Qi wireless charging is heavily supported with Windows Phone, especially since Nokia utilises the technology in most of its premium Lumia smartphones. Today, the Wireless Power Consortium announced that both Microsoft and Samsung Electro-Mechanics (a subsidy of Samsung) have joined the board.
This board drives Qi's adoption across mobile hardware and other technologies and the move for Microsoft makes sense as the company prepares to take Nokia's hardware division.
The two parties join the likes of IKEA, ZTE and others. The main rival of Qi, PMA is also attempting to attract companies to its own board, which has seen AT&T include PMA wireless charging in the Lumia 1520. With both Microsoft and Samsung more involved with Qi, we can expect to see further development across multiple platforms and industries. WPC states that the new recruits are taking "a leading role supporting the widespread adoption."
Overall, it's a sizeable win for Qi and WPC with Microsoft looking to lead Windows Phone and Samsung already dominating the Android space.
Press Release
PISCATAWAY, N.J., March 10, 2014 – The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) announced today that Microsoft and Samsung Electro-Mechanics have joined its board. The WPC board drives Qi's adoption across mobile devices, cars, infrastructure, accessories, and products as the leading standard for wireless charging worldwide.
"Microsoft and Samsung Electro-Mechanics are important players in furthering Qi's adoption in more devices, cars, products, and places," said John Perzow, Vice President of Market Development at WPC. "Qi leads the way in wireless charging with the fastest advances in inductive and resonance technology while ensuring compatibility with the entire 40+ million strong Qi ecosystem. That means that today and tomorrow, Qi products will continue to have the best features and will always work at any Qi charging spot, in the home, office, car and public locations."
As Microsoft and Samsung Electro-Mechanics join the WPC board, WPC's membership continues to significantly grow in the past few months, with new members including IKEA, ZTE Corporation, Aircharge and many others. This growth continues the development, advancement, and adoption of the Qi specification.
Mobile carriers around the world including Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, China Mobile, NTT DoCoMo, O2, and Telefonica, are contributing to the adoption of Qi by selling tens of millions of phones integrated with Qi wireless charging. Consumers can now choose from over 60 mobile phones, tablets and accessories, including the Samsung Galaxy S5, S4, and S3; LG Google Nexus 4; Google Nexus 7; Nokia Lumia 1520 and 1020; LG Optimus G Pro; and HTC Droid DNA.
Qi is the only integrated wireless charging solution available in vehicles. Qi is integrated in the 2014 Jeep Cherokee; the Toyota Avalon, Prius, and Harrier; and Ssangyong Chairman. Recently, Audi unveiled its updated Phone Box center console featuring Qi. Daimler has also announced that Mercedes-Benz will be introducing Qi compatible charging for phones and tablets in its cars in 2014. CE4A, a working group of leading automobile manufacturers, made Qi the wireless charging choice for Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, and Porsche.
The Qi standard ensures interoperability, regardless of manufacturer or brand, and offers simplicity, convenience and flexibility. Qi is backed by more than 200 leading companies of the WPC, and continues to grow as the global leader in wireless charging.
