Rumors are flying about the Wireless Power Consortium’s (WPC) cryptic tweet, which says a ‘new era’ of wireless charging is happening next week (July 23). Some think it’s related to the most recent Qi standard (Qi 2.2); that could mean another update standard would be released. That would break the annual release tradition and isn’t likely, though. Others, like 9to5Google, are talking about WPC’s Kitchen Tech standard (Ki) and the possibility that something could be brewing there. That makes for a more intriguing announcement next week; the actual sale of intelligent kitchen devices that would introduce a new wave of smart home technology options for consumers.

Details are scarce, and the tweet could mean almost anything, but our bet is on the Ki standard finally becoming available, accompanied by a related announcement of new Ki products that consumers can purchase. Specifications were released to manufacturers some time ago, and the first Ki-enabled products are expected to arrive this year. Midea, a Chinese manufacturer, has already debuted the use of the Ki standard for its Celestial Flex Series kitchen products, although it hasn’t yet released them for sale. Demonstrations of how Ki could be used were shown at CES 2025. Stay tuned.