IKEA furniture to feature built-in wireless chargers
20 Apr 2015
Wireless charging, at one time was a very expensive niche feature, with even the most basic charging pads costing $50 to $60, but things have changed now.
While one can buy a cheap, Chinese-made Qi pad for $10, and Swedish furniture giant Ikea is doing its own bit with a full line of lamps, nightstands, and pads that support Qi wireless charging.
Devices like the Nexus 6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 support the Qi charging standard and other phones had replacement back covers that added Qi wireless charging. With a supported device, one could just set it down on the charger and it received power via electromagnetic induction.
Though somewhat slower than wired charging, reviewers say it was quite convenient.
Ikea would soon offer standard wireless chargers that one placed on the desk or nightstand, as well as furniture with the technology built-in to it. The devices had been pre-announced a few months back, but the company now, has come out with prices and an approximate release window.
The integrated furniture list, features a pair of nightstands, a table lamp, a desk lamp, and a floor lamp ranging in price from $60 for the smaller nightstand to $120 for the floor lamp.
The entire surfaces of the furniture pieces do not have wireless charging built into, but a small insert in the surface with a ''+'' indicates the location of the Qi coils.
The chargers are inserted into bedside tables, floor and table lamps, desks and simple charging pads. These are priced from $27.99 for a single charging pad or $64.99 for a triple one. A bedside lamp costs $69.99 and a floor lamp comes with a price tag of $119. Each also comes with a USB port to charge even more devices.
The chargers are available separately for $29.99 for installing in the furniture of one's choice.
To check the compatibility of their mobile phones, users could check at wirelesspowerconsortium.com/products or purchase a Vitahult charging cover (for Apple iPhone or Samsung Galaxy only) to enable use with the Ikea wireless charging products.
The products are expected to be available at stores in the US by late spring.
