     |
Well, we can't say we didn't see this one coming. News that PowerKiss, the Helsinki-based wireless charging company, joined the Power Matters Alliance (PMA) hit in March. Even then, there was a chance that the manufacturer would continue supporting Qi, in addition to PMA. As of today, though, any hope of such support has been officially extinguished -- Powermat is calling the shots now. The two companies will combine under the Powermat Technologies umbrella, and will, of course, support PMA exclusively. PowerKiss will bring with it 1,000 existing charging spots throughout Europe, along with installations at select McDonald's locations on the continent. It's not clear when the transition will be complete, but there's no question that the PMA standard now has some very significant support. Catch the PR after the break.
Filed under: Cellphones, Household, Wireless
Now might be the time to familiarize yourself with the Power Matters Alliance (PMA). The industry's most recognizable standard, Qi, is facing serious competition from the PMA, which has garnered support from Duracell Powermat, AT&T, smartphone manufacturers such as BlackBerry and ZTE, and even Starbucks shops, which have begun rolling out its wireless charging tech in certain outlets. Beginning soon, you may be able to charge your compatible smartphone at European McDonald's restaurants, too -- the food service giant's support comes courtesy of Helsinki-based PowerKiss, which is now ditching Qi in favor of the PMA. The move is arguably the Alliance's most significant to date, and it could bring confidence to organizations currently considering their own strategies.
It's unfortunate for consumers who may have recently invested in Qi, however -- popular wireless charging spots in major European train stations, for example, will be swapping out their infrastructure to support PMA. According to PowerKiss founder Maija Itkonen, the decision was based on the standard's new technology that enables individual charging sites to monitor usage trends and control consumption, along with significant support from companies throughout the industry. We've even heard speculation that Apple may soon announce support for the PMA standard, though we remain skeptical. Regardless, this is a major blow to Qi, though it could be a significant step forward for consumers -- that $99 Powermat charging set might seem a more-reasonable acquisition now.
Filed under: Cellphones, Household, Wireless, Mobile