Wireless charging comes to Apple's iPhone 3GS, thanks to WildCharge
By Darren Murph 
posted June 24th 2009 1:44AM
posted June 24th 2009 1:44AM
Envious of your Pre toting pals and that Touchstone charging rig? Don't sweat it -- WildCharge is coming through in the clutch to bring similar wireless charging technology to Apple's own handset. Starting today, iPhone (3G and 3GS included) and iPod touch users can order up a WildCharge Skin along with a WildCharger Pad in order to bring wire-free charging to their smartphone. Just slap the skin on, plug the pad in and toss the handset down on said pad. Just like that, you've got fresh energy flowing without having to scour the house for that little AC adapter. The pain? $34.99 for the skin, or $79.99 for the skin and pad.
I'll pass on this since you still need to plug the pad into an electrical point. If it does it over the air... ah! then we have something
Yes, possibly a fire. Or a medium rare cat.
Although wireless charging is convenient, it usually takes a hell lot longer. I just want to see everybody use USB first as a standard plug, then standardize wireless charging.
i'm watching kabuto right now and it's really good
Looks like a nutsack for your chin.
What a cheap knockoff of the touchstone. On the other hand great idea by wildcharge coming out with this device how many apple lovers would buy this and say this is better than the pre's touchstone and claim that apple has had this before the pre.
They only difference is that Apple products usually do come out first. Not always, but often enough. I think you are thinking of Zune users.
Wow! Now I just have to put askin with a nub on my phone! Is it really that hard to plug the phone into the wall? Either way the charge pad or the apple provided cable have to be plugged into the wall. Let me know when I don't have to plug cables into the wall to charge my phone. Then I will gladly pay for it.
I agree with the wireless sync. Countless phones have WiFi in them so why not use it for this obvious task? I would like a wireless over the air software update too. Devices like the PSP can do it. Seriously, make the PSP into a touch screen phone and you will have a good device. The provided skyle doesn't cut it.
What they need is inductive charging, going into a thin reciever (or possibly a replaced battery) inside the iPhone. Its pretty easy to get the battery out. Then, they need a cooler mat, and everything would be perfect!
What I was thinking of was MojoMobility charging pad. mojomobility.com
Love that Micro USB. My new LG Versa has it =]. Go LG. +1 i hated those special chargers.
haha, what a waste of $80
"Just like that, you've got fresh energy flowing without having to scour the house for that little AC adapter."
you can probably leave a regular AC adapter anywhere in the house so it's possible to lose it. Obviously this pad is supposed to be plugged in all the time and always left in the same place so you do not have that problem.
but that's just like leaving your AC adapter plugged in all the time and in the same place, just $80 more expensive, isn't it?
i want to charge my phone by sticking it up my boss' a$$
Lame...and then when you are done charging it you can put your original skin back on...lol
Oh, and one color choice ...black. nice selection.
Hideous!
@b3tan
From my knowledge, lithium ion batteries (the batteries used in new devices) actually prefer to be "topped up" all the time, and don't like being fully drained before they charge. These types of batteries would love touchstone's.
I'm pretty sure that if the touchstone would give you electric shocks it wouldn't be allowed in the community... At least I think ???
forgot to hit reply button!!! :(
LIons don't like to be topped up all the time. Neither do they like to be deep discharged all that much.
LIon chargers will only charge the battery about 1 hour out of each 24 if left continuously connected to power so as to not shorten the battery life.
Seriously... how much "easier" is it really to change your case for a skin every time you want to charge your phone? I'll stick with my dock, thanks.
Agree w/ InfoClipper, I want wireless synching far more than I'll ever care about wireless charging. I'd believe that most people only charge their phones in a couple of key places anyways. For me it's my nightstand and occasionally my car and/or computer (when I'm traveling mostly). What kind of user would realistically get any advantage with wireless charging. Are people really so disorganized that they have to "scour the house for that little AC adapter?"
I initially felt the same, im not interested in wanting to convert my phone to it, but if it ever becomes built in then fine, and say you go over to a friends or somewhere on holiday maybe (all hotel could have it in the rooms) and your phone needs topping up you just place it on the nearest charging mat. It should also come with the phone. Im not going out my way for it which is key im not desperate for it by if we want to move with the times I see no problem in it being built in.
Don't forget - these inductive chargers are VERY inefficient. While you may lose 1-2% (max) from a plug in charger due to resistance/diode effect, these chargers waste as much as 30% of the energy fed to them.
It's sort of how science gets left behind when it comes to the oxymoronic phrase "truth in advertising". I mean look at the BMW diesel push in the US, touting lower CO2 emissions than gasoline engines. That's true, but diesel also pumps out particulate matter that contributes to smog and respiratory tract illnesses...
yeah I've thought about the diesel vs petrol (or for you gasoline) thing. burning diesel produces other gases (I think a lot more NOx than petrol), but that's burning the same amount for each fuel. bear in mind that diesel cars can consume up to half of what petrol cars do so the total more harmful gases output should be about the same, roughly.
there was a graph comparing the products produced from different car fuels (including 10-15% methanol petrol) in car magazine (south africa edition, just happen to come across that) a year a two ago. pity i didn't take more note of it...
This charger isn't inductive.
Inductive charging is incredibly inefficient. This is about as far from green as you can get.
Oh my clients would be so pleased!
in 10 years time it should be standardised on most gadgets...
If we didn't have opposable thumbs I'd say COOL! But, we do and I can manage a 30-pin jack right nicely.
Hurray for wireless charging!