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Wireless Gadget Charging Makes World Debut July 9
gizmodo.com — Remember those WildCharge wireless chargers we played with back at CES? They're almost here. You'll be able to get one July 9.
sepultura- 943 diggs
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- iownsomuch, on 10/11/2007, -1/+8I wonder how good this is gonna be...sounds pretty cool.
- sickswaystop, on 10/11/2007, -0/+8sounds cool but only if it can be used universally; which from the article sounds like it wont be.
will i need my apple wireless charger AND my motorola charger when i fly out???
might as well just bring the damn cords.
also PRICE?? dont get me wrong these are just first impressions
the actual technology is great and I am glad to see it has finially arrived. - M3RCINIAN, on 10/11/2007, -9/+28Yay for cancer!
- Ninjab3ar, on 10/11/2007, -11/+2WARNING: Do not stand in between the charger and the device!
- thcobbs, on 10/11/2007, -1/+18@ninja
Did you notice that it's a pad and you place your items directly on it? If you're standing between it, you gotta be a dust mite or something. - TomFrost, on 10/11/2007, -1/+14Now all we need is this sucker built into Microsoft's Surface!
- KingAnnoy, on 10/11/2007, -6/+2The thing I think most people are missing is the fact that now there is no more reason not to completely water proof you cell phone.
Off course cell phone companies will never do this, it would be bad for sales...
Sound will be a bit less strong after waterproofing, about 30% less.
But the advantage of never having to worry about jumping in the pool with your phone in your pocket or calling in the rain or dropping your phone in the toilet (it happens) is really big if you ask me :) - chris9902, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3you can stand in the way. It doesn't shoot electricity across the room like some crazed X-Men.
Read about how it works here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6725955.stm - Nick5309, on 10/11/2007, -0/+6It's $49
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/wild-charge-hands+on-really-does-charge-wirelessly-227215.php - indolin, on 10/11/2007, -5/+0Can I put in on my chair and charge through my butt?
- mdonatas, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3You might be surprised but even being close to electric outlet is harmful. Effect is really weak but that doesn't mean it's not harmful.
- Light11, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2hook a solar panel to this it would be awesome
- UnstableMind, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Damn, when I read this title, I thought someone continued research on Teslas work...
- sickswaystop, on 10/11/2007, -0/+8sounds cool but only if it can be used universally; which from the article sounds like it wont be.
- luketullos, on 10/11/2007, -0/+35Imagine coming home, dropping all your electronic devices on a pad, and not having to worry about plugging anything in. Call me lazy*, but this is freakin' awesome. Plus, you only have to pack one charger when you travel.
* because I am.- HUKI365, on 10/11/2007, -3/+2Add those Wifi SD cards and you're set.
- lpmiller, on 10/11/2007, -1/+8imagine all your items charging on the pad, and the pad shorting out. Now we can destroy all our toys in one go!
- MauiMac, on 10/11/2007, -2/+1..."not having to worry about plugging anything in"...
If you look at the pic, you can see all the gadgets require an adapter in order for it to charge. You will have to "Imagine coming home, finding the charger adapter for that certain gadget you want to charge, plug the adapter in, dropping all your electronic devices on a pad,"... - Minkoff, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2In 10 years:
Imagine coming home and not having to worry about dropping all your electronic devices on a pad. Call me lazy, but this is freakin' awesome.
- digitallysick, on 10/11/2007, -6/+1Just seems to good to be true, how much does it charge? what about some devices that have dc / or ac adaptors? How much will it charge? can i put my laptop on it? (for example) i assume its small devices only, their has to be a catch
- Slovenian6474, on 10/11/2007, -1/+25Seems true to me. Induction has been around for awhile.
"how much does it charge?"
Probably as much as the battery can hold.
"what about some devices that have dc / or ac adaptors?"
Most electronics use batteries. Batteries are generally D.C. This device replaces the adaptors. Many adapters 'adapt' A.C. to D.C. for electronics.
"How much will it charge?"
