Intel expects wireless-charging phones in early 2015

Taipei, Nov. 12 (CNA) Smartphones using Intel Corp.'s wireless charging solutions are expected to be made available in early 2015, with the technology forecast to reach tablets and laptops later next year.

Kumar Chinnaswamy, general manager of wireless charging at Intel Experiences Group, said that the certifications for several smartphones using Intel's wireless charging solutions are "ready to go" and that these handsets could be launched in the first half of 2015.

For devices requiring higher power levels, such as tablets and notebooks, Intel expects these Intel solution-based products to be released in the second half of next year, Chinnaswamy told a press briefing at an Intel wireless charging forum in Taipei.

In the area of laptops, Chinnaswamy added, Intel's wireless charging solutions will begin with mid-range and high-end notebooks. Such a "no wires" future could also reach the lower-end market in 2016 or 2017 for notebooks based on Intel's Core M low-power chips, he said.

Wireless charging is part of Intel's larger plan to free PCs of wire clutter, aiming to eliminate cables for keyboards, mice, monitors and external hard drives.

The U.S. chipmaker is backing wireless technology from a standards organization called Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP), whose magnetic resonance technology turns surfaces like tables into wireless charging stations.

A4WP's membership has more than doubled from last year to 135 currently, including some mobile industry leaders such as Qualcomm Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., as well as Taiwanese PC brands Asustek Computer Inc. and Acer Inc. Taiwan-based contract electronics maker Hon Hai Precision Industry Co is also involved in the new technology.

(By Jeffrey Wu)ENDITEM/J