AT&T, Google, Starbucks Back ‘PMA’ Wireless Power Ecosystem and Open Standard

Global Leaders Backing Power Matters Alliance

PISCATAWAY, N.J., USA. (October 29, 2012) –AT&T, Google and Starbucks today announced their support for The Power Matters Alliance (PMA) with AT&T and Starbucks taking additional steps to join the PMA Board.  Founded by Powermat Technologies and Procter & Gamble, the PMA’s Honorary Chairman is Google’s Vint Cerf – one of the fathers of the Internet – and its board now also includes AT&T, Duracell, Google and Starbucks. The US Government’s Energy Star and Federal Communications Commission – both PMA members – are board observers.

Beyond helping set a global standard, the PMA’s members and adopters are working together to create a real-world ecosystem of wireless power.

• AT&T – has begun selling PMA-compatible wireless power cases and charging surfaces in select markets.
• Delta airlines installed PMA-compatible Wireless Charging Spots in lounges and gates in leading airports.
• Duracell has begun a nationwide retail rollout of PMA-compatible wireless charging accessories through its Duracell Powermat joint venture.
• General Motors – the world’s largest automaker – will include PMA-compatible wireless charging for smartphones in upcoming models.
• Jay Z has installed PMA-compatible Wireless Charging Spots throughout his 40/40 Club in New York.
• Madison Square Garden, ‘The world’s most famous arena’, has begun installing hundreds of PMA-compatible Wireless Charging Spots throughout the arena, as has the brand new Barclays Center, in Brooklyn.
• Powermat Technologies – the world’s leader in wireless power – has contributed its core technology to the PMA and has committed that all its products will comply with the PMA specification.
• Starbucks is testing PMA-compatible Wireless Charging Spots in select Boston stores.
• Westfield – one of the world’s largest shopping center portfolios – has installed PMA-compatible charging spots in Westfield Garden State Plaza Mall.

The technical work has been initiated by the PMA and operates under IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) Industry Connections ‘Power Matters Activity’, officially launched in March 2012.  Technical specifications to enable any device to interoperate with the PMA standard are already available to all PMA members – and membership is open to all at www.powermatters.org.

Quotes:
AT&T
“Smartphones and fast networks have transformed our mobile experience, and the next frontier is ensuring that these devices never run out of power,” said Jeff Howard, vice president  devices and accessories, AT&T.  “We believe the PMA has the right organizational framework, the right institutional backing and the most promising technological platform. We look forward to a future where all of our devices can charge seamlessly in the home, in the car and in the coffee shop – and expect that such a future is at hand.”

Google
“An Internet of ‘smart things’ is rapidly evolving and most of them are powered electrically. Google cares greatly about a future where power can be wireless, smart and environmental,” said Vint Cerf, Chief Internet Evangelist at Google. “The PMA is about doing for power what the Internet did for data.  With the help of Starbucks, AT&T, P&G, Powermat and so many others I believe this goal is finally within reach.”

IEEE
“The mobile revolution continues at a rapid pace and IEEE is poised to do the same for open wireless power standards as it did with the ubiquitous IEEE 802.11™,” said Dr. Konstantinos Karachalios, Managing Director, IEEE-SA. “The IEEE-SA Industry Connections Program is ideally suited to help PMA advance its groundbreaking technical specifications to make wireless charging a reality in the foreseeable future.”

Procter & Gamble
“P&G has been at the forefront of innovation and category creation for 175 years, and for 50 years our Duracell brand has been the leading force behind ‘power on the go’,” said Stassi Anastassov, President of Duracell at Procter & Gamble.  “In today’s digital world staying powered up throughout the day is one of the biggest unmet consumer needs and therefore the next big thing in power. We are thrilled to be working side by side with global leaders from AT&T, Google, Starbucks and Powermat to bring this innovation to consumers worldwide.”

Starbucks
“We are always looking for ways to help our customers recharge, both literally and figuratively.  Wireless charging is not only the most convenient and simple way to recharge a mobile device, but it’s environmentally friendly – so it makes perfect sense for us to be working with the PMA to create a universal standard for wireless charging,” said Adam Brotman, chief digital officer of Starbucks.

About the Power Matters Alliance

The Power Matters Alliance (PMA) associated with a program of the IEEE Standards Association called Industry Connections is dedicated to creating an ecosystem and open standard for smart wireless power.