I'm assuming you meant how many devices it can charge at once? Probably as many as you can fit on that pad depending on amps needed.
"can i put my laptop on it?"
You can put your dog on it if you want. Probably not going to charge either though unless they're setup to charge from induction.
"their has to be a catch"
There is, you have to pay money for this device. - TomFrost, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3It's important to note that this pad does not provide electricity. It's creates a "rotating" magnetic field, invisible to your eye. It can't shock you, it can't ruin your devices if you have a power surge, it can't kill your cell phone or digital camera if it shorts out. All it does is make a magnetic field. It's up to each individual device to take this magnetic field and turn it into however much power that device needs. So the pad can't overcharge your cellphone or put in too much power at once -- your cellphone itself regulates that.
And there *is* a catch, past having to buy the pad. The pad has no idea if it's being used to charge something or not. So you leave it plugged in all day, and it's on all the time. It probably doesn't take a huge amount of electricity to run, but nonetheless, it's something more to drain on your electric bill. A common charger, even when it's plugged in, doesn't take any power unless the device is connected to it. - racekarl, on 10/11/2007, -0/+5@TomFrost
You're wrong about your last point, at least in the US. Devices and their batteries operate on direct current. A charger in the US (or any other country that uses AC power) must convert that to DC before it can be sent to the device. These "wall warts" generally consume power to perform the conversion any time they're plugged in, regardless of whether or not a device is connected to them. - sam991, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4@slovenian6474:
Where can i get a canine DC adaptor? - superpatty, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2@TomFrost
You can easily build a sensor into the pad that will only turn on the charging pad when a battery is on top of it and needs to be charged.
I work in a pizza delivery store and we use bags that have this same type charging. The bags have a special metal core in the center of the bag and when there is nothing in the charger you can put anything you want in the charger and it will not shock, magnetize or heat anything up, but once you put a bag with the special core in the charger it turns on.
These chargers can charge very quickly, a 2 lb metal core once put on the charger goes from room temperature to 170 F in about two minutes. And it's silent except for a small fan. Also the charger has sensors built in that turn off the charger when the bag has reached full charge. - Slovenian6474, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1@sam991
At your local canine DC adaptor retailer. Please read all instruction before using the adapter.
@Tomfrost
"And there *is* a catch, past having to buy the pad. The pad has no idea if it's being used to charge something or not."
If that's true, then it's a really poorly designed pad. You don't think there is a load produced when induction is used? One magnetic field put in another in this fashion creates a load just like when a cell phone is plugged into the adapter. This load, which is changed from magnetic load to electrical via the pad, can EASILY be picked up by the electronics in the pad and switched to a "charging" status.
- Slovenian6474, on 10/11/2007, -1/+25Seems true to me. Induction has been around for awhile.
- tehrob, on 10/11/2007, -3/+1would prefer a dock myself, especially if all these devices are going to require a different pad anyway(just guessing)
- TomFrost, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1You won't need a different pad for each device :). The pad provides a magnetic field. The devices turn this field into power. There's nothing proprietary about it -- any device with the technology to take this magnetic motion and turn it into power can use any pad that produces a rotating magnetic field. (Edit: it appears I may be slightly misinformed as to which technology is being used here. It may not use an uncontained magnetic field -- but regardless, the general concept and workings are the same.)
The only concern at the present is Apple, who has patented a double-coil system. One for power, and one for data. And while this could make a really cool wireless docking & charging station for your iPod or iPhone, it could also force you to use these devices on an Apple charging pad.
- TomFrost, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1You won't need a different pad for each device :). The pad provides a magnetic field. The devices turn this field into power. There's nothing proprietary about it -- any device with the technology to take this magnetic motion and turn it into power can use any pad that produces a rotating magnetic field. (Edit: it appears I may be slightly misinformed as to which technology is being used here. It may not use an uncontained magnetic field -- but regardless, the general concept and workings are the same.)
- theseventhyear, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3It looks fantastic, but what options are available for those of us who wish to keep our arms and legs? .... Or will I just have to take out a mortgage
- aduelley, on 10/11/2007, -0/+0As nick5309 mentioned earlier, it is only going to be $49 which isn't that much really.
