After spending plenty of quality time with the new Samsung Galaxy S4 last Thursday, along with a new Samsung wireless charging pad, we left Radio City Music Hall mostly confused as to whether or not the device will actually have wireless charging out of the box. Some reps on hand said that it has the ability built into the back plate which comes on the phone in the box, while others said it would be a separate accessory. Leave it to the Wireless Power Consortium to sort it all out.

In a press release sent out this morning, they have confirmed that the Galaxy S4 does indeed support the Qi standard in wireless technology, however, it will come via “optional” back battery cover and wireless charging pad.

So as in years past, we will have to rely on Samsung and carrier partners to release the wireless charging back. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck without it. 

One thing we certainly love above LG is their infatuation with wireless charging and the Qi standard. After having released the Nexus 4 and Spectrum 2 here in the States with wireless charging built in, followed by the launch of the Nexus 4′s wireless charging Orb only a week or so ago, it’s clear that they aren’t interested in add-on wireless kits like Samsung has done for years. No sir, with LG, they want wireless charging built directly into their devices. 

Well, hello there Nexus 4 wireless charger, aka the Orb. It feels good to finally have you in our hands after all these months of dealing with garbage wireless charger after garbage wireless charger. Even at your steep $59.99 price tag, we welcome you onto our desks, to be here through the rest of our life with the Nexus 4 in our pockets. Actually, assuming the next Nexus and all other phones going forward have wireless charging built in, you may be here for the long haul. Let’s talk about our initial impressions, for the readers here at Droid Life.

The wireless charging Orb for the Google Nexus 4 is now available through Google Play for $59.99. Originally teased during its unveiling day on October 29, the Orb has been the single accessory for this phone that we have been excited to get our hands on. While the only thing it does it wirelessly charge your phone, the design and ease of use are keys to this being a winner. Since the half-ball angles the phone ever-so-slightly, you can actually use your Nexus 4 while it’s charging, unlike on other wireless chargers.

The price comes off as being a bit steep, but that’s the current wireless charging situation.

Go get it before it sells out! Device ships in less than one week.

Over the weekend, it appears that a Samsung-branded Qi wireless charging unit hit the FCC. That’s neat, but it leaves us wondering – which device in their lineup can we expect this to be marketed with? Could this be a super late arrival for the Galaxy S3/Note 2 or will they actually launch an accessory with a new device such as the Galaxy S4? 

Wireless charging, while slow to have been adopted by the industry, is a technology that once you have, you really never want to live without. Thanks to devices like the Nexus 4 (neither of these work with the N4 after testing), DROID DNA, and Nokia’s new Lumia 920 it’s becoming more of a standard. But now that it’s a little more mainstream, we figured it was time to talk about some of the charging options out there. Thanks to Nokia doing their part to push the technology forward, we have two new options worth taking a look at – the Fatboy Pillow and the charging plate, both from Nokia (both built to the Qi standard, so yes they work with Android phones). 

The wireless charging Orb for the Nexus 4 that was unveiled alongside the device back on launch day, has apparently never made it outside of Google’s own campus. We have yet to see one in the wild, nor have we been able to purchase one. This shouldn’t surprise anyone, as Google and its partners tend to struggle to release accessories for these devices each year. Just look at the official Nexus 7 dock situation. We have may have signs of life, though! 

According to Norwegian retailer Dustin Home, the wireless charging Orb for the Nexus 4 could arrive in February. Having been shown off on Nexus 4 unveiling day as the coolest accessory in town, we still have yet to see it find its way into the hands of anyone outside of Google. That’s not surprising, though, Nexus accessories almost always show up months after debuting during launch.