The Qi specification is also aimed at technology used automotive systems to avoid interference with wireless systems like Bluetooth. The Qi standard also is expected to be adopted by wireless payment systems, combining powering and data transfer.

"The technology has improved to the point where it takes just about as long to charge your device wirelessly as it does with a cable," Dulaney said. "And combined with Bluetooth you really could see a day where you could give up the cables in your bag."

Lucas Mearian covers storage, disaster recovery and business continuity, financial services infrastructure and health care IT for Computerworld. Follow Lucas on Twitter at @lucasmearian, or subscribe to . His e-mail address is lmearian@computerworld.com.