05/08, 9:14am
Samsung and Qualcomm take on Wireless Power Consortium
Samsung and Qualcomm have formed the Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP) in order to mount a challenge to Qi’s Wireless Power Consortium. The move may result in a battle analogous to Sony’s battle with Toshiba over the Blu-ray and HD-DVD formats as one side seeks to establish its technology as the international standard. The Wireless Power Consortium, however, will present a formidable opponent -- it already has over 100 companies on its list of members, including heavy-weights like Energizer, HTC, Huawei, LG, Panasonic, Philips, Sony, Texas Instruments and Toshiba.
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04/20, 12:15pm
Inductive charging now effective up to 40mm away
Inductive wireless charging may have taken another step toward wider adoption today, with an announcement from the Wireless Power Consortium. The group announced an update of the Qi wireless charging standard, allowing for charging from up to 40mm away. The updated standard greatly exceeds previous limitations, which capped charging distance at 5mm between device and charging platform.
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04/09, 9:35pm
We review Energizer's Qi wireless power pad
Inductive charging is theoretically the holy grail for convenience, and the young-in-the-tooth Qi standard promises to make it relevant for nearly any low-power gadget. With that in mind, Energizer is stepping up with the Inductive Charging Pad, a plate that can potentially power anything while going wire-free. We'll find out in our full review if it's the breakthrough it's meant to be or if there's still some big caveats at hand.
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03/18, 2:30pm
Energizer shows single-zone Qi handset chargers
Energizer detailed plans to soon release a universal single-zone charger based on the Wireless Power Consortium's Qi standard. This will include a single-zone inductive charger that can work with the company's recent iPhone 4 sleeve. A Qi adapter will attach to most phones through mini or micro USB to make it compatible with the Qi standard.
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09/07, 1:35pm
Energize Inductive Charger ready for Apple and RIM
As promised, Energizer today rolled out the Inductive Charger. The plate uses the Qi standard to charge the BlackBerry Curve 8900 and the iPhone 3G/3GS without wires. Both smartphones need a special add-on, either a battery door for the Curve or a full case for the iPhone, but never need to switch back; the iPhone case appears to block the Dock Connector, however.
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09/03, 11:15am
Qi wireless power now ready for BBerry and iPhone
The Wireless Power Consortium said that its Qi format was ready to be built into hardware. Following earlier approval, Energizer is developing a wire-free charging sleeve for the iPhone 3G and 3GS as well as for the older BlackBerry Curve 8900. Polished versions of either are due in the fall.
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07/26, 5:35pm
WPC greenlights wireless power for phones and more
The Wireless Power Consortium in a low-key move has approved the Qi standard for charging devices over the air. Hardware producers can now design devices to use the technology and expect them to work with other Qi equipment. Those in the alliance didn't say when they expected the first devices to reach shops.
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12/03, 4:05pm
Wireless Power Consortium gets RIM, Energizer
The Wireless Power Consortium on Thursday announced it has added BlackBerry maker RIM and battery maker Energizer, furthering the organization's mission of developing a wireless charging standard it is calling Qi. There are now 21 members in the Consortium, and the opportunity was also taken to announce the second round of prototype testing has been successfully completed.
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10/01, 4:50pm
Nokia now a member of Wireless Power Consortium
The Wireless Power Consortium on Thursday announced that cellphone maker Nokia has become one of its members. This is expected to result in quicker development and the more widespread use of the Qi wireless charging standard the Consortium is working on. With the addition of Nokia, the company has backed the open standards that would be shared among many makers of cell phones and other portable electronics devices.
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08/17, 5:50pm
Wireless Power 0 95 Spec
The Wireless Power Consortium today signaled it was getting closer to a finished release by releasing the 0.95 spec for its standard. The advancement gives members of the recently-formed group enough to help test interoperation between their devices and others, which themselves are getting closer. A first formal test is expected in Eindhoven, The Netherlands at the next meeting of the group, which doesn't have a readily publicized date for the event.
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