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Look ma, no cords! WildCharger wirelessly juices up all your portables
The future isn't all flying cars and hotshot microwaves. In fact, I think I may have stumbled across something exciting and practical: charge-by-contact plates. Though companies like Splashpower have been at this game longer, WildCharge plans to push things forward with its WildCharger. The gadget can wirlelessly charge any device — laptop, cell phone, PDA, and the like — that normally demands its own specific charger and tangly cable. It does, ironically, come with its own AC power cord, but it'll be the only one you need. Simply place whatever needs juice on top of it and let induction do its thing. The charger is expected to run between $40 and $100, and if WildCharge delivers on its promise to make this available early next year, we can all breathe a sigh of relief knowing we're one step closer to a truly cordless future.
WildCharge, via Crunch Gear
By chuuu at 5:35 PM ON 12/13/06
This article is incorrect. WildCharge is not an inductive charger, but Splashpower is. Wildcharge charges though metal contacts. Splashpower still does not have a fully functional indutive charger. They have been promising one for over three years, but can't come though. Notice that they are looking for a lead engineer at the moment. They have been promoting a product that they don't even have yet.
By Murcielago05 at 7:40 PM ON 12/13/06
While having power "beamed" to your devices is still a ways off (like 5-10 years), this device sounds like a good gap filler.
But it also means things will have to be build for it...since currently I have zero devices that have a metal charging point on the back of it....and it would be stupid to have to take the battery off and lay it flat on the device to charge it...so I just dont see this thing catching on.
They should just put all there money into a wireless/beaming solution...which does exist, I read about it last year...its how they (eventually plan on powering the space elevator up)...it powered the "lifter" thing like 12 feet...but its a good first step.
By chuuu at 9:46 PM ON 12/13/06
I think you missed the idea Murcielago05. With either Wild or Splash, you change either the battery or backplate of your device to make it compatible with the charger. Splashpower IS wireless power tranfer -- they just can't work all the bugs out and make it market ready.
By Murcielago05 at 10:29 PM ON 12/13/06
oh, gotcha.
...but I also dont want to have to buy a new battery and battery cover for every portable electric device I own...
By shadawn at 12:42 AM ON 06/15/07
There is an adapter that must be bought to make this work. Once each device has an adapter then it can be charged by just placing the device on the pad.
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shadawn:
There is an adapter that must be bought to make this work. Once each device has an adapter then it can be charged b...More »