Toyota first to install wireless phone charger; others expected to follow

Toyota’s Avalon hybrid car which went on sale this month has a wireless charging pad for cell phones. it uses the Qi wireless charging system.

According to Toyota, 34 cell phone models have Qi compatibility built in.

Qi uses magnetic induction to transmit energy over a magnetic field.

Although other car companies have talked about putting this feature in cars, so far none has done so except Toyota, but is is expected to become a standard feature of new cars.

Powermat Technologies of  Israel is deployimg charging mats for mobile phones around the US. Starbucks is one chain which has them.