Last year Powermat exploded on to the scene at CES and we were there to catch it in the raw.  This year, Case-mate is trailing behind the competition with the Hug, an iPhone case that brings “wireless” charging to the handset.  Essentially it uses the same technology – inductive charging – only it costs about $50 less; $89.99 to be exact.

Case-mate’s Hug is part of the Wireless Power Consortium, which should mean that the case or the pad will be compatible with future iterations.  Expect the Hug this month.

More pics after the ‘leap’

Read

You’d think Powermat has had enough.  Afterall they’re the first major inductive/wireless charging solution on the market with massive distrubution – they’ve sold 750,000 units since launch.  But nope, they’ve got an insatiable appetite for success.  Today the company announced a slew of new products that has everybody, including iPhone users excited.

Remember those ‘receiver’, i.e. the case necessary to make your handheld device work with the Powermat?  No more.  Powermat now offers a set of receiver batteries for more than ten models from HTC, Blackberry, Nokia, LG, Samsung, Motorola and Sony Ericsson, that enable wirelessly charging without the case.  And as a sort of consolation prize, Powermat has a new silicone iPhone receiver case and an extended battery case – the latter makes a whole lot more sense.

So what else do they have up their sleeve?  Check it:

• A set of sleeker mats that comes in 1, 2 or 3 sizes (Powermat 1X, Powermat 2X & Powermat 3X).  They hope this provides consumers with more options; not everyone needs three charging positions.
• More portable mats in more sizes and they include a built-in battery requiring no outlet for charging (me likey).
• The Powermat 3X Netbook.  A mat for charging your Netbook and 2 other devices
• Powermat Car Charger.  I think it speaks for itself.

Sorry there aren’t a ton of pics but we’ll be sure to get a hands on at CES some time Thursday – Sunday.

Photo courtesy of Pocket-lint

Powermat Leads Wireless Charging with Next Generation Line

Industry Leader Expands Consumer Choice, Freedom and Convenience
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ — Consumer Electronics Show – Building upon the massive success of its initial product launch, Powermat – the worldwide leader in wireless charging – will unveil a wide range of new and innovative charging solutions at CES 2010, further establishing its dominance in the category.
Although a late entry into the wireless charging category, Powermat quickly established its leadership by not only being first to gain national distribution with leading retailers in the U.S. market, but more importantly by experiencing considerable success and sell-through at store level. Since its launch in mid-October of 2009, Powermat has sold in excess of 750,000 Powermat products, with most stores experiencing severe out-of-stock shortages late in the season.
The company’s newest line of wireless chargers and products expands upon its success by offering consumers additional options in both the number of devices they can wirelessly charge as well as the number of ways they can charge them.
“It’s all about freedom and convenience,” said Ron Ferber, President of Powermat. “While our initial line delivered on our promise to eliminate the hassle of plugging and unplugging allowing consumers to plug in their Powermat and simply Drop and Charge the assortment was limited to a handful of popular devices and charging environments. For 2010 we’ve taken our product line to a whole new level through the successful miniaturization of our technology to the ASIC level.
With this and other incredible advances we’ve increased the selection of devices that we’re able to wirelessly charge to include virtually every brand of handset or handheld device. At the same time we’re offering a full range of new mats that allow consumers to charge in every possible environment, no matter where they may be.
Our next generation of products takes Powermat to an unsurpassed level. In fact our technology is so mature that we are already working with many top tier OEM brands that will be launching Powermat-enabled models in 2010.”
Powermat Receivers
The Powermat Powerpak(TM) receiver provides seamless integration into virtually any phone, by allowing consumers to upgrade to wireless charging with no change to their existing phone ergonomics and design. More than 10 models from HTC, Blackberry, Nokia, LG, Samsung, Motorola and Sony Ericsson will debut at CES, but the technology can be applied to virtually any phone ensuring access to the freedom and convenience of Powermat wireless charging to consumers worldwide.
Powermat also expands its support of the iPhone 3G/3GS by introducing 2 new models; a silicone case receiver, one of the most often requested models by consumers, and an extended battery case receiver which combines the dual benefits of extended battery life and wireless charging.
Powermat Home & Office Mats
Powermat will be launching a sleek new line of single, double and triple position mats for home and office use – Powermat 1X, Powermat 2X & Powermat 3X. These new models offer a wider range of price points to a broader range of consumers; whether you’re a consumer who’s “dialed down” your handheld devices to one Smartphone, a consumer who needs to charge multiple family devices or the consumer who needs a secondary charging station. Powermat will also offer Prepack Bundles, whereby a charging mat is bundled together with a receiver; such as the Powermat 1X single position mat with iPhone Receiver Case, or Powermat 2X double position mat with Powercube.
Powermat Portable Mats
Powermat eliminates the frustration of running out of power while on the go. Embedded into both the single and double position portable mats – Powermat Portable 1X and Powermat Portable 2X is a high capacity battery, which allows users to charge their devices without the need to plug their mats into an outlet. Both portable mats also fold into a sleek carrying case for easy portability and each comes complete with a set of International plugs.
Powermat Netbook Mat
According to Gartner, netbooks are driving the growth of laptop sales, with an expected 41.4% growth margin to 41 million in 2010 (Gartner, November 24, 2009). Powermat is introducing the Powermat 3X Netbook, a complete charging solution that simultaneously charges both a netbook and 2 additional low power devices such as phones, music players, Bluetooth headset, eBooks and more. Netbooks are also beloved for their portability and the Powermat Netbook mat folds into a carrying case to maintain that convenience.
Powermat Car Charger
Powermat extends its reach to motorists by introducing the Powermat Car Charger, which eliminates the constant plugging and unplugging every time you get a call. The Powermat Car Charger wirelessly charges hundreds of devices while traveling on the road with a simple Drop & Charge(TM).
CES Related News
Ran Poliakine, CEO of Powermat, will be a panelist at Power to the People: Advances in Charging and Battery Technology on Friday, January 8 at 12:00 p.m. He will discuss advances in wireless charging technologies and what we can expect from the technology in the not so distant future.
Powermat will be on exhibit at Booth #8253 in the Central Hall of CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
About Powermat
Powermat is a complete solution for simultaneously delivering real time, wireless charging to multiple electronics including mobile phones, music players, handheld games, electronic readers, GPS devices, BT headsets, netbooks and laptops. Powermat technology has been miniaturized to a level where it can be embedded into virtually any device, as well as walls and table top surfaces. Powermat technology is fast, efficient, and safe and revolutionizes the way consumers charge and power. For more information, please go to www.powermat.com.
Powermat Sales & Marketing offices are based in Commerce Township, Michigan, with Research & Development facilities in Neve Ilan, Israel. Powermat is operated by Ron Ferber and Ran Poliakine.

