Look Ma, no wires!

What do competing mobile phone brands like Apple, Google, Huawei, LG, Motorola, Nokia and Samsung have in common? In their more recent models they have all incorporated a technology called 'Qi' -- from the Chinese word, meaning 'energy flow' and pronounced 'chee' as in 'cheese'.

Qi is a standard developed in 2008. It defines how low electric power around 5 watts, can be transferred without wires across gaps of 4cm or less, using what is known as inductive coupling. In dummies terms this means power can jump between two coils of wire, if they are close enough.

The principle found its first application in the charging of mobile phones and other portable devices, eliminating all those messy USB cables and mains chargers. The system uses a charging pad connected the mains for charging itself. The pad transfers energy wirelessly to any phone placed it. if the pad is large enough you can place multiple phones (of any make) on it and charge them at the same time as long as charging pad and phone are Qi-compatible.

Nokia was the first brand to incorporate Qi in its handsets in 2012. Since then the number of Qi-ready brands has risen to about 150. But what about those of us who use phones that don't incorporate the Qi technology? There is an elegant solution: a Qi patch that you can buy separately for Rs 300 – Rs 500. This is a flat and flexible item with an adhesive back. You paste it on the back of your phone. If your device is of the removable battery type, you open the cover and paste it on the battery. There is a small lead and connector which you insert into the micro USB charger port of the phone. Your handset is now Qi-enabled and ready to work with any standard wireless charger.

Belkin charging pad

For some days now, I have been trying out Belkin's Wireless Charging Pad, a thin disk-shaped device less than 100 grams in weight, with a non slip bottom and a USB to micro USB connector for charging it. Once charged (or even when connected to the mains) it is ready to charge Qi-ready phones and tablets wirelessly placed on it. A green LED light starts flashing as soon as a phone is placed correctly and is charging. I wish Bekin had provided the mains charger for the pad and not just the USB cable; it needs a 2A charging current and I had to search among my phone chargers for one. Otherwise this is an elegant device that provides a 5W charge -- enough for all phone makes. The Belkin wireless charger costs Rs 2,999, though some e- sites have it cheaper.

Wireless power bank

If chargers can be made wireless by Qi technology, why not powerbanks? Hong Kong-based Toreto, recently brought its Wireless power bank, Zest Pro to India. This is a 10,000mAh Lithium-Polymer battery that lets you charge your Qi-enabled phones or tablets by just placing them on the power bank. At the asking price of Rs 2,999 (same as the Belkin charger), I can see it also making sense to those who currently don't have a Qi-ready phone but may get one in future, because it sports two of the usual USB charging ports as well. A nice cross-over device!

Wireless charging options grow by the day. As Qi is incorporated in more and more devices, the familiar wired charging stations you see in coffee shops airports and railway stations may soon be replaced by Qi hotspots for charging. And the new sofa set or coffee table you buy may soon come embedded with a wireless charging pad. Ikea has launched furniture with Qi charging built-in. Clearly wireless is the way to go in this 'charged' environment!

—IndiaTechOnline