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Monday August 17, 2009
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 Nearly three years after its first appearance, at CES 2007, the Powermat Wireless Charging Mat ($99.99 list) is finally set to hit stores on October 4th. The mat, available in both a Portable and a more elegant Home model, will include a universal Powercube in the box, including 8 power tips for compatibility with popular handheld devices. Unlike other "wireless" charging devices, such as the Wildcharge TouchCharge, which requires direct contact with a conductive surface, the Powermat uses inductive technology, which does not require a physical connection.
The Powermat can charge up to three devices at a time and requires only one cord--to receive power from an AC outlet. You simply drop your device (with attached Powermat receiver) at designated points on the Powermat's surface to charge, with an indicator light and tone confirming a connection. The company claims that the Powermat, unlike many third-party charging products, is able to charge mobile devices just as quickly as with its packaged chargers, and often more efficiently--the Powermat stops powering a device once it's fully charged, "checking in" to top off the juice at designated intervals.
 The Portable and Home devices, which will be available for purchase online and at Target and Best Buy retail stores, are also compatible with a variety of receivers, required to transfer power wirelessly from the Powermat to mobile devices, such as the Apple iPhone 3G and 3GS, and 2nd generation iPod touch. The power receivers (sold separately) range in price from $29.99 for a Blackberry Battery Door replacement, to $39.99 for an iPhone receiver, which also doubles as a protective case (which often retail for $40 alone).
 The Portable Powermat, which folds into three sections to reduce its footprint in your suitcase, includes a magnetic carrying case.
The first two Powermat products, demonstrated at CES 2009, are the company's first to come to market; but their wireless charging technology has the potential to completely transform the way we power and charge devices around the home. Powermat says that future products will also include support for data transmission, and will be integrated in mobile devices--as demonstrated by the Palm Pre and Touchstone accessory.
Product photos by PJ Jacobowitz
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August 17, 2009 5:50 PM
Looking good! I remember hearing back in the day that just about every mobile carrier was going to work with this technology and this would be the way we'd charge mobile devices in the future. It's good to see we're slowly but surely getting to that point. :)