Powermat hands-on

Remember the Powermat? Unlike other induction-based "wireless power" contraptions we've seen, this one came out earlier this year as total vaporware and has now resurfaced as a collaborative effort by Michigan-based HoMedics Powermat North America (HPNA). We finally got a chance to see it work in person and, much to our surprise, it seems to have delivered on its promised... at least in part. We saw three pads that touched base with six different mediators for charging various cell phones, laptops, and handheld games. The devices magnetically "lock on" to the mats and a light comes on to indicate its working. The rep told us devices charge just as fast with the mat as they would via the traditional "plug" method, but it's not like we waited around long enough to see for ourselves. No price or date, but we're a lot more excited about it knowing this thing might actually work. We're hearing some more interesting developments will be shown off later this week, from both Powermat as well as a few of the other companies here showcasing wireless power technology, which we'll be keeping an eye out for. Hit up the gallery for some sexy recharging imagery.

Gallery: Hands-on with Powermat

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[Gavin @ Jan 7th 2009 12:09AM]

Doesn't having a wireless power unit that still requires a wired adapter to charge my iPhone kinda defeat it's own purpose. I suppose the idea is that device makers will put support in their gadgets, but at this point it looks like not much more than an expensive power strip.

[David @ Jan 7th 2009 12:17AM]

This thing looks useless... you need an adapter with a wire to charge a portable game system, adapters on your phone, I just don't see the point???

[Tom @ Jan 7th 2009 2:07AM]

I think the ultimate goal here is to have devices come with the requisite adapter inside of them, seamless. Then you have the option of conventional charging bricks, or using a Powermat or similar device to charge all your devices with a single surface. The actual technology isn't that big (my toothbrush charges using induction charging), and it's incredibly convenient. Well, if it works and if it's affordable.

Personally, effort should go into miniaturizing DC converters and putting them inside the devices instead. Then all we need is a standard AC cable rather than 11 different chargers that take up two or three sockets for all your gadgets. Or at least making a DC converter that automatically adjusts voltages for each device. I suppose the electronics guys prefer to sell us replacement chargers for $30 when we lose them though... Odd that my phone cost me $35, and a replacement charger was $29.

[Jeremy K. @ Jan 7th 2009 12:24AM]

Yes, it IS useless in this form. I don't see wireless power becoming a viable solution anytime soon considering the theory has been around since Tesla.

[Enki @ Jan 7th 2009 1:13AM]

This is pretty cool. How about making one to use a wireless mouse pad? And hook me up with a big ass one in the future that my electric car drives over.

[Joseph @ Jan 7th 2009 1:16AM]

Oh, great, so now I have to care around a hockey puck with me to charge my PSP. Thanks, Powermat!

[Sam @ Jan 7th 2009 1:28AM]

The Idea is that you are able to charge lots of gadgets from one power plug therefore leaving your other plugs free

[Luke @ Jan 7th 2009 1:49AM]

Umm... how about using one of these?
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=powerstrip&oe=utf-8&cid=11570550921983439275#ps-sellers

Hopefully the point is that eventually I can just throw my cell phone onto the mat and it will charge itself.

[Shinigami @ Jan 7th 2009 3:29AM]

If this thing allows me to charge a phone, mp3 player and a camera and its separate battery all at the same time on the same mat, its a wonder. If I need a separate mat for each and every separate device, its total crap.

[FILA @ Jan 7th 2009 2:56PM]

or they could start making a battery for every device out there with two little tits on the bottom of the battery or just 2 flat metal connectors and place them on the mat and they would charge, but were stuck with you having to bring along more shit then you already need, useless

[Loonie @ Jan 7th 2009 3:26PM]

Does this thing work via an alternating magnetic field or something? I'd be curious to know before I would consider placing a magnetic media containing device on top of it.

[Samantha @ Jan 10th 2009 1:33AM]

The Powermat is a great product to my surprise. I drop it on the mat and it clicks into place without a problem. It also is green, it takes the same amount of energy to power all three items as it would to power one with a normal plug and the ones on the power mat charge at the same speed. Joseph, even though you have to carry around a puck to charge your PSP it is pretty much the same thing with the power cord but instead you have to plug it into the wall and your PSP. I think its a great product and i definitely want to get one. If only they made the Powermat battery powered!

[guhboogi @ Jan 12th 2009 9:46AM]

It may not be as green as you think. Sure they say it takes the same amount of time to complete a charge, but it may be lower efficiency than normal plug-in adaptors and would require more energy.

[Nate @ Jan 10th 2009 1:37AM]

This is the future of charging your devices. Your home desks, will have these built in sooner or later. Someday all you will have to do is drop your device on the table and it will charge. You cant deny that this isn't amazing. It eliminates all your tangled wires, and it doesn't act exactly like a power surge cause you still have the problem of all the wires. This takes the wires out of the picture. This is the future of charging your devices.

[Lil @ Jan 10th 2009 12:25PM]

You kinda miss the point. It's not about charging just one cell phone. Its about charging up to six devices at once using one mat, one wire, one electric outlet. And yea, sure it be great if the big manufacturers embed the technology into all devices, but get real. it's not like they'll do it before they see that people are using it, and not before they will find a way to cover the loss of money from selling you batteris and more chargers.

