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Sony Cyber-shot TX300V inductive charging camera and dock hands-on (video)

Zach Honig — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:41:00 EST

You may have thought that Sony's Cyber-shot TX200V was the company's most powerful point-and-shoot to date, but that's not exactly true. The company has a Japan-only version of the TX200V called the TX300V, and it's quite a compelling upgrade. The camera's most appealing addition comes in the form of a wireless charging and transfer dock -- it refuels your pocket snapper through inductive charging while also wirelessly transferring images to your computer using TransferJet. It can also draw power from your computer's USB port (no AC adapter required). Oh, and it ships in the camera box.

Sadly, there aren't any plans to sell this iteration outside of Japan, and Sony's mum on pricing and availability. The camera transferred images and charged without issue during our demo (the Charge indicator lit up, at least -- we didn't stick around to watch it charge the camera). We went hands-on with the TX300V and its charging dock at CP+ in Yokohama, and you can check the camera kit out in all its glossy black glory just past the break.

Gallery: Sony Cyber-shot TX300V hands-on

Continue reading Sony Cyber-shot TX300V inductive charging camera and dock hands-on (video)

Sony Cyber-shot TX300V inductive charging camera and dock hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thermador Freedom full-surface inductive cooktop oven mitts-on

Sean Cooper — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 21:19:00 EST

We'll admit it, cooktops aren't all that sexy as a rule. But Thermodor's Freedom full-surface adaptive induction unit we just happened upon at CES Unveiled this evening certainly takes some steps towards making that almost true. Touting a 6-inch touchscreen that displays the pot's shape and position and enables easy one tap control of each vessel's cooking temperature as well as up to 4600-watt maximum output power. A benefit of this seamless layout is that due to inductive cooking's magic, pots can be reconfigured while cooking without the need to wait for an element to heat up. While we weren't allowed to do any cooking tests, we expect the surface does get hot and can cook food. Thermador's flagship Freedom surface is due to ship in Jul 2012 for an sound about $4949. Hit the gallery for some pretty hot see-thru pics of the inner workings of the Freedom.

Gallery: Thermador full surface induction cooktop

Thermador Freedom full-surface inductive cooktop oven mitts-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 Jan 2012 21:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan Leaf to get inductive charging, lose its stem in 2013 (video)

Zach Honig — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:30:00 EST

Nissan has big plans for the still-budding Leaf. The Japanese automaker lit up its impressive Leaf-powered Smart House at the Tokyo Motor Show last week, but also demoed its wireless charging solution for a much smaller crowd at the company's Oppama factory. The device uses electromagnetic induction to transfer power between a charging pad and a receiver on the bottom of the car, with an efficiency level between 80 and 90 percent -- simply park your EV directly above the system to begin charging, and monitor progress on the ground transmission unit's control panel. The pad is expected to become available as soon as 2013, but will only be compatible with new vehicles, so you won't be able to use it with an older Leaf, unfortunately. There's a silent demo video waiting for you just past the break.

Continue reading Nissan Leaf to get inductive charging, lose its stem in 2013 (video)

Nissan Leaf to get inductive charging, lose its stem in 2013 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wireless Power Consortium launches Qi certification lab, cuts power cords for approved devices

Michael Gorman — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:43:00 EST

The power of Qi has grown and grown since the wireless charging standard was finalized. With cord cutting becoming more desirable -- and dare we say, de rigeur, for many mobile devices -- the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) has launched an independent lab to certify gadgets wanting on its induction charging bandwagon. TÜV Rheinland's providing the speedy certification services at its Taiwanese testing facility, so we should see the legion of Qi-powered devices continue to grow at an ever-increasing rate. Guess Power Matt made the right move joining the WPC superfriends. Qi's up, cords down, playa.

Continue reading Wireless Power Consortium launches Qi certification lab, cuts power cords for approved devices

Wireless Power Consortium launches Qi certification lab, cuts power cords for approved devices originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC Thunderbolt inductive charging back hits FCC, makes life with LTE a little easier

Terrence O'Brien — Sat, 14 May 2011 11:57:00 EST

That inductive-charging backplate for the HTC Thunderbolt just hit the FCC, which means keeping the battery-devouring device juiced is about to get a little less inconvenient. Instead of having to plug in three times a day just to keep that LTE radio happy you'll simply be able to rest it on a charging mat... three times a day. The part made a brief appearance in the Verizon shop for $39, but the rumored April release date came and went without so much as a peep from Big Red. While we still can't say for sure when it will land, at least we know it's coming sooner rather than later -- and we've got one less reason to reconsider that pocket-busting extended battery.

