Full Transparency
Our editorial transparency tool uses blockchain technology to permanently log all changes made to official releases after publication.
More of our content is being permanently logged via blockchain technology starting [10.23.2020].
The average U.S. household has 5.7 Internet-connected devices, according to The NPD Group. With that many devices and the ensuing tangle of cords invading desks, kitchen counters and nightstands, the wireless charging market is exploding. The $3 million market is predicted to grow to $33.6 billion by 2019, based on a recent study by WinterGreen Research.
Last year brought about many enhancements to wireless charging options, including wireless chargers evolving in shape and design beyond the simple flat charging pad model. For instance, the colorful TYLT VÜ Wireless Charger that launched in June 2013 sits at a 45-degree angle so the user can easily view or work on his or her mobile device while it powers up. Another product that came on the market in 2013 was the Nokia Fatboy Charging Pillow, a small beanbag that the device rests on while charging.
Last year also saw the world’s first in-car wireless device charging station included in the Toyota Avalon Limited model. The driver or passenger simply lays his or her device on the in-console pad to charge it while driving.
However, the biggest change of the year for wireless charging was the emergence of a “next-generation” technology: magnetic resonance. Magnetic resonance technology is similar to the inductive systems used currently in that a primary coil and secondary coil are used to create the charge. But while inductive systems depend on the two coils being closely aligned, resonant systems do not. Therefore magnetic resonance technology allows users to charge multiple devices of varying sizes at the same time, over larger distances and with less precise placement.
The discussion around magnetic resonance technology as an option for wireless charging even received a boost at the end of the year. In December, the Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP) launched a brand for the magnetic resonance technology, “Rezence,” and several new products based on the technology were showcased at CES 2014.
With the proliferation of products and advancements in technology, consumers should find it easier than ever to tame the cord chaos in their homes and offices in 2014.
This is an update to the "The Future of Wireless Charging" post from December 2012.
