Moshi bowed a Qi-based wireless charging stand with an adjustable-height design to accommodate various phone sizes. The company’s Q-coil technology has a ferrite sheet that’s said to offer better charging speed and efficiency vs. competing models and through cases up to 0.2-inch thick. It is compatible with Apple 7.5-watt and Samsung 9-watt fast-charging technologies, said the company. The $70 Lounge Q has an aluminum base and gray microfiber background.

OEMs are working to improve reliability and consistency of wireless charging in vehicles, said Strategy Analytics Monday. Qi wireless charging began as a luxury option and is now a rapidly growing market opportunity, it said. Beyond being a convenience feature, wireless charging can be a catalyst for other technologies such as wireless smartphone projection via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that mirrors content onto the vehicle’s center display, emailed analyst Edward Sanchez.

Energous announced a partnership with E Ink to develop WattUp electronic paper display (EPD) tags for logistics tags, electronic shelf labels and retail signage, said the wireless power company Tuesday. The goal is to allow manufacturers using E Ink’s display technology to layer in WattUp wireless charging before printing the ink onto an EPD tag, said Energous. Maximum charging distance is 15 feet. Retailers benefit from electronic shelf labels by being able to update shelving signage copy quickly, without the need for wires, paper tags or store labor, Energous said. Logistics EPD tags give immediate and accurate tracking information to monitor and trace assets from the factory to warehouses and retailers, it said.

Energous announced availability of the PowerHub developer kit to manufacturers for integration of wireless charging at distances up to 1 foot. Target products include smart speakers, game consoles and access points, said the company Thursday. The kit incorporates non-beamforming technology with one antenna and a power amplifier, similar to one certified by the FCC last month (see 2004210058); manufacturers have to secure regulatory certification for products in markets where they are sold. The kit broadcasts power to multiple receiving devices. CEO Steve Rizzone said on a Wednesday Q1 call the Primo-W hearing aid from NewSound (see 2002280015), expected to ship last month, was delayed by COVID-19. It should start shipping to consumers in a few months. Energous said American Equus announced a health tracking sensor with its charging technology for equestrians that measures a horse's vitals; it’s due in Q4. Energous shares closed down 8.6% Thursday to $2.01.

Wireless charging pushed into the mid range of the smartphone segment in Q4, driven by Apple’s iPhone XR, said Omdia Wednesday. The increase in wireless charging-enabled shipments in the $401-$600 price segment was triggered by Apple’s price reduction on the iPhone XR, which was 7.7 million of the 12 million wireless devices in that tier, said analyst Anna Ahrens. Before Q4, more than 90% of phones with wireless charging capability were premium and high-end devices, led by Apple and Samsung phones. Wireless charging hasn't been a top priority for OEMs offering sub-$600 phones, with camera innovations, battery performance, fast-charging and connectivity upgrades taking higher precedence. The research firm said that's unlikely to change, despite Apple’s move into the segment, due to Chinese consumers’ low valuation of the feature that's seen offering low charging efficiency and requiring purchase of a wireless charger. In 2019, overall share of smartphones with wireless charging grew 2.7% to 18.5%. The prior year, annual growth was 5.6%, with the slowdown in 2019 attributed to a decline in wireless charging-enabled units in Samsung’s portfolio.

Saint-Gobain is working with Ossia on a new category of smart products for industrial, building, automotive, and consumer applications, said the companies Wednesday. Ossia’s Cota Real Wireless Power technology is designed to deliver power over the air. The company bowed at CES a battery-free IoT system said to be continuously powered using wireless charging. Cota power receivers can be embedded into IoT devices, wearables and other electronics.

The wireless charging market will reach $71.2 billion by 2025, reported market research firm Valuates Friday, driven by growing sales of electric vehicles and wearables. Harvesting has promise for generating small amounts of electric power to drive partial circuits in electronic devices that communicate wirelessly, it said (login required). Smartphones, IoT, computing devices and wearables devices will expand the market, it said.

The wireless charging market’s valuation will top $30 billion by 2026, driven by electric vehicles and growing high-end smartphone demand, reported Global Market Insights Tuesday. The RF-based segment -- including near-field and far-field charging -- is expected to gain ground as it eliminates the need for proper alignment in small devices including medical implants and wearables. The report referenced Humavox’ near-field RF charging systems that allow any 3D volume -- cup holders and drawers, for instance -- to be converted into a charging station. Airlines and airports in the Middle East and Africa region have implemented multiple charging points in lounges and in aircraft seats, it said. Carriers operating in the Gulf Cooperation Council implemented wireless charging on long- and short-haul flights, it said, citing Emirates Airlines' wireless charging valet trays that use a magnetic field to transfer power wirelessly to the tray. In automotive, users will be able to charge their vehicles via charging bases embedded in parking spaces, it said.

Kanex introduced a mouse pad with built-in Qi wireless charging for $49. The pad, which charges two devices simultaneously, is rated at 5 watts power output.

The European Parliament calling for a common charger for all smartphones, tablets and e-readers “undermines innovation, restricts competition and hurts consumers,” said Maria Chaplia, European affairs associate at the Consumer Choice Center, responding to a Tuesday resolution. In 2009, the European Commission began encouraging universal chargers. Saying “conformity is the greatest enemy of progress,” Chaplia cited varying preferences for devices “be it Apple, or Samsung, or Meizu, or Nokia.” New versions of products appear regularly as competition drives companies to continually improve products and offer more choice, she said. The EP shouldn’t decide which technology consumers use and “should embrace neutrality,” she said: Forcing companies to adopt a universal charger would inflict costs on device makers, leaving consumers to “foot the bill.” A 2014 directive sought a common charger. Voluntary agreements among industry players “have not yielded desired results,” said EU Monday: Old chargers generate more than 51,000 tons of e-waste annually.