- alceria, on 10/11/2007, -1/+6From the manufacturer's FAQ:
13. I’m worried. Doesn’t wire free charging involve dangerous fields that radiate into my body? Do I run a health risk by using this?
No. The WildCharge technology does not use electromagnetic fields. There are no safety issues as there are with other competing wire-free technologies. There is no risk to interference with pacemakers or the like because it does not use any type of radiative field. It is completely safe!
1. This is great! When and where can I buy one?
You will be able to buy one soon at a cost competitive with standard aftermarket cellular phone or laptop computer chargers.
17. How can I know if my laptop computer, PDA or cell phone is compatible with WildCharge's pad?
A small WildCharge mark (typically, a sticker) is placed on each enabled device, indicating that the devices are certified to work with WildCharge pads.
More here: http://www.wildcharge.com/images/wc_faqs.pdf
If it's really as cheap as a "standard aftermarket charger", I'm getting one for home and one for my office.- Otto, on 10/11/2007, -4/+4>>>"No. The WildCharge technology does not use electromagnetic fields."
Errr... Yes, it does. Because if it doesn't use electromagnetic fields, then it doesn't actually work.
Not that the EM fields are bad for you or anything, but they have to be using EM fields to convey electrical power. That's sort of the whole point. - Davekcon, on 10/11/2007, -4/+0in 50 years, everyone will be amazed that people actually charged their phones with this technology.
Kind of like early X-ray experiments:
(circa 1900) "This is amazing! I can see every bone in my hand!" - Charlotte_Web, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Shoe stores used to have x-ray machines... "Here, put your foot on this machine and we can measure your foot without taking your shoe off!" Kids loved playing with it.
http://www.museumofquackery.com/devices/shoexray.htm - franklink44, on 10/11/2007, -2/+2@Otto
This uses resonance to transfer vibration energy from one coil to another. Do some research. - Otto, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1>>>"This uses resonance to transfer vibration energy from one coil to another. Do some research."
Resonant charging still uses EM fields to transfer the charge. Learn some physics.
This stuff ain't magical. If electricity is transferred, then it was done via an EM field. Period. There's no other way to transfer electric power. There are EM fields even on *wired* electric transmission.
- Otto, on 10/11/2007, -4/+4>>>"No. The WildCharge technology does not use electromagnetic fields."
- dinki, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Less than one month away and no idea on the MSRP on this thing?
- cylon99, on 10/11/2007, -1/+5Tesla would either be proud, or annoyed it took us so long to catch up with him.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikola_Tesla- weizbox, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1LOL, seriously... he was doing this stuff a long ass while ago without the use of modern technology... and I always wondered why we didn't have something developed like this sooner. Now all we need is some zero-point energy device so we don't even need to send it anywhere... just make it on-site :)
More wiki info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_energy_transfer
(tesla ftw)
- weizbox, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1LOL, seriously... he was doing this stuff a long ass while ago without the use of modern technology... and I always wondered why we didn't have something developed like this sooner. Now all we need is some zero-point energy device so we don't even need to send it anywhere... just make it on-site :)
- wiseguy84, on 10/11/2007, -8/+1Theres no real news on digg!
- weizbox, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1not only that, but people leaving comments that aren't related to the topic of that which was dugg =P
- mykool, on 10/11/2007, -6/+4Dugg for having my birthday in the headline.
- essteekay, on 10/11/2007, -3/+0Daddy wants. Daddy also wants the light-bulb that lights up wirelessly as well, that way I can finally get rid of that damn power cord for my lap-top.
- Davekcon, on 10/11/2007, -1/+0wireless light bulb
http://www.hackaday.com/2007/06/08/wireless-lightbulb/
- Davekcon, on 10/11/2007, -1/+0wireless light bulb
- aserer511, on 10/11/2007, -2/+1wow....it can do laptops. A VERY interesting technology I may invest in!