HTC Thunderbolt inductive charging back hits FCC, makes life with LTE a little easier originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 May 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Meet Power Matt, Powermat's new pun-based superhero ready to answer your tech questions (updated)

Brian Heater — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:43:00 EST

The biggest problem with modern society? A lack of good super villains. Seriously, today's superheroes are getting flabby from sitting around, twiddling their powerful thumbs. Look at poor Power Matt here -- dude's clearly been working out and doing his shopping at the Justice League department store. So what is he doing with his time? Foiling bank heists or intercepting speeding missiles? Nope. He's Powermat's new mascot, and he's fielding questions about the inductive charging pad on the company's Twitter account. Can someone please help the poor redheaded hero out and kidnap a world leader or something? Or at least steal their microUSB cable?

Update: Ah, so according to reader Virginia Comicon, turns out this image is, ahem, inspired by the cover of Superman issue 233. Check out the comparison after the break.

Continue reading Meet Power Matt, Powermat's new pun-based superhero ready to answer your tech questions (updated)

Meet Power Matt, Powermat's new pun-based superhero ready to answer your tech questions (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon and HTC offer Thunderbolt extended battery, give your phone dumps like a truck

Michael Gorman — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:03:00 EST

Though never confirmed by Verizon, it seems likely that battery life (or more accurately, the lack thereof) played a part in the series of delays preceding the Thunderbolt's launch. To combat this problem, Big Red and HTC are offering a rather unsightly extended battery pack that nearly doubles the handset's capacity from 1400mAh to 2750mAh. All that extra juice will certainly come in handy for folks leaning heavily on the phone's LTE radio. However, the device costs $50 and adds an ounce of junk in the trunk -- on a device that isn't svelte to begin with -- so why not buy another standard battery for ten bucks less instead? Then you can use the Qi-compatible back and induction charging station Verizon's releasing in April -- both are pictured after the break. It's just under $100 ($29 for the back and $69 for the pad) for those who want to cut the cord and don't mind the expanded waistline we assume comes with the privilege.

Continue reading Verizon and HTC offer Thunderbolt extended battery, give your phone dumps like a truck

Verizon and HTC offer Thunderbolt extended battery, give your phone dumps like a truck originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HP's Touch to Share eyes-on, starring the TouchPad and HP Pre 3 (video)

Sean Hollister — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:22:00 EST

Tablet manufacturers love to talk about how magical their devices are, but HP's Touch to Share truly is something else -- you simply bump a paired Pre 3 into an HP TouchPad slate, and the data beams over the air -- in this case, loading a website URL a la Chrome to Phone. While it uses the same induction coil technology to connect the twain as HP's Touchstone dock (and Bluetooth to actually pipe those packets through the ether), you don't actually need a Touchstone to make the magic happen this time around, only a pair of compatible devices. Representatives tell us that you do have to pair them beforehand, as well -- you wouldn't want an errant Pre 3 owner to swipe your banking session while you're on the go, now would you? Don't miss the video above.

Nilay Patel contributed to this report.

HP's Touch to Share eyes-on, starring the TouchPad and HP Pre 3 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EVO 4G picks up stylish Powermat induction charger (video)

Thomas Ricker — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 07:05:00 EST

This isn't your father's Powermat. The company whose name is synonymous with induction charging has undergone a makeover of sorts, reducing the bulk of its egregious logo in addition to the custom battery covers it makes for select devices. The $59.99 mat and receiver door (or $39.99 for the receiver only) for the notoriously power hungy EVO 4G is a good example of where Powermat's aftermarket induction charging tech can melt away into the design without affecting the overall aesthetic. In fact, if it wasn't for that logo and charging connector on the case to the right we'd swear that was a stock EVO 4G handset. See it unboxed and put to task in the video after the break.

