True Wireless Charging Is Finally Here With The Energous WattUp

[AverageNinja]

Magic is happening at CES 2015, literally. A lot of smartphones can charge wirelessly nowadays, but you still need to lay it down on a charging pad, which makes it kind of unpractical. Luckily, the future is looking very bright, as a company by the name of Energous has introduced the world's first wire- and contactless charger. Meet the WattUp.

Supposedly, the WattUp will charge any device that requires less than 10 watts of power and runs on a battery, within a 15 feet radius, which is very exciting news to say the least. Energous also showed the device in a casino suite modified to look like a home, and it seems to actually work! Engadget states that Michael Laebman, founder and Chief Technology Director at the tech-company, used an iPad to control the transmitter, powering several light bulbs and smartphones with a single tap on the screen.

One downside might be that the technology is quite new. While the technology may be integrated in upcoming smartphones, other smartphones will need a separate battery pack. It shouldn't be any more expensive than a regular battery pack, but that's not for Energous to decide, because they won't make them.

The WattUp is going to retail at roughly £200, or $300, and promises to be able to charge up to 12 devices at once. The closer your devices are to the transmitter, the faster they will charge. It's clear this piece of tech has a lot of potential. Are you excited for this, or do you think this will be nothing more than a gimmick?

Sources: Engadget, The Verge, Energous' Website.

 

[yassarikhan786]

The first iteration is bound to have some teething problems.

I'd love to see a real world demonstration before I make my mind up on whether or not it is a gimmick. If it does take off, it'll be a great way to passively charge your devices.

 

[AverageNinja]

The first iteration is bound to have some teething problems.

I'd love to see a real world demonstration before I make my mind up on whether or not it is a gimmick. If it does take off, it'll be a great way to passively charge your devices.

I agree, we'll have to see how this turns out. It does seem very interesting, if executed well though. And of course it'll all depend on if other companies are willing to integrate the technology in their products.

 

[Kaapstad]

I don't think I want anything to do with this.

I think it could be dangerous on a long term basis.

 

[yassarikhan786]

I don't think I want anything to do with this.

I think it could be dangerous on a long term basis.

It supposedly works over WiFi, so it shouldn't be that bad. We'll see when it comes out.

 

[computeur]

It supposedly works over WiFi, so it shouldn't be that bad. We'll see when it comes out.

Maybe but we haven't yet enough step back to know the effects off the wifi airwaves for our health

 

[ShaunB-91]

I'd buy it.

 

[Merxe]

I don't think I want anything to do with this.

I think it could be dangerous on a long term basis.

It is indeed obvious that a long term exposure to an electromagnetic field affects organisms. Long or short term - that depends on the fields density.

For example, an electric worker should not work more than 90 minutes at electrical substations that you can see inside or outside cities.

There are norms defining the maximum field density in a workplace.

The same will go for this device here - it would have to go through testing to be able to be used at home. However we are already using so much electrical equipment at our houses that adding one more shouldn't make a difference.