Ikea launches smart furniture line

Budget furniture retailer IKEA unveiled a line of smart furniture powered by Qi in April. Bedside tables, lamps, and desks can now charge your smartphone — no wires attached.

The Home Smart collection is designed with organization in mind. “Through research and home visits, we know that people hate cable mess,” said Jeanette Skjelmose, IKEA’s Business Area Manager of Lighting and Wireless. “They worry about not finding the charger and running out of power. Our new innovative solutions, which integrate wireless charging into home furnishings, will make life at home simpler.”

Each table, lamp, and desk in the Home Smart collection has a Qi wireless charging pad. An energy induction transfer allows for compatible devices to charge while sitting on the pads. The furniture itself needs to be plugged in to a power source, but it certainly declutters the space.

Right now, Samsung, HTC, and Microsoft phones are compatible with Qi, but where does that leave Apple consumers? According to a press release from IKEA, the company will sell wireless charging covers for iPhones 4, 5/5S, and 6. The furniture will also have USB outlets in case multiple devices need to be charged.

IKEA is starting off with the bedside tables, lamps, and desks, but apparently have a “long-term commitment” to building smart furniture. They’ve begun selling the products throughout Europe and North America and plan to extent to other markets over time. The Home Smart collection will start from £30 ($45.38).

The post Ikea launches smart furniture line appeared first on Wearables.com.