Ikea adds wireless charging to its desks

Updated
Undated handout photo issued by Ikea of a table, as part of a new range of furniture including desks and tables that have been unveiled at the Mobile World Congress technology show in Barcelona which enable wireless charging to power smartphones.  PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday December 2, 2014. It comes as a result of a partnership with the Wireless Power Consortium, which makes the Qi standard of wireless charging, used by many smartphone manufacturers including LG and Google Nexus. See PA story TECHNOLOGY Ikea. Photo credit should read: Marten Linton/Ikea/PA WireNOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Ikea Joins War Over Wireless Charging
Ikea Joins War Over Wireless Charging


Ikea has taken efficient furniture to new levels with the launch of a line that contains wireless charging technology to power smartphones.

The Swedish firm announced the new range of furniture, which includes tables, desks and lamps, at the Mobile World Congress technology show in Barcelona. Ikea will also be selling pads to add a charging point to any surface.

It comes as a result of a partnership with the Wireless Power Consortium, which makes the Qi standard of wireless charging, used by many smartphone manufacturers including LG and Google Nexus.

Jeanette Skjelmose, head of lighting and wireless charging at Ikea, said: "Through research and home visits, we know that people hate cable mess. They worry about not finding the charger and running out of power. Our new innovative solutions, which integrate wireless charging into home furnishings, will make life at home simpler."

While the announcement sounds like a huge step forward for smart device users, there is a hiccup - wireless charging is a two-standard industry. The other, backed by a group called the Power Matters Alliance, is not compatible with Qi and has major backers in the shape of Starbucks and McDonald's, as well as smartphone manufacturers Lenovo and Huawei.

Undated handout photo issued by Ikea of a piece of furniture, as part of a new range including tables and desks that have been unveiled at the Mobile World Congress technology show in Barcelona which enable wireless charging to power smartphones. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Monday December 1, 2014. It comes as a result of a partnership with the Wireless Power Consortium, which makes the Qi standard of wireless charging, used by many smartphone manufacturers including LG and Google Nexus. See PA story TECHNOLOGY Ikea. Photo credit should read: Marten Linton/Ikea/PA WireNOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.



The new Samsung Galaxy S6 comes with support for both, but others do not, which prompted Ikea's charging pad which can be used on any surface and will be compatible with other devices.

There has also been concern raised by environmentalists about the recycling of products that contain wireless charging equipment.

Julian Kirby, from Friends of the Earth, told the BBC: "A key principle that manufacturers of furniture with built-in wireless charging technology should consider is that the furniture is designed to be easy to disassemble for upgrade, reuse, repair or recycling."

Undated handout photo issued by Ikea of a lamp, as part of a new range of furniture including tables and desks that have been unveiled at the Mobile World Congress technology show in Barcelona which enable wireless charging to power smartphones. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday March 3, 2015. It comes as a result of a partnership with the Wireless Power Consortium, which makes the Qi standard of wireless charging, used by many smartphone manufacturers including LG and Google Nexus. See PA story TECHNOLOGY Ikea. Photo credit should read: Marten Linton/Ikea/PA WireNOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.



He cited the example of electric toothbrushes as an example of "terrible product design" that made it nearly impossible to separate the batteries and other potentially toxic material from the rest of the device, meaning they end up in landfills or incinerators.

Ikea said its new products mean users need fewer chargers and can be less energy-hungry. The new line of furniture goes on sale in the US and Europe in the spring.

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