing a wireless charging standard it is calling Qi. There are now 21 members in the Consortium, and the opportunity was also taken to announce the second round of prototype testing has been successfully completed.
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