Texas Instruments today announced the bq500212A, a wireless power transfer circuit that can operate from a USB port or 5-V power adapter rather than a dedicated power supply. The bq500212A transmitter uses the Wireless Power Consortium's 1.1 specification (Qi) and requires one-third the number of parts to make, according to Texas Instruments. The new circuit means accessory makers can produce less expensive wireless charge pads or stations and get them to market faster. Qi is one of three competing standards in the market for wireless charging. The Alliance For Wireless Power (A4WP) and Power Matters Alliance (PMA) are each pushing their own technologies. All three bodies are backed by big names in the industry, such as Qualcomm, Intel, AT&T, Verizon, and others. TI's new Qi-compliant circuit will only work with other Qi-based smartphones and mobile devices.


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