While we anxiously await Powermat‘s offering and Apple to embed a solution directly into the iPhone, Wildcharge has officially announced the availability of their wireless charging solution for iPods and iPhones.  Much like Powermat, a ‘skin’ containing the necessary components is attached to the iPhone and when placed onto a Wildcharge pad begin to charge sans wires.  Of course, the pad has to be plugged into the wall and it is said that inductive charging, the technology currently behind today’s wireless charging isn’t as efficient as the traditional method, which of course gets all the watch dog groups in a huff.  The iPhone Wildcharge wireless charging solution ships in early July while you can pick up the iPod version now for the same price of $34.99.  Or you can opt for the bundle, which is $79.99.

Read

Full release after the ‘leap’

Wire-Free Charging for the iPhone and iPod touch Now Available from WildCharge
Anxiously awaited skins first to provide wire-free charging for the popular Apple devices

(Boulder, Colo. – June 23, 2009) – WildCharge Inc., the leader in wire-free power technology, announces today the availability of WildCharge Skins™ for the iPhone and the iPod touch. Consumers and licensing partners have been anxiously awaiting the skins, which enable the popular Apple devices to be charged by simply placing them on the WildCharger Pad™, or on other surfaces that are embedded with the WildCharge technology, where they will begin charging immediately. The iPhone and iPod touch skins add to a growing list of WildCharge solutions that enable wire-free charging for a variety of portable devices. The iPhone skin is compatible with all iPhone models, including the new 3G S.

“The market is demanding a move towards wire-free charging, and WildCharge is thrilled to answer that call by adding Apple devices to our lineup of commercially available products,” said WildCharge chairman and CEO Dennis Grant. “With the addition of these two ‘Made for iPod’ and ’Works with iPhone’ approved designs to our reference design library, WildCharge is solidifying our position as the leading wire-free charging developer in the industry.”

The WildCharge Skins are durable, protective, form-fitting cases that when placed on the WildCharger Pad, transfer wire-free power from the Pad to the device inside the skin. The soft cases provide the same protection consumers already enjoy from traditional skins, but have the added value and convenience of enabling a wire-free charge. The WildCharger Pad, used in conjunction with the skins, delivers full power to multiple devices, allowing them to simultaneously charge together on the Pad while eliminating the clutter caused by multiple chargers and power cords. The iPod touch skin is available for order today and the iPhone skin will be available in early July. WildCharge Skins are also available for the Blackberry Pearl and Curve, and all are sold for $34.99 at WildCharge.com.

In addition to the Skins, WildCharge recently announced a Universal Adapter for mobile devices that works with the WildCharger Pad. The Universal Adapter is able to charge over 150 different cell phone models from major brands such as Motorola, RIM, and Nokia through the use of interchangeable tips, with the list of compatible devices constantly expanding.

WildCharge provides the only commercially available technology that enables licensing partners to deliver wire-free charging to a variety of devices that require varying amounts of power. From cell phones that require only a few watts of power to laptops that need over a hundred watts, virtually any device that has a rechargeable battery can be powered from a single, contiguous, and non-discriminating charging surface. WildCharge technology has met the industry’s most stringent regulatory and safety standards, including UL, CE, FCC, RoHS, and has been certified across all of the GSM bands.  WildCharge enables licensees to bring new items to market quickly and cost effectively through its reference design library, which features wire-free products that have been conceived, engineered and tooled with a pre-established supply chain.

About WildCharge
WildCharge is a Boulder, CO based company that is revolutionizing power delivery to portable electronic devices by commercializing – through licensing partnerships – its proven, wire-free power technology. WildCharge is the first company to offer commercially available wire-free charging technology that works with multiple devices across multiple brands. WildCharge’s Technology Licensing Program provides the design and manufacturing guidance allowing original equipment/design manufacturers to quickly and cost effectively integrate highly efficient, wire-free, technology into their products. For more information on WildCharge products and licensing capabilities, go to www.wildcharge.com.

As each day passes my skepticism grows as to whether or not OEMs can be successful in producing their own wireless charging solutions for phones and other portable devices.  After all, the technology is hardly unique; case in point PowerMat, eCoupled and Palm’s Touchstone.  In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the next iteration of the iPhone includes a wireless charging system, which of course will be sold for a pretty penny.  But, despite my skepticism yet another wireless charging company has entered the market: Mojo Mobility.  And today they announced support for Intel’s Mobile Internet Device at the Computex show.  The irony of course is that what might be an already dead company is announcing support for a product category that was dead upon arrival.  In other words the new MIDs are smartphones.

Read