[Amy M @ Jan 10th 2009 5:19PM]

I think the concept is amazing. It will definitely get rid of cord clutter and allow me to leave my cords at home and not lug them back and forth from the office.

[Nate @ Jan 10th 2009 5:58PM]

I wonder if this could be standardized enough to put the responsibility back onto the device manufacturers like apple. How cool would it be for a device to have the 'sleeve' built-in? It would definiteny be a benefit to me and my 4hr talk-time iPhone.

[geovannatter @ Jan 10th 2009 8:10PM]

I love this idea and cannot wait to pick one up for our house!

[ACValentine @ Jan 10th 2009 9:39PM]

I cannot wait to pick one up for the wife.

[anam @ Jan 10th 2009 10:23PM]

Me encanta!! No puedo esperar a comprar uno!

[DKS @ Jan 10th 2009 11:40PM]

This is fantastic! I'm looking forward to getting one and not having so many cords all over the place.

[robshelby @ Jan 11th 2009 12:20PM]

Please please please get this to market NOW! I need this!

[trevor_224 @ Jan 11th 2009 4:27PM]

this is definitely a step in the right direction since nobody is willing to produce anything to one standard! If this helps me reduce - even by a fraction -- the number of cords and accessories on my desk and countertops is worth it.

[WhitneyJean @ Jan 11th 2009 5:37PM]

The powermat is so exciting. I can't wait to get one! I think it will be great to not fight over who gets the plugs for phones, cameras ect. What a great idea!!

[Tom Kop @ Jan 11th 2009 6:13PM]

This is pretty sweet, no more trying to struggle to find outlet space for all of my electronics. Will definitely get one.

[Amanda @ Jan 11th 2009 9:25PM]

Wow--this is really genius! Can't wait to get one.

[Chris @ Jan 11th 2009 9:46PM]

I'm for sure in for 1!

[l2oi3 @ Jan 11th 2009 11:23PM]

Following comments all fake (probably):
@sam @samantha @nate @Lil @Amy M @geovannatter @acvalentine @anam @DKS @robshelby @trevor_224 @whitneyJean @Tom Kop @Amanda @Chris

Wow how pathetic, all of these were accounts made the same day they posted their one comment about powermat and then never used again. What a useless product, the only even sort of cool thing was the IPhone case that had the thing that would let it charge built in. Also, I like how one of the powermatt commenters says 'is a great product to my surprise' lol.

[Douglas Bailey @ Jan 12th 2009 12:38AM]

I was going to call them out as well. It's a shame these people can't just believe in their product and let it speak for itself. I look forward to devices having this built in.

[Nate @ Jan 12th 2009 9:33AM]

Glad someone else caught that. I was just about to say the same thing. At least if you're going to post fake crap like that, make it a little believable. The power mat somehow charges all these things using less power than if they charged themselves individually? What? Care to explain the science behind that one?

Fake posts are about the best way to make sure no one ever buys your product.

[godofmj @ Jan 11th 2009 11:35PM]

Crap. I don't see a difference between having to put my devices on a specific mat vs plugging in the power adaptor. True wireless means no requirement for me to put my device on a specific location in space. I must be able to charge my phone while it is with me anywhere in the house, or even when I am holding it up and talking. Otherwise, it is just useless.

[DRS @ Jan 12th 2009 3:03AM]

This product looks like there could be some great possibilities. We'll have to see, but at this point, i'd rather be able to sit my electronics DOWN somewhere on a flat surface and have them all be recharging, than to have to fight for space in the wall!

[Kris @ Jan 12th 2009 9:50AM]

This looks like a great way to reduce cords and clutter - I can't wait to get one.

[JP @ Jan 12th 2009 10:21AM]

Personally, I think this will really simplify life! Super cool. Can't wait!!!

[Misterious @ Jan 12th 2009 10:33AM]

Could have one for the dashboard/console or the glove compartment in the car, one for the home office and one for the desk at work, and will not need to lug around the various chargers that I now have in my backpack: for the laptop, for the phone, for the digital camera, for the camcorder... Having these mats in public places would enable recharging devices as a service, similar to having many brands of adapters in airport lounges, but with less investment upfront and less maintenance; only buy, clean and maintain one Powermat, compared to multiple power adapters. What do you think?

[Russ @ Jan 12th 2009 3:29PM]

Wow. So many fake posts.

[Brian @ Jan 12th 2009 3:55PM]

Great idea! I'm excited to buy one as soon as it gets to the market.

[Nate @ Jan 12th 2009 6:30PM]

What do you mean a fake post? I just came read some articles about this article and thought it was cool. How does that mean my post was fake? I was just saying that i liked the idea.

[Nate @ Jan 12th 2009 6:39PM]

I meant, "I just read some articles about this product and thought it was cool" Sorry about my typo's.

[Marcia @ Jan 13th 2009 8:12AM]

This looks really cool! My family of four has so many items we need to recharge regularly. Can't wait!

[mynk @ Jan 13th 2009 11:37PM]

maybe the fake post is being done by a power mat hater to make the company look bad to the type of demographic that would early adopt this technology. man, thats some serious competitive business strategy.

[kj @ Jan 17th 2009 9:10PM]

It looks like it will be easy and efficient! Can't wait!

[Wireless Power Fan @ Feb 8th 2009 5:42PM]

This industry seem poised to take off. I found some good info at www.wirelesspowercompanies.com as well.