Latest news with #Belkin


Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Smart Today, Scrap Tomorrow: How Belkin Has Broken The Promise Of IoT
Back in 2020, I wrote here on Forbes about Belkin's decision to brick its NetCam product and abandon the customers who bought into it.I asked at the time whether the brand could ever be trusted again?Five years on, they've has answered that question themselves. A Belkin Wemo Insight Switch smart plug, taken on August 16, 2017. (Photo by Olly Curtis/T3 ... More Magazine/Future via Getty Images) Belkin dropped the bomb to customers last week confirming it will end its support for their Wemo smart home device range on 31st January 2026. No workaround, no software updates, and no plan to hand over control to users. Just a shutdown notice and lots more raw material for devices don't have a serious flaw; they haven't failed, but they are about to cease to function for their intended purpose because Belkin simply no longer wants to support the infrastructure they depend on. It's a business decision that will affect millions of users*And that's the flaw at the heart of the Internet of Things (IoT) dream that brands bought into in the early 2010s – the moment a company decides your connected product is no longer worth their time or money, it simply becomes when manufacturers like Belkin turned 'dumb' products into smart solutions, they took on a responsibility – maintaining a connected infrastructure. Now, instead of owning the problem, they're walking away from it. And in their case, they've done this for a second was never supposed to be like in those heady smart-home days of 2013/14, and in many previous waves before that, we were promised a smarter world: intelligent homes, effortless automation and seamless integration. But it's now clear that many companies treated the opportunities presented by IoT like any other consumer electronics trend – a sales opportunity to exploit rather than true innovation and a long-term commitment to previous waves of devices that promised smarthome utopia, this time the dropping of support permanently renders the devices TRS-80 from 1977 had a 'Plug'n Power" add-on. It provides the same functionality as the Wemo, but 48 years later functions exactly as well as it did the day it was new.I also have a 1996-era 'Home Director' system from IBM. Running Windows 95, it's not a practical solution to control my home30 years later, but it still works exactly as difference? The 21st Century era devices are all 'Cloud Tethered' - taking us all a step closer to Technofeudalism and the antithesis of utopian automation that is the dream of enthusiasts of this is aware that severing the Cloud Tethering is 'change [that] may disrupt your routines'. As someone who owns 41 Wemo smart plugs, I'm painfully preparing for this disruption. I've invested a huge amount of time and money installing and configuring their system. They work in perfect harmony and have done so flawlessly for over a decade. But now I must spend an entire weekend or more of transferring to their Zigbee/ Zwave equivalents. My 'digital housework' workload is about to become a major challenge. It's the digital equivalent of the roof falling in. Except I've got 6-months to prepare, but no-one except me who can fix it (and no insurance to come to my rescue)! Close-up photograph of a white, "Wemo" brand plug, used to control home electronics remotely, San ... More Ramon, California, USA, November 3, 2018 There is some 'good' news. Belkin has learnt lessons from the NetCam debacle by providing more time to switch. But I believe there's a better way of doing things:Belkin clearly knows this announcement won't land well either — the email includes three separate apologies. But instead of hiding behind vague corporate language, they'd have done better to be honest. Imagine if they had written:'Back in 2011, we saw a market opportunity and launched Wemo. In hindsight, we underestimated the complexity of supporting a smart home ecosystem. We now realise we can't sustain the Wemo platform long-term. That's why we're giving you three years to transition to a new system. We're truly sorry to let you down – reliability and trust are core to our brand, and we know we've fallen short.'And imagine if they went further: 'And as part of our end-of-life programme for these smart devices, we're releasing one final firmware update which will open the protocols used to connect to the Wemo device and allow you to control it via third-party applications. We'll be updating the Wemo app also to make it easier for your transition to another system, and hope that these devices continue to function for years, or even decades to come. With a vibrant open-source smarthome community such as those provided by Domoticz and other groups - we're confident that your investment in these product and our brand will not have been wasted.'Or further still?'Oh, and we're releasing the Wemo source code on GitHub so the opensource community can build and improve on the foundations we've laid. And