WildCharge: Getting to Tesla's Dream
It’s taken quite a while, but wireless power is finally becoming a reality. Granted, we’re not building massive towers like Wardenclyffe yet, but it’s a step in the right direction. The WildCharge Pad isn’t wireless in the truest sense though- your still have to plop your device, clad in a special skin, onto the pad. A satisfying metal thunk indicates a magnetic lock, as the surface of the pad is actually just exposed contact points and each case has contact points as well. And, of course, you need to plug the pad in.
You can charge multiple devices at the same time, which is pretty neat- they claim up to 15 watts, or around 5 devices. And the pad shuts down if non-chargeable conductive items, like your keys, are placed on it. It’s also resistant to liquids, even conductive ones. It isn’t very large and is quite thin, but will take up a bit of real estate on your nightstand. Other vendors have licensed the technology, creating a version for the Wii, for example.
It’s been quite a while since the technology was first demoed, and we’re happy to report that it works as advertised. We didn’t love the iPhone gel skin (required for use) that added a bit of a bulge at the bottom and took away the sync port- but it wasn’t that bad either. There are multiple colors available, a nice touch, and it wasn’t that hard to put on or remove- but for those who sync frequently, it might be awkward. Also, keep in mind that the pad itself weighs something, and that for traveling it is pretty easy to take the USB cable with you.
It charges fast, nearly as fast as being directly connected, and offers support for a wide range of devices, including USB and the Nintendo DS thanks to the PowerDisc (which replaces the need for a skin in those cases). Skins are available for many phones from Motorola, Blackberry, and a universal adapter bundle that can connect to Nokia and Sony Ericsson, among others. At $50 directly from them, the pad is reasonably priced as well, but you’ll have to shell out extra for each skin or PowerDisc, adding $20-$35 per device. It’s a convenient if slightly-unnecessary gimmick, and we look forward to seeing it in future versions, built-in to portable electronics. We’re still holding out hope for Wardenclyffe though.
