Wireless charging, while not truly wireless in some respects, has emerged for a variety of consumer products thanks to companies such as Powermat.  Unfortunately, there selection of goods is limited to handheld items, which makes logical sense since these tend to be the products that are often used and thus charged with great regularity.  But today there is a new emerging category of battery powered products.  What are they you ask?  Cars.

That’s right.  In the last few years we’ve seen the emergence of a number of battery powered, electric vehicles.  Unlike their hybrid counterparts, which use a gas engine to recharge their batteries, they depend on the grid to power up and this means plugging in.  Unless of course you invest in one of Evatran’s Plugless Power.

It’s effectively, from what we can tell, the same tech as Powermat, though on a much larger scale.  According to Autoblog the effeciency is above 90%, which means some power is lost in the transfer, but the pay off is the convenience.  To charge your whip, if you will, you just drive the car over the disc that is placed on the ground.  This iteration, which is the next evolution in terms of the product, doesn’t sport any moving parts, which means it’s less likely to break, and the car can now be a half a disc off and will still charge.

Evatran is currently entering the test phase and hopes to outfit 8-12 Chevy volts with the necessary receivers by the end of the year, with 20-30 more arriving as soon as January.  Production units should hit some time in late 2012.  We’re hearing each one will cost between $2,000-3,000, and that doesn’t include the $2,000 surcharge for retrofitting your vehicle.

While this tech is cool and all, what would be really neat is if you didn’t need to be in such close proximity for it to work.  As Autoblog points out, you could ostensibly drive the street while receiving a charge, provided of course there enough of them embedded into the road.

Until Powermat integrates their charging system into the iPhone by offering a replaceable back, I’m not really all that interested.  But something tells me it’s a bit beyond their control since I’m sure Apple didn’t wanna form a partnership, and their probably isn’t a way to cost effectively produce such a design since the iPhone’s battery is built into the device.

Nonetheless, the company has released a case that is compatible with the iPhone 4.  It’s costs $59.95 and includes a mat.

We also recently spotted a powermat cover for the EVO that sleekly integrates into the device and adds what looks like little to no bulk.

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We just got our hands on Powermat‘s newest product, the iPhone only Powermat or as they officially call it the Powermat Wireless Charging System for iPhone. Talk about a mouthful. It’s the exact the same tech that we saw from Powermat when they officially launched the product sometime late last year. But this version is more refined, feels more finished, sturdier and is designed specifically for the iPhone.

As opposed to the portable mat, which included room for up to 3 products (review here) this device has room for one and is designed specifically for the iPhone 3GS and 3G. The mat is sleek, feels very heavy in the hand and includes 4 rubbery feet that do a good job of sticking to whatever flat surface you place it on. Although we never obtained an iPhone case for our portable mat, this one looks a bit sleeker and less likely to snap when in the hands of someone a bit more gruff and rough…or maybe it’s the same case. Much like the portable Powermat, they’ve included the same AC cord that wraps up on itself and has a foldable plug for traveling – a nice touch.

Sure, it’s not the end all be all of iPhone charging, but at the very least it is $30 cheaper than the two other Powermat options.

More pics after the ‘leap’

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Surprisingly the wireless charging market has not been over saturated.  Palm made big news two years ago when they announced the Palm PRE, a phone that included its very own inductive charging system.  This past year, at CES, Case-mate introduced their HUG case and charger for the iPhone.  It accomplishes the same feat at Powermat‘s solution, but is built specifically for the iPhone, though other cases are due.

I could sit here and talk about build quality and aesthetics, but there is one elephant in the room: does the Hug effectively charge the iPhone?  Not really.  In my testing, against the Powermat, the Case-mate Hug took more than 3o minutes longer to charge my iPhone from a completely dead battery to a full charge.

In both testing instances I drained my iPhone 3Gs’ battery to the point where the iPhone would no longer power up.  I then attached the case and placed it on the included charging stand.  I immediately snapped my first pic, which as you can see is time coded for proof.  Additionally, once the phone powered on you can see the time of day, which doubles as credibility to the amount of time the iPhone took to charge on both platforms.

