ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^® today announced the formation of two discussion groups to investigate the need for standards addressing universal wireless charging and the ability to transfer metadata between portable and handheld devices. CEA will host both discovery group meetings to consider these issues at its Technology and Standards Spring Forum. Companies with an interest in portable device power, charging or accessories, or those manufacturing portable media players, docking stations or media management software should attend.

"These discovery groups have the potential to create industry standards on two very important issues regarding portable and handheld devices," said Brian Markwalter, CEA vice president of technology and standards. "Standardizing a wireless charging system coupled with the ability to transfer metadata between portable and handheld devices would make these products simpler to charge and easier to use wherever the consumer wants."

These discovery group meetings are being hosted by the R6, Portable, Handheld and In-vehicle Technology Committee in response to the Portable Devices Discovery Group meeting that was held at CEA's Industry forum in October 2008. Both meetings will take place at the Four Seasons Hotel in St. Louis, MO on Thursday, May 14, 2009. The meeting on metadata transfer is from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CDT. The power and charging meeting is from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. CDT.

Participation in CEA standards activities is open to any company, organization or individual with direct and material interest. Contact Megan Hayes at mhayes@ce.org to request time on the agenda or for more information.

CEA leads technology manufacturers in fostering CE industry growth by developing industry standards and technical specifications that enable new products to come to market and encourage interoperability with existing devices. CEA maintains an unmatched reputation as a credible and flexible standards making body and has earned ANSI accreditation. Through more than 70 committees, subcommittees, and working groups, the CEA Technology and Standards program provides a unique and efficient forum where technical professionals throughout the industry develop a unified technology roadmap and address technical issues critical to the CE industry growth. For information about CEA Technology and Standards, visit http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.CE.org%2Fstandards&esheet=5925820&lan=en_US&anchor=www.CE.org%2Fstandards&index=1.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $172 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,200 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Where Entertainment, Technology and Business Converge. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA's industry services. Find CEA online at http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.CE.org&esheet=5925820&lan=en_US&anchor=www.CE.org&index=2.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Digital Patriots Dinner
  April 22, 2009, Washington, DC
• CEA Washington Forum
  April 22-23, 2009, Washington, DC
• LA Games Conference
  April 28-29, 2009, Hollywood, CA
• CONNECTIONS^TM: The Digital Living Conference and Showcase
  June 2 - 4, 2009, Santa Clara, CA
• Digital Downtown
  June 10-12, 2009, New York, NY
• 13^th Annual CEO Summit
  June 17-20, 2009, Dana Point, CA
• 2009 SINOCES
  July 9-12, 2009, Qingdao, China
• 2009 CEA Industry Forum
  October 18-21, 2009, Phoenix, AZ
• CES New York Press Preview featuring CES Unveiled @ NY
  November 10, 2009, New York, NY
• 2010 International CES
  January 7-10, 2010, Las Vegas, NV

Contacts

Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)
Meghan Henning, 703-907-7654
mhenning@CE.org
www.CE.org
or
Steve Kidera, 703-907-4358
skidera@CE.org