Jealous of Palm Pre's inductive charging? WildCharge has you covered

Chauncey Dupree
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June 23, 2009
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One admittedly cool thing about the Palm Pre is its ability to charge without plugging the device into a power adapter.  With the Pre's Touchstone technology (sold separately for around $50) you simply put the device down on the block and it begins charging.  The magic is in the back plate which  allows for wireless inductive current to charge the phone.

iPhone owners now have the option to "wirelessly" charge their Apple products.  WildCharge sent us a press release (below) on their new product for iPhone which allows you to do basically the same thing as the Pre's Touchstone...perhaps even better.   The conductive back is provided through a iPhone protective cover and it charges via a mouse-pad sized (8"x6") mat.  WildCharge's mat is big enough  to share with other devices as well.  

 

The NYTimes reviewed their previous products and found them very likable.  The iPhone version will be available in two weeks.   The iPod touch version you can buy now.

WildCharge wire-free power experience now available for Apple devices

WildCharge introduces WildCharge Skins for the iPhone and iPod touch, the first wire-free charging solutions for the world’s most popular portable devices. The WildCharge Skin for iPhone is compatible with the new iPhone 3G S, as well as the 3G and original iPhone. WildCharge Skins are durable, protective, form-fitting cases that when placed on the WildCharger Pad, transfer wire-free power from the Pad to the device inside the skin. The soft cases provide the same protection consumers already enjoy from traditional skins, but have the added value and convenience of enabling a wire-free charge.

The WildCharge Skin for iPod touch is available to order immediately. The WildCharge Skin for the iPhone will be available to order within two weeks.

Comments (15)

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | June 23, 2009 - 4:03pm

Because plugging in your iPhone is such a huge pain in the ass....

Now if this let you sync with your mac also I would be impressed.

noobie (not verified) | June 23, 2009 - 5:48pm

you're comment made me laugh! I agree with you... I never really understood the need for such a thing... I would welcome something that'll charge my phone/laptop like 10 feet away... (although I know it's against the laws of physics, at least for now)

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | June 23, 2009 - 6:44pm

agreed.

9to5 sleep-a-thon (not verified) | June 23, 2009 - 11:10pm

i couldn't agree more... i really don't understand 9to5's fascination with the touchstone charger.

9to5Mac Poob (not verified) | June 23, 2009 - 4:04pm

Steeeeveeeeeoooooo!!!! Where are you?????? PLeeeaaaseee come back sooooon...

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | June 23, 2009 - 4:43pm

Yuck! Its ugly! I would raterh plug my phone into a windmill to charge it then this thing.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | June 23, 2009 - 4:53pm

Yes, when we should be conversing electrical usage, switch to a new power method that will ALWAYS have a significantly higher amount of wasted electricity to provide the exact same charge, while taking a longer period of time to do so.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | June 23, 2009 - 6:04pm

Looks like they've been using this for a while too. Look at the home screen layout in the photo. That's from the 1.1.2 firmware days...

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | June 23, 2009 - 6:29pm

I like the idé that you just drops your phone on you desk next to you computer (workplace) and it then rechages.
But then I would like wireless sync as well.

MacsInNash (not verified) | June 23, 2009 - 7:39pm

Are you sure this is really accurate: "wireless inductive current to charge the phone." From the product site it looks more like it uses some cleverly placed prongs to contact the metallic strips on the charging pad. But, I could be wrong.

LD (not verified) | June 23, 2009 - 7:42pm

It's not really wireless inductive charging. It uses metal contacts on the skin that must be in physical contact with the pad. It's actually conductive charging, which is what WildCharge calls it and what hundreds of blogs like this one seem to continually get wrong.

Mac User | June 23, 2009 - 11:25pm

IMO, whats the point? Personally I have a CapsuleRebel on my iPhone and I don't want to take it off just to charge a lil easier, if anything at all. Personally I think this is one feature that is like "OMG LOOK! I CAN CHARGE ON THIS PAD" type of thing that gets people to think it's cool . . . for a moment or two. It's just not necessary. Another thing is like everyone else is saying, wireless sync. Maybe we can get something to sync over bluetooth? Idk, but this pad is ridiculous.  

Mac User

"Once you go Mac, you'll never go back"

 

MacBook Pro (early 2008)

2.4ghz, 4g RAM, Leopard 10.5.6

PeterZ (not verified) | June 24, 2009 - 6:21am

Huge Mat. (left hand)

30 pin connector (right hand)

No thanks.

Next.

joe I (not verified) | June 24, 2009 - 8:07am

I see the point (somehow) if you have 2 phones that you have to keep charged.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | June 24, 2009 - 7:32pm

Hey!!!
I find a place, Epicentre Orchard Ion, having many Apple's gadget with good prices. You guys can go there to find one!!!

Have time, can take a look...
www.epicentreorchard.com