PMA was founded by Powermat Technologies and Procter & Gamble in 2012. Google’s Vint Cerf – one of the fathers of the Internet – is its Honorary Chairman, and its board includes AT&T, Duracell, Starbucks and the US Government’s Energy Star and Federal Communications Commission.  A wide array of PMA-compliant products are available at leading retailers, and compatible ‘wireless charging spots’ have been installed at leading airports, stadiums, restaurants, gyms and hair salons.

Membership of the PMA is open to all, and its technical specifications are available to all members.  For more information and to join the PMA visit www.powermatters.org.

Contact:

Scott Eisenstein

+1 212 297 2762

press@powermatters.org

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Boston.com (October 29, 2012) If you’ve deemed yourself a non-essential worker and are riding out Hurricane Sandy at your neighborhood Starbucks, you may get a chance to be the first to try something new today: juicing up your phone with a wireless charging system made by Duracell Powermat.

The caffeine purveyor has chosen 17 locations around the Boston area for a “limited time in-store trial for wireless charging,” in the words of Starbucks chief digital officer Adam Brotman. “We’re building the Powermat technology into some of the tabletops, just to get a sense for how our customers will react, compared to having to plug their mobile devices into the wall.”

And if you don’t already own an accessory for your iPhone or Samsung Galaxy that allows it to soak up electricity via inductive charging — the same technology that may already be keeping your electric toothbrush powered up — Starbucks may have a few freebie and loaner connectors. “A few weeks into the test, we’ll do some in-store giveaways, and we will have some behind the counter available to loan out,” says Brotman.

The first three stores where the technology is being installed are all in the Financial District: One Financial Center, 125 Summer Street, and 101 Federal Street.

Starbucks rolled out free WiFi in all its stores two years ago, in mid-2010. While the chain hasn’t yet made the decision to roll out wireless charging everywhere, Brotman says that “customers are coming into our stores every day with mobile devices, and putting them down on the table. If they could be charging their device at the same time, then we’ve connected with that customer and met their need, maybe even before they realized they had a need for wireless charging.”

I asked Brotman whether wireless charging, along with free WiFi, might encourage customers to hang around even longer in Starbucks stores. His response: “We want people to feel welcome and stay as long as they want to.”

As for selecting Boston for the test, Brotman says, “Boston is a hotbed for early adoption and tech-savvy customers.” Starbucks plans to test the technology through the holiday period, and then “early in the year, we’ll talk to our customers and our store partners” — that’s Starbucks lingo for employees — “and regroup with Powermat to figure out the next steps.”

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NEW YORK, NY (June 11, 2012) – Duracell Powermat, LLC, the joint venture between Procter & Gamble’s Duracell brand and Powermat Technologies, today launched a range of products that ensure New Yorkers will never again have to worry about their phone dying on them.  Starting today, the Duracell Powermat 24 Hour Power System will be available at major retail outlets throughout New York City and select online retailers, as well as at www.duracellpowermat.us.

The 24 Hour Power System

The 24 Hour Power System contains three products that, together, give you everything you need to enjoy your smartphone without worrying about the life of your battery.  Here’s how it works:

A sleek charging “mat” called the ‘Powermat’ serves as a wireless power transmitter.  When you plug the mat into any wall outlet, you immediately hear the welcoming bleep, letting you know that your Powermat is up and running and ready to send power to all enabled devices that will be placed on top of it.

To enable your device you simply insert it into the smartphone case and you are ready to receive wireless power from the Powermat. Simply drop your smartphone on the Powermat and it will charge.  The Duracell Powermat case is both protective and decorative. Cases will be available in pink, black and white at retail and in a variety of colors online.

The third component in the 24 Hour Power System is designed to let you take the power with you wherever you go, whenever you need it.  The Duracell Powermat Portable Backup Battery serves as your personal portable charger, providing one full charge while on-the-go. Its compact size lets you carry it in your pocket, purse, or bag. The backup battery comes equipped with both micro USB and Apple connectors so it works with practically any smartphone. To recharge the backup battery, you simply drop it on the Powermat alongside your smartphone.

What’s more, unlike other standard chargers, the Duracell Powermat System is smart. It knows just the right amount of energy your phone needs and it stops sending power when your phone is fully charged, helping to eliminate energy waste.

