Wireless mobile chargers coming to Australia

Renai LeMay
03 March 2010, 3:25 PM


Send to a friend Print

Your cordless toothbrush will no longer be the only wireless charging device in the house.


The company behind the innovative range of Powermat cordless inductive charging devices has flagged plans to launch the products in Australia.

Powermat chargers (pictured) allow users to charge battery-powered devices such as iPhones and other mobile phones, Nintendo DS units, Sony PlayStation Portables, netbooks and laptops and more, by simply attaching a ‘receiver’ device to the device and then putting it on top of the charging mat.

The devices launched last year in the US and are now coming to Australia, according to an invitation – “Powermat is launching in Australia” — sent to journalists last week. The launch event will be on 25 March.

No pricing details were immediately available, but Powermat’s statement noted journalists at the launch would have the chance to win a Powermat valued at $199. In the US the devices launched for the price of $99.99, plus another $40 for each receiving attachment that connects to your mobile devices.

The devices have generally received positive reviews. For example, CNET.com wrote that the technology is innovative and works “just fine”. However, the price appeared to worry reviewers, who noted they were generally happy with the normal charging cords all gadgets ship with.

“It’s not the cheapest charging method we can think of, but it’s sure to be a conversation piece at your next rager,” wrote Engadget.

Delimiter


Post your comment



Comments

 RSS feed Email alert

Tin (User):

Considering a USB charge/sync dock can be bought for most phones for around $30, I can't see the need for one of these other than extreme laziness.

04 March 2010, 9:15 AM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Phred (New user):

Quoting Tin:
I can't see the need for one of these

Neither me, especially not for that price! Surely with all the import duties etc, it wouldn't more than double the cost of the device. Talk about price gouging!


04 March 2010, 9:28 AM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (New user):

"by simply attaching a ‘receiver’ device to the device and then putting it on top of the charging mat."

So to save you the effort of plugging in a charger, you instead plug in a receiver and then place that on an inductive charger. Wow the effort that would save over a busy working day.

04 March 2010, 11:59 AM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

CBR1100XX (New user):

Quoting Raindog:
Wow the effort that would save over a busy working day.

Hmmm ... And yet most on this site continually whine about Windows taking 20 secs longer to boot then Linux.




04 March 2010, 12:41 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (New user):

Quoting CBR1100XX:
And yet most (?) on this site continually whine about Windows taking 20 secs longer to boot then Linux.

You see, it's all about efficiency, who'd want a charger that cost three times the odds and yet offered probably the most energy inefficient means of delivering charge. Along a similar vein who would happily buy an OS that took an age to load cost an arm and a leg when you could get a better option from a free download. :)



04 March 2010, 12:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

K (New user):

I don't see any benefit compared to a wired recharging dock. Same applies for an electric toothbrush.

04 March 2010, 1:04 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (New user):

Never attempt to charge your phone with an electric Toothbrush.

04 March 2010, 1:10 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

TV Bis (New user):

I guess the convenience of charging multiple device on the one mat is what they are aiming at here.
If I could put three mobile phones on this one mat at the same time then that would be too easy and handy. It's better than having three cables connected to three outlets etc.
As far as the cost is concerned surly it will come down over time - I hope?


04 March 2010, 1:44 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tin (User):

Quoting TV Bis:
I guess the convenience of charging multiple device on the one mat is what they are aiming at here.


Probably... Would explain it's odd shape.


Quoting TV Bis:
If I could put three mobile phones on this one mat at the same time then that would be too easy and handy.


Would also work well for couples/families who have a spot where they all leave their phones.. Kitchen bench or whatever. Drop one of these there, and everyone's phone is always charged up.


Quoting TV Bis:
As far as the cost is concerned surly it will come down over time - I hope?


I'd say so. And it's becoming likely phones will start to have support for this built in, which would make it more attractive, and less expensive (don't need the adapter for the phone).

04 March 2010, 2:02 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

djsflynn (APC staff):

I'd suggest that the more devices you have, the more useful and cost-effective this device would be. For a solitary mobile phone it's an indulgence - but add a digital camera, gaming machine, iPod etc, and this makes more sense. It'd also be a boon for travellers - instead of carting around three or four wired chargers, just pack the PowerMat.

04 March 2010, 3:50 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

 x  (New user):

meh, people will by this, the technology will improve. Might be worthwhile in the future. For now, I'll settle for the dock, place my phone down vertically insead of horizontally *gasp*. Also that receiver case is bulky

04 March 2010, 3:52 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Not signed in
anonymous user Anonymous user