Qi-Enabled Wireless Charger ARK Lets Mobile Users Cut The Cord

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ARK is one of the latest portable wireless device chargers for people who are tired of having to tether their smartphone or tablet to an outlet when it runs out of juice. The small, block-like base uses Qi, an interoperable standard developed by the Wireless Power Consortium and is currently raising funds on Kickstarter.

ARK was created by a Los Angeles-based startup called BEZALEL, and is compatible with all Qi-certified devices, including the iPhone 4 and later, the Nokia Lumia series, and Samsung Galaxy S3/S4, and Nexus 4.

It’s important to note, however, that iPhones need a charging case to work with ARK, which will be shipped with the base (though a case for the iPhone 5c is still being developed). Samsung Galaxy devices, meanwhile, must use a patch that attaches to their batteries. ARK can be used directly with devices that are Qi-wireless charging capable.

Despite those drawbacks, ARK seeks to differentiate from its competitors in a couple ways. Based on tests with the iPhone 5s, ARK’s creators claim it can charge phones 20% faster than other wireless chargers and 5% faster than cable-charging from battery packs. The base’s battery can hold up to three full charges and it also has a USB port to allow for dual charging, which is handy if you carry around a tablet and smartphone. (The Energizer Qi-Enabled 3 Position Inductive Charger also charges multiple devices at one time, but it is much larger and less portable than ARK).

Other wireless chargers include the iQi Mobile, which recently raised $161,681 on Indiegogo, blowing past its $30,000 goal. The iQi Mobile uses a ribbon-like Lightning adaptor to charge iPhones, which makes it much more attractive for people who prefer to use their own cases. All Qi devices are up against the Duracell Powermat system, which has gained traction through installations at high traffic venues like airports and coffee shops, as well as integration with certain vehicles in the 2013 Chevrolet Volt line.

(Then there is Cota by Ossia, which debuted at TechCrunch Disrupt in September. Consumer versions won’t be available until 2015, but once they are, they’ll let users charge their smartphones automatically whenever they are within range of Cota’s base. Created by physicist Hatem Zeine, Ossia’s technology lets the Cota deliver power wirelessly to devices over distances of around 10 feet using the same unlicensed spectrum as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other communication standards.)

But though ARK competes with several wireless chargers, there’s still plenty of demand for the device. It has already raised $26,616 of its $35,000 goal on Kickstarter, and with 39 days left to go, ARK has a very good chance of reaching its goal. Remaining pledges start at $63, with an estimated delivery date in March.

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First wireless iOS 7 game pad, the SteelSeries Stratus, up for pre-order

byDavid Hinkleon Jan 6th 2014 6:00PM

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SteelSeries has introduced a new wireless controller, the Stratus. It's the first iOS 7-compatible wireless game pad, which connects to iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch via Bluetooth 2.1.

The controller has four pressure-sensitive face buttons, dual analog sticks, four shoulder buttons and a four-direction d-pad. The controller charges via USB for up to 10 hours of gameplay and has LED lights for differentiating players during local multiplayer sessions.

The Stratus, which will cost $99.99, isn't available right now, but SteelSeries has opened up a pre-order page. SteelSeries has not announced when the controller will begin shipping.SteelSeriesEngadgetShareTags: ios, ios-7, ipad, iphone, mobile, pre-order, steelseries, steelseries-stratus, stratus.fyre .fyre-comment-media-expanded{display:none!important}.fyre-notifier-container{display:none}.fyre .fyre-comment-divider>span.fyre-comment-reply-wrapper{top:18px}.fyre .fyre-comment-divider>a,.fyre .fyre-comment-divider>a:hover{top:20px} InfoDescription

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Is Republic Wireless too good to be true?

In this edition of Ask Maggie, CNET's Marguerite Reardon offers advice on whether Republic Wireless' cut-throat pricing is a deal to be embraced or avoided.

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U.S. Senator Issues Letter To Top 5 Wireless Carriers Urging Kill Switch Adoption

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota has today taken up the battle cry of numerous legislators before her, calling for wireless carriers to enable new anti-theft technology on handsets.

According to the Senator, one-third of robberies involve cell phone theft, resulting in an estimated $30 billion in lost or stolen phones.

That said, Klobuchar has written a letter to the heads of the major wireless carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular.

In the letter, she requests an explanations as to why “the most advanced security features” haven’t been provided to consumers.

This comes on the heels of Apple’s iOS 7 launch, which included an Activation Lock feature inside Find My iPhone. This essentially worked as a kill switch, requiring the owners passcode to reactive an account, wipe the device, turn off Find My iPhone, or sign out of iCloud.

The NYT reported last month that Samsung was trying to bring a similar technology to handsets but that it was rejected by carriers.

After all, the carriers make a pretty penny from insurance policies protecting against lost or stolen phones, which has become a huge issue in major cities. Cops have even lovingly given iPhone theft a name: Apple picking.

Meanwhile, carriers have made light of phone theft with stupid commercials. All this while people get hurt.

