Wireless charging is not a new concept, but so far we’ve seen in only as aftermarket add-on or a feature in some exotic products. Intel will build wireless charging into its Ultrabooks and smartphones by the middle of 2013. At least this is what Digitimes is saying. Intel plans to use own in-house technology to top-up batteries over the air. The feature will only be available in a few devices, sources said. And given that users would have to buy both an enabled Ultrabook and a compatible smartphone, it may take a while to catch on. Other manufacturers are tinkering around with wireless charging too and there are competing standards for the technology. Qualcomm and Samsung back the standards from the Alliance for Wireless Power, while many other companies including Nokia, Sony, HTC and Huawei back the Wireless Power Consortium. Intel is not listed as member by either. Samsung included wireless charging in the latest flagship phone, the Galaxy S III, but several months after launch the replacement backplate required to allow charging hasn't been made available.

Source: The Register