Consumers’ demand for mobility has driven hyper connectivity in our digital world and is one of the largest driving forces of the Internet of Things. At this year’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, connectivity was at the top of everyone’s mind. Going beyond smartphones, connectivity is now being integrated into a variety of mobile devices from tablets to wearable technology. At MWC, the best in mobile was on display and everyone was discussing how to power these innovative devices using wireless charging technology.
Wearables made huge waves at MWC, with devices ranging from fitness bands to smartwatches to virtual-reality head-mounted displays. One of the biggest trends in wearable technology was health-focused devices that go beyond counting steps and increasing fitness. By collecting personal health data, wearables can play a huge part in preventing and even treating disease.
Similarly to CES, connected vehicles were all over MWC, with big names like Ford and Maseratis showing off the latest prototypes. Connected cars featured a range of functionalities beyond Wifi capability. The center console will prove to be a hotspot of the Internet of Things, with app stores, safety notifications and geo-located advertisements. Many companies are focused on improving user experience within their vehicles by incorporating connected devices and improving user-interfaces within car dashboards.
All this connectivity is made possible by easy, efficient and simple power sources. With all the innovative new features in the next generation of wearables and smartphones draining power, wireless charging was a hot topic on the floor. With the announcement of the Samsung Galaxy s6 featuring wireless charging and Ikea’s decision to incorporate charging stations into its furniture, it became clear that wireless charging is no longer an option but a necessity.
Wireless charging technology has been around for several decades, but it is finally gaining a momentum. Wireless was one of the hottest trends in CES 2014, as manufacturers of mobile phones, cars and electronic...
Wireless charging is the transmission of energy from a power source to a consuming device without wires or cables. This means that all wireless charging technologies are comprised of both a transmitter (or charging...