we're providing full schematics and technical documentation to iFixit so that the repair community can keep our excellently designed and crafted Wemo devices in service for the long term. After all, our organization is made up of people who want to leave the planet a better place for our children and future generations. We remain forever and authentically passionate about renewing our commitment to a circular economy and carbon neutrality and continuing our pledge to support the Paris Agreement.'Well, the last sentence is actually a genuine quote from their CEO, Steve Malony a few years back. His commitments are perhaps not as authentic or long-lasting as they might have been decision to brick more of its devices is just the latest example of a broader industry blind spot. It's a failure to respect the long-term obligations of smart infrastructure. It also flies in the face of the environmental promises many tech companies like to make. I'm now soon to be left with a pile of perfectly usable devices destined for landfill, purely because of lazy software engineering, and poor business decision to retire these Wemo products will certainly create a huge amount of e-waste, but I dread to think the impact that a decision by Amazon or Philips will have when they bring to an end their own smart home products like Alexa and Hue simple business decision has major environmental impact and leave millions of customers with the task of 'upgrading' to a new system. In the case of Amazon - they have somewhere towards 100-200x more smartdevices in the market than Belkin did with the Wemo. Let's hope they act more responsibly when the time we want a sustainable, trustworthy, and truly 'smart' future for our homes, this isn't it. I just hope we get there before the IoT dream is shattered for all time. Trust in Belkin might be shot, but there is still opportunity for others to get this right. * Google Play store confirms the Wemo happ has been downloaded 1M+ times. Based on the 56.9k reviews (mostly negative), and a 1:50 download to review ratio: this leave us with an estimated number of 2.8M users globally. Assuming Google Play devices have a market share of 70%, we can therefore extrapolate there to be approximately 4M Wemo users globally. ** I of course approached Belkin for comment on this story before publishing, but at time of writing there are still *crickets* from their press team. If they squeak, I'll be sure to update.


The Verge
7 days ago
- The Verge
The deluge of faster Qi2.2 wireless chargers is here
Yesterday Ugreen was the first company to announce it had a Qi2.2 wireless charging power bank on the way, but it wasn't alone for long. The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) has already certified eight Qi2.2 products, all from different manufacturers, including power banks, car mounts, and 3-in-1 stands. Qi2.2 is the latest version of the Qi wireless charging standard. Qi2 was notable for introducing a magnetic ring to the design, helped by contributions to the standard from Apple based on its MagSafe charging tech. Qi2.2 makes the jump to 25W charging speeds, an improvement on Qi2's 15W cap. While the WPC lists Qi2.2 as having been introduced in April 2025, no products using the standard have launched yet. That's set to change soon, with eight products now listed in the WPC's product database with the latest Qi2.2.1 standard, all certified on July 15th. Some of these have been officially announced, including Ugreen's 10,000mAh MagFlow power bank. Baseus received certification for one power bank but says it has another on the way, along with a 3-in-1 charging stand. Belkin only announced that it will roll out 'several' Qi2.2 products in the coming months, though its certification is for the UltraCharge Pro 3-in-1 charging dock. Other certified companies haven't yet made announcements. Anker is apparently set to expand its Prime series with a 3-in-1 Qi2.2 dock including a built-in display to monitor charging speeds, Aukey has a simple 2-in-1 charging stand on the way, and Scosche is readying a Qi2.2 version of its MagicMount Pro car mount. ODMs CVSMicro and BH EVS round out the set of eight with charging components to build into other products. Last month we reported that Apple appears to be working on a new MagSafe charger with Qi2.2 compatibility. Despite contributing to the Qi standard, Apple appears happy to keep MagSafe one step ahead, with that charger set to deliver 45W wireless charging speeds. The current iPhone 16 series caps at 25W wireless MagSafe charging, suggesting at least some iPhone 17 models will be getting a boost. Qi2 was a welcome introduction, but adoption among phone manufacturers has been slow — while Apple includes Qi2 support on all current iPhones except the 16E, the HMD Skyline remains the only Android phone worldwide with full Qi2. Others, like the Samsung Galaxy S25 series, are 'Qi2 Ready,' meaning they require a magnetic Qi2 phone case for full functionality. Hopefully Qi2.2's arrival encourages more manufacturers to jump on board.

