Dan Bladen, CEO and co-founder of Chargifi, discusses the impact the Google Pixel 3 wireless charging functionality could have on businesses
The Google Pixel 3 features wireless charging
It’s no understatement to say the Google Pixel 3’s wireless charging functionality – both the device and stand that comes with it have the feature – was eagerly awaited.
Particularly in light of the fact that Apple failed to announce the market launch of its highly-anticipated AirPower at the Apple Keynote address earlier this month.
With the Pixel 3 device and stand, Google has delivered fast wireless charging to meet consumer demand and businesses are waking up to the opportunity that this brings.
Dan Bladen, CEO and co-founder of intelligent wireless charging company Chargifi, delivers his verdict on the wider impact this latest smartphone innovation could have.
How does the Google Pixel 3 wireless charging function work?
The Pixel Stand can power up any Qi-compatible device – an industry standard of inductive charging – and delivers on alleviating battery anxiety, but it is a significant step away from a dumb docking station to a smart wireless charging hub.
It has been designed so that when docked, the stand tilts a phone back slightly, making it easy to see everything on-screen.
It can turn a handset into a digital photo frame showcasing images from Google Photos, it can display album covers of music being played and integrated, as well as calendar and weather information – all in addition to integration with other lifestyle apps such as Nest Hello, the video doorbell.
The Pixel 3 launch is part of an industry-wide move to all things wireless and redefining consumer expectation on powering-up.
Apple, Google, as well as other handset manufacturers such as Huawei, are all fuelling the demand for ubiquitous wireless charging – and businesses are waking up to the fact that the time is now for realising the opportunity around it.
Google Pixel 3 wireless charging: The future of the workspace
The 9-to-5 working concept already feels outmoded. This has never been truer than for millennials – who now account for more than one-third of the global workforce.
The expectations of a seamless experience created by consumer tech are now influencing today’s workspaces, as millennials expect an intuitive workplace experience on every level.
There is a growing trend of the office as a ‘destination’ that mimics the convenient and multi-functional environment millennials have grown accustomed to.
They want to work in a destination that offers much more than just a standard office space.
Not only will satisfying this demand create a more appealing workplace and help drive recruitment, but the ROI associated with a connected workspace is extremely trackable.
Leveraging network data will allow employers to gain a new level of business intelligence and to drive a real data-driven culture based on facts, instead of predictions, as well as driving transparency within a company.
Today’s’ workers want to know when the meeting room is free, to be able to make video conference calls in one step, for personalised environmental settings to kick in as soon as they walk into the room, and to put their device on to charge immediately.
The digital workplace is driven by the integration of the technology that we all have in our pockets.
Google Pixel 3 wireless charging: Connected hotel and hospitality industry
For brands across the hospitality industry – from hotels to restaurants – persuading consumers to choose them, spend time and money, as well as engendering their loyalty, has become more important than ever before.
But providing services that meet the needs of a customer will influence that decision and access to convenient wireless power is one of those influencers.
In our most recent deployment of smart wireless power in a global hotel brand’s bar area we saw an increase in revenue representing a projected 64% return on investment – with the average charging session lasting 37 minutes, giving hoteliers the additional opportunity to increase revenue by other means.
As smartphones become hotel room keys, a source of payment, or a way to manage in-room ambience, we believe that if you can influence how and when somebody gets access to power you’ve then got the chance to enhance the rest of their journey.
Google Pixel 3 wireless charging: Enhancing customer experience
Advances in wireless technologies have changed the way we live, learn, walk, talk and stay in touch with the people and companies we love.
Smartphones have become the personal operating systems, which are an indispensable part of our daily lives.
Power is the foundation to enabling the user experience we have all become accustomed to.
Here lies an opportunity for retailers: delivering an exceptional experience by driving in-store innovation will make the shopping experience easier, faster and more integrated with the growing online shopping and delivery experience.
The opportunity of smart wireless charging is beyond power, it’s about monetising on real-time data with a cloud management system and a connected intelligence network that can ultimately improve the bottom line.
Providing an around-the-clock, smart solution to connectivity will give brands the opportunity to not only drive footfall and increase in-store dwell time, but it also provides the opportunity to monetise on power by revealing real-time data insights through people’s connection.
Google Pixel 3 wireless charging: Retrofitting to bring older infrastructure up to speed
The time is now for the construction industry to consider its role in assisting the UK into the impending era of the smart city.
As more and more people demand access to power wherever they are, the value of wireless power in consumer experience is set to become the key consideration for retrofitting plans for hotels, retail spaces and offices.
Building the capability for wireless power into the fabric of public spaces will meet the growing demand to stay powered up and service the consumer of the future, increasing building usage in a way that no amount of design planning and architectural flair can.