McDonald's is bringing Qi wireless charging to selected U.K. restaurants

Back in March of 2013, we told you that McDonald's was testing out a Qi wireless charging system at some European locations. Even those handsets not supporting Qi could be recharged with the use of a plug-in accessory. We're not sure how many of Ronald's units are employing the PowerKiss system, but we can tell you that a partnership between McDonald's and a company called Aircharge is now offering Qi wireless charging at 600 points in 50 restaurants in the U.K.

The Aircharge points are water resistant, so if you are clumsy enough to spill your cola or coffee, there should be no damage to the underlying equipment. While the recharging service is free, phones need to support the Qi platform or wear a case that does. More than 70 smartphone models do support Qi. For those handsets that don't, besides the case, there is a receiver that will plug into the phone that will enable it to be charged.

Demand is so heavy from power depleted smartphone owners, that some were waiting inside McDonald's units for as long as thirty minutes before there was an opening at a charging mat. McDonald's hasn't revealed which locations will offer the Qi charging system, although common sense would tell you to expect to see the service offered at larger McDonald's units in London and other other major business districts.

Will these recharging mats draw customers to McDonald's? It might just attract those who need to re-energize both their handset and their body.


source: Air-Charge, Qi@CES via PocketLint