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IKEA launches products with Qi wireless charging functionality

Home furnishings retailer IKEA launched wireless charging home furnishings that eliminate cable mess and makes it easier to stay connected with always-charged mobile devices.

The Qi-powered bedside tables, lamps and desks will be available in Europe and North America this April, followed by a global rollout.

Qi is the most widely deployed wireless power standard, available in 3,000 hotels, restaurants, airports and public locations worldwide. There are now more than 80 Qi-enabled smartphones, 15 models of Qi-enabled cars and countless Qi mobile accessories in the market today.

“Qi addresses an unmet need to keep devices powered," said Bjorn Block, Range Manager for Lighting and Wireless Charging, at IKEA. "As a member of Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), we value the access to the leading and most advanced global standard for wireless charging."

Established in 2008, the Wireless Power Consortium is an open, collaborative standards development group of more than 200 company members. WPC’s members include Belkin, ConvenientPower, Delphi, Freescale, Haier, HTC, IKEA, LG, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, PowerbyProxi, Royal Philips, Samsung, Sony, TDK, Texas Instruments, Verizon Wireless and ZTE.