Case-mate Hug

• Start time: 1:19PM
• End Time: 4:09
• Total time: 2:50

Powermat

• Star time: 9:19pm
• End Time: 11:39pm
• Total Time: 2:20

I’m not sure why the Case-mate took longer, but since it costs less and it isn’t their core business I can only assume that the components used are cheaper.  But, keep in mind that since Case-mate is part of the wireless power consortium, the Hug and the mat should be compatible with other products and manufactures that have joined this group.  Ostensibly, airports, coffee shops and more could adopt the same technology and then just by placing your phone onto a Hug compatible table/charger you could charge your device on the go without having to pull out a cord.

Pocket wise the Hug is a little bulky for my liking.  For that reason I didn’t keep the case on my iPhone unless I was charging it.  The bottom piece fixes to the phone by itself, though the top piece, a small piece of plastic completes the aesthetic and snaps into the bottom piece to form a complete case.  The top piece felt a bit flimsy and I got the feeling it could snap during one wrong insert (and it’s probably easy to lose).

Until Apple and other manufacturers build this functionality into the phone itself (like Palm) the convenience is very minimal (Powermat recently introduced a set of batteries that are compatible with their system).  And even then you still have to place the phone or device onto a physical mat, something that many will find is not all that convenient.  The Case-mate Hug all but completely failed me, and at an almost 4 hour charge time it might as well have.

Note: The Case-mate test is shown with just 3G connectivity while the Powermat test with WiFi. While a 3G only signal draws more power it shouldn’t cause such a vast difference in charge times, so I’d say the point is moot.

Pros:

• Part of Wireless Power Consortium
• Lower price than competition
• Protective case

Cons:

• Took almost 3 hours for a complete charge
• Top piece of case is flimsy
• Case is so bulky defeats iPhone slimness

Update: There is something wrong with the time lapse sequence – it’s cutting off the last frame so you can’t see the final and complete charge time.

When we first wrote about Case-mate’s Hug wireless charging pad we swore the rep told us it would be available that month, January.  But here we are already into March and still no hug (yeah, I need a hug).

But today Case-mate officially announced the Hug’s availability as of March 8th.  It will retail for $99.99 – $10 more than expected – but still not bad when compared to Powermat‘s offering.  Keep in mind that this is the first wireless charging solution to hit the market that is part of the Wireless Power Consortium, which I guess should mean some level of compatibility from iteration to iteration or product to product.   Expect other Hug compatible chargers (Blackberry, etc) to arrive shortly after.

CASE-MATE HUG NOW AVAILABLE
Mobile Users Can Now Purchase the First Charging Pad Developed in Concert With the Wireless Power Consortium

ATLANTA – March 8, 2010 – Case-mate, a designer of innovative accessories for mobile devices and electronics, today announced the availability of the Hug, a new protective case and charging pad for the iPhone® that showcases the evolution of wireless power.  Created to give iPhone users a more convenient way to charge, the design-forward Hug delivers power without cumbersome cords or adaptors.

“The mobile phone is undoubtedly one of the most essential electronic devices to consumers today,” said Shashi Reddy, founder and CEO of case-mate.  “And with the availability of the Hug, we’re giving iPhone users a new way to easily re-charge – helping them get just a little more convenience and reliability out of the device that they so strongly rely upon each day.”

Hug Your Battery To Life
As the first charging pad to come out of a partnership with the Wireless Power Consortium, the Hug has been created to give Apple® iPhone 3G and Apple iPhone 3GS users a wire-free charging experience.  Users simply slip their iPhone into the sleek Hug case and then place the phone onto the Hug charging pad.