Starting today, the 24 Hour Power System will be available exclusively for the iPhone 4 and 4s both at major NY retail outlets and online.  Beginning this fall, it will be available in retail outlets nationwide and will support not only the iPhone but also an array of other leading smartphones.

“Today’s smartphones are our right hand:  evermore powerful, but at the same time ever quicker to run out of power, barely lasting through the afternoon. With The Duracell Powermat 24 Hour Power System, users can now fully utilize their phone throughout the day without having to worry about the battery life. ,” said Ron Rabinowitz, Duracell Powermat CEO. “And, with our upcoming Wireless Power Nation, this will get even easier. People will be able to charge wirelessly on embedded ‘wireless power hot spots’ in public venues where they travel and interact throughout their day. All they will need to do is put their phone on the table, same thing they normally do. The only difference is that now, their smartphones will get charged from the table”

Wireless Power Nation

The Duracell Powermat vision, of creating a world where access to wireless power is widely available in places and settings frequented by consumers throughout their day, is also going to transform The Big Apple into a wireless charging showcase. Duracell Powermat has added extensively to its growing list of “ecosystem” partners. In addition to the previously announced partnerships with Madison Square Garden and General Motors, Duracell Powermat has made great strides in attracting best-in-category partners from public and private locations intended to surround consumers with wireless power.

The initial list of wireless partners includes leaders in their category, known for providing their consumers with the best customer service and access to new and unique experiences.  These first partners were chosen carefully so that people would have access to power throughout the day. The list of partners who have signed on to wireless charging continues to grow on a weekly basis.

CES – LAS VEGAS  (Jan. 10, 2012) – Duracell Powermat, LLC, the joint venture formed in September 2011 by Procter & Gamble’s (NYSE: PG) Duracell brand and Powermat Technologies announced today that entrepreneur and 13 time Grammy award winning cultural icon Shawn “JAY Z” Carter has signed a multi-year global agreement with the company as an investment partner.  He will also be the face and voice of the Duracell Powermat JV.

As a well-known trend-setter that helped redefine the music industry, JAY Z is uniquely positioned to bring wireless power to the people.  His proven capability to mobilize and speak to a technology-savvy generation that lives and dies by their smartphones will enable Duracell Powermat to deliver the message that consumers need not forgo their richly mobile lifestyles because of insufficient battery power.

“I believe in the future of wireless energy and I believe that Duracell Powermat is the company to bring on the revolution,” said Mr. Carter.  “I’m partnering with Duracell Powermat because they’re providing the solutions for the future.”

“The Duracell Powermat joint venture merges Procter &Gamble’s core expertise in consumer understanding, brand-building and go-to-market capability with Powermat’s technological innovation and ability to create a best-in-class wireless charging experience,” said Stassi Anastassov, President Duracell, P&G.  “When we thought about bringing together representatives from best-in-class categories, JAY Z was the natural choice to be the new face and voice of Duracell Powermat.”

“JAY Z is power personified. He inspires millions of people all over the world on a daily basis with his music and his story,” said Ran Poliakine, CEO of Powermat Technologies. “There is no better face or voice that can move people to adopt a new paradigm in power delivery.”

‘We are proud to work with such an inspiring icon, whose music and success speaks to an entire generation all over the world. Our common vision and voice will pave the way for the upcoming wireless power revolution,” said Ron Rabinowitz, CEO of Duracell Powermat, LLC.

Duracell Powermat will be exhibiting its new line of wireless charging products and sharing information about how Duracell Powermat will be driving the wireless power revolution for consumers at the Consumer Electronics Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall, Upper Level, Booth #36512.

About Duracell Powermat

Duracell Powermat is the heir to two industry-shaping pioneers: Duracell and Powermat. As part of the Procter & Gamble Company [NYSE:PG], Duracell has been powering people around the world for more than 40 years, whereas Powermat brought the wireless charging category to life with the introduction of ground-breaking products in 2009.  Together the two companies are shaping the wireless charging revolution under the Duracell Powermat brand.  The first company to address the growing power needs of consumers in a world increasingly reliant on battery-draining smartphones, Duracell Powermat provides real-life power solutions for consumers both at-home and on-the-go.  The Duracell Powermat joint venture began operation in January 2012, with P&G’s Ron Rabinowitz as its CEO. For more information, please visit www.duracellpowermat.us

New York, NY, January 10, 2011 – The Madison Square Garden Company and Duracell Powermat announced a new arena-integrated marketing partnership today making Duracell Powermat the official wireless charging partner of Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks, New York Rangers and New York Liberty. The partnership will place Duracell Powermat wireless charging systems throughout The World’s Most Famous Arena, including integration in the Arena’s currently underway comprehensive, top-to-bottom Transformation, allowing Knicks and Rangers fans to always be powered up when attending games and other events at the Arena.

