2013 Toyota Avalon charges Qi-enabled phones without wires

Drivers will be able to charge their Qi compatible phone by simply placing it on the Avalon's console.

(Credit: Toyota)

People have been modding wireless inductive phone chargers into their car since the Palm Pre and its magnetic Touchstone, but Toyota claims today to be the first automaker to offer the tech with its announcement that the 2013 Toyota Avalon would be available with Qi wireless charging.

Specifically, the Qi wireless charging will be available as part of the 2013 Avalon Limited’s and Hybrid Limited’s $ 1,750 Technology package, so you’ll also want to make sure that you’re interested in the radar cruise control, pre-collision system and automatic high beams that also come as part of that package before checking that option box. It would be nice to see the Qi charger broken out into a less expensive option, as it doesn’t seem like it really has anything to do with the features that it is bundled with. (While I’m making tech wishes, it would really be nice to see this relatively inexpensive tech just be made standard on th… [Read more]

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