Key product features include:
Efficient – The Hug delivers a “smart charge.”  It knows when the iPhone has reached a complete charge and, at that time, stops pulling power.
Convenient – The Hug charges just as fast as traditional chargers, but without the hassle of cords and wires.  Instead the charging pad transfers power wirelessly through a magnetic field to the iPhone enclosed in the Hug case.
Design-Forward – The Hug, featuring a sleek two-part case and a charging mat, is constructed with durable injection-molded materials with true aluminum metal and accents.  Its form factor was inspired by the flowing lines of the golden age of sport automotive design.
Added Protection – The Hug comes with a durable, shock absorbing case and a charging pad.  A screen protection kit is also included for total iPhone protection.
Interoperable – The Hug is the first charging pad to be is designed in accordance to the specifications of the Wireless Power Consortium.

Pricing and Availability
The case-mate Hug is now available for the Apple iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS at www.case-mate.com <http://www.case-mate.com>.  The Hug, which includes the charging pad, iPhone case and screen protection kit, retails for $99.99.  Versions will be available for additional mobile devices, including most BlackBerry models in the coming months.  Case-mate will also offer a Hug that supports the charging of multiple devices simultaneously.

About case-mate
Launching innovative accessories since 2006, case-mate combines design engineering with cutting-edge materials to protect and enhance technology.  A melting pot of entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world, case-mate believe that there is nothing more important than the freedom of self-expression … our mantra “Freedom To Be Truly You” inspires every creative output, every day.  This core principle carries through our products, packaging and partnerships and brings to life case-mate’s vision in a dynamic technology marketplace. To learn more, please visit www.case-mate.com <http://www.case-mate.com>.

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’

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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.

Powermat’s hold on the wireless charging market isn’t about to get unseated anytime soon, but if that option proves too expensive, or perhaps a tad too snazzy then there is always iDapt, a poor man’s Powermat…sort of.  Actually, it has little in common with Powermat except that it uses a single stand to charge a multitude of devices.

Instead of a wireless or inductive charging, the iDapt stands feature up to 4 modular ports that accept a wide variety of charging tips, making them compatible with up to 3,500 products. Course you’ll need to purchase additional inputs, that is assuming the 6 included aren’t a fit with your products.

The iDapt stands start at $34.95, while the adapter go for $9.99 a pop.

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When we saw Powermat’s offering at CES 2009 we were pretty excited.  After all, who doesn’t want to ditch the always cubersome plug in process for all their mobile gadgets.  But like most gadgets, especially those that offer a game changer to the industry, skepticism is abound.  So does the Powermat live up to all it promises to be?

First, let me note that I’m an iPhone user.  For some reason PowerMat’s PR company failed to send me the necessary compatible skin, so with that said I wasn’t able to give the device what I feel is a true and full blown iPhone perspective review.  On the other hand they did send me a shit load of ‘receivers’ (that’s what they call the attachment to make your mobile device compatible with their charging pad), which included one for the Blackberry Curve (8300/8310/8320/8330/8350i), Blackberry Bold, Blackberry Curve 8900, iPod Touch (2nd Gen) and an iPod dock that is compatible with the iPhone.

There are a two Powermats to choose from – I received the Portable Powermat.  It’s a foldable 3 piece device that includes the Powercube universal charger, 8 compatible tips for all your devices and a magnetic locking carrying case.  When folded its footprint is about the size of a coffee table sized coaster, and about 2-inches high.  While I’m not a huge fan of the universal charger – I think it defeats the purpose of the device since you have to still plug something in – it does offer an all around charging resolve for any of your gadgets.

The receivers themselves add some significant bulk to your mobile products.  While I didn’t receive one for my iPhone, the iPod Touch receiver though not massive in size, adds some relative girth to the portable player.  The Blackberry receivers on the other hand replace the device’s battery cover, which make their integration a bit more seamless, practical and less bulky.

The PowerMat itself of course needs to be plugged into the wall, which in this particular setup included a plug with a its own spindle making for easy storage and transportation – it too fits neatly in the carrying case.  When a ‘receiver’ is properly placed on the Powermat it denotes this by sounding a tone and illuminating an LED (both of their intensities can be adjusted by up to 3 levels (on, half, off) by locating the two buttons on the rear of the Powermat).  Adjacent to these buttons is an additional USB plug for those devices that don’t have a compatible receiver and/or you run out of space on the Powermat’s surface.