Here's the full text of Senator Amy Klobuchar's letter:

Dear Messrs. McAdam, Stephenson, Hesse, Legere, and Meyers:

I am writing to express my concern regarding the increase in crimes involving the theft of mobile devices across the country. As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee, I understand that consumers are utilizing more mobile technology and this is spurring growth in our economy. Unfortunately, more and more consumers are also at risk of being targeted by criminals looking to steal cell phones and other devices for illegal resale. I appreciate the work the industry has done in creating a database to keep stolen phones from being reactivated, but more action is needed.

According to the Federal Communications Commission, almost one-in-three robberies involve phone theft and the cost to consumers of lost or stolen phones is more than $30 billion each year. I’ve heard from local law enforcement officials about the continued call for the wireless industry to engage with them further and to adopt “kill switch” technologies on devices. Additionally, state Attorneys General have suggested that wireless carriers have not taken adequate steps to fight cell phone theft.

As Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, I expect wireless carriers to compete against one another to ensure consumers are offered the most advanced security features and offerings. Your five companies are the nation’s leading wireless carriers, collectively serving more than 90 percent of the nation’s wireless subscribers. With that market share comes an obligation to do all you can to utilize technologies available to protect consumers.

While I understand your companies are continuing to work with law enforcement on the stolen cell phone database, it is clear that consumers want and deserve a comprehensive strategy to prevent mobile device thefts. That is why I respectfully request that each of your companies provides my Judiciary Subcommittee detailed information on the following issues by January 9, 2014:

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Samsung, HTC, LG, and Qualcomm back Rezence wireless charging standard

The trouble with the early days of a new technology is that multiple "standards" arise to compete for the space, meaning incompatibilities and confusion for consumers. The emerging market of wireless charging accessories is no different. The newest entrant into the space is Rezence (a mashup of "resonant" and "essence"), which is a wireless charging standard backed by a group including Samsung, HTC, LG, and Qualcomm.
Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP) is the group backing the new standard, which aims to improve on current wireless charging options in a few ways. Rezence is said to have an increased charging range, meaning that even if you have a book between your charging surface and device, you'll get charged. The standard is looking to help with our multi-device world by allowing you to charge your phone, tablet, smartwatch, and more all at the same time. A big upgrade is what A4WP is calling "ready for the real world", which means the charging pads will still work in the presence of metal, meaning you won't have to worry about keys, and the pads can be built into appliances. Last is Bluetooth integration to create so-called "Smart Charging stations".
Rezence definitely sounds like it has been well thought out, and should offer a good option. The Rezence certification program will launch in the next few weeks. A4WP includes support from Samsung, LG, Intel, Qualcomm, Broadcom, HTC, and about 65 other companies. Rezence will be competing with Qi wireless charging (used in Nexus devices and Nokia device), and Power 2.0. It should be noted that many of these companies - including Samsung, HTC, LG, and Qualcomm - are members of all three standards alliances.
source: Rezence via The Verge Share: Discuss0 Tweet

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Say hello to Rezence, your new wireless charging brand

All of these devices can theoretically be charged in one spot.

(Credit:A4WP)

Meet the new wireless charging technology, same as the old wireless charging technology.

It's called Rezence (pronounced like "reh-zence"), and it is the new brand for the Alliance 4 Wireless Power (A4WP), a group of high-profile technology companies -- which counts Samsung Electronics, Qualcomm, and Intel as key members -- pitching a next-generation form of wireless charging.

In fact, it hopes Rezence becomes as well known as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

Wireless charging, which allows you to place a phone or other device on a pad to recharge its battery, is found in select tech products and stores, but it's largely still a niche feature.

One of the biggest impediments to the broader adoption of wireless charging -- which seems like a no-brainer kind of feature to have -- are three competing and incompatible standards:

There's the Power Matters Alliance, which has created charging stations in select Starbucks and McDonald's, as well as cases for popular phones such as the iPhone. The group is largely driven by Powermat Technologies and Procter & Gamble.

Then, there's the Wireless Power Consortium, which uses a standard called Qi that is commonly used in Nokia smartphones and other select devices from manufacturers such as HTC and LG Electronics.

Lastly, there's the A4WP, which prior to Thursday's announcement, didn't have a public presence or brand, and doesn't yet have products in the marketplace.

With the PMA and WPC battling it out in the market with no clear winner, it's the A4WP that hopes to usurp both with arguably better technology.

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Rezence is named after the technology it is based off, called magnetic resonance. This version of wireless charging allows for multiple devices to lie on the same pad to get a charge, be moved around, or even go through small obstructions such as a magazine or piece of paper.

Qi and the PMA standard both use a technology called inductive charging, where devices need to be specifically laid on a charging pad in order to connect. Both the PMA and WPC are starting to look for ways to add the kinds of features that Rezence promises.

In the meantime, Rezence is going to get rolling with products in the coming year, with many launching next year, according to Geoff Gordon, a product manager at Qualcomm who serves as the chairman of the marketing committee for the A4WP. He said that the Consumer Electronics Show will serve as a showcase for these products.

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