Belkin Launches First Wireless Charger, a Qi-Based Unit, With Eyes Also on Rezence

Accessories maker Belkin is launching its first wireless charger, a Qi-certified power pad ($39) rated at 1-Amp output. The decision to launch now came from Qi capability in the latest Samsung phones and out of a Belkin survey showing that one of consumers’ biggest complaints about their smartphone experience is the need to plug and unplug phones for charging, a company spokeswoman told us. Belkin is also looking at Rezence and Powermat wireless charging technologies, and Belkin could have a Rezence-based charger in the market late next year. Uncoupled Rezence technology opens the possibility of putting a charging product beneath furniture for “true wireless charging,” the spokeswoman said. “We’re working closely with Intel to determine whether it’s a good space for us to participate in,” she said. Wireless charging is part of Intel’s vision to eliminate all wires from computers by next year (see 1505250003). The challenge for wireless charging overall now is consumer education, the Belkin spokeswoman said. People are aware of wireless charging but they’re “not readily adopting it,” she said, citing lack of education “on the partner side.” Wireless charging stations at McDonald’s and Starbucks, furniture from Ikea and adoption of wireless charging by carmakers including GM and Toyota are helping get the word out, she said. Belkin sees the $2 billion wireless charging market growing to $8.5 billion by 2018. Responding to our question on charging for wearables, the spokeswoman said Belkin currently isn’t in that market but expects it to grow “exponentially.” When Belkin decides to enter that market will depend on partnerships it forms, since Belkin goes through “rigorous testing to make sure we’re certified,” she said. Belkin expects to make more wireless charging accessories available -- including Qi car products -- in the next few months, she said.