Continue reading EVO 4G picks up stylish Powermat induction charger (video)

EVO 4G picks up stylish Powermat induction charger (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 07:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Qi wireless power standard finalized, universal contactless chargers look closer to reality than ever

Vlad Savov — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 02:34:00 EST

The Wireless Power Consortium took a big step forward this past week with the confirmation that its precocious Qi interoperability standard has been finalized. Composed of three documents setting out the interface, performance and compliance requirements, the new dictum has set itself the not inconsiderable challenge of making wireless charging universal, so that any Qi-approved phone can soak up juice from any Qi-verified base station, dock or omnitool. This first spec is limited to devices requiring no more than 5 Watts, an appropriately humble early goal, though cauldrons are already bubbling with ideas for laptops and the like. We just hope the impressive list of big time companies on the Consortium will succeed in taking Qi into the mainstream -- who here hasn't dreamt of their phone being compatible with the Touchstone?

[Thanks, MrStringTheorist]

Qi wireless power standard finalized, universal contactless chargers look closer to reality than ever originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 02:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Case-Mate's Hug wireless iPhone charging solution shipping now for $100

Darren Murph — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:38:00 EST

Remember that wireless induction charger that we saw poking around at the CES iLounge Pavilion earlier this year? Seems that Case-Mate has finally given that little doohickey a name, a price and a ship date. The aptly-titled Hug (which consists of the Hug Case and Hug Pad) slips onto one's iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS and allows Apple's darling to get recharged by simply laying on the aforementioned platter. Of course, the case itself is distractingly bulky, and this whole thing relies on the same eCoupled technology that we've been seeing for years now -- though, the fact that this pad will charge any other case that utilizes the same standard is worth noting. Is the ability to never need your dock connecting cable for rejuvenation purposes really worth the $99.99 asking price? We're guessing not, but those that disagree can get their own shipped out this very moment.

Continue reading Case-Mate's Hug wireless iPhone charging solution shipping now for $100

Case-Mate's Hug wireless iPhone charging solution shipping now for $100 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Case-Mate at CES 2010: it's (mostly) about power

Jacob Schulman — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:28:00 EST

Case-Mate is set up within the new iLounge Pavilion in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, and among the displays chockfull of silicon skins there was some new gear we wouldn't mind bringing home. On hand were a ton of their Fuel models (you know, the cases that charge your device while they're on) for a boatload of phones -- including multiple BlackBerry models as well as for the iPhone. Also new were the very artsy iPhone cases featuring various designs on the back. Finally, Case-Mate was showing off its first foray into the increasingly crowded induction charging space with a matching iPhone jacket that was a bit bulky for our tastes. Case-Mate has always been one of our favorite case companies, and we're definitely excited to see where they're headed into the future.

Gallery: Case-Mate at CES 2010

Case-Mate at CES 2010: it's (mostly) about power originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Powermat CES 2010 lineup hands-on

Jacob Schulman — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:51:00 EST

We just swung by Powermat's table here at Digital Experience, and we're really digging the newest lineup of products out of the company. It's offering up its appropriately titled power mats in sizes for one, two, or three devices, as well as specialized folding solutions for the car or when you're not near an outlet. The place we see the real promise, though, is with the swappable batteries we heard about earlier. That's right, the days of those ugly, bulky cases are over if you're lucky enough to have a device that's supported. We saw demos for multiple models, including a handful of BlackBerrys, the Droid, and the MyTouch 3G -- sorry iPhone users, you still need a jacket. Even more interestingly, there's an app available for Android users that will allow Powermat to remotely optmThe netbook solution the folks at Powermat are hocking is more of an adapter with an external jacket, and it's not the most elegant solution. Be sure to check the gallery below for glamour shots of the new gear in action.

Gallery: Powermat CES 2010 lineup hands-on

Powermat CES 2010 lineup hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sanyo releases new, Motion Plus-approved, contact-free Eneloop Wiimote charger

Tim Stevens — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:34:00 EST

If you ran out last year and bought one of Sanyo's Eneloop Wiimote chargers, the first to be officially approved by Nintendo and to allow charging whilst that ludicrously thick rubber cover was still in place, you were probably a bit bummed when it was obsoleted by the Motion Plus. Sanyo has a fix: you can now run out and buy a new charger! Yes, you too can help fuel the economy by tossing a perfectly functional yet now useless accessory into the trash and replacing it with something that does exactly the same thing with a little extra room at the bottom. Like before it's USB-powered and charges via induction, so no contacts are required, though there are now cavities for two Wiimotes rather than just one. No mention of a US release, but it'll be hitting Japan sometime next month for ¥7,400 -- about $80.

