Woohoo, battery charging. Such a glamorous subject. Everybody loves disentangling the spaghetti pile of power cords we use to keep our mobile phones, Bluetooth headsets, MP3 players, GPS units and laptops juiced up. It's even more fun when you hit the road for a business trip, round up all the cords you need to take and then discover you left your phone charger behind. There has to be a better way, right?
It's still early days for wireless charging, but wireless chargers are out there, and they have a definite cool factor. They may be a little too awkward or a little too pricey for some users, but the onward march of technology has a way of shrinking new gadgets and lowering their costs over time. Even if you're not quite ready to invest, here are some nifty wireless charging devices to whet your appetite.
Dell Latitude Z Wireless Charging Stand
The
Dell Latitude Z announces its premium design with high-end specs, a 16" screen, 4.4 lbs. of weight and a $2,000 price tag. If you're ready to drop that much on a lean mean business machine, what's an additional $349 for the wireless charging stand?
Yes, it's big, but Dell put in an effort to give the Latitude Z wireless charging stand a future-sleek appearance. You won't be ashamed to display it on your glossy mahogany executive desk. The base station itself needs to be plugged in, but after that, you can just set the laptop on the stand, rejoice in not having to plug in the power cord and then let nature (or science) take its course. It won't charge faster than a regular AC outlet plug, but it will impress your clients and early adopters lusting for the latest tech.
Palm Pre Touchstone
The basic
Touchstone package for the Palm Pre uses your existing power cord to connect to a small circular wireless charging pad. Replace the back of your Pre with the Touchstone-specific back, and you're off to the races for $70. An expansion kit ($80) and dual location kit ($140) are available to help you set up wireless charging docks in both your office and home. Pretty nifty.
Pads and Mats, Oh My!
Okay, so you don't have a Palm Pre, and the Latitude Z isn't on your shopping list. You can still join the party.
Powermat's charging mats and
Pure Energy's WildCharger pads have you covered. There are two components to each system: the mat or pad that your mobile devices are placed on and sold-separately receivers that attach to each device. Expect to spend $80 to $140 to get started. Most popular mobile phones, MP3 players, and just about anything with a mini-USB power plug will have a receiver available.
Powermat's $100 Portable Mat is a handy solution for road warriors.
Future Fun
If all that isn't enough to get you excited, then consider the possibilities for wireless charging down the line.
Fulton Innovation's eCoupled technology is what powers the Latitude Z charging stand. But that's just the beginning. Fulton Innovations is working on building wireless charging technology into the very fabric of your home and office. Some day in the not-too-distant future, you may have powered surfaces on your desk, in the cup holders of your car and on your kitchen counter.
WiTricity is another company with big dreams for wireless charging devices that don't have to be in direct contact with a power pad. Consider walking into a room and having your cell phone automatically recharge from inside your briefcase. Take that, you pesky power cords!
