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19
innovations
Smart technology for business people in
the office, at home and on the move
Wireless charging ready for take off
This year could be the year wireless charging goes mainstream, claims industry analyst
IHS Technology.
Following the launch of Samsung’s Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 edge smartphones with
built-in wireless charging capabilities (conforming to PMA and Qi standards), industry analyst IHS
Technology forecasts that 100 million wireless charging-enabled receivers could be shipped in 2015
– in mobile handsets alone.
Analyst David Green commented: “Whilst the adoption of wireless inductive charging into mobile
phones is not itself a new concept (for example the Nokia Lumia 930 has a Qi-standard receiver
built-in), this announcement from Samsung provides a huge boost to the wireless power industry
with its potential to drive market awareness and shipment volumes.”
He added: “The decision to provide a ‘dual-mode’ receiver capable of receiving power from either
a PMA or Qi transmitter is an interesting step. Infrastructure investment is on the increase, as shown
by recent tie-ups such as Starbucks with PMA in the USA, and the IKEA announcement of Qi-
equipped furniture at MWC (MobileWorld Congress).”
As manufacturers focus on providing a seamless charging experience for end users, IHS expects
dual-mode (PMA/Qi inductive) receiver solutions to be a growing trend in 2015, with tri-modal
solutions that also include resonant technology gaining share in the medium to long-term.
ChargeSpot Wireless Power Inc. has
introduced a cloud-based management
platform for Qi and dual-mode wireless
charging that enables offices and venues
to manage ChargeSpot deployments
remotely. ChargeSpot Connect offers live
monitoring of ChargeSpots in real-time;
automatic remote updating with latest
firmware and features; operation outside
internal networks to ensure the highest
level of network security; and mobile app
integration to tie wireless charging into
broader mobile initiatives.
A smartphone for the
over 55s
Developed specially for over-55s, the
emporiaSMART is designed to ease the
transition from featurephone to smartphone
through simple operation and unique ease-
of-use features.
These include a removable keyboard over the
4.5in colour touchscreen display, which enables
users to dial numbers in the traditional way;
a stylus for accurate on-screen typing; and a
modified Android operating system.
The homescreen gives instant access to voice
calls, text messages and images taken on the 8
megapixel camera. A swipe to the right reveals
commonly used functions, such as the weather,
web browsing and a calculator, while one to
the left gives access to contacts, voicemail and
emporia’s emergency system. This enables users
to call up to five numbers in sequence in an
emergency.
Eveline Pupeter, CEO of emporia, said:
“We know that less than 40% of over 55s use a
smartphone, often preferring tried and trusted
feature phone functionality. The emporiaSMART
is the first smartphone built from the ground
up to enable people seamlessly to make the
step from feature phone to smartphone, taking
advantage of email, web browsing, image
sharing and other popular functions without
having to navigate difficult menu systems and
complex app stores.”
IKEA powers ahead with
wireless charging
Adding impetus to the roll-out of mobile
charging solutions, IKEA has launched a
range of bedside tables, lamps and desks
with built-in wireless charging spots that
eliminate cable mess and make it easier to
keep mobile devices fully charged.
In addition to its Qi-enabled furniture
products, IKEA is introducing:
n
a wireless charger (the JYSSEN) that can
be fitted wherever needed, including in the
cable outlet of IKEA desks;
n
a wireless charging pad with three ports
(the NORDMÄRKE) for charging multiple
devices simultaneously; and
n
a selection of wireless charging covers for
phones that don’t support the Qi wireless
charging standard, including the iPhone 4,
5/5S, 6 and Samsung Galaxy S3, S4 and S5.
Wireless Smart lighting
Royal Philips has expanded its range of
smartphone-controllable lighting with a
portable wireless lamp, the Philips Hue Go.
People can carry the lamp with them as
they move around their home or garden
and modify light settings to create the
perfect ambience for every occasion.
When unplugged from the mains, built-
in batteries provide up to three hours of
continuous lighting.
A control button on the device gives access
to seven light settings, including warm white
light, cool daylight and five dynamic effects
– Cozy Candle, Sunday Coffee, Meditation,
Enchanted Forest and Night Adventure.
The Philips Hue app offers further scope for
personalisation with a palette of more than
16 million colours, plus the option of ‘light
notification’ when a new email is received, for
example.
