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This is the same technology that rechargeable shavers and toothbrushes have used for several years now... induction.
There are several small problems with this, the first being that it still requires wires!
The other small problem is that they can't possibly monitor over-voltage accurately, unless the "pad" has specific zones to put devices on, or the "client" component that attaches to the device to be charged, has that logic built into it (i.e. increasing its size).
I think its a great idea, but we really should think about putting these things into the wall wiring, so they're constantly trickle-charged when they're nearby. Toasters, coffee makers, toothbrushes, shavers, laptops, pdas, cellphones, etc.
The other natural place for this (increasing cost, of course) is on the airline tray tables. Just lay your pda and cellphone there on the table to charge, while you work on your laptop (trickle-charging that, assuming it can be charged while powered on).
Its a great idea, lets see it expand into other non-technology areas to be fully embraced. This, coupled with better battery technology (say, 1 month between charges) would greatly free us from wires.
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