The industry-leading wireless charging system will be showcased throughout The Garden, including product integration into the new suites and club spaces, as well as a dedicated “Duracell Powermat Powerzone” where event attendees can charge their electronic devices during events. Duracell Powermat receivers will also be available for purchase at the retail stores within Madison Square Garden, so fans can continue to charge their wireless devices with ease outside of The Garden.

“Enhancing the fan experience by integrating state-of-the-art technology is a key component of Madison Square Garden’s currently underway comprehensive, top-to-bottom Transformation,” said Scott O’Neil, president, MSG Sports. “This partnership with Duracell Powermat will ensure that fans at Knicks and Rangers games will always be charged up while watching their favorite teams.”

“2012 will be a pivotal year for Duracell Powermat as we embark on an ambitious undertaking to bring accessible power to networked venues in well-known consumer locations.  As one of the most iconic arenas in the world, Madison Square Garden is a fitting venue to kick off this exciting initiative,” said Ron Rabinowitz, CEO of Duracell Powermat.

As part of the partnership, the new Event Level Suites that debuted in the first phase of the three-year Transformation in October and the Madison Suites, which will come online for the 2012-13 seasons, will have Duracell Powermat wireless charging products available for guests to utilize. The new Delta Sky360 Club and 1879 Club Presented by J.P. Morgan, which are exclusive spaces for the holders of the top Knicks and Rangers season tickets, will both also offer fans the ability to wirelessly charge their electronic devices. Duracell Powermat will also turn one of the new Viewing Areas on the 8^th floor of the Arena into the “Duracell Powermat Powerzone.” The area will be fully branded and feature product integration throughout, such as the placement of Duracell Powermats on the drink railings where fans can stand and enjoy food or beverages and watch the game.

The new marketing partnership also provides Duracell Powermat with prominent brand exposure in-arena, including promotion on LED signage and the new IPTV system at all Knicks and Rangers games and select concerts, as well as a feature on GardenVision, the center-hung scoreboard. The company will also receive inclusion across MSG’s digital assets, including brand integration in consumer-directed event emails, as well as integration on the MSG website and the MSG Insider mobile application.

About The Madison Square Garden Company

The Madison Square Garden Company is a fully-integrated sports, media and entertainment business. The company is comprised of three business segments: MSG Sports, MSG Media and MSG Entertainment, which are strategically aligned to work together to drive the company’s overall business, which is built on a foundation of iconic venues and compelling content that the company creates, produces, presents and/or distributes through its programming networks and other media assets. MSG Sports consists of owning and operating sports franchises, including the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL), the New York Liberty (WNBA), and the Connecticut Whale (AHL). MSG Sports also features the presentation of a wide variety of live sporting events including professional boxing, college basketball, track and field and tennis, as well as MSG Action Sports, an action sports and lifestyle division. MSG Media is a leader in production and content development for multiple distribution platforms, including content originating from MSG’s venues. MSG Media consists of the MSG Networks (MSG, MSG Plus, MSG HD and MSG Plus HD) regional sports networks and the Fuse Networks (Fuse and Fuse HD), a national television network dedicated to music. MSG Entertainment is one of the country’s leaders in live entertainment. MSG Entertainment creates, produces and/or presents a variety of live productions including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Radio City Rockettes. MSG Entertainment also presents or hosts other live entertainment events such as concerts, family shows and special events in MSG’s diverse collection of venues. These venues include Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Theater at Madison Square Garden, the Beacon Theatre, the Chicago Theatre and the Wang Theatre. More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com.

