Swedish furniture giant IKEA has introduced a line of phone-charging furniture this week.
Thrivewire.com quoted Jeanette Skjelmose, Ikea corporate manager, as saying, "Through research and home visits, we know that people hate cable mess. They worry about not finding the charger and running out of power. Our new innovative solutions, which integrate wireless charging into home furnishings, will make life at home simpler."
Ikea will be using Qi wireless technology. These wireless phone charging stations will be integrated into pieces such as nightstands, tables, desks and lamps.
The furniture will be available in North American and Europe beginning in April with an international roll-out planned for later this year.
In addition to this, Ikea will sell kits so that consumers can integrate a phone charging station into existing IKEA furniture.
Ikea said the charging stations can charge several devices at once. Choosing a nightstand with a phone charging station versus one without will cost consumers about $33 extra, in keeping with Ikea's promise to produce affordable furniture.
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According to Wireless Power Consortium, which developed Qi wireless technology, the technology will not be compatible with iPhone users. Qi wireless charging technology is compatible with about 80 different types of smartphone, including Samsung Galaxy, Nokia Lumia, Google Nexus and Sharp Aquos phones.
Thrivewire.com quoted Menno Treffers, Wireless Power Consortium chairman as saying at the unveiling, "The new collection shows consumers the beauty and simplicity of wireless charging. We applaud Ikea for its unmatched insight and their unique passion for making wireless charging affordable and simple for consumers."
The consumers will not have to assemble the phone charging stations themselves.