Technologies

Qi2, the New Standard for Wireless Charging, Is Coming Later This Year

It’s pronounced «chee two,» and it will bring more efficient wireless charging to more devices.

The Wireless Power Consortium said Tuesday at CES 2023 that Qi2, a new standard for wirelessly charging smartphones and mobile devices including wearables, will arrive later this year.

Qi2 will «ensure devices and chargers align perfectly,» thanks to Magnetic Power Profile technology led by Apple, a WPC member, according to the group’s website. If you’re familiar with MagSafe chargers, you’ve got an idea of what Qi2 charging may look like.

The new standard, pronounced «chee two,» aims to improve energy efficiency and reduce charge times without shortening battery life or damaging the device. Furthermore, Qi2 could extend wireless charging to devices such as VR headsets that aren’t designed to lay flat against another flat surface and «support new types of accessories that magnetically attach to the back of the phone, like an extra battery.»

Enhanced wireless charging also poses the potential to reduce the waste of discarded wired chargers that eventually wear out from daily use.

The WPC didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on when Qi2 devices and chargers will be available, but a recent Business Wire post indicates they are expected to arrive ahead of the 2023 holiday season.

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Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for March 18, #1011

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for March 18 #1011.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s NYT Connections puzzle is pretty tricky, but musicians might find the blue group easy. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including the number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Time between two things, maybe.

Green group hint: That smarts!

Blue group hint: Rockers know these well.

Purple group hint: You might write one out to pay a bill.