About Duracell Powermat
Duracell Powermat is the heir to two industry-shaping pioneers: Duracell and Powermat. As part of the Procter & Gamble Company [NYSE:PG], Duracell has been powering people around the world for more than 40 years, whereas Powermat brought the wireless charging category to life with the introduction of ground-breaking products in 2009.  Together the two companies are shaping the wireless charging revolution under the Duracell Powermat brand.  The first company to address the growing power needs of consumers in a world increasingly reliant on battery-draining smartphones, Duracell Powermat provides real-life power solutions for consumers both at-home and on-the-go.  The Duracell Powermat joint venture began operation in January 2012, with P&G’s Ron Rabinowitz as its CEO. For more information, please visit www.duracellpowermat.us

Las Vegas, NV — CES — (Jan 10, 2012) – Duracell Powermat LLC, the joint venture announced in September 2011 by Procter & Gamble and Powermat became operational today with a dedicated focus on ensuring that consumers never run out of power.  Duracell Powermat is committed to ensuring that consumers can continue to live richly mobile lifestyles free of the hassle and fear of watching their batteries die without any convenient way to recharge their smartphones.

More than ever before, we are a population reliant on our mobile devices to get us through the day. We depend on our smartphones for everything from waking us up in the morning, to charting our daily schedules, keeping us entertained and of course, making sure that we can always be reached.  Yet, while we rely on our devices to do so much more than ever before, battery power has failed to keep pace with our needs. Too many of us are intimately acquainted with that sinking feeling that comes from the realization that we won’t have enough power to get us through to our next available charge.

In keeping with its mission to ensure that consumers don’t have to forgo the richly mobile lifestyle to which they aspire because of insufficient power, Duracell Powermat is delivering power to consumers ‘in the palm of their hands’ with products that provide easy to access power at home and on-the-go.  Duracell Powermat will also begin deploying a network of fast and convenient charging locations in both public and private venues.

The Duracell Powermat “Wireless Power Nation” plan is an ambitious undertaking to bring accessible power to networked venues in everyday consumer-trafficked locations.  Among the first settings to be networked is Madison Square Garden in the heart of New York City.  Consumers will also benefit from a Duracell Powermat “app” that will identify when their smartphones are running low on power and let them know how much power they have left before directing them to the nearest networked location.

“There is a rapidly growing need for smarter power delivery and power accessibility today,” said Stassi Anastassov, President of Duracell and Chairman of Duracell Powermat JV. “There are more than 80 million smartphone users in the USA alone and smartphones are evolving into a universal device that is more and more power hungry. Duracell Powermat is committed to providing solutions to this dilemma both when it comes to the powering options as well as accessibility to power. ”

The new line of Duracell Powermat products provides consumers with unparalleled access to convenient power in a two-part system that pairs newly designed sleek charging mats – in either black or white – with receivers and a portable wirelessly charged backup battery that lets consumers take power with them for up to a full charge while on the go. The new Duracell Powermat complete charging kit will also be available in Q2 2012 to provide consumers with a one-stop option for wireless power.

The joint venture merges Procter &Gamble’s core expertise in consumer understanding, brand-building and go-to-market capability and with Powermat’s technological prowess and ability to create a best-in-class wireless charging experience.

“Duracell Powermat is, first and foremost, about delivering real-life solutions for real power-need situations,” said Ran Poliakine, CEO of Powermat Technologies and a Board Member of Duracell Powermat. “The company is showcasing both its fresh line of products that go on sale next quarter, as well as future innovations that are natural outgrowths of the Duracell Powermat partnership.. The impact that Duracell Powermat will have is truly powerful.”

About Duracell Powermat

Duracell Powermat is the heir to two industry-shaping pioneers: Duracell and Powermat. As part of the Procter & Gamble Company [NYSE:PG], Duracell has been powering people around the world for more than 40 years, whereas Powermat brought the wireless charging category to life with the introduction of ground-breaking products in 2009.  Together the two companies are shaping the wireless charging revolution under the Duracell Powermat brand.  The first company to address the growing power needs of consumer’s in a world increasingly reliant on battery-draining smartphones, Duracell Powermat provides real-life power solutions for consumers both at-home and on-the-go.  The Duracell Powermat joint venture began operation in January 2012, with P&G’s Ron Rabinowitz as its CEO. For more information, please visit www.duracellpowermat.us

The agreement will close and the JV will begin operation early next year. The JV will harness the capabilities of P&G and Powermat to fulfill this common vision through unrivaled innovation and global reach. In combining P&G’s strong consumer understanding, brand-building and go-to- market capabilities with Powermat’s breakthrough technology, the JV will deliver an ecosystem of best-in-class wireless power solutions, under the aegis of the foremost brands in the field of portable power: Duracell and Powermat.

