No more wires: Ikea unveils furniture with built-in wireless device charging
Absent-minded smartphone enthusiasts rejoice: The Swedish furniture behemoth has launched a new line of furniture fitted with wireless charging spots for mobile devices.
IKEA has partnered with Qi to produce desks, tables and lamps capable of charging smart phones and tablets. The wireless charging pads are integrated directly into the furniture. The company will also sell stand-alone charging pads that people can tack on to existing furniture.
Ikea debuted the new “Home Smart” collection at the Mobile World Congress tradeshow currently under way in Barcelona. Home Smart will use Qi, one of the leading global wireless charging standards, to charge devices placed on or near the furniture.
“Through research and home visits, we know that people hate cable mess,” said Jeanette Skjelmose, a corporate manager at IKEA. “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.”