Filed under: Gaming

Sanyo releases new, Motion Plus-approved, contact-free Eneloop Wiimote charger originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan looking to give an inductive charge to its upcoming Zero Emissions Vehicle

Ross Miller — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:16:00 EST

It won't be quite the same as putting a Palm Touchstone under your tire -- although that's quite the mental image -- but Nissan's thinking big and planning to apply that same inductive charging technology for its upcoming five-seat Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV). As envisioned by the company, the ideal scenario would be to drive into a compatible charging bay and power up without the need to haul around a plug like current EV owners do -- Nissan Europe's Larry Haddad estimates a 25 minute shopping trip could be enough to refill the battery back up to 80 percent. In an admittedly more far-fetched case, the company said it's scientifically feasible to have charging plates buried just under the surface of the road for on-the-go charging. With realities like money and practicality in the way, we can't imagine that example to fruition anytime soon. In the meantime, we've still gotta wait until August to even gather a glimpse of the ZEV -- maybe by then we'll get a better idea of Nissan's plans for the technology.

[Via Autoblog Green]

Filed under: Transportation

Nissan looking to give an inductive charge to its upcoming Zero Emissions Vehicle originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TeknoCreations' InCharge juices Wiimotes through silicone skins

Darren Murph — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 07:59:00 EST

It's a common issue, really. Having to peel that sticky, icky silicone skin from the Wiimote each time you try to swap out the batteries or plop it down in a recharging station is a real pain, but TeknoCreations has a better way. By utilizing a contactless induction charging system, its InCharge remote charger can actually reinvigorate Lithium Polymer battery packs that are encased within those newfangled silicone grips that the Big N recommends so heavily. The system reportedly offers a 25-hour battery life, and unlike contact-based chargers, the aforementioned dirt and grit won't gum up the juicing process. The InCharge Wiimote charger should be available real soon for $34.99, and for PS3 owners feeling all left out, fret not -- the company just received certification to go forward with a similar product for the SIXAXIS.

[Via Nintendo Wii Fanboy]

Read - InCharge Wiimote
Read - InCharge PS3 certification

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

TeknoCreations' InCharge juices Wiimotes through silicone skins originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Sep 2008 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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University of Tokyo develops expansive plastic power sheet

Darren Murph — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 13:52:00 EST

It seems this whole "wireless power" phenomenon is just getting warmed up, as we've got yet another creation that promises to rejuvenate our gadgetry without forcing us to hunt for those easy-to-misplace AC adapters. Researchers at the University of Tokyo have demonstrated a prototype which consists of "plastic and flexible electronics" that can wirelessly provide power to "any device that touches its surface." Of course, gadgets would need to be equipped with "a coil and special power-harvesting circuitry" to receive the energy, but it still beats lugging around half a dozen adapters on every outing. While this flexible sheet still relies on electromagnetic induction like the one's that have come before it, this particular rendition features a dual-sheet design that allows it to intelligently divert power to objects touching any part of the sheet, while not wasting energy on parts not being occupied. Takao Someya, professor of engineering, estimates that there's still "about five years" before the sheet will overcome the current "reliability issues," but hopes to one day "power flat-screen panels without ever needing an electrical outlet."

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Wireless

University of Tokyo develops expansive plastic power sheet originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Dec 2006 13:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft teases with wireless backlit keyboard

Evan Blass — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 13:41:00 EST

It's not often that you see a teaser campaign for the utilitarian keyboard, so it's safe to assume that a wireless backlit model Microsoft has in the pipeline must be something pretty special. Although not many details are revealed in the flash demo for what is only known as the "ultimate keyboard," it looks to be a Bluetooth-based system that includes a pointing device on the 'board along with a mouse for desk work, with both components seemingly getting their juice through induction from a SplashPad-like mat. Even the illumination system sounds pretty high-tech, as it not only contains a sensor to detect ambient lighting conditions, but actually shuts itself down when it realizes you've stepped away from the keyboard. Like we said, Microsoft is pretty light on the deets here, so you'll have to wait on specs, pricing, and availability until Redmond is good and ready to give them up.

Filed under: Desktops, Peripherals

Microsoft teases with wireless backlit keyboard originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Jun 2006 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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