- nuprin98, on 10/11/2007, -7/+0does this thing really cause cancer?
- gharding, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4Does anything NOT cause cancer?
- Thomasson, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4Everything causes Cancer!
In fact, worrying about it probably does. Or not worrying. One of those.
- Nate53085, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3I wonder their efficiency and max power transfer.
I did this for my senior design project and we hit 20+ watts with a 2cm gap and over 50% coupling efficient. Its all about resonance points and max currrent.
They play down the fact that the device NEEDS a modification or come specifically made for the device. They mention it, but I don't think they stress the point hard enough.
Another company working on this is splashpower -> http://www.splashpower.com/Products - god4twenty, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1The original Gizmodo article from CES says the price will be $49 and includes one charge enabled case (to make existing devices able to use the pad) and additional cases at $10-20 depending on device size.
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/wild-charge-hands+on-really-does-charge-wirelessly-227215.php - peepington, on 10/11/2007, -1/+0yay! i'd be able to make one side of my bed accessable, so much stuff just sitting there with wires, can't risk tripping hurting self and unplugging something. So price is a minor concern, although i'm wondering do they come in different sizes, or do you have to buy many and line them up? I doubt an electromagnetic flux would cause damage to your body or a hard drive, the hard drive is powered by a pretty powerful magnet itself and your bodies experience the magnetic field of the earth, much more powerful than than a wireless charging pad. EVERYTHING IS COMPATIBLE, if its not, then its using a different form of electricity 0.o, the ninth energy!!! ph34r
- cchristian, on 10/11/2007, -1/+0When do we get the wireless power transmission envisioned by Heinlein?
http://www.amazon.com/Waldo-Magic-Inc-Robert-Heinlein/dp/0345330153 - Estaris, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2Tesla anyone?
- RyanChappell, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3My toothbrush does that. http://www.sonicare.com/products/elite/elite7300.asp
Ever hear of a Phillps Sonicare tooth brush? They sit in a charger with no electrical contacts and charge via EM induction just like this and have been around for years. Like Cylon said nothing Telsa didn't do during the industrial revolution, 100 years ago. - stupidape, on 10/11/2007, -0/+8When can I get one for the Prius to put on the floor of my garage?
- Jomwilli, on 10/11/2007, -3/+1I will reserve judgment on this until PARIS HILTON is out of jail, so I know whether it's hawt or not.
- extratired, on 10/11/2007, -2/+1screw this cancer-ridden device. where are those fuel cell batteries they've been talking about?
- Thomasson, on 10/11/2007, -3/+0So, what, It's a Tesla coil?
Anyway, no murderous cancerous rays, no deal in techland. So, yeah, I'll have one. My bunny chews wires. - badbilly, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1hope they make it so my EXISTING phone works on the charger- not having to buy a new phone/pda etc
- slezzzter, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2At most, you'd probably need a new battery pack. I'm an EE, not a physicist, but I'm pretty sure you can't directly induce a potential on a chemical battery via EM.
- shizeon, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Since this uses magnetic fields, will setting any magnetic media on it, like a harddisk, destroy it?
- Slovenian6474, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Yes and no. Setting magnetic media on it will probably F* it up. Although harddrives are heavily shielded. They may stand a chance. I wouldn't recommend it though.
- gecko111, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1It says it launches July 7th not 9th on their site.
- rowlodge, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1would be convenient for airports which use 20 different plugs. just open door and place inside.....wait,... i just threw away a great idea!
- takagari, on 10/11/2007, -0/+0"multiple companys have there own kind in te works?
SOOOOO instead of me having 15 freakin cables I'll have 15 pads for all my wireless? seems they arnt making a unified one that will run everything..
dumbest thing ever. Now I need to find places for a charge pad for each of my new wireless devices. - tmcdigg, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Unless the company can make the same cost benefits as solar and RF charging devices this will NOT catch on in many devices. We need SMART adapters that do not suck down power if plugged in without the device attached.. sure it might add a few dimes worth of cost.. but over the lifetime of the adapter it will more than pay for itself in energy savings.
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