IKEA is jumping on the wireless charging bandwagon. The world's largest furniture maker and retailer understands the demands of the modern home. In a bid to streamline your interior's design as much as possible, remove redundant elements, and get rid of the cable clutter everywhere, it has designed a collection of bedside tables, lamps, and desks, with integrated wireless charging spots.
The collection, which is designed by David Wahl, employs the most common standard, Qi. If your Android device has wireless charging built-in, like the LG G3, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and dozens of others, chances are it uses Qi. If it doesn't, IKEA plans to make charging cases available for select smartphones, including some Samsung models.
The collection currently includes bedside lamps, floor lamps, a bedside table, and some standalone charging pads too. It will be available in Europe and North America in April 2015, and it looks like the UK stores might get it first with prices starting at £30.
PRESS RELEASE
New collection: wireless charging makes life at home more convenient
IKEA launches the first of a new design collection integrating wireless charging of mobile phones and reading tablets into beautiful and functional home furnishing. The new solutions, turning bedside tables, lamps and desks into charging spots, will be available in Europe and North America from April, 2015, followed by a global roll-out.
The IKEA Wireless charging collection is part of a long term commitment called Home Smart in which IKEA strives for new innovative solutions for a better life at home. When developing the Wireless Charging collection, new but available technology has been used to meet people’s needs of outlets and chargers beyond the fixed ones in homes or work environments.
”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”, says Jeanette Skjelmose, Business Area Manager Lighting and Wireless Charging.
The technology builds on collaboration with the global certification standard Qi, offering a third party certification for wireless charging products. The new collection, turning bedside tables, floor and table lamps as well as desks into charging spots, was designed by among others David Wahl.
“We have created smart wireless solutions so you don’t need to see the cables anymore. Many products can be charged at the same time, but you still have a beautiful wireless home”, explains David Wahl.
IKEA launches design collections and unique collaborations every year that embody a passion to make life at home better. IKEA will move from releasing 1-2 design collections per year to around 10 per year.