Powermat joins wireless power charge

 

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By Stuart Turton in Las Vegas

Posted on 7 Jan 2009 at 20:49

Powermat has revealed its take on wireless power with a series of mats that charge devices placed on their surface.

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Wireless power has become something of a holy grail for manufacturers, with the goal of reducing clutter by removing the need for dozens of separate chargers.

Powermat's take on the concept is slightly larger than a mouse mat with room for up to three devices. The grey powermat uses magnetic induction to transfer electricity to the device, and the company claims the process allows devices to be charged at the speed they would if plugged into a regular charger.

While the Powermat sounds refreshingly simple, there are some notable caveats. Gadgets that need charging have to be placed in a special case which contains a chip telling the device how much power to draw, and when the process is complete. The company currently has cases for most mobile phone brands, including the iPhone and BlackBerrys, and expects to announce more this week.

There are also plugs allowing products such as laptops and handheld games consoles to be charged via the Powermat.

The company plans to offer five different mats for home and travel, with prices starting at $100. The mobile phone sleeves cost around $30, and the package is expected to go on sales in September. Europe may see the device slightly earlier, though nothing is confirmed.