Nokia – the world’s largest handset vendor – has joined the Wireless Power Consortium, the industry group charged with developing an international wireless power standard for  rechargeable electronic devices such as mobile phones. “As the world’s largest mobile phone manufacturer and leader in mobile telecoms, Nokia brings a new dimension to the Consortium,” said the Consortium’s chairman, Menno Treffers. “This significantly expands the potential market traction of the Qi wireless charging standard.” Nokia joins a host of other consumer electronics meanfacturers, power companies and silicon vendors that have already signed-up to the group. Members include ConvenientPower, Duracell, Hosiden, Fulton Innovation, Leggett & Platt, National Semiconductor, Nokia, Olympus, Philips, Samsung, Sanyo, Shenzhen Sangfei Consumer Communications, ST-Ericsson, and Texas Instruments.

Established in December 2008, the Wireless Power Consortium is close to releasing its first full version of its wireless power standard. The group released the 0.95 technical specification for review by its members in August and began prototype testing last month. It also recently adopted the new logo ‘Qi’ (pictured) – pronounced ‘chee’ meaning ‘energy flow’ – to identify the first international wireless power standard. The Consortium is developing the standard for low power devices that are 5 watts and below, such as mobile phones and personal music players.