McDonald's to install 600 “wireless hotspots” in the UK
10 Jan 2015
McDonald's has announced addition of ''Qi'' wireless charging hotspots to 50 restaurants in the UK.
Partnering with hotspot makers AirCharge, the company would be rolling out chargers in branches in London ''and elsewhere''. Qi wireless chargers enjoy the backing of Wireless Power Consortium – which already had its technology in a number of devices, including the latest Google Nexus phone.
According to commentators, the push by the company could come as a vote of confidence in the tech which was currently engaged in a battle with a newly merged rival wireless charging alliance, which currently used incompatible technology.
The development would be a win-win one for all as it would help McDonald's add value and draw more customers, who would find it a useful service. It would also help to raise the profile of the new wireless charging technology.
With the development, food fans would soon be able to wirelessly charge their phones even as they ate at more than 50 McDonald's restaurants.
The new charging hotspots would be installed across 600 stores throughout the UK following a successful trial
McDonald's already offered free WiFi and the new system would use a standard Qi connection included in 70 smartphones and tablets.
Samsung, Sony and BlackBerry were now working on making phones using a standard type of connection, adopted by the Wireless Power Consortium in 2008, that could be used by the Qi connections.
The Qi technology used an 'induction' method that required placing a device on a charging plate and each charging spot will be waterproof and wipe-clean.
