Wireless Phone Charging Cadillacs

Wireless Phone Charging Cadillacs

(Relaxnews) - In an attempt to cut in-cabin clutter and make their customers' lives easier, the company wants to make it simpler to keep handsets connected and topped up without having to fiddle with connecting cables and will become the first US automotive brand to offer wireless charging as standard on its 2015 models.

In theory, wireless charging is a great idea. Every time a smartphone is placed on a surface it starts to recharge its battery automatically. However, in practice it remains an emerging technology because of incompatibility. There is more than one wireless charging standard and different phone makers are undecided as to which version of the tech to support.

But, starting with the 2015 ATS Sport Sedan, for new Cadillac owners at least, this will no longer be a problem. And that's because even though the integrated charging mat has been developed by Powermat, it will support multiple, essentially competing wireless charging standards such as QI, which is good news.

The QI standard is the oldest wireless charging standard and, unlike Powermat's PMA standard, has already been adopted by a number of major phone makers, including Samsung and Nokia.

"Our lifestyles have evolved in a more mobile way than ever before and with that comes an even greater need for access to power in those places where we spend the majority of our time," said Powermat CEO Ran Poliakine. "Our integration into the Cadillac ATS is only the first step in the evolution of portable power in places that include your car, your coffee house and even your favorite sporting arena."

As well as the new ATS, which is going on sale this autumn, Cadillac also plans to bring the technology to the Escalade before the end of 2014.

"With 4G LTE capability and now wireless charging, Cadillac is embedding conveniences that have quickly become essential customer needs," said Ken Kornas, ATS global product manager.

Some handset makers, most notably Apple, don't support any version of wireless charging but that's a problem that can be easily overcome. There is a growing range of wireless charging cases on the market for the iPhone that support the various competing standards.

As well as US car companies, wireless charging pads are also being adopted by Starbucks. The coffee shop chain plans to offer customers at all of its US branches access to wireless chargers integrated into counters and tables that support the PMA standard.

- See more at: http://www.ntd.tv/en/news/science-technology/20140729/180307-new-cadillacs-to-offer-wireless-phone-charging.html#sthash.Nc4DCvIc.dpuf