National Post
15-07-2025
- Business
- National Post
Belkin Achieves Qi2.2 Certification for Its Upcoming Products, Unlocking the Future of 25W Wireless Charging
Article content With Qi2.2 certification, Belkin reinforces its commitment to quality, safety, and performance for the next generation of wireless charging Article content LOS ANGELES — Belkin, a leading consumer electronics brand for over 40 years, today announced it has received official Qi2.2 certification from the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) for its upcoming products. As one of the first accessory brands to deliver Qi2.2-certified devices, Belkin is helping bring the next generation of wireless charging to market – enabling faster wireless charging speeds, broader compatibility, and improved performance for consumers. Article content Belkin's close partnership with the WPC since 2015 has been instrumental in bringing these advancements to consumers. As an early adopter and long-time contributor to WPC standards, Belkin was selected as one of a small group of trusted manufacturers to test and certify Qi2.2 products ahead of the broader industry rollout. Article content All Belkin products undergo rigorous safety, quality, and performance testing. The company's global headquarters includes WPC certified test equipment and state-of-the-art test labs dedicated to full product lifecycle validation – ranging from mechanical and environmental assessments to real-world performance evaluations. Additional testing is conducted in Belkin's engineering hubs in China and Taiwan. Every Qi2.2-certified product is backed by Belkin's industry-leading warranty and customer support. Article content In the coming months, Belkin will roll out several Qi2.2-certified products designed to support a wide range of devices. These chargers will deliver 5x faster charging speeds* while maintaining Belkin's signature commitment to safety, reliability, and design. Article content 'Belkin has a long history of shaping industry standards alongside trusted organizations like the Wireless Power Consortium and USB-IF,' said Brian Van Harlingen, Chief Technology Officer at Belkin. 'Securing first-mover Qi2.2 certification is another proud moment in that legacy – cementing our role in defining what fast and universal wireless charging will look like for the next generation of devices.' Article content Qi2.2 is the latest standard from the WPC, building on the Qi2 magnetic power profile introduced in 2023. It is expected to enable charging speeds up to 25W and expand wireless charging to new device categories. Like its predecessor, Qi2.2 features intelligent magnetic alignment for a safer, more reliable connection, while remaining backward-compatible with older Qi devices. It also includes advanced safety enhancements to protect device batteries and ensure consistent performance. Article content *Based on internal testing, charging delivers up to 25W of power, compared to a 5W Qi charger. Actual results will vary. Article content About Belkin Article content Belkin is a California-based accessories leader delivering award-winning power, protection, productivity, connectivity, and audio products over the last 40 years. Designed and engineered in Southern California and sold in more than 100 countries around the world, Belkin has maintained its steadfast focus on research and development, community, education, sustainability and most importantly, the people it serves. From our humble beginnings in a Southern California garage in 1983, Belkin has become a diverse, global technology company. We remain forever inspired by the planet we live on, and the connection between people and technology. Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media Contact Article content Article content Article content
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Belkin Achieves Qi2.2 Certification for Its Upcoming Products, Unlocking the Future of 25W Wireless Charging
With Qi2.2 certification, Belkin reinforces its commitment to quality, safety, and performance for the next generation of wireless charging LOS ANGELES, July 15, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Belkin, a leading consumer electronics brand for over 40 years, today announced it has received official Qi2.2 certification from the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) for its upcoming products. As one of the first accessory brands to deliver Qi2.2-certified devices, Belkin is helping bring the next generation of wireless charging to market – enabling faster wireless charging speeds, broader compatibility, and improved performance for consumers. Belkin's close partnership with the WPC since 2015 has been instrumental in bringing these advancements to consumers. As an early adopter and long-time contributor to WPC standards, Belkin was selected as one of a small group of trusted manufacturers to test and certify Qi2.2 products ahead of the broader industry rollout. All Belkin products undergo rigorous safety, quality, and performance testing. The company's global headquarters includes WPC certified test equipment and state-of-the-art test labs dedicated to full product lifecycle validation – ranging from mechanical and environmental assessments to real-world performance evaluations. Additional testing is conducted in Belkin's engineering hubs in China and Taiwan. Every Qi2.2-certified product is backed by Belkin's industry-leading warranty and customer support. In the