PowerMAt

Bl8ckr0uter

TEers:

This thing looks like it will be the sh1t. I am not ashamed to admit that I know what I want for Christmas (if it works right).

Powermat: Upstart Wireless Charger Breaks Big for Launch - Advertising Age - News

tiersten

I've seen something similar or even that particular product before. Its a nice idea but until these special power receiver coils are built into the device by the manufacturer its just a hassle. You have to replace something like the battery door, have a small charging plug which you plug in each time or have a receiver unit glued to the back. All 3 aren't great solutions.

I assume the battery door either wires directly into the battery somehow which poses some questions about what exactly happens when you bypass the internal charging circuitry or it has a flying lead that goes to the regular charging connector.

The way you'd do it properly which would require a global standard is to integrate the receiver coils into everything. Construct desks or bedside cabinets with multiple transmitter pads which only turn on when it senses something on top and turn off when its fully charged the device. Ensure that whatever EM emissions that this thing gives off doesn't slowly cook any of your anatomy. The Powermat already does some of these.

The Palm Pre has a special battery door that works with their wireless charging system but you still need to drop the Pre onto the Touchstone charger. If you're doing that anyway then why don't you just drop it into a regular cradle?

There is also the "green" angle as well. You're going to be losing some power through this wireless transfer stage.