Wireless charging became a reality with Powermat’s retail product launch in 2009, and has gained momentum since then, with millions of consumers joining the wireless power revolution. As part of this ever strengthening wave, Powermat has been chosen by General Motors and will be integrated into its cars as of 2012. Furthermore, Powermat is expanding its technology into public spaces, office furniture and white goods. The JV’s products will seamlessly interoperate with this burgeoning ecosystem.

“Several decades ago, Duracell was a pioneer in a new revolutionary product category, alkaline roundcell batteries,” said Stassi Anastassov, Duracell President. “Today it is a multi-billion dollar category. In a not too distant future, we expect wireless power solutions to eliminate the hassle of multiple cords and chargers and become a multi-billion dollar business as well. Innovation to create new solutions that touch and improve people’s lives is what P&G-Duracell are all about. The JV between Duracell and Powermat puts us in the driver-seat for this disruptive category creation.”

IHS iSuppli, an electronic component researcher and trend forecaster, has estimated that the worldwide retail market for wireless charging will be a multi-billion dollar market by 2015. “Powermat and P&G joining forces makes so much sense,” says Marijana Vukicevic, Senior Principal Power Management Analyst at IHS. “Adoption of wireless power is growing fast, and the marriage of a proven technology like Powermat with the global marketing muscles of P&G promises to propel consumer adoption faster yet.”

Ran Poliakine, CEO of Powermat agreed: “Alkaline batteries, led by Duracell, really were one of the first wireless power sources to gain worldwide adoption by the consumer. The promise of wireless power is similarly transformational, and there is no partner more capable than Duracell – and its parent, P&G – to help turn this vision into a reality.”

About Powermat
Powermat, Ltd. is pioneering the wireless power revolution. The first company to bring wireless power to consumers in a widely available, meaningful way via mainstream retail channels, Powermat is leading the charge in helping consumers lose the cords. As the dominant market leader, Powermat’s technology is scalable and embeddable, allowing it to be built directly into electronics of all kinds as well as almost any surface to create wireless energy “hubs” within homes, automobiles, airports, offices and other venues. For more information, please visit www.powermat.com.

About Duracell
Part of the Procter & Gamble Company [NYSE:PG], Duracell has been powering people around the world for more than 40 years. Duracell products serve as the heart of devices that keep people connected, protect their families, entertain them and simplify their increasingly mobile lifestyles. As the world’s leading manufacturer of high-performance alkaline batteries, Duracell also innovates in lighting, renewable power and wireless charging technologies to help consumers live life without limits.

About Procter & Gamble
P&G touches and improves the lives of about 4.4 billion people around the world with its portfolio of trusted, quality brands. The Company’s leadership brands include Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Fairy®, Gain®, Pringles®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun®, Fusion®, Ace®, Febreze®, and Ambi Pur®. With operations in about 80 countries, P&G brands are available in more than 180 countries worldwide. Please visit www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

My name is Daniel Schreiber. I am the President of Powermat. Most recently, before joining Powermat, I was Senior Vice President of Corporate Marketing and General Manager of one of SanDisk’s divisions. In that position, I oversaw the growth of SanDisk’s Sansa MP3 player to the number two position globally. Prior to that I was vice president of marketing and business development at M-Systems, the company that invented the USB flash drive.

Could you give us a piece of history of Powermat, about how and when it has been started?

Powermat was established in 2007 in Israel. We introduced our first line of wireless charging products at The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2009. Since that time, Powermat has become the dominant supplier of wireless charging products garnering over 80% of the overall market for wireless chargers. We have won numerous awards for product innovation including Frost & Sullivan’s Best Practices Award in 2011 and announced partnerships with General Motors and Teknion to supply wireless charging products for automotive and infrastructure respectively. We are also working with leading device OEM’s to embed wireless charging capability directly into smartphones as well as other electronic devices. Currently, we are proud to lead the category in technology, retail footprint, consumer experience, and brand.

Powermat will be integrated into GM cars beginning in mid-2012. How is the integration going?

