While most tech companies agree that wireless charging is the future there are some doubts to which technology that should or will be used for accomplishing this. Intel has picked its allies in the form of Alliance for Wireless Power, over the Qi solution that is available in many models today.
Alliance for Wireless Power, abbreviated A4WP, is a cooperation between a number of large electronics companies whose goal is to establish a standard for wireless charging of e.g. phones and promote the use of such technology. In the past the organization has attracted actors such as Samsung, Broadcom and Qualcomm, and now also Intel.
Wireless charging is already available in various forms on the market, including the standard Qi that is used by several smartphones from Samsung and Nokia. Current wireless charging has many limitations, for example the charge time, cost and very short distances between the unit and charge pad.
“Intel believes the A4WP specification, particularly the use of near-field magnetic resonance technology, can provide a compelling consumer experience and enable new usage models that make device charging almost automatic. In joining A4WP, we look forward to working alongside other member companies and contributing to standards that help fuel an ecosystem of innovative solutions capable of simultaneously charging a range of devices, from low-power accessories to smartphones, tablets and Ultrabooks.”
Intel has instead decided to join A4WP takes a seat on the board, with the motivation that it wants to be part of the development and implementation of a technology using magnetic resonance that works across shorter distances and be more or less automatic. The goal is enable users to charge phones by just putting it next to a notebook.
Today, the A4WP technology is very similar to Qi with the need of putting the units on a charging pad, but the charging continues even after you lift up the phone above the pad, and it can charge several units at the same time and can be integrated into public surfaces.
Products sporting Intel’s vision of wireless charging is on the horizon, but not closer. With Intel’s support, giant companies like Samsung and Qualcomm should be able to propel A4WP’s work. Qi is in no way out of the game, and the playing field for wireless charging will be very interesting to follow in the near future.
