Will 2014 Be the Year Wireless Charging Goes Mainstream?

[Commentary] The Internet of Things looms as possibly the most disruptive shift in technology since the creation of the Internet itself. Analysts estimate that up to 30 billion devices will be wirelessly connected by 2018.

According to recent reports, the average US household already charges up to 10 devices at any one time, and that number is expected to rise as the number of connected devices continues to surge. Imagine charging multiple devices, including a smartphone, tablet and smartwatch on a single surface -- no more fussing around with multiple chargers and outlets.

Wireless power, which allows users to charge multiple electronic devices without the use of a cable, promises to finally cut the cord for good. While wireless power technology has been around for some time, its evolution from first-generation inductive technology to second-generation resonant technology is now promising to take it mainstream. And because it will be easier to charge multiple devices at the same time, wireless charging makes sense for the burgeoning IoT marketplace such as fitness trackers, wearables and health monitors. Consumers would soon have the ability to charge their devices nearly everywhere.

[van der Lee is Director, Product Marketing, Broadcom]