PISCATAWAY, N.J., April 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) announced today that the Qi ecosystem has grown to include more than 500 different certified products worldwide, with rapid growth in the past 18 months.

Qi is now integrated into a variety of consumer products from mobile devices, to accessories like Samsung's New Galaxy S-View Flip Cover  and even smart basketballs. As the leading wireless charging standard, Qi is the only wireless power solution directly integrated into smartphones, tablets, and automobiles today, with an installed base of more than 50 million units.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 cover is the latest addition to the rapidly expanding Qi ecosystem of mobile devices, charging accessories, charging locations, and consumer electronics, and joins other flagship products like the TYLT VU; LG Google Nexus 4; Google Nexus 7; Nokia Lumia 1520 and 1020; LG Optimus G Pro; and HTC Droid DNA. 

"With backing from more than 200 of the world's most innovative companies, Qi is the leading wireless charging standard today because it offers the widest range of features, enabling consumer convenience and choice," said John Perzow, Vice President Market Development for the Wireless Power Consortium. "Companies choose Qi because it simply works, is easy to integrate and will always represent the most up-to-date wireless charging technology."

Qi is an open, flexible standard that is continually evolving to offer the best user experience while maintaining compatibility with any products that have the Qi logo. Compatibility with the largest growing ecosystem of wireless charging products, price and technology choices are key to delivering the convenience of easy Qi charging anywhere, everywhere. Qi is integrated in more than 60 smartphone models today, is the clear choice for the auto industry and is finding its way into aviation and public areas like airports and restaurants and schools.

Qi can be found in public venues in the US, Europe, and Asia Pacific. In Japan, there are thousands of Qi charging locations, including train stations, cafes, and schools. Qi is also integrated into cars like the 2014 Jeep Cherokee; the Toyota Avalon, Prius, and Harrier; and Ssangyong Chairman.

Recently, Audi unveiled its updated Phone Box center console featuring Qi. Daimler has also announced that Mercedes-Benz will be introducing Qi compatible charging for phones and tablets its cars.  CE4A, a working group of leading automobile manufacturers made Qi the wireless charging choice for Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, and Porsche.

Qi is backed by more than 200 leading companies of the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), including ConvenientPower, Delphi Automotive Systems, Energizer, Haier Group, Hitachi Maxell HTC, Huawei, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, Royal Philips, Sony, TDK Corporation, Texas Instruments, Toshiba and Verizon Wireless.

For more information, visit: www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com.

About Qi and the Wireless Power Consortium

In December 2008 a group of leading consumer electronics companies created the Wireless Power Consortium to establish Qi as the interoperable global standard for wireless power. The more than 200 members of the WPC include Blackberry, ConvenientPower, Energizer, Formica, Foxconn, Haier, HTC, IKEA, LG, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, PowerByProxi, Qualcomm, Royal Philips, Samsung, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Sony, Texas Instruments, Toshiba, Verizon Wireless, ZTE and infrastructure providers such as wireless operators, furniture, and automotive parts companies. As the leading wireless charging standard worldwide, Qi has brought more than 400 new wireless charging products to market. Qi products are available in North America, South America, Asia Pacific, Europe, India, Africa, and Australia.

SOURCE Wireless Power Consortium