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I’ve been dreaming about a future where wireless devices were free from their last tether — the power cord/charger — and it seems the day is finally here!
For years, electricity experts said this kind of thing couldn’t be done. “If you had asked me seven months ago if this was possible, I would have said, ‘Are you dreaming? Have you been smoking something?’” says Govi Rao, vice president and general manager of solid-state lighting at Philips. “But to see it work is just amazing. It could revolutionize what we know about power.”
The range is about three feet, with radio waves being converted to DC current by a small receiver embedded in the device. Price point seems to be about five bucks, which means it’s viable everywhere. The idea of having your ipod, camera, and phone charge while you’re sitting at your desk — with them still in your pocket — is pretty cool. A wireless mouse that never needs to dock is attractive too. It’s low-power stuff for now — including pacemakers — but as with all technology i’m sure it will improve and expand.
Here’s the article Death of the cell phone charger from Business 2.0 magazine.
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Bryce April 2nd, 2007 - 11:04 am
It’s all fun and games until you irreversibly sear your left ventricle while charging your Gameboy.
Sebastian April 15th, 2007 - 11:15 am
Hey folks,
but what’s about our health?
Wireless is pretty handy, but we should not forget, that our bodies are working with electromagnatical fields too. Every field outside of the body could be a disturbing factor! So, what will happen to us, when there will be even more radiation: UMTS, dect phones, microwaves, wireless lan, haarp … ?
This is no fearmongering! It’s only a realistic thought about physical and biochemical coherences.
Peace,
Sebastian
Mark April 15th, 2007 - 4:09 pm
Yeah, all that rubbish of mobile phones being to close to their precious brains. Baloney I say. I want to completely immerse myself in a high voltage electricity field 24/7 and if people are worried about their health I can give them the middle finger safe in the knowledge that I saved 2 minutes of my day not having not plug my mobile into the wall. Laters loosers and hello Utopia.
I’ve also noticed that you can get this same effect if you buy your house next to an electricity pylon.
Wayne Smallman May 8th, 2007 - 4:09 am
I gave some thought to this very topic a while ago, from the point of view of Apple and what they could do with inductive charging technology — which is what you get with your average cordless shaver.
I think the possibilities are monumental, not least just keeping the place clear of trip-upable cables and such, but as well as re-charging your mobile phone (or even your iPod) as soon as you step through the front door of your office or your home…
Martin Kliehm July 27th, 2007 - 1:20 pm
I already own a wireless, battery free mouse. It’s from A4 Tech, works with electromagnetic induction, and is the lightest mouse I ever had. Very smooth for gaming, too. They have several models for about $30, the 2x series even comes with a gel wrist pad. The scroll wheel of our previous A4 Tech mouse ceased to function after about two years, but for that price I don’t mind to buy a new one once in a while.
jim @ Irish Jobs October 7th, 2007 - 1:47 pm
I have be so looking for a Wireless Laptop (power that is) for years…finally I might huts see one soon