Thursday, October 31, 2002
Power Pad Offers Easy Recharge
Posted by Jason Dunn in "NEWS" @ 09:58 AM
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,106482,tk,dn103002X,00.asp
I heard about this technology several weeks ago, and meant to post on it, but didn't - I'm glad PC World ran this article to remind me about it! The potential for this technology is quite incredible. Imagine recharging your devices by simply placing them on a small pad by your computer desk or night stands. No more wires, no more cables. I was led astray by the initial description of this technology I heard earlier - it's not "wireless" but "wire free". Quite a difference - this will require devices to not only have a chip inside to regulate the amount of power it needs, but it will also require metal contact points on the outside of the device. Still, this could revolutionize how we power devices, assuming the costs of these pads will be rapidly driven down to the point where adoption will occur rapidly. Give the article a read - it's very interesting.
"Amid the wireless buzz, a company claims to have solved the "last wire" dilemma by eliminating the need to plug in devices to charge them. Startup MobileWise is working with Acer and others to ship (early next year) a pad with a conductive surface capable of powering compatible computing devices that simply rest on top of it--as efficiently as if they were plugged into an electrical outlet."
"...An early design of the technology resembles a thick rubber place mat. Metal "connectivity points" span the pad's surface and deliver power to the charging contacts on a compatible notebook, cell phone, or other device that is laid on the surface. A single pad can power or recharge various compatible devices at once, accommodating as many as will fit on the pad, according to company representatives. Each unit will contain the intelligence to identify itself and its specs to the pad. The largest of the first pads is limited to 240 watts of output. Its potential uses are diverse, said Andy Goren, the company's chief executive officer, who demonstrated the technology. One obvious benefit is that a pad, which has a single power cord that plugs into the wall, could replace the multitude of power supplies required for individual devices that fit on its surface." Source: Jeff Curtin
I heard about this technology several weeks ago, and meant to post on it, but didn't - I'm glad PC World ran this article to remind me about it! The potential for this technology is quite incredible. Imagine recharging your devices by simply placing them on a small pad by your computer desk or night stands. No more wires, no more cables. I was led astray by the initial description of this technology I heard earlier - it's not "wireless" but "wire free". Quite a difference - this will require devices to not only have a chip inside to regulate the amount of power it needs, but it will also require metal contact points on the outside of the device. Still, this could revolutionize how we power devices, assuming the costs of these pads will be rapidly driven down to the point where adoption will occur rapidly. Give the article a read - it's very interesting.
"Amid the wireless buzz, a company claims to have solved the "last wire" dilemma by eliminating the need to plug in devices to charge them. Startup MobileWise is working with Acer and others to ship (early next year) a pad with a conductive surface capable of powering compatible computing devices that simply rest on top of it--as efficiently as if they were plugged into an electrical outlet."
"...An early design of the technology resembles a thick rubber place mat. Metal "connectivity points" span the pad's surface and deliver power to the charging contacts on a compatible notebook, cell phone, or other device that is laid on the surface. A single pad can power or recharge various compatible devices at once, accommodating as many as will fit on the pad, according to company representatives. Each unit will contain the intelligence to identify itself and its specs to the pad. The largest of the first pads is limited to 240 watts of output. Its potential uses are diverse, said Andy Goren, the company's chief executive officer, who demonstrated the technology. One obvious benefit is that a pad, which has a single power cord that plugs into the wall, could replace the multitude of power supplies required for individual devices that fit on its surface." Source: Jeff Curtin
