Finding the best ways to keep all of your devices charged no matter where you go can be something of a challenge for some people. Devices like smartphones, tablets, e-readers and more get used so often today that the convenience of having them sometimes seems overridden by the inconvenience of always trying to find a place to plug them in to charge. It seems only natural that technology would eventually come along to change all of that to make things better. Steps have been taken now so that you can get the charging you need for your devices wirelessly through the furniture that you have in your home or office.
Charging Furniture for Ease and Convenience
Ikea, the Swedish furniture giant, is the first company to step into the foray by creating furniture that will allow you to charge your devices wirelessly right on the furniture. The furniture already sells reasonably-priced furniture that customers build easily on their own and now including the ability to charge devices will help to make the items even more attractive to the general public. After building the furniture chosen, the furniture itself is connected to some type of power source you have in your home. There are then wirelessly charging stations built in to the various pieces of furniture that you can lay your smartphone down on the charging area to get the charge you need for your device while you watch television or sit at your desk.
The Current Plan for This Furniture
There are some current limitations as far as what is going to be able and what can be charged. At the moment, the plan is for there to be tables, lamps and desks that will have this capability. The furniture is planned to be offered in Europe and in the United States starting in April of 2015 with a further global roll out to occur after that. As of right now, the furniture will use the Qi-standard for wireless charging, meaning devices made by smartphone designers such as HTC, Microsoft and Samsung will be able to use it. At some point there is likely going to be a standard for charging, as there are currently three options, with the PMA standard being the strongest in the U.S. Until there is some type of universal standard for wireless charging used there will be differences depending on where you go.
Nevertheless, the important factor here is that the availability of wireless furniture will open the door for other companies to start making more household furniture and accessories that are capable of charging devices wirelessly. The biggest complaint among people is not having long enough battery life on devices and then finding a place to charge them, so if the convenience can be had at desks, tables and eventually chairs, sofas and perhaps even countertops it will certainly make things easier for everyone. This can be particularly important as smartphones play a larger and larger role in life as time goes on.