It’s going great. As you may remember, our agreement with GM calls for integrating personal-device wireless charging into multiple automobile models. The integration of wireless technology into the automotive market is a powerful advance in convenience for consumers who will be able to utilize wireless charging capability in a variety of in-car applications. The first Powermat-enabled automobiles will be embedded in the 2013 GM models, available for purchase by consumers in late 2012.

We heard that there are issues with the interference of the wireless charging system with other wireless devices such as the electric door key, which makes it hard to obtain for example the Emark license, what is your experience on this?

Absolutely! Integrating all these technologies has required a great deal of innovation as well as old fashioned hard work. Happily, we haven’t yet encountered an obstacle that couldn’t be overcome, and so these challenges won’t slow the progress of wireless power.

In the beginning of this year Powermat and Arconas (leader in providing public seating in more than 130 airports) announced an agreement to bring wireless charging capabilities to airports worldwide. Could you tell us more about this project?

Yes, that’s right. Arconas is a global leader in the manufacturing of airport seating with a presence in over 130 airports around the world. Powermat is currently working in partnership with Arconas to incorporate wireless charging surfaces into airport lounges and seating areas. Currently, Powermat charging stations are available in several airports around the world including Toronto’s Pearson International and Chicago’s O’Hare among others, with many more on the way.

Recently Powermat joined the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), what made you decide to join this consortium rather than move on with your own technology? And when can we expect the first Qi compatible wireless chargers from Powermat?

Yes, we have joined the WPC. However, we have not now nor will we ever abandon our own technology. Powermat technology is proud to be best-in-class. Our technology has literally created the wireless charging industry.
As the leader in the wireless charging industry, we understand and support the need for a “common denominator” to which everyone in the industry can relate. As to why we joined the WPC: to the extent that the industry is growing and The WPC is gaining wider participation, we are glad to support them. Powermat has always maintained that we would support any standard that, through consensus, reaches a significantly broad audience.

However, we will continue to drive our technology. So, when a Powermat device meets a Qi-compliant device, it will interoperate with that device in accordance with the Qi specifications. But the best user experience in terms of efficiency, reliability and ease-of-use will continue to be enjoyed when Powermat receivers are paired with Powermat mats. And, by the way, we support not only the Qi standard, but several other standards as well including UL (product safety) and CE (Conformance European), as a way to help to increase the wireless charging audience and ultimately bring about a world without wires; the long-term goal and mission identified by Powermat upon its inception.

Before Powermat joined the Wireless Power Consortium, you partnered with Qualcomm. What is left of this partnership with Qualcomm?

Our joining the PWC has no bearing on how we operate as a company. The WPC is essentially an amalgamation of companies that have come together to further the adoption of wireless power and to move the industry forward in general. As previously announced, Powermat and Qualcomm have plan to collaborate. That remains intact.

What do you expect from the near field magnetic resonance charging (NFMR) of Witricity and Powerbeam are you thinking of going to use this technology as well?

Powermat technology is scalable and embeddable, and can be built directly into electronics of all kinds and almost any surface within homes, automobiles, airports, offices and other venues. Magnetic resonance is not there yet. In truth, though, resonance is not really an alternative underlying technology to inductive charging, it is better thought of as another way of implementing inductive charging, and it brings with it various tradeoffs. Our engineers have been working with resonance for years, and we are always committed to using the most compelling technology for the job. Maybe that will include resonance one day – but not in the immediate future.

What new devices can we expect from Powermat the coming year?

We have not yet made our product-related plans public for the coming year but as always you can expect innovation, cutting edge design and wireless charging support for more of today’s most popular Smartphones. In addition, we will continue to focus on developing our wireless charging technology into new growth areas and venues designed to expand consumer options and convenience.

What is the company target for Powermat and where will it be in five years from now?

The ultimate vision of Powermat is to create a wireless world free of the tangle of cords and wires. We will continue to advance our vision with even more widespread adaptation in key business-to-business areas including automotive, hospitality and airport venues. At the same time we expect to further push the envelope, and integrate wireless energy delivery into new verticals that will allow surfaces to act as “energy hubs” where the consumers can power up their favorite Powermat-enabled devices by simply dropping them on a Powermat enabled surface. And, of course, we expect to continue to provide best-in-class wireless charging solutions for consumers’ favorite smartphones and devices.