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iQi Mobile Receiver: Wireless charging for the iPhone 5 family
Wireless inductive charging seems to be a kind of Holy Grail lately -- a lot of companies are on the quest to bring it to all smartphone and tablet devices. I recently reviewed a battery case that charges an iPhone wirelessly. It's actually pretty nice to walk into the house or office, and put my iPhone down on a charging pad to top off the battery. There are no cables involved and no hassle. Of course, there is a power cable to the charging pad, but that doesn't have to be constantly plugged and unplugged. iQi (pronounced i-chee) has an interesting new product called the iQi Mobile Receiver that provides wireless charging using your own soft case. It doesn't work with rigid polycarbonate iPhone cases. Specifications Wireless Receiver: Qi compatible Fits most soft iPhone cases for iPhone 5, 5c and 5s Requires USB 2.0 or later Charger Pads Cable is USB/micro USB Micro USB input: DC 5V, 500-2100 mA No alignment or magnets needed Power Transmission Distance: 8mm Design Highlights The iQi Mobile Receiver (US$35.11) is a thin card only 0.5 mm thick attached to a flexible ribbon cable that plugs into your Lightning port. The card portion wraps around to the back of the phone, and then you slide your phone into its existing soft case to hide the receiver. You'll also need a Qi charging pad to complete the charging solution. A pad roughly in the shape of your phone is $42.00, and a smaller hockey puck-shaped charger runs $45.00. Those charging pads are plugged into a USB port on an AC adapter or computer. When you set your receiver-equipped phone down on the charging pad, the charging starts. The iQi Mobile Receiver was the result of an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign that surpassed its goal in just 10 days. Functionality Highlights The iQi Mobile Receiver is simple to install, although you have to take care to not over-flex the thin ribbon cable. An adhesive sticker is provided to attach the receiver card to the back of your iPhone 5 so that the card doesn't flop around inside your case. With the card installed and the phone placed Into a soft case, you will barely notice any increase in thickness. The charging pads emit a green light when connected to power. When your phone is in the proper charging position, that light turns blue. If the charging pad beeps several times, it is telling you the position of the phone needs to be adjusted. Conclusions I found wireless charging to be totally addictive. When you get used to it, it takes away the hassle of plugging and unplugging charging cables. The iQi system works well. If you don't have a soft case for your phone, the Mobile Receiver comes with a silicone case that protects the phone and keeps everything aligned. The Lightning connector that's used with the Mobile Receiver is not Apple MFi (Made For iPhone) approved, and you may see a message appear on your iPhone screen telling you that. Just dismiss the message and charging should continue without issue. Some Samsung smartphones provide iQi as an optional extra, and a few Google Nexus smartphones offer wireless charging options as well. At this point, Apple doesn't provide a Qi charging option, so this is a workable solution. Charging isn't quite as fast as when directly connected to a charger, but I found the speeds to be acceptable. Unlike the Aero Wireless Charging case reviewed last week, the iQi solution does not provide extended battery life -- it's just a charging solution for your current phone. The Aero costs $99.95, while the cheapest iQi solution (after purchasing the receiver and charging pad) runs about $76.00. Consumers need to decide if the extra battery life provided by the Aero case is worth the extra expense and how important it is to retain your existing soft case. The iQi wireless charging system works very well and lets any iPhone 5 charge without cables attached to the phone (other than the one-time receiver plug-in). I have a few worries about the lifespan of the flexible ribbon cable and that the Lightning connector is not Apple approved. Future Apple updates could possibly disable charging if unapproved hardware is attached.
WPC updates Qi standard, increases inductive charging distance to 40mm
It seems that Power Matt just got a bit more, er, powerful. The Wireless Power Consortium announced today that it's improved the Qi inductive-charging standard to "include longer range magnetic resonance wireless charging." Effectively, this means charging stations that are up to spec will be able to transmit up to 5 watts of power from distances of 40mm (up from 5mm, previously) to Qi-enabled devices. The WPC says it's ideal for pushing power through the likes tables and counter tops, and that it currently has 12 types of compatible transmitters ready for action. All in all, it certainly seems like a solid step for finally getting rid of all that cable clutter at your workstation -- especially if it'll rid users of those less-than-pretty looking charging bases. Maybe a last-minute add-on to your Uppleva, IKEA?
Evatran's Plugless Power wireless EV charger gets smaller, conscripts Chevy Volts for testing
When it comes to technology, the old adage of "bigger is better" died a long time ago, so it's not a surprise to see "smaller is smarter" thinking apply to products and prototypes across the board. Today's (relatively) tiny wonder is Evatran's Plugless Power electric vehicle charging system: now smaller, more efficient, and primed for its first trial phase. The last time we saw Plugless Power, the system's wireless charging "station block" stretched nearly the length of a full vehicle and charged at 80 percent efficiency. Today the charge block is only slightly larger than an average hubcap, boasts a 97 percent charging efficiency, and is less picky about your car missing the wireless charger's "sweet spot." Evatran is now working on launching a test fleet of up to 12 Chevy Volts to put the system through its paces, and hopes to expand the tests to as many as 30 vehicles by January. Ready to ditch pumps and plugs forever? Start saving: a complete Plugless Power system (including vehicle retrofitting) will set you back as much as $5000 after production starts sometime in 2012. Don't be too surprised, cool stuff rarely comes cheap -- besides, that old adage has to apply to something, doesn't it?
Wireless Power Consortium launches Qi certification lab, cuts power cords for approved devices
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.
Droid 3 accessories leaked, Moto's new slider gets wireless charging back plate and more
So, you've read the rumors, scoped out the leaks, and circled multiple dates on your calendar -- just to cover all of your Droid 3 bases. You can now add a catalog of accessories to the stack of intel for this Motorola slider, including an inductive battery door (most likely harnessing the power of Qi), and a smattering of cases and screen protectors. Also thrown in the mix is a 1930mAh extended battery so you can fuel a marathon of South Park reruns and take full advantage of the last week of unlimited data from Verizon. Although knowing about the accessories is nice, we'd prefer to find out the important stuff... ya know, like how much Big Red's new Droid will cost.
Verizon stores struck by HTC Thunderbolt Wireless Charging Battery Cover
Solid as HTC's Thunderbolt may be from a software perspective, its battery life has proven to be less than striking -- unless you've been rocking it with that ultra-chunky extended battery. In comparison, its streamlined and Qi-certified battery cover was slated as another option, but there's been nary a mention of it since that accidental tease on Verizon's website in April. According to Droid Life, it's actually now available from Verizon retail locations for about $30 to complement the $70 charging base -- great for users who: a. hold disdain for cables, b. don't mind a few extra charges, or c. wear skinny jeans. There's no mention of when we'll see the hopefully convenient accessory pop up on Verizon's website, but at least it's out there somewhere for those willing to look.
Power Matt joins the Wireless Power Consortium, gains the power of Qi
Powermat's Power Matt proclaimed his cord-cutting capabilities to the people while bearing a striking resemblance to Superman. And now, just as the Kryptonian joined the Justice League, Power Matt has teamed up with the Wireless Power Consortium to benefit all mankind -- or at least get us closer to universal contactless chargers. With the pun-loving hero embracing the power of Qi, we're just a Touchstone away from induction charging nirvana... and the next great action flick, too.
HTC Thunderbolt inductive charging back hits FCC, makes life with LTE a little easier
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.
Meet Power Matt, Powermat's new pun-based superhero ready to answer your tech questions (updated)
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.
Verizon and HTC offer Thunderbolt extended battery, give your phone dumps like a truck
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.
Dexim's Frixbee and Visible G chargers on display at CES 2011
Accessory manufacturer Dexim had a whole booth full of charging products on display at CES, but two caught our eye while walking around the show floor. The first was the Frixbee induction charging setup above, which consists of an induction pad with room for two different devices and a case that goes on your iPhone 4. The case is pretty slim, though it takes up the iPhone's dock connector while charging, so I'd have to remove it when going out. The induction pad has a magnet in it that will help center your device in the right spot. It's the best implementation of induction (wireless) charging I've seen, though I'm still hoping for induction components as a built-in part of the iPhone, rather than relying on an add-on case. The Frixbee will be sold for about US$80 and should be available around May. The other cool product was the Visible G (for Green) charging cable. It's a standard charging cable for iPhone with one difference: it lights up while charging. LED light moves along the cable, slowly when the phone is low on charge, and faster when it's almost full. You can see from across the room how much charging your iPhone needs. The charger is "green" because it will cut off the power once your phone is fully charged; most chargers continue to pull juice out of the wall. The Visible G is due out in the first week of March for $39.95.
EVO 4G picks up stylish Powermat induction charger (video)
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.
Evatran's Plugless Power gives your wheels a wireless proximity-based charge
Trading gas nozzles for electric sockets may be the green thing to do -- in more ways than one -- but wouldn't plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles be that much sweeter if you could just forget about the plug? That's what Evatran is trying to do with its Plugless Power technology, shown off at Plug-In 2010 in San Jose, which charges your car automatically when you pull up to the company's specially-designed curb. The "station block" above is a wireless induction charger (yes, a car-sized Powermat) that beams electricity to a shoebox-sized device you mount to the undercarriage of your vehicle, magnetically detecting and gravitating towards said shoebox even if you park somewhat crooked. The system presently works with 80 percent efficiency when firing electrons across a two-inch gap (engineers are shooting for 90 percent by the time it hits production) but of course the base station itself doesn't get power from the ether -- it requires one of the company's own Level 2 wired chargers (and compatible wiring) to run. Should your residence or place of business be equipped, the 240 volt towers will set you back $3,245 this December, and the proximity charger will be available to early adopters in Q2 2011 (we're hearing April) for the bargain price of $800.
Qi wireless power standard finalized, universal contactless chargers look closer to reality than ever
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]
Case-Mate's Hug wireless iPhone charging solution shipping now for $100
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.
Microsoft dreams of smart charging pad with information display (update: prototype pics and video)
It's no Courier, but for a charging pad, this is a pretty interesting concept. According to a patent filed by Microsoft's Beijing office, the idea for such a pad is that it can have one side dedicated to inductive charging (maybe for a future Zune or even Microsoft's own phones), while the other side can be used for displaying useful information "such as weather conditions, sports scores, news headlines." It may not sound very practical at first blush, but have a listen at this -- the built-in accelerometer and the charging surface's load detector help determine which side isn't in use, thus switching that side off to reduce power consumption. Voilà! As for why the eggheads suggested adding a light panel for glowing up a glass prism -- it's the new crystal ball. Update: looks like this device has been around since March 2009! A tipster -- who happens to be affiliated with Microsoft Research Asia -- has just hit us with some photos of a prototype device based on this patent. It's called the uPad (please, don't start) and was produced as souvenirs for Microsoft Research Asia's 10th anniversary. As you can see after the break, the uPad wirelessly charges a modified Wireless Laser Mouse 7000. We want one. Update 2: and now we have a video -- narrated in Chinese -- after the break. Thanks, bfishadow!
Case-Mate at CES 2010: it's (mostly) about power
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-82181%
Powermat CES 2010 lineup hands-on
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.
Sanyo releases new, Motion Plus-approved, contact-free Eneloop Wiimote charger
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.
Nissan looking to give an inductive charge to its upcoming Zero Emissions Vehicle
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]
