Sector 5 landed an FCC equipment authorization for a 15-watt transmitter wall for wireless charging in schools and businesses, said the company Tuesday. The FCC granted Sector 5's application Sept. 18. Sector 5 is working to develop Qi-compliant wireless charging products “for all types of devices,” said the company.
Energous said its WattUp near-field wireless charging technology has secured regulatory certification in 100 countries including the U.S., Australia, Canada, India, Taiwan and all EU countries. Among those not on the list were China, Israel, Japan and South Korea. While each WattUp-enabled device requires its own certification, Energous customers will be able to reference the Energous certifications “to expedite the regulatory process,” said CEO Stephen Rizzone Wednesday, saying initial rollouts from customers to consumers will begin in coming weeks, “followed by full global releases as the remaining certifications are secured.”
Zens announced wireless chargers in aluminum casing Wednesday before IFA. Slated for Sept. 15 availability are the dual-charging 20-watt ZEDC04B ($79) for two smartphones; the ZESC11B ($49) 10-watt single charger; and a 20-watt Dual+Watch charger ($99) for powering two smartphones and an Apple Watch, said Zens. The devices, which support Apple Fast Charge, come with a power adapter, are Qi and/or Apple MFi-certified and have a three-year extended warranty, it said.
Importer Hirsch Gift is recalling about 21,000 Qi wireless-charging pads made in China because they can be a burn hazard, said the Consumer Product Safety Commission in a Friday notice. Hirsch distributed the charging pads February through May as “a promotional giveaway to employees and customers of various companies,” it said. Consumers should immediately stop using the pads and contact Hirsch for a free replacement, it said. Hirsch knows of seven instances of the pads overheating, but no injuries have been reported, it said.
A near-field charging transmitter based on Energous' WattUp RF power-at-a-distance wireless charging technology is available through IDT International, said Energous. It is designed to charge low-power devices including hearing aids, fitness trackers, smartwatches and wireless earbuds. IDT customers will be able to bundle a standard transmitter design from IDT with a WattUp receiver integrated into the customer’s product, it said. Consumer products are expected in the market in “coming months,” said Energous. Also in wireless charging, Deconnect launched a Kickstarter project for Gloo, a wireless charging station that doubles as mood lighting. The bottle-shaped device can deliver up to eight smartphone charges using Qi wireless charging and USB ports, said the company. The product had $25,624 in backing Friday toward a make-or-break goal of $50,000 by the end of July.
Education and business technology company Sector 5 is seeking in parallel FCC and CE approval of its wireless charging technology, including 15-watt, 30-watt and 50-watt solutions. The company, which said Monday it recently completed final testing, didn’t respond to questions.
Matryx bowed a Qi wireless phone charger dubbed HoverCharge that can be used flat or displayed as a stand. The charger offers 7.5 watts for supported iPhones and 10 watts for supported Android devices, said the company. The mount uses epoxy-based rubber rather than magnets or metal plates that can interfere with near-field communication payments or cause damage to a phone, said the company. Preorder price of the Kickstarter-backed charger is $19, with shipments set to begin in late July at $59.
Belkin’s 10-watt Boost Up wireless charging stand ($69) and pad ($59), launched at CES, are available for purchase, said the company Thursday. The Qi-based devices, which work with generation 8 and higher iPhones -- along with LG, Samsung and Sony smartphones -- have premium shielding and resistors to minimize interference so battery life, touch screen and Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and LTE signals aren’t disrupted, said the company. Belkin added LED alerts for foreign-object detection to prevent the charger from emitting unnecessary power and heat that could damage the phone, it said. The accessories maker notes on its website that placing magnetic mounts, metal cases or other objects between a phone and a wireless charger could reduce performance or damage magnetic strips or RFID chips like those found in some credit cards, security badges and passports. Belkin warns users that if their phone cases hold any of those items, they should remove them before charging and make sure they aren’t between the back of the phone and the charger.
Accessories distributor Bluefin recalled wireless phone chargers due to a burn hazard, said the Consumer Product Safety Commission Thursday. The company received three reports of the circular chargers overheating; no injuries were reported. The chargers, made in China with clear edges and a white plastic center, were distributed as a promotional item to attendees at the FICO World trade show in Miami Beach and at other events in April. The recall affects some 3,000 units with the model number AC16B. Users can call Bluefin toll-free at 877-211-7220 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT Monday-Friday, email at recall@logoincluded.com or go to www.logoincluded.com and click on the recall link at the bottom of the page for more information, said CPSC.
Lighting control company Legrand launched what it called the first-to-market in-wall wireless charger. The charging unit, which replaces a standard wall outlet, holds and charges a Qi-based smartphone in a cradle backed by a Qi-certified pad, said the company Tuesday. The unit offers simultaneous charging via multiple access points: two AC outlets, one wireless charging pad and a USB port, said the company. Available charging capacity is 3.1 Amps shared over the USB port and Qi pad, it said. An LED light at the base of the unit indicates status: red while charging and green when fully powered.