Furniture company, Ikea has announced that it will release a range of furniture that features wireless charging for compatible smartphones. Charging accessories will also be sold separately to allow incompatible phones and existing furnitures to work with its wireless charging function.
Famous for its vast array of assemble-it-yourself furniture, massive showrooms, and Swedish meatballs, the furniture retailer is taking a step into technology with the adoption of the Qi wireless charging standard from the Wireless Power Consortium. The Qi standard happens to be the leader in the wireless charging industry, as the standard is integrated into many of today’s smartphones. Users would be able to just place their compatible devices on the spot marked ‘X’ and their phones would start charging wirelessly.
Home owners can expect to see bedside tables, work lamps, and desks to feature wireless charging. Charging covers will also be available for Apple iPhones and Galaxy S phones to make use of the Qi wireless charging standard. Not only that, Ikea will also be selling individual charging pads and accessories to help users add wireless charging into their existing furniture.
The range of furnitures are set to go on sale in the U.S. and U.K. in mid April. Pricing in the U.K. has been announced and they will start from £30 (about RM108), while prices in the U.S. will be announced soon. For now, it is unclear whether these wireless charging furnitures will make its way to Malaysian homes, but let’s not rule out the possibility.
[Source: Engadget]