coming months, Belkin will roll out several Qi2.2-certified products designed to support a wide range of devices. These chargers will deliver 5x faster charging speeds* while maintaining Belkin's signature commitment to safety, reliability, and design. "Belkin has a long history of shaping industry standards alongside trusted organizations like the Wireless Power Consortium and USB-IF," said Brian Van Harlingen, Chief Technology Officer at Belkin. "Securing first-mover Qi2.2 certification is another proud moment in that legacy – cementing our role in defining what fast and universal wireless charging will look like for the next generation of devices." Qi2.2 is the latest standard from the WPC, building on the Qi2 magnetic power profile introduced in 2023. It is expected to enable charging speeds up to 25W and expand wireless charging to new device categories. Like its predecessor, Qi2.2 features intelligent magnetic alignment for a safer, more reliable connection, while remaining backward-compatible with older Qi devices. It also includes advanced safety enhancements to protect device batteries and ensure consistent performance. *Based on internal testing, charging delivers up to 25W of power, compared to a 5W Qi charger. Actual results will vary. About Belkin Belkin is a California-based accessories leader delivering award-winning power, protection, productivity, connectivity, and audio products over the last 40 years. Designed and engineered in Southern California and sold in more than 100 countries around the world, Belkin has maintained its steadfast focus on research and development, community, education, sustainability and most importantly, the people it serves. From our humble beginnings in a Southern California garage in 1983, Belkin has become a diverse, global technology company. We remain forever inspired by the planet we live on, and the connection between people and technology. View source version on Contacts Media Contact Jen WeiVice President of Global Communications and Corporate Developmentcomms@


Business Wire
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Belkin Achieves Qi2.2 Certification for Its Upcoming Products, Unlocking the Future of 25W Wireless Charging
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Belkin, a leading consumer electronics brand for over 40 years, today announced it has received official Qi2.2 certification from the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) for its upcoming products. As one of the first accessory brands to deliver Qi2.2-certified devices, Belkin is helping bring the next generation of wireless charging to market – enabling faster wireless charging speeds, broader compatibility, and improved performance for consumers. Belkin's close partnership with the WPC since 2015 has been instrumental in bringing these advancements to consumers. As an early adopter and long-time contributor to WPC standards, Belkin was selected as one of a small group of trusted manufacturers to test and certify Qi2.2 products ahead of the broader industry rollout. All Belkin products undergo rigorous safety, quality, and performance testing. The company's global headquarters includes WPC certified test equipment and state-of-the-art test labs dedicated to full product lifecycle validation – ranging from mechanical and environmental assessments to real-world performance evaluations. Additional testing is conducted in Belkin's engineering hubs in China and Taiwan. Every Qi2.2-certified product is backed by Belkin's industry-leading warranty and customer support. In the coming months, Belkin will roll out several Qi2.2-certified products designed to support a wide range of devices. These chargers will deliver 5x faster charging speeds* while maintaining Belkin's signature commitment to safety, reliability, and design. 'Belkin has a long history of shaping industry standards alongside trusted organizations like the Wireless Power Consortium and USB-IF,' said Brian Van Harlingen, Chief Technology Officer at Belkin. 'Securing first-mover Qi2.2 certification is another proud moment in that legacy – cementing our role in defining what fast and universal wireless charging will look like for the next generation of devices.' Qi2.2 is the latest standard from the WPC, building on the Qi2 magnetic power profile introduced in 2023. It is expected to enable charging speeds up to 25W and expand wireless charging to new device categories. Like its predecessor, Qi2.2 features intelligent magnetic alignment for a safer, more reliable connection, while remaining backward-compatible with older Qi devices. It also includes advanced safety enhancements to protect device batteries and ensure consistent performance. *Based on internal testing, charging delivers up to 25W of power, compared to a 5W Qi charger. Actual results will vary. About Belkin Belkin is a California-based accessories leader delivering award-winning power, protection, productivity, connectivity, and audio products over the last 40 years. Designed and engineered in Southern California and sold in more than 100 countries around the world, Belkin has maintained its steadfast focus on research and development, community, education, sustainability and most importantly, the people it serves. From our humble beginnings in a Southern California garage in 1983, Belkin has become a diverse, global technology company. We remain forever inspired by the planet we live on, and the connection between people and technology.