Since I primarily use an iPhone I was stuck with the iPod Dock receiver.  It features an adjustable back for a variety of iPod sizes and has zero wow factor to its build or design.  In fact, it felt a built cheap, although I had no problems with mounting my iPhone into the serial port or charging the smartphone.  At first glance the two buttons appears to be a release mechanism for what appears to be a ‘locking dock’, but are in fact used for adjusting the back of the receiver to insure a snug fit no matter what iProduct you’re using.

The big question that’s been floating around since the announcement of Powermat is whether or not it can charge products in an energy efficient manner – in other words how much juice is lost when using inductive (magnets) charging.  In my experience the charging times appeared to be exactly the same as using a good old fashioned wall plug.  Powermat claims their portable power cord to have an Energy Star rating of 5, but their box and actual product seems to be devoid of this logo or mention.  Unless you’re a super green, you’ll have no problems over looking this concern.

What I do like about the Powermat is its ability to potentially declutter one’s desktop and wall socket of multiple cords and plugs.  Of course, each product will need its own receiver, which will be both costly and add some bulk to your mobile devices.  But this begs the question: how many mobile products do you own that need charging on a regular basis?  Ironically, as the wireless age has matured many of our products – PDA, cell phone, gaming device – have become all in one devices; case in point the iPhone.  So at the end of the day I only really found myself using the Powermat to charge my iPhone, which could have been done just as easily as plugging it into a wall or connected dock, though I did like the ability to remove my iPhone from charging at a moments notice without damaging a cord or connection.

Despite my review sounding a bit skeptical, Powermat has a produced a solid set of products.  It’s a tad bit on the expensive side, but if you so choose you could forgo the ‘receiver’ option and just use the included universal adapter.  Aesthetically, the Home and Office mat are more attractive, but the Portable Mat offers more versatility and is ideal for anyone travelling and doesn’t want to lug around multiple power packs from location to location.  When and if Powermat can provide their tech and IP to OEMs is when I believe the tidal wave of wireless charging will fall into place and we’ll no longer have to purchase the receiver skins.  Course, by that time rolls around Apple will have their own version in place much like the Palm PRE.

Pros:

• Aesthetically cool
• Removes the need for multiple power cords
• Includes carrying case, universal charger
• Power cord Energy Star 5 rating

Cons:

• Receivers add bulk to any device
• Always plugged makes it not so green
• Not really wireless charging b/c mat has to be plugged in

Available at Amazon starting at $100

Last week Powermat finally went retail with their wireless charging offering, and within a few days yet another contender has emerged on the market.  From the folks at Gear4 comes the PowerPad.  It’s not clear if it too uses inductive charging, or takes a similar route to that of the Wild Charge, but one thing is for sure: it’s built specifically for the iPhone.

Aesthetically it doesn’t look half bad and here’s hoping that it’s cheaper than Powermat’s setup, though they offer compatibility with a greater number of mobile devices.  Expect more info to arrive sometime in November, with a preorder kicking off 10/15 and official retail launch sometime in December.

BTW, don’t confuse this with Nintendo’s offering…from the 80s.  Commercial after the ‘leap’

[via Techdigest]

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We just got our hands on the Powermat!  The packaging is very polished and the Powermat kit includes a unverisal adapter for all your products as well as a carrying case.  Unfortunately, they didn’t send over an iPhone compatible skin, but did manage include two Blackberry receivers, which replace the battery door, adding very little bulk to the handset.  Check the quick hands on video below and expect a review in a few weeks time.

Hit the ‘leap’ for a ton more pics

It’s been about 10 months since any word from the company, but Powermat‘s wireless charging solution has finally gone live.

The design of the ‘receivers’ (the cases for your products that make the wireless charging possible) look largely unchanged from CES, but then again it’s a bit hard to tell looking at a website product page.  Hopefully we can score one in the next week and bust out a review.

Expect to drop about $40 for the receivers and $100 for the mats.

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During our visit to CES 2009 we saw the PowerMat.  This was the first time I saw wireless charging done simple.  Now Duracell is entering the market with a similar product called the myGrid SmartPower and it looks to be a little easier than that PowerMat.  What we saw of the PowerMat was that you needed to attach a sleeve to your gadget in order for the wireless charging to initiate.  From the looks of this picture it seems that the connection between your gadget and the mat is a much smaller attachment that isn’t going weigh things down as much.  I like that schematic better but I am not so sure I want anything attached to my phone or gadget during the course of my day.  No word yet on price but it will ship sometime in October.

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While wireless charging has yet to hit critical mass, a consortium – called The Wireless Power Consortium – has already been formed in the hopes of solidifying a standard for the technology.  And today they’ve announced their latest spec, 0.95, which has little to no meaning to you and me, but should mean that someone is setting the bar to insure we don’t all electrocute ourselves or fry our products into submission.  And much like Apple’s ‘made for iPod’, they’ve developed a logo, “Qi”, to signify when charging pads and battery packs are compatible with one and other.  The Consortium members include Duracell, Samsung, Philips, and National Semiconductor.  When and if WildCharge and PowerMat will get on board has yet to be seen.

Full release after the ‘leap’

Universal Wireless Power Takes Next Step With Release of 0.95 Technical Specification, Prototype Testing and First Wireless Power Standard Logo

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ — The Wireless Power Consortium (the Consortium) released today the 0.95 technical specification for review by its members and announced the launch of prototype testing at a members’ interoperability test to be held on 15-17 September, 2009. The Consortium also announced that it has chosen the logo “Qi” (pronounced “chee”, meaning “energy flow”) to represent the first international wireless power standard which brings new levels of convenience to power charging in consumer electronic devices.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090817/NY62082LOGO )

“In just seven months the Wireless Power Consortium has advanced the standard to 0.95 for interoperability testing and moved to trademark “Qi” as the first universal wireless power standard. These significant milestones have been achieved through strong collaboration among the Consortium members and pave the way for an accelerated 1.0 release schedule of the standard,” Camille Tang, Co-Chair, Wireless Power Consortium, Promotion Work Group said.

The interoperability test will be hosted in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, during the next Consortium meeting and is open to existing and new members joining prior to 15 September 2009.

Ms. Tang said the name “Qi”, referring to “vital energy” in Asian philosophy, was chosen to represent the international low power standard following consumer research conducted in five countries.

Ninety percent of consumers surveyed responded that they would like to see a uniform symbol placed on electronic devices to indicate that the devices are equipped with wireless power charging. Under the Consortium’s plans, all electronic devices bearing the “Qi” symbol can be charged on any charging pad or surface marked with the same “Qi” logo. A significant majority of survey respondents said they would upgrade to wirelessly powered electronic devices.

The Consortium is establishing the global wireless power charging standard for low power devices that are 5 watts and below, such as mobile phones and personal music players.

The Wireless Power Consortium

Established 17 December 2008, the Wireless Power Consortium’s mission is to create and promote wide market adoption of an international wireless power standard for interoperability across rechargeable electronic devices. Members include ConvenientPower, Duracell, Hosiden, Fulton Innovation, Leggett & Platt, National Semiconductor, Olympus, Philips, Samsung, Sanyo, Shenzhen Sangfei Consumer Communications, ST-Ericsson, and Texas Instruments.

The Wireless Power Consortium welcomes and invites all interested companies to join as members. More information can be found at wirelesspowerconsortium.com.

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.

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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.

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What is it: A wireless charging solution for multiple gadgets.

Features: Uses “Magnetic Induction” to transfer energy wirelessly to portable devices such as iPhones, PSP’s, Laptops, etc. For any gadget under 100 watts, a receiver is attached to the device. Anything that is above 100 watts, such as a laptop, will use a retractable attachment that connects magnetically to the mat. Other uses include being able to use them under a counter top for kitchen appliances or in a wall powering TV’s, lights, and such. Once manufacturers get on board and install the receivers with in their devices, PowerMat will dominate

Price: Mat for $100, receivers for $30

Street Date: Q4 2009