We recently reported on AT&T's launch page for the Nokia Lumia 1520 and how built-in wireless charging was absent. We noted how this decision would have not been to save cost or a few milometers on the device, but possibly affected by AT&T's involvement with Qi rival PMA (Power Matters Alliance). The company appears to have opted for wireless charging shells instead.
While the PMA group itself sounds like a group of superheroes from a Duracell advertisement, it's saddening to see the US mobile operator go down the route of removing the established Qi standard. Especially since it's the standard Nokia has adopted. Here's what Don Mooers, Director of Device Product Marketing at AT&T had to say in an email response to a Windows Phone Central reader:
"In an effort to move toward making this a reality for consumers worldwide, we’ve placed our support for the public ecosystem roll out led by Power Matters Alliance (PMA). The PMA continues to expand membership and is building a strong ecosystem for wireless charging. The PMA solution is already installed at leading coffee shops, airports, stadiums, restaurants, gyms and more, which enables customers to wirelessly charge their phone while on the go."
The AT&T Lumia 1520 product page
That's essentially the situation wrapped up in a nutshell. AT&T removed the built-in Qi wireless charging in favour of PMA with optional accessories. AT&T does note that they're working with device suppliers to embed PMA capabilities into the hardware beginning in 2014, but until then you'll be stuck with a PMA solution should you pick up a Lumia 1520 on AT&T.
So what does this mean for consumers? Qi and PMA will continue to battle it out and compete for world dominance. Until then, consumers will be stuck in the middle deciding which bandwagon they'd like to hop onto. Both continue to drum up support for either side of the fence. Think VHS versus Betamax all over again.
Head on over to our forum to join in the discussion. Thanks, darth_furious, for the heads up!
