Charging cables? Who needs 'em. Smartphone makers (and even big chain coffee shops) have been clamoring for ways to ditch those tangled microUSB nuisances—and now the world's largest furniture retailer is joining the fight.


IKEA has announced a new lineup of desks, bedside tables, and lamps that will come with Qi wireless charging technology built right in and will be available this April. The charging spots are marked, somewhat ominously with big Xs (or maybe +s but I like the pirate theme) but provide your wireless charging-capable gadgets with all the juice they need. It also looks like IKEA will be creating some charging pads of their own, and they look positively Swedish.


Of course, before you go running out to your local Swedish furniture retailer, keep in mind that wireless charging isn't exactly the greatest thing for the life of your smartphone battery because of the excess waste heat it can generate. But if you're one of the more fast and loose smartphone users (*quietly raises hand*), charging cords may soon be a thing of the past. [IKEA]