WildCharge sets a date for Wireless Charging

NatCh · 06-12-2007, 02:38 PM

WildCharge, one of the companies that has been working on wireless chargers, has set a date for release of the first commercial product of this type: 07/07/07.

We've had reports on these technologies before, but they've always been 'in the future'. Technically, next month is still 'the future' but it's at least a specific date, which is a huge improvement.

WildCharge's approach is a mat that has charging contacts arranged in lines along it, which require devices that are designed or retrofitted to work with the mats. They're designed to charge multiple devices (whatever will fit on the mat, evidently), which require differing voltage and currents, all at the same time.

Follow the link above for their rather exuberant announcement on their site, as well as a bit more detail on how the things work.

Hat tip to SciFi Channel's Tech Blog.

yvanleterrible · 06-12-2007, 02:54 PM

Hey! I'd like to carry one in my pocket next to my cell!

orcinus · 06-12-2007, 08:23 PM

Oh, yay... Another high-powered EM field in my home...

NatCh · 06-12-2007, 09:35 PM

Nope, this one isn't EMF transfer, it's a straight contact connection -- electrically speaking, it's just like a plug in the wall.

Leaping Gnome · 06-13-2007, 01:13 AM

Saturday is a weird date to release a product. I guess they got caught up in the "lucky" 7-7-07 date craziness.

mogui · 06-13-2007, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

Nope, this one isn't EMF transfer, it's a straight contact connection -- electrically speaking, it's just like a plug in the wall.

I wonder if the cat will enjoy sleeping on it

yvanleterrible · 06-13-2007, 09:59 AM

Are there power losses with such a system or is it just like using the original chargers offered with each device? Just a green concern.

NatCh · 06-13-2007, 11:28 AM

I can't really say with any real authority, yvanleterrible (so salt to taste), but it looks to me like it ought to be about like using the original chargers, or an iGo type solution.

orcinus · 06-13-2007, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

Nope, this one isn't EMF transfer, it's a straight contact connection -- electrically speaking, it's just like a plug in the wall.

Whoops! Missed that

Anyways, i wonder how long the contacts will endure before their resistance goes up up and awaaaay

TadW · 06-17-2007, 05:42 PM

I'll get one if it's not too expensive. Any word on pricing yet?

NatCh · 06-17-2007, 06:16 PM

I haven't seen any so far, but I'd bet we'll know early in July.

astra · 06-18-2007, 05:57 AM

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/17/w...for-pre-order/

NatCh · 06-18-2007, 09:22 AM

I do so love it when we beat Engadget or Gizmodo to something. Five whole days this time!

06-12-2007, 02:38 PM	#1
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	WildCharge sets a date for Wireless Charging WildCharge, one of the companies that has been working on wireless chargers, has set a date for release of the first commercial product of this type: 07/07/07. We've had reports on these technologies before, but they've always been 'in the future'. Technically, next month is still 'the future' but it's at least a specific date, which is a huge improvement. WildCharge's approach is a mat that has charging contacts arranged in lines along it, which require devices that are designed or retrofitted to work with the mats. They're designed to charge multiple devices (whatever will fit on the mat, evidently), which require differing voltage and currents, all at the same time. Follow the link above for their rather exuberant announcement on their site, as well as a bit more detail on how the things work. Hat tip to SciFi Channel's Tech Blog.

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06-12-2007, 02:54 PM	#2
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	Hey! I'd like to carry one in my pocket next to my cell!

06-12-2007, 08:23 PM	#3
orcinus Gadgeteer Posts: 222 Karma: 540 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Croatia Device: iRex iLiad, Sony PRS-500, Nokia 770, BB 7200, Samsung i600, iPhone	Oh, yay... Another high-powered EM field in my home...

06-12-2007, 09:35 PM	#4
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Nope, this one isn't EMF transfer, it's a straight contact connection -- electrically speaking, it's just like a plug in the wall.

06-13-2007, 01:13 AM	#5
Leaping Gnome Evangelist Posts: 490 Karma: 1641 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Louisville Device: Sony Reader PRS-500	Saturday is a weird date to release a product. I guess they got caught up in the "lucky" 7-7-07 date craziness.

06-13-2007, 09:59 AM	#7
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	Are there power losses with such a system or is it just like using the original chargers offered with each device? Just a green concern.

06-13-2007, 11:28 AM	#8
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	I can't really say with any real authority, yvanleterrible (so salt to taste), but it looks to me like it ought to be about like using the original chargers, or an iGo type solution.

06-17-2007, 05:42 PM	#10
TadW Uebermensch Posts: 2,583 Karma: 1094606 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Italy Device: Kindle	I'll get one if it's not too expensive. Any word on pricing yet?

06-17-2007, 06:16 PM	#11
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	I haven't seen any so far, but I'd bet we'll know early in July.

06-18-2007, 05:57 AM	#12
astra The Introvert Posts: 8,307 Karma: 1000077497 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United Kingdom Device: Sony Reader PRS-650 & 505 & 500	http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/17/w...for-pre-order/

06-18-2007, 09:22 AM	#13
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	I do so love it when we beat Engadget or Gizmodo to something. Five whole days this time!

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