Powermat charging system took my iPod Touch hostage

(Credit: Powermat)

I originally planned on writing my review of the Powermat magnetic inductive charging system by highlighting the innovation in the technology and the lack of necessity for a product that costs a serious amount of coin--$99.99 for the wired mat plus $40 for the charger--for achieving the same goal as a simple wire.

But then the Powermat took my iPod Touch captive.

First, the straight shooting: the Powermat system is indeed very cool. It does what it advertises and brings "wire-less" charging to devices that normally don't have the ability: the iPhone, iPod Touch, select RIM BlackBerry models, and so forth.

But the problem with the product should have been evident from the drawing board: it doesn't fill a need, and comes off like a proof-of-concept product. Sure, "wire-less" charging is neat to observe, but you're buying a boatload of equipment (a mat that comes with wired adapter, plus device-specific "receiver") for the price of a new smartphone on contract to replace something that took a moment to achieve in the first place.

Read more of "How the cordless Powermat charging system took my iPod Touch hostage" on ZDNet's The Toy Box.

[Chao_Sama]

I wish those things worked with more electronic devices.

[kormiko]

My old Panasonic shaver had a similar recharge system, where you just put it on the stand and it recharges it without plugging a cord into the actual shaver, but just having a cord (without the stand) is better for traveling.

Powermat should work with Apple, Blackberry, Nintendo and other companies for putting their product inside those devices so that it works on the mat without the extra add-on.

It's gonna happen sooner or later, but whether Powermat will have a majority part is another question.

[MickBurke]

Has anybody talked about how much power inductive charging wastes?

[gerd13]

what if your on a bus or plane and your ipod dies and you cant plug it in? 4 this it is the perfect solution

[Carrick1973]

This is quite the silly novelty. First, it wastes a ton of energy in comparison to a corded charger. Strange that everyone's pushing power saving LCD's and power sipping appliances, but then this comes along and people jump off the power saving bandwagon in favor of a gimmick. Second, it still needs to be plugged in, so it doesn't reduce the necessity of having a power outlet (sorry @gerd13). Third - does anyone know the impact this has on the existing battery? Does it reduce the lifespan at all?

[c1Batousai]

This is the kind of device you think: mhh is cool, innovative but I ain't gonna spend that money for that useless gimmick like Carrick1973 said.
Im not saying